Cloaked in Christmas
Page 12
And his version of a special day was probably a twisted, demented new torture device he’d ordered to use on Enre.
Maybe I should have visited Enre before now and made peace with him, but the time had never seemed right. Today, it looked like I would never get that chance.
“Where are we going?”
“Patience.” Father smiled as he marched.
He pushed through another entrance that led us past the marble staircase curling upward. Sunlight from the window on the second floor reflected off its black banisters. The bronze wolf statues on the newel posts at the base of the stairs seemed to watch us rush past.
We headed directly to the welcoming room, reserved only for guests.
“Who’s here?” I asked. Father’s secrecy meant it was most likely someone I didn’t want anywhere near our home.
He halted a few steps in front of me and swung around just as the winter gale rattled the tall windows around us and snow fell at an angle outside. “I hadn’t intended for him to arrive this early. I had planned to tell you about it, but it’s—”
“Him?” Father had made an enemy of everyone he crossed, and he had no close friends, so who got him this worked up?
“The Varlac sultan has arrived.” Father’s eyes creased at the corners, the complete opposite reaction he’d ever worn when speaking of the Turkish Varlac leader we considered the enemy.
“What the fuck for?” A month earlier, we’d received a warning from the sultan, who’d insisted we killed two of their kind. I had nothing to do with the murders, but last week, I’d scouted the sultan’s territory without Father’s orders. I had to uncover what kind of army we were dealing with before the situation escalated. I was convinced no one had spotted me, but my trespassing could be considered an act of war and confirmation of the recent killings.
Maybe they were here for payback. Except, why the hell was Father grinning wildly?
“Your language is so vulgar sometimes. You don’t need to always swear.” Father shook his head as if that annoyed him more than the bullshit going on in the great hall.
“The Turkish clan has threatened to attack in the past,” I said, trying to convince myself more than Father. “Is the sultan here for a final warning?”
“Quit your worrying. You sound like a female.” Father placed a hand on my arm, his cold leeching through my clothes. “We have never seen eye to eye with the Turks, but their alpha negotiated a resolution to stop our constant fighting. Neither side will lose any additional wulfkin.”
“Where is my real father, and what have you done with him?”
“It will now end,” he continued. “But it all lies with you, son. Make me proud.”
The world spun beneath me. “What are you talking about?” Father must be sending me off with them as a prisoner of war. It wouldn’t be unlike him.
“Quickly, we can’t keep our guests waiting.” He whirled around and hurried down the corridor.
Guests? What had he gotten me into?
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Don’t miss these books in T.F. Walsh’s Wulfkin Legacy series!
Cloaked: A Wulfkin Legacy Novella
Cloaked in Fur
Cloaked in Secrecy
Praise for the Wulfkin Legacy series:
“Walsh seamlessly blends many plot twists into the story, creating a captivating and page-turning read.”—Lusty Penguin
“The story sucked me in and wouldn't let go.” —The Book Maven
“It's great to see such a strong female character.” —Fabulous and Fun
“I really enjoyed this book; there was so much action and storyline packed into each page, never a dull moment.” —The Reading Cafe
“Not your ordinary paranormal romance. And do yourself a favor and put this one on your to-read list."”—Satin Sheets Romance
“Speaking of ending ... kudos, T.F. Walsh! It certainly was a twist I did NOT see coming! I literally had to re-read a section to make sure my eyes told me right.”—5 stars, Carol Rae's Ramblings
“...oh my, their sexual chemistry is HOT HOT HOT!” --5 stars, Boundless Book Reviews
“A light read filled with sizzling sexual heat ... Ms. Walsh takes us into a world that is filled with tension on every level, where desires and rules are at odds that could be deadly.” —4 stars, Tome Tender Book Blog
“Walsh writes with a style that really highlights the underlying suspense ... a great lead-in to the series.” —4 stars, Pure Jonel
“This was everything I love in a story: Paranormal, some mystery, great chemistry, and will leave you wishing for more.” — 5 stars, Books N Pearls
“The last 40% of the book had me in such a state of anxiety, I couldn't put it down--I had to know what happens next! ...I cannot wait for the next story.” —Boundless Book Reviews
“Dark at times, always riveting, filled with enough subplots to make this tale even more believable, great reading for those who like their fantasy with a bite.” —Tome Tender Reviews
“This book keeps you wanting to read, with the surprise around every turn.” —Fanatical Paranormal Romantical
“This is a wonderful sequel in this series!! ... I couldn't put this one down.” —Happy Tails and Tales
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