| Fantasy Fiction posted December 27, 2017 | Chapters: |
...37 38 -39- 40... 
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Unleashed Chaos/A Novel of the Breedline series
A chapter in the book Unleashed Chaos
Secrets and Betrayal
by scongrove
| Background I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! I'm getting over the flu and hope to catch up in FanStory! Have a Happy New Year! |
Previously...
Even though Sebastian has kept his promise to Eve, and brought back their twin sons, she finds out he hasn’t been completely honest with her. Not only did Sebastian sneak into the Breedline Covenant to retrieve Arius and Tidus, he kidnapped Tessa. But why?
Now that Tessa is help captive, a strange voice inside her head comes from out of nowhere as she desperately pleads for help. As Tessa telepathically connects with the stranger, she discovers his name is Steven and he is her fraternal twin brother, born with the power to heal. With the only connection to the Breedline Covenant, Tessa is desperate to find out where Sebastian and his brother Thomas are keeping her captive.
Continued...
As Eve stood outside the nursery, she placed her hands over her face. Oh God, she thought. Eve felt like a fool for trusting Sebastian when her gut screamed at her to get her sons away from this place. And yet she’d gone against everything she felt was the right choice. Eve hadn’t trusted her instincts, and instead, she’d trusted him. She knew Sebastian would eventually lead her down the road to disaster.
Tears burned where before she’d been too numb to cry, to acknowledge the shock of disappointment which broke her heart. How easily she’d fell for Sebastian’s lies when he’d brought her sons back to her. All the while, he’d plotted with Lilith. But if Lilith were Tessa’s mother, surely she wouldn’t hurt her? And what did she want with Tessa?
Eve lowered her hands and reached for the door. As she opened it, she thought back over what Sebastian had promised her. His concern wasn’t for giving their sons a chance at a normal life. It was about power and greed.
What was she supposed to do? Her first thought was to take Arius and Tidus and run. Escape with them to the Breedline Covenant and beg for help. But how would she get away?
She lowered her head, trying to get control of her emotions before she walked into the room. She didn’t want her sons to see her like this. They’d sense her fear of their father. And she didn’t want them to find out what kind of monster he was.
As she moved next to the crib, she let out a deep breath and stared down at her twins. Arius snuggled against Tidus with his thumb tucked between his parted lips. Whatever she had to do to secure their future, she’d be willing to do, even if it meant giving up her freedom.
Grief filled her heart, nearly choking her as a knot grew in the throat. She had to find a way to get her sons to a safer place. But how would she accomplish it? How much time did she have to come up with a plan? And now she had to pretend to Sebastian—the bonded mate she’d foolishly believed—that her heart wasn’t breaking into a million pieces.
“Eve, what’s wrong?” Sebastian’s voice whispered from the open doorway.
Startled by his voice, Eve flinched. It had taken every bit of strength she possessed to compose herself enough to turn around. As she shifted in his direction, she wondered if he planned on telling her about Tessa. Or would he continue to lie? The naïve part of her wanted to believe it had all been a misunderstanding and he’d explain everything to her. Don’t be stupid, she thought.
“Nothing,” she lied. “I’m just so overwhelmed with emotion having my sons back.”
Sebastian slightly tilted his head to one side and narrowed his eyes, staring at her as if he knew she was lying. And then a smile emerged from his tight lips. “Let’s take advantage of the moment,” he said in a low sultry voice, reaching out to her. “Come join me in our bedroom.”
“I’m not feeling well,” she said, avoiding his hand he offered. “Maybe I just need to rest. I’ve been up most of the night with the twins.”
She had to make up an excuse to not share a bed with him. She couldn’t do it. She could not make love to him knowing he’d been lying to her. Anyway, it wasn’t a complete lie. She felt sick to her stomach, but not from lack of sleep.
“Oh?” he said, his brows furrowing. “Is there anything I can do?”
“No, I’ll be okay after a few hours of rest.”
Sebastian reached out to her again and clasped onto her hand. “I’ll rest with you,” he murmured, squeezing her hand.
Sweat beaded her forehead, and her stomach churned. “Okay,” she muttered, knowing she’d regret her decision.
He looked at her with concern. Was his expression fake, or was it real? She didn’t know what was real anymore.
****
When the door swung open to the room Tessa was locked in, Steven slipped from her mind, and their connection silenced. She quickly closed the journal and tucked it behind a pillow.
Before Tessa could look to see who had come into the room, a hand suddenly clasped onto her arm and hauled her to her feet. And then something flashed in front of her eyes. Sebastian’s doppelganger waved a gun in her face staring down at her with a hateful glare.
Tessa stared up at him, shivering at the calculated way he looked at her.
“Lilith wants to see you,” Thomas growled, digging his fingernails into her skin.
When she tried to pull from his grasp, he placed the cold steel to her forehead. “I should just get you out of your misery now.”
“You’re just as evil as your brother,” she bit out.
He let go of her arm and backhanded her, sending her backward as she fell onto the bed. Her head whipped back as pain washed over her. Agony splintered through her body as he bent to haul her roughly to her feet again.
The thought of her unborn twins came to mind, and calm acceptance quickly settled over her. As much as she wanted to fight back, she willed herself to quell the hatred and fury that burned so deeply within her.
“You’ve got a smart mouth,” he said mockingly. “If you do anything stupid, I won’t hesitate to put a bullet between your eyes. Do you hear me?”
Tessa nodded and closed her eyes as tears slipped through.
She opened them when she felt his finger trail down the curve of her cheek. Tessa turned away, not wanting him to touch her, and his eyebrows went up. When he released his hand from her arm, he slapped her across the face.
Tessa stumbled back but managed to regain her footing before she hit the floor. Nausea curled low in her belly as she lowered her head and placed her hand over her face.
“You don’t learn,” he said in a dark, seething tone. “But you will.”
She lifted her head, staring at him with fire in her eyes.
A smile formed over his tight lips, and it chilled her blood. Quiet fell between them until he lifted his hand, motioning someone inside.
Fear and panic exploded through her body as another man came from behind her holding a syringe in his hand. Tessa searched her surroundings, looking for an escape. But there was no place to go, no place to run as she felt the sting in her arm.
As her knees wobbled, her vision went fuzzy. Losing her footing, she teetered side to side until a set of hands firmly lifted her off the floor before she lost her balance.
“Take her to Lilith,” Thomas said, the words drifting in and out of Tessa’s head.
****
A chill went up Jace’s spine, and fury gripped him all over again. There was no way Tessa was going to spend her life being tortured by Sebastian. The mere thought made him sick to his stomach.
A sudden thought occurred to Jace, and he met Steven’s gaze. “When Helen brought you to the Covenant, you said people were after you, right?”
Steven gave a resigned sigh. “Yes.”
“The same physician you killed?” Jace said darkly.
Steven’s lip tightened in reaction to Jace’s statement. “I’m not a cold-blooded killer.” He stopped for a moment and then he tiredly ran a hand over his jaw. “I acted in self-defense. And it was one of Dr. Autenburg’s colleagues I... killed.”
“If you got rid of the physician,” Jem chimed in. “Then tell us who is after you now?”
“Since I was born in a lab, I never knew who my real parents were. I didn’t even have a real name, though Dr. Autenburg called me Steven Pasquale. I had no official identification and no birth certificate. To the world I don’t exist,” he explained, his voice sounding raw. “After I got away, it was pretty easy for me to disappear, always looking over my shoulder, and never staying in one place for long. I know Dr. Autenburg had another colleague,” he said lowering his head. “I just can’t remember his name.”
When Steven looked up, he saw Jace’s gaze boring a hole through him. There was reprimand in his stare, almost as if he wanted to take a swing at him.
“So what, you just hung around the lab?” Jace asked, his voice sounding irritated. He could feel the spasms of his change itching from inside—the twitching on his temples, and then a prickly feeling traveling all over his skin. “It doesn’t add up and it damn sure doesn’t make sense,” he continued to rant. “We’re wasting time here, Steven. I’m not interested in your life story.”
“I know it sounds far-fetched, but all I knew was that lab. All my life I suffered endless and painful experiments,” Steven said. “They took other people against their will and studied their special abilities. Each one varied, but there were some who clearly displayed unique gifts. Dr. Autenburg spent years searching out men and women with rarities and tested them extensively. And most of them…” he paused and shook his head, “were Breedline. Suffering through years of research, Dr. Hans Autenburg and his colleagues manipulated them into a hybrid species.”
“Do you know if anyone survived?” Tim queried.
Steven’s eyes watered. “I don’t know.”
“It all sounds unreal,” Jace muttered.
Tim shot Jace a glance. His expression suggested he was on the verge of crossing the line. “Take it down a notch, Jace. Don’t let yourself get out of control.”
“It’s okay, Steven,” Helen’s voice was soothing as she reached out to him. “You’re not to blame for all this. It’s not your fault.”
Steven looked beaten and sorrow radiated inside his heart in painful waves. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry, Jace. I will do whatever it takes to help you get Tessa back.”
After a few deep breaths, Jace mentally defused his anger, caging his inner beast. “Then let’s find out where she is,” he said. “Will you try to connect with her again?”
Steven quickly nodded. “Yes, of course.”
“I’ll do some digging into Dr. Autenburg’s past,” Tim interceded. “Maybe I’ll find a lead to his colleague, and his location. He may have something to do with Tessa’s kidnapping since you two are siblings.”
With a lack of patience, Jace asked, “So what now? What are we supposed to do in the meantime? I can’t just sit around here waiting, doing nothing.”
“With luck, I’ll find something that will lead us to Tessa,” Tim’s tone was adamant. “After that, we’ll get her back and put an end to Sebastian Crow and everyone involved.”
Jace grinned. “Now we’re talking!”
Helen cleared her throat. “There’s something you should know, Steven,” he said warily. “Since Tessa is your biological twin, we found your father.”
Steven’s mouth dropped. “You did? Who is he?”
As she placed a hand on Steven’s shoulder, she said, “His name is Kenneth Craven. He’s an orthopedic surgeon here in Berkeley. He’s a good man, Steven. Kenneth searched for your mother for years after she mysteriously vanished when she was just seventeen. He never knew you or Tessa even existed.”
Steven lowered his head and placed his face in his hands. Hearing his father’s name made his heart ache as if it had splintered into a million pieces. Craven, he thought. His birth name was Craven. Not Pasquale. After a brief moment of silence, he lifted his chin and looked at Helen, his face wet with tears, completely unraveled. “I want to meet him.”
“Of course,” Helen said. “I’ll arrange it.”
“What about my mother,” Steven asked her. “Did my father find her?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Steven. Kenneth never found her. Your mother left Tessa in her sister’s care when she was just a baby. She disappeared after that.”
“I have a family?” Steven’s voice trembled.
Helen leaned forward and reached for Steven’s hand, lightly squeezing. “Yes, Steven,” she said in a low voice as tears welled in her eyes. “You have a family.”
Her foster father had her in his grip again, but instead of Sebastian saving her, the demon had been standing there, his dark gaze piercing right through her.
The demon’s voice whispered in Eve’s subconscious. “You will always belong to me, Eve. And this time you’ll learn to obey me.”
The nightmare slowly began to shift. It drifted into something much more terrifying, something Eve never dreamt before, but far beyond her reality… at least she’d hoped.
Standing amongst a dark wooded field, Eve sniffed the night air and tried to concentrate on her unfamiliar surroundings. The scent of blood was sharp against a subtle breeze. It hung in the back of her throat like the taste of rusty metal. After choking it down, she narrowed her eyes and stared off through the vast of trees.
As Eve’s senses cautiously probed the night, she knew the demon was nowhere near. But something else was.
When a low growl sounded behind her, she froze, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. She clenched her hands until her knuckles went white and her fingers ached from the strain. Don’t turn around, she told herself. Unable to resist, she whirled around to face it, and immediately wished she hadn’t.
The thing suddenly crouched beside a big oak. Its head lowered, and its lips drew back into a snarl. It was a wolf, yet not a wolf... some unknown and ungodly hideous mutation of a Breedline. Its long, sleek body was low to the ground, and blood covered its thick, black fur. While Eve watched in horror, it began moving in a tense circle, pacing back and forth within a few feet away. And then without warning, it stopped and raised its head toward the sky.
The howl it gave was unearthly. It let out a shrieking bellow of unbearable agony like an animal… and a human. Their eyes met and held as the creature lowered its head and turned to confront her.
“No,” Eve pleaded. “Please, no…”
Right in front of her it simply vanished, leaving nothing but empty shadows.
Eve awoke startled, sweat beading her forehead and chills prickling her skin. She sat up straight in bed, her body trembling in fear.
She glanced over at Sebastian, who was still sleeping. With a sigh of relief, she eased out of bed and went to the bathroom. After wetting a washcloth, she wiped her face and neck before returning to the bedroom.
After a moment’s hesitation, Eve went to the closet and pulled a robe off the hanger. Placing it over her nightgown, she crept out of the room and slipped into the hallway, making sure she was quiet on her way to the nursery. When Eve peeked inside, she glanced over at the crib to see the twins still sleeping soundly.
As Eve closed the door, she headed to the stairway not sure where she was going, but she knew she had to search for Tessa. She had to be somewhere in this estate.
When she made it downstairs, she heard voices nearby, moving in her direction. Eve ducked around the corner and flattened against the wall before they discovered her. As the voices grew near, she recognized it was Thomas. The other voice was unrecognizable. It was a male with a deep baritone pitch. Pressing her ear to the wall, she heard their footsteps echoing further from her position as if their destination was toward the study.
She quietly tip-toed out and froze. Covering her mouth, Eve silently gasped into her hand. Following behind Thomas, she saw a man twice the size, and he had Tessa who appeared unconscious, in his arms. Eve couldn’t get the image out of her head. Her body trembled as she watched them enter the study, leaving the door slightly open.
Warm hands suddenly slid up her arms to her shoulders, startling her. Eve whirled around to see Sebastian standing there, his eyes unwavering and his face rigid.
“What are you doing?” he said, narrowing his eyes.
Eve withdrew from his grasp, watching his face for any sign of hostility.
“I-I was just going to the kitchen… to make the twins a bottle,” she stammered. She knew he didn’t believe her, and she wasn’t that good an actress. He looked reluctant but also grim and determined. It was the determination that frightened her. As though despite any promises he’d made to her, he seemed bent on following Lilith’s thirst for power.
His expression went from suspicious to a state of ease. “Do you need any help?” he asked, his voice sounding sincere.
Did she see a gleam of conscience in his gaze as she stared into his eyes? Apparently not enough to keep him from all the lies, she thought.
“No,” she quickly replied. “I’ll be fine. The boys are good. They’re no trouble at all.”
“I have to go out for a while,” Sebastian said. “But I’ll be back soon. If you need anything, just let Thomas know. He’ll take care of you until I get back.”
She faked a smile and didn’t ask where he was going. “All right,” she said quietly, her heart pounding in her chest.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead, leaving his lips there for a long moment.
“I won’t be long,” he said as he drew away, walking to the door.
Eve waited until she heard the sound of the door closing before looking out the window as Sebastian backed out of the drive. Then she turned quickly away and moved to the study, knowing Tessa was inside.
As she stood outside the cracked door, she leaned closer and eavesdropped on the conversation coming from inside the room.
To be continued...
Even though Sebastian has kept his promise to Eve, and brought back their twin sons, she finds out he hasn’t been completely honest with her. Not only did Sebastian sneak into the Breedline Covenant to retrieve Arius and Tidus, he kidnapped Tessa. But why?
Now that Tessa is help captive, a strange voice inside her head comes from out of nowhere as she desperately pleads for help. As Tessa telepathically connects with the stranger, she discovers his name is Steven and he is her fraternal twin brother, born with the power to heal. With the only connection to the Breedline Covenant, Tessa is desperate to find out where Sebastian and his brother Thomas are keeping her captive.
Continued...
As Eve stood outside the nursery, she placed her hands over her face. Oh God, she thought. Eve felt like a fool for trusting Sebastian when her gut screamed at her to get her sons away from this place. And yet she’d gone against everything she felt was the right choice. Eve hadn’t trusted her instincts, and instead, she’d trusted him. She knew Sebastian would eventually lead her down the road to disaster.
Tears burned where before she’d been too numb to cry, to acknowledge the shock of disappointment which broke her heart. How easily she’d fell for Sebastian’s lies when he’d brought her sons back to her. All the while, he’d plotted with Lilith. But if Lilith were Tessa’s mother, surely she wouldn’t hurt her? And what did she want with Tessa?
Eve lowered her hands and reached for the door. As she opened it, she thought back over what Sebastian had promised her. His concern wasn’t for giving their sons a chance at a normal life. It was about power and greed.
What was she supposed to do? Her first thought was to take Arius and Tidus and run. Escape with them to the Breedline Covenant and beg for help. But how would she get away?
She lowered her head, trying to get control of her emotions before she walked into the room. She didn’t want her sons to see her like this. They’d sense her fear of their father. And she didn’t want them to find out what kind of monster he was.
As she moved next to the crib, she let out a deep breath and stared down at her twins. Arius snuggled against Tidus with his thumb tucked between his parted lips. Whatever she had to do to secure their future, she’d be willing to do, even if it meant giving up her freedom.
Grief filled her heart, nearly choking her as a knot grew in the throat. She had to find a way to get her sons to a safer place. But how would she accomplish it? How much time did she have to come up with a plan? And now she had to pretend to Sebastian—the bonded mate she’d foolishly believed—that her heart wasn’t breaking into a million pieces.
“Eve, what’s wrong?” Sebastian’s voice whispered from the open doorway.
Startled by his voice, Eve flinched. It had taken every bit of strength she possessed to compose herself enough to turn around. As she shifted in his direction, she wondered if he planned on telling her about Tessa. Or would he continue to lie? The naïve part of her wanted to believe it had all been a misunderstanding and he’d explain everything to her. Don’t be stupid, she thought.
“Nothing,” she lied. “I’m just so overwhelmed with emotion having my sons back.”
Sebastian slightly tilted his head to one side and narrowed his eyes, staring at her as if he knew she was lying. And then a smile emerged from his tight lips. “Let’s take advantage of the moment,” he said in a low sultry voice, reaching out to her. “Come join me in our bedroom.”
“I’m not feeling well,” she said, avoiding his hand he offered. “Maybe I just need to rest. I’ve been up most of the night with the twins.”
She had to make up an excuse to not share a bed with him. She couldn’t do it. She could not make love to him knowing he’d been lying to her. Anyway, it wasn’t a complete lie. She felt sick to her stomach, but not from lack of sleep.
“Oh?” he said, his brows furrowing. “Is there anything I can do?”
“No, I’ll be okay after a few hours of rest.”
Sebastian reached out to her again and clasped onto her hand. “I’ll rest with you,” he murmured, squeezing her hand.
Sweat beaded her forehead, and her stomach churned. “Okay,” she muttered, knowing she’d regret her decision.
He looked at her with concern. Was his expression fake, or was it real? She didn’t know what was real anymore.
****
When the door swung open to the room Tessa was locked in, Steven slipped from her mind, and their connection silenced. She quickly closed the journal and tucked it behind a pillow.
Before Tessa could look to see who had come into the room, a hand suddenly clasped onto her arm and hauled her to her feet. And then something flashed in front of her eyes. Sebastian’s doppelganger waved a gun in her face staring down at her with a hateful glare.
Tessa stared up at him, shivering at the calculated way he looked at her.
“Lilith wants to see you,” Thomas growled, digging his fingernails into her skin.
When she tried to pull from his grasp, he placed the cold steel to her forehead. “I should just get you out of your misery now.”
“You’re just as evil as your brother,” she bit out.
He let go of her arm and backhanded her, sending her backward as she fell onto the bed. Her head whipped back as pain washed over her. Agony splintered through her body as he bent to haul her roughly to her feet again.
The thought of her unborn twins came to mind, and calm acceptance quickly settled over her. As much as she wanted to fight back, she willed herself to quell the hatred and fury that burned so deeply within her.
“You’ve got a smart mouth,” he said mockingly. “If you do anything stupid, I won’t hesitate to put a bullet between your eyes. Do you hear me?”
Tessa nodded and closed her eyes as tears slipped through.
She opened them when she felt his finger trail down the curve of her cheek. Tessa turned away, not wanting him to touch her, and his eyebrows went up. When he released his hand from her arm, he slapped her across the face.
Tessa stumbled back but managed to regain her footing before she hit the floor. Nausea curled low in her belly as she lowered her head and placed her hand over her face.
“You don’t learn,” he said in a dark, seething tone. “But you will.”
She lifted her head, staring at him with fire in her eyes.
A smile formed over his tight lips, and it chilled her blood. Quiet fell between them until he lifted his hand, motioning someone inside.
Fear and panic exploded through her body as another man came from behind her holding a syringe in his hand. Tessa searched her surroundings, looking for an escape. But there was no place to go, no place to run as she felt the sting in her arm.
As her knees wobbled, her vision went fuzzy. Losing her footing, she teetered side to side until a set of hands firmly lifted her off the floor before she lost her balance.
“Take her to Lilith,” Thomas said, the words drifting in and out of Tessa’s head.
****
A chill went up Jace’s spine, and fury gripped him all over again. There was no way Tessa was going to spend her life being tortured by Sebastian. The mere thought made him sick to his stomach.
A sudden thought occurred to Jace, and he met Steven’s gaze. “When Helen brought you to the Covenant, you said people were after you, right?”
Steven gave a resigned sigh. “Yes.”
“The same physician you killed?” Jace said darkly.
Steven’s lip tightened in reaction to Jace’s statement. “I’m not a cold-blooded killer.” He stopped for a moment and then he tiredly ran a hand over his jaw. “I acted in self-defense. And it was one of Dr. Autenburg’s colleagues I... killed.”
“If you got rid of the physician,” Jem chimed in. “Then tell us who is after you now?”
“Since I was born in a lab, I never knew who my real parents were. I didn’t even have a real name, though Dr. Autenburg called me Steven Pasquale. I had no official identification and no birth certificate. To the world I don’t exist,” he explained, his voice sounding raw. “After I got away, it was pretty easy for me to disappear, always looking over my shoulder, and never staying in one place for long. I know Dr. Autenburg had another colleague,” he said lowering his head. “I just can’t remember his name.”
When Steven looked up, he saw Jace’s gaze boring a hole through him. There was reprimand in his stare, almost as if he wanted to take a swing at him.
“So what, you just hung around the lab?” Jace asked, his voice sounding irritated. He could feel the spasms of his change itching from inside—the twitching on his temples, and then a prickly feeling traveling all over his skin. “It doesn’t add up and it damn sure doesn’t make sense,” he continued to rant. “We’re wasting time here, Steven. I’m not interested in your life story.”
“I know it sounds far-fetched, but all I knew was that lab. All my life I suffered endless and painful experiments,” Steven said. “They took other people against their will and studied their special abilities. Each one varied, but there were some who clearly displayed unique gifts. Dr. Autenburg spent years searching out men and women with rarities and tested them extensively. And most of them…” he paused and shook his head, “were Breedline. Suffering through years of research, Dr. Hans Autenburg and his colleagues manipulated them into a hybrid species.”
“Do you know if anyone survived?” Tim queried.
Steven’s eyes watered. “I don’t know.”
“It all sounds unreal,” Jace muttered.
Tim shot Jace a glance. His expression suggested he was on the verge of crossing the line. “Take it down a notch, Jace. Don’t let yourself get out of control.”
“It’s okay, Steven,” Helen’s voice was soothing as she reached out to him. “You’re not to blame for all this. It’s not your fault.”
Steven looked beaten and sorrow radiated inside his heart in painful waves. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry, Jace. I will do whatever it takes to help you get Tessa back.”
After a few deep breaths, Jace mentally defused his anger, caging his inner beast. “Then let’s find out where she is,” he said. “Will you try to connect with her again?”
Steven quickly nodded. “Yes, of course.”
“I’ll do some digging into Dr. Autenburg’s past,” Tim interceded. “Maybe I’ll find a lead to his colleague, and his location. He may have something to do with Tessa’s kidnapping since you two are siblings.”
With a lack of patience, Jace asked, “So what now? What are we supposed to do in the meantime? I can’t just sit around here waiting, doing nothing.”
“With luck, I’ll find something that will lead us to Tessa,” Tim’s tone was adamant. “After that, we’ll get her back and put an end to Sebastian Crow and everyone involved.”
Jace grinned. “Now we’re talking!”
Helen cleared her throat. “There’s something you should know, Steven,” he said warily. “Since Tessa is your biological twin, we found your father.”
Steven’s mouth dropped. “You did? Who is he?”
As she placed a hand on Steven’s shoulder, she said, “His name is Kenneth Craven. He’s an orthopedic surgeon here in Berkeley. He’s a good man, Steven. Kenneth searched for your mother for years after she mysteriously vanished when she was just seventeen. He never knew you or Tessa even existed.”
Steven lowered his head and placed his face in his hands. Hearing his father’s name made his heart ache as if it had splintered into a million pieces. Craven, he thought. His birth name was Craven. Not Pasquale. After a brief moment of silence, he lifted his chin and looked at Helen, his face wet with tears, completely unraveled. “I want to meet him.”
“Of course,” Helen said. “I’ll arrange it.”
“What about my mother,” Steven asked her. “Did my father find her?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Steven. Kenneth never found her. Your mother left Tessa in her sister’s care when she was just a baby. She disappeared after that.”
“I have a family?” Steven’s voice trembled.
Helen leaned forward and reached for Steven’s hand, lightly squeezing. “Yes, Steven,” she said in a low voice as tears welled in her eyes. “You have a family.”
****
When Eve finally fell asleep, her dreams tormented her with immeasurable flashes from the past and the present. They swirled together in one never-ending stream of terror.Her foster father had her in his grip again, but instead of Sebastian saving her, the demon had been standing there, his dark gaze piercing right through her.
The demon’s voice whispered in Eve’s subconscious. “You will always belong to me, Eve. And this time you’ll learn to obey me.”
The nightmare slowly began to shift. It drifted into something much more terrifying, something Eve never dreamt before, but far beyond her reality… at least she’d hoped.
Standing amongst a dark wooded field, Eve sniffed the night air and tried to concentrate on her unfamiliar surroundings. The scent of blood was sharp against a subtle breeze. It hung in the back of her throat like the taste of rusty metal. After choking it down, she narrowed her eyes and stared off through the vast of trees.
As Eve’s senses cautiously probed the night, she knew the demon was nowhere near. But something else was.
When a low growl sounded behind her, she froze, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. She clenched her hands until her knuckles went white and her fingers ached from the strain. Don’t turn around, she told herself. Unable to resist, she whirled around to face it, and immediately wished she hadn’t.
The thing suddenly crouched beside a big oak. Its head lowered, and its lips drew back into a snarl. It was a wolf, yet not a wolf... some unknown and ungodly hideous mutation of a Breedline. Its long, sleek body was low to the ground, and blood covered its thick, black fur. While Eve watched in horror, it began moving in a tense circle, pacing back and forth within a few feet away. And then without warning, it stopped and raised its head toward the sky.
The howl it gave was unearthly. It let out a shrieking bellow of unbearable agony like an animal… and a human. Their eyes met and held as the creature lowered its head and turned to confront her.
“No,” Eve pleaded. “Please, no…”
Right in front of her it simply vanished, leaving nothing but empty shadows.
Eve awoke startled, sweat beading her forehead and chills prickling her skin. She sat up straight in bed, her body trembling in fear.
She glanced over at Sebastian, who was still sleeping. With a sigh of relief, she eased out of bed and went to the bathroom. After wetting a washcloth, she wiped her face and neck before returning to the bedroom.
After a moment’s hesitation, Eve went to the closet and pulled a robe off the hanger. Placing it over her nightgown, she crept out of the room and slipped into the hallway, making sure she was quiet on her way to the nursery. When Eve peeked inside, she glanced over at the crib to see the twins still sleeping soundly.
As Eve closed the door, she headed to the stairway not sure where she was going, but she knew she had to search for Tessa. She had to be somewhere in this estate.
When she made it downstairs, she heard voices nearby, moving in her direction. Eve ducked around the corner and flattened against the wall before they discovered her. As the voices grew near, she recognized it was Thomas. The other voice was unrecognizable. It was a male with a deep baritone pitch. Pressing her ear to the wall, she heard their footsteps echoing further from her position as if their destination was toward the study.
She quietly tip-toed out and froze. Covering her mouth, Eve silently gasped into her hand. Following behind Thomas, she saw a man twice the size, and he had Tessa who appeared unconscious, in his arms. Eve couldn’t get the image out of her head. Her body trembled as she watched them enter the study, leaving the door slightly open.
Warm hands suddenly slid up her arms to her shoulders, startling her. Eve whirled around to see Sebastian standing there, his eyes unwavering and his face rigid.
“What are you doing?” he said, narrowing his eyes.
Eve withdrew from his grasp, watching his face for any sign of hostility.
“I-I was just going to the kitchen… to make the twins a bottle,” she stammered. She knew he didn’t believe her, and she wasn’t that good an actress. He looked reluctant but also grim and determined. It was the determination that frightened her. As though despite any promises he’d made to her, he seemed bent on following Lilith’s thirst for power.
His expression went from suspicious to a state of ease. “Do you need any help?” he asked, his voice sounding sincere.
Did she see a gleam of conscience in his gaze as she stared into his eyes? Apparently not enough to keep him from all the lies, she thought.
“No,” she quickly replied. “I’ll be fine. The boys are good. They’re no trouble at all.”
“I have to go out for a while,” Sebastian said. “But I’ll be back soon. If you need anything, just let Thomas know. He’ll take care of you until I get back.”
She faked a smile and didn’t ask where he was going. “All right,” she said quietly, her heart pounding in her chest.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead, leaving his lips there for a long moment.
“I won’t be long,” he said as he drew away, walking to the door.
Eve waited until she heard the sound of the door closing before looking out the window as Sebastian backed out of the drive. Then she turned quickly away and moved to the study, knowing Tessa was inside.
As she stood outside the cracked door, she leaned closer and eavesdropped on the conversation coming from inside the room.
To be continued...
Note: This is not part of the chapter. A reference for terms and characters, especially for new readers:
BREEDLINE - A species of humans that have the ability to change from human form into a wolf. They are not like the old legend of the Lycanthropy myth. Breedline species can shift into their wolf at will. The moon has no power over them. They do not pass their ability to other humans with a bite or scratch like the Lycanthropy myth.
The Breedline gene is passed down to offspring that are born identical twins. Although they live amongst human, their species must be kept secret.
In wolf form, they have super strength, speed, and heightened senses. Compared to humans, Breedlines have tremendous advantages when it comes to health. Their bodies heal fast and are not subject to illnesses or diseases. The only thing that slows their healing process is silver. It is their kryptonite. Besides old age, a silver bullet to the brain is the only thing deadly to the species. All males change into their wolf at the age of eighteen. Females do not go through the change until they make love to their Breedline bonded mate.
BREEDLINE TWINS - Identical twins that are born from either one or both parents of the Breedline species. They have a strong, unbreakable bond from birth, are born with telepathic abilities, and have the power to sense the other's emotions or injuries. In some cases, the bond between twins are so strong that if one dies, the other twin may pass on, especially if they don't have a mate.
BREEDLINE BONDING - The male Breedline spends their life in search of their bonded mate. When the male comes in contact with her, he instantly feels a simultaneous, desirable attraction and she becomes the most important thing in his life. He is there to love, protect, and cherish her until death. Once they are mated, they bond for life. It is possible for them to have more than one mate in their lifespan.
BELOVED - A word used by a Breedline to express the bond to their mate.
DOUBLE BONDED - In some cases, male Breedline twins bond with the same female but one will carry a stronger bond. Usually one of them must sacrifice for the other twin.
BREEDLINE COVENANT - The Breedline species must live within the boundaries of a Covenant, which is only formed with their species. The Covenant is governed and ruled by a head council. The council keeps their laws in order and oversees the species population.
THE BREEDLINE QUEEN - Over centuries the Breedline Covenant is ruled by a true queen. If there is no queen living, the Covenants are governed by an appointed head council until another one is born. A Breedline queen is born once every one hundred years. Her massive stature, black fur, and red eyes are the queen's trademarks. Her alpha wolf has twice the strength, speed, and size of any Breedline. The queen is expected to rule over all the Breedline Covenants where she will be respected and obeyed by all Breedline. This is their absolute True Law.
THE QUEENS RING - This ring has been passed down to all Breedline queens for generations. When the new queen places the ring on, it instantly shifts in size to fit her finger.
TRUE LAW - All Breedline Covenants have an ancient book of laws. If either sex disobeys the Breedline laws, they can be shunned, or no longer protected by their Covenant. If a Breedline takes another life out of revenge, or evil - other than protecting their life and the life of another - they will never have the ability to shift back human and will be cast out as a rogue wolf.
ROGUE WOLF - A Breedline shunned by their Covenant for taking another life out of revenge or evil and forced to live as a wolf until death without the ability to change human again. Some rogue wolves form into packs, which can be dangerous for other Breedline species.
RED (BLOOD) MOON - When the full moon passes through the amber shadow of the earth, producing a midnight eclipse visible across North America. So begins a lunar eclipse tetrad, a series of four consecutive total eclipses occurring at approximately six-month intervals. This incredible light beams into the heart of earth's shadow, filling it with a coppery glow and transforming the moon into a great red orb. During this time, all Breedline species that are mated have a strong desire to create offspring. This is also a time when Breedline females are more fertile for the conception of twins.
CHIANG-SHIH DEMON (Kiang shi, a.k.a Ramael Arminius) - An ancient demon that inhabits the body of a Breedline fetus before it's born, or during a Breedline's death. It continues to take the soul over the natural lifespan of the child, or the deceased Breedline. When the demon possesses a fetus, it breaks the bonding and telepathic abilities of their twin when they are born. If the demon possesses a deceased Breedline's body, it must do so before the soul passes on. If the soul is not intact, the body will soon die.
In most cases, the Chiang-shih demon will take the life of the other twin, even before their birth. The twin that is born with the demon will bring only evil to whomever they encounter. Their sole purpose is to gain full control of another soul and seek world domination.
There are two ways the demon is cast from the soul it possesses: by its firstborn son, and by the Angel of Mercy, Zadkiel. The Beast is the only one who can kill a Chiang-shih demon.
THE BEAST - He is the second born son of the Chiang-shih demon. When provoked into a rage, he will shift into his Beast instead of his Breedline wolf. The Beast is an enormous, dangerous two-footed creature that has wolf-like features. One bite has enough venom to kill the Chiang-shih demon and leave the soul of the person the demon possessed unharmed.
SHADOW WALKER (a.k.a Shadow Figure, or Black Mass) - The perception of a patch of shadow as a living, humanoid figure, particularly interpreted by the Breedline as the presence of a malevolent entity. When a Breedline species dies and does not pass on to the other side, they are left to roam the earth as a shadow of themselves - a ghost. They will not pass on until they have settled unfinished business before their death.
ZADKIEL (Tzadqiel, a.k.a "Righteousness of God") - The Archangel of freedom, benevolence, and mercy, and the Patron Angel of all who forgive. Breedline species tradition considers him to be the Angel of Mercy.
SUCCUBUS (a.k.a CREEPERS) - Creatures that search for, and feeds off the blood of the Breedline species. Creepers are skilled at extreme sexual pleasure, and the ecstasy they create is exceedingly intense and highly addictive. They cast off a scent that hypnotizes Breedlines into overwhelming sexual urges. They use their human-like bodies and beautiful features to control and influence their thoughts.
They have the ability to reach into the Breedline's mind during sleep, casting a spell of dreams about sexual contact, or intercourse. And one much less obvious manifestation of Creepers is nightmares - realistic, graphic, terrifying nightmares that rob the Breedline of sleep. Over a period, it can lead to severe fatigue and depression, leaving them emotionally and spiritually drained. Death can occur if they completely take over the Breedline's body.
HALF-BREED - This species is born with the genes from both Breedline and succubus. They can bond with either a full-blood Breedline or another half-breed. They do not have the ability to change into the Breedline wolf, but they do need blood from them to survive. With the power to hypnotize, most Breedlines have minimal respect and credence toward the half-breed species.
WICCA (or Wise One) - According to the Breedline species, a Wicca is the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts, and necromancy. A Wicca is also considered to be a demonic spirit. It is unclear to the Breedline if they act under the orders of the devil, or they are simply not understood and treated as outcasts. They have the ability to do white magic (good) or dark (evil).
KATAKO (a.k.a Lucas, or Dark Shadow) - He is the Chiang-shih demon's offspring that is born both Breedline and Wiccan. After one year, the Katako develops into an adult with the mind of a child, without reaching full maturity. It has the power to appear translucent, or become completely invisible. Being born half Breedline, it can shift into a wolf and transform, or mimic another creature with the power to instantly travel from one place to another. Their true purpose of creation is to bring forth the souls stuck in purgatory by using one drop of its blood. The Breedline queen's bite is the only way to destroy it.
GOLEMS (a.k.a The Death Army) - Evil creatures created by dark Wiccans with the power of necromancy. By releasing the souls of demons stuck in purgatory, the Wicca can give them the ability to shape into a creature that is made from earth. These creatures have various qualities, such as mass strength, enormous stature, and the power to consume their victims by saturating them with mud.
GUARDIANS (a.k.a Spirits of the Forest) - They originated during the Middle Ages with the purpose of protecting all creatures, especially the Breedline, from the destruction of any creation made by a dark Wicca. They have the ability to stay invisible with the power to move through any barrier and over any distance instantly.
THERIOMORPH - This species is born with the genes of a Breedline, but do not have the ability to change into a Breedline wolf. They shape shift into an enormous black panther. They possess powers of mind manipulation and random visions of the future. They must use the drug dopamine to suppress their urges. Their eye color shifts into a glowing lavender when their Theriomorph nature takes over. The Breedline see them as a threat to their species.
Jace Chamberlain (a.k.a The Beast) - He is a Breedline species who later discovers that his birth father, who is possessed by the Chiang-shih demon, murdered his mother when he and his twin brother were four years old. Raised by their new foster family and their uncle Jacks, he later discovers he was born with a curse of the Beast. With the help of his twin brother Jem, and his bonded mate Tessa, they help him cope with his rage to keep the Beast at bay. He's an IT engineer and is the lead singer and plays acoustic guitar in the band Chaos.
Jem Chamberlain (a.k.a The Chosen Son) - He is a Breedline species and Jace's twin brother. He carries the gene of the Chiang-shih demon that gives him the power to create a portal, and a force of electric energy used as a weapon and other powers he discovers later. His bonded mate is Mia Blackwood, and he's an IT engineer and the drummer in the band Chaos.
Tessa Fairchild - (a.k.a The Breedline Queen) - She was born into the human world and later discovers she's a Breedline. Abandoned by her parents, she was raised by her aunt and uncle without the knowledge of being born a twin. After she meets Jace, they become bonded mates. During her first change into her Breedline wolf, she is the new Breedline queen. She is an inspiring artist.
Dr. John and Sarah Chamberlain - They are Jace, Jem and Cassie's adoptive human parents. They are physicians in a children's unit, and also donate their time to the emergency center.
Chester and Amelia Ewan - They are called Guardians - a species originated during the Middle Ages with the purpose of protecting all creatures, especially the Breedline, from the destruction of any creation made by a dark Wiccan.
Jackson Gray - He is Jace and Jem's biological uncle -Katlyn Gray's older brother. Although he carries the gene of the Breedline, he does not shift into a wolf. Only Breedlines born with an identical twin have the ability to change into their wolf. He's a medical supply pilot.
Mia Blackwood - She is a half-breed and Jem's bonded mate. Abandoned at birth and raised in human foster care, she later finds her twin sister, Eve.
EVE - She is a half-breed and Sebastian's bonded mate. Growing up in human foster care, she spent her entire childhood abused until Sebastian saves her. Scorned from her past, she lashes out in anger, living a life of crime later to discover her twin sister, Mia Blackwood. After realizing the Chiang-shih demon possesses Sebastian, Eve clings to the past in hopes of reuniting with her beloved. Now that Sebastian is finally free of the demon, she has trust issues, worried he has an alternative plan for their sons.
Sebastian Crow - He is a half-breed, and Eve's bonded mate. After he had been killed by Jace in self- defense, he was possessed by the Chiang-shih demon after the Angel of Mercy cast him out of Alexander's body. As he tried to portray Sebastian's life, Eve finally figured out his secret. Keeping her captive only to survive on her blood, he later develops feelings for her. The demon creates a death army, determined to dominate the world and unleash his wrath amongst humans and the Breedline. Now free from the demon, he is determined to reunite with his beloved Eve who is kept prisoner by the Breedline Covenant awaiting trial for her past crimes against them.
Alexander Crest - He is a Breedline who was possessed by the Chiang-shih demon before birth. Murdering his family, Alexander kidnapped his twin's bonded mate, Katlyn Gray. Keeping her prisoner against her will, she becomes pregnant with his twins. As she managed to escape before she gave birth, Alexander eventually kills her in a fit of rage. Returning for his chosen son twenty-two years later, he is determined to convince him to join his army. After the battle between the Breedline, the demon is finally cast out of Alexander setting his soul free. For the demon's past crimes, Alexander is pardoned and must reside in the Breedline Covenant. Praying for forgiveness, he reunites with his twin sons, Jace and Jem. As he fights to keep his new family safe, romance blossoms with Dr. Helen Carrington.
Tim Ross - He is a Breedline species and head council of the California Covenant. Angel, his bonded mate - who is a half-breed -has Tim's daughter they named Natalie, after her sister.
Angel - She is a half-breed and Tim's bonded mate.
Natalie - She is a half-breed and Tim and Angel's daughter.
Kyle Jones - He is a Breedline species that resides in the California Covenant. Having lost his family to a house fire at childhood, his uncle Tim Ross has raised him since. Celina Baldolf is his bonded mate. He's a mechanic and also Jace and Jem's close friend, and plays bass in the rock band Chaos.
Casey Barton - He was born of the Breedline species, and lives in the California Covenant. He was adopted by Tim Ross's brother and carries a deep dark secret, afraid to reveal to the Breedline. He is a clothing model and plays backup bass and keyboards in the band Chaos.
Dr. Helen Carrington - She is a Breedline species and a physician at the California Bates hospital for both Breedlines and humans. Later, she discovers Jace and Jem carry a gene, possibly used for a cure to stop the aging process in her species. After Alexander's demon is banished, he is pardoned for all past crimes and welcomed into the Breedline Covenant. When he meets Helen, they become bonded mates.
Drakon Hexus - He is a Breedline species. At a young age, his first bonded mate was killed by her father. In a rage, he hunts and kills her murderer, breaking the Breedline's True Law. Shunned by his Covenant and forced to live as a rogue wolf, he's promised his humanity back if he joins the Chiang-shih demon's army. After Drakon discovers the demon's plans to destroy all humans and half-breeds, he betrays him and joins forces with the Breedline. As time passes, he bonds with another mate, Cassie Chamberlain.
Cassie Chamberlain - Adopted at age two by Jace and Jem's adoptive parents after her mother abandons her. Later, she discovers she is a Breedline species and bonds with the handsome Drakon Hexus. She is a nurse practitioner, specializing in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Malachi O'Conner - He was born a Breedline species, and shunned by the Breedline Covenant after breaking their True Law. Alexander Crest's demon later forced him into joining his army of rogue wolves. After he had tried to escape, he endured cruel torture from the Alexander's Chiang-shih demon. He was later rescued by the Breedline and pardoned for his past crimes.
Celina Baldolf - She is a Breedline species with the power of a Wiccan, but only practices white witchcraft. Her twin sister Taliah - a dark Wicca - murdered their parents when they were twelve years old. Dr. Helen Carrington is their aunt, and Kyle Jones is Celina's Breedline bonded mate. She is an editor for a local publishing company.
Taliah Baldolf - She is a Breedline species and the mother of the Katako. Using her powers as a dark Wiccan, she joins forces with the Chiang-shih demon to create his death army. After she threatens to kill the Breedline queen, the Beast overpowers her and sends her to her death.
Samuel Mercier - He is a Breedline and a council member from France that has secretly turned against his own Covenant to help the Chiang-shih demon. He and his other Breedline traitors go into hiding after the Breedline destroy the demon, desperate to seek revenge against the Covenant.
Fredrick Mercier - He is a Breedline and Samuel Mercier's identical twin. Also, he's a council member from France that has secretly turned against the Covenant to help the Chiang-shih demon.
Corbin Azzo - He is a Breedline and a council member that has turned against the Covenant to help the Chiang-shih demon.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. BREEDLINE - A species of humans that have the ability to change from human form into a wolf. They are not like the old legend of the Lycanthropy myth. Breedline species can shift into their wolf at will. The moon has no power over them. They do not pass their ability to other humans with a bite or scratch like the Lycanthropy myth.
The Breedline gene is passed down to offspring that are born identical twins. Although they live amongst human, their species must be kept secret.
In wolf form, they have super strength, speed, and heightened senses. Compared to humans, Breedlines have tremendous advantages when it comes to health. Their bodies heal fast and are not subject to illnesses or diseases. The only thing that slows their healing process is silver. It is their kryptonite. Besides old age, a silver bullet to the brain is the only thing deadly to the species. All males change into their wolf at the age of eighteen. Females do not go through the change until they make love to their Breedline bonded mate.
BREEDLINE TWINS - Identical twins that are born from either one or both parents of the Breedline species. They have a strong, unbreakable bond from birth, are born with telepathic abilities, and have the power to sense the other's emotions or injuries. In some cases, the bond between twins are so strong that if one dies, the other twin may pass on, especially if they don't have a mate.
BREEDLINE BONDING - The male Breedline spends their life in search of their bonded mate. When the male comes in contact with her, he instantly feels a simultaneous, desirable attraction and she becomes the most important thing in his life. He is there to love, protect, and cherish her until death. Once they are mated, they bond for life. It is possible for them to have more than one mate in their lifespan.
BELOVED - A word used by a Breedline to express the bond to their mate.
DOUBLE BONDED - In some cases, male Breedline twins bond with the same female but one will carry a stronger bond. Usually one of them must sacrifice for the other twin.
BREEDLINE COVENANT - The Breedline species must live within the boundaries of a Covenant, which is only formed with their species. The Covenant is governed and ruled by a head council. The council keeps their laws in order and oversees the species population.
THE BREEDLINE QUEEN - Over centuries the Breedline Covenant is ruled by a true queen. If there is no queen living, the Covenants are governed by an appointed head council until another one is born. A Breedline queen is born once every one hundred years. Her massive stature, black fur, and red eyes are the queen's trademarks. Her alpha wolf has twice the strength, speed, and size of any Breedline. The queen is expected to rule over all the Breedline Covenants where she will be respected and obeyed by all Breedline. This is their absolute True Law.
THE QUEENS RING - This ring has been passed down to all Breedline queens for generations. When the new queen places the ring on, it instantly shifts in size to fit her finger.
TRUE LAW - All Breedline Covenants have an ancient book of laws. If either sex disobeys the Breedline laws, they can be shunned, or no longer protected by their Covenant. If a Breedline takes another life out of revenge, or evil - other than protecting their life and the life of another - they will never have the ability to shift back human and will be cast out as a rogue wolf.
ROGUE WOLF - A Breedline shunned by their Covenant for taking another life out of revenge or evil and forced to live as a wolf until death without the ability to change human again. Some rogue wolves form into packs, which can be dangerous for other Breedline species.
RED (BLOOD) MOON - When the full moon passes through the amber shadow of the earth, producing a midnight eclipse visible across North America. So begins a lunar eclipse tetrad, a series of four consecutive total eclipses occurring at approximately six-month intervals. This incredible light beams into the heart of earth's shadow, filling it with a coppery glow and transforming the moon into a great red orb. During this time, all Breedline species that are mated have a strong desire to create offspring. This is also a time when Breedline females are more fertile for the conception of twins.
CHIANG-SHIH DEMON (Kiang shi, a.k.a Ramael Arminius) - An ancient demon that inhabits the body of a Breedline fetus before it's born, or during a Breedline's death. It continues to take the soul over the natural lifespan of the child, or the deceased Breedline. When the demon possesses a fetus, it breaks the bonding and telepathic abilities of their twin when they are born. If the demon possesses a deceased Breedline's body, it must do so before the soul passes on. If the soul is not intact, the body will soon die.
In most cases, the Chiang-shih demon will take the life of the other twin, even before their birth. The twin that is born with the demon will bring only evil to whomever they encounter. Their sole purpose is to gain full control of another soul and seek world domination.
There are two ways the demon is cast from the soul it possesses: by its firstborn son, and by the Angel of Mercy, Zadkiel. The Beast is the only one who can kill a Chiang-shih demon.
THE BEAST - He is the second born son of the Chiang-shih demon. When provoked into a rage, he will shift into his Beast instead of his Breedline wolf. The Beast is an enormous, dangerous two-footed creature that has wolf-like features. One bite has enough venom to kill the Chiang-shih demon and leave the soul of the person the demon possessed unharmed.
SHADOW WALKER (a.k.a Shadow Figure, or Black Mass) - The perception of a patch of shadow as a living, humanoid figure, particularly interpreted by the Breedline as the presence of a malevolent entity. When a Breedline species dies and does not pass on to the other side, they are left to roam the earth as a shadow of themselves - a ghost. They will not pass on until they have settled unfinished business before their death.
ZADKIEL (Tzadqiel, a.k.a "Righteousness of God") - The Archangel of freedom, benevolence, and mercy, and the Patron Angel of all who forgive. Breedline species tradition considers him to be the Angel of Mercy.
SUCCUBUS (a.k.a CREEPERS) - Creatures that search for, and feeds off the blood of the Breedline species. Creepers are skilled at extreme sexual pleasure, and the ecstasy they create is exceedingly intense and highly addictive. They cast off a scent that hypnotizes Breedlines into overwhelming sexual urges. They use their human-like bodies and beautiful features to control and influence their thoughts.
They have the ability to reach into the Breedline's mind during sleep, casting a spell of dreams about sexual contact, or intercourse. And one much less obvious manifestation of Creepers is nightmares - realistic, graphic, terrifying nightmares that rob the Breedline of sleep. Over a period, it can lead to severe fatigue and depression, leaving them emotionally and spiritually drained. Death can occur if they completely take over the Breedline's body.
HALF-BREED - This species is born with the genes from both Breedline and succubus. They can bond with either a full-blood Breedline or another half-breed. They do not have the ability to change into the Breedline wolf, but they do need blood from them to survive. With the power to hypnotize, most Breedlines have minimal respect and credence toward the half-breed species.
WICCA (or Wise One) - According to the Breedline species, a Wicca is the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts, and necromancy. A Wicca is also considered to be a demonic spirit. It is unclear to the Breedline if they act under the orders of the devil, or they are simply not understood and treated as outcasts. They have the ability to do white magic (good) or dark (evil).
KATAKO (a.k.a Lucas, or Dark Shadow) - He is the Chiang-shih demon's offspring that is born both Breedline and Wiccan. After one year, the Katako develops into an adult with the mind of a child, without reaching full maturity. It has the power to appear translucent, or become completely invisible. Being born half Breedline, it can shift into a wolf and transform, or mimic another creature with the power to instantly travel from one place to another. Their true purpose of creation is to bring forth the souls stuck in purgatory by using one drop of its blood. The Breedline queen's bite is the only way to destroy it.
GOLEMS (a.k.a The Death Army) - Evil creatures created by dark Wiccans with the power of necromancy. By releasing the souls of demons stuck in purgatory, the Wicca can give them the ability to shape into a creature that is made from earth. These creatures have various qualities, such as mass strength, enormous stature, and the power to consume their victims by saturating them with mud.
GUARDIANS (a.k.a Spirits of the Forest) - They originated during the Middle Ages with the purpose of protecting all creatures, especially the Breedline, from the destruction of any creation made by a dark Wicca. They have the ability to stay invisible with the power to move through any barrier and over any distance instantly.
THERIOMORPH - This species is born with the genes of a Breedline, but do not have the ability to change into a Breedline wolf. They shape shift into an enormous black panther. They possess powers of mind manipulation and random visions of the future. They must use the drug dopamine to suppress their urges. Their eye color shifts into a glowing lavender when their Theriomorph nature takes over. The Breedline see them as a threat to their species.
Jace Chamberlain (a.k.a The Beast) - He is a Breedline species who later discovers that his birth father, who is possessed by the Chiang-shih demon, murdered his mother when he and his twin brother were four years old. Raised by their new foster family and their uncle Jacks, he later discovers he was born with a curse of the Beast. With the help of his twin brother Jem, and his bonded mate Tessa, they help him cope with his rage to keep the Beast at bay. He's an IT engineer and is the lead singer and plays acoustic guitar in the band Chaos.
Jem Chamberlain (a.k.a The Chosen Son) - He is a Breedline species and Jace's twin brother. He carries the gene of the Chiang-shih demon that gives him the power to create a portal, and a force of electric energy used as a weapon and other powers he discovers later. His bonded mate is Mia Blackwood, and he's an IT engineer and the drummer in the band Chaos.
Tessa Fairchild - (a.k.a The Breedline Queen) - She was born into the human world and later discovers she's a Breedline. Abandoned by her parents, she was raised by her aunt and uncle without the knowledge of being born a twin. After she meets Jace, they become bonded mates. During her first change into her Breedline wolf, she is the new Breedline queen. She is an inspiring artist.
Dr. John and Sarah Chamberlain - They are Jace, Jem and Cassie's adoptive human parents. They are physicians in a children's unit, and also donate their time to the emergency center.
Chester and Amelia Ewan - They are called Guardians - a species originated during the Middle Ages with the purpose of protecting all creatures, especially the Breedline, from the destruction of any creation made by a dark Wiccan.
Jackson Gray - He is Jace and Jem's biological uncle -Katlyn Gray's older brother. Although he carries the gene of the Breedline, he does not shift into a wolf. Only Breedlines born with an identical twin have the ability to change into their wolf. He's a medical supply pilot.
Mia Blackwood - She is a half-breed and Jem's bonded mate. Abandoned at birth and raised in human foster care, she later finds her twin sister, Eve.
EVE - She is a half-breed and Sebastian's bonded mate. Growing up in human foster care, she spent her entire childhood abused until Sebastian saves her. Scorned from her past, she lashes out in anger, living a life of crime later to discover her twin sister, Mia Blackwood. After realizing the Chiang-shih demon possesses Sebastian, Eve clings to the past in hopes of reuniting with her beloved. Now that Sebastian is finally free of the demon, she has trust issues, worried he has an alternative plan for their sons.
Sebastian Crow - He is a half-breed, and Eve's bonded mate. After he had been killed by Jace in self- defense, he was possessed by the Chiang-shih demon after the Angel of Mercy cast him out of Alexander's body. As he tried to portray Sebastian's life, Eve finally figured out his secret. Keeping her captive only to survive on her blood, he later develops feelings for her. The demon creates a death army, determined to dominate the world and unleash his wrath amongst humans and the Breedline. Now free from the demon, he is determined to reunite with his beloved Eve who is kept prisoner by the Breedline Covenant awaiting trial for her past crimes against them.
Alexander Crest - He is a Breedline who was possessed by the Chiang-shih demon before birth. Murdering his family, Alexander kidnapped his twin's bonded mate, Katlyn Gray. Keeping her prisoner against her will, she becomes pregnant with his twins. As she managed to escape before she gave birth, Alexander eventually kills her in a fit of rage. Returning for his chosen son twenty-two years later, he is determined to convince him to join his army. After the battle between the Breedline, the demon is finally cast out of Alexander setting his soul free. For the demon's past crimes, Alexander is pardoned and must reside in the Breedline Covenant. Praying for forgiveness, he reunites with his twin sons, Jace and Jem. As he fights to keep his new family safe, romance blossoms with Dr. Helen Carrington.
Tim Ross - He is a Breedline species and head council of the California Covenant. Angel, his bonded mate - who is a half-breed -has Tim's daughter they named Natalie, after her sister.
Angel - She is a half-breed and Tim's bonded mate.
Natalie - She is a half-breed and Tim and Angel's daughter.
Kyle Jones - He is a Breedline species that resides in the California Covenant. Having lost his family to a house fire at childhood, his uncle Tim Ross has raised him since. Celina Baldolf is his bonded mate. He's a mechanic and also Jace and Jem's close friend, and plays bass in the rock band Chaos.
Casey Barton - He was born of the Breedline species, and lives in the California Covenant. He was adopted by Tim Ross's brother and carries a deep dark secret, afraid to reveal to the Breedline. He is a clothing model and plays backup bass and keyboards in the band Chaos.
Dr. Helen Carrington - She is a Breedline species and a physician at the California Bates hospital for both Breedlines and humans. Later, she discovers Jace and Jem carry a gene, possibly used for a cure to stop the aging process in her species. After Alexander's demon is banished, he is pardoned for all past crimes and welcomed into the Breedline Covenant. When he meets Helen, they become bonded mates.
Drakon Hexus - He is a Breedline species. At a young age, his first bonded mate was killed by her father. In a rage, he hunts and kills her murderer, breaking the Breedline's True Law. Shunned by his Covenant and forced to live as a rogue wolf, he's promised his humanity back if he joins the Chiang-shih demon's army. After Drakon discovers the demon's plans to destroy all humans and half-breeds, he betrays him and joins forces with the Breedline. As time passes, he bonds with another mate, Cassie Chamberlain.
Cassie Chamberlain - Adopted at age two by Jace and Jem's adoptive parents after her mother abandons her. Later, she discovers she is a Breedline species and bonds with the handsome Drakon Hexus. She is a nurse practitioner, specializing in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Malachi O'Conner - He was born a Breedline species, and shunned by the Breedline Covenant after breaking their True Law. Alexander Crest's demon later forced him into joining his army of rogue wolves. After he had tried to escape, he endured cruel torture from the Alexander's Chiang-shih demon. He was later rescued by the Breedline and pardoned for his past crimes.
Celina Baldolf - She is a Breedline species with the power of a Wiccan, but only practices white witchcraft. Her twin sister Taliah - a dark Wicca - murdered their parents when they were twelve years old. Dr. Helen Carrington is their aunt, and Kyle Jones is Celina's Breedline bonded mate. She is an editor for a local publishing company.
Taliah Baldolf - She is a Breedline species and the mother of the Katako. Using her powers as a dark Wiccan, she joins forces with the Chiang-shih demon to create his death army. After she threatens to kill the Breedline queen, the Beast overpowers her and sends her to her death.
Samuel Mercier - He is a Breedline and a council member from France that has secretly turned against his own Covenant to help the Chiang-shih demon. He and his other Breedline traitors go into hiding after the Breedline destroy the demon, desperate to seek revenge against the Covenant.
Fredrick Mercier - He is a Breedline and Samuel Mercier's identical twin. Also, he's a council member from France that has secretly turned against the Covenant to help the Chiang-shih demon.
Corbin Azzo - He is a Breedline and a council member that has turned against the Covenant to help the Chiang-shih demon.
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