| Supernatural Fiction posted July 2, 2018 | Chapters: |
...8 9 -10- 11... 
|
  |
Sins of Chaos/A Novel of the Breedline series
A chapter in the book Sins of Chaos
Death Becomes Her
by scongrove
Previously...
After Sebastian refuses to hand over his son to Lucifer, he becomes trapped in a state of unconsciousness and forced to face the forgotten trauma of his childhood. But before Lucifer unleashes his wraith, he rips into Sebastian’s throat as Eve watches helplessly.
Meanwhile, the guard calls for help and Sebastian is taken from the mental institute and transferred to a nearby hospital where Dr. Helen Carrington cares for his injuries. While Helen is successful at stabilizing Sebastian, for some unexplainable reason, even after he’s administered Breedline blood, he remains unconscious. As Helen informs the institute’s guards of Sebastian condition and that he will be moved to the intensive care unit where he will be monitored twenty-four seven, she is confronted by a young woman named Anna, claiming to be Sebastian’s long lost sister.
While engaging in conversation, Anna explains to Helen Sebastian is not actually blood related, only that her mother raised Sebastian, but she considers him to be her brother nonetheless.
As Sebastian continues to suffer Lucifer’s torture, Helen explains to Anna the reason why Sebastian was placed into the mental institute, and of his crimes against the Breedline.
***
Now that Abbey finally put an end to the ruthless scientist who killed her father, and kept her prisoner for years, torturing her with endless lab experiments, she had to warn her beloved Steven that he was in danger.
Before Dr. Autenburg had met his end, he was hired by Valkin Steele—a billionaire client that funded his research—to locate an Adalwolf with the power to heal his dying mistress. And Steven was the target.
During her escape, Abbey was caught off guard and tranquilized by Valkin Steele’s body guard, Roman Kincaid. Just as she thought all hope was lost, her luck finally turned around. Roman, who was also an Adalwolf, promised Abbey he would keep her safe, and help her reunite with Steven. Left with no other choice, Abbey could only pray Roman was a man of his word.
Now that Abbey is in good hands—protected by Roman and a team of Special Ops—the next step is reuniting her with her beloved, Steven.
As Steven and Abbey finally reunite, she is introduced to the others in the Covenant as they meet Roman and his team of Special Ops and prepare for more allies to show.
During the meeting, after Drakon introduced the team of Special Ops to the Breedline council, they were interrupted by a disturbing news broadcast of gruesome homeless murders all over the city. Now, not only were they forced to deal with Valkin Steele, the Breedline were faced with something far more dangerous ... and deadly.
Continued...
As Helen escorted Anna to the intensive care unit, three guards stood outside Sebastian’s room, their attention instantly alerted as they walked up.
“This is Ms. Anna Saeni,” Helen told them. “She’s Sebastian’s sister. Anna has my permission to visit him for a short while.”
When the guards nodded, Helen opened the door that led to Sebastian’s room.
“I’ll be right outside if you need me,” Helen said softly. “Remember, Anna, just for a few minutes.”
“Thank you, Helen.”
Anna took a deep breath as she stepped inside. And then she looked across the room at her brother. He was no longer the child she remembered. Sebastian was a grown man. Anna closed her eyes for a moment, but the darkness terrified her. Throwing her lids open, she clung to the sight of her brother ... and hated the blank expression on his handsome, pale face. He lay there silently, so still and lifeless. For several moments, she stood there staring at him, unsure of what to do next.
As she surged forward, she became aware of a subtle beeping coming from a machine. It was hooked up to a ventilator that was breathing air into and out of Sebastian’s lungs. Looking down at his hand, Anna wondered if it felt cold. Her hands twisted nervously in front of her, building up the courage to touch him. She felt a surge of guilt thinking back on the years she’d missed as Sebastian grew up. After she was abruptly taken from his life and forced into the monastic lifestyle, she’d lost all hope that she would get the chance to reunite with her little brother. Now, she was finally free. Anna had so many questions to ask him, more than her tired mind could even process. Would he remember her after all these years? The reality of how much time had passed weighed on her. And then she reached out with a trembling hand and placed it over his.
Anna wanted to scream out. Fall down weeping. Hug him. Desperate for some reaction, something ... anything, she muttered in a tear-laced voice, “Oh, Sebastian. It’s Anna ... your Sissy.”
As Sebastian lay stiff and unconscious, he could hear a voice from his past. The sound was timid and soft. But ... how can this be? Anna?
Immediately, Anna’s expression gentled as she reached forward to brush Sebastian’s cheek. When she felt something wet, she froze and stared down into Sebastian’s face. His brows were drawn together as if he’d heard her. And then she lifted her forefinger. On the pad, a single teardrop glistened. Anna blinked in surprise. “You remember,” she murmured as her lips trembled upward into a smile.
Anna squeezed his hand, curling her fingers tightly around his. “I’m here for you, little brother,” she whispered. “Please come back to me. I love you, Sebastian.”
****
Around two in the morning, Detective Manuel Sanchez arrived on the scene of a reported homicide. He’d gotten a call from dispatch reporting a body found in a dumpster off Fifth Street, two blocks over from a dive-bar in the San Francisco Bay Area. It had been a Caucasian female in her mid-to-late twenties. She’d been found with her throat ripped out, and her body completely drained of blood.
As Manuel parked parallel to the brick wall of the alley, he noticed several squad cars were already on location. When he stepped out of his vehicle, he nodded at the grim-looking officers.
“Morning,” he grumbled out.
“Hey, Detective,” his partner said from behind him.
Manuel glanced over his shoulder at Detective Frank Perkins. “Has the medical examiner arrived yet?”
“No,” Perkins said. “We’re still waiting for her to arrive.”
“Do we have a positive ID on the victim?”
“Yeah,” Perkins complied. “Her purse was found underneath the dumpster. Sylvia Bennett. Age twenty-six. She’s employed at a place called Hair Candy as a stylist. Ms. Bennett lives in the Brownstone apartments a couple of blocks from here. She must have been on her way home.”
“Where’s her vehicle?”
“There was nothing located in the vicinity. According to motor vehicle registration, Ms. Bennett doesn’t own a car.”
“All right,” Manuel said, letting out a deep breath. “Let’s take a look.”
Manuel ducked under the yellow tape and walked over to the dumpster. As he rose up onto the balls of his feet, he peered over the rusted lip of the bin. The first thing Manuel saw was red hair.
Oh, God, he thought as the past slammed into him like a ton of bricks. The color of her hair brought back haunted memories of his sister, Lailah. Swallowing hard, he shook it off, shifting back to reality.
Lying in a heap of newspapers and various items of discarded trash, the female was naked, and her pale skin glimmered in the dawn’s diffused light. There was suffering etched into the soft, pale planes of her lovely face. What happened to her? Why would someone hurt such a beautiful, young woman? As he stared at Sylvia’s corpse, he memorized everything about her, from the pink polish on her fingernails, to the freckles on her arms and legs.
“Christ,” Manuel muttered as he stood over yet another dead body, wondering who or what could have done this. And why were all the victims drained of their blood?
Manuel took a flashlight out of his coat pocket and cursed under his breath when he aimed it at the body. The injury to her throat didn’t stop there. She had bite marks on her thighs and on the insides of her wrists.
“What do we have, Detective?”
Manuel stepped back and handed Perkins the flashlight so he could have a look. As the guy was taller by nearly four inches, he didn’t have to arch up to see in. In silence, Perkins just stared, his dark brown eyes unfazed.
“This has the same MO as all the homeless victims that were found dead,” Perkins said and added, “except Ms. Bennett wasn’t homeless.”
Manuel nodded. “This makes forty-four victims in the past two weeks. And all victims were reported completely drained. Some of them were partially eaten.”
Perkins cocked a brow. “It sounds like we’ve got a vampire loose in the city.”
As Manuel turned away, he clapped his partner on the shoulder. “Sure,” he smirked. “If you’re the type of person who believes in that kind of shit.”
At that moment, the medical examiner arrived.
“Come on, Detective,” Manuel said. “Let’s take a closer look around and let her do her job.”
“Roger that.”
It took about an hour for Detective Sanchez and Detective Perkins to nose around and learn absolutely nothing material. There were no security cameras on the outsides of the nearby buildings and no witnesses, but hopefully, the crime scene investigators would come up with something useful.
Finally, the coroner finished her thing, and the body was cleared for removal. Before she left, she gave Manuel the victim’s time of death. Sylvia had died less than two hours ago.
Damn it! Manuel put his hands on his hips and refocused. And then something popped into his head. The Cat Club.
As Detective Perkins turned away and headed for his vehicle, Manuel called out, “Hey, wait up.”
Perkins stopped and turned around. “S’up, Detective?”
“Meet me at the Cat Club,” Manuel said. “I’ve got a gut feeling about something.”
“You think Ms. Bennett came from that place?”
“Maybe,” Manuel said, shrugging his shoulders. “It’s worth checking out.”
Perkins waved. “Meetcha there, Detective.”
****
Abbey dozed lightly, feeling cherished in Steven’s arms. After their lovemaking, she was weak and drained of energy, but in a good way.
When she felt him stir, she lifted her head to see that Steven was awake and staring down at her. “You’re awake,” she whispered.
He cocked his head to the side. “I can’t bear to shut my eyes.”
“Why?”
Steven slid his hand over her face, cupping her cheek as his eyes bored into hers. “I’m afraid if I do, I’ll wake up, and all this will be just a dream.”
His words sank in, and she went silent. Abbey had no idea what to say to that. She smiled and touched her finger to his lips. “I promise. I’m not going anywhere, Steven.”
“You have to know what my life’s been like without you,” he said in a low voice. “Not knowing if you were all right or even alive. I hate myself for not saving you. I failed you, Abbey.”
Her mouth turned down. “No, Steven. It wasn’t your fault. You’ve never failed me.”
“It frustrated me that I couldn’t find you, Abbey.” He kissed her, leaving his lips pressed against hers for an extended moment. “I promised your father I would keep you safe. The not knowing was an everyday battle.”
The implication of what he said hit her hard. Her brows went up. “You can’t hold yourself responsible for the choices I made. Besides, it doesn’t matter now. We’re together.”
Abbey rested her chin on his shoulder and sighed. “I want to know more about your mother,” she said, changing the subject. “Tell me about her. What was she like?”
Steven wiped a hand over his face, pushing it back into his hair and holding it there at his nape. “She was beautiful,” he said, so soft she almost didn’t hear. “Like an angel. My mother died saving someone that didn’t deserve to live. And I feel responsible. I should have tried harder to save her, but I didn’t.”
Abbey winced at the self-condemnation in his voice. “Steven, you would have died trying. You know you can’t heal a fatal wound.”
He choked off and covered part of his face with his hand. “Can’t I?”
She blinked, not sure she’d heard him correctly. “What do you mean by that?”
“The reason Valkin Steele is tracking you is to get to me. Why would he believe I could heal his loved one?” Steven queried, his brows clenched. “Dr. Autenburg must have told him I had that kind of power. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would he make something up like that? It has to be true.”
Abbey caught her breath and went still against him. “Oh, Steven,” she whispered. “Please don’t beat yourself up over this.”
Steven stared into her eyes, his own gaze serious and intense. “You have to know, Abbey. I’ll never let what happened to my mother happen to you.”
She didn’t argue. There was a lot she could say, but in the end, it wouldn’t change his mind. And Steven didn’t need the extra worry. Some things just had to be left alone.
“I saw my mother,” she said quietly.
Steven stared at her in utter bewilderment. “But ... how?”
“I don’t expect you to understand it,” Abbey said. “Hell, I don’t understand myself. But she came to me in a dream. I can still hear her voice. I actually felt the warmth when she hugged me. She told me she would always love me. Getting to see my mother finally gave me peace. It was like a miracle, Steven.”
Steven rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip and then leaned forward to kiss it. “I believe in miracles, Abbey. I keep thinking that none of this is real ... that you’re just a figment of my imagination. Stuff like this just doesn’t happen. You’re my miracle.” His eyes welled up. “I love you, you know.”
Relief flooded her heart and soul. “Yeah, I do know.” She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you for believing me. I love you, too,” she whispered close to his ear.
To be continued...
Previously...
After Sebastian refuses to hand over his son to Lucifer, he becomes trapped in a state of unconsciousness and forced to face the forgotten trauma of his childhood. But before Lucifer unleashes his wraith, he rips into Sebastian’s throat as Eve watches helplessly.
Meanwhile, the guard calls for help and Sebastian is taken from the mental institute and transferred to a nearby hospital where Dr. Helen Carrington cares for his injuries. While Helen is successful at stabilizing Sebastian, for some unexplainable reason, even after he’s administered Breedline blood, he remains unconscious. As Helen informs the institute’s guards of Sebastian condition and that he will be moved to the intensive care unit where he will be monitored twenty-four seven, she is confronted by a young woman named Anna, claiming to be Sebastian’s long lost sister.
While engaging in conversation, Anna explains to Helen Sebastian is not actually blood related, only that her mother raised Sebastian, but she considers him to be her brother nonetheless.
As Sebastian continues to suffer Lucifer’s torture, Helen explains to Anna the reason why Sebastian was placed into the mental institute, and of his crimes against the Breedline.
***
Now that Abbey finally put an end to the ruthless scientist who killed her father, and kept her prisoner for years, torturing her with endless lab experiments, she had to warn her beloved Steven that he was in danger.
Before Dr. Autenburg had met his end, he was hired by Valkin Steele—a billionaire client that funded his research—to locate an Adalwolf with the power to heal his dying mistress. And Steven was the target.
During her escape, Abbey was caught off guard and tranquilized by Valkin Steele’s body guard, Roman Kincaid. Just as she thought all hope was lost, her luck finally turned around. Roman, who was also an Adalwolf, promised Abbey he would keep her safe, and help her reunite with Steven. Left with no other choice, Abbey could only pray Roman was a man of his word.
Now that Abbey is in good hands—protected by Roman and a team of Special Ops—the next step is reuniting her with her beloved, Steven.
As Steven and Abbey finally reunite, she is introduced to the others in the Covenant as they meet Roman and his team of Special Ops and prepare for more allies to show.
During the meeting, after Drakon introduced the team of Special Ops to the Breedline council, they were interrupted by a disturbing news broadcast of gruesome homeless murders all over the city. Now, not only were they forced to deal with Valkin Steele, the Breedline were faced with something far more dangerous ... and deadly.
Continued...
As Helen escorted Anna to the intensive care unit, three guards stood outside Sebastian’s room, their attention instantly alerted as they walked up.
“This is Ms. Anna Saeni,” Helen told them. “She’s Sebastian’s sister. Anna has my permission to visit him for a short while.”
When the guards nodded, Helen opened the door that led to Sebastian’s room.
“I’ll be right outside if you need me,” Helen said softly. “Remember, Anna, just for a few minutes.”
“Thank you, Helen.”
Anna took a deep breath as she stepped inside. And then she looked across the room at her brother. He was no longer the child she remembered. Sebastian was a grown man. Anna closed her eyes for a moment, but the darkness terrified her. Throwing her lids open, she clung to the sight of her brother ... and hated the blank expression on his handsome, pale face. He lay there silently, so still and lifeless. For several moments, she stood there staring at him, unsure of what to do next.
As she surged forward, she became aware of a subtle beeping coming from a machine. It was hooked up to a ventilator that was breathing air into and out of Sebastian’s lungs. Looking down at his hand, Anna wondered if it felt cold. Her hands twisted nervously in front of her, building up the courage to touch him. She felt a surge of guilt thinking back on the years she’d missed as Sebastian grew up. After she was abruptly taken from his life and forced into the monastic lifestyle, she’d lost all hope that she would get the chance to reunite with her little brother. Now, she was finally free. Anna had so many questions to ask him, more than her tired mind could even process. Would he remember her after all these years? The reality of how much time had passed weighed on her. And then she reached out with a trembling hand and placed it over his.
Anna wanted to scream out. Fall down weeping. Hug him. Desperate for some reaction, something ... anything, she muttered in a tear-laced voice, “Oh, Sebastian. It’s Anna ... your Sissy.”
As Sebastian lay stiff and unconscious, he could hear a voice from his past. The sound was timid and soft. But ... how can this be? Anna?
Immediately, Anna’s expression gentled as she reached forward to brush Sebastian’s cheek. When she felt something wet, she froze and stared down into Sebastian’s face. His brows were drawn together as if he’d heard her. And then she lifted her forefinger. On the pad, a single teardrop glistened. Anna blinked in surprise. “You remember,” she murmured as her lips trembled upward into a smile.
Anna squeezed his hand, curling her fingers tightly around his. “I’m here for you, little brother,” she whispered. “Please come back to me. I love you, Sebastian.”
****
Around two in the morning, Detective Manuel Sanchez arrived on the scene of a reported homicide. He’d gotten a call from dispatch reporting a body found in a dumpster off Fifth Street, two blocks over from a dive-bar in the San Francisco Bay Area. It had been a Caucasian female in her mid-to-late twenties. She’d been found with her throat ripped out, and her body completely drained of blood.
As Manuel parked parallel to the brick wall of the alley, he noticed several squad cars were already on location. When he stepped out of his vehicle, he nodded at the grim-looking officers.
“Morning,” he grumbled out.
“Hey, Detective,” his partner said from behind him.
Manuel glanced over his shoulder at Detective Frank Perkins. “Has the medical examiner arrived yet?”
“No,” Perkins said. “We’re still waiting for her to arrive.”
“Do we have a positive ID on the victim?”
“Yeah,” Perkins complied. “Her purse was found underneath the dumpster. Sylvia Bennett. Age twenty-six. She’s employed at a place called Hair Candy as a stylist. Ms. Bennett lives in the Brownstone apartments a couple of blocks from here. She must have been on her way home.”
“Where’s her vehicle?”
“There was nothing located in the vicinity. According to motor vehicle registration, Ms. Bennett doesn’t own a car.”
“All right,” Manuel said, letting out a deep breath. “Let’s take a look.”
Manuel ducked under the yellow tape and walked over to the dumpster. As he rose up onto the balls of his feet, he peered over the rusted lip of the bin. The first thing Manuel saw was red hair.
Oh, God, he thought as the past slammed into him like a ton of bricks. The color of her hair brought back haunted memories of his sister, Lailah. Swallowing hard, he shook it off, shifting back to reality.
Lying in a heap of newspapers and various items of discarded trash, the female was naked, and her pale skin glimmered in the dawn’s diffused light. There was suffering etched into the soft, pale planes of her lovely face. What happened to her? Why would someone hurt such a beautiful, young woman? As he stared at Sylvia’s corpse, he memorized everything about her, from the pink polish on her fingernails, to the freckles on her arms and legs.
“Christ,” Manuel muttered as he stood over yet another dead body, wondering who or what could have done this. And why were all the victims drained of their blood?
Manuel took a flashlight out of his coat pocket and cursed under his breath when he aimed it at the body. The injury to her throat didn’t stop there. She had bite marks on her thighs and on the insides of her wrists.
“What do we have, Detective?”
Manuel stepped back and handed Perkins the flashlight so he could have a look. As the guy was taller by nearly four inches, he didn’t have to arch up to see in. In silence, Perkins just stared, his dark brown eyes unfazed.
“This has the same MO as all the homeless victims that were found dead,” Perkins said and added, “except Ms. Bennett wasn’t homeless.”
Manuel nodded. “This makes forty-four victims in the past two weeks. And all victims were reported completely drained. Some of them were partially eaten.”
Perkins cocked a brow. “It sounds like we’ve got a vampire loose in the city.”
As Manuel turned away, he clapped his partner on the shoulder. “Sure,” he smirked. “If you’re the type of person who believes in that kind of shit.”
At that moment, the medical examiner arrived.
“Come on, Detective,” Manuel said. “Let’s take a closer look around and let her do her job.”
“Roger that.”
It took about an hour for Detective Sanchez and Detective Perkins to nose around and learn absolutely nothing material. There were no security cameras on the outsides of the nearby buildings and no witnesses, but hopefully, the crime scene investigators would come up with something useful.
Finally, the coroner finished her thing, and the body was cleared for removal. Before she left, she gave Manuel the victim’s time of death. Sylvia had died less than two hours ago.
Damn it! Manuel put his hands on his hips and refocused. And then something popped into his head. The Cat Club.
As Detective Perkins turned away and headed for his vehicle, Manuel called out, “Hey, wait up.”
Perkins stopped and turned around. “S’up, Detective?”
“Meet me at the Cat Club,” Manuel said. “I’ve got a gut feeling about something.”
“You think Ms. Bennett came from that place?”
“Maybe,” Manuel said, shrugging his shoulders. “It’s worth checking out.”
Perkins waved. “Meetcha there, Detective.”
****
Abbey dozed lightly, feeling cherished in Steven’s arms. After their lovemaking, she was weak and drained of energy, but in a good way.
When she felt him stir, she lifted her head to see that Steven was awake and staring down at her. “You’re awake,” she whispered.
He cocked his head to the side. “I can’t bear to shut my eyes.”
“Why?”
Steven slid his hand over her face, cupping her cheek as his eyes bored into hers. “I’m afraid if I do, I’ll wake up, and all this will be just a dream.”
His words sank in, and she went silent. Abbey had no idea what to say to that. She smiled and touched her finger to his lips. “I promise. I’m not going anywhere, Steven.”
“You have to know what my life’s been like without you,” he said in a low voice. “Not knowing if you were all right or even alive. I hate myself for not saving you. I failed you, Abbey.”
Her mouth turned down. “No, Steven. It wasn’t your fault. You’ve never failed me.”
“It frustrated me that I couldn’t find you, Abbey.” He kissed her, leaving his lips pressed against hers for an extended moment. “I promised your father I would keep you safe. The not knowing was an everyday battle.”
The implication of what he said hit her hard. Her brows went up. “You can’t hold yourself responsible for the choices I made. Besides, it doesn’t matter now. We’re together.”
Abbey rested her chin on his shoulder and sighed. “I want to know more about your mother,” she said, changing the subject. “Tell me about her. What was she like?”
Steven wiped a hand over his face, pushing it back into his hair and holding it there at his nape. “She was beautiful,” he said, so soft she almost didn’t hear. “Like an angel. My mother died saving someone that didn’t deserve to live. And I feel responsible. I should have tried harder to save her, but I didn’t.”
Abbey winced at the self-condemnation in his voice. “Steven, you would have died trying. You know you can’t heal a fatal wound.”
He choked off and covered part of his face with his hand. “Can’t I?”
She blinked, not sure she’d heard him correctly. “What do you mean by that?”
“The reason Valkin Steele is tracking you is to get to me. Why would he believe I could heal his loved one?” Steven queried, his brows clenched. “Dr. Autenburg must have told him I had that kind of power. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would he make something up like that? It has to be true.”
Abbey caught her breath and went still against him. “Oh, Steven,” she whispered. “Please don’t beat yourself up over this.”
Steven stared into her eyes, his own gaze serious and intense. “You have to know, Abbey. I’ll never let what happened to my mother happen to you.”
She didn’t argue. There was a lot she could say, but in the end, it wouldn’t change his mind. And Steven didn’t need the extra worry. Some things just had to be left alone.
“I saw my mother,” she said quietly.
Steven stared at her in utter bewilderment. “But ... how?”
“I don’t expect you to understand it,” Abbey said. “Hell, I don’t understand myself. But she came to me in a dream. I can still hear her voice. I actually felt the warmth when she hugged me. She told me she would always love me. Getting to see my mother finally gave me peace. It was like a miracle, Steven.”
Steven rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip and then leaned forward to kiss it. “I believe in miracles, Abbey. I keep thinking that none of this is real ... that you’re just a figment of my imagination. Stuff like this just doesn’t happen. You’re my miracle.” His eyes welled up. “I love you, you know.”
Relief flooded her heart and soul. “Yeah, I do know.” She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you for believing me. I love you, too,” she whispered close to his ear.
To be continued...
After Sebastian refuses to hand over his son to Lucifer, he becomes trapped in a state of unconsciousness and forced to face the forgotten trauma of his childhood. But before Lucifer unleashes his wraith, he rips into Sebastian’s throat as Eve watches helplessly.
Meanwhile, the guard calls for help and Sebastian is taken from the mental institute and transferred to a nearby hospital where Dr. Helen Carrington cares for his injuries. While Helen is successful at stabilizing Sebastian, for some unexplainable reason, even after he’s administered Breedline blood, he remains unconscious. As Helen informs the institute’s guards of Sebastian condition and that he will be moved to the intensive care unit where he will be monitored twenty-four seven, she is confronted by a young woman named Anna, claiming to be Sebastian’s long lost sister.
While engaging in conversation, Anna explains to Helen Sebastian is not actually blood related, only that her mother raised Sebastian, but she considers him to be her brother nonetheless.
As Sebastian continues to suffer Lucifer’s torture, Helen explains to Anna the reason why Sebastian was placed into the mental institute, and of his crimes against the Breedline.
***
Now that Abbey finally put an end to the ruthless scientist who killed her father, and kept her prisoner for years, torturing her with endless lab experiments, she had to warn her beloved Steven that he was in danger.
Before Dr. Autenburg had met his end, he was hired by Valkin Steele—a billionaire client that funded his research—to locate an Adalwolf with the power to heal his dying mistress. And Steven was the target.
During her escape, Abbey was caught off guard and tranquilized by Valkin Steele’s body guard, Roman Kincaid. Just as she thought all hope was lost, her luck finally turned around. Roman, who was also an Adalwolf, promised Abbey he would keep her safe, and help her reunite with Steven. Left with no other choice, Abbey could only pray Roman was a man of his word.
Now that Abbey is in good hands—protected by Roman and a team of Special Ops—the next step is reuniting her with her beloved, Steven.
As Steven and Abbey finally reunite, she is introduced to the others in the Covenant as they meet Roman and his team of Special Ops and prepare for more allies to show.
During the meeting, after Drakon introduced the team of Special Ops to the Breedline council, they were interrupted by a disturbing news broadcast of gruesome homeless murders all over the city. Now, not only were they forced to deal with Valkin Steele, the Breedline were faced with something far more dangerous ... and deadly.
Continued...
As Helen escorted Anna to the intensive care unit, three guards stood outside Sebastian’s room, their attention instantly alerted as they walked up.
“This is Ms. Anna Saeni,” Helen told them. “She’s Sebastian’s sister. Anna has my permission to visit him for a short while.”
When the guards nodded, Helen opened the door that led to Sebastian’s room.
“I’ll be right outside if you need me,” Helen said softly. “Remember, Anna, just for a few minutes.”
“Thank you, Helen.”
Anna took a deep breath as she stepped inside. And then she looked across the room at her brother. He was no longer the child she remembered. Sebastian was a grown man. Anna closed her eyes for a moment, but the darkness terrified her. Throwing her lids open, she clung to the sight of her brother ... and hated the blank expression on his handsome, pale face. He lay there silently, so still and lifeless. For several moments, she stood there staring at him, unsure of what to do next.
As she surged forward, she became aware of a subtle beeping coming from a machine. It was hooked up to a ventilator that was breathing air into and out of Sebastian’s lungs. Looking down at his hand, Anna wondered if it felt cold. Her hands twisted nervously in front of her, building up the courage to touch him. She felt a surge of guilt thinking back on the years she’d missed as Sebastian grew up. After she was abruptly taken from his life and forced into the monastic lifestyle, she’d lost all hope that she would get the chance to reunite with her little brother. Now, she was finally free. Anna had so many questions to ask him, more than her tired mind could even process. Would he remember her after all these years? The reality of how much time had passed weighed on her. And then she reached out with a trembling hand and placed it over his.
Anna wanted to scream out. Fall down weeping. Hug him. Desperate for some reaction, something ... anything, she muttered in a tear-laced voice, “Oh, Sebastian. It’s Anna ... your Sissy.”
As Sebastian lay stiff and unconscious, he could hear a voice from his past. The sound was timid and soft. But ... how can this be? Anna?
Immediately, Anna’s expression gentled as she reached forward to brush Sebastian’s cheek. When she felt something wet, she froze and stared down into Sebastian’s face. His brows were drawn together as if he’d heard her. And then she lifted her forefinger. On the pad, a single teardrop glistened. Anna blinked in surprise. “You remember,” she murmured as her lips trembled upward into a smile.
Anna squeezed his hand, curling her fingers tightly around his. “I’m here for you, little brother,” she whispered. “Please come back to me. I love you, Sebastian.”
****
Around two in the morning, Detective Manuel Sanchez arrived on the scene of a reported homicide. He’d gotten a call from dispatch reporting a body found in a dumpster off Fifth Street, two blocks over from a dive-bar in the San Francisco Bay Area. It had been a Caucasian female in her mid-to-late twenties. She’d been found with her throat ripped out, and her body completely drained of blood.
As Manuel parked parallel to the brick wall of the alley, he noticed several squad cars were already on location. When he stepped out of his vehicle, he nodded at the grim-looking officers.
“Morning,” he grumbled out.
“Hey, Detective,” his partner said from behind him.
Manuel glanced over his shoulder at Detective Frank Perkins. “Has the medical examiner arrived yet?”
“No,” Perkins said. “We’re still waiting for her to arrive.”
“Do we have a positive ID on the victim?”
“Yeah,” Perkins complied. “Her purse was found underneath the dumpster. Sylvia Bennett. Age twenty-six. She’s employed at a place called Hair Candy as a stylist. Ms. Bennett lives in the Brownstone apartments a couple of blocks from here. She must have been on her way home.”
“Where’s her vehicle?”
“There was nothing located in the vicinity. According to motor vehicle registration, Ms. Bennett doesn’t own a car.”
“All right,” Manuel said, letting out a deep breath. “Let’s take a look.”
Manuel ducked under the yellow tape and walked over to the dumpster. As he rose up onto the balls of his feet, he peered over the rusted lip of the bin. The first thing Manuel saw was red hair.
Oh, God, he thought as the past slammed into him like a ton of bricks. The color of her hair brought back haunted memories of his sister, Lailah. Swallowing hard, he shook it off, shifting back to reality.
Lying in a heap of newspapers and various items of discarded trash, the female was naked, and her pale skin glimmered in the dawn’s diffused light. There was suffering etched into the soft, pale planes of her lovely face. What happened to her? Why would someone hurt such a beautiful, young woman? As he stared at Sylvia’s corpse, he memorized everything about her, from the pink polish on her fingernails, to the freckles on her arms and legs.
“Christ,” Manuel muttered as he stood over yet another dead body, wondering who or what could have done this. And why were all the victims drained of their blood?
Manuel took a flashlight out of his coat pocket and cursed under his breath when he aimed it at the body. The injury to her throat didn’t stop there. She had bite marks on her thighs and on the insides of her wrists.
“What do we have, Detective?”
Manuel stepped back and handed Perkins the flashlight so he could have a look. As the guy was taller by nearly four inches, he didn’t have to arch up to see in. In silence, Perkins just stared, his dark brown eyes unfazed.
“This has the same MO as all the homeless victims that were found dead,” Perkins said and added, “except Ms. Bennett wasn’t homeless.”
Manuel nodded. “This makes forty-four victims in the past two weeks. And all victims were reported completely drained. Some of them were partially eaten.”
Perkins cocked a brow. “It sounds like we’ve got a vampire loose in the city.”
As Manuel turned away, he clapped his partner on the shoulder. “Sure,” he smirked. “If you’re the type of person who believes in that kind of shit.”
At that moment, the medical examiner arrived.
“Come on, Detective,” Manuel said. “Let’s take a closer look around and let her do her job.”
“Roger that.”
It took about an hour for Detective Sanchez and Detective Perkins to nose around and learn absolutely nothing material. There were no security cameras on the outsides of the nearby buildings and no witnesses, but hopefully, the crime scene investigators would come up with something useful.
Finally, the coroner finished her thing, and the body was cleared for removal. Before she left, she gave Manuel the victim’s time of death. Sylvia had died less than two hours ago.
Damn it! Manuel put his hands on his hips and refocused. And then something popped into his head. The Cat Club.
As Detective Perkins turned away and headed for his vehicle, Manuel called out, “Hey, wait up.”
Perkins stopped and turned around. “S’up, Detective?”
“Meet me at the Cat Club,” Manuel said. “I’ve got a gut feeling about something.”
“You think Ms. Bennett came from that place?”
“Maybe,” Manuel said, shrugging his shoulders. “It’s worth checking out.”
Perkins waved. “Meetcha there, Detective.”
****
Abbey dozed lightly, feeling cherished in Steven’s arms. After their lovemaking, she was weak and drained of energy, but in a good way.
When she felt him stir, she lifted her head to see that Steven was awake and staring down at her. “You’re awake,” she whispered.
He cocked his head to the side. “I can’t bear to shut my eyes.”
“Why?”
Steven slid his hand over her face, cupping her cheek as his eyes bored into hers. “I’m afraid if I do, I’ll wake up, and all this will be just a dream.”
His words sank in, and she went silent. Abbey had no idea what to say to that. She smiled and touched her finger to his lips. “I promise. I’m not going anywhere, Steven.”
“You have to know what my life’s been like without you,” he said in a low voice. “Not knowing if you were all right or even alive. I hate myself for not saving you. I failed you, Abbey.”
Her mouth turned down. “No, Steven. It wasn’t your fault. You’ve never failed me.”
“It frustrated me that I couldn’t find you, Abbey.” He kissed her, leaving his lips pressed against hers for an extended moment. “I promised your father I would keep you safe. The not knowing was an everyday battle.”
The implication of what he said hit her hard. Her brows went up. “You can’t hold yourself responsible for the choices I made. Besides, it doesn’t matter now. We’re together.”
Abbey rested her chin on his shoulder and sighed. “I want to know more about your mother,” she said, changing the subject. “Tell me about her. What was she like?”
Steven wiped a hand over his face, pushing it back into his hair and holding it there at his nape. “She was beautiful,” he said, so soft she almost didn’t hear. “Like an angel. My mother died saving someone that didn’t deserve to live. And I feel responsible. I should have tried harder to save her, but I didn’t.”
Abbey winced at the self-condemnation in his voice. “Steven, you would have died trying. You know you can’t heal a fatal wound.”
He choked off and covered part of his face with his hand. “Can’t I?”
She blinked, not sure she’d heard him correctly. “What do you mean by that?”
“The reason Valkin Steele is tracking you is to get to me. Why would he believe I could heal his loved one?” Steven queried, his brows clenched. “Dr. Autenburg must have told him I had that kind of power. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would he make something up like that? It has to be true.”
Abbey caught her breath and went still against him. “Oh, Steven,” she whispered. “Please don’t beat yourself up over this.”
Steven stared into her eyes, his own gaze serious and intense. “You have to know, Abbey. I’ll never let what happened to my mother happen to you.”
She didn’t argue. There was a lot she could say, but in the end, it wouldn’t change his mind. And Steven didn’t need the extra worry. Some things just had to be left alone.
“I saw my mother,” she said quietly.
Steven stared at her in utter bewilderment. “But ... how?”
“I don’t expect you to understand it,” Abbey said. “Hell, I don’t understand myself. But she came to me in a dream. I can still hear her voice. I actually felt the warmth when she hugged me. She told me she would always love me. Getting to see my mother finally gave me peace. It was like a miracle, Steven.”
Steven rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip and then leaned forward to kiss it. “I believe in miracles, Abbey. I keep thinking that none of this is real ... that you’re just a figment of my imagination. Stuff like this just doesn’t happen. You’re my miracle.” His eyes welled up. “I love you, you know.”
Relief flooded her heart and soul. “Yeah, I do know.” She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you for believing me. I love you, too,” she whispered close to his ear.
To be continued...
NOTE: This is not part of the chapter. A reference for terms and cast of 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 among humans, 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 is 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 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 an offspring. This is also a time when Breedline females are more fertile for the conception of twins.
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 ultimately 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 cannot 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 can do white magic (good) or dark (evil).
ADALWOLF - A species that has the power to shift from their human form into a beautiful creature, twice the size, resembling half man and half wolf. Born with super-strength, they can move from one place to another in supernatural speed. Their eyes take on the appearance of two-shimmering diamonds. With the power to regenerate their own cells, an Adalwolf will stop aging at thirty. The moon has no power over them. And an Adalwolf is immune to silver. They can bond with any species.
LUPA - The ancestors descended from the old legend of the lycanthrope, except the moon has no power over them and it cannot be passed on to others like a virus. It is passed on through genetics to the female offspring, known as a she-wolf. This type of creature shape-shifts into a therianthropic hybrid wolf-like creature, and is considered dangerous... cursed.
THERIOMORPH - This species is born with the genes of a Breedline, but cannot 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 bright lavender when their Theriomorph nature takes over. The Breedline see them as a threat to their species.
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 among 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.
Arius and Tidus - Sebastian and Eve's twin boys. Both have inherited their parent's genetics of a half-breed. But Arius carries the mark of the Chiang-Shih demon with the power to create a portal and the ability to heal others.
Steven Pasquale (a.k.a. Steven Craven) - He inherited the genes of a Breedline and an Adalwolf. He was taken from his mother and forced to endure a life of endless, painful experiments by two German physicians; Dr. Hans Autenburg and Dr. Hubert Crane. Without the knowledge of his real family, Steven finally manages to escape his captors, locating his biological parents and his fraternal twin, Tessa Fairchild.
Abbey (a.k.a. Abigail Winthrop) - She inherited the genetics of a Lupa from her mother, who died giving birth. Captured by Dr. Hans Autenburg, a German physician she spent most of her life forced to endure experiments until she finally managed to escape. With no place to go, Abbey is determined to finally reunite with her beloved Steven after they were separated years ago.
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.
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.
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 among humans, 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 is 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 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 an offspring. This is also a time when Breedline females are more fertile for the conception of twins.
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 ultimately 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 cannot 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 can do white magic (good) or dark (evil).
ADALWOLF - A species that has the power to shift from their human form into a beautiful creature, twice the size, resembling half man and half wolf. Born with super-strength, they can move from one place to another in supernatural speed. Their eyes take on the appearance of two-shimmering diamonds. With the power to regenerate their own cells, an Adalwolf will stop aging at thirty. The moon has no power over them. And an Adalwolf is immune to silver. They can bond with any species.
LUPA - The ancestors descended from the old legend of the lycanthrope, except the moon has no power over them and it cannot be passed on to others like a virus. It is passed on through genetics to the female offspring, known as a she-wolf. This type of creature shape-shifts into a therianthropic hybrid wolf-like creature, and is considered dangerous... cursed.
THERIOMORPH - This species is born with the genes of a Breedline, but cannot 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 bright lavender when their Theriomorph nature takes over. The Breedline see them as a threat to their species.
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 among 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.
Arius and Tidus - Sebastian and Eve's twin boys. Both have inherited their parent's genetics of a half-breed. But Arius carries the mark of the Chiang-Shih demon with the power to create a portal and the ability to heal others.
Steven Pasquale (a.k.a. Steven Craven) - He inherited the genes of a Breedline and an Adalwolf. He was taken from his mother and forced to endure a life of endless, painful experiments by two German physicians; Dr. Hans Autenburg and Dr. Hubert Crane. Without the knowledge of his real family, Steven finally manages to escape his captors, locating his biological parents and his fraternal twin, Tessa Fairchild.
Abbey (a.k.a. Abigail Winthrop) - She inherited the genetics of a Lupa from her mother, who died giving birth. Captured by Dr. Hans Autenburg, a German physician she spent most of her life forced to endure experiments until she finally managed to escape. With no place to go, Abbey is determined to finally reunite with her beloved Steven after they were separated years ago.
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.
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.
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