Blurb:
Once Morgaine, the queen of the vampires, was dead, Gerard and his friends thought they would be safe. The vampires would go into hiding and forget about them. Despite being born into one of the most powerful vampire clans, Gerard had sided with the werewolves for over a year and managed to survive. He didn’t count on an old enemy returning from England with a powerful new ally. When someone precious is taken from him, he is pushed so far past his breaking point he and his adopted family realize just how far the war is from being over.
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Excerpt:
Gerard looked up
when Quentin walked into the room. The look on his face told Gerard something
had happened, something he wouldn’t like.
“What is it?”
Quentin sat down
on the couch. “Luna was in Ashes tonight.”
Ashes was the bar
Quentin had inherited from his father. He ran it with his brother-in-law Jason
now that Bella was trying to stay with Mary more. Most of the clientele was
human, but the werewolves who lived close enough to drive there did so often.
Vampires left them alone nowadays, even though in the past the bar had burned
suspiciously several times.
“You’re sure it
was her? And she didn’t try to hide it?”
“She came right up
to me and ordered two beers.”
“After sunset? She
really is turned?”
He nodded. “I
smelled her when she came in. She drank both beers herself and then left. No
one came in or left in that interval. She seemed to be alone.”
Gerard had been
able to handle Luna just fine when she was a stuck-up human. Now he had no way
of knowing how powerful she was. From what Galen had said, Michael sounded like
he was very powerful, possibly very old. Luna could have amazing powers if her
sire had them.
“She didn’t bother
anyone?”
“She smiled at one
guy, but he turned away. He’s a werewolf, and he lives downtown somewhere by
himself. His family’s gone, all dead. I might not have Bella’s power, but I
know he wanted nothing to do with Luna as soon as he smelled her.”
“She’ll come
around here, I’m sure. At least she can’t get in the house. If the spells
blocked Galen’s entry, they must still work.”
Quentin shook his
head. “Wish Roland had done something else right.”
Quentin was quiet
most of the time, so even after a year Gerard didn’t know him well. He and
Bella were opposites. He was reserved and cautious whereas she was bubbly and
took chances. He had brown hair and eyes, and everything about him was average.
Like Bella’s brother Jason, he tended to blend into the background. Gerard
couldn’t blame anyone born a werewolf in this world for being like that.
Something had been bothering him though.
“Simon doesn’t say
much about it. Do other werewolves resent Roland now they know what he did?”
Quentin nodded
slowly. “We could all be human, living human lives, if he hadn’t changed our
ancestors. Instead of using magic to make an army, he should have tried to
reason with his siblings. He hurt the human race the same way his father did.”
Gerard nodded. “I
agree. It’s hard to defend him, even though he saved me.”
“Knowing the truth
hasn’t changed anything though. Vampires will never stop hating us. I’m sure lots
of them already knew the truth and laughed at us for believing the old legends
they probably fed us. And they’ll never change.” He looked down. “I can’t agree
with Galen’s optimism.”
“Rebecca’s going
to meet his family. We can’t stop her. Do you think she’s safe?”
After a moment,
Quentin said, “I trust Galen. He always smells old.”
“What do you
mean?”
“He hasn’t taken
blood from a human in a long time.”
Gerard nodded,
making a mental note to see if he could tell the difference the next time he
was near Galen. “We need to tell him about Luna. If she’s alone, he may be able
to do something. She’s too unpredictable, and now she has powers. Even though
she’s married now, he might still have authority as her clan’s leader.”
Quentin nodded.
“I’m not going to tell Bella yet. She never reads my mind without asking.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. She never
leaves the house without me lately. You can tell Aria, and maybe she can help
with that? She needs to go out more, even if she just came to the bar to see me
and her brother.”
Gerard nodded.
“Sure. I understand Bella’s caution, but she does need to get out some.”
“Thanks.” Quentin
got up to leave.
“Can I ask one
more thing?”
He stopped.
“Sure.”
“Do you resent me
for all that’s happened?” He felt nervous, mostly because he knew Quentin would
be honest with him.
Quentin looked
down at the floor for a long time. “Sometimes. But you’ve brought the worst of
it on yourself.”
“I know. Bella’s
going to have news for you when you get up there.”
“What?”
“Aria’s pregnant.”
Despite how well
Quentin hid most emotion, Gerard still saw a little anxiety on his face. “How
is she doing? Bella had to go on bed rest within a month.”
“Good, as far as
we can tell.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks. It’s
something else to worry about though.”
Quentin smiled.
“Something wonderful too.”
Gerard smiled. “I
know. I’m glad we’re here.”
“I am too. You’re
Mary’s favorite superhero.”
Gerard raised his
eyebrows. “Some superhero.”
“Look, I was being
honest. Some days, I wish you’d never met Lucas and chosen to become a
werewolf. But Simon’s right in a way. Everything happens for a reason. We all
want you and Aria here.”
“Thanks. That
means a lot.”
Quentin nodded and
went upstairs.
Gerard sat back
and looked up at the ceiling. That had been the longest conversation he’d ever
had with Quentin, and he was glad he’d taken the chance and asked. It
strengthened his resolve to take care of his adopted family.
The first step
would be stopping whatever Luna had planned.
