Brenna
Watching from the windows at the battlefield below, Adan had just cut off of the heads of the warriors who wouldn't yield... and Dominic was one of them.
During the battle, it took everything I had not to grab my sword, rush out to the courtyard, and join the fight. But Adan had asked me to stay here.
Against my better judgment, I decided to abide by my Mate's wishes.
Suddenly, gold and red light flashed in the room behind me, reflecting on the walls and windows. I dove for my sword, knowing it had to be a witch. But just as I reached it, the sword flew across the room of its own accord and into the far wall, out of reach.
"So, you're still in here?"
My head snapped up and Laura was standing behind me, blocking the doorway as red and gold sparkles dissipated around her, fading away. She must have been on the battlefield below and had teleported here after Dominic was killed.
"A part of me thought you'd be out there in the heat of the battle, fighting." She chuckled, inclining her head toward the courtyard below. "But I see you've decided to sit this one out."
"What are you doing here?" I squared my shoulders, having no reason to show fear in front of her. "Get out!"
"Uh-uh-uh!" She smiled, wagging her finger playfully in front of her, her eyes wild, enjoying my discomfort a bit too much. "Oh, I'm leaving all right, but you're coming with me."
"Like hell I am!" I reached for my sword, concentrating hard, trying to remember the basic spells from the Grimoire Magenta had given me when I became a Luna. "Gladius, veni ad me!"
The sword flew swiftly from the wall and was in my hands within a second. I raised it high before me, clutching it with both hands as power rushed through me. I brought it down hard at her before she had time to think, but she easily dodged out of the way. Although I still had a lot to learn about this world, my magic was heightened when I was filled with adrenaline.
"Guards!"
No one rushed in.
"Guards!" I yelled louder.
Nothing.
Laura folded her arms in front of her, a wicked smile lighting her lips as she waited, tilting her head to the side.
"What have you done?" Rage coursed through my body as I envisioned my men outside mine and Adan's suite, slaughtered.
"Let's just say... they won't be disturbing us."
"You bitch!" I swung my sword toward her, but she raised her hand and yelled, "Gladius, Brennae iugulum resiste!"
All of a sudden, the sword broke free of my hand and stopped firmly against my throat in mid-air. I moved toward her, but the pain at my throat stopped me in my tracks. "Release me!"
Laura sauntered toward me, one corner of her lips curling into a wicked smile. "After what Adan did to Dominic? I think not. Besides, someone else wants you more than I do." She lifted one shoulder. "If I had my way about it, I'd kill you where you stand."
"Dominic was a traitor! He brought his death upon himself!" I scoffed, shaking my head as I lowered my voice. "But if it had been up to me, I would have killed him, too. It's the only punishment for a traitor."
"A traitor?" Laura's voice raged as she lifted her hand toward the sword, causing it to push farther into my throat. Hot blood trickled down my neck. "He wanted a better world and was willing to do anything to get it!"
"A better world?" I laughed without humor, shaking my head. "You call the world Darius offered better?" My voice rose several octaves, filling the room.
"He was a warrior!" Tears filled her eyes, threatening to spill over.
"He was a coward... just like you."
"A coward? Dominic was a great man—"
"Who believed the wrong people." I lowered my hands, imploring her to see reason. "When Darius approached Dominic to join him, he could have gone straight to Adan. It would have been the perfect opportunity to set up and capture Darius. But no. Dominic was too much of a coward to go to him."
I let out a deep breath, unable to imagine what Laura must be going through. If Adan had died, I wouldn't have rested until everyone responsible was dead, too.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. "He was no coward."
"Maybe not, but he chose to be a traitor instead. Laura, he betrayed his Pack... and his Alpha." I tilted my head to the side, willing her to see reason. "Laura, Dominic wouldn't have wanted this." I waved my hand to the sword at my throat.
"I would have paid any price to have more time with him." Laura raised her chin, straightening her shoulders proudly as she stepped closer. "And as for what he would have wanted, I guess we'll never know now. Will we?" Quicker than I would have thought possible, she slapped a silver bracelet on my wrist, immediately embedding itself into my skin.
"Laura! What have you done?" My eyes widened as they met hers.
A smirk appeared on her lips. "What I should have done when I met you. I never should have taken the silver bracelet off you."
"No!" I clawed at the bracelet, trying to peel it away from my wrist, but blood oozed from around the wristband as pain filled my body. Short of ripping off my skin, it wasn't coming off. "Take it off! Now!"
"Never. The days of you being a Luna are over." Laura smiled, shaking her head. "As I said before, someone else wants you more than I do." She stepped closer. "Mark my words. Adan will pay for what you did to Dominic."
"That's ridiculous! Dominic would be rolling over in her grave seeing what you're doing! What you've become!"
"Shut up!" Laura yanked my head back as searing pain ripped through my body. "Do not speak for him!"
"And what about you?" I demanded, rage spewing from my mouth like venom. "In the short time I'd known Dominic, I had no idea he was even with someone! You could have been here with him instead of in another Pack—"
"We kept our relationship quiet, and only one Pack Witch is needed—"
"Then don't come crying to me that he was taken from you." I tried to step closer, but the sword stopped my advance.
I knew this wouldn't work, but I couldn't just stand here and die. "Gladio, transfige eam!" I yelled, ordering the sword to run her through.
Nothing.
"Nice try." Laura laughed so hard that tears came to her eyes. "You know as well as I do that silver prevents the use of magic! So, whether it's on a shifter, witch, or a Luna, then you can't use magic. And since wolves and dragons use magic—albeit a small amount—then it prevents them from shifting. And since you're a Luna—half witch and half wolf— then it'll work on you, too." She wiped her eyes. "Well, we should go, since your benefactor is expecting you."
"You sold me?" I growled, my voice raising several octaves, unable to believe this was happening again. "I'm not going anywhere with you!"
Laura waved her hand and the sword pressed farther to my throat. "I would rethink that if I were you."
"Well, thank God you're not me." I shook my head. "Dominic would be sorely disappointed in you."
She glared at me as she held her hand out to the sword. "Gladium solve, et veni ad me."
The sword immediately released me and zoomed toward her hand. Laura caught it with ease. "Now, shall we?"
"I'm not going anywhere with you!"
"Think again." Laura held my arms firmly as I struggled against her grasp, one corner of her lips curling into a smile. "For your own good, I wouldn't let go in the Space-Time Continuum or you'll be lost forever."
I laughed without humor, shaking my head. "I know."
Laura held onto my arms and then yelled, "Traiceret, Fletcher!"
I scoffed, shaking my head as red lights rushed in. "Fletcher. I should have known."
Laura's lips contorted into something vile, sinister. A growl escaped her lips as bright red sparks swirled around us. There was no gold in them at all. In the short time she had been here, she had turned completely to the side of evil.
"Laura, I'm just glad that Dominic isn't here to witness what you've become."
***
A/N: This story concludes on Chapter 102, coming this Wednesday! Don't miss the conclusion!