Bane of Tenebris (Wolfgods Book 2) Blaise Ramsay (classic literature books txt) 📖

curious. Great details like the texture of the dark god’s skin were things Kain never shared. It made him think Damien had experiences of his own while his mentor lived in isolation.

“What about you, Kain?”

Kain thought back to the emptiness of Barghast’s plane until after the battle with Bard. The god’s behavior seemed angry though he didn’t show it like he usually did.

Damien listened while Kain told him of the dark god’s absence from his plane. How he hadn’t gone out of his way to torture Kain in the usual manner and when he did appear, he seemed almost sad to do what he’d done for centuries.

“Do you have a theory as to why he’s acting so strange?” Damien asked.

Kain shook his head. “No, and in truth, it is more than a little unnerving.”

The following morning Gabriel and his beta, Dolph arrived at Damien’s pack house. He greeted Kain with a sullen look in his eyes, his head hung low. Dolph looked angry enough to start a fighting match with Scott who sat in the living room with Clint.

“It is good to see you, Gabriel. I know you have been traveling a lot lately.” Kain took his friend in a hug.

Gabriel held Kain close. The gesture held an air of concern and overall sadness. “It’s good to see you as well, Kain. How’s your hand?”

Kain showed Gabriel his hand. He’d been wrapping it in fighter’s tape to hide the horrible, wax-like scars. “I still have little use. Kyle says the burns may have removed my ability to recover from it completely. It still serves a purpose though.”

Gabriel smiled a weak smile. “And, Vincent’s death?”

Kain offered Gabriel to join him in the living room. Damien sat in his usual spot against the big black wolf sleeping on the floor. Between the two of them, Jill and Tala took turns watching over the pups.

It’d been hard since Damien made the choice to send his girls to stay with his father, Ivy, Astrid and Sarah. His reasoning was to protect them and keep them as far away from the fight as possible.

The choice devastated Jill who hadn’t shifted back since her children left. She said nothing save for a few whimpers, her cheeks moistened by tears.

Damien stroked the black fur, murmuring to his mate when Gabriel came into the room with Kain.

Gabriel sat on the floor across from Jill. “So, you really sent them away?”

Damien nodded. His eyes sad.

“Sun’s hell. Will the gods not find it in themselves to give us true peace?” Gabriel dropped his eyes. Kain could hear the grinding of the alpha’s fangs, a low growl rumbling in his chest.

Lune and Cade arrived with their betas hours after Gabriel’s arrival, informing Damien and Kain that they’d gotten their packs set up in the motels Charlie made available to them.

Once the leaders were all assembled, Damien brought everyone up to speed about Vincent’s death and the message he gave before joining the gods. He went into his thoughts regarding Anthony’s choice of guerrilla or mob-like tactics and what Damien came up with to counter the Don’s actions.

Lune glared at the floor in front of him. His beta, Justin, sat beside his alpha. Cade’s beta, Adam, mirrored his alpha’s leaning stance against the wall. Kain could tell Cade had chosen a lycan much like himself, a hardened soldier, to be his beta.

Kain stood behind Damien, his arms crossed over his chest.

“What you’re saying is, this vampire isn’t fighting like a vampire? He’s relying on human world tactics? Why choose to go that route?” Gabriel questioned.

“It’s the modern day, Gabriel. The Cardoza family is as big as the Italian mob. Why not use that influence? It means he can reach us no matter where we try to hide and can hire human hitmen who aren’t affected by the sun,” Damien replied.

Lune moved his glare to meet Damien’s eyes. “This madness you plan on going through to obtain Cromwell. This isn’t only for vengeance is it? If it is, you better put your petty fit behind you.”

Cade echoed Lune’s sentiment. “I for one don’t like you leading this, Damien. Nothing personal but everyone in this room has more experience with vampires.”

“Enough, Cade,” Kain snapped. “Have you forgotten who it was who developed the plan at the Circle of Stones? Seems to me it is you who needs to put your petty differences behind you.”

Cade snarled at Kain. The rivalry between the two soldiers became legendary in the world of the lycans. Despite Cade’s size and his military training, Kain always came out on top in the ring.

“I remember. My alpha was murdered in that battle. Bite your tongue, Kain. I only meant a trained strategist should be leading, that’s all.” The Silent Soldier averted his eyes when Kain’s almost seemed to burn with challenge.

Damien didn’t respond to Cade’s biting. It was no secret to anyone in the room how much Cade didn’t like Damien. Kain stood in the same room when Cade said the packs should leave Damien to his own defense against the vampires.

Gabriel rose from the floor. His size brought him equal to Cade’s. If the two fought, one of them would have to die before either of them backed down. “I’ve had enough of you Cade. Holt died honorably getting rid of Rayes. Let him rest in peace for the gods’ sake. We could always leave your worthless ass in the hands of the werewolves and see how you do.”

“Stop!” Damien shouted. He’d gotten between Cade and Kain who stood on opposite sides of the room. “I’ve had it with the bickering! We’re up to our asses in problems. Cade, if you won’t trust me, get the hell out of my territory! I don’t need you. Lune, you’re out of line! No one hates Stoker Cromwell more than I do but fuck my reasons! This is for our packs, not for me.”

Every eye in the room, including Kain’s were wide as dinner plates. This new part of