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

you and Damien. It’s been impossible to get near him. That being the case, I think I might’ve found a way. You’re not going to like it though.”

Kain crossed his arms, his weight supported on his right leg, eyes focused. It didn’t surprise him to learn about Stoker’s choice to hide amongst stronger vampires. He’d fled after receiving a wound on his arm from Gabriel. The underhanded tactics he used to get a hold of and nearly kill Damien pissed Kain off so bad he almost tore the snake apart. Doing so would’ve cost Damien his life so Kain held back.

“Stoker knows the inner workings of Ramona’s coven here in Big Timber as well. As I’m sure you’re aware, she took over after Lilith’s downfall. It’s another reason Desdemona refuses to act directly. She knows Anthony wouldn’t hesitate to attack his sister out of rebellion. You must be careful, Kain.”

Kain changed the subject to focus on the way Zane found to get close enough to Stoker to get a hold of him.

From his back pocket, Zane pulled a cream envelope with gold lettering. He handed it to Kain. “This is an invitation to the Don’s Masquerade ball on Halloween. He holds it every year to cement his influence in the human world. He’s invited you personally.”

The decorated letter did indeed have Kain’s full name on the front of it. He opened it to read the cordial invitation. A scent of a fine mix of wine and cologne wafted in his nostrils. He wondered why Anthony would bother to invite him. At the bottom, Kain saw he could bring two guests.

Zane waited while Kain looked over the letter. When the lycan finished, Zane cautioned him against ignoring the invitation. If Anthony wanted to talk, it meant he’d grown sick of waiting and no doubt would drop a body until Kain answered the way the Don wanted.

“Tell him I accept. I doubt he would break face in front of so many. About Stoker, Zane.”

“Leave him to me. He’ll be at the Ball and won’t suspect a vampire to be the one to grab him.”

Kain offered a half-nod, closing the invitation and putting it in the pocket of his jacket. “What of Bard?”

Zane shook his head.

According to him, Bard vanished after fighting with the Don and hadn’t returned. Kain surmised it had something to do with Barghast’s wishes over what Bard wanted. The demented lycan was rabid with bloodlust and the desire for vengeance.

If Barghast forbade him from killing Kain or confronting him, it’d be more than Bard could handle. Kain knew how hot-headed Bard could be.

He’d once called Kain insane for not accepting the Shadowed Ones power. This was before Kain tore his forearm from him during the lycans’ mass exodus from Europe.

“Emeline and Jared?” Kain asked. He looked over his shoulder. “Magdeline?”

Zane told Kain they’d be at the Ball since the Auberts and the Cardozas held a rather unstable truce between their once-quarreling families. They’d taken advantage of the schism in the Cardoza regime to infiltrate Anthony’s territory.

Taking Lune would be out of the question and choosing Damien or Gabriel would be setting them both up as bait for any number of powerful vampires who would want to see them dead. Knowing Damien, he’d demand to go to help Kain in any way he could.

The thought made Kain chuckle under his breath.

Despite what Kain might want, he’d need some powerful lycans to go with him in case things got out of hand. Even with his reputation and strength, trying to escape an entire complex of vampires and their supporters would be fatal.

“I’ll have some loyal vampires at the Ball, Kain. Magnus Forge, Dante and Steele will be there. They’re some of the strongest vampires in Great Falls and my closest friends.”

Kain recalled Magnus’ name during a conversation with Lune. He served as an Enforcer for Emeline’s enterprise and held a deadly reputation. The mention of Magnus prompted Kain to ask about Zane’s involvement with Emeline.

A sigh of remorse came from Zane. “It’s not a past I’m proud of. I don’t do her dirty work anymore but when I can, I try to free at least one of her unfortunate victims.”

“Like Joel.”

Zane nodded. “It’s another reason I don’t want Tala to know who I am. The last thing she needs is to know is how her uncle once tortured people.”

Kain agreed.

While they walked back down the pier, Kain made one final request of Zane. He wanted to know what happened to Tala’s brother during his time in Anthony’s hands.

“I’m not sure what happened to Tobias after he arrived. I was out at the time. What I do know is if the Don released him, he had a reason. No one leaves the Don’s custody unless he’s damned sure they won’t betray him.”

“Tala says he’s on the run, Zane. Does that not mean he might refuse?”

Zane shook his head. Anyone who made a deal with Anthony Cardoza fulfilled their bargain or they wound up dead.

Hearing Zane’s words, Kain realized his instincts regarding Tobias and his interrogation were indeed true.

Clint spent days trying to track Tobias down but ultimately returned empty handed. Somehow, the young lycan outran Clint and managed to cover his tracks and scent.

The two arrived back at Kain’s car where Zane’s Firebird had mysteriously appeared. “This is where I leave you. I’ll see what I can find out about Tobias and tell you at the Ball. Until then, I warn you to be careful. Anthony’s a lot of things and I suspect he’s becoming more insane.”

“What do you mean?” Kain asked.

“He’s been talking to someone in his office. I can’t figure out if I’m hearing two voices or three. He hasn’t acted right in almost four years but recently, he’s acted just plain crazy.”

Kain didn’t reply. It became obvious to him Zane didn’t know about Barghast’s involvement. The vampire’s youth and the fact he’d been changed by Emeline shielded him from knowing about the god’s power and presence. Modern times placed