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

returned to her, causing her to tremble. “I … I remember running. There were black shapes. I don’t remember anything before that.”

Kain helped Tala sit back down on the bed. “These black shapes. Do you recall something strange about them?”

“They moved fast. I remember the stings of pain each time they got close.”

Kain sat down next to her on the bed. “It’s okay. It may take time for your memories to return. I’m not sure how long you were out there. Try to get some food and rest. I will come back later to check on your injuries.”

“Wait. Where am I? What city?”

“Big Timber. About a mile outside of it to be specific,” Kain replied.

“Big Timber?” Tala’s eyes widened. “I was trying to get here.”

“Get some rest and eat. We can talk more later.” Kain departed the room without saying another word.

Kain leaned against the wooden railing of his covered porch, his eyes focused on the line of trees around the perimeter of his cabin. In the shadows, he made out glowing eyes staring from beyond the gloom. Snarls could be heard above the silence.

The lights of a black Mustang could be seen driving up the gravel road towards the cabin.

He soon recognized it, grinning. “Well, well, well. It seems I’m suddenly very popular.”

Kain waited for the car to stop and the engine to turn off before descending the wooden stairs.

Gabriel stepped out of the driver’s side, running a hand through shoulder length, curly dark hair. “It’s good to see you, old friend.” He commented in a thick European voice, embracing Kain.

“You as well. What brings you so far out of your pack’s territory?” Kain asked, his eyes never leaving the trees.

Gabriel followed Kain’s line of sight. “You see them as well?”

“Yes. As of yet, they have not ventured any closer. I cannot be sure of how long that will last. Come, we can talk inside.” Kain motioned Gabriel towards the front door.

When they got inside, Tala sat in the living room in front of the fire with a cup of water in her hands, wrapped in a borrowed blanket. She jumped when Kain came in with Gabriel.

Gabriel whistled at seeing how pretty the young woman was. “Who’s this?”

Kain shook his head, sighing and reaching the heel of his hand to the side of his head, eyes turned towards the ceiling. “Honestly, Gabriel, must you really?”

Gabriel shrugged, holding his hands up as he approached Tala. “I won’t hurt you. My name is Gabriel Locke. I’m Kain’s friend.” Gabriel held out his hand. Tala waited for a nod from Kain before she reached to shake it. “There, see? What’s your name?”

Tala told him.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Gabriel kissed her hand before addressing Kain. “Kain, I wish I came here to catch up, but I’m afraid that isn’t the case.”

“I imagined it wouldn’t be. You rarely come to make a social call. What is it?” Kain sat down in the recliner while Gabriel chose to sit on the floor.

“Ramona contacted me,” Gabriel said. A low rumble in the back of his throat. “Stoker survived the battle at the Stones and slithered to the Cardozas in Great Falls. He’s informed Anthony of the events that happened here. So far, it doesn’t appear to Ramona that Anthony even cares.”

Kain listened to Gabriel go into the details about how Anthony Cardoza, the Don of Great Falls, began to search for an item of unknown origin. His escapades caused horrendous damages to the lycan packs surrounding the city.

During the conversation, Kain’s eyes never left Tala. Her actions indicated signs of familiarity with the situation.

“What is the damage so far, Gabriel?” Kain asked.

Tears began to fall down Tala’s face. Out of the blue, she commented on how the Don began slaughtering the pack, recalling instances of smells of smoke and copper. Black shapes ripped and tore flesh from bone amidst crumbling cinders of houses where lycans used to live in peace.

Gabriel pushed his legs underneath himself to stand. “That about sums it up. Ramona says Desdemona is trying to reign Anthony in, but her efforts are going unheard. Whatever he’s looking for, he wants it enough to commit genocide.”

Kain shoved himself up from his chair so strongly, the force sent the legs skidding across the wood floors. “We will not let this go unchallenged. Gabriel, give me two days and I will return to the battlefield. For now, considering our unwanted guests, you should stay for the night. Return to your pack in the morning. They will need you.”

Gabriel nodded, retiring to one of the guest rooms Kain often let him use when he visited.

After Gabriel left the room, Tala watched Kain walk into the kitchen. Curious, she got up to follow him and peeked around the doorframe to find Kain staring out of the window above the sink.

“You don’t have to hide. Come in,” he said in the same tender voice he used in the room upstairs.

Tala walked into the kitchen, sitting in the chair closest to Kain. She stared at his arms, taking in every jagged scar tarnishing his skin. She wanted to ask where he got them but held herself back.

“You said your last name is Kain? I’m not sure where, but I’ve heard it before.”

Kain pulled up a chair and sat in front of her, his elbows resting on his thighs. “Have you? It’s an unusual name around here.”

“Yes. I heard stories about someone named Kain from the elders of my pack. They called him Penta-something,” she closed her eyes trying to remember.

“Pentacost.”

When their eyes met, Tala could see how sad he looked. “I think so. Did you know him?”

Kain closed his eyes. A remorseful sigh blew through his nose as he rose from the chair. “It does not matter. Be ready. In two days, I take you to Big Timber.”

The following morning, Gabriel left after having coffee and talking with Kain over breakfast. He hadn’t been gone long before