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

his mental blocks up so Barghast had no access to his feelings or his thoughts.

The god laughed. “I must say, that is something I have always found intriguing about you. Holding that cold pride even when you know the outcome. Remain silent, block your emotions and thoughts from me, it matters not. We will see how you fare when you face my pawn.”

A growl vibrated Kain’s fangs. Scrubbing a hand down his face, Kain felt grateful when the god finally left.

The sound of a clock almost seemed to reverberate in his mind.

He turned off the water, dressed in his jeans and made his way back out to the room. A knock on his door caught his attention, confusing him. Tala wouldn’t have any need to knock.

Opening the door, Kain was surprised to see who stood at his doorway. “You should get some rest, Cade.”

The Silent Soldier didn’t move. “I rarely ever sleep on the eve of battle, Kain.”

The two soldiers stood in silence for a moment. Surprisingly, it was Cade who ended it. “I want to be honest about something.”

“What is it?” Kain asked, closing the door.

Cade propped up a wall. “When I first met you, I didn’t understand why so many of our people seemed to be drawn to you. I hated you and wanted nothing more than to find a way to force you down a few rungs.”

Kain had to fight back a chuckle. He knew Cade felt threatened by him the moment they met.

Before he could reply, Cade continued, averting his eyes to look into Kain’s. “Then I got to know you. It all made sense after that. You guide them, offer them a rock when they don’t have one, direction when they get lost. Holt spoke so highly of you, regarded you with great respect. Looking at them now, I understand.”

Kain didn’t know how to respond. To him, Cade seemed to be as much of a rock as he was.

To hear him say such things about him, Kain offered a slight bow of his head. “It is an honor to hear that from the Silent Soldier. Thank you, Cade.”

Cade said nothing else but offered what resembled a smile, opened the door and left the room.

Kain caught her scent, turning to see Tala standing with her hands clasped in front of her naked body. Relief replaced worry when her eyes met his.

“Alex, I--” Kain’s arms around her stopped the words Tala wanted to say.

He stroked her hair, making sure she knew he wasn’t angry with her. He was grateful to find her safe and glad to be holding her again. He decided he wanted to spend the night next to her, making love when it suited them.

They didn’t fall asleep in bed until the wee hours of the morning.

A surprise call from Zane came shortly after Kain finally got his mind quiet enough to get to sleep. Desdemona was moving them into Great Falls the eve of the final plan was to be enacted. Kain would have to tell Tala goodbye and hope she wouldn’t get angry at him.

As Zane said, the day before the plan was to be enacted, Zane, Magnus, Steele, and Dante met Kain, Damien, Jill, Gabriel, Lune and Cade in Great Falls. Desdemona arranged for them to stay in one of the hotel rooms set aside for the vampire nobles when they came to visit.

It surprised Kain to see how many humans knew the vampires and welcomed them. He kept close to Damien when his eyes met one of the older vampires he knew would recognize him.

Kain heard Damien ask Zane how often humans chose to willingly serve vampires despite knowing what they were.

Zane replied. “Times are changing. There are those who most likely know what you are as well. This hotel is widely used by the rich, many of who are vampires or lycans. We’ll be in Desdemona’s suite. As we said, the Cardoza’s hold strong presence in Great Falls. Darius ran many of the local casinos or managed hotels like this.”

The arrival of Emeline and Magdeline halted Lune in his tracks. Kain could see his body grow rigid the minute he laid eyes on the blonde vampire.

“Easy, Lune. Stay close to me.” Kain reassured his fellow lycan.

“Well, well. This is a shock,” Emeline smiled, taking Zane’s waist and kissing him. “Hey baby. Strange company you’re keeping nowadays.”

Zane wiped her kiss from his mouth. “They’re here as Desdemona’s guests. I’m merely showing them her room.”

Emeline rolled her eyes, scoffing. “Of course you are. So loyal to your lady aren’t you. I couldn’t care less. Are you going to greet the nobles at Crimson’s grand opening?”

Kain watched Zane, analyzing each movement he made. From the way the vampire acted, he could tell Zane was less than inclined to let Emeline touch him but allowed it regardless.

The dark-haired vampire made her way over to Kain. “Glad to see you’re alright, Kain.”

Kain turned his head when she leaned into his ear.

Emeline nipped his ear and licked along his jaw. “Miss you, lover.”

“Back away, Emeline.” Kain warned, careful to keep his body between Lune, Damien and the vampires.

Emeline scoffed. She walked away, pinching Kain’s butt to spite him.

Magdeline blew a kiss to Lune and joined her sister.

“Do they know what’s going on?” Damien questioned.

“I have no doubt but as you know, Emeline’s family despises the Cardozas. Even if she did suspect something, she will not try to stop it. It would please her to see their dynasty in control,” Kain replied.

“What’s the history between you two?”

Kain refused to reply. He turned his attention to Lune, asking if he was alright.

Lune nodded, taking deep breaths. “Fine. Just need a moment.”

The low rumble of thunder in the distance proclaimed the arrival of yet another thunderstorm. In the hallway containing the elevators, Kain couldn’t help but stare at Zane and wonder why the vampire seemed so uneasy.

He placed his hand on Zane’s shoulder. “Are you alright?”

Zane said nothing but nodded while