Lured (The Brazil Werewolf Series Book 4) (10 page)

We stood around the bonfire pit.  The scent of celebrations past permeated the air.  My heart sank as I realized that the times for celebrations had past.  We stood in a time of darkness and it wouldn’t fade for a long time.  Me and Tamas, Tamas’ brothers and their wives, Ion and Fiona, my parents with Jaelle and Pesha stood in a semi-circle around Sophia and Gavriel.  Sophia’s eyes glinted dangerous in the moonlight as she gazed at each of us.  Her anger and hurt reflected on each of our souls. 

              “We didn’t make the first move against the Grey wolves,” Sophia said, raising her brows as she glanced at each of us again, “We’ve tried to be peaceful.  We’ve tried to live separately from them without engaging them but we’ve been attacked.  Stefan and Ella died.”

              Mary Jane shifted uncomfortably as Sophia’s gaze landed on her, “Your parents were good.  They were kind.  What happened to them should not have happened.  They should have lived to see your children.  They should be avenged.”

              Mary Jane’s eyes filled with tears as Sophia turned to Aurora and then, Fiona, “Fiona has been avenged when it comes to Emilian and Eli but what about Eva.  She would have used you until your death.”

              Fiona nodded as a tear fell down her cheek, “She would have,” she said as Ion put his arm around her still weak shoulders, “And she would have done more to me than that.  I witnessed so much while I lived there.  I can’t believe that I allowed it to go on.  I’m ashamed that I was brainwashed that much.”

              “It was because of a blood bond forced on you,” Sophia said raising her chin, “You had no control over your actions.”

              “Momma, you weren’t you,” Aurora said, swallowing over her tears, “You only understood the bond and it was driving you to be someone that you never were.”

              “And that could happen to any of you,” Sophia said as her gaze fell on Luca, “Soon, your betrothed will be here and they’ll come for her too.”

              I watched as he shrugged and my heart sank.  He didn’t care what happened to the girl.  Sophia narrowed her eyes, “It would be a disgrace if anything happens to her,” she said and Luca shifted uncomfortable, “I raised you to protect your family.  She will be your family.”

              Sophia turned and came to Lilly, Mary Jane and Aurora who had just found that she was with child, “You three will be more vulnerable,” she said, gazing at them with love clear in her eyes, “You won’t be able to fight.”

              She stood in front of Andre, Luc and Marco.  Andre shifted Ruby in his arms as his mother caressed her face, “And she will be in more danger than ever,” Sophia said as she moved to Pesha, “And so will he.  You should leave soon.  The betrothal for Ruby and Pesha has been agreed upon and Nadia is settled here.  You will be safer away from here for a while.”

              My heart ached as my mother’s eyes flew to mine.  Still, I nodded.  I would rather my parents and siblings be safe. 

              “We ran once and they still found us,” My father said, glancing at my mother and then, me, “I think we are safer here where we can band together with you to protect our families.”

              “What about Pesha and Ruby?” Sophia asked, “We would be breaking tradition for them to grow up together.”

              “We’ll leave before Pesha’s seventh birthday,” My father said, “That’s well before they start puberty.”

              Sophia nodded, “Then, I agree.” 

              “So do I,” Gavriel said, gripping his ribs as he winced.  He glanced at each of us, “We have to do what we must to protect our family and be able to stay in our home.”

              Sophia nodded, “Yes, this is our home,” she said with a far off expression, “No matter what has happened, this is where we belong.  It’s where our memories are and we will fight to stay here.”

              She met each of our eyes, “The question is whether you will fight with us.”

              One by one, we all nodded our heads.  We would fight and we would die if need be but we would stand.  I stared in the direction of where the Grey wolves lived and narrowed my eyes.  If we took some of the Grey wolves with us, it would be worth it.

**********

              Sleep did not come easily for me that night.  Blood and the screams of Mirella and Garridan came over and over again.  I awoke as sweat poured from me soaking my gown.  I sat up in bed as my heart pounded.  I inhaled deeply and frowned as I inhaled again. 

              I swallowed hard as I nudged Tamas.  He sat up and glanced around instantly on guard. 

              “What is that smell?” I asked, glancing around the room terrified. 

              He inhaled sharply as he jumped from bed, “Smoke,” he said grabbing his pants and throwing them on.  I grabbed my clothes and did the same.  He clasped my hand in his and pulled me with him outside.  My eyes widened as I realized which direction the smoke was coming from. 

              “Oh no!” I said as Tamas and I ran toward his parent’s motor home.  We reached the inferno as Garridan rushed inside.  Ion moved forward as did Tamas. 

A moment later, Garridan exited with Stefan and Bo.  They gasped the cool air as Garridan ran back in.  Tamas exited with his parents.  He bent forward and took a few deep breaths as Ion arrived and raced in.  A few moments later, he exited with Luca.  I stared at the door as flames whipped around the entrance.  My heart was in my throat as I stared into it.  My eyes burned as the smoke whipped around us.  Finally, Garridan jumped through holding Mirella close to him.  Both were coughing and gagging. 

              Laughter reached my ears and I turned to find Eva standing near the bonfire.  She waved once.  Her eyes glowed in the night.  I blinked and then, she was gone.

              “Did you see her?” I asked as I stared out into the darkness where she had stood.

              “I did,” Luca said in a voice hoarse from coughing. 

              “I’m going to kill that bitch,” Garridan said, angrily as tears from his watery eyes fell slowly down his soot covered face. 

              “You’ll have to get in line,” Sophia said in a rough voice. 

              I glanced back at her and then, toward the motor home where they had lost everything in one night and the name of the one who had caused it, whispered through all of our minds feeding the need for revenge.  Eva.

              Eva Grey stood staring out of the window of her home still smelling of the smoke of the Brazil’s motor home.  A smile lifted the corners of her mouth.  Sean knocked on her door, a malicious grin stretched over his face. 

              “That was fun,” he said as he stood beside her.

              “You’ll have more fun soon,” she said, going to her dresser and pulling out a picture.  She smiled as she gazed down at the picture of a pretty young woman. 

              “Send your men to find her,” she said with a grin. 

              “Who is she?” Sean asked with a glint in his eye. 

              “Her name is Claire Black,” she said, narrowing her eyes, “Find her and kill her.  Make sure to bring me her head.  The Brazils want to fight for their children’s betrothed.  We’ve made sure that their daughter won’t be wanted.  Make sure that their next son doesn’t get his mate.”

              “Can I do what I want to her before I kill her?” Sean asked licking his lips lasciviously. 

              Eva smiled before turning to him before patting his cheek, “Yes, you may,” she said and laughed as she turned and walked away from him, “Oh and Sean?”

              “Yes, My Alpha?” He asked with raised brows.

              “Make it brutal,” she said with narrowed eyes.

              “My pleasure,” he said.  She nodded once and left with the understanding that the Brazil family would be totally destroyed before she was done with them.

Dear Readers
,

              Thank you so much for reading Lured (Book 4) The Brazil Werewolf Series.  I hope I gave you some enjoyment.  I want you to know that your support means so much to me.  I wouldn’t be able to be an author without all of my wonderful readers.  So, thank you with all my heart.

Sincerely,

Amanda K. Dudley-Penn