SWORN ENEMIES VALERIA Boss isnt going to like this at all .


    What did you expect me to do ? Pick up that disgusting corpse or stay there waiting for the specter ?! This girls lucky her face is so messed up , even the specter didnt want her .


    I could hear the conversation of what seemed to be two men My whole body felt drained , as if I had pushed beyond my physical limits .


    I was confused , unable to fully recall what had happened .


    Adele had tried to deceive me .


    We fought .


    That thing appeared , and then … ? I was lying across the back of one of my captors , being carried to an unknown location .


    Even though I was awake , I kept my eyes shut , pretending to be unconscious just to hear more of their conversation Get her on the boat ! Suddenly , they threw me onto an old boat .


    I realized I was being taken farther and farther from the King , so I began to fight back with everything I had .


    So youre awake now ? Ah , you damn woman ! Whats going on ?! She bit me ! Youll pay for that , bitch ! Thest thing I saw was a fisting straight at my face .


    The next time I woke up , I was sitting in a cold cell , my hands tied behind my back , chained to the damp stone wall .


    One of my eyes was swollen shut , and nausea twisted my stomach , making me want to vomit .


    The stench of mold and decay in the air only worsened my dizziness .


    Shadows huddled in the corners other young women , trembling and crying , all of them terrified .


    What had I gotten myself into this time ? And where exactly was I ? Soon , they came for me .


    I heard footsteps echoing in the dark corridor outside the massive cell .


    The door creaked open , and two men grabbed me by the arms , dragging me out .


    No matter how weakly I resisted or how much I begged , they didnt stop .


    I was hauled up a staircase , through a series of hallways , and shoved through a door into an office .


    BAM ! SWORN ENEMIES  I hit the ground hard , my forehead mming against the stone floor .


    Pain shot through me , and I hissed in difort as someone began untying the bindings on my wrists .


    Footsteps approached .


    A strong scent of cologne filled the air before a pair of ck leather boots stopped right in front of me .


    Do you know how to interpret whats written on the Goddesss Altar ? A low , icy voice questioned me .


    N no , sir , I replied , trembling but determined .


    I knew I could never admit I could read those symbols .


    Suddenly , rough fingers dug harshly into my chin , forcing me to lift my head so abruptly I thought my neck might snap .


    I dont like being lied to .


    If you are the one Ive been searching for , but youre lying … you will pay I bit my lip , struggling to keep calm .


    A massive scar crossed his right eye deep , more grotesque than even my ownL dearly for it .


    Short ck hair , blood red eyes , and fangs slightly protruding from his lips but not as long as a werewolfs .


    A dark , powerful , and violent aura surrounded him .


    I knew perfectly well what he was ..


    A vampire .


    The sworn enemies of werewolves .


    Both sides despised each other to death , and now , I had been captured by them .


    They never dared enter our territory they feared Aldric and the Guardians .


    Something extremely important must have driven them to take this risk .


    Bring the piece of the Mother Stone .


    Well see if shes who weve been searching for .


    He let go of me , shoving me back roughly .


    My trembling hands pressed against the cold floor , kneeling with my head lowered as my mind raced .


    If they had a way to test if I could read those markings , it wouldnt matter how much I denied it they would find out .


    Minutester , one of his men entered with a ck box and set it on the desk .


    The moment it was opened , I felt a tug deep in my chest .


    Come to me , my daughter .


    Come to me .


    A whisper echoed in my mind .


    I dared to lift my gaze slightly , watching as the vampire carefully removed a piece of dark stone , using gloves with utmost reverence .


    The stone was cracked , yet faint specks of glowing light shimmered within it , like trapped stars .


    2/3 22 SWORN ENEMIES  It was affecting me my heart was racing , and my body felt drawn to it .


    They grabbed my wrist , forcing my trembling hand closer inch by inch toward the artifact .


    They were going to uncover my secret .


    But then I remembered that sensation when I had hidden myself in the shadows of the night .


    The way I had suppressed my scent , concealed so even werewolves with their enhanced senses couldnt detect me .


    I willed myself to disappear .


    To suppress the strange power inside me .


    The youn The voice from the stone fell silent .


    AAGHHH ! I screamed as soon as my fingers made contact with the stone , a searing pain burning through my skin .


    I tried to pull away , but they forced my hand against it , the agony unbearable .


    Fucking hell ! Atst , they released me .


    I yanked my hand back , clutching it protectively against my chest , trembling as tears streamed down my cheeks .