A Curse of Shadows - Page 98

I strike the match against the basin and light the candle. Its soft glow confirms there’s nothing else in this room with me besides what’s in front of me. Carefully, I pour the water into the shallow stone, then extend one of my claws.

Blessed water and the blood of the reigning monarch. The only two objects needed to summon a god. Now, I just need to hope the right one is listening.

Cutting my wrist, I hold it over the basin and mutter the enchantment to call the powerful soul’s presence.

Rogamus superiorem, praesentia postulator, sanguine solucionus.

Seconds tick by and I repeat the words again and again. Still, nothing happens.

I pull the two daggers from the basement from my back pocket and set them on the basin. “I have more of these to offer if you’d quit being so selfish and give me a moment of your time.”

“I’d say it’s you who’s selfish, Asher Josiah Cromwell.” A woman’s voice echoes around the room. “Let’s be honest. You’re not here for anyone’s benefit other than your own.”

“I might be here for my own benefit, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have something to offer you,” I state clearly, unwavering from my position, even though I know I’m no longer alone.

“Yes, the dark objects my brother left behind.” She clicks her tongue. “I might have a use for them, but I know you need them gone, which confirms what I’ve always known. Once again, you wolves need me more than I ever needed you.”

Aurora.

She chuckles. “Don’t seem so shocked that I would answer your call. Remember, you only exist because of me.”

While she speaks the truth, I know better. Still, I choose my next words carefully.

“You haven’t been in our world for longer than I’ve been alive, so yes, I didn’t expect your presence, but that doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for it.”

If she’s here, I hope that means she’s been watching the world that was originally created for her and she’ll have the answers I seek.

“Yes, little pup,” she says, finally shimmering into appearance. Sleek, red hair falls over her naked breasts and the only adornment she wears is a diamond-shaped wolf around her neck. “You evolved, stopped begging for belly rubs and returning the sticks. What else might you have been good for?” Her violet eyes rake over me as she licks her ruby-red lips. “Well, I guess now that I’m older, I can think of a few things.”

I keep my stare firmly on her face, not wanting to give her any other ideas. Yet before I can say anything else, she steps closer, placing a finger on my shoulder as she twirls around me. “But King Asher, I have so many good ideas.”

How did I not know she could read minds? That might have been something passed along then forgotten years ago.

She takes a deep breath next to my cheek. “That’s a new development thanks to… Well, we’re not talking about me, are we? We’re talking about you and your mate and the naughty things your father has been up to.”

Her mention of my father fills me with a wrath that leaves me paralyzed. I can’t breathe. Hell, I can barely think. My wolf pushes to the surface, a steady growl echoing from me. He’s ready for blood and there isn’t a part of me that wants to stop him.

“Easy, puppy,” Aurora coos. “There is still much to discuss. So, why don’t you get comfortable?”

She snaps her fingers and a light flashes within the small space, blinding me. By the time my vision returns, we’re no longer in the cave.

Hell, we’re not even in Lunara any longer.

“That’s right, Asher,” Aurora purrs. “You’re in my home. Now, be a dear and take your boots off before you dirty my floors.” She looks over her shoulder at me as she walks away, the daggers dangling from her fingers. “I won’t complain if you decide everything else needs to go as well.”

“Not a chance in hell,” I mutter.

“Not even for your precious mate?” She cackles, tossing her long tresses over her shoulder. “I’m kidding, Asher. While you’re no longer the pets I once desired, I do find your values…interesting. So much so that I’m willing to help you, but there’s something you must do for me first.”

I tense, not feeling any better than I did a few moments ago as I stand in the doorway of her pristine, white home that I’m pretty sure is floating on a cloud if the bright-blue skies and silvery billows of cloud vapor are as telling as they seem.

“What do you want?” I finally ask, unmoving even as she grabs a sheer robe to somewhat cover herself with.

She grins widely, showing off two rows of perfect teeth. “For you to bite me.”

“Why the hell would I do that?”

Her head shakes and she rolls her eyes, as if the answer were so obvious. “So that your entire kingdom doesn’t fall, little pup.”