Page 71 of A Curse So Vile

Ernestine smiled. “That’s where you’re wrong. Your blood coupled with new Denithian mates means we’ll have stronger blood than we’ve had in centuries.”

“Do you think the Denithians will just roll over and let you take their women? They outnumber your people, five to one, and we both know how your kin lack intelligence.”

“You assume we haven’t already won.” She walked over, standing nearly six inches taller than Brenna, gazing down at her with savage red eyes as she attached a veil to the black lacquer crown.

“Now let’s get you to your groom.”

“Is this your punishment?” Brenna asked in a mocking tone.

“Why would you think that?”

“You clearly don’t like me and yet you were sent to tend to me.” Brenna smirked behind her veil. “You love Constantine, don’t you? This seems like something he would do to prove a point.”

“Don’t be silly. Ossorians don’t take life mates.”

“But you want to, don’t you? You feel the draw. Your human side.”

“Hurry. It’s time I deliver you.”

Ernestine escorted Brenna from her room, leading her through a maze of tunnels until they arrived at what looked like a human cathedral deep within the earth. The ceiling opened into the evening sky, which was strangely beautiful.

Rows of benches lined the aisles, and in each, Ossorian sat as humans would. Brenna could scarcely believe her eyes. Throughout her entire life, she’d been told the Ossorians were entirely without culture, letting their base instincts guide them. And yet, seeing them seated, looking over at her with reverence, she realized everything she thought she knew about them was wrong.

They craved tradition and holidays and values, and absolutely hated themselves for it. They were told Brenna would deliver them from their shame. They wanted it so desperately, she could smell it.

And perhaps she could give them what they wanted.

She’d always known she was different, but the visit with the soothsayer had been her way of explaining it away. But she was experiencing subtle shifts long before that. Quick changes she attributed to stress. More than the occasional tooth.

If only she’d known.

At the head of the room, standing before an altar, was Constantine in flowing robes of red that matched her gown, another sign of him growing more human.

If only their packs had set aside their differences sooner, they’d have realized how much they had in common, and perhaps the Ossorians wouldn’t have felt so ashamed of their human nature.

But it was too late now. Peace with these beasts wasn’t a possibility. They were set on killing all the Denithian men and enslaving the women.

And they planned on using her as a weapon to achieve this.

She didn’t want to think it was possible for her to turn against her kin, but an unnatural feeling coursed through her veins. She felt more alive than she ever had. That she ever imagined possible.

It was a feeling she could get addicted to.

A familiar scent greeted her. One that reminded her of home.

“I always knew you’d make a beautiful bride.” The voice was as shocking as the scent.

She blinked in amazement as she took in the sight of Orrick, pack leader, standing in front of her. She nearly ripped off her veil, she was so shocked, but her limbs had lost all feeling.

Then she realized his presence could mean nothing good.

“What are you doing here?” she retorted. “Withthem!”

“We invited him to walk you down the aisle,” Ernestine said. “Which is an admittedly human custom, but one we’re happy to oblige until you’ve taken your better form.”

“Tell me you didn’t sell the Denithians out,” Brenna said. “Tell me you didn’t sell out your people.”

“I did what I had to do,” Orrick said, his mouth a thin line of contempt.