Page 72 of A Curse So Vile

“You piece of shit!” Brenna snarled. “You know what they’ll do to us, don’t you?”

“It’s not that simple,” Orrick said. “And not everyone has to die. We have a plan—”

“Let me guess: it involves murdering the Denithian men and enslaving the women?”

“It’s the only way to preserve our line.”

“Well, fuck our line if it turns us into savages.”

“Now, now,” Ernestine said as a mother would to her bickering children. “Constantine will not be kept waiting.”

The last thing Brenna wanted to do was follow orders from an Ossorian, but something inside her compelled her. She had to see this through, no matter the consequence.

Orrick offered his elbow to lead her to Constantine, and Brenna accepted.

“Lead me if you so choose, but I promise you this: by the end of the night, I’ll paint this room in your blood.”

Orrick chuckled dryly. “I don’t think the night is going to go as you think it will.”

Orrick walked her down the center aisle as the Ossorians strained to get a better look at her. Their expressions were a mixture of suspicion and reverence that she imagined was due to the duality of their nature and how they longed to be rid of their shame.

Constantine promised them she’d change their nature, bringing them closer to their beastly side, elevating them to something they’ve never been before.

Brenna could only hope he was wrong.

“Ah, my beautiful bride,” Constantine said as she approached. He took the flowing veil and bunched it up, placing it over her head to reveal her face. He bent to kiss her cheek, his teeth grazing her flesh. Brenna winced, but did not back away. She would not show fear.

Constantine looked at his people. “Tonight marks a new era. One where we can begin anew.”

Brenna’s heart raced in her chest. She felt something. A presence that shouldn’t be there.

Icaries…

She looked around, frantic with worry.

“You think I’m so savage, and I’ll admit that I can be to those who are lesser, but I would never make my bride go through the most important night of her life without her best friend,” Constantine said. He whistled, and from a dark corner, Icaries emerged, leashed by Julian.

“You dare confine him!” Brenna spat.

“I’m more than happy to take him off his lead,” Constantine offered, “but I must warn you, if he causes trouble, I make no promises to his safety.”

“Set him free!” Brenna snarled.

Julian bent and took off the leash and Icaries rushed to her side, knowing better than to pick a battle with so many foes.

“Does my lovely bride like her gift?” Constantine said, his voice laced with mockery.

“You cannot gift a wolf!” Brenna seethed. “They are just as sentient as you and I.”

“Then I’m not entirely sure what I should call the next surprise I have in store for you.”

Brenna felt a lump well in her throat. “What have you done?”

“Bring out the feast!” Constantine shouted.

All at once, the smell of the Den filled her nostrils.

No…it’s not possible…