Page 8 of Barely Breathing (Merely Mortal #3)

Chapter

Eight

“Some curses run deeper than dragon fire.”

Peter’s warning from the coffee shop echoes through my head. I didn’t understand what he was trying to tell me at the time, but now it is starting to make terrible sense. They want me for their ritual, and I can’t help wondering if this is why Costin tried so hard to keep me away. Is this why he mesmerized me? Why he didn’t stop the wolves from kidnapping Paul?

But why didn’t the wolves take me instead if I am who they want?

The amulet. They’re afraid of its power. Thane hesitated before touching it as if testing its magic.

My heart pounds in time with the pulsing amulet. The stone feels like it’s catching fire, hot enough to burn my skin. This isn’t right. Before we fixed the amulet, it didn’t act like this. For most of my life, I thought it was just a necklace my grandfather gave me. I had assumed the magic was more symbolic, like a token to remind me of familial love. But then Conrad tried to kill me, and its magic was activated. It protected me from death. That is when I knew it was more, but there was still no heat, or pulsing, or dragon warnings.

I’ve been trying not to panic, telling myself that my awareness of the connection to Draakmar is what’s different. But I fear it’s more than that.

“Sometimes, the old magic requires great sacrifices.”

Thane’s words swirl with Peter’s in my mind as I stumble from the ritual room. They need me for their ritual, and they are leveraging Paul to make that happen. I can’t prove it, but it’s the only thing making sense.

Has Costin known all along?

What pieces am I missing from this puzzle?

I keep waiting for Thane to stop me from leaving. I glance back to find him watching me, smiling knowingly as if he already sees how everything will play out.

It must be nice to have answers. I’m still trying to figure out what’s going on.

The throne room is a blur of bodies and classic rock. Two burly wolves are waiting at the entrance like guards. The animals look at me from either side of the door as I force myself to walk past. Their golden eyes track my movement. My heart won’t stop pounding, and I hope I look braver than I feel.

The werewolf palace feels fuller than when I left it. I see some of the men who were partying outside now gathered indoors. I can’t tell if they’re here to prevent my escape or if they’ll give me a clear path. Behind me, I hear Thane’s laughter, rich and dark like aged whiskey.

“Tamara.” Costin materializes in front of me, reaching for my arm. “We should go.”

I dodge his grasp. “Don’t touch me.”

“Tam—”

“I’m not yours to command,” I argue, mindful to keep my tone low. “You don’t own me. This isn’t the Middle Ages. You’re not lord of the manor. So take your misogyny and?—”

“You don’t understand what’s happening,” Costin cuts me off.

He’s too late, though. I hear some of the werewolves laughing at us. Damn supernatural hearing. Very little can be kept secret, especially in crowded rooms.

I don’t care.

“Then why don’t you tell me?” The amulet’s weight feels heavy, and it pulls at my neck. Draakmar tries to whisper, but I ignore him. “Why did you even bring me here? ”

His silence only adds to my suspicion.

“You act like you don’t want me to learn what’s happening. Is that why you came? To stop me?”

He moves so fast I don’t see him until he stands beside me, hand gripping my elbow. “Now is not the place.”

A commotion near the throne draws my attention. A familiar figure in expensive designer clothes stands with the Alpha—Chester’s mother, Mabel Freemont.

“What is she doing here?” I whisper, forgetting my anger toward Costin. He looks at me annoyed like that is who he was warning me about.

The woman looks entirely too comfortable among the werewolves. And beside her, a woman I’ve never officially met in this timeline but whose face I’ll never forget. Elizabeth. Costin’s sister. She and her vampire followers had tried to kill me at a lonely gas station in the middle of Kansas. If not for the amulet, she would have. The vampiress is as beautiful and terrifying as I remember, though she’s never met me in her current timeline.

The pieces are forming a picture I don’t want to see. This isn’t just about Paul or even about me. This is about power—vampire, werewolf, and something older whose name will taste like blood in my mouth.

“Tamara Devine.” Elizabeth’s voice carries across the room like silk slicing against steel. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

For a moment, I see her as I remember her with short dark hair framed in the moonlight with fangs bearing down on me for the bite as she pins me to the ground. I lean closer to Costin. Then, she’d been looking forward to eating me. Now, she appears like she still wants to devour me. That smile doesn’t fool me.

I’m starting to miss the days when I was regulated to the protected wing of the Devine country estate while the supernaturals partied. How many hours did I dream of escaping? Staring out over the yard from the balcony, longing for a normal life?

I was such a dumbass.

Standing in the party surrounded by supernaturals is much worse, even with protection. I’m hyper-aware of their claws and fangs.

Elizabeth makes a show of gliding toward us. The tight black leather of her clothes feels a little contrived, yet she pulls the supervillain look off quite well. Her movements are too graceful and practiced. As a vampire, she could blur across the room, but instead, she walks. She likes being seen.

Mabel follows behind her, designer heels clicking against the stone. In some ways, she reminds me of Astrid. Only Astrid is pragmatic to Mabel’s tedium .

The werewolves give them a wide berth.

“Elizabeth.” Costin’s grip tightens on my elbow. “When did you get back?”

“Hello, brother,” Elizabeth says. Her gaze fixates on me, and her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “So nice to see you, too.”

Mabel’s expression doesn’t hide her anger toward me. If anything, she wants me to see it. There is a smugness to her.

“What are you doing here, Elizabeth?” Costin’s tone is far from welcoming.

“I wasn’t aware you wanted approval over my travel itinerary.” Elizabeth waves her hand in dismissal. “If you must know, I was invited by an old, dear friend.”

Costin turns his attention to Thane as the Alpha climbs back onto his throne. The werewolf whistles, and instantly, two women appear next to him. One climbs onto his lap.

“Since when do you hang with wolves?” Costin asks.

I have to admit, it’s good to know he gets that same arrogant, condescending tone with everyone. It’s not just me.

“No, not by Thane,” Elizabeth laughs.

I try not to watch as the Alpha begins making out with the women, kissing one as the other grinds against his hips. No one else seems to care. I find it distracting.

And a little arousing.

“You should not be here,” Costin says. “The treaties are too delicate.”

“The Freemonts are old friends.” Elizabeth hardly appears concerned. “Besides, I found their invitation compelling. Did you know they’re proposing changes to the territorial agreements?”

Mabel’s lips curve. “The old ways aren’t serving anyone. Power should be shared more equitably among supernatural factions. Don’t you think?”

Elizabeth grins as if challenging her brother to argue.

Mabel gives me the same look. This isn’t about sharing anything. It’s clear the Freemonts want more power, and she’s making a play to come after my family.

Annoyance floods me like a wave of nausea, and I sense Draakmar doesn’t like these women.

“Careful,” Costin warns, but I hear tension beneath his usual control.

“Or what?” Elizabeth is enjoying herself. Her eyes finally light up. “You’ll add me to your naughty list, Santa?”

“Unlike Mr. Claus, my punishments are very real,” Costin answers.

Elizabeth’s attention turns to me. “I see you brought your mortal pet. How very progressive of you. Though I suppose she’s not entirely mortal anymore, is she? Not with that particular accessory.”

“She’s worse than mortal,” Mabel puts forth. “She’s a mortal who thinks she’s above her station.

I hate Mabel’s smug face.

“How’s Chester?” I mock before I can stop myself. “Still single?”

I hear snickering at the comment. Some of the wolves are eavesdropping.

Mabel’s entire body becomes stiff. This woman would suck at poker. “You’re as bad as the rest of them. The Devines’ stranglehold on magical resources must?—”

Elizabeth holds up her hand to stop Mabel, her eyes studying me with an unsettling intensity. There’s something clinical in her gaze like I’m a specimen she’d love to dissect. “Now is not the time for politics. Though I must admit, your... resistance to supernatural influence is quite fascinating.”

She waves her hand around where the werewolves watch us and instantly switches her tone as she says to Mabel, “Look where we are! We’re here to have fun.”

Mabel presses her lips tight. I want to tell them both to fuck off, but Costin pulls me closer to his side.

Elizabeth lifts her fingers to her mouth and whistles. She points at two large werewolves standing on the broken floor above and motions for them to come. One has an eye patch, which makes him look all the scarier. They instantly jump down and cross to her. She studies them before murmuring, “You’ll do.”

“We’re leaving,” Costin announces as his sister starts tongue-kissing her chosen targets.

Thane’s laughter carries from his throne.

Costin moves us toward the exit, his body between me and the Alpha.

A wolf howls, and others soon join her. Costin ushers me out of the throne room into the passageway leading outside. The sounds of werewolf revelry fade behind us, replaced by the echo of my racing heart pounding in my ears.

The courtyard has emptied except for a few men bound to a post. Their eyes flash golden, and I don’t bother asking why they’re chained. When we pass through the gate, I am finally able to take a deep breath.

“What the hell was that about?” I demand, trying to pull my arm out of his grasp. “Why is your sister there making deals with the Freemonts?”

“Not here.” His voice is clipped as he tries to force me behind him as we walk. “We need to get away from here first.”

“Dammit, Costin!” I jerk away from him. “Talk to me. What is going on? I know you know more than you’re telling me.”

He stops so suddenly that I run into him. When he turns, his eyes hold something I’ve never seen before—fear. “Did Thane lay hands on you?”

Is he jealous of the Alpha? I think about his finger reaching for the amulet. “No. He just talked.”

“What did he say to you?”

“Blood and moonlight,” I answer. I know he wants me to say more. Well, that makes two of us. I want to know what Costin is hiding.

“I’m taking you home,” he states as if coming to a decision. Before I can protest, he pulls me into a dark alcove between buildings. His body presses mine against the brick wall, one hand sliding up my spine while the other braces against the wall beside my head. The position shields me from view but also traps me against his chest. I feel every intimate detail of his body as his arousal grows against my stomach.

“What are you?—”

“Shh.” His finger traces my lower lip, the touch so light it makes me shiver. “Wolves are trying to follow us.” His voice drops to that velvet tone that makes my knees weak. “Your scent is... intoxicating when you’re afraid.”

I should push him away. I want to push him away. But his cool touch soothes the lingering burn from Thane’s presence, and my body betrays me by arching into his. The memory of our kiss outside the gate floods back—the taste of blood, the press of his fangs, the way he made me forget everything but the feel of his mouth on mine.

“Your heart,” he murmurs against my ear, his lips brushing the sensitive skin. “It calls to me.” One hand slides into my hair, tilting my head back as his mouth traces down my neck. His fangs scrape lightly over the spot where he’s bitten me before, and despite everything— despite the danger, my anger, knowing he’s hiding something —I find myself clutching his shoulders and offering my throat.

The amulet pulses once between us, hard enough to make me gasp. Heat floods me, but it’s not desire this time. It’s a warning.

The shock of it breaks whatever spell he’s trying to wave over my senses. I press my hands against his chest, but the movement is weaker than I’d like. I can’t quite make myself push him away entirely.

At this moment, I understand two things perfectly. First, Costin isn’t the only one playing games with my life. And second, I’m running out of time to figure out the rules.

“No,” I manage, my voice embarrassingly breathless. “Not until you tell me what’s happening. No more games or mysteries, Costin. Tell me, straight up, what’s going on. ”

He pulls back just enough to meet my eyes. The crimson bleeds into his irises, and I recognize that swirling pattern—the same one I’ve seen before, though I can’t quite remember when.

The amulet flares with sudden heat, making us both flinch. Draakmar’s consciousness slams into mine with the force of a battering ram. The dragon’s presence feels different, more awake and aware. His ancient power grows restless with purpose. It triggers a memory of a dark passage, a spy hole, and the taste of terror in my throat. He warns of a change coming over me that will alter everything.

“ These old passages can be dangerous... ”

I stumble away from him, fragments of memory threatening to surface. “You’ve done something to me,” I whisper. “Made me forget things.”

His expression doesn’t change, but something flickers in his eyes. “Tamara?—”

“Don’t.” I press my hand against the amulet, which thumps like a second heartbeat. “I remember...”

The memory hits me like a physical blow, and I’m sixteen again, watching through a spy hole as Costin teaches someone a very permanent lesson about loyalty.