Won By the Sword : a tale of the Thirty Years' War by G. A. Henty (latest novels to read .txt) 📕

your eyes. If fear is what is blinding you to your true potential, then it is that fear we must eliminate first. To a human, darkness is the most terrifying entity so it is darkness that you need to face.”

Hesitant but trusting Kain, Damien tied the makeshift blindfold around his head, instantly blinding him from the beauty around him. Chills ran up his spine as uncertainty met uneasy anticipation at what Kain’s intentions were.

“Now that your eyes have been taken out of the picture, it is time for you to see the world the way we do. Lycans rarely rely on sight since we hunt in such darkened conditions and often have to see our prey even before it is visible.” Kain laid his hands on Damien’s shoulders, gently guiding them down.

“Relax your mind and body. Feel everything around you. The breeze, the grass, the rustling of the leaves. Hear the sounds of the birds, the padding of deer hooves in the distance. Then will you understand what it feels like to see the world. Only blinded can you truly see the beauty of Gaia.”

Damien tried hard to focus as he was being instructed, his body tensing as he tried to force his new senses to adapt.

Disappointment leaked its way into his mind, making him feel as though he was failing just as he feared he would.

“I…I can’t do this. I knew I couldn’t meet everyone’s expectations. I let them down. I let you down, Kain.”

“Stop trying to resist. Your whole life you have been led to believe you needed to pretend to be something you are not. Stop trying to be human. You are not one. You never were. Up to this point, I have been easing you into this but it is time I was honest. I will break you, Damien.”

A short gasp escaped Damien’s throat, his heart beating faster as he fought hard to keep a hold on his trust that Kain wasn’t going to hurt him. “Break me?”

“Yes. I will break you but I will rebuild you into something stronger. I am not as patient as Jillian when it comes to training someone. There is a reason why Gabriel reacted the way he did when I told you I was going to train you. You won’t be going back to Jillian until you are trained.”

****

At the end of the day, Damien was on his knees, exhausted and upset at his repeated failures.

“I can’t do this, dammit!” He slammed his fists into the ground, grinding his teeth at the fact he wouldn’t be able to get back to his mate’s side because he couldn’t get his head on straight.

Kain knelt down beside him, his hand resting on his shoulder. “Easy. You are much stronger than you think you are. I promise you, by the time this is over, you will come to realize it yourself.”

The full moon rose above them, signaling the arrival of the night. The soft breeze whispered through the trees. Owls hooted in the distance while loons called gently from the lakes.

“I have to hunt now.”

Damien’s head shot up, surprised. “You’re leaving me here?”

“Of course. I told you, did I not? What better way to train your instincts than being forced to use them. If you get tired, sleep in the center of the stones. You will be safe there. I will return in the morning.”

Kain shifted into his wolf form, shaking his muscles against the discomfort of the gashes.

Damien was in awe at the large sandy haired wolf standing before him. He felt strange inside. Like something was trying to get out.

It wasn’t until his eyes met Kain’s in his full wolf form that he felt a burn in his chest. It was different from the burn inflicted on him by the dark god. This one felt comfortable. As if it was meant to be there.

Kain lifted his head, howling to the moon. The sound echoed against the trees and the range of mountains around them. The aura surrounding him filled with a primal power.

Kain’s eyes once again met Damien’s, almost smiling. He turned and sprinted off towards the woods.

****

Alone, Damien wandered through the woods in search of something he could have for dinner. His stomach was so empty it hurt, making him feel nauseous. The headache he’d developed after Kain left him began throbbing behind his skull. The burn he felt earlier still nagged him inside.

He was so dazed, he lost his footing, sliding down a steep incline. Rolling across broken branches, sharp rocks, wet leaves and dirt, Damien landed in a small brook.

Tired and hungry, he felt content just lying there. His spirit felt weakened. His hope crumbled that he would ever come to understand anything about himself.

Barely able to stand, he forced himself to his hands and knees, crawling out of the water only to fall to his stomach.

Jill. I’m sorry. I failed you. I failed Kain. I failed everyone.

Damien closed his eyes, furious. His thoughts turned to Jill. Her warm body snuggling alone in their bed back at the camp. How worried she must be. How he longed to be next to her, making love to her, kissing her soft lips. The heat of her body as her pleasure rose beneath his fingers and lips.

A soft howl rose above the wind’s shrieking wails. The sound  familiar and comforting. I love you. Come back to me soon. It was Jill’s howl.

Determination overtook uncertainty as Damien forced himself to his feet, ignoring the pangs of hunger and exhaustion to make it back to the circle of stones Kain told him to rest in.

Damien only barely made it back when the sun began to rise behind him. The first night a horrible reminder of just how little he knew about his new abilities.

He fell to the ground, curling up