Bane of Tenebris (Wolfgods Book 2) by Blaise Ramsay (i love reading books txt) 📕

“Listen, what happened that day wasn’t your fault. You saved many of us by getting us on those boats. Is that why you left? Or was it because of the bane?” Gabriel hesitated to mention the curse.

“I saved many but left a great sin, Gabriel. From that, I cannot escape nor do I expect to. In truth, I do not expect to live through this.”

Gabriel’s brow raised in disturbing question.

“It does not matter now. Just promise me you will protect and take care of Tala should I not survive.”

Reluctant, Gabriel agreed to Kain’s request.

The park Kain was to meet Desdemona in smelled of sweet flowers. It was late evening and the breeze helped ease the agitation Kain felt from the conversation with Gabriel before he left for the meeting.

He walked down the cobblestone path until he saw Zane leaning against a willow with his eyes closed. Desdemona sat on a granite bench overlooking the koi pond.

Kain knew the pond well. He’d brought Clint to the park many times as a pup and let him feed the fish and the occasional duck.

Upon seeing him, Desdemona beamed with delight. Only it held underlying tones of sadness. “Welcome, Alexander. Thank you so much for meeting with me.”

Turning down the offer to sit, Kain joined Zane in leaning against the willow’s trunk. The silver-haired vampire never moved.

“Good evening. I would rather skip the pleasantries, Ms. Cardoza,” Kain greeted.

“Desdemona, please,” she gently corrected.

“Desdemona. Why have you called this meeting? As things stand, I would rather not be away from my pack for too long,” Kain replied. His glare focused intently on both Zane and his mistress.

Desdemona turned her back on Kain, showing an immense trust that he wouldn’t strike her down if the opportunity presented itself. “I am aware of Anthony’s visit. Zane tried to dissuade him, but he is stubborn and lacks empathy. I asked for your company because there are some things you need to know about me and your father.”

Kain tensed at the mention of his father. Especially when the one mentioning him was a vampire. He remained silent, listening.

“Do you recognize this?” Desdemona asked, showing the object she’d been cradling in her hands when Kain walked up to her. She handed it to him and waited.

Kain’s eyes opened wide at the necklace in his hands. He recognized the crest of his family the moment he saw the medieval wolf brandishing a shield. It lay in the middle of an ovular pewter pendant. His father had been wearing it when he was killed. Around the edges, Kain saw what looked like dried blood.

“Where did you get this?” he asked.

Desdemona sighed, her eyes diverted towards the swimming fish in the pond. “I removed it from around your father’s neck after he passed. He asked me to give it to you when the time came.”

A bout of confusion struck Kain so hard it dizzied him. The sensation something he hadn’t experienced in many years.

Questions spun in his mind, shrieking like the winds of a hurricane.

Desdemona rose from her seat and drew closer to the lycan. Her ruby eyes shone with tears. “You are truly as handsome as your father. You have his eyes and strong jaw.”

Kain’s fangs clenched, his lack of trust showing in the threatening way he glared at her. He pushed down the anger enough to maintain some sense of composure. He trusted Zane for reasons he couldn’t understand, but Desdemona remained hard to read. She held herself as expressionless as Kain, acting with barely any emotion.

Desdemona once again offered a seat, and this time, Kain took it. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to stand if he took another hit as hard as the necklace.

“Alexander, what I have to tell you might not sit well with you. It will leave you with more questions than answers and possibly make you question what you believed about Pentacost. Make no mistake, there was no greater warrior with a heart of gold to many – both vampire and lycan.”

Kain listened as Desdemona told him of the first day she met Pentacost and how she fell in love at first sight. She spoke of how she pursued the lycan warrior and how eventually, Pentacost returned her feelings.

The more he heard, the more confused and nauseated Kain became. His adopted mother, Adrianna had been the only female figure he’d ever known. His father never spoke of who his real mother was and typically changed the subject when Kain dared to ask him.

One thing Pentacost did do was look at his son with sadness when Kain asked. It was as if he didn’t want to say or perhaps he couldn’t for fear of what would happen.

“Why are you telling me this?” Kain questioned.

“When Anthony appeared, I grew more concerned,” Desdemona replied.

Kain gripped his hands hard enough to make the skin of his wounded hand ache. “My real mother. Who is she?”

Again, Desdemona sighed, openly regretting she couldn’t reveal the full truth out of respect for her former lover’s son. She went on to reveal that she never had children with Darius but sent him off to find lovers.

Kain asked if she ever had a child of her own only to learn she had one surviving son she hadn’t seen in centuries. The mention of this prodigal child gave Kain a feeling he’d rather ignore. A looming secret he wanted to know but believed he shouldn’t ask. He got up from the bench in preparation to leave, thanking his hostess for sharing such difficult information.

His father would be disappointed if he allowed the infamous Kain reserve to be shattered in front of anyone. It was something Kain had pounded in his head every day since he came of age to learn what his fate was. In his heart, he always harbored a resentment for his father.

“Alexander,” Desdemona’s voice stopped him in his tracks, “there is nothing wrong with a lycan and a vampire falling in love. Is your mate not