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

his military training would help alongside his instincts as a lycan. In a rush, Kain knew Cade could get Damien to safety.

Zane arrived promptly at 7pm in a limo to take the lycans to the Ball.

Kain held Tala close, not wanting to let her go. He begged her to stay in the house until he got home.

Tala giggled, “I’ll be fine. Gabriel, Scott, Clint and Tyler are all here. Go. I think we’re all ready for this to be over.” She kissed Kain’s lips, holding him close and tasting him before whispering, “I love you.”

With one last glance, Kain got into the limo, his soul troubled more than it had been since the Circle of Stones.

The casino hosting the Masquerade Ball was beyond majestic. The grand showroom sported red carpet decorated with gold inlays shaped like flowers.

Tables hosting multiple games like Blackjack, Texas Hold’em, and Craps were spread across the outer perimeter of the room. The middle had been cleared to make room for tables with elegant hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and desserts.

Kain kept close to Zane and Damien. His eyes scanned the room to become aware of every security officer who could be a potential threat to their party.

A vampire with messy, pitch black hair walked up to Zane, standing shoulder to shoulder with him. He greeted Zane warmly.

“Steele. Tell me what’s happened so far. Was there any suspicion due to our late arrival?”

Steele shook his head. “It’s been quiet. Magnus is by the main stairwell. Are you sure you want to go through with this? You know we’re in the middle of something. This could blow our cover.”

“Relax. Anthony will behave himself to save face. Besides, he’s pulling some serious crap that needs to be dealt with. We need to get a hold of Cromwell.”

Steele rolled his ruby eyes. Cromwell hadn’t come down from the luxury suite the Don set him up in yet. At Zane’s request to keep Emeline blind, Steele strode over to where Emeline stood with Jared and a bleach blonde vampiress with voluptuous breasts.

Kain recognized her immediately as Magdeline. The third Aubert sibling.

Zane took Kain with him and headed over to where Magnus waited by the stairs. “Magnus, where is he?”

“Which one? Weasel-pire or the Don?” Magnus snapped in the voice one might hear in a CEO’s office. It held no accent but a hint of sarcasm as thick as Gabriel’s.

Zane smacked his head. Apparently, the behavior was normal from Magnus. “We know where Stoker is. Anthony.”

Magnus gestured his head up the grand stairs. “Still upstairs. From what I heard he’s on the phone with someone. Should be down shortly. This must be Kain.” Magnus held out his hand.

Kain was a bit hesitant to take it but his trust in Zane made him reach out and take the vampire’s hand.

Magnus laughed, shaking Kain’s hand. The lights dimmed, replaced by a spotlight and an announcement telling the room the host had arrived. Magnus, Kain and Zane stared as Anthony descended the stairs with a beautiful woman on his arm. She didn’t smell like either a lycan or a vampire.

“Zane. Is that you, my love?” Emeline sashayed over to Zane, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Mask or not, I would recognize this beautiful silver hair anywhere. How’ve you been? Hadn’t seen you around much.” She kissed his lips.

Zane tensed at the vampiress’ touch. When Emeline pulled away, Kain saw a look of hidden disgust on Zane’s face.

“Who’s this?” she asked, gesturing her head towards Kain.

Zane pushed her away from him, introducing Kain as a friend.

Emeline’s eyes roamed over Kain’s body. She licked her nightshade colored lips and fangs. “My, my. Such a gorgeous body. Does this friend have a name?”

Zane glanced at Kain. “My name is Kade. Kade Sinclair.”

Emeline ran her finger over Kain’s chest. “Well Kade, let me know if you ever want to put this body to work. I’d be more than happy to have you. You two enjoy the party. Zane, I look forward to our meeting later.” She winked at Kain and walked away.

Zane’s brow raised. He snickered. “Kade?”

“It was a name I used many times in history to avoid conflict. What did she mean by meeting?”

A serious look replaced the jovial mood in Zane’s eyes. “It’s nothing. Let’s focus on getting Cromwell and then getting you three out of here.”

A quick motion of his chin sent Steele away from the guest table. He disappeared beyond a door beneath the grand stairwell. Zane’s eyes met another vampire in the corner of the room. A younger man with hair the same color as Kain’s. He nodded and departed out a fire escape door.

Anthony stopped at a podium set up at the base of the stairs. He greeted his guests, welcoming them to the Ball and offering for them to enjoy themselves. His hand motioned towards the different tables, a smile curling over his lips as the audience broke into applause.

Kain crossed his arms, leaning against the stairs. “I can see why you say he likes to make a grand entrance.”

Anthony walked over to Zane and extended his hand. “My most trusted enforcer, how’re you enjoying the evening?”

Zane took Anthony’s hand, slightly bowing. He introduced Kain after offering a compliment to the Don.

The vampire’s bright blue eyes focused on Kain. He reached out his hand. “Welcome, Kade. Any friend of Zane is a friend of mine. I do hope you enjoy yourself tonight. Please come find me if you need anything at all.”

Kain’s sense of danger warned him Anthony wasn’t deceived. The eyes of the black god stared at him from beyond the vampire’s gaze. They almost appeared to smile. Kain watched him walk away to go address his guests.

“He doesn’t believe it. He knows who I am.”

“I know. Stay on your guard. Since Emeline knows I’m here, I’ll most likely have to leave you from time to time. Dante and Steele are working on retrieving Stoker. As soon as they text me, I’ll come find you. Stay close to