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

shoulder and parted. Zane got on a deep blue 2017 Kawasaki Concours motorcycle, revved its engine and sped off.

Kain and Tala got into his car and pulled off in the direction of Great Falls. The drive wasn’t long but still Kain instructed Tala to try and get some rest. He wanted her at her best when they got to Desdemona’s coven.

Desdemona met Kain and Tala as he pulled up the half-moon driveway of her coven. Her smile lit like a beacon across her face when she saw them, welcoming them with open arms.

Kain remained leery since the fight with Anthony ended in his untimely demise but for some reason he trusted Desdemona and her daughter. He walked Tala up the steps, returning Desdemona’s greeting.

It stunned him when the vampiress embraced him, forgetting propriety and crying. “When Zane told me of your death, I stood beside myself with grief. Then he told me you had returned. I will not ask how this is possible. Know I am beyond elated, my heart full with happiness to see you safe.”

The lycan didn’t say anything.

“Come, he is this way.” Desdemona gestured to lead them towards the backyard gardens where a lavishly ornate fountain stood in the middle of a cobblestone walkway.

All around, hedges lined with wild berries and blooms sent pleasant smells through the air, adding to the peace of the trickling water. Willow trees blew in the breezes of the night, their long, green tendrils showing signs of budding for the spring.

Beside Kain, Tala sighed happily, nuzzling his arm and winding her fingers through his. He could feel how relaxed she was at the beauty of the gardens.

For once, he too felt completely calm in his soul, away from Damien.

Desdemona led them deep into the gardens until they arrived at a small concrete building decorated with stone wolves. They were rearing on their back legs, chest out with pride, fangs snarling against any enemy who threatened to disturb the fallen soldier sleeping inside. “This is where I had him laid to rest. His remains have been placed in a large stone coffin engraved with his name.”

Kain’s breath left his lungs in such a way, it seemed he’d been punched. The faint scent of his father seeped through the stone, his influence powerful enough that Kain could almost sense him. “May I go inside?”

Desdemona nodded, producing a golden skeleton key and placing it in the lock, turning it and opening the door. It bore the Kain family crest of the heraldic wolf and shield.

He didn’t understand why but when the door opened, Kain hesitated to go inside.

Tala’s soft words of reassurance helped nudge him in the direction of the gaping door. Both sides of the crypt displayed flickering candles and the smell of incense.

“I come in here quite often,” Desdemona said as she led them through the short corridor.

It didn’t take long for Kain’s eyes to fall on the stone coffin lying in the center of a small room where all four corners portrayed the same stone wolves as the outside. Tears stung his eyes while he ran his hand over the smooth stone of the coffin.

His father’s spirit radiated from it so strongly, Kain could almost hear the clashing of swords. Vivid memories of his father’s plated armor forming over strong muscles played in Kain’s mind. A roar so intimidating it froze battlefields and sent enemies fleeing echoed in the room.

Kain recalled the moment when he’d seen retreating lycans turn on their heels when his father dawned two shields and sprinted through a line of vampires. The sound of battle cries rallying to Pentacost as he leapt over the head of a horse, tearing it off and taking a vampire noble to the ground made Kain smile.

To Kain, Pentacost appeared untouchable. He had such power, many believed he should have been made king.

Fantasy came crashing down when memories of his father limping towards him replaced the powerful lycan he wanted to remember.

“His sword and armor, do you have them?” Kain asked Desdemona, trying not to stutter.

Desdemona nodded. “I do. They are both buried with his remains.”

Kain took the metal necklace out of his pocket. He ran his thumb over the shield shaped pendant, hurting at what he was about to do. “I wish to add this. It is time I let my father’s ghost pass into history.”

Wide-eyed, Desdemona gestured her head and hand, offering Kain the permission to open the coffin. The stone whined as it was shoved aside to expose the shimmering sword and breastplate. At the top of the coffin, Kain saw the skull of a wolf. He winced, almost floundering until he took a deep breath and set the necklace inside the coffin and closed it.

Pentacost’s legacy allowed to pass into legend.

“You may come here anytime you like, Alexander.” Desdemona handed Kain a copy of the skeleton key once they exited the building.

Tala stroked her mate’s arm. “Are you okay?”

Kain nodded. He felt better than okay. A sensation of true freedom flooded him, joining his renewed strength, scar-free body and eyes no longer clouded by the dark god’s influence.

The rest of the week passed quickly. Solaris appeared in Kain’s dreams as she said she would, instructing him to say his goodbyes to his mate and child.

“Are you sure you won’t see Damien and Gabriel?” Tala asked as they sat on the wood bench at the Woods Edge.

Magnus and Zane pulled up in two different cars.

Kain lowered his head. “Even if I desired to see them, it seems I do not have the time. Magnus will make sure to get you home safely.”

Tala embraced him, sobbing. “I can’t say goodbye. I won’t.”

Kain placed his hands on her hips, kissing her and tasting the salt of her tears. “This is not goodbye, sweetheart. Wait for me. I will call you every day, I promise you.”

Tala only stared at him. Her anger and pain stabbed his heart, making it hard to keep his resolve on