Chapter 1

• *Dark Crystal Tower*
• The sun had begun to skim the motherland of the Dark Crystal Tower territory. Alpha Fiatha and Jabrot walked into their office as the telecommunicator started ringing.
• Picking up the receiver, “morning, Alpha Jabrot speaking.”
• The smile that was once on his face turned to concern as he glanced at his wife. Taking her seat Alpha Faetha glanced at her mate. Mouthing, ‘what is going on?’
• Motioning with his hand that he would speak with her in a moment. Alpha Jabrot continued to listen to the speaker, occasionally uttering, “I understand … no problems … hhm okay!” Placing the receiver back where it belonged. He glanced down for a few moments as he collected his thoughts.
• Faetha glanced up at her mate wondering what was going on. By the way, he was holding himself, she knew without him saying a word that what he had been told ... things were not good.
• Exhaling loudly, “We have a huge problem!” Alpha Jabrot glared at his wife. “We need to find Finja!”
• ***
• “They are nice and healthy!” Gruneth commented as she finished her examination of the progress of Finja’s pregnancy. “How have you been sleeping lately?”
• “The tea is helping!” Sitting up, “I have been having dreamless nights. The only issue is how many times I have to wake up to go to the lavatory during the night.” Finja stood up.
• Gruneth was placing her cardiograph away. “Take half of the prescribed medicine if you find that you have to relieve yourself frequently. The point of the tea is to allow you a peaceful slumber.”
• Finja smiled at the practitioner, “I will see what the side effects are with taking only half of the amount tonight.”
• Gruneth raised her brows, “any headaches?”
• “None since I started taking the medication. I can work efficiently during the day without any issues.” Finja smiled at the female whom she had grown fond of.
• Bobbing her head, “I do have to warn you my queen … the further along in your pregnancy you will need to rest more to ensure the safety of your babies.” Gruneth glared at Finja’s growing belly. “I don’t think I have to tell you that carrying twins is a risk to your health plus the children. The further along in your gestation …”
• “I know the risks are high for an early delivery. Ace had told me what his mum endured during her pregnancy with him and his twin. I have already reduced the workload. The majority of my tasks have been paperwork!” Finja began to snicker, “which Alpha Faetha and Jabrot are thankful for.”
• Gruneth smiled sweetly at the young queen, “that is good to hear! You are a very active individual. I know from your personality you are a hands-on type individual. Who prefers to do the work herself.”
• Finja placed her hand on the handle of the door. “Trust me … it is difficult not to do the work. Especially when it is not done right the first time.”
• ***
• “The army is progressing on schedule. If things continue moving smoothly as they have, we will have no issues when we are attacked in the future.” Beta Brodey told the group.
• Lord Ascelius glanced over at Nelle, “With Nelle’s skills and knowledge we have advanced at a pace that I believe the Emperor would be pleased with.”
• Nelle locked eyes with the vampire lord, “I have made the selection that Finja asked for. We will begin elite training once this meeting is completed.”
• “All of the alpha’s will be attending all training sessions. After all a kingdom is only as strong as the alpha!” Ace glared at the group.
• About to disagree, “My father …”
• Nelle paused what she was going to say as Alpha Faetha and Jabrot rushed into the conference room, “is Finja here?”
• Both Alpha Faetha and Jabrot were huffing and puffing as if they had been racing around the tower with their heads chopped off.
• Wrinkling his forehead, “Finja is having her antepartum check-up. She will be here soon. Where is the fire?” Ace watched as Jabrot closed the door.
• “The fire is heading here!” Alpha Faetha said as she sat down in her chair.
• Studying his cousin with concern, “actually three of them!” Jabrot said as he sat beside Faetha.
• The group waited for more information as Alpha Faetha and Jabrot locked eyes.
• “Balvalur is heading this way!” Faetha glared at Ace knowing he was not going to like this information. “Gus called not long ago. He informed Jabrot that Unnash had been attacked. But not before Alore could pass on a message to him. Balvalur has figured it out. That Finja is no longer at Unnash and he will be here by the time the Blood Moon has set on the third day.” Faetha steadied her breathing as concern washed over her body.
• “Alore warned that Balvalur will kill Finja when the Blood Moon cycle ends and the sun rises.” Jabrot tried to keep his tone even as he glared at Nelle. The smile that was on her face was replaced with fear while she was rapidly breathing.
• “Because of Alore’s warning …” Jabrot studied the group, “the Emperor is heading this way and should be here …” Jabrot exhaled loudly as he massaged the side of his head. "Soon!"
• Faetha blinked several times, “I am not moving you …” She glared at Ace, “or Finja out of the quarter that I gave you two.”
• “Place Emperor Baldwin in the old Hinaar manor!” Lord Ascelius suggested to the alpha’s. “We also need to get Finja underground. It will cover her scent and place her in high security.”
• “There is also more!” Jabrut interrupted, “While Alore was giving her warnings … Gus was able to get a hold of Red Fang.” His sight was set on Ace and Brodey. “He is heading this way as well. By the sounds of it … he is bringing a fleet of fighters. They also know that Finja is with child!”
• Ace leaned his head back as he glared up at the ceiling, “Finja is going to kill someone!”
• *Unnash*
• The clouds loomed over Unnash, not allowing the sun to shine down on the kingdom. The aroma of burning wood was thick in the air as the smoke drifted up into the atmosphere. Hovering over the dead, family members wailed. The attack lasted 40 minutes in that time 567 warriors and citizens had lost their lives to the attack of the feral vampires. The number of injured was five times the number.
• Glazed expressions were plastered on the faces of the residents. Fathers, mothers, and youths looking for their loved ones who did not make it to their underground hiding.
• Lamia directed the men who were not badly injured to clean up the corpses of the enemy.
• The last corpse had been placed in the pile. “Set the fire!” Lamia yelled at the men. Placing their face cover over their mouths and noses. The enemy's bodies were set ablaze. The quickest way to dispose of their bodies before they began to rot spreading diseases.
• Shankha made sure that everything ran smoothly at the clinic. Directing those who needed immediate care to the nurses and practitioners. Those with minor injuries were left in the waiting lounge for their turn. Not knowing how long it would take to be seen.
• Tirelessly everyone worked hard to find the bodies of the missing. While others put out the remaining fires that licked at the building trying to turn them into nothing but ashes and memories.
• Exhausted Lamia turned around to see Mistress Hel holding a child in her arms.
• Rushing over he bowed, “Mistress Hel!” His eyes landed on Fiathuen worry and fear were evident. “The child?”
• “Is not your concern!” Her tone was flat and commanding, “Where is the child’s mother?”
• “Alpha Queen Finja is aiding the alphas of Dark Crystal Tower against the uprise in fledglings and unregistered vampires my eminence.” Lamia did not take his sight off the little girl who had her eyes closed the whole time.
• Mistress Hel hissed with irritation only stopping when Fiathuen whimpered calling for her mum.
• “Bring the alpha’s to me!”
• Mistress Hel was about to turn when Lamia dared to speak, “Mistress Hel … Alpha Zevar is at the infirmary.” Clearing his throat, “and Alpha Myres is still unaccounted for. While Alpha Zevar’s sons and Amuse are going from one building to the next aiding in the clean up.”
• Turning around Mistress Hel’s eyes glowed gold displaying her displeasure with the information that she was hearing. “Then who is in charge of the pack?”
• Stepping through the smoke, Shankha spotted her mate and Mistress speaking. “At this moment Mistress Hel …” Shankha strolled toward the two. “Everyone here is doing their part to take care of the disaster that was presented to the kingdom of Unnash. There are still many that are not accounted for. As we search for those that are lost.” She bowed, giving her respect. “Does Fiathuen need medical care?”
• “The child will heal faster in my arms!” Mistress Hel snapped at Shankha.
• Bowing, “I did not mean any disrespect Mistress Hel … I only was showing concern over Alpha Queen Finja’s child!” Shankha chose her words carefully knowing what the child meant to everyone who knew of her bloodline relations.
• Everyone’s attention had been brought to the entrance as Amuse came running out of the Bodfor’s Palace. Glancing around his eyes spotted Fiathuen resting in a woman's arms that he had never seen before. rushing towards the small group.
• Noticing the youth's distress Lamia motioned his feet interrupting Amuse’s path. Wrapping his arms around him the grief that Amuse was enduring burst out as Lamia asked him what had upset him so much.
• “They're dead!” Amuse bellowed with agony.
• “Who?” Lamia was trying to figure out what had caused him so much pain.
• “MUM!” Amuse’s head tilted his head backwards as he allowed his emotions to rip free. Not caring if anyone was watching him cry as if he were a newborn babe.
• Lamia slammed their bodies together as he held the weight of the young man that he had grown to love as his own son. “NO!”
• Shankha placed her hand over her mouth as the situation sunk into her mind. Mistress Hel glanced at her subjects in disbelief.
• “An … and … Myres!” Amuse was having issues breathing as he sobbed.
• Placing her arms around Amuse and Lamia, “Alore is tending to the wounded. Do you know where Zehna is?” Shankha was soothing Amuse.
• Amuse only nodded his head.
• Kissing the top of his head, “tell me she got to safety!”
• Amuse sniffled, “Yes!” He whispered. "She is with Mum right now. He moved his head toward his niece. Amuse pivoted so that he could hold out his arms so that he could have Fiathuen. “I need my niece!” He choked out.
• Mistress Hel glared down at the young pup, “she is …”
• Speaking in the vampiric language, “the Bloodrose family do not know that the girls are not of their blood.” Lamia was hoping that Mistress Hel would understand and show compassion toward the family.
• “The child will heal faster in my arms!” Mistress Hel was breathing heavily trying to calm herself. Glaring at the youth softened her features, “your a Bloodrose?”
• All heads turned as Fiathuen again cried for her mum. Causing Amuse to react promptly. Lifting her out of the Mistress’s arms, Amuse cradled Fiathuen to his body. Slowly lowering himself and his niece to the ground. Amuse began to sob as he rocked back and forth. “Finja …” Amuse’s head was tilted back as he wailed, “we need you!”
• Lamia motioned his eyes from Amuse to his Goddess, "that they are my eminence." He spoke in the vampiric language.
• “Amuse!” Zehna ran out of the Bodfor palace. Running as fast as she could. Dropping to the ground wrapping her arms around her brother and niece, they both cried out their pain.
• Mistress Hel stood there silent as she watched the youths huddle on the ground crying. Recalling that her sons had come across two bodies in the same dwelling that Amuse and Zehna had rushed out of. Understanding that the two bodies had perished before her sons could get the vampires off of their bodies. Flashes of her misery and loss resurfaced. She too understood what it meant to lose someone dear.
• "Mother!" Her son Anton motioned his feet toward her. Following him were 11 of her fighters. "We managed to kill the fledglings. Only a handful of vampires were able to escape our grasp."
• "Did you get the vampire that attacked this precious child?" Mistress Hel narrowed her sight on her son and his group of fighters.
• Shaking his head no, "he had a head start before we could get to him. I am also sure that he is using old magick to amplify his abilities." Anton seemed more upset at this information than his mother.
• Mistress Hel glared at Anton, "There is work here that needs to be done. I want you and your best fighters to find and kill those who dare to start this uprise. I want their heads delivered to me before the sun rises tomorrow!"
• "As you wish mother!" Anton pivoted and sped away from the location not wanting to upset his mother any more than she was.
• Fiathuen began to cough as she was having difficulty breathing. Amuse and Zehna sniffled as they realized that their niece was badly injured.
• "Hand the wee one over to me, she will heal faster in my arms!" Mistress Hel knelt so that she could take Fiathuen away from Amuse.
• "She needs a doctor!" Zehna's lips were quivering.
• Lamia placed his hand on Zehna's shoulder, "Mistress Hel can heal none life-threatening injuries. It will be much faster as Fiathuen has not come of age to have the healing powers of a vampire."
• Zehna finally glanced at the woman that she had been told was Mistress Hel. Decorated in cloth similar but more finer in style than Shanhka. She was quick to realize that she held power and control. Her eyes opened wide as she realized the disrespect. Trying to get up as quickly as she could so that she could bow.
• Motioning with her hand it was not necessary, "based on your lack of education of my statue as a Goddess, I will let this go. Tomorrow you will address me with the respect that is owed!" Mistress Hel motioned her arms outwards, "give me back the child!" It was an order that Amuse could not disobey, though he tried to.
• *Dorasea*
• “Odolff while I am gone you will be incharge.” Emperor Baldwin told his son as he was dressing for the weather.
• Not liking the situation, “I do not mean to speak out of turn Father but do you not think that you should take a fleet with you?” Yelyor watched his father putting on his jacket.
• “I have to leave with speed. Not many can correspond with my swiftness, Balvalur possesses the skills to compare with me. I need to get to the Dark Crystal Tower before he gets there.” Emperor Baldwin glanced over at Balthazar and Addan. “Do you both have what is needed?”
• Bowing, “Er, Quierrk, Craehk and Af are waiting at the West gate for us.” Balthazar replied to his father. “I also have three fleets ready to enter the Toadfen Forest with us to clear out the parasites. Once we have passed the forest, the fleet will return to Dorasea as you have instructed.”
• Emperor Baldwin glanced over at the door, spotting Nirvana standing there, “Make yourself useful and make sure Dorasea is ready for my return.” Bowing Nirvana did not say a word knowing she would get her instructions from Odolff. Motioning his attention back toward Odolff, “anyone who dares to challenge my authority … you know what to do! Make sure everything is completed.”
• “Yes, father!” Odolff replied knowing he would only have a small window of time to get his father's orders completed before he returned. “Should we be expecting Finja as well?”
• “It depends on how far along in her gestation she is. I will not risk the life that grows in her womb.” Aiming his feet towards the entrance, Emperor Baldwin looked down at his consort, “I will be in contact with you in seven days!”