“I can, father,” Terrin whispers.
Callum smirks, making me wish him dead even more. “Although I admire your fortitude, you are no match for me, son,” Callum issues a warning.
“Don’t make me hurt you,” Terrin retorts. His voice reminds me of the child he is.
Callum laughs deeply. “No one can hurt me.”
“I can.”
Gideon, Harrison, Erick, and Phillipe join our small group as we face down Callum O’Brien. The ancient vampire smiles the now familiar smile. “You think all of you standing there, threatening me, is a concern? I’ve fought entire armies and lived to tell the tale. You are nothing to me. Even combined, you hold no power greater than my own.”
“We’re willing to try,” Cyrus answers. His words stir a rally cry deep inside.
“Aurora’s dead,” I announce the obvious.
“Good,” Callum answers. “She had grown quite annoying.”
“You’re a monster,” Stella whispers.
The ancient vampire raises the back of his hand tohis forehead dramatically. “Oh, how your words wound me. Boo-hoo. My feelings are forever hurt.”
“You’re an asshole,” I add.
His arrogance is almost palpable. “That’s a little better.” He holds his hand toward Terrin. “Come, boy. We’re leaving.”
“No,” Terrin answers.
“I will not ask again,” Callum warns.
“No.”
Without warning, the ancient vampire moves toward our group faster than the eye can see. His arm is wrapped around Gideon’s throat, and without warning, he twists, breaking the wolf’s neck instantly.” I stare in disbelief. Did he just kill Gideon? Simon and Stella’s father, and the Alpha?
“No!” Stella shouts as she and Simon shift into wolf form, spitting anger-filled saliva at the vampire.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Was he important to you?” Callum’s words are laced with sarcasm. He holds his hand toward Terrin. “Come.”
“No,” he repeats, losing the confidence his voice held earlier.
Callum is behind Stella a heartbeat later, repeating the actions that took Gideon’s life. Stella falls to the floor next to her father.
Oh, my God. Did that just happen? I stare at the lifeless bodies of Gideon and Stella, not quite sure I’m able to process the scene. Is this real?
Simon’s roar interrupts my spiral as he leapsthrough the air toward the ancient vampire. Instead of reaching the killer, his attack is blocked as he’s knocked to the wall behind him.
“Don’t be stupid, boy,” Harrison says, pressing his body weight into Simon. “Do you want to join them?” He holds the wolf down, protecting him from his own anger.
“Do you want to watch me kill them one by one?” Callum asks Terrin. “Is that what you want, son? To watch your friends die?” He turns toward Lucien, who has made his way to our group. “This one seems particularly important to you.” He moves behind Lucien a heartbeat later.
“No!” Terrin shouts. “You’re dead!”
Callum stops moving and stares at the young boy. He pulls his hand in front of his face, turning it dramatically. “No, I’m very much alive.” He huffs a laugh. “Is that something that has worked in the past?”
“You’re dead!” Terrin repeats, louder.
“I must say that it lacks the effect I’d hoped it would.” He holds his hand toward Terrin. “Come. I’m bored with these games.”
Terrin takes a step toward the ancient vampire. I move between them, stopping his movement. “I won’t allow this. You’re not going with him.”
