The sword I’d read about. It was Kingsley in the book passage! Selene lamented, “You’re giving information that shouldn’t be had!” Aesir snorted, “Melanie will figure it out soon enough. You have interfered for the last time, Selene.”
Selene paled asking, “What do you mean? I have to watch my children!” Freya snorted, “That would be a first.” Selene glared at my wolf. I warned, “Don’t you look at my wolf like that. Aesir’s statement was actually quite clear.” Giant cuffs appeared around Selene’s wrists.
For some reason, the goddess gasped in shock. I rolled my eyes, because there was no other explanation for Aesir’s words. Selene looked over and yelled, “WANDA! How dare you!” Aesir laughed, “Do you think any god or goddess fears you more than they fear me?” I mean… they weren’t supposed to use magic against each other… but no one would be mad at Aesir for this.
Selene had been going against his children too long for anyone to bat an eye. Aesir told her, “I’m imprisoning you, Selene. You can watch your children, but you will be unable to interfere as you have been. Because I’ll be having you guarded.”
Selene cried, “Please don’t do this.” Freya scoffed and I rolled my eyes. Aesir told her, “Aww, don’t worry, you’ll have company. I’m rounding up the other useless goddesses. Your interference will now have to go through the good gods and goddesses.” Selene screamed and disappeared while Wanda literally ran away.
Aesir chuckled then said, “You’ll be just fine, Melanie Conners.” He winked at me. Former Queen Ramilda came over and touched my cheek saying, “You are just as fierce as my great grandson. I confirmed you for him, you know? I checked over everyone and you are the perfect choice.” I flushed.
Former Queen Ramilda told me, “You’re perfect for him. Just remember you’re not alone anymore though. Work with Alexander now. That instinct will come in time. Give the Ring hell, Melanie Conners. You were born to.” She kissed the top of my head and walked away.
I looked over at Freya and reached out my hand. My wolf walked over and sat beside me. I began to pet her white, shimmering fur. I suggested, “Let’s start this war, Freya.” Freya smirked, “We already did. So, let the battle of light and dark begin. I am ready.” I hugged her.
I woke up in total darkness to find my hands were chained. I rolled my eyes. Did these people never learn? The chains weresilver… when they knew that didn’t affect me. A voice called, “Are you alright?” I sat up and looked around quickly realizing I was in the dungeon.
I answered, “Yes. Who are you?” My eyes adjusted and I looked towards the voice. He stepped forward towards a dim light and my jaw dropped. I gasped, “No way! You’re Patrick Cromwell!” He was so dirty that I could smell him from here. He clearly hadn’t bathed in months.
Patrick laughed then asked, “You know me? I’d have thought I was long forgotten by now.” I said, “Well, no offense… but you probably are. Not to me though, since I’m… well… your sister is one of my best friends.”
Patrick ran to the bars and studied my face. My friend’s brother asked, “You know Paige? Is she alright? I disobeyed them, and to punish me they gave her to this rat bastard who forcibly marked her. I’ve been obeying ever since. He leaves my sister alone as long as I obey.”
I frowned saying, “Uhh… so that never happened. I saved Paige… and, well we fight together. She’s mated to my…” How did I even describe who Dalton was to me? I shook myself, “friend. He’s kind of like family… no, he is like family… maybe… I mean he is… but anyway, he’s an Alpha. Paige is the Luna of her pack.”
Patrick’s eyes widened. I continued, “We’ve been trying to figure out if you were… ummm really dead or not. We were coming up empty, which told me that you were likely alive. I just couldn’t find you.”
Patrick had tears in his eyes, “Paige is happy though, right?” I answered, “Paige is really happy. In fact… she recently had a small ceremony so she could marry Dalton… and is planning a larger party… for the fourth of July… because she’s Paige.” Patrick chuckled, “That does sound like my sister.”
I added, “Plus… finding you will make her happier.” Patrick said, “I hope she never comes here. It’s hell.” I told him, “Well, then I have good news. We’ll be getting out of hell. Are you with me, Patrick?” Patrick’s eyes flashed, “Many have come to that same cell you’re in to ask that question. It’s always a trap.”
I admitted, “Well, I’m a terrible liar. So… just know we are getting out of here. That much I can tell you. My name is Melanie Conners… McAlister… Conners… that’s an adjustment… but I’m sure you heard it as Ashley Griffen.”
Patrick gaped, “You got out AND you met Alpha Alexander Conners? Wait, you’re actually his? Damn. That has to piss these guys off.” I said, “To be fair… lots of things I do piss them off. Do you know who the Vampire that compels Supernatural’s is? I have a bone to pick with him. He ruined my life… for seven years.”
Patrick said, “Sure, that’s Sherman. The Vampire King of Missouri seems to think he’s in charge around here, but really Sherman is in charge here.” Good to know. Sherman was alive… when he was not supposed to be. Strike a million Cassandra. I knew for a fact she was the one who reported him dead.
I said, “Ok, Sherman and Slade… there are my top two enemies. Always good to know… that he’s not dead… and very much among the living dead… which… ok, I meant Vampire… it works though.” Patrick snorted, then asked, “My sister is friends with you?”
I confirmed, “She is. Paige doesn’t remember her family. I’ve found stuff for her… but her memory of everything is hazy.” Patrick hissed, “Those bastards! They killed my parents and took my little sister from me. They kept saying I’d get her back if I helped, but they never even let me see her. I only got pictures. I realized they were never going to let me see her again, so I tried to get out.”
He pointed around our surroundings saying, “As you can see, it went well.” I said, “I see that…. and I totally picked up on the sarcasm. I hope you’re actually a good guy, because…. Paige deserves to see you again. So, I’m going to make that happen. I have good instincts about people though.”
Freya coughed, “That’s me.” I reasoned, “I’ve always had good instincts about people.” Freya chuckled, “Of course you have. This Warlock is on the up and up though.” I said, “I believe you.” Patrick commented, “You are different from people around here.”
I questioned, “Where is here exactly? Somewhere… in Missouri, right?” Patrick snorted, “Yes. We are in the dungeon below the dungeon of the Vampire King of Missouri’s.” I muttered, “That would be a secret dungeon then. How original.”
Patrick laughed, “Wow. You really can’t lie. My company tends to get killed quickly. So, stay alive, please. I’d like to hear more about Paige.” I replied, “I have zero intention of dying.” Patrick asked, “Who does?” I said, “I don’t know… well I do. Everyone in the Ring. On some level… they kind of want to die.”
Patrick argued, “No, they really don’t. I’m pretty sure they believe they will win. There’s some belief that they can recreate some powerful family with their own if they could just kill them.” WHAT?! That was absurd. Why would they believe that? Patrick answered, “I don’t know.” UGH! Internal thoughts come back to me.
The door opened and a scent I recognized reached me. I snorted, “Booker, long time no see.” He sneered at me, “You think you’re so smart.” I disagreed, “I don’t think I’m smart… I know I’m a genius… who would have to lose OVER TWENTY I.Q. POINTS to be classified as smart.” Patrick laughed.
Booker continued, “We caught you.” I hummed, “Did you?” Because… no. Nope. Not even close. Booker opened the cell. I stood and kicked him in the stomach. I admitted, “I’ve wantedto do that for SO long.” Booker snarled, “Why you little…?” He trailed off as a Vampire grabbed him.
I didn’t let the recognition show on my face. One of Charles made children, Moses, said, “The Boss wants her unharmed.” Booker weakly growled, “She hit me first!” I rolled my eyes asking, “What are you, five?”
Moses smirked instructing, “Get the Warlock, Booker. I will get the she wolf. They are joining the party.” I knew it! I so knew…. The Ring would throw a party. Idiots. Freya said, “Yeah, why not give our mate a flashing neon sign about where we were if he didn’t already know.”
