Forbidden Lies

13

Cassian and Ana began to blurr and in seconds, Selena was standing outdoors in a wooded area. Grey clouds obstructed the half moon's light, and for a few seconds all Selena heard was the rain coming down all around her. In the distance she heard a howl, she strained her eyes to see in front of her. A shadowy figure stepped from behind a tree and began to walk towards her. By now, Selena was aware, none of the people in her dreams could see her, they were just memories she was experiencing.

The moonlight hit the shadowy figure in front of her momentarily, and Selena finally saw who it was. Claudia was given away by the scar that ran along her face. Claudia wore a skin-tight spandex suit with knee-high boots, and a leather trench coat that flapped behind her as she waited. The water slid off Claudia's suit like silvery fingers.

Her saturated blonde hair was tucked neatly behind her ears, her face was wet but she barely seemed to notice. A rush of wind and rustling leaves came from behind Selena. Another, much taller figure stepped in front of her. Claudia's stoic face was replaced by a nefarious grin as the tall figure approached her.

"Claudia." The husky voice acknowledged her.

"Caden," Claudia responded back. She placed her spandex gloved hands in her coat pockets and sighed. "Your'e looking rough. All that time sleeping didn't help, I see." She continued.

Caden's silhouette stepped closer to Claudia. The moonlight hit them both and now Selena could finally see Caden. He stood there naked with water running down his body, his hair was long and wild, no longer in the neat braid she had seen on him before. His wolf pendant still clung loosely to one of his thick black strands.

"I have had better days. As have you from the look on your face." He taunted her.

The grin had left her face and now she scowled at him.

"Claudia, Claudia, Claudia. The little snake vampire. Why did you arrange this meeting? Lets just cut to it." Caden's body gleamed in the moonlight.

"Very well. There are other things I'd rather be doing than talking to a dog." She scoffed before continuing.

"Anastasia is missing and rumor has it you have her in those tunnels. Do you?" She said.

"Ramious daughter is missing?" Caden asked curiously, "If I had her in the tunnels, I would have killed her by now. I don't keep prisoners, you know that."

"No, I don't know that. Alessa believed every word you fed to her, but I didn't." Claudia's tone became serious.

"I would never have lied to Alessa. And even if I did, she would know." Caden spat out.

"I am not here to talk about Alessa. Do you have Anastasia or not?" Claudia said.

"No." Caden responded.

"That little brat went against official coven orders and followed a strike team to the tunnels. She hasn't been seen since. I would assume you would know everyone your dog pack has killed. Did you kill her?" Claudia asked.

Caden chuckled before answering, "We didn't kill her."

"Well that is a shame." Claudia took two steps closer," I know what you're up to. My brother is too stupid to see or maybe just blind to it. I know you loved my sister Caden, so did I. You weren't the only one that lost something that night. But killing the coven won't solve anything. It wasn't them who decided her fate, it was Ramious and those old crows in the council.

"If Ana is in the tunnels hiding, find her. Kill her. Without his heir, Ramious would have to name another." Claudia grinned.

"He would name his second daughter as heir." Caden stated.

"Not if she dies as well. If you kill both of them, I will be next in line and, as the new leader, I would consider an alliance. Of course, a new council will be chosen after the current ones all die as well," Claudia said.

Caden laughed in amusement, "An alliance?"

"Yes. Kill Ramious, his heirs, and the council. I promise I will take the coven from here. It is time the coven is restored as it was once before. Before Ramious curruption." Claudia's serious voice made Selena's spine shiver.

Caden ominously chuckled again. They were silent for a moment. Caden mulled over her offer of peace.

"Ramious will see his coven fall before I kill him." Caden responded.

"Is that would Alessa want?! She loved her coven. You know this better than anyone. She wanted peace between the species and to restore the coven." Claudia reminded him.

"Alessa is gone, and Ramious will pay for that." Caden said with tenor.

"Men," Claudia stepped back, "you always think with violence. Think about it, my dream isn't that far off from her." Claudia sighed and began to walk away.

"Ramious has to pay!" Caden shouted.

Selena's vision blurred and soon she was back with Cassian and Ana.

Cassian paced in the small room, trying to figure out the safest plan. Ana was starved and weakened. She needed blood, but he couldn't just walk into their own supply without seeming suspicious. He growled to himself as he ran out of options.

"Look, " he finally said, "my blood won't kill you. I am not like the others. My cells mutated when I was turned. I was bitten before by vampires but their poisoned saliva never had an effect on me. My blood is different, that's why I am here. Caden did experiments with my blood and he found I was immune to vampire bites and....." He caught himself, "I promise you won't die."

Ana sat back staring at him as she took long shallow breaths. She was running out of options.

"Please trust me." He pleaded.

Ana didn't have the energy or else she would have laughed. Her limbs began to stiffen and become rigid, she knew her situation was dire. There is always a chance I will survive, she thought. She looked at him and defeated, she nodded yes.

Cassian smiled encouragedly, and approached her with his exposed wrist. Selena took his arm and closed her eyes. This was it, she would live or die.

Selena sank her fangs into his warm tawny skin. The rush was instantaneous as his hot blood spilled into her mouth. It wasn't bitter like she had been told, it was hot and metallic and sweet. She groaned as pleasure filled her stomach and rushed to her head. She tightened her grip and sucked in more blood. Her body became light and her senses distorted. She felt a strong arm push her back and she fell onto the cold concrete floor.