Page 84 of Blood Sacrifice

I moved us back to the seat I had chosen so I could hide in the shadows, keeping her beside me. For years, I had mourned the loss of my sister, when I should have realised the universe had replaced her with who was supposed to be in my life. Maia was the sister who was destined to be by my side.

Dominic and Owen walked into the room, and some of the wolves close to the door stopped talking so they could stare at them. Their pace slowed, but the two vampires strode with a confidence that belied their true emotions. I was about to get up and call them over when Salvator appeared at the doorway.

“We do not eyeball our guests,” he snapped. “These men fought by our side and lost loved ones as they aided us. Your actions are disrespecting me.” He stood with his hands resting on his hips and glared around the room, until one by one every single wolf looked away. I felt his alpha energy ripple through the airwaves, making them submit to him.

Dominic raised his eyebrows at me, his eyes moving to where Salvator stood, and my lips twitched in response. My mate had big dick energy, and I loved that he made me feel protected from all the big bad wolves since he was badder than any of them. He filled the room with his presence, moving through those gathered with the power and authority of someone who presided over everyone. An apex predator who knew he was the most dangerous animal here.

“Thank you all for coming. We have analysed all the images from the missions,” Salvator said, taking his position at thetop of the room. “I’ve been speaking to other lycans within the Allied Forces, and they have been filling me in on what has been happening in the world beyond our borders. It would appear we have been living in isolation and ignorance.”

“Vampires live in covens,” Dominic said. “Each ruled by an ancient vampire who has seen too much of the world. We have all been guilty of living in isolation. The current threat has brought the species together in a way that none of us anticipated.”

“Why should we allow the war of others onto our land?” Paulo asked, folding his arms across his chest.

Dominic shrugged one shoulder. “Hellspawn don’t respect borders. They will arrive here eventually after they have annihilated the rest of us. They plan to claim this world as their own, and don’t care who they have to kill to achieve it.” He stopped and stared around those gathered. “In fact, they would prefer if you died as they can spend more time in your immortal bodies than those created in Hell.”

Muttering rippled around the room, but Salvator’s fist slamming into the table brought order to the chaos. “Our most important mission is our original one, and then we will address all other issues.” He waved his arm and Jethro opened a side door, witches stepping into the room one at a time. Low growls echoed until Salvator’s growl drowned out the others and his pack all quietened.

I slowly stood. “Long ago, the witches and dire wolves lived together on this land,” I said. “Balor saw the magic that existed between our people. There was a reason relationships were forbidden between witches and wolves, and why babies were stolen away.”

Salvator held his hand out and I walked across the room to him, his fingers closing around mine. “We are stronger together, each bringing unique abilities to a war that we didn’t start, butwhich I intend to finish.” He lifted my hand to his lips, kissing just above my knuckles. “Let us all take a seat together and do what Balor tried to prevent—form an alliance.”

The room was huge with a massive circular oak table in the centre of it. One by one, we all took a seat, witches intermingled with lycans, and vampires joining both for the first time in this part of the world.

Even though I sat with my head down, I felt all eyes on me, waiting expectantly. Everyone knew I had taken a death curse for Salvator, and they wanted to know how I survived.

I sucked in a deep breath, and slowly brought my head up. “I met Salvator four hundred years ago when this land was under the rule of the Empire,” I said. “He risked his life to ensure I was able to flee. That was the first step on the path that brought me here today.”

Salvator’s leg brushed against mine, and I felt his strength infusing into me.

“When I was lying in that hospital bed between life and death, my soul journeyed.” I didn’t want to share who I had met in Purgatory, their secret safe with me. “I learned there was a prophecy that paralleled every step of my life. The same prophecy gave insight into what Balor is seeking. Void magic.”

Silence followed my words for several moments.

“Void magic was supposed to be a myth,” Owen said, leaning forward slightly in his seat. “I remember stories about creatures that were trapped in the void because there was nowhere else for them to exist. The Titans were imprisoned in the void, magic users tossing in terrifying creatures they could not tame.”

“Aisha had alluded to Balor searching for a key that would allow him to access a massive power. He believed that the key was scattered between all the priestesses. I think he’s wrong,” I concluded.

“What do you believe?” Maia asked me.

“I believe the priestesses were the guardians of void magic. The reason he didn’t want the dire wolves and the priestesses to form relationships was because together we could control the void.” I felt Salvator stiffen beside me. “I met the karmic council who told me I contained the key inside me to unlocking what Balor seeks.”

“Explain to me how you are a key? Is it your blood or are we supposed to throw you into a volcano like the olden days?” Dominic asked, steepling his fingers under his chin as he sat back in his chain, a look of concentration on his face.

Salvator glared at him, a low growl vibrating from him.

I grabbed his hand to stop him ripping the head off my friend. “They said the void was ready to re-emerge, so we need to combine all our abilities to find the entrance.”

“All roads lead back to that volcano,” Jethro said. “We just can’t escape it.”

I nodded slowly. Balor had been obsessed by it, including using it as a focal point for the sacrifices. Mother priestess had a mirror that allowed her to view the volcano in their home in Purgatory.

“We need to scout the area first, find any hidden bases or vantage points,” Salvator replied. “If there is a significance to that place, then Balor has eyes on it.”

“Agreed,” Dominic said. “I believe you should allow my teams to go in first.”

Salvator sat back in his chair to regard the vampire. “Why would I agree to that?” he demanded.

“Because, by your own admission, there are no vampire covens in this area. Any equipment they have won’t be calibrated to our energy signatures, and I doubt they know what we smell like since wolves tend to follow their noses.” Dominic flashed a fang-filled grin.

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