Andrea Cremer - Treachery

A book in the Nightshade series, 2011

THE PAIN NO LONGER kept me awake, no matter how much I needed it to. Sleep would kill me. I was sure of it.

I tried to move as often as possible, forcing my body to remember that it was bruised, scraped raw in ways that should always jolt me back to the present moment. Pressing up against the cold steel of the cell walls, I sucked in a sharp breath when the icy surface met my skin through the ruins of my clothes. But I didnt relax. I couldnt. No matter how much my bones were screaming at me to collapse. To puddle onto the floor, letting go of the conscious world.

Id let it happen before, more than once. When exhaustion pushed on my head and shoulders, forcing them to the ground. When everything that had happened shoved my eyelids down with tears burning beneath them. That was the most dangerous time because I couldnt hold my mind in check. I couldnt fight off the swell of feelings that rose up, choking me with confusion, fear, and regret.

The torture I could take-at least until it killed me. But Id quickly learned that my mind was the real problem. When that broke, Id give up. And I was so close to breaking. I no longer remembered how much time had passed between being shoved into this cell and now. I knew I existed on the verge of losing it. And it got much worse whenever I passed out.

Because I only had two dreams.

I never knew which one would take me when staying awake slipped out of my control.

But they were both deadly.

Everyone is here. My whole life, embodied by the wolves I live with and the witches who rule us. The Keepers stand apart, but still in sight, tall shadows illuminated by firelight and moonlight. Nightshades and Banes ring us-shadows lurking in the woods just behind the pack. The new pack. My pack. Haldis.

The air is static with anticipation and I can hardly keep still. Bryn stands opposite me, but I can see her through the leaping flames of the bonfire. The burning pile of logs sends glossy waves of heat into the night sky. Above us the blood moon is bathed in ochre and crimson.

Voices join the smoke and flames that leap skyward. First Nev. Then Sabine. I havent heard this song before. Its nothing like Nevs tunes when he plays at the Burnout, or favors the pack with an impromptu, exclusive acoustic set. The minor key of this melody is old, but it feels familiar. Already I want to howl-to lend my voice to the ancient song that speaks of loyalty, honor, courage. But its not time yet.

My eyes meet Bryns in the flickering light.

I love you, I mouth. I see her eyes brim and dimples appear on her cheeks when she smiles at me.

Its almost here. The moment where well be together. Living together. Our future.

The song ends, though Nev and Sabines voices linger in the air, filling the forest a moment longer.

Without a word, we shift. All the wolves. I lift my muzzle, staring at the blood moon, and howl with all my being. My call is a hundred calls. Ive never heard all the voices of the Nightshade and Bane packs united. It sends electric waves beneath my fur. We are the night. We are power.

In his wolf form, Ren steps from the shadows, dark as the smoke rising from the bonfire. He stands before us. The only wolf not joining in our song. He waits, alert and unwavering. Our alpha.

I continue to sing, though Ive drawn my eyes from the moon to search the edge of the trees for my sister. I think of how her white wolf will look like a ghost materializing from the dark. How her light will contrast the shadow gray of Rens coat.

I dont see her.

Were still singing, but the mood of the packs ripples. Ren stirs, turning in an anxious circle as his gaze darts to the forest.

Where is she? Bryns thought enters my mind.

I force my tone to be light when I answer. Cold feet?

God, I hope not. Bryn has stopped howling. Beside her, Sabine bares her teeth.

Mason whimpers in my ear. Somethings wrong.

I dont answer. I dont want to. The thrill of the night racing through my veins has grown cold.

The chorus of howls falters. Intermittent snarls and low growls begin to filter through.

The Keepers, whove been standing apart, silent and watchful, begin to move. Efron Bane, standing with Logan and Lumine, suddenly shouts:

Emile! To me.

I watch the burly Bane alpha lope to his masters side. I cant hear what Efron says, but a moment later Emile is racing into the forest with five elder Banes at his heels.

A large, dark shape shoulders into me. My father doesnt say anything, but I can feel the tension in his body. The way hes standing is defensive, as if he expects an attack at any moment.

My hackles raise, but I force myself to stay still.

Bryn creeps across the circle, standing close to me but careful not to touch me. There are too many watchful eyes here. What if shes hurt?

What could hurt Calla? I ask, but my stomach is knotted.

The other young wolves begin to cluster and I notice that weve split into our former groups. Sabine, Dax, Ren, and Nev huddle together. Mason and Fey appear at Bryns flank.

New howls echo in the woods and I jump. The Banes call is alarmed and furious.

Stay close, my father says as a low growl rumbles in his chest.

My mother comes to his side, pressing her muzzle against his.

I wish I knew what she was saying to him.

Emile bursts from the trees, shifting form as he reaches Efron. He keeps his voice low, but I watch the Keepers face contort with outrage. Efron points at us and Emile grins. Hes a wolf again, barreling toward my parents.

My father jumps in front of my mother and Emile stops just short of him. His teeth are bared and drool slips from his jaws.

What do we do? Bryn is trembling beside me. Whats happening?

I dont know. My hackles are raised, but we cant attack a Bane alpha. Can we?

As my father and Emile stare at each other, fur bristling and muscles quivering with rage, Lumine and Efron move together, closing the space that had separated the Keepers from the wolves.

Luminepasses Emile without a glance. Her eyes are cold as they pass over my mother to rest on my father.

This will be much more pleasant if you stand down, Stephen, she says. I cant detect anything amiss in her calm voice.

Keeping his eyes on Lumine, my father shifts form.

Mistress, please. He bows his head. Whats happening? Wheres my daughter?

Luminestiffens, but Efron smiles.

That is something wed all like to know,he says. He flicks his wrist and Emile lunges forward, knocking my still-human father to the ground.

The squeal of the cell door opening woke me. I cemented my jaw shut, forcing myself to swallow the sob at the back of my throat.

I knew what Id see next: the slithering movement of a wraith. The Keepers sent them in at least twice a day.

But today-whatever day that was-something different came through the door. Something worse.

I recognized him immediately. The dark fur and smoky eyes. The confidence in his stride.

Ren. In wolf form.

It was the first time Id seen him since the Chamber. Since my mothers throat had been torn out. And then theyd taken Ren and given him to wraiths. That was something wed shared. Torment by the Keepers shadow pets.