Blood Oath (#3, Mystic Wolves) by Belinda Boring Read Free Book Online

Stories
shared of centuries after retelling often add to the truth, but
never forget—there is always beauty and honor at the center.”
    “My grandmother spoke of sitting at the knee
of her mother and listening to the tale of the Lupus
constellation.” Lifting her arm up to the side, Vivien gestured to
a group of stars sparkling in the night sky. “Formed in the shape
of a wolf, it is said they stand there as punishment for the
grievous sins performed against the Greek god, Zeus. Retaliating in
anger, the father of all werewolves, Lycaon, was banished to the
heavens, forever to watch over his descendants.”
    “Forever is a long time, an eternity of
contemplation over the foolishness of pride—so my mother told
me—and here is where my tale differs. After a millennia of
observance, and having his heart filled with humility, Lycaon now
stands as a constant sentinel. A reminder to others the
consequences of arrogance and hatred, an influence to countless
generations seeking guidance, and the resting place for those who
pass on.”
    “The farewell ritual is the forgiving
practice, passed on by a benevolent god to help each descendent
find their rest with their ancestors. Where once they were cursed
to wander the earth, denied entrance to the afterlife because of
the sins of one, the witch’s fire was created to release and purify
the dead, transporting them home.”
    A chill pulsed through me, and a reverent awe
hovered over the crowd. I heard familiar snippets threaded through
Vivien’s heartfelt words, but this was by far the most profound
retelling I’d experienced. Judging from the nodding of Mason’s
head, he too was feeling the same, and he raised our entwined hands
to his mouth to place a kiss on the back. I felt a smaller hand
grab hold of my other, and I turned to see the shy smile of April.
She was just as affected, and I offered her a reassuring
squeeze.
    Moving about the dais now, positioning
herself behind Jasmine, Vivien used a nearby lantern to light a
taper. Holding the flame to a bundle of sage and prepared herbs,
she began to waft the smoking leaves up the length of Jasmine’s
body. Chanting words too soft to hear, power began to build and
rise, like the lulling of a wave, each one growing stronger and
stronger into a crescendoing pitch.
    The gentle breeze before us gradually picked
up speed, raising the garments and hair of Vivien. The balls of
light hovering in the air flared in intensity, but still she kept
chanting, never losing focus. A different kind of electricity
filled the air, one without the unique feel of Mason’s Alpha
energy. Magic rippled and convulsed to the point where I began
hearing the echo of gasps and exclamations behind me.
    Suddenly, all the lights extinguished,
plunging the garden into complete darkness. Even the moon seemed to
hide its face, the stars fading to the point where the sky was like
a black canvas—all but the Lupus constellation. Those stars shone
brighter than anything I’d ever seen, as though they were alive and
waiting.
    A shimmer from the altar drew back my gaze
and I let out of exalted sigh of surprise as I watched Jasmine’s
body instantly ignite with the most wondrous hues of purple and
blue flame. Higher and higher the blaze flickered and burned,
twisting and turning as though each spark was dancing.
    A look of absolute love shone from Vivien’s
face as her hands began to move in intricate patterns, each gesture
seemed effortless and filled with meaning. I couldn’t pull my eyes
away from the sight and caught myself leaning forward in the
attempt to catch every nuance.
    Tears streaked down each face, my own eyes
blurring before I rapidly brushed mine away, so captivated we were
as we seemed to hold our breaths for what we knew was coming. Even
prepared, I gasped as I watched a beam of the purest white light
break out of Jasmine’s body, releasing two globes, which I knew
were the spirits of the wolf and herself.
    They seemed to glow and