Wolves in the Shadows (The Wolf Clan Chronicles) Read Free Page A

first few days of life.  Or more often, the father or his clan will kill the child themselves.” 
    “But no t you.” 
    “No, I was strong enough to survive, and my father would have rather died than allow me to be harmed by his clan.”  His eyes seemed to be looking far into the distant past as he continued.  “The fact that my mother was able to bear two children for my father that survived to adulthood is nothing short of miraculous.” 
    “You had a brother?  Or a sister?” Elizabeth asked.  She always loved hearing about people’s families, perhaps because she had no family of her own. 
    “My sister, Mallory.”  Marcus’ face brightened as he said her name.  “She was thirteen years younger than me and the apple of my eye.  She was beautiful and gentle, like my mother.  She did not deserve-”  He trailed off into a brooding sort of silence.
    “I always wanted a sister,” Elizabeth said with a sad smile.  She had to bite her tongue to keep from asking more questions.  It was clear that Marcus was done answering for now. 
    “We should go,” He said.  “Father is waiting.” 
    They walke d in silence, both deep in their own thoughts as they went further into the grove.  After awhile, the lines of trees parted and a wooden shack surrounded by tall weeds came into view.  Elizabeth guessed that it must have been an old storeroom from back when the grove had been thriving.  Romulus led them down a rocky dirt path to the weather beaten door.  Before Sir Marcus opened the door, he turned to Elizabeth and said, “Be careful in here.  My father can be overwhelming.” 
    “More overwhelming that you?” 
    Marcus gave a little snort.  “Much more.” 
    Elizabeth swallowed nervously and rubbed her hands on her jeans.  Her palms had suddenly become uncomfortably sweaty.  “I’m pretty scared right now, Sir Marcus,” she said.  It felt good to be able to admit it. 
    “Just be yourself,” said Marcus with a wry smile.  Elizabeth could have sworn that he gave her a little wink when he added.  “And remember not to run away screaming.” 
    Elizabeth mustered up a small smile in return.  There would be no running possible.  She ran her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath.  “I’m ready.
     
     
    Chapter 3
    Sir Marcus’s father was indeed overwhelming.  Elizabeth felt a wave of power crash into her the instant that she stepped through the door.  It was like being swept out to sea by a riptide but warmer and wilder.  Like falling into a bottomless pit filled with swirling shadows.  She had to bite her tongue to keep from crying out at the immensity of his presence.  Surely this was the very embodiment of fear, but it was not merely fear that rooted her to the spot.  No.  It was awe. 
    He stood regally in the middle of a small room filled with empty orange crates.  He was not as tall as Marcus.  His hair was darker and coarser and pulled back at the nape of his neck into a long braid.  His features were more sharply defined.  A thin scar that ran from under the corner of his left eye down to his chin was the only imperfection on his otherwise smooth face.  He was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit and silk shirt that brought out the steely grey of his eyes. 
    Elizabeth hardly noticed any of this.  She was caught up in the steadiness and wisdom of his gaze that spoke of long years of memories.  He was old, soul crushingly old.  She could feel herself being pulled into his eyes, but she could not look away.  She was a fragile moth being drawn inescapably towards a flame.  There was no escape possible now or ever.  It was as if his gaze could not merely pierce through her as Marcus’ could.  It could rip into her very soul and lay bare every secret thought and desire and fear that she kept hidden within herself.  She felt as if the room was spinning around her as images of things long forgotten came floating to the surface of her mind.  Old