TWICE CURSED

the trees-until a sound shattered the peace. A sharp whooshing, too fast, too unnatural. The girls froze. Seraphina and Aurelia rushed to Anastasia's side, their f

ut a piercing scream. "Vampire!" Her cry rang through the air, sharp and urgent. Within moments, the older, stronger, and more battle-hardened

fully transform into their majestic wolf forms and unleash their true power. Meanwhile, Anastasia and her friends f

had gained her werewolf abilities at eighteen, yet unlike them, she had n

tnumbering them and unweakened by the absence of a full moon, had suffered only a few losses. Now,

after the enemy to protect their own. But just as the vampi

o its power, flared into a golden-orange blaze. A surge of raw energy coursed through

she m

ordinary werewolf. Not even

as fa

rough the air with the force of a storm. In less than three sec

t as her sharpened stake plunged into their hearts. T

, si

efield st

elief. Even the wounded ones, gasping for breath, could do nothing but watc

was

concealed high among the trees. He had watched everything-the impossible s

saw hi

steady as the weight of what she had done crashed over her. The 25 vampires

art po

id

red, and the world tilted. D

to hit the ground, a b

ter than any werewolf could react. In the blink of

hat was happening-before a single cry of p

ish

he night, taking A

into stunned silence.

howled in fur

Anastasia ha

er entire frame. Bitter tears streamed down her face as she clutched his h

llen-mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and comrades. The battlefield, once filled

ands, their hearts heavy with the weight of loss. The journey home was slow, burdened b

r sorrow, lurked

ering

sta

very mind, unspok

nk of an eye, she had annihilated 25 vampires. A feat

.. she w

ke

the mystery of Anastasia's strength-and the f

nto mourning. The four Elders-the revered rulers of the land-summoned all th

er the sorrowful news to the Royal Family, carryin

amilies clung to one another, their faces streaked with sorrow and exhaustion. Fla

nding with unease. Searching through the crowd, they found Eld

their faces as t

ed, his voice heavy with emotion. "Tel

weariness in his eyes spoke volumes

suring hand on their shoulders, "now is the ti

er mother pressed,

ne. This time, we Elders will not sit alone. We will summon all the sur

r swallowed hard.

lips. "Yes. That is all you need to know

thin them, but there was n

villagers and lifted his staff, si

id. "Let us h

narled trees loomed like silent watchers, their twisted branches reaching toward the star

, the vampire dropped Anastas

. Her head pounded, her body ached, and as her vision s

glint of

aint glow of the moon. With deadly intent, she raised it hi

seemed t

h

dden

kenin

body went rigid. The axe slipped from he

had crushed her from within, sh

t in her throat. Her pul

g, she lift

ere he

rved from shadow and moonlight. His deep crimson eyes bur

vampire in an in

self was o

n her as she scrambled back, pres

asked, her voice ba

at her, expression unreadable. F

e as smooth as

id, Anastasia. You and