Lured (Book 4) The Brazil Werewolf Series

Chapter Eight-A Promise Made

Hello, Lovelies, 

Welcome to the second part of what will be a triple update.  I will also be updating tomorrow and every day after until you have this complete book to read.  I hope you enjoy it.  If you do, please turn that star orange or leave a comment.  I truly appreciate it.  

-XXX Amanda 

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My screams died along with Eva's presence and somehow, I found myself swept off of my feet and cradled against Tamas' strong chest. I had a vague memory where he carried me to my home while his heart beat a hypnotic rhythm in my ears and laid me on my bed. My mother's voice whispered something I couldn't quite make out as I slipped into a deep sleep that only brought me nightmares of Jaelle's face as she was pulled from the window but in the dream, I knew who the attacker was. I saw her with her taunting grin and blood soaked mouth. I wanted her to die. I wanted to torture her before killing her.

I awoke with a gasp as I shook with the force of the dream. I found my mother sitting in the chair across from me. My father sat near her, glancing from her to me with pain covering his face. Pesha had curled up next to me, looking for comfort from something that he didn't understand. His proximity to the window where Jaelle had been taken frightened me.

I rose, picking him up and taking him to his bed where he was safe. I stared down into his angel face, worried he would be next. I reached down and let my fingertips glide across his face trying to memorize each curve before returning to the couch.

"Don't let him sleep here," I whispered, "Never let him sleep here. Promise me you won't."

My mother frowned as she tilted her head, studying me with an intensity that caused me to squirm, "Why do you sleep there?" She asked and I sucked in a breath. The reason was something I held close to me, never able to tell a soul. I was sure they wouldn't understand. It was my fault Jaelle had been taken and sometimes, I wished they take me too. If they did, it would take away the nightmares and the guilt that I lived when she didn't.

My father stood and moved toward me. He knelt down in front of me and stared deep into my eyes. His quiet silence gave me strength but it was also unnerving.

When he spoke, his words were laced with regret, "The worst mistake that I have ever made was the night that Jaelle died," he said, swallowing, "I shouldn't have asked you to protect her. You were too young. I should have done it instead of transitioning. You and your sister should have been hidden before we tried to fight. I won't make that mistake again," he said, staring deep into my eyes before glancing toward where Pesha slept. He sighed and turned back to me, "You shouldn't wish for them to take you like they took her. You shouldn't be the one to carry that guilt. It should be me or your mother...Not you."

Tears fell down his cheeks as he began to sob out all of the guilt that had plagued him for ten years. I grabbed him, wanting to take away all of the pain that Jaelle's death had caused. I held him close until his tears were spent while my mother cried with silent tears in the chair near me. The realization that my father had felt the pain of guilt and my mother too, slammed through my mind taking away any hope of sleep.

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My parent's had gone to bed and I sat outside, staring at the moon as the wind whipped past me. I was by myself even though I had been forbidden to be. Still, I wasn't able to make myself care. I narrowed my eyes as my gaze moved toward the place where Eva had left earlier that night. The Grey Wolves must live in that direction.

My nostrils flared as I stood, itching to walk toward them...Toward her. I ran my tongue across my teeth wanting to taste blood as I took another step.

"It's not worth it," Tamas said, behind me and I turned startled that he was there. His arms were crossed over his chest and his brow was raised as he studied me. I pursed my lips as I glanced back at the forest and turned back to him.

"Oh, it is," I said, glancing back toward the woods before taking my place back on the top of a picnic table near my motor home. I sighed because I realized that he would never let me leave and even if he did, he would follow.

He blew out a breath as he took the seat beside me and took my hand. I sensed his eyes on me even though I didn't turn toward him.

"Tell me about her," he said in a hoarse voice, "I want to know about your sister."

I blinked surprised. Since her death everyone avoided the subject of her and it hurt. It was like they wanted to wipe her from existence but she was still in my mind. Her memory was still everywhere.

I met his eyes and nodded, "She was three years old and kind," I said as a tear rolled down my cheek, "She had my heart from the moment she was born, just like Pesha. She had so much energy and she would play and sing in this sweet, baby voice. She gave the best hugs and played the best jokes. I couldn't ask for a better sister. I loved her then and I still do. Eva may have killed her but she could never kill that. My love for her won't ever die."

Tamas nodded as he stood and stared out toward the forest. The wind blew his hair and I watched it mesmerized, "What do you want to do to Eva?" He asked before facing me again.

I winced at the question and stood as absolute hatred filled me. I crossed my arms over my chest as my heart rate quickened, "I want her dead but I want her to suffer first," I said as my bottom lip trembled, "She should pay for what she did. She should suffer and die."

Tamas stepped forward and cupped my cheeks as he stared down into my eyes. He nodded once, "I'll help you do that," he said, "Just promise me that you won't leave here by yourself. Just don't ever leave me behind. Promise me that."

My breath caught in my throat at his words and my anger cooled. His gaze was intense as I took a deep, shuddering breath, "I won't leave," I whispered as tears filled my eyes and spilled over flowing down my cheeks to his hands, "I promise."

He nodded as his face hardened, "I promise that Eva will die for what she has done to you and your family," Tamas said, rubbing my tears away with his thumbs, "I will help you. I will always help you."

"Thank you," I whispered in a broken voice.

He stared at me tortured as he caressed my cheek once more. He pulled me to him and pressed his lips against mine. He deepened the kiss pulling every bit of sadness and anger from me as his promise settled into my soul.