A Cursed Bloodline (WG 4) (44 page)

It took the soft graze of his knuckles against my cheek to assure me this was more than a dream. My body trembled and so did my voice.
“Yes,”
I managed.

Everyone assembled cheered when Aric kissed me, including Heidi, who
changed
from her white wolf form to stand beside her mate, Danny. Unlike me and being
were,
Heidi didn’t mind being unclothed. In fact, she preferred it.

Three white doves landed a few feet to our left, their loud fluttering wings demanding attention and stirring my inner beast. I broke our kiss, smiling as the little birds closed in. Aric had gone all out!

The one in the center scurried forward, leaving a small trail behind him in the sand.
“Celia Wird,”
it screeched.

Reader’s Guide to the Magical World of the Weird Girls Series

acute bloodlust
A condition that occurs when a vampire goes too long without consuming blood. Increases the vampire’s thirst to lethal levels. It is remedied by feeding the vampire.

call
The ability of one supernatural creature to reach out to another, through either thoughts or sounds. A vampire can pass his or her
call
by transferring a bit of magic into the receiving being’s skin.

change
To transform from one being to another, typically from human to beast, and back again.

chronic bloodlust
A condition caused by a curse placed on a vampire. It makes the vampire’s thirst for blood insatiable and drives the vampire to insanity. The vampire grows in size from gluttony and assumes deformed features. There is no cure.

claim
The method by which a werebeast consummates the union with his or her mate.

clan
A group of werebeasts led by an Alpha. The types of clans differ depending on species. Werewolf clans are called “packs.” Werelions belong to “prides.”

creatura
The offspring of a demon lord and a werebeast.

dantem animam
A soul giver. A rare being capable of returning a master vampire’s soul. A master with a soul is more powerful than any other vampire in existence, as he or she is balancing life and death at once.

dark ones
Creatures considered to be pure evil, such as shape-shifters or demons.

demon
A creature residing in hell. Only the strongest demons may leave to stalk on earth, but their time is limited; the power of good compels them to return.

demon child
The spawn of a demon lord and a mortal female. Demon children are of limited intelligence and rely predominantly on their predatory instincts.

demon lords (
demonkin
)
The offspring of a witch mother and a demon. Powerful, cunning, and deadly. Unlike demons, whose time on earth is limited, demon lords may remain on earth indefinitely.

Den
A school where young werebeasts train and learn to fight in order to help protect the earth from mystical evil.

Elder
One of the governors of a werebeast clan. Each clan is led by three Elders: an Alpha, a Beta, and an Omega. The Alpha is the supreme leader. The Beta is the second in command. The Omega settles disputes between them and has the ability to calm by releasing bits of his or her harmonized soul, or through a sense of humor muddled with magic. He possesses rare gifts and is often volatile, selfish, and of questionable loyalty.

force
Emme Wird’s ability to move objects with her mind.

gold
The metallic element; it was cursed long ago and has damaging effects on werebeasts, vampires, and the dark ones. Supernatural creatures cannot hold gold without feeling the poisonous effects of the curse. A bullet dipped in gold will explode a supernatural creature’s heart like a bomb. Gold against open skin has a searing effect.

grandmaster
The master of a master vampire. Grandmasters are among the earth’s most powerful creatures. Grandmasters can recognize whether the human he or she
turned
is a master upon creation. Grandmasters usually kill any master vampires they create to consume their power. Some choose to let the masters live until they become a threat, or until they’ve gained greater strength and therefore more consumable power.

keep
Beings a master vampire controls and is responsible for, such as those he or she has
turned
vampire, or a human he or she regularly feeds from. One master can acquire another’s keep by destroying the master the keep belongs to.

Leader
A pureblood werebeast in charge of delegating and planning attacks against the evils that threaten the earth.

lone
A werebeast who doesn’t belong to a clan, and therefore is not obligated to protect the earth from supernatural evil. Considered of lower class by those with clans.

master vampire
A vampire with the ability to
turn
a human vampire. Upon their creation, masters are usually killed by their grandmaster for power. Masters are immune to fire and to sunlight born of magic, and typically carry tremendous power. Only a master or another lethal preternatural can kill a master vampire. If one master kills another, the surviving vampire acquires his or her power, wealth, and keep.

mate
The being a werebeast will love and share a soul with for eternity.

misericordia
A plea for mercy in a duel.

moon sickness
The werebeast equivalent of bloodlust. Brought on by a curse from a powerful enchantress. Causes excruciating pain. Attacks a werebeast’s central nervous system, making the werebeast stronger and violent, and driving the werebeast to kill. No known cure exists.

mortem provocatio
A fight to the death.

North
American
Were
Council
The governing body of
weres
in North America, led by a president and several council members.

potestatem bonum
“The power of good.” That which encloses the earth and keeps demons from remaining among the living.

purebloods
(aka
pures
)
Werebeasts from generations of
were
-only family members. Considered royalty among werebeasts, they carry the responsibilities of their species. The mating between two purebloods is the only way to guarantee the conception of a
were
child.

shape-shifter
Evil, immortal creatures who can take any form. They are born witches, then spend years seeking innocents to sacrifice to a dark deity. When the deity deems the offerings sufficient, the witch casts a baneful spell to surrender his or her magic and humanity in exchange for immortality and the power of hell at their fingertips. Shape-shifters can command any form and are the deadliest and strongest of all mystical creatures.

shift
Celia’s ability to break down her body into minute particles. Her gift allows her to travel beneath and across soil, concrete, and rock. Celia can also
shift
a limited number of beings. Disadvantages include not being able to breathe or see until she surfaces.

solis natus magicae
The proper term for sunlight born of magic, created by a wielder of spells. Considered “pure” light. Capable of destroying non-master vampires and demons. In large quantities may also kill shape-shifters. Renders the wielder helpless once fired.

surface
Celia’s ability to reemerge from a shift.

susceptor animae
A being capable of taking one’s soul, such as a vampire.

Trudhilde
Radinka
(aka Destiny)
A female born once every century from the union of two witches who possesses rare talents and the aptitude to predict the future. Considered among the elite of the mystical world.

turn
To transform a human into a werebeast or vampire. Werebeasts
turn
by piercing the heart of a human with their fangs and transferring a part of their essence. Vampires pierce through the skull and into the brain to transfer a taste of their magic. Werebeasts risk their lives during the
turning
process, as they are gifting a part of their souls. Should the transfer fail, both the werebeast and human die. Vampires risk nothing since they’re not losing their souls, but rather taking another’s and releasing it from the human’s body.

vampire
A being who consumes the blood of mortals to survive. Beautiful and alluring, vampires will never appear to age past thirty years. Vampires are immune to sunlight unless it is created by magic. They are also immune to objects of faith such as crucifixes. Vampires may be killed by the destruction of their hearts, decapitation, or fire. Master vampires or vampires several centuries old must have both their hearts and heads removed or their bodies completely destroyed.

vampire
clans
Families of vampires led by master vampires. Masters can control, communicate, and punish their keep through mental telepathy.

velum
A veil conjured by magic.

virtutem lucis
“The power of light.” The goodness found within each mortal. That which combats the darkness.

Warrior
A werebeast possessing profound skill or fighting ability. Only the elite among
weres
are granted the title of Warrior. Warriors are duty-bound to protect their Leaders and their Leaders’ mates at all costs.

werebeast
A supernatural predator with the ability to
change
from human to beast. Werebeasts are considered the Guardians of the Earth against mystical evil. Werebeasts will achieve their first
change
within six months to a year following birth. The younger they are when they first
change,
the more powerful they will be. Werebeasts also possess the ability to heal their wounds. They can live until the first full moon following their one hundredth birthday. Werebeasts may be killed by destruction of their hearts, decapitation, or if their bodies are completely destroyed. The only time a
were
can partially
change
is when he or she attempts to
turn
a human. A
turned
human will achieve his or her first
change
by the next full moon.

witch
A being born with the power to wield magic. They worship the earth and nature. Pure witches will not take part in blood sacrifices. They cultivate the land to grow plants for their potions and use staffs, amulets, and talismans to amplify their magic. To cross a witch is to feel the collective wrath of her coven.

witch fire
Orange flames encased by magic, used to assassinate an enemy. Witch fire explodes like multiple grenades when the intended victim nears the spell. Flames will continue to burn until the target has been eliminated.

To my husband, Jamie, who watched me create this story and hugged me when it was done.

Acknowledgments

To my three children who occupy my mind, soul, and heart, and to the one I never had the chance to meet.

To my gracious and wonderful editor, Sue Grimshaw, who gave me the opportunity to continue Celia’s journey. Thank you, Sue, you’ll never know the extent of my gratitude.

To my agent and dear friend, Nicole Resciniti, who fought to make my dream a reality. Nic, thank you. Just…thank you!

And finally to my husband, Jamie, who believed in me from the very first words to the last. I thank God every day for you and our babies.

B
Y
C
ECY
R
OBSON

Weird Girls

A Curse Awakened

The Weird Girls

Sealed with a Curse

A Cursed Embrace

A Cursed Moon

Cursed by Destiny

A Cursed Bloodline

A Curse Unbroken
(coming soon)

Shattered Past

Once Perfect

Once Loved
(coming soon)

Once
Pure
(coming soon)

PHOTO: KATE GLEDHILL PHOTOGRAPHY

C
ECY
R
OBSON
is the New Adult author of the Shattered Past series and the award-winning author of the Weird Girls urban fantasy romance series. A self-proclaimed professional napper, she counts among her talents a jaw-dropping knowledge of useless trivia, the ability to make her hair big, and a knack for breaking into song despite her family’s vehement protests. A full-time writer, registered nurse, wife, and mother living in the South, Cecy enjoys spending time with her family and silencing the yappy characters in her head by telling their stories.