Forbidden Embrace by Charlotte Blackwell

him.
    “ As do I, Sophia,” Cato replies.
    “ I assume there’s news; what’s happening?” I inquire.
    “ Well, the Cerberus are closing in. Cato has tracked them to the top of the state; they should be here tomorrow night,” Isaac confirms.
    Cato agrees. “It is true the Cerberus are nearing. They have been Embracing and feeding, so they will be strong, but the newly Embraced are childlike, unable to control their powers, and will be used as pawns.”
    My heart leaps into my throat at the realization; in this fight we are about to face, we could lose someone. The thought is nearly paralyzing, but I try not to show my fear and remain focused.
    We continue to discuss the newest revelations as Elijah calls Ms. Edwina to notify her and the girls.
    “ They are heading back over,” Elijah says, also trying to conceal his nervousness.
    Cato explains that he has a great power; he is able to render enemy powers useless. From what he tells us it is similar to Alexander’s power, and he can pick and choose who it is directed towards. However, he’s limited on how many powers he can disable at one time. I think this will be very helpful in combination with The M agnificent Ones and their potions and such. He agrees to stay and fight with us. He is pleased with the alliances we have been making and believes the leaders of the Renata will be pleased as well. This is turning out to be in our favor; I begin to relax. It seems like it will be an easy fight, but we still have no idea what the Cerberus will have up their sleeves and need to remain prepared. Someone from our group is bound to get injured.
    Elijah formally introduces Cato to the Williams and their pack. I can sense a slight tension, but everyone here is on common ground. I think once we all learn to trust one another, even just a little, the tension shall subside. Isaac and Constance are discussing getting human blood from some donors tonight, but don’t want to stray too far from town. I overhear them suggest some of the homeless down at the shelter. Cato still lives off human blood and does not have a day crystal, but he agrees to keep hunting to a minimum while he’s here. Isaac explains to Cato that he will go to the hospital tonight and begin to sneak out a little extra blood supply for Cato, as well as fresh donations that he and Constance will get. We have been trying to obtain fresh blood every other day since we began our training; this can increase our strength. Because Cato is so old–he has been a vampire for over a thousand years–he has learned to be a day walker, without the help of a day crystal. He needs to avoid direct sunlight and can only go out in extreme overcast, but nonetheless can go out during the day. We want to ensure he never gets thirsty while he is here.
    Once introductions are done and feeding plans established, everyone starts to settle in and begins to get to know one another. If we all know each other a little better it will make it easier to trust each other when we fight as a team. The shifter boys are extremely nice and Dakota really seems into Ebony. She very quickly begins to talk about Matt, and thanks Dakota for his flattery.
    The Agawam tribe explains about their history, which I find extremely interesting. Their ancestors are said to have been involved in the Tansy wars, back in the late 1600’s, when the Cerberus tried to take over the area. Every few hundred years they come up with a war to gain power and take down the Renata. The story explains that the Agawam tribe helped to rid the area of many Cerberus. It appears that we were allies even before we knew it and history is repeating itself. They are very well invested in this upcoming...fight–I really hope it does not turn into another war like Tansy. Vampire history proves the war of Tansy the closest the Cerberus got to receive enough power to achieve their goal. The Renata came to New England in full force and lost some of their main leaders, but in the end