Free Created Darkly by Gena D. Lutz Page B

flour. We both held wooden spoons up to our mouths like we were singing into to them. I can’t remember what we’d baked that day, but I would never forget how happy we were then. My heart tightened like a tense fist; I had to find her.
    “Is Torra okay?” Jude asked, interrupting the flickering stream of maudlin thoughts.
    After a final look at the picture, I slipped the phone back into my pocket. “We don’t have much time.”
    “Time for what?” Rush asked.
    “I wish I knew,” I said, blowing out a breath. “Just follow me.”
    They said nothing more as they followed me farther down the corridor.
    It didn’t take long to find the door. I removed the skeleton key from my pocket. The lock under the door knob matched the emblem on top of the mysterious key, so after I put two and two together, the door unlocked and swung open effortlessly.
    Without hesitation, I entered the room, which was spacious, with built-in shelves on the back and left-hand side walls. All of them were filled with unfamiliar objects. Jars, bowls, and various baskets overflowed with fragrant herbs. The heady scent of sage, menthol, and lavender overtook the space. Other than the storage shelves and a metal table, the room was sparse. The table was backed up against the right-hand side wall, and instead of baring shelf space, like the other two walls had, that one had a large crest bolted to it. It was in the shape of intertwined figure eights, the same design as the dagger. Unlike both those items, however, that symbol was emblazed in fire. 
    “This is your family’s reanimation chamber,” Rush explained as he watched me take in the room. “Each one of the three most powerful families has its own.”
    “What makes the three families more powerful than any of the others?”
    “The power structure is based on how many Creators a family produces over the centuries. Your line has had the most. Then mine.”
    “And who’s the third?” Jude asked.
    I looked at Jude. He lingered by the open doorway. “That’s a good question. Who is the third most powerful family?” I asked.
    Rush sighed. “That’s not my information to share, but I can tell you that their patriarch holds a seat on the Council. It is written that all the three families should rule our kind.”
    “So what you’re saying is that Kris is your boss,” Jude said.
    It took me a second to realize what Jude already had. Three families ruled the Council, and mine was the most powerful among them. There was no way….
    “If she were to embrace her destiny and learn the ways of her people, then yes. She would eventually take over my spot on the Council.” 
    “Don’t hold your breath, Rush. You’ll never catch me plopping my happy ass down in that seat, so don’t go getting any stupid ideas.”
    Rush lifted his right hand and placed it over his heart. “I wouldn’t dare, darling. You’ve made your feelings on that subject clear. No ass plopping…ever. I got it.”
    My phone rang. I stuck my tongue out at the big, sexy oaf and answered it. “Yup.”
    “Kristina?” the caller whispered.
    “Yes, it’s me. Do you have a name I can call you? Well, besides asshole ?”
    There went my big mouth chirping off on its own again. I really needed to learn how to be less provocative.
    He chuckled. “I wonder what shade of red Torra’s blood is. Shall I find out? Or can we keep our interactions less personal?”
    Unnerved, I said, “No, I’m sorry. I just need to know what to call you.”
    “For now, you can call me Wolf.”
    “Okay…Wolf, it is. I’m in the chamber.”
    “Perfect. Hold tight. I’m about to send someone to you. Don’t worry. He won’t bite, unless you’re bad; then, he can do whatever he pleases. Take my word on this—you’ll want to be on your best behavior. You should consider warning your friends, too.”
    My mouth went dry and I almost dropped the phone. How did he know about Jude and Rush? Maybe he didn’t know and was testing me. Keeping