Free Master of Wolves by Angela Knight Page B

grail from Arthur’s next attack, we will all die—including those of you who turn your backs on me now.”
    â€œAnd what if we take the grail from you, Korbal?”
    He made a dismissive gesture of one long, elegant hand. “Then you will have to defend it against Arthur—without the assistance of my warriors.”
    A simmering silence fell as the group considered the obvious implications. Join forces with Korbal and defend the grail, or separate and risk being overwhelmed by Arthur and his men.
    Luckily, it wasn’t an issue Celestine had to worry about. She’d drunk from the third grail, but she had no idea where it was and couldn’t do anything about it one way or another. Her only interest in Korbal’s cup was using it to create a vampire army of her own.
    She frowned. Unfortunately, this lot would be even less likely to let the grail out of their sight now that they knew their collective lives hung on its possession. And considering how many of them there were, Celestine’s chance of taking the grail and keeping it were faint indeed.
    Unless…Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. It sounded as if Arthur would be searching for the grail, too, and he’d likely bring an army with him when he came after it.
    Now that had real possibilities.
    A plan taking shape in her mind, Celestine turned toward the doorway. “Come on, Reynolds,” she murmured, and slipped out. In the corridor outside, she hesitated a moment, trying to decide which way to go. Then, feeling the mental sizzle from Korbal’s grail, she turned left and descended a flight of curving stairs. The werewolf’s claws clicked after her on the gleaming stone.
    They went down four floors—magical, no doubt; the warehouse had never extended that far underground before. Celestine’s fingers brushed over the marble as she descended, tracing across the carved shapes of demons, killing and fornicating with hapless humans.
    At last they reached what she sensed was the proper level. But when they stepped out into the corridor beyond the door, Reynolds cursed. “How the hell are we going to get past them?”
    No less than ten armed vampires stood in the corridor, plainly guarding a doorway. That, no doubt, was where the grail was hidden.
    â€œThey’d be idiots not to guard it, Keith—it’s precious. Which is why I brought you.” She turned toward the werewolf, gave him her best honeyed purr. “You’re going to provide me with a distraction.”
    â€œWhat have you got in mind?” Even cloaked and invisible as they were, Celestine could sense his anticipation.
    She told him.
    Then she waited as he crept toward the robed guards, invisible and silent. At least until she dropped the spell around him.
    He flashed into view, more than seven feet of werewolf. Just to make sure they got the point, he roared like a lion, a blast of sound that made the guards jump.
    Before they could recover, Reynolds dove forward, ripping his claws across one of the guards’throats. He toppled in a fountain of blood, dead before he hit the ground.
    The others shouted in confusion, drawing their swords. Too late. The werewolf attacked like a cat among pigeons, and the fight began in earnest.

FOUR
    Celestine knew she had only seconds to act before the congregation upstairs heard the sounds of combat. Invisible, she slipped past the battling men, dodging sword thrusts and energy blasts, to aim a spell at the grail in its chamber. It wasn’t the one she’d intended, but it would have to do.
    She felt the magic take effect, then whirled to cast a magical doorway. The werewolf was still locked in combat with the guards. Footsteps clattered on the stairs—more of Korbal’s men coming to join the fight.
    â€œReynolds!” she shouted, “Come on!” She dove through the vortex, the werewolf at her heels. The minute they were through, Celestine spun, planning to cast a spell