Free The Lycan Rebirth (The Flux Age Book 3) by Steven J Shelley Page B

helicopter. The flight north across the Carpathians to Piatra Neamt was unpleasant to say the least. Yasmin felt weak, drained and incapable of coherent thought. Not for the first time Yasmin lamented the vampire’s curse - so exquisitely powerful and alive by night, so ineffective and sluggish by day.
    The helicopter made its landing at around three in the afternoon and Yasmin was glad to be assisted to the castle’s main hall by a pair of Maramurians. Tomas disappeared into his study, perhaps sulking about Yasmin’s determination to help defend New York. On a practical level she could understand his concerns. Moving away from the castle, where the vampire queen was at her strongest, was a very risky move indeed. But there was nothing else for it - she simply had to find Jack and protect him from whatever evil force was looking to stamp out lycans once and for all.
    Retreating into her dark chamber, Yasmin submitted to much-needed sleep. She would need to hit the ground running once night fell.
    The hoot of an owl somewhere outside Frica stirred Yasmin from restorative sleep. She was relieved to hear the steady murmur of Maramurians as they performed various finishing touches to the castle.
    “Horia,” she called, wrapping a night gown tightly around herself.
    “Regină” said the man, his granite face appearing through a crack in the door.
    “Assemble everybody in the courtyard,” she ordered crisply. “Including Mischa.”
     
    Minutes later the task was done - some forty Maramurians stood in the cold of dusk along with the slight, sickly-looking diviner from Berlin.
    Yasmin eyed them with a severe look to let them know their situation was perilous.
    “Friends,” she began. “Even though we have just built our home, there is no time for peace. The world will not let us do that. Instead, we rush headlong into war. The Berlin Club plans an all-out attack on a major city. We suspect that city is New York. Thousands of ghouls and who knows what else. What we do know is their leader is not Herr X, as first believed. It is someone far more formidable.”
    The Maramurians stirred at the news, murmuring in agitation.
    “I do not expect you to travel with me, Maramurians,” Yasmin said with genuine affection. “This is your home and this is where you will always stay. I do however, expect you to go with Mischa. Escort her to every town, every village on this side of the mountains. I need an army. You will help our diviner provide one.”
    There was much nodding of heads and general agreement. Yasmin smiled.
    “Prepare your wagons,” she yelled. “Bring as many supplies as you need.”
    The vampire queen summoned Mischa as the Maramurians went about their work.
    “You understand the task at hand?” she asked the girl.
    The diviner nodded nervously. “I will do as you wish, queen.”
    “I know this will fatigue you,” Yasmin said. “You will rest after this is done. I don’t plan on taking you to New York.”
    “Vampires only, Yasmin?” Mischa asked.
    Yasmin paused.
    “Vampyra, succubi, fades, night wraiths,” said Tomas, joining the conversation. Yasmin smiled, glad to have him back and fully engaged.
    “You will develop a sense for night creatures, Mischa,” said the Doktor. “Do not fear them. They are kin to us.”
    The diviner bowed her head. “I will make you strong again, queen.”
    Yasmin wrapped the slight girl in her pale arms.
    “I know you will, Mischa. I always did.”
     
    Yasmin and Tomas stayed at the castle while Mischa and the Maramurians scoured the wild countryside for recruits. In theory, the wilds of Northern Romania would hold a high percentage of vampires and other night creatures. It was simply a tradition that went back several millennia.
    Yasmin used the time to hone her skills. She knew vaguely what her various abilities were but she had yet to explore them fully. Over the next few days she exerted her bat, mist, strike, dread and devour skills, alarming herself and