How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days (The Embraced #1)

Tatiana scoffed. “Speak for yourself.”


With a growing sense of panic, Luciana wondered what to do. She couldn’t stay inside a burning barn, but the only exit led straight into a battle. Already she could hear the sound of swords clashing and the screams of wounded men. Please, Luna and Lessa, keep Leo and my friends safe.

“Pardon me for having a bit of fun,” Tatiana grumbled. “It doesn’t happen that often since I’m dead.”

Down below, Leo’s horse whinnied and tugged at the reins that tied him to a post. Poor thing, he was as afraid as she was. Luciana wedged her dagger under her belt and started down the ladder.

“Where are you going?” Tatiana floated beside her. “I swear you don’t have any time for me anymore. Every time I try to visit, you’re romping about naked with the—”

“What?” Luciana halted halfway down the ladder.

“Beast,” Tatiana finished. “Don’t look at me like that. I don’t stay to watch.” She shuddered.

“Thank you for that,” Luciana muttered as she resumed her descent.

“So does his touch not hurt you at all? Or does all that power make him sizzling hot in bed?”

“I have other concerns right now.” Luciana glanced at the fire as she reached the ground. The back wall of the barn was now completely ablaze, and smoke was filling the air. She crooked her arm against her nose and mouth as she approached Leo’s horse.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Tatiana grinned. “And you thought you were so well educated. I bet the Beast has been giving you a few lessons!”

Luciana patted Fearless, murmuring words of comfort, and he nudged her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll get us out of here.”

“So tell me,” Tatiana continued. “Is the Beast an animal?”

Luciana gave her a wry look. “He’s all man. Apparently, the animal is Brody.”

Tatiana’s eyes widened. “Oh, I know! Can you believe it? I was so shocked!”

“Me, too.” Luciana took Fearless’s reins to lead him, but he practically dragged her through the opening. The fresh air was glorious, but she wasn’t sure how safe it was. Halfway hidden behind Fearless, she peered out.

A number of cloaked men lay dead on the ground. A few had attempted to run away, but Jensen, Brody, and Edmund were chasing them down. Leo, with his gloves back on, was tying a bruised and bleeding Stanley to a tree.

“The priest is getting away!” Edmund pointed in the distance at a robed man on horseback.

Leo whistled and Fearless trotted over to him. “Ana, come on!” He mounted as she ran toward him, then he hauled her up in front.

“Hold on!” he shouted, and she gripped the saddle horn. He pulled her tightly against him and spurred his horse into a fast gallop.

Father Rune was racing across a meadow, illuminated by the burning barn and the twin moons overhead. Hooves pounded as Leo, Luciana, and their three male companions charged after him.

“Wheee!” Tatiana flew alongside them.

The priest whipped into an old forest, his horse weaving among the trees.

They followed him in, but soon it grew too dark to see him well.

“I think he’s headed for the South Fork of the Ebe River,” Leo said. “Brody, can you smell him?”

“Aye.” Brody took the lead, riding Luciana’s horse.

After a few minutes, there was a wide clearing where the ground dipped into a grassy ditch and the twin moons were able to give them some light.

“The South Fork used to flow through this channel,” Leo said softly.

“There he is.” Luciana pointed at the priest, who was urging his horse up the far side of the ditch. “He’s about to enter the woods again.”

“I see him.” Leo removed a glove and extended a hand.

The priest glanced back, and when the lightning bolt shot out, he pulled his horse sharply to the side. The bolt struck an old oak tree next to them, causing a thick branch to plummet to the ground. The horse reared, dumping Father Rune on the ground before galloping away.

Leo urged his horse down into the ditch. Luciana could see the frightened look on the priest’s face as he scrambled to his feet.

“Surrender,” Leo called out.

Father Rune ran into the woods.

“Hold on.” Leo held Luciana tight as Fearless crossed the ditch, then leaped over the branch to chase after the priest.

Soon they reached the South Fork, and Leo reined his horse to a stop. The other men halted beside them.

The twin moons shone down, casting silver sparkles on the slow-moving river. Father Rune was already halfway across, the water up to his chest.

Leo dismounted. “Everyone, stay back.” He strode to the riverbank. “This is your last chance. Surrender!”

The priest turned to give him a disdainful look. “They should have killed you as a child. You’re a monster!”

“Then prepare for a monstrous death.” Leo leaned over and put his bare hand into the water. Dead fish popped to the surface close to the shore, then farther and farther into the river.

Tatiana floated along the riverbank. “Oh, a fish fry!”

With a terrified look, the priest desperately scrambled for the other shore, but soon the wave of energy caught him. He flailed about, screaming, then sank into the water. His body floated back to the surface, facedown, then slowly moved downstream with the current.

With a sigh, Leo put his glove back on, then trudged back to his horse.

As Luciana watched him, tears stung her eyes. “You’re not a monster.”

He hefted himself into the saddle behind her and held her tight. “Have I told you recently that I love you?”

“I knew it!” Tatiana grinned at Luciana. “He’s sizzling hot!”

*