Undead Uprising Chapter 27
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This week’s Wicked Wednesday brings you another installment of my urban fantasy involving a twist to the werewolf mythology, battles with vampires and a struggle for control in a werewolf pack. I hope you like this next free chapter that I’m offering you.
In Chapter 26, Catalina, her father, sisters and council members leave the morgue to discuss their plan of action after the three sisters have a not-so-sisterly chat. In this chapter — the next to last chapter in Book 1 of the series which I am titling REBELLION — the leaders of the Villalobos clan decide what to do about the seeming vampire rebellion which is taking root.
For those of you who may have missed the first chapters, you can read them here:
After I post Chapter 28 shortly, I will be rolling all the chapters into the first book in the series – UNDEAD UPRISING: REBELLION – which will be available for a free download until October 1. I am deciding what to do about its availability after October 1 and would appreciate your comments on whether to charge, pricing, etc. Here’s your chance to decide what I should do with this first book in the series so please leave your comments!
So you’re probably wondering what’s the next book in the series? THE GAUNTLET. What follows for Catalina in the next book is a number of difficult choices as she must decide whether to honor her duty or love Ramon. She will also have to deal with the traitor in their midst as well as the loss of someone dear to her (I am so not spilling the beans!) as the war comes to the clan in a way in which they had not imagined.
Chapter 27
The mood in the council chambers was somber. Two in the clan were dead, but any decision that the Villalobos council made that night would likely result in more deaths.
If the council opted to do nothing, Catalina had no doubt that more lives would be lost to attacks such as the one that had happened earlier. If they went to war…
She didn’t want to think about that option for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the possible loss of life to the clan. On a more personal level, her father had already warned her that he would call for the Gauntlet to choose a mate for her soon. With war on the horizon, that time had just arrived. She understood as he did that without someone by her side, someone who the council could trust to control her when she was in her wolf-state, it would be a battle for her to assume leadership of the clan if something should happen to her father. If the council skipped her and went to her sisters…
Catalina glanced over at Helene and Selena as they stood to the left side of the dais where the council had gathered. Her father was at the center as was his right as the leader and as was her duty as the next-in-line, she sat at his right hand.
“There is no doubt this is an act of war,” said Francis, the eldest wolf amongst the council members. He was her father’s older first cousin, but childless, ending any possibility of that side of the family assuming leadership.
“No doubt, but fighting the vampires will not be easy. Urban warfare is difficult and we risk collateral damage to the humans. We must fight in a civilized manner to avoid such complications,” advised another council member which earned murmurs of agreement from several of the other elders.
Silence reigned as all eyes turned to her father. He reclined in his chair and shot her a sidewise glance. “A civilized war? An oxymoron, don’t you think, mi’ja?”
With a curt nod, she agreed as much as it pained her to do so for it would set in motion the cogs of death. “We not only risk wolves, we risk being revealed if we cannot contain this threat quickly and efficiently.”
“Are you suggesting we launch a first strike?” Francis asked, raising one bushy eyebrow that was liberally peppered with salt.
After another quick glance at her father, she inclined her head respectfully, aware that as a council member Francis currently outranked her. “I’m suggesting that we first make provisions for moving the clan members to locations where we can defend them, lessening the possibility that they will be attacked.”
That earned agreement from most of the council members and at her father’s motion that she continue, she said, “Then we should capture some of these vampires and get what information we can from them. Once we know more, we can map out a war plan that will limit our casualties and maintain our cover from the humans.”
Her father shifted forward in his chair and glanced at all the council members. As he noted their seeming accord with what she had proposed, his gaze swung over to her sisters before finally coming to rest on her.
As she met his keen-eyed gaze she had no doubt about what was coming. She wanted to plead with him, beg him not to proceed, but could not. Her entire life her father had raised her to take responsibility for herself and for the members of her clan. She could not fail them now as much as it pained her to accept her father’s orders.
Her father understood that as he turned from her shimmering gaze to face the council members once more. “If there will be war, we will need our heirarchy in order. I am therefore calling for the Gauntlet to be run to chose a mate for Catalina as she will take my place should I fall during this conflict.”
A stunned gasp escaped from Selena, but she quickly restored calm to her features. Helene remained stoicly beside her half-sister, but as she met Catalina’s gaze, she realized that Helene realized the sacrifice Catalina was making. Knew how it pained her. She also understood her sister would be there for her which made her feel not so alone.
Francis spoke first. “Let us set a date then, Rafael, so that your daughter’s place will not be challenged.”
Hemmerich smiled and shut off the video feed from the council chambers.
The Gauntlet, he thought with delight. He had sensed that Rafael de Villalobas was close to naming his successor and had hoped the father would show some sense and bypass Catalina. Imposing her as his heir had seemed like too great a challenge what with her inability to control her wolf. It was why he had skipped Helene-who had no interest in men-and become involved with Selena.
Hemmerich was suprised the council had rolled onto their bellies so quickly, but then again, maybe they were hoping that whoever won the Gauntlet would be able to handle Catalina.
With a smile, he imagined doing just that-handling Catalina. It was what he had wanted all along and if we could win the Gauntlet…
No, not if. When he won the Guantlet, because Hemmerich would do whatever it took to win control of Catalina and the clan.
Whatever it took, including aligning himself with the clan’s enemies.
He intended to rule and no one, not even the high and might Villalobos family, was going to get in his way.
It just gets better and better. I can’t wait for book 2. I am still catching with last week’s posts as I have been out of town. So much info and goodies. It wouldn’t bother me if you wanted to charge for these books. We would pay if they were published and we are getting the same book. Thanks for all you do for us. Take care and hugs.
I agree with Fannie. I would also pay for the book too. i love reading whats here.and im sure others would too. Im also looking forward to book#2