The final installment of The Clans’ Ward series is scheduled for release on September 17, 2026. It’s the culmination of all of Ellie’s efforts. I couldn’t resist the temptation to include some new fantastical creatures from folklore, but I promise you that all your favorite characters will be there.
In this scene, Ellie is getting ready to leave to attend the Solstice festivities taking place in Montreal on vampire territory.
Enjoy!
I gazed wearily at my half-full suitcase. Last night’s preparations had stretched late into the night. Marc had arrived shortly after Alain, accompanied by a female mage. He’d explained that Magalie would be able to draw glyphs far more powerful than his own. She’d seemed friendly enough, but she hadn’t stopped casting suspicious glances at Karl. Enough so that he eventually decided to join Alain upstairs. I’d felt a pang of regret at her mistrust, but my bond with Karl revealed he felt nothing more than mild irritation. Either this was his usual reception among supernaturals or he truly was immune to that kind of attitude.
Marc had given me a series of amulets to wear against my skin. The necklace looked like a collection of beads and charms. Some reacted to the presence of poison, while others signaled power circles. Meanwhile, Magalie had painted glyphs onto my forearms. She had used a massive brush coated in blue ink.
I ended up with markings stretching from my wrists to my shoulders. She had then taken my hands in hers and chanted for nearly twenty minutes. After a while, my arms had lit up with a soft blue glow. Marc then had explained how to activate them by tracing the shapes. He made me memorize the location and function of each glyph. By the end, I had a dozen with various uses, ranging from healing minor wounds to boosting my natural abilities, like speed or sight.
Despite the late hour of Marc and Magalie’s departure, Karl had appeared immediately after. He had studied my arms with curiosity until I’d yawned and almost popped my jaw, so he had sent me to bed. The few hours of sleep that followed were restless, and I felt as though I’d slept on a clothesline. I sighed and turned toward my wardrobe.
My simple little black dress would do for Sunday’s formal evening. Until then, I could surely get by with straight-cut trousers and a few solid-colored blouses. I added a workout set and lounge wear in case we actually had time to rest.
I heard the front door open and close. Seconds later, Karl appeared in my doorway, the tip of his nose red from the cold. His gaze flicked between me and my suitcase.
“I’ve prepared coffee travel mugs. Let me know when your bags are ready, and I’ll put them in the trunk.”
I nodded before grabbing my toiletry bag to check that I had my makeup and travel shower kit. The front doorbell chimed, and Karl turned around with a frown. It couldn’t be Alain, since he never rang. Karl walked away, and I heard him open the door. Christian’s voice answered his greeting. It was my turn to frown. Karl echoed my thoughts, asking Christian why he was there.
“Ellie is riding with us,” he replied. “In the event of an attack, if there are only two of you, she’ll be vulnerable.”
I hurried to zip my suitcase. There was no way I was getting into Christian’s minivan to spend the next three hours surrounded by Faoladh. Karl and I hadn’t had a single moment to ourselves since mid-semester. I stepped out of my room just as Alain arrived at the outdoor landing.
“They won’t be alone,” he said. “I’m going with them.”
I stopped dead and bit my tongue. So much for that—we certainly wouldn’t have the chance to talk about anything personal during the drive. My gaze shifted between Karl’s tense shoulders and Christian’s stubborn expression. As alpha, he was used to his orders being followed. Even though he generally treated Karl as an ally, the fact that Karl was the same age as Bastien tended to muddy the waters.
I cleared my throat and waved a hand to get their attention. Three pairs of eyes settled on me—three predators whose attitudes ranged from animosity to provocation. A shiver ran down my spine from the draft created by the open door. I hid my unease behind a raised eyebrow.
“You all remember I’m an adult with the freedom to make my own choices. We’ll drive in a convoy, and I’ll be accompanied by my usual protectors. Christian, I’m touched by your offer, but it won’t be necessary.”
His jaw tightened, but he nodded before pointing over his shoulder.
“I’m sending Gill with you. He needs to talk with people his own age.”
With that, he turned on his heel and walked back to his car parked at the curb.
“Did he just call me a kid?” Alain muttered. “It’s too early to bicker.”
