Wolves in the Shadows (The Wolf Clan Chronicles) by Sharon McLaughlin Page B

learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know.” 
    “But that’s no reason stop learning,” Elizabeth replied.  “I don’t need to know everything in the world, but I’d like to know enough so I don’t do seem like a total moron.  Every time I open my mouth around you or Lord Reginald, I’m afraid I’m going to put my foot in it.” 
    Sir Marcus smiled. 
    “Aldo Der Sib-Siber- Der Siber-” Elizabeth quickly gave up trying to pronounce the name.  “That was Anya’s father right?” 
    “ Yes,” Sir Marcus replied.  “He was my grandfather and a good man.”  There was something in his tone that sent a shiver down Elizabeth’s spine.  
    “Did he give you the sword?” she asked, though she somehow knew the answer before he said it. 
    “No,” Sir Marcus said.  “I took it from him.  I ripped his heart out of his chest with my bare hands.” 
    Elizabeth shuddered and suddenly found that she had no more questions.  
     
     
    Chapter 8
    Lord Reginald smiled warmly at the sight of Elizabeth.  He stood up from his velvet covered crate and bowed. 
    “I am glad that you have returned, young Elizabeth.” His deep voice rolled over her like a warm flood.  “You return is braver in many ways than your initial visit.” 
    “Thank you, sir,” Elizabeth said with an awkward attempt at a curtsy.  His power was every bit as potent as it had been the night before, but she found that she could endure it somehow.  “I wish I actually felt brave.  I almost didn’t come back even though I said I would.  I felt like I was going to rip myself to pieces when I tried to decide.  Even now there’s still a part of me screaming to run away and never look back, but there’s no way I ever could.  I don’t know why, but I feel like I’m somehow connected to you.  And I have to know what it all means.”  Elizabeth shook her head, as if she that could somehow organize her thoughts.  All it did was make things seem even more jumbled.  “I feel like I’m going insane,” she said. 
    Lord Reginald indicated that Elizabeth should sit beside him.  She obeyed him without even thinking about it.  It was vaguely comforting to know that the turmoil in her mind did not affect her ability to follow direction.  Romulus immediately curled up at her feet. 
    “Do not mistake courage from lack of fear ,” Lord Reginald said as he sat down with her.  There was something like pride in his expression.  “Or confusion for insanity.  You have come for answers to creatures that until last night must have only existed in your nightmares.” 
    “Or in horror movies,” Sir Marcus said.  He had sat down on the other side of Elizabeth without her even noticing.  She looked at him questioningly. 
    “I’m over 600 years old,” he said with a shrug.  “I’ve seen my fair share of movies.” 
    “Actually, I was thinking about how weird it is that you can move so quickly and quietly,” Elizabeth said.  “It’s creepy.” 
    Sir Marcus smirked.  “Maybe you’re just too noisy,” he replied.  “In addition to being smelly.” 
    Elizabeth punched him in the arm and then grimaced in pain when her fist came in contact with his solid bicep.  She realized suddenly how strange it was that he always seemed to switch between being completely approachable and amusing one minute and terrifyingly cold and dangerous the next.  Maybe it was just a result of centuries of existence. 
    “I get the hint,” she said.  “I won’t eat anymore garlic.” 
    His smirk broadened but then vanished at a look from his father. 
    Elizabeth turned back to Lord Reginald.  “I’m sorry that I fell asleep last night when you were telling me about Lady Anya.  I don’t know what happened.  I remember seeing Lady Anya, and she told me that she would keep me safe, but then everything was just a blur.” 
    “Your mind was almost destroyed,” Lord Reginald said sadly.  “I should never have put you in so