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Copyright © 2024 by Olena Nikitin

Published by Viper Dawn Press

ISBN 9781739447373
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
scanning, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without
permission. Olena Nikitin asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
Editing: Sally Altass
Cover: GhostArt_Dx
Illustrations: Efa_finearts
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons,
living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Moral rights
Olena Nikitin asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
External content
Olena Nikitin has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not
guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
 Content Warning

Dear Reader, we appreciate that everyone has a different level of sensitivity and may be triggered by different topics.
It is up to your discretion whether you can handle the content in our books.
The book is intended for a mature audience of particular interests and contains a certain amount of coarse language,
graphic sex scenes as well as sexual innuendo. You can also find scenes of death and physical and emotional violence, as
well as scenes of nonconsensual mind control.
It is a work of fiction set in a fictional world with different racial, cultural and social norms. It does not represent the
author's views on certain aspects of life. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events is entirely
coincidental, and the names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Although
you find out many locations are similar to or named after Tricity and the Pomerania region of Poland, those locations
were modified to fit the story, and may not accurately represent real places.
 Contents

1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18
19. Chapter 19
20. Chapter 20
21. Chapter 21
22. Chapter 22
23. Chapter 23
24. Chapter 24
25. Chapter 25
26. Chapter 26
27. Chapter 27
28. Chapter 28
29. Glossary
About Author
30. Also by
 Chapter 1

I ’dIthoped it was just indigestion, but my gut feeling told me I should have called in sick today.
must be something I ate. I tried to convince myself, but this heaviness inside, the one every seasoned nurse gets when
she knows the night will be difficult, refused to subside, souring my mood. Who knows, perhaps my friend Sara, the “Oracle of
Gdansk,” as I’d started calling her, had exposed me to her mojo. I could do with her special insight, but it was probably just
because I knew working nights during an election campaign meant raised passions and more raised fists.
The fights that broke out over prime poster placement or open spaces for the soapbox orators never failed to send their
victims through the doors of not only all emergency departments in the city but also our special hospital.
‘Nina, we need you; there’s another batch.’ The triage nurse had poked her head out of her bay. Her slightly wild-eyed,
frazzled look sent me an instant warning. I looked past her, taking in the half-drunk but fully enraged group of men fighting over
whose politician was best, each of them sporting bruises, cut faces or bleeding noses.
‘Quiet!’ I shouted, marching through the door.
My expression was one of thunder and outrage as I faced down the imbeciles when they stumbled to a confused halt.
Our hospital, beautiful as it was, had been an engagement gift for my best friend from her Forest God-turned-mob boss and
now slightly reformed, doting husband. As with any gift, expensive and shiny, it soon stopped being fit for purpose.
At first, it was intended to be a small hospital where both humans and the Elder Races could be treated, no questions asked,
but soon, humans, ever eager to bypass a waiting list, became our main clientele. We were such opportunistic creatures that it
didn’t surprise me the Elder Races preferred the Nether to this world. There, they were able to heal any injury without the
indignity of prying human eyes.
‘How may I help you, gentlemen? Before we start, if you’re thinking of continuing your brawl, I want to make you aware of
our security. Those two kind souls will ensure you will leave much faster than you entered.’ I informed them, pointing toward
the massive shifters that had entered the room, waiting for my signal to intervene.
‘No, no … we’re good, Sister,’ one of the drunkards mumbled. He briefly glanced towards the imposing duo, who
acknowledged my introduction with two very wolfish grins before all the patients promptly sat on the chairs. Sister, how I
hated that outdated term; its origins from the time when nurses were mainly nuns. I heard it so often that sometimes I wanted to
roll up my nursing diploma and shove it where the sun didn’t shine.
I nodded at the twins working the security shift today. I liked them. They were men of few words but very effective in
calming the crowd. It still baffled me how so many creatures of the Nether could hide in plain sight, Shifters especially. They
looked like ordinary humans, perhaps with overly built bodies and grumpy manners, until they transformed. However, since
Sara’s husband had purchased half of the Kashubian Forest from the government and gifted it to the Tricity pack, there was
never any danger they would be seen when they ran and hunted.
The Nether itself was a marvel only a few chosen humans were aware of. A world, or rather a sphere of existence, between
the physical realm and the afterlife. The land of gods and monsters, as Sara used to call it.
Most of Earth’s magic went into maintaining the Nether, with only a tiny amount left behind for the survival of the fantastical
creations of the gods and their descendants. There were entrances to the Nether sprinkled all over the material world, which
were commonly known as “Gates.” They were guarded by powerful entities who sacrificed their power to sustain their
existence. Tricity was lucky to host three Gates, one of which was in the Dockland district.
I looked at the waiting room. None of its current residents had any idea they were sitting in a place run and financed by
literal monsters, and I bit my lip to hold in the chuckle.
‘So, who’s first?’ I asked, and the man with a bleeding nose stepped forward.
‘Can you sort this out, Sister? Or should I go to the proper place and see a doctor?’ He asked, and I rolled my eyes. My
newest patient had barely opened his mouth and had already annoyed me twice.
‘My name is Nina Zalewska, and I’m not your “Sister”. You may call me Nurse, Matron, or by my surname. Also, this is a
“proper” hospital, and the doctor will be with you shortly. In the meantime, our triage nurse will assess you,’ I said, pointing to
the doors of the open bay.
Maybe I shouldn’t have taken my frustration out on him, but Sara was late for her shift, and lately, any minor inconvenience
was setting me on edge.
Well, not lately, but exactly two weeks to the day, which was the first time I’d seen Adam since throwing him out of my life
two years ago. Physically, he hadn’t changed. He was the same sinfully handsome man with a prideful look on his face, but
there was something different about him. The arrogance that so pissed me off was… well, not gone, but dimmer, and the
question of why was stuck in my mind like an intrusive thought playing on repeat.
When he’d approached, there had been an intensity in his gaze, a focus I hadn’t seen before. I was petrified. Did he want to
confront me about what I said two years ago? Now? In the middle of Sara’s party? The last thing I wanted was to cause a
scene, so I turned away, focusing on entertaining the patrons of the hospital. What confused me the most was Adam’s gaze,
which darkened with each passing hour until he stormed away. I’d avoided a catastrophic scene, but I hadn’t been able to stop
thinking of him ever since.
Now, I was frustrated because it felt like the last two years of working to forget about him were for nothing, and I was stuck
in a perpetual Stockholm Syndrome.
My conflicting emotions must have been painted all over my face because the gathered crowd quietened, eying me warily.
The first patient meekly followed the nurse to her bay while I headed back to my office, with its supply reports and recent
attendance documents piled up on my desk.
Half an hour later, Sara ran in, her honey-gold locks in glorious disarray. ‘I’m sorry, Leszek came home late, and I had to…’
she started, but I waved her off.
‘You had to wait until he gave you a lift to work because your “Horned and Horny” has to give you a goodbye kiss.’ I said
with a soft chuckle.
Sara blushed cherry red at my nickname for her husband, but since she’d told me about him suddenly sprouting antlers during
their first intimate encounter, I couldn’t help myself. Of course, I never said it to his face.
‘He has a name, you know,’ she grumbled, but I could see the smile teasing her lips. ‘Anyway, enough of my man’s special
extras. What’s on the menu today?’
‘Another pre-election night. You already have a probable broken nose accompanied by a rowdy bunch of idiots with bruising
and lacerations. Thankfully, our wolf duo nicely subdued them with their unyielding glare.’
‘Ugh, I hate this time of year,’ Sara complained with a sigh. ‘Yesterday, Leszek went to meet with his preferred candidate to
tell him about the Nether and put him under a geas 1. Normally, it goes flawlessly. They might fret or panic a little, but when
their predecessor reassures them it’s all true, they accept it. Then you can tell them about the agreement and offer your help
with the election, but not this time. This guy was a moron. He tried to push Leszek out of the door, claiming that “This shit isn’t
real” even when Leszek transformed into his stag avatar.’ She said, dressing in scrubs, and I shook my head.
Sara had been seeing shadows since childhood, so accepting the Nether came as easily as breathing. For myself and the rest
of our little found family, a pack of misfits Sara had gathered around her. Well… we just followed her lead. It was easier to
accept something so monumental when the sister of your heart was an integral part of it.
‘Sara, be fair. The poor man probably crapped his pants seeing the Forest God in all his horned glory,’ I said, passing her the
patient’s records.
‘I am fair. You accepted it all with no issues, even sleeping with a vampire and letting him bite you. Which was, by the way,
the most stupid thing you’ve ever done. So why can’t the new councillor candidate accept the obvious, especially when the
obvious is standing in front of him, surrounded by fireflies and magic? It’s ridiculous that Leszek has to repeat this circus every
four years.’ She said, taking the files.
I didn’t comment. Sara was right, but she was also very wrong. I didn’t want to dwell on my strange relationship with Adam,
Leszek’s second, and the vampire who, for several weeks, became my bodyguard, taking it far too seriously.
‘Just go fix some people and call when you need me.’ I said as she closed the door, and Sara sent me one of her blinding
smiles in reply.
I loved her. She was my best friend and the best doctor I knew. Sara was now the Soul Shepherd, a woman with the rare
ability to anchor a soul to a physical body so it could be healed or killed. Her power had no limits. Any spirit, even the gods
themselves, submitted to her touch. Gods were especially attracted to her, like moths to a flame. That’s how she ended up
bound to what the university books described as Leshy, an ancient and atavistic Forest Deity worshipped by prehistoric Slavic
tribes.
We knew him as Leszek.
Since learning about the Nether, I’d always hoped there was something in me, a grain of magic, some unknown lineage, that
would allow me to see Gedania and the legends of old, but I was all human with no magic of my own, so the mirror city of
Gdansk, and that part of Sara’s life, was forever closed to me. I had to stand in the corner and watch, envious and excluded.
All because I was ‘normal,’ or as ‘normal’ as a thirty-two-year-old divorcée from a broken home could be. Just an ordinary
woman who was heading straight toward a midlife crisis, who’d just happened to befriend a Seer, when all I’d known about
Sara was that her ‘hunches’ were always correct.
‘Nina, there’s a man here insisting on seeing you.’ One of the wolf twins said as he shoved his head inside the office.
‘Tell him to go to triage. I’ll be there shortly,’ I answered, putting the stack of papers together.
‘He’s not a patient. He looks like a junkie but says he’s your brother.’ He said it so casually, but I felt my heart drop. I hadn’t
seen Pawel in ages, and before that, he’d dipped in and out of my life, mainly to ask for money or hide from whoever wanted to
beat him bloody.
‘Fine, let him in.’ I said, preparing myself for another one of those conversations. One where he’d beg, and I’d refuse before
he angrily stormed off. I loved my brother, but sometimes love isn’t enough to save a lost soul.
It was less than a minute before he rushed into the room, looking exactly how the wolf had described him, twitchy and
nervous. His raven black hair, whilst the same colour as mine, was lank and greasy. His washed-out blue eyes were in stark
contrast to my almost black irises, but the deep, dark circles under his eyes made them stand out more than usual. Is he here to
ask for methadone 2? I wondered, trying to hold back another sigh. My estranged younger brother, whom I loved and hated,
nervously paced around my office, and the space suddenly felt too small.
‘Hey, how’s life?’ he asked, dropping onto the chair across from me.
‘What do you want?’ I asked curtly.
I didn’t have time for his games or excuses. He’d already extorted enough money over the years to pay off the mortgage for a
small house, even in a city as expensive as Gdansk.
‘Aren’t you happy to see me? How long has it been, Sis? Feels like ages. And look, I find out you’re in charge of such a posh
place. That friendship with the blonde doc must have finally paid off,’ he rambled, fumbling in his jacket pocket before pulling
out a silver locket. ‘Look what I have for you today.’
The necklace looked old, with a dark patina obscuring the engraved silver, but there was something vaguely repulsive about
it that forced me to avert my eyes. Why the fuck did he have to bring silver? I thought, gritting my teeth.
The hospital policy was that all silver, jewellery or otherwise, should be removed before entering the premises. Just in case
our shifter staff needed to examine you. Not that such a little thing could truly harm them; if something didn’t kill a shifter
instantly, they would likely recover, but my recent experiences told me you could never be too careful. Besides, why expose
them or any of the Elder Races to a potentially lethal metal?
‘Put that back in your pocket. Who did you steal it from, and why did you bring it to me?’ I snapped, feeling as if something
was screaming from inside, trying to crawl out of its silver prison. ‘I don’t want it. You should trash it or pawn it. Just get rid
of it.’ I added, gesturing to him to take the thing away. ‘Now tell me what you want and leave. I have work to do.’
The hurt expression on his face played on my conscience, but I couldn’t give in. It was always the same with Pawel. Some
small talk, a gift that left me feeling guilty, and finally, the request for money, a prescription, or sometimes both.
‘Twenty-thousand zlotych, or the equivalent in dollars or euros. I remember you saying you had around five thousand dollars
in a foreign bank account that you’d squirrelled away after the repossession agent sold your flat. I know it’s a lot, sis, but I
really need it. I’ll pay you back, I promise. I’ve got a big gig coming, but right now, I have to let the heat cool off,’ he said,
looking at me with those sad puppy eyes that always tugged at my heartstrings.
How the hell did he remember I had that account? I’d kept it secret for years. An old habit I picked up after my gambling,
cheating, now ex-husband left me broke. That was my untouchable money, my insurance policy to never feel helpless and at
someone’s mercy again.
Mom, why did you make me promise to look after Pawel? Just why? I thought, and the only explanation was that she never
knew her little angel would grow up like our father; always in trouble, always running with the wrong crowd.
 ‘No. I don’t know who told you that, but I don’t have that kind of money, and even if I did, I wouldn’t give it to you. Enough
is enough, Pawel.’
‘Can’t you ask Sara? I know who she’s married to. I’m sure her husband wouldn’t even notice if she borrowed a bit of his
fortune. I really am in trouble, Sis. I need you. Please, Nina, I really need you this time. They’re going to hurt me really, really
bad if I don’t hide. You know I love you, and I wouldn’t come if I wasn’t in dire need. I know you are getting better, and I’m
trying not to be a burden, but I really need your help,’ he begged, standing up and walking toward me until he crouched beside
my chair. ‘Please, you don’t want to see me here as a patient, do you?’
Emotional blackmail? It was much better than his previous begging, but I was adamant I wouldn’t listen. Not this time. No
matter how much this useless brother of mine hurt me.
‘Get out.’ I rasped, closing my eyes, trying to ward off tears. ‘Just get out. I never want to see you again.’ I felt something
fracture inside. Maybe it was the last vestiges of trust or hope that we’d ever be a family again, but I felt the last fibres of our
familial bond snap, and now the twenty-five-year-old man next to me felt like a stranger.
‘Nina, c’mon, don’t be like this,’ he pleaded, placing his head on my knees like he used to do when we were children. ‘I
don’t have anyone else. We have only each other, same as always. Don’t do this to me, sis.’ Pawel was so very, very wrong
about that. He’d always had me, but I’d had no one, not until Sara found me crying in the storeroom and helped me piece my
shattered life back together.
‘Get out, Pawel. Don’t come to me or call me, and don’t even think about asking my friends for money. You’re an adult now,
and I’ve had enough of being responsible for your bad choices.’ I stood up and pushed him away. I saw the understanding dawn
in his eyes, and genuine emotion leaked out for the first time. Not anger this time, more like understanding and… fear.
‘I’m sorry, Nina. For everything, I… I wish things were different. You are right. I’m sorry, sis, I love you. You deserve better
than a brother like me,’ he said and turned away, walking out of the office.
I’d never seen him like that, so sincere and apologetic. I stood there, stunned by his words, with my hand on my chest, trying
to calm the rapid beating of my heart. I don’t know how long I lingered, but when I rushed to call him back, he was already
gone, and security didn’t know which direction he’d taken.
‘Thank you,’ I said to the shifter and returned to my office, closing the door as gently as possible. What was done was done,
and I had work to do. I pulled out the first large folder with a list of supplies that need restocking and those close to their
expiry date. Medical equipment and drugs had to be checked regularly, and it had always calmed me down.
After staring at the numbers and dates without seeing them for a while, I noticed how they distorted and smudged in front of
me, and when the first wet drop landed on the paper, I realised I was crying. What if I’m wrong? What if he really is in
trouble? Whispered the tiny voice in my head. The pressure in my chest built up, threatening to split me in half.
‘FUCK! Fuck! Fuck!’
The folder’s plastic cover cracked when I smashed it onto the edge of the desk. I hit it again and again until the door to my
office slammed open, and Sara rushed in together with half of the shop floor personnel. One look at me, and she took control.
‘Everybody out. Now!’
I was making a fool of myself, but I just couldn’t stop. Especially when she wrapped her arms around me and pulled the
folder out of my hands.
‘It’s alright, Nina, whatever it is, we will fix it. The twins told me Pawel was here. Did he ask for money again?’ She asked,
gently stroking my pixie-cut hair. I could only nod, and she sighed slightly.
‘If you need money, I have some saved, or I can ask Leszek,’ she soothed, but I shook my head.
We’d had the same conversation years ago when she found me crying and scared, with no place to sleep after I lost
everything, abandoned by my husband, penniless and broken. She offered me the use of her apartment while she went to
Kosovo. Instead, I signed up and went with her and the boys. What I saw there changed me forever, toughening me up, but now,
here I was, breaking again, with Sara once more holding the pieces together.
‘No, I don’t need money. It’s just… I told Pawel I never wanted to see him again, and he looked so scared. He told me he
had some trouble, but I thought it was just his usual bullshit. Now I’m not sure,’ I explained, pulling away and wiping my tears.
‘I’m sorry. So, did everyone see me make a fool of myself, or are there still some poor souls unaware of my meltdown?’ I
asked with all the bravado I could muster.
‘Nina, everybody cries sometimes, even a hardened biker bitch like yourself,’ Sara teased to distract me, a nod to my
weekend rides with the local bikers. ‘Don’t be too hard on yourself. Your family always had its issues, but it isn’t your job to
fix them. If you’re still worried tomorrow, we can ask Adam to dig—’ she said, but I instantly stopped her.
‘No, not Adam. He and I… we’re done. I don’t want any favours from him.’
I saw Sara ready herself to argue, but after a slight shake of her head, she sighed.
‘Fine, I will find the second-best bloodhound in Tricity to locate your troublesome brother.’ She smiled, winking, and wiped
away my smudged makeup with a tissue from the box on the desk. ‘If Adam hurt you, just tell me, and I will rip his fangs out
myself. I know you split up when Leszek and I had our… difficulties, but if this was because of me…’ Her voice trailed into
silence, and I saw the uncertainty in her eyes.
 ‘We didn’t split up because, technically, we were never a couple. Adam lived in my apartment because Leszek thought
protecting me was protecting you. I let him feed off me once out of curiosity and because I knew he’d get his head ripped off by
the Forest Lord if my death made you sad. It was a pleasurable experience, but that was it. Other than that, he was an annoying
womanising prick, and you know that’s not my type.’ I said.
Sara didn’t look convinced. Hell, I wasn’t convinced either because, deep down, there was more to it than that. We’d
promised nothing to each other, but I’d grown fond of the roguish vampire during the very short time we’d had together and
decided to give it a shot. That’s why the pinnacle of our non-committed relationship was marked by my total meltdown, so
complete that I was still ashamed of it.
‘He’s not well, you know,’ Sara mumbled. ‘I know you had your reasons, but I think it was a mistake,’ she added, and I
looked at her sharply.
My friend was not one to meddle in other people’s affairs, so why, all of a sudden, did she mention Adam? I hadn’t told her
what had happened between Adam and me. It was so embarrassing that I wished I could forget it.
Two years ago, I’d snapped over something petty, packed his things and told him I didn’t want him in my life. There was no
reason for him to stay any longer. The danger hanging over my head was long gone, but he still hung around like a bad penny. It
was the right thing to do, but the way I did it still made me groan in shame.
His assignment that day was the last straw and triggered me in a way I didn’t think was possible.
He told me to be ready by six because he wanted to take me to dinner. So I dressed and waited, then called, calling again
when he didn’t answer, all for nothing.
He turned up in the middle of the night when I was about to phone Sara, worried sick that whatever he was doing for the
Syndicate had left him wounded or dead. He didn’t even look apologetic, just smiled as if nothing happened when I opened the
door dressed in my pyjamas.
‘Why didn’t you call me if you knew you would be late?’ I’d asked calmly, even though I felt tension coiling in my body,
ready to explode.
Confusion marred his beautiful blue eyes, ‘I was busy, Nina. I had a few things to do. I had to visit the brothel before I could
see you and needed to use my vampire charm on the ladies working there, which took longer than expected,’ he said with a
flippancy that made me see red, and I lost it.
I really fucking lost it.
I didn’t let him explain. One by one, I threw his belongings in his face, calling him every offensive name under the sun. All I
could see was the face of my ex-husband lying to me, telling me he was on a business trip when I knew he was with another
woman.
I should have known better. Why did I think the arrogant vampire would be any different? As soon as I let my guard down
and thought of taking the next step in our relationship, I ended up with another man who didn’t have the decency to talk to me.
Instead, he went elsewhere to scratch his itch.
Adam must have forgotten he’d invited me out for dinner. I’d dressed up in my finest because I wanted it to be a date, our
first date, and I was hoping it would be the first of many. Instead, I’d felt humiliated and hurt. My life was a vicious circle that
had brought me another womaniser who didn’t give a flying two cents about my feelings, but this time, it wasn’t too late to say
no.
I couldn’t face being discarded again. I couldn’t face being coerced into taking him back, to cave in under an avalanche of
lies and apologies. I’d been there, and it had cost me everything.
So I decided to protect myself and never see him again.
Adam Lisowczyk was who he was, and it was just my bad luck that I’d fallen for a damn vampire.

1. Geas: an obligation or prohibition magically imposed on someone.

2. Methadone is a medication which has been used for decades in Medication-Assisted-Treatment (MAT) to help treat people overcome their addiction to heroin,
other opiates or narcotic pain medications.
 Chapter 2

‘I ’m going to stake him. First, I’ll find the oldest, most potent aspen tree, take the gnarliest branch, then ram it through
his heart the hard way.’ The angry voice somewhere deep in the building was eclipsed by heavy stomping and the trashing
of furniture, but I couldn’t care less. My mind was floating on a cloud of pleasurable oblivion thanks to the fresh whiskey-
infused blood I’d been drinking for the last hour or two. While I usually stayed away from mind-altering substances, I had
kissed my last fuck goodbye and headed to the nearest blood brothel to drink myself blind.
I looked at my donor, her eyes struggling to focus even as her expression gave away her distaste for my favourite tipple. Her
hand brushed idly at the needle mark left from the discarded transfusion kit that lay beside her.
Her disdain at my choice of this method had annoyed me. ‘That’s not how things are done,’ she’d said, and I’d ended up
paying double to shut her up.
Most of the staff here worked for more than just money, desperate for the pleasure a vampire’s bite could induce. Despite my
present circumstances, I couldn’t face biting another woman, and I wasn’t interested in catering to another annoying female’s
demands. This was a blood brothel, so I didn’t care if she felt slighted. Even if it was the only place that catered to my kind,
and it would have to be with a name like “Suck and Fuck”, I wouldn’t yield to her demands.
Unfortunately, the idle thought didn’t distract me from the desire to bite someone, and I felt my anger rising as, in my
befuddled state, the redhead’s hair darkened, reminding me who it was I really wanted to sink my fangs into.
‘Fuck!’ I cursed, throwing my empty tumbler across the room, the illusion of that woman filling my vision, her heart-shaped
face and dark expressive eyes that burned so bright I felt my heart wanting to beat again just to make her smile.
Nina. I wanted to bite her, to rip into the flesh of that sensual neck for what she did to me. I still remembered our endless
conversations, the times we sparred, letting her win to have her jump into my arms, laughing so freely, like she wasn’t
embracing a monster.
She wasn’t afraid of me, challenging me at every step. She also gave me a home, warm and welcoming despite my presence
being forced on her, and it felt good, so I tried hard to be good enough for her. I was ready to offer her the world. I didn’t even
ask for her blood, only taking what she offered on that one incredible night, holding back despite the burning craving her taste
left in my body. Stupid vampire, falling for the first woman who wasn’t trying to use me for sex or money, only to fall apart
when she tossed me aside like week-old trash.
My thoughts began spiralling as I grabbed another glass for another drink, my mouth twisting in disgust at the now foul-
tasting blood. The curse I uttered as I looked down at the lukewarm liquid was full of spite, but I downed the drink, refusing to
let that woman spoil my last pleasure.
I was cocking back my hand to throw another glass at the wall when the door burst open, startling awake my donor. The
woman didn’t hesitate to flee the room unsteadily without a backward glance.
‘Adam, that’s enough. Shift your worthless arse out of that seat. You’re coming with me.’
The distaste in the newcomer’s voice had me raising my middle finger even as I flinched in self-recrimination. I tried to
ignore the imposing figure that stood in the doorway, radiating power like some avenging spirit.
‘Make me!’ I replied, laughing at Leszek’s darkening expression before I waved him away. ‘Go back to your woman and just
leave me alone.’
As the Forest God’s body blurred, I squinted, trying to focus despite the bright glow that came from fuck knew where. I was
sure it wasn’t daylight yet, and whilst the sun couldn’t kill a vampire, we definitely knew when its glare touched our skin, the
pain it caused, which thankfully lessened the older one became. Still, as with any night predators, vampires liked it dark, and
my eyes needed a moment to adjust.
‘Make you? Oh, with pleasure. Get up, you poor excuse for a Vampire Master. You have a job to do, and you will do it even
if I have to break your bones. Where the fuck have you been? You were supposed to supervise the shipment on Monday and
check the bank account of that Austrian merchant. Care to tell me why I have to come to a brothel to drag your half-naked and
wasted body back to work?’ He asked, not bothering to hide his displeasure.
‘Then just break my bones. I’ll heal anyway. I always do.’ I replied quietly. I wanted to feel pain. I wanted to feel something,
anything, that would mute this longing that had torn at my soul since I’d seen Nina at the charity event. We had a history; it may
have been short, but that brief period was the most alive I’d felt in decades, until one petty argument that left me confused and
on the street. Now, she ignored me and acted as if we were strangers while I felt every emotion I’d bottled up break loose and
smack me in the face.
‘Why do you care, anyway? Am I disrupting your perfect marital happiness with my problems?’ I sounded pathetic even to
my own ears now. Maybe it’s time to stop drinking, I thought, especially when the enraged Forest God grabbed me by the
collar and lifted me off the sofa.
‘It’s been two years since you broke up with Nina. Two years. For fuck’s sake, pull your head out of your arse and talk to
her. Didn’t you learn anything from my fuck up with Sara?’
‘And tell her what, exactly? Don’t you think I didn’t try? She doesn’t want me. If she did, she would have looked at me at
least once during your party. Why didn’t you tell me she was going to be there? I saw her, smelled her… I can’t… you don’t
know how it feels to be ignored by the woman whose blood still sings in your body as she flirts with a horde of men. For her,
I’m nothing. Do you hear me? Nothing! So spare me your divine wisdom. Nina is not like Sara. She will never accept me. I
know because I fucking bent over backwards to be good enough for her!’ I shouted in his face, drunk and uncaring. It was the
first time I’d told Leszek about my longing for Nina.
‘What the fuck is going on in that thick skull of yours, Adam? Stop being a fucking jerk and fight for her if there’s even the
slightest chance she could be important to you,’ Leszek snapped out, dragging me toward the light.
‘Our situation is different,’ I said, but he only shook his head.
‘Oh, for fuck’s sake, grow a pair,’ I heard my boss mutter before he dragged me out of the room.
I hissed, covering my eyes, wondering when I’d last stepped outside. A day? Maybe two? Leszek said I’d missed a shipment,
so it may have been a week, but it could have been longer, as I couldn’t remember anything after storming out of the charity
event. I wouldn’t have gone if I had known she had been invited. Still, when I saw her, I’d stayed until… fuck, why did I stay?
I’d watched her like some creepy stalker while remembering the time we spent together, me as her bodyguard, her my pain-
in-the-arse client, testing my patience and goodwill at every turn. I moved closer in an attempt to bury the hatchet, justifying my
actions to ease the tension when we inevitably crossed paths, as we were both in Sara and Leszek’s social circle.
It was a mistake. I knew it the moment Nina tilted her head to the side, watching me, her brow lifted in annoyance, but I was
one step too late. Nina’s scent hit my nostrils, and my body reacted, canines elongating, my saliva filling with pleasure-
inducing venom.
I still could recall the taste of her blood, so full and sweet, like the best Hungarian Tokaji 1, Nina’s surprise at the erotic
sensation of my bite, followed by the throaty purr as she leant into the feeling, whispering my name while her hands found their
way under my shirt….
Vampire venom, excreted at will, was an adaptation my kind had developed for survival. Whilst a victim in pain was more
fulfilling, the times of killing with impunity were long gone, so we changed our hunting practices to avoid the pitchforks and
fire of the enraged victims’ families. Now, instead of screaming and thrashing humans, our bite made our food into a pliable
puddle of lust, easy to drink from and craving more. Unless we wanted them to suffer, which we sometimes still did.
Nina was no exception. I could have made her give me everything, taking her body and anything else I chose to possess, but I
stopped before the venom-induced lust could overwhelm her free choice.
I was a fool. A softhearted fool who hadn’t wanted her to hate me later. Not that it helped, and Nina made a point of
completely ignoring me at the charity event. I would not make the same mistake again, and I wouldn’t beg for her attention.
 ‘Adam! Adam, look at me!’ I heard Leszek shouting, and I opened my eyes, his anger burning through my alcohol-induced
stupor.
‘Fine, fine. Give it a rest, I’ll go with you.’ I said, standing. ‘I can go to the dockyard tomorrow and check the next shipment.
Just… give me an hour or two, and I need a shower.’
‘You’re fine as you are,’ he said, smirking as we walked to his car. ‘We’re going to the island. Sara wants to talk to you.’
The change in the tone of his voice amused me. Leszek might be the prodigious God of Forests and Wilderness, the powerful
Leshy who guarded the gates to the Nether in Pomerania and the man who controlled the Amber Syndicate in the Baltic, but
both man and god quailed before Sara, the human doctor and Soul Shepherd, the one being loved and worshipped by this
terrifying entity beside me.
I could barely understand that kind of attachment.
Leszek was different. He was the original shifter and shared their need to form a permanent bond with their mate. Vampires
were not made to be monogamous. Since we’d stopped killing our prey to enhance the chance of survival, we began taking
from multiple donors, and with the pleasure our bite induced, it was nearly impossible to be faithful to one person. None of the
vampires I knew had a bonded mate, their At’kar 2. The vampire ritual of mating for life was gone, replaced by a lifestyle no
one wanted to talk about.
Now, the only thing that could make us crave one person and no other was the Blood Fever. Or the Vampire Bane, as some
called it. It was an aberration, an addiction that turned a vampire into an obsessed fool attached to his donor beyond any
reasonable justification. Sometimes, it came with affection, but most cases were tied to violent mood swings and bursts of
insanity. Eventually, when the donor died, and they always did, the vampire would follow, unable to find any joy in their
existence. It was far too similar to how I was acting now for me to feel comfortable.
As Leszek drove us through the city, I analysed my predicament. I didn’t exhibit the typical symptoms of Blood Fever. I
didn’t stalk Nina or force-feed off her. In fact, I had left her alone since I’d been thrown out.
I was functioning reasonably well, doing my job, caring for the Syndicate and my own small nest. The last incident wasn’t
typical, so I could forgive myself for that brief episode, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t forget the woman with the
obsidian eyes. Maybe it’s because the time you spent in Nina’s company was the happiest you’d felt in years? Whispered the
voice in my head that I didn’t want to acknowledge.
The curse that slipped out in answer to my inner dialogue caught Leszek’s attention, and he looked over, concern flashing in
his eyes, but as with any alpha male, he knew when to leave talking about emotions well enough alone.
‘Drink this,’ he said, pulling a flask from the glove compartment, and I scrunched my face in suspicion, expecting one of his
healing tonics. ‘I will not talk to a drunk. Drink it, Adam.’ He ordered, and with a heavy sigh, I put the flask to my mouth,
following his curt command.
Magic punched me in the guts, and I welcomed the distraction.
‘I have a job for you. It’s well suited to your particular skill set and might even help you get back to your usual self.’ Leszek
said after the moment of silence.
‘Which skill set do you mean? The one that finds people or the one that makes them disappear?’ I asked, hoping for the
second option. I might not be allowed to show my anger, but the opportunity to unleash some of it? That I would welcome.
‘Your tracking abilities. I was contacted by a wealthy client, an ancient vampire currently living in France, who’s had a
family heirloom stolen and wants it returned as soon as possible.’
With a raised eyebrow and a knowing smile, my annoying boss pulled over and, without another word, climbed out of the
car. I followed him like a lost puppy staring at a bone until he snorted and stopped.
‘I thought you might enjoy letting off some steam in a treasure hunt, so I already accepted the offer.’
‘Why? I don’t know what Sara sees in you. You’re more annoying than that windbag Stribog 3. Didn’t you ever consider
asking me first?’
I put my heart into acting affronted, but we both knew I loved nothing more than ferreting out secrets, so Leszek’s laughter
wasn’t unexpected, and neither was the gesture I gave him in reply.
I caught up with my friend, and we walked to the entrance of his home. I should say mansion, really, because Leszek’s home
was old and beautiful. Its white walls and wooden beams were covered with wisteria, giving it an otherworldly feel that made
it feel natural and not man-made. The imposing structure was surrounded by oak, elder and walnut trees that remembered a
time before humans set foot on the island, when the Elder Races lived free of persecution. That, of course, was long before the
creation of the Nether, the magical refuge for those hunted to near extinction by humans.
Only three of the Elder Races could live in the purely physical sphere now, and all of us shared some human traits: shifters,
mages, and vampires. Anyone else, mainly spirits and gods, could only visit this realm from the Nether, and all with
significantly reduced powers. All except Leszek, of course. The god-like power of the Leshy was forever tied to the Gates,
anchoring them in the physical realm.
‘You know where the guest room is. Take a shower and maybe have a nap. We’ll talk later,’ Leszek said, opening his arms as
Sara rushed into his embrace.
 ‘Hi darling, I see you returned our lost sheep to the fold,’ she said, grinning at me before stretching out and grabbing Leszek’s
beard, pulling him down for a kiss.
‘Get a room,’ I said, their display of affection rubbing me the wrong way, and I felt my mood darken again.
‘We need to talk, Adam. Come with me,’ Sara ordered, moving toward the living room. I followed before Leszek’s words
stopped me.
‘Let the man rest, my Firefly. He needs a shower and sleep to clear his head. You can talk in the evening, and I can assure
you his brain will be working much better by then.’
‘Fine, but…’
‘No buts, love, give him a moment, and I will keep you busy in the meantime.’ Leszek scooped up his wife and headed
toward the bedroom. ‘There, Adam. You are safe for now. Go sleep. Honour the sacrifice I’m making to give you a few hours
free from the inquisition,’ he said, laughing when Sara punched his shoulder.
‘Oh, really? If it’s that much of a sacrifice, then get on your knees, Bambi, and worship your Goddess.’
I shook my head at their exchange. I knew she referred to Leszek’s stag avatar, but… Bambi?
‘I didn’t need that image in my head.’ I muttered, moving toward the guest room. The muffled sounds of vigorous lovemaking
interspersed with bouts of giggling and squealing made me smile even as I cringed at overhearing something so private. Leszek
deserved his happiness, especially after he fought so hard to be with Sara. Maybe I should bind Nina to me like he did with
his woman? I thought, undressing in the bathroom.
I turned on the water to drown out the sounds of the vigorous pair and looked in the mirror. A pale, masculine face, full of
sharp angles, looked back at me. There was always a hint of crimson in my dark blue irises, at least as far back as I could
remember. My hair was so black it seemed iridescent in a particular light and was longer than I usually kept it, giving me a
messy, bad-boy look. I wasn’t as well built as Leszek, but he was a shifter, and they were just built differently. Still, I was tall
with defined muscles, and each time I went to the club, I garnered enough female attention to say I was attractive… except for
the one woman who didn’t want to look at me.
I wiped the steam off the mirror and smiled at my reflection.
‘Is Leszek right? Should I fight for you, Nina? Or maybe I should punish you for showing me how good life could be before
taking it away without explanation? Oh, my Obsidian 4, two years is enough. Enough of this torment, enough of your tantrum. I
will find out what happened. I will ensure you will never want to be free of me, but this time, we will do it on my terms.’ I said
to my reflection in the mirror. I craved her, but she didn’t want me when I tried to be a better person, so I would be the worst
and make her love it.
I didn’t have a plan, but I’d made the decision, and somehow, those words calmed me, so after taking a shower, I went to bed
to sleep off my recent overindulgence like a good vampire.
***
Sara was waiting for me in the living room, relaxing on the sofa with the ugly beast she said was a cat. Her familiar, or
companion, as she preferred to call him, looked up when I approached, and I swear it sent me a warning with his eyes before
jumping down and sauntering out of the room.
‘Feeling better?’ She asked, turning in my direction. I nodded, running my hand through my hair, which had dried into unruly
waves.
‘Yes. You said you wanted to talk?’ I queried, curious as to what she might want.
‘Adam… I know we haven’t seen eye to eye in the past, but I need your help. This is about Nina,’ she started, and I froze,
shocked at the timing of her statement. I needed a plan, and it looked like Sara was gifting me with not only the perfect
opportunity but also a reasonable excuse. The worry about Nina, mixed with the excitement of the hunt, was burning in my
veins, but I forced myself to keep still, feigning disinterest.
‘What about her?’
‘Her brother visited the hospital yesterday, claiming he was in trouble and needed money. I want you to check on him. It is
likely another one of his scams, but just in case it isn’t, I want to find the truth. She is anxious this might be serious this time.
Pawel’s not a good person, but to Nina, he’s still her little brother who needs to be looked after. So if you can find his
whereabouts, please do it, but make sure you’re discrete. She wouldn’t be happy knowing I asked you.’
Sara’s last sentence wasn’t surprising, but it still stung. Nina wouldn’t ask for my help, even knowing I was the best tracker
and hacker in the Tricity area and had the Syndicate resources at my disposal. I knew I was going to do whatever Sara asked
me to do, but I couldn’t keep the sneer from my voice.
‘Why should I help her if she’s so adamant she doesn’t want me involved?’
‘Because she needs you, even if she can’t admit it,’ Sara replied simply, and something inside of me snapped.
‘Needs me?’ I asked incredulously. ‘Are we talking about the same woman? The one who packed my things, throwing me out
like I was trash? The woman who called me a clingy bloodsucker and a manwhore when I tried to talk to her, accusing me of
every possible sin when all I did was follow your husband’s orders? She doesn’t need me, Sara. I can help, of course, if you
ask me nicely, but let’s not pretend Nina needs me for anything.’
 ‘That bad, hmm…? I didn’t know any of that. Nina only told me she didn’t want you to live in her apartment any longer.’
‘Yes, that’s what’s happened. Leszek asked me to check one of Nadolny’s brothels. A short, undercover surveillance to see
who uploaded some VIP’s videos to the internet. All I had to do was to search for hidden cameras and interrogate the girls
under compulsion. It’s my fucking job. I’m head of security for a reason.’ The anger that bottled in me for the last two years
exploded, and Sara bore the brunt of it. ‘Nina wouldn’t even let me explain, and now she needs the same services. What a
fucking irony.’ I snarled and, as if on command, Leszek walked out of his office, lips curling into a warning growl.
‘It’s alright, my love. We were just talking. Adam was simply shedding some light on a certain issue, but we both know he
can control himself.’ Sara said, and after a brief staring contest, my boss shrugged and turned to leave.
I looked at Sara, who was biting her lip, clearly weighing her next words carefully. Just as I was about to stand up and leave,
she looked me straight in the eye.
‘How much do you know about Nina’s past?’ She asked, and for the first time, I shuffled uncomfortably.
I know her parents died, her father when she was a teenager and her mother soon after graduation. I know she was married
and then divorced, but nothing more than what you could find in the government’s databases.
‘I run a basic check for everybody that enters Leszek’s social circle.’ I answered, noticing Sara’s shoulders sag, but her
determined look told me whatever she was going to say would be worth hearing.
‘So you only know the bare bones. Well, buckle up, boyo, and I’ll tell you why she reacted so badly after finding out you
visited a brothel.’
By the tone of Sara’s voice, I knew it wouldn’t be a pleasant story, but I needed to know. Nina’s reaction had plagued me
ever since I’d found myself on the street with my belongings strewn at my feet, staring at a silent and very sturdy door. Why,
despite my earnest explanation, the door remained closed, and the sound of some operatic heavy metal drowned out my voice.
Maybe knowing would ease the burning anger I felt each time the memory of that day resurfaced.
‘Go on,’
‘Well, be ready for a “it’s not you, it’s me” story, or rather how to waltz from one trauma to another, giving yourself PTSD
and trust issues. Certain things in Nina’s past left scars, deep scars that can trigger reactions beyond any reasonable measures.’
Sara sighed, and I saw sadness clouding her eyes. She looked at me, her lips tightened in a pained grimace.
‘Nina doesn’t trust men, but you should already know that. She was hurt so much by them that I was shocked when she
allowed you to stay in her home. Her father… I didn’t know him, but from what she told me, he was an alcoholic who resented
his family, and the only memories Nina had about him were the constant shouting and violence whenever he drank, which was
often.’
I nodded, keeping quiet, afraid any comment from me would silence Sara and leave me in the dark.
‘She needed to escape that toxicity, and unfortunately, she grabbed hold of the first man to show her affection. It was fine…
at first. When I first met Nina… she was different. A bright soul with a heart as big as the ocean, an excellent nurse who’d be a
better fit for paediatrics or convalescent care than the emergency department, but no, she wanted to help. Needed to, I suppose,
taking every shift, every holiday, every night no one else wanted. She was practically living in the hospital, eating from the
cafeteria and working, constantly working. I only knew she had a husband because she talked about him constantly, how loving
and wonderful he was, how he fulfilled her every dream, and how they were building a future together. She seemed so happy…
until the day I found her collapsed on the floor crying as if the world had ended.’
‘So, he cheated on her?’ I asked, my voice distorted by fangs that elongated, responding to my anger. It was a guess, me
connecting the dots, and I held myself back, knowing where this story would end.
‘Are you sure you can handle it?’ She asked, the understanding and sorrow in her voice instantly cooling my anger.
‘Yes, I need to know.’
‘I didn’t know what to do when I found her. Her grief was so raw I thought someone had died. Nina didn’t want to talk at
first, but between sobs, she told me a man had turned up at her home and repossessed every valuable she had, told her their
bank account was frozen, and she was issued an eviction notice. All that time, whilst she worked all the hours of the day to
give them a good life, the husband she loved so much was throwing everything away faster than she could make it on gambling
and his “special” friends. I think every brothel in Tricity knew him by his first name, but that wasn’t the worst of it. She thought
it was all a terrible mistake. She still believed him, but as she was working, she got a phone call from one of his fiancées. Her
husband had two other lovers, and when the repo man came to her house, that bastard simply switched his home address,
telling the other woman it was Nina’s fault, and the stupid bitch called to berate her. The day I found her on the floor, she was
essentially penniless, homeless and with a broken heart.’
I held my breath, rage filling my blood. ‘And you are telling me just now? If I knew… What’s the name of the arsehole?’ I
asked calmly, without trying to hide the menace in my voice.
‘No, Adam. It wasn’t my story to tell, and I didn’t tell you all this for you to seek vengeance. So no, don’t look at me like
that. I know what you’re thinking because I know what Leszek would do if it happened to me. Nina doesn’t need that kind of
trouble.’
‘Not your story? Then why are you telling me this now, Sara? You must have known… know what I feel for her. Aren’t you
afraid of what I’ll do to get her back?’ I couldn’t help myself.
‘No, Adam, I’m not afraid. Oh, and the reason I didn’t tell you till now? You’ll find that out soon enough,’ she said with such
chilling certainty that, for the first time, I felt afraid of the seer’s power.

1. Tokaji Aszú - Hungary’s most famous dessert wine. The legendary elixir. sweet, sophisticated, and historically sought. The wine is part of the compelling story
of Hungary's role in the modern history of wine.
2. At’kar – “Beloved” is both the term of endearment and a mark of commitment between the vampires.
3. Stribog – in Slavic mythology, he is the deity and spirit of the winds, sky, and air.
4. Obsidian is a volcanic glass that forms naturally. It is naturally black and has a glassy texture with a vitreous lustre. It is also sharper than any steel blade
and, in magic, is used as a crystal that wards off negative energy and channels magical energy in rituals.
 Chapter 3

I ’dthebeen questioning my response toward Pawel for nearly a week now, the anxiety growing as I analysed every moment of
encounter. The truth was, I loved my brother, troubled as he was. I was harsh because I thought cutting him off would
force him to mature, but he was family, and I might have left him without a sliver of hope for help.
What if he really was in trouble this time?What if his life was in danger because I’d turned him away, worried he’d spend
the money on maintaining his extravagant lifestyle?
I look around my tiny apartment. One bedroom, one bathroom and living room with a small kitchenette area. That’s all I’d
been able to afford once I crawled back to my feet. My ex-husband left me with nothing, well, except maybe a broken heart and
trust issues after I’d been blindsided by all of his affairs.
In the beginning, this place felt like failure, with the dreary, mildewed walls and thrift store furniture gifted to me by my
friends and the hundreds of stairs that turned each journey into a chore. However, I grew to love it, and after several painting
parties, along with the colourful, mismatched throws I’d collected, it perfectly encapsulated my healing journey. Nothing
expressed this more than the World War Two bayonet I’d embedded in the front door during one drunken pity party with Sara.
She’d laughed so hard when, with much pomp and circumstance and an unsteady flourish, I’d punctuated the end of my
wallowing, scaring my neighbours half to death with my enthusiasm.
I admit I had anger issues when I returned from Kosovo, and my distrust of men deepened after witnessing those horrors, but
working beside Sara and the boys gave me a sense of family I’d never experienced before. Still, reality snapped back into
place as soon as we returned, leaving me angry, betrayed, and fighting a messy divorce. Not that there was anything left to fight
over, but my lawyer found enough evidence to save me from paying alimony to my freeloading, cheating ex.
Fuck! Why am I thinking of that again? I wondered, losing grip on my anger. My chest heaved, and my hands shook, almost
as if I’d regressed to the time right after my divorce when I was a skittish, shaking mess of pain and betrayal. It had taken
Sara’s help and a life-changing mission in Kosovo for me to decide no man would rule my life ever again. The teasing I’d
received from my friend when I cut my hair and bought a motorcycle still made me blush.
It took me a moment to calm my breath before I stripped down to a sports bra and sweatpants, picking up the boxing gloves.
The male training torso looked at me with empty eyes when I dealt the first blow, then the next one, and on till I was covered
with sweat and panting, but the negative emotions refused to die down.
The last time I felt like this was when the god of woe and darkness, Czernobog, had nearly killed Sara. I’d seen the concern
in Adam’s eyes when he saw me pounding my fists into the dummy’s body until tears blurred my vision.
 I felt like he’d saved me when he grasped my hands, pulling me away from the mannequin. He pressed me to his chest, and
for some reason, in those powerful arms, I could breathe again.
‘It’s alright, Nina. She will be fine. Leszek will take care of her. It’s alright, sweetheart, you can cry with me,’ he’d
murmured, and my knees buckled, unable to keep my weight before he lowered us both to the floor. It had been the only time
since my divorce that I’d allowed a man to console me. To melt into his arms while he rocked me gently, wiping my tears
away.
I missed him. Despite being an annoying, egotistical arsehole who thought he had a divine right to tell me what to do because
the mighty Forest God made him my guardian, Adam had his moments.
I still remember when he saw me playing Fortnite, then rolled his eyes and took me to the middle of the room to show me
some actual fighting moves.
I’d been so happy when I’d finally landed a punch that I threw myself into his arms, laughing like a madwoman. At that
moment, Adam looked at me like I’d knocked away his blindfold, and he finally saw me, the real me, and he liked it.
‘What did you do to me? How do you make me feel so alive again? You are my Obsidian, so brittle I could crush you by
mistake and so sharp that your smile can cut me open. You make me feel vulnerable, Nina, and I don’t know what to do with
that,’ He’d said, leaving me speechless.
Fuck, I did it again. I thought, replaying that scene like a bad commercial that I couldn’t get out of my head. However, those
moments weren’t enough to make me forget he was a vampire who enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh a little too much while I
was a mundane human.
Adam had proposed turning me, but I refused. Submitting myself to anyone’s dominance and control was not on the menu, not
even to Adam’s. He was a Master of Tricity Seethe. All the vampires bowed to him, showing almost unquestionable
obedience, and if I were to be a vampire, he would be my master, and I would bow to him.
Romancing your boss would be a helluva conflict of interest, but without the transformation, all I would ever be was
another fling in his long, immortal life. I can’t go through that shit again. I just can’t. Even the comfort he brought was not
worth it. I thought, pulling my gloves off.
A sharp knock on my door startled me, and without a second thought, I went to open it. Two sombre-looking men stood in
front of me. Their eyes assessed me from top to toe before their gaze finally fixed itself on my face.
‘Mrs Zalewska? Nina Zalewska?’ Asked the taller of them, and I nodded in confirmation.
‘Could we have a moment of your time?’ He asked, flashing his badge and pushing forward to enter my apartment.
‘Until you tell me what this is about, there’s no way I’m letting you in, and I want to see your badge properly before you start
if you please.’I said, putting as much displeasure in my voice as it was possible. It wasn’t difficult, as I was still on edge.
‘Of course, Mrs Zalewska, my apologies. Here is my badge. We would like to talk to you about your brother,’ answered the
shorter male, placing a hand on his counterpart’s forearm.
Perfect. Now, I knew who’d be playing good cop. I thought, examining the warrant card that proved their identity and rank in
the police force after he pushed it under my nose. One way or another, I had to let them in. I needed to know. Whatever trouble
my idiot brother got himself into, I needed to know, and maybe, with a bit of luck, I would be able to help him.
I gestured to the policemen, pointing to the sofa and bracing myself before I asked the question.
‘What did he do this time?’
‘We were hoping you could tell us, Mrs Zalewska. Our colleagues from South Poland sent an alert that he might be in danger.
We would like to find him and ask him a few questions regarding his recent whereabouts.’ Mr Good Cop said, looking around
the room while the others’ gaze stayed glued to my breasts. I looked down, only now realising that my sports bra left little to
the imagination, and with as much dignity as I could muster, I went to grab my discarded shirt.
‘First, it’s Ms Zalewska. Second, why ask me? I’m sure whoever Pawel’s been mooching off would know more about his
whereabouts than I would. I haven’t seen him in ages, two years at least.’
‘The men Mr Zalewski was seen with are dead, I’m afraid. Dead and gutted like sacrificial pigs, so I suggest recalling when
you saw your brother last because it might just save his life.’ Mr Bad Cop stopped staring at my tits long enough to threaten me.
I think I preferred it when he was preoccupied with the puppies to this.
‘Gutted?’ I asked because Pawel, even unhinged as he was, didn’t hang around with killers. He was more hedonist than
fighter, always seeking pleasure in life; even his loan shark never threatened violence.
‘Yes, gutted. Drained of blood, hung upside down with an open abdomen and strangled by their own intestines like they wore
a bloody necklace, and the only connection between all five was your brother,’ said Bad Cop, grimacing. ‘I saw the pictures,
Miss Zalewska. Gutted is the only way to describe what was done to those poor souls.’
‘Oh, fuck!’
I must have looked like I was going to black out because the shorter man rushed over, grasping my arms before lowering me
to the armchair.
‘Can I get you some water, some tea?’ He asked as I struggled to contain the sudden panic attack.
‘No, It’s fine. Do you know who did it?’ I asked, but both men shook their heads.
 ‘No, that’s why we want to find your brother. This looks like a mafia vendetta. It was meant to send a message, especially
considering those men were no saints. Burglary, larceny, and even the desecration of graves.’ The shorter man said, finally
releasing my arms.
‘I don’t know where Pawel is or how to find him, but if he contacts me in the future, I promise to let you know.’ I answer
curtly, now in control of my breathing and eager to get them out of my apartment.
‘Are you sure you don’t have any information we could use?’ The nice one asked again, but I had already stood up.
‘No, as I said, I haven’t seen my brother in ages,’ I reminded them, walking toward the door and opening it. ‘I will contact
you if I learn anything. For now, please leave; this has all been very upsetting.’
They weren’t happy being forced to leave, Mr Bad Cop sending me hostile glares as he left, but unless they arrested me, they
had little choice. It wasn’t my first rodeo of law enforcement looking for Pawel. This and years of working in emergency had
taught me exactly what powers the police held.
As soon as they left, I went to the kitchen and pulled out a half-empty bottle of vodka kept there for special occasions. Or the
world ending, I thought, my heart hammering so hard I could hear the blood rushing through my arteries. I didn’t bother to reach
for a glass, simply opening the bottle and taking a swing.
The harsh, burning sensation of alcohol cascading down my throat made me cough and splutter, but after a moment, my heart
slowed down, muffled by a sudden wave of dizziness. Then, still holding the open bottle, I went back to the living room and sat
on the sofa. Grabbing my phone with my free hand, I scrolled through my contacts with shaking fingers until I finally found the
correct number and called.
‘Sara, I need your help.’ I said as soon as the call connected.
‘I’m on my way.’ That was Sara, never asking why, just dropping everything for family. I put the phone on the table and took
another swig, feeling a glimmer of hope in my despair.
The bottle was at my lips again before I realised. Gutted, fucking gutted by the mob. Pawel, what did you get yourself into
now? And why the fuck do I have to solve your problems again? I felt like crying, but would my tears help anything? They
never did, not when my mother died and not when my husband cheated on me. The only time crying didn’t feel like failure was
when Adam held me and made me feel I wasn’t so utterly alone.
Fuck, I wanted that. I would give anything to feel the vampire’s embrace chasing my fear away, but it’s not like I could call
him. Instead, I walked to the wardrobe and opened the bottom drawer. His old T-shirt, the same one he wore as we sparred
after the Fortnite game, was still there. I found it in the washing basket days after we split, and I just couldn’t bring myself to
throw away the last reminder of the little spark of happiness he’d brought into my life. It still smelled like him.
Before I realised what I was doing, I tipped the bottle back, draining it dry before I pressed my face into the fabric and
screamed.

I tried to keep focusing on one thing instead of letting my eyes float to the sides like some weird chameleon when the door
opened and Sara marched in with a massive pizza box.
‘I see you started without me.’ She said, pointing to the empty bottle before placing the pizza on the table. ‘C’mon, spill the
beans. What happened?’
The compassion in her voice broke the last string that held me together, and I felt the tears pour down my cheeks again.
‘The police came asking for Pawel. They said he was involved with some southern gang or something, and the men he was
with were killed. I can’t believe it, Sara. They said those men were gutted, torn open and….’ I couldn’t complete the sentence,
too horrified at what that might mean. ‘And I sent him away when he came asking for my help. What if he… if he….’ I couldn’t
talk. My throat tightened at the thought my brother could be out there, hanging upside down with his stomach torn open and
dying.
Sara didn’t say a word, sitting beside me, gathering my unresisting body into her arms, and then stroking my hair until the
tears stopped flowing.
‘He’s fine, Nina. You know what Pawel’s like. He has more lives than a farmer’s cat.’ Her voice sounded different, but it
didn’t register as she handed me some tissues. ‘Eat. I don’t want you passing out drunk on an empty stomach. While you gorge
on cheesy goodness, I’ll make a few phone calls.’
I ate what tasted like ashes to my anxious brain, my eyes following Sara as she talked to Leszek, the mobster Nadolny, and
then her ex, the former undercover cop, Kamil, before returning to sit with me.
‘None of them knows anything about Pawel, and there are no new bodies in the morgue, gutted or otherwise. Both Leszek and
Nadolny will keep an eye out for strangers asking questions, and Kamil promised he would find out more about what happened
in the south.’ With that, Sara grabbed a slice of what I realised was a tuna and mushroom pizza and proceeded to stuff her face,
groaning obscenely as she ate.
‘So we still have nothing. Can you maybe do your thing? Please?’ I asked, knowing my friend could summon visions of the
future, especially when it involved death or violence. A talent that had saved many of her patients in the past.
‘I can try, and well, I’ve been getting a lot better, but when it comes to people I don’t know well or can’t touch? It’s patchy at
best. Are you sure you don’t want me to call Adam? If anyone can find Pawel, it’s him.’
‘Fuck no,’ I exclaimed in a drunken panic, then blushed as I caught sight of his tear-stained T-shirt hanging off the chair. I
took a moment to calm down and answer properly. ‘At least, not yet. We didn’t part on the best terms, and I’m sure he’d take
great pleasure in seeing me beg for his help, but I’m not yet ready for that.’ The suspicious smile that blossomed on Sara’s lips
set off all my alarms, and I knew something was up.
‘I’m sure he deserved whatever you did to him, but I’m not here to judge, so get yourself dressed because we’re going to
Sopot.’ She said, pointing at the door to my bedroom.
‘To Sopot, wait, you want us to go to the Coven?’
I had been to both Sopot and the Coven’s villa before. The city was in the middle of the three cities, a beautiful part of the
Tricity area that was geared almost entirely toward tourism. Somewhere in the undeveloped area that separated Sopot from
Gdynia was a sprawling compound the Coven called their villa. It was an administrative hub for witchcraft, their university,
and the seat of their current leader, Veronica Sandoval. I knew very little about Veronica, but the few times I’d seen her with
Sara or Leszek were enough to realise she had a commanding presence with a temper as changeable as the element of air she
controlled, and her anger could be as cutting as a winter storm or as gentle as a summer’s breeze.
‘I told you evoking a vision of Pawel might be difficult. So we need to go to ask Veronica for the Coven’s help. If they allow,
I can call on their power to make it happen, and as he’s your brother, we might need your blood to focus on his presence in
Dola’s 1 tapestry,’ Sara explained as I hurriedly dressed.
‘Whatever, the sooner we find him, the better, so I can kill him myself. What the hell did he get himself into this time?’ I said,
feeling so much better now we had a plan. My friend got the job done, and if there was any solution to my current problems,
Sara was going to find it.
We soon arrived at the Sopot villa despite the afternoon traffic, the white walls appearing like magic from the surrounding
trees. I know it was just an effect of good landscaping, but the sight never failed to impress. It was a beautiful property, and
despite its size, it reminded me of Sara and Leszek’s home with its calm, welcoming atmosphere. Humans with magic, it
seemed, liked to be in touch with nature as much as any of the elder races, and this Coven was no different.
When Sara discovered she was a Soul Shepherd, a Seer with powers over spirits, she brought me here, and the feeling of
family and acceptance made me wish, just for a moment, that I had that spark of magic that would allow me to join these
incredible women. Unfortunately, I was only a human. The only supernatural thing I had in me was the remnants of Adam’s
venom from our first and only encounter, but even that must have faded away after so long.
‘Sara? How may I help you? I don’t recall any scheduled meetings.’ Veronica welcomed us into her office, and I could see
we’d surprised her while she was drawing what looked like alchemical diagrams and… a man’s portrait. I noticed Sara
recognise the subject as her eyebrows shot up, and she quickly glanced at Veronica, who scrambled to hide the sketch under her
other notes.
‘Hi Veronica, we didn’t schedule anything, but I need your help. We’re trying to locate Nina’s brother,’ she said, and I felt
uncomfortable when Veronica’s gaze slid over me.
‘Are you willing to pay the price?’ She asked, and I quickly glanced at Sara, who nodded, so I trusted her judgment and
looked back at the witch.
‘Yes, I am,’ I said a moment later.
‘You know what to do, Sara,’ Veronica remarked. The office was a dark, cosy room with a lounger and a few comfy
armchairs, and my friend pulled out her blouse before positioning herself on the lounger. I knew Sara had been training hard
here for the last two years, barely finding time for any other activities, but I still felt uneasy seeing her like this, especially
when Veronica approached me with a small black-handled knife in her hand.
‘What are you going to do?’ I asked, backing up a little, making her frown.
‘Didn’t you tell her?’ She asked Sara, and my friend gestured me closer.
‘The knife is an athame 2, Nina, and whilst very sharp, will not be used to bring harm to you. Remember how I said we’d
need a little blood? Well, the athame is made from a material that won’t interfere with magic. We only need a few drops to help
locate Pawel through your sibling bond and my special mojo.’ Sara was using her calming doctor’s voice to reassure me, and I
couldn’t help giving her a little evil side-eye before I held out my arm to Veronica.
The cut was shallow but surprisingly painful. It was almost like the knife was made of acid that now burned my skin.
Clearly, Sara had a different idea to me of what harm was, I thought. Veronica gathered the blood and moved toward Sara.
My friend paled slightly but nodded her forward.
 ‘I’m ready,’ she said, but the strain in her voice pushed me forward, and I grasped Veronica’s shoulder to hold her back.
‘Is it dangerous? For Sara?’ I asked. It was one thing for me to do something stupid to find Pawel, but I wouldn’t endanger
the woman who was like a sister to me.
‘I’ll be fine, but it’ll be a little messy, so look the other way if you want.’ Sara said, and before I could stop her, Veronica
smeared my blood onto my friend’s chest, drawing a sigil with the tip of the knife.
Sara’s body arched, and she gasped when a painful spasm twisted her spine. For a split second before she closed her eyes, I
saw a milky, otherworldly film obscure her pupils.
Veronica positioned herself behind Sara, supporting her weight and placing her fingers on my friend’s temples whilst
muttering an invocation.
Silver strands flowed into the room from various directions and slid beneath Victoria’s fingers.
‘What the fuck…?’ I muttered, and the coven mistress answered.
‘Our sisters are sharing their strength.’ She said, continuing to channel the strands, and I watched as if hypnotised. I
wished… Why can’t I be one of you? I thought, feeling the prickle of envy.
Ever since Sara introduced me to the Elder races, I found myself connecting with the people in this new reality, but I still had
the feeling I didn’t truly belong. I would love to join the Coven. The way witches and warlocks supported each other spoke to
my very soul. The pack was like a family of growling bastards held together by the stern discipline of the Alpha, a stern
version of a father figure, ready to sacrifice himself for his people.
Adam’s Seethe was ruled with similar authority, but maybe more like an iron fist in a velvet glove. Even with its ostentation
and politics, the vampires presented a united front to any external danger. Leszek, out of all those I knew, had led a solitary
existence until Sara entered his life.
But the Coven… the Coven was like a family. It wasn’t necessarily the magic that attracted me to it but the bonds they
created. Unfortunately, without magic, I was, and always would be, an outsider.
The minutes dragged by. I gnawed my fingernails to the quick as I decided I needed to have a good talk with Sara about what
she considered fine, and I’d probably throw in a sentence or two about harm as well; my arm was still smarting from the cut.
Suddenly, Sara jerked, falling onto her knees and heaving as she knelt on what looked like an expensive Persian rug, which
had Veronica cursing up a storm as she grabbed a box of tissues to stop her from making a mess. After a few moments of
coughing and spluttering, Sara looked up, her eyes now clear but filled with guilt.
‘I couldn’t see him, Nina. I’m so sorry. All I caught were glimpses of the past and a vague sense that he was alive. It felt like
banging my head against a brick wall, and nothing I tried could break through. Whether it was a spell or someone’s will, it
protected him from being found. I’ll have a chat with Leszek and ask for his help. I’m so sorry. I know you were hoping for
some answers,’ she said, staggering to her feet as I looked on, feeling defeated.
‘It’s alright, we’ll try something else. At least we know Pawel’s alive, and that’s all that matters,’ I said, jumping when the
phone in Sara’s pocket blasted out, “Cry Wolf,” and my friend gave me an apologetic smile.
‘I’m sorry. Leszek must have felt my distress through that bloody soul fragment he shoved in my chest,’ she grumbled,
answering the phone. It wasn’t the first time she’d complained about how the way he saved her life came with the price of
being hard-wired to his spirit. I heard her launch into a terse explanation before angrily ending the call.
‘Damned overprotective men, antlers or not. Let’s go. Someone will come to pick me up from your apartment because, guess
what? I’m not supposed to drive after scrying in case I have a dizzy spell.’
The outrage in her voice dragged a smile from my lips despite the situation. Leszek’s orders were utterly ignored as she
apologised to Veronica and formally thanked her, then bundled me into her car, driving to my place like a maniac.
‘Why don’t you tell him to stop acting like you’re made of glass?’ I asked, holding onto the door handle during one of Sara’s
wilder manoeuvres.
‘Because it wouldn’t change anything. After I almost died, Leszek sees danger in everything. Besides, if pampering and
protecting me makes him happy, I’m willing to put up with the minor inconvenience.’ She grinned, taking another turn. ‘He feels
better that way, and I still do what I want, but the difference is now I can always call my forest-scented cavalry for help.’
Despite the dread of my situation, I couldn’t help but laugh. My friend had her divine-powered husband wrapped around her
pinky, and they both were thrilled with this arrangement.
‘Come on, you. Hand over your feminist membership card,’ I joked.
We were still laughing when we pulled into my parking spot, but when I saw who was there to take Sara home, the laughter
died in my throat. The person leaning against his car so nonchalantly was the one I wasn’t ready to face.
Adam looked dangerously handsome. His dark hair curled behind his ears, giving his face a roughish charm. He looked good
in his modern cut three-piece suit, but somehow, despite his pose, he looked tense. When we exited the car and Sara hugged me
goodbye, he approached with a sarcastic smile lingering on his lips.
‘I thought Leszek said no driving for you today?’ He commented, nodding toward Sara, but his gaze never dropped from my
face.
‘I thought you knew I never listen to orders.’ She answered, giving me a quick peck on the cheek. ‘I’ll see you later, Nina.’
 Adam opened the door for her, and when she was seated on the passenger side, he turned toward me. After a prolonged
silence, his intense gaze slid over my face, and I swallowed hard, doing my best to act cold and distant as if this were a
random encounter with a chauffeur.
C’mon, Nina, you’d at least greet the chauffeur. I thought, pulling the tight smile on my face while my heart hammered in my
chest.
‘Hi, Adam.’ I must have been tired or just too stressed to think clearly, but even after all this time, I swear his beautiful dark
blue eyes lit up when I spoke.
Adam came closer, so close I had to tilt my head back to look at him. I was startled when he lifted his hand to touch my face.
Unsure of what he wanted to do, I flinched, stepping back. Something dark crossed his expression before the corner of his
mouth twitched, showing the arrogant smirk I knew too well.
‘Call me, Nina. Don’t overthink it, just call me… please,’ He asked, and my breath caught as hope suddenly blossomed
together with a warmth spreading through my chest right before the arsehole added. ‘Don’t drag Sara into your mess. Leszek
won’t be happy if she’s hurt again.’

1. Dola - the Polish goddess of fate and fortune that weaves the tapestry of fate for every living being
2. An athame or athamé is a ceremonial blade, generally with a black handle. It is the main ritual implement or magical tool used in ceremonial magic traditions.
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 Nursing - Concept Map
Winter 2023 - Academy

Prepared by: Teacher Davis

Date: July 28, 2025

Unit 1: Problem-solving strategies and techniques

Learning Objective 1: Experimental procedures and results
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Learning Objective 2: Practical applications and examples
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Learning Objective 3: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Learning Objective 4: Literature review and discussion
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Learning Objective 5: Current trends and future directions
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Key Concept: Experimental procedures and results
• Assessment criteria and rubrics
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Experimental procedures and results
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Historical development and evolution
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Important: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Example 9: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 10: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Appendix 2: Practical applications and examples
Example 10: Interdisciplinary approaches
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Example 11: Key terms and definitions
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 12: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Remember: Key terms and definitions
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Example 13: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 14: Experimental procedures and results
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 15: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Note: Historical development and evolution
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Key Concept: Ethical considerations and implications
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Definition: Historical development and evolution
• Study tips and learning strategies
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Important: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Module 3: Study tips and learning strategies
Example 20: Key terms and definitions
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Note: Ethical considerations and implications
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 22: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Remember: Research findings and conclusions
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Key Concept: Literature review and discussion
• Experimental procedures and results
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Experimental procedures and results
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 26: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Important: Literature review and discussion
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 29: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Example 29: Research findings and conclusions
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Abstract 4: Assessment criteria and rubrics
Note: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 31: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Definition: Key terms and definitions
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Note: Literature review and discussion
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Remember: Key terms and definitions
• Key terms and definitions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 34: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Key Concept: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Statistical analysis and interpretation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Best practices and recommendations
• Key terms and definitions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 36: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Definition: Best practices and recommendations
• Statistical analysis and interpretation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 37: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Key Concept: Current trends and future directions
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Practice Problem 38: Literature review and discussion
• Key terms and definitions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Current trends and future directions
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Abstract 5: Problem-solving strategies and techniques
Practice Problem 40: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Assessment criteria and rubrics
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Key Concept: Ethical considerations and implications
• Statistical analysis and interpretation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
[Figure 42: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Practice Problem 42: Research findings and conclusions
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 43: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Theoretical framework and methodology
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Study tips and learning strategies
• Theoretical framework and methodology
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 46: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Practice Problem 46: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Practice Problem 47: Case studies and real-world applications
• Literature review and discussion
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Example 48: Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Definition: Assessment criteria and rubrics
• Statistical analysis and interpretation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Part 6: Experimental procedures and results
Important: Assessment criteria and rubrics
• Statistical analysis and interpretation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 51: Ethical considerations and implications
• Problem-solving strategies and techniques
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Key Concept: Study tips and learning strategies
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Remember: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Example 54: Experimental procedures and results
• Assessment criteria and rubrics
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Key Concept: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Study tips and learning strategies
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Best practices and recommendations
• Current trends and future directions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 57: Study tips and learning strategies
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Ethical considerations and implications
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Note: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Key terms and definitions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Practice 7: Case studies and real-world applications
Definition: Historical development and evolution
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Practice Problem 61: Problem-solving strategies and techniques
• Problem-solving strategies and techniques
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Key Concept: Case studies and real-world applications
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Best practices and recommendations
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Key Concept: Historical development and evolution
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Note: Ethical considerations and implications
• Current trends and future directions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
[Figure 66: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Example 66: Key terms and definitions
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Practice Problem 67: Comparative analysis and synthesis
• Experimental procedures and results
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Note: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Key Concept: Ethical considerations and implications
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Module 8: Literature review and discussion
Practice Problem 70: Interdisciplinary approaches
• Statistical analysis and interpretation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Historical development and evolution
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Remember: Study tips and learning strategies
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Definition: Best practices and recommendations
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Case studies and real-world applications
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 75: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Key terms and definitions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Note: Ethical considerations and implications
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 77: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Note: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Note: Practical applications and examples
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Practice Problem 79: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Results 9: Critical analysis and evaluation
Example 80: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Literature review and discussion
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Remember: Critical analysis and evaluation
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 82: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Remember: Literature review and discussion
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Example 83: Study tips and learning strategies
• Current trends and future directions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Comparative analysis and synthesis
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Remember: Problem-solving strategies and techniques
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Example 86: Experimental procedures and results
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Historical development and evolution
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Note: Research findings and conclusions
• Theoretical framework and methodology
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 89: Practical applications and examples
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 90: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
References 10: Learning outcomes and objectives
Example 90: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Problem-solving strategies and techniques
• Key terms and definitions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Assessment criteria and rubrics
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Practice Problem 93: Critical analysis and evaluation
• Theoretical framework and methodology
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Key Concept: Key terms and definitions
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Example 95: Historical development and evolution
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Practical applications and examples
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Experimental procedures and results
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Critical analysis and evaluation
• Statistical analysis and interpretation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Note: Current trends and future directions
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Section 11: Best practices and recommendations
Key Concept: Ethical considerations and implications
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Note: Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Current trends and future directions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Remember: Critical analysis and evaluation
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 103: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Key Concept: Study tips and learning strategies
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Important: Assessment criteria and rubrics
• Fundamental concepts and principles
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Example 105: Historical development and evolution
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Practice Problem 106: Best practices and recommendations
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Current trends and future directions
• Experimental procedures and results
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Example 108: Current trends and future directions
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Remember: Comparative analysis and synthesis
• Key terms and definitions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Methodology 12: Critical analysis and evaluation
Note: Interdisciplinary approaches
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Important: Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Theoretical framework and methodology
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Example 112: Best practices and recommendations
• Fundamental concepts and principles
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Example 113: Key terms and definitions
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Note: Assessment criteria and rubrics
• Fundamental concepts and principles
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Example 115: Comparative analysis and synthesis
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 116: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Note: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Study tips and learning strategies
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Assessment criteria and rubrics
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Study tips and learning strategies
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Exercise 13: Ethical considerations and implications
Example 120: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
[Figure 121: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Practice Problem 121: Key terms and definitions
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 122: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Key Concept: Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Literature review and discussion
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Case studies and real-world applications
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 124: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Practice Problem 124: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Theoretical framework and methodology
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 125: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Remember: Experimental procedures and results
• Literature review and discussion
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
[Figure 126: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Important: Research findings and conclusions
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Practice Problem 127: Literature review and discussion
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Practice Problem 128: Interdisciplinary approaches
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 129: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Remember: Ethical considerations and implications
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Lesson 14: Comparative analysis and synthesis
Remember: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Problem-solving strategies and techniques
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 131: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Key Concept: Experimental procedures and results
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Important: Problem-solving strategies and techniques
• Fundamental concepts and principles
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Problem-solving strategies and techniques
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 134: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Definition: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 135: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Example 135: Critical analysis and evaluation
• Literature review and discussion
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Key Concept: Study tips and learning strategies
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Note: Comparative analysis and synthesis
• Assessment criteria and rubrics
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Example 138: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Interdisciplinary approaches
• Key terms and definitions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Abstract 15: Critical analysis and evaluation
Definition: Interdisciplinary approaches
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Historical development and evolution
• Study tips and learning strategies
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 142: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Important: Current trends and future directions
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Historical development and evolution
• Study tips and learning strategies
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 144: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Example 144: Key terms and definitions
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
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