Cecy Robson: Cursed By Destiny

Leader:A pureblood werebeast in charge of delegating and planning attacks against the evils that threaten the earth.

lone :A werebeast who doesn’t belong to a clan and therefore is not obligated to protect the earth from supernatural evil. Considered of lower class by those with clans.

master vampire:A vampire with the ability to turn a human vampire. Upon their creation, masters are usually killed by their grandmaster for power. Masters are immune to fire and sunlight born of magic, and they typically carry tremendous power. Only a master or another lethal preternatural can kill a master vampire. If one master kills another, the surviving vampire acquires his or her power, wealth, and keep.

mate:The being a werebeast will love and share a soul with for eternity.

misericordia :A plea of mercy in a duel.

moon sickness:The werebeast equivalent of bloodlust. Brought on by a curse from a powerful enchantress, and causes excruciating pain. Attacks a werebeast’s central nervous system, making the werebeast stronger and violent, and driving the werebeast to kill. No known cure exists.

mortem provocatio :A fight to the death.

North American Were Council:The governing body of weres in North America, led by a president and several council members.

potestatem bonum :“The power of good.” That which encloses the Earth and keeps demons from remaining among the living.

purebloods (aka pures):Werebeasts from generations of were -only family members. Considered royalty among werebeasts and carry the responsibilities of continuing their species. The union of two purebloods is the only way to guarantee the conception of a were child.

shape-shifter:Shape-shifters are born witches. They spend years seeking innocents to sacrifice to a dark deity. When the deity deems the offerings sufficient, the witch casts a baneful spell to surrender his or her magic and humanity in exchange for immortality and the power of hell at their fingertips. Shape-shifters can command any form and are the deadliest and strongest of all mystical creatures.

shift :Celia Wird’s ability to break down her body into minute particles. Her gift allows her to travel beneath and across soil, concrete, and rock. Celia can also shift a limited number of beings. Disadvantages include not being able to breathe or see until she surfaces.

solis natus magicae :The proper term for sunlight born of magic, created by a wielder of spells. Considered “pure” light. Capable of destroying nonmaster vampires and demons. In large quantities may also kill shape-shifters. Renders the wielder helpless once fired.

surface:Celia Wird’s ability to reemerge from a shift .

susceptor animae :A being capable of taking another’s soul, such as a vampire.

Trudhilde Radinka (aka Destiny):A female born once every century from the union of two witches. She possesses rare talents and the aptitude to predict the future. Considered among the elite of the mystical world.

turn :The rare ability to transform a human into a werebeast or vampire. Werebeasts pierce the heart of a human with their fangs and transfer a part of their essence. Vampires pierce through the skull and into the brain to transfer a taste of their magic. Werebeasts risk their lives during the turning process as they are gifting a part of their souls; should the transfer fail, both the werebeast and the human die. Vampires risk nothing since they’re not losing their souls, but rather taking another’s and releasing it from the human’s body.

vampire:A being who consumes the blood of mortals to survive. Beautiful and alluring, vampires will never appear to age past thirty years. Vampires are immune to sunlight unless created by magic. They are also immune to objects of faith such as crucifixes. Vampires may be killed by the destruction of their hearts, decapitation, or fire. Master vampires or vampires several centuries old must have both their hearts and heads removed, or their bodies completely destroyed.

vampire clans:Families of vampires led by master vampires. Masters can control, communicate, and punish their keep through mental telepathy.

velum :A veil conjured by magic.

virtutem lucis :“The power of light.” The goodness found within each mortal. That which combats the darkness.

Warrior:A werebeast possessing profound skill or fighting ability. Only the elite among weres are granted the title of Warrior. Warriors are duty-bound to protect their Leaders and their Leaders’ mates at all costs.

Werebeast (aka were ):A supernatural predator with the ability to change from human to beast. Werebeasts are considered the Guardians of the Earth against mystical evil. Werebeasts will achieve their first change within six months to a year following birth. The younger they are when they first change , the more powerful they will be. Werebeasts also possess the ability to heal their wounds and can live until the first full moon following their one hundredth birthday. Werebeasts may be killed by destruction of their hearts, decapitation, or if their bodies are completely destroyed. The only time a were can partially change is when he or she attempts to turn a human. A turned human will achieve his or her first change by the next full moon.

witch:Born with the power to wield magic, they worship the earth and nature. Pure witches will not take part in blood sacrifices. They cultivate the land to grow plants for their potions, and use staffs, amulets, and talismans to amplify their magic. To cross a witch is to feel the collective wrath of her coven.

witch fire:Orange flames encased by magic, used to assassinate an enemy. Explodes like multiple grenades when the intended victim nears the spell. Flames will continue to burn until the target has been eliminated.