My mouth dried. “Another love? He was never meant to be with me?”
“If not for thy love would thou hast possessed the strength to achieve all thou hast? Methinks such love destined.”
“I survived because I fought to get back to him.”
“And when thou died? Did the lure of everlasting love grow stale?”
“I had a choice. Run to him or to stay and fight. I chose right for everyone but him. I’m beginning to see I don’t put him first.” Tears pricked my eyes. “It felt like I did. He called me selfish once. I didn’t understand.” A tear broke rank and rolled down my cheek. “When you’re loved you have an obligation to live. Whenever you fall, you must stand. Not for yourself, but because love waits for you.”
“Life is naught but choices,” Sorcha whispered. “I made one mistake in a lifetime of obedience and servitude to my Tribe. I loved thy father, Nyal, in my way, but when I saw Daniel, I was lost.”
“Cael’s father.”
“Nyal did not understand why I desired a human. He called Daniel insignificant. He was not insignificant to me. He was all.” She closed her eyes. “There lay the problem. Daniel became everything. I forgot my responsibilities to my Tribe, to my life mate. And to my children.” She looked at me with remorse. “I would beg forgiveness, but the truth? I would still choose wrong. I am weak that way.”
I thought of all the times I’d wanted to run into Breandan’s arms, and let him whisk me away from my problems. How close I’d come to doing just that the last time I’d fought. “You think I’m not like that?”
“Thou were called upon to sacrifice for the greater good and thou gave all. Thou hast much to live for. Such magical love pulls thee. Thou struggle to do what is right yet thou prevail. That weakness is not a shared trait between this mother and her child. Thou art worthy of the love found with him.” Our eyes locked. “I was not.”
“I have another choice to make.”
“Yea.”
“Why did I fail? And why am I here of all places?”
“Thou may hath followed the path thee were supposed to.” Sorcha held up both hands, indecisive. “The elder gods are beings too. The oldest of old watch the young, and ease the monotony of forever with hopes and dreams they glimpse beyond eternity’s horizon. They desire balance. They’re worry not how ‘tis achieved just that it is.”
“Why am I here in a field under a storm? Why are you here?”
“Because thou wished it. I am here because loneliness frightens thee.”
“This is stupid.” I pushed onto my feet. “This can’t possibly be it. Everything I’ve been through, the horror, suffering and loss….” I choked, bereft and heartsick. “This can’t be it for me. Stuck in some random place I’ve dreamt up without the person I want. I love him. He doubts me because I’ve never been brave enough to say it.” Clapping a hand over my mouth, I realized not once had I told Breandan I loved him. I felt it, and assumed he knew, but words had meaning.
My butt hit the dirt, and I sobbed into my lap.
“Thy decision is straightforward. Sacrifice thy bond to the Guardian and mend the equilibrium as destined. Harness the power of love to set the world to rights. Negate my selfish deed.”
“I suffer for your selfishness, your failings. That’s balance?”
“Eye for an eye. Thou art my blood, my direct descendant.”
“I’m not the fairy Priestess anymore. Maeve–”
“Fate makes it tidy, alas, the choices we make run amuck with the fabric of what is meant to be. The bond betwixt thee and the Guardian is an anomaly. No being is meant to possess that power and remain on the earthly plane. Natural order forbids it. If the scales of existence were equal it could not occur.”
“I’m a burden, and this love between us costs him so much, but I don’t want to let him go.” I trembled, the dread endless. “I can’t decide this now.”
“Time is–”
“Wasting, I know.”
“If thou reverses the ritual used to bring thee here, returning to the Otherworld, balance will be restored.”
“My body?”
“As thy divine spirit crosses the veil thy corporeal form will turn to stone and crumble to dust.”
“The Loa?”
“Forced to abandon their vessels, and if they do not return from whence they came they shall drift ever amorphous.”
“Breandan brought me back because he believes immortal life isn’t worth it without me. I agree. Without him, I do not want it.”
“He will feel loss. Pain. Yet the grief of thy passing will fade, and he will live on. ‘Twill be done. Finished. True healing will begin.”
“The alternative is I go back and fight.”
“Thou risk much. Without him to feed thy power with love.”
“I stupidly thought to protect him by keeping him at the Wyld.” Sick of the tears, I scrubbed my face. “He promised he wouldn’t follow me this time.”
“Yea.” Sorcha’s face softened at my devastation. “Oh, Rae. Thou will meet thy love in the next life.”
I remembered Breandan’s face. Heard his forlorn plea echo in my ears. ‘It’s alright to put the one you love first. Put me first.’
Sorcha put her love first, and look what happened.
I twisted my fingers into a knot and pressed it into my stomach. The queasy feeling refused to ease. “I haven’t decided.”
She laughed. “Yea, thou hast chosen. I see it. Do not be afraid. Thy–” Sorcha lurched to her feet. Her eyes rounded with astonishment. “Now that is unexpected.”
Gaining my feet, I spun a circle and tripped over the masses of skirt swirling around my ankles. Untangling my legs from the silken material, I craned my neck around her body to see what startled her. “What? Wait!” I reached for her alarmed she became translucent. “Where the hell do you think you’re going? I haven’t decided.”
The landscape leeched of colour then melted into darkness.
“Nay. Thou hast not decided, but he hath. Hear him calling?” Smiling, Sorcha faded into smoke. “Be well, daughter.”
My heart stopped as a voice boomed from the heavens.
Rae-love.
“Breandan?”
The world roared back.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Alec
“The demons are nervous.” Kian scrubbed a hand over his bared chest, dark hair falling into his eyes. “Why did Rae’s friend not become like the other zombies?” He rubbed a hand over his mouth. “The smell is foul.”
“Rae channelled the Loa’s knowledge of resurrection, but she used fairy magics to resurrect the human,” Lochlann replied distracted by something Daphne whispered to him. “It is purer. Earth magic.” Focusing, he patted Kian’s shoulder. “We are prepared?”
“Yes. Tired, but ready. Another day’s rest before we enter the city would make the world of difference.”
Conall breathed out through his nose but nodded. “I see no harm in it.”
“Fine.” Lochlann blinked when no one contradicted him.
Baako remained quiet studying everyone with a cautious eye. Alarmed, my gaze skimmed the group then shot back to him.
Damn.
“I doubt waiting until tomorrow night is a solid idea,” Cael said, nonchalant.
Baako winced. He’d seen Breandan leave and said nothing. He met my gaze, saw that I knew, and eyeballed me. Breaking the stare, I said nothing. I wouldn’t have spoken up either.
It was Breandan’s right to follow after his mate.
“Nobody asked you,” Maeve grated, stopping at my side. Dressed in armoured trousers and a cropped top that bared her stomach, arms and back, the uncovered green skin goose-pimpled as if she could feel my eyes. Her quiver was strapped to her back, daggers latched to her legs, and her right arm encircled by a leather arm-guard. Her fiery hair was twisted up off her face and neck, but I knew the unruly mass would tumble free when she really started moving.
Lochlann spun, eyes darting around. “Eve, whe
re is Breandan?”
“You were supposed to watch him.” Her fingers tightened their grip on the bow she clutched until the wood creaked. Her eyes cut to Daphne stood at her brother’s left side. “I see you were distracted.”
Daphne and Maeve stared at each other, tensing, leaning closer as if about to lunge. Cursing softly, Lochlann slid in front of Daphne and murmured something to her.
I clasped the nape of Maeve’s neck and whispered in her ear. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Death no longer breaths down my neck,” Kian muttered.
Samuel frowned in confusion.
Lorken crossed his muscled arms and sniffed. “Humans.”
“Breandan’s gone,” Daphne said.
Samuel appeared less baffled but still asked, “Why does that make Kian feel–”
“Poor blood sack.” She patted his arm. “Don’t you feel an ominous sense of doom when he’s around?”
His face lightened with relief. “It’s not just me?”
Lochlann hissed and stormed up to Cael. “You said nothing.”
“Do I look like one of your underlings?” Cael moved his head to put space between him and the fuming High Lord. “Why would I stop him from doing the same thing I’ve itched to do for days?” Cael brushed spittle off his tunic. “I’d have left if I wasn’t certain you’d use it as an excuse to skewer me.”
Countenance fierce, Lochlann spun, determination stamped on his features. “We leave. Now.”
Kian saluted and charged into action, shouting orders to the fairy Knights who rushed to pass the message on.
Daphne eyed Cael. “Aren’t you going to demand we save your Coven?”
The he-witch’s gold eyes flicked up. Thoughtful. “If their innards weren’t decorating the Wyld then yes, I’d ask, but as it stands the request would be futile.” He paused. “Naomi is my Daughter. Spare her and my other Daughters if they’re alive.” He snapped his fingers. “There is a vampire you cannot kill.”
“Don’t worry about Tomas,” Daphne said. “My Sire can handle himself.”
“Wonderful as that is to know, I am talking about a vampire, not a phantom. A boy named Raj.” Cael chopped with the side of his palm at his collarbone. “He is yea high and possesses a certain vulnerability I inexplicably find myself unable to exploit. I’d prefer he survived the night.”
Half turned to leave, Baako studied him. “There’s something not quite right about you.”
Cael smirked. “Funny. That’s what my last enemy said realising I held his beating heart in my hand.” Cael scrutinised the moving lines of demons and hummed in satisfaction. “Shall we press on?”
Po-faced, Lochlann inhaled deeply and walked away from the he-witch though it was clear he wanted to tear him to pieces. Conall and Kian flanked the fairy High Lord and the others followed.
It was time.
Releasing her nape, my hand caressed down Maeve’s back and arm until I entwined our fingers. I was unsure of how to express how I felt for her in a way she’d completely understand. We’d experienced bad communication issues, and I needed her to know in case something happened to me. “Maeve, my own, I–”
She twisted and fit a finger across my lips. “You are a good Alpha, but you’re going to become a wonderful life mate.” She giggled, nervous. “I’ll be the best alpha female I can. We can do this, Alec.”
Overwhelmed, I cupped her elbows and leaned my head to hers. Our lips brushed. She smelled and tasted sweet. Wanting nothing more than to take her somewhere private, groaning, I pulled back, and calmed the frenetic beast wanting to mark her. “Later, Eve.”
“I know.” She twinkled at me. “We need to focus on the battle.”
“Are you sure you want to be here? I can send you home….” I trailed off at her steely glare.
I stripped and chuckled as she flushed and bit her lip at my nude body. Beaming, I crouched to Change with the rest of our Pride. The stooped males gave me knowing grins while the females rolled their eyes before focusing on their own morphing bodies.
After this battle, I’ll return home and Claim my mate.
The thought made the shift from human to panther happen in the blink of an eye. My heart quickened, and my body shook. My muscles tensed and contracted until I vibrated with tension, and as if flint struck glassy stone the sparking moment when the primal opus of my being transformed from man to beast was a ferocious judder that snapped my head back. Only another shifter could see the emerald coils of energy swirling around me. It saddened me Maeve would never witness the beauty of two-natured magic. I inhaled. Held the breath as the burn became scorching. Exhaling, the Change rolled over me too quickly to brace against. Nose flattening and brow slanting to become sleekly feline, my pupils dilated then contracted into oval slits. My ears lengthened to rounded points and moved upwards as my face stretched and my teeth elongated to bright white fangs. My back arched as my spine extended. I thrashed my tail side to side, a limb as long as my body. Dense fur pushed through the skin of my shortening limbs and raced up my arms and legs, appearing a jet-black stain across my back and belly. My maw wrenched open, and I snarled as the final bolt of heat shifted my organs and everything tightened into place. Powerfully muscled jaw receding to a softer triangle, my face was furred, and my body warm and snug under a gleaming coat.
My hide featured waxen rosettes, and having seen how attractive they appeared on a distant relation, I’d grown vain about them.
I purred, imagining rubbing myself against Maeve’s legs hoping she liked them since I adored everything about her.
Blinking rapidly as I adjusted to the keener dimensions of my sight, I stretched, flexing my paws to scratch at the earth with my claws.
Yawning, my tongue flicked out and I hastily sucked it back in, disgusted by the reek of decomposed flesh permeating the air. I focused my nose on the fruity perfume emanating from Maeve and the spicy, comforting scent of my fellow shifters.
Our musk was heavy in the air after so many Changing at once, and the sound of throaty screams and gruff roars were music to my twitching ears.
While smaller in size than some of the weretigers and werelions in the pride, I adapted best, fought the fiercest, and none were better at climbing, a priceless skill to have when dealing with so may other demon species that claimed territories with radically different topographies than the grasslands we lived in at the Pride.
The Pride flanked me for a while then we split and weaved our way through the ranks of horses carful to avoid their hooves. The ends of crimson cloaks brushed the top of my head and back as I moved. The unpleasant memories of being attacked by Clerics make me shiver.
Controlling their mounts with their knees, the Clerics armed their rifles as they rode into the city. The clomping of hooves sounded loud on the paved streets. It made me wince, knowing the noisy advance would warn our enemies from miles away.
It surprises me humans survived as long as they have.
Shoving my nose higher, I picked up on Samuel and Lorken’s scents and slinked up beside them. Maeve joined us, scarlet irises uneasy as she stared into the mist.
I rubbed my face on her armoured calf to let her know I protected her. She stroked me between the ears, intensely studying the city, tapping her bow firmly on her other leg.
She was alpha female and the Pride knew to protect her as best they could whilst in combat, but I worried about her stubborn streak. We’d had a long conversation during the journey about her staying close to me at all times. So far she’d done as we agreed, but I felt a mounting tension she refused to speak of. I shook off my unease and concentrated. Whatever she was worried about could wait. She was likely upset over her damaged relationship with her brothers, something we’d remedy in time.
Tribal fairy Knights, bare chests marked with war paint, glided silently between the advance. Goblins strode beside them, short knives and clubs held tightly in their brawny fists.
It was up to mine, Samuel and Lorken’s people to destroy as many v
ampires and zombies as possible north of the river as the fairies headed south to the Coven Wyld to determine what happened with Breandan and Rae.
Ana confirmed they were alive, but refused to explain anything else, which made us wary, but hopeful too. Rae and Breandan were our most powerful allies. I doubted we’d be able to rally if they were destroyed.
If it came to it, I’d have to retreat to keep my Pride and mate safe.
We’d lost too many of our number to survive another culling.
I retched when the stench of rotting flesh teased my nose. I growled, a sound echoed by the rest of the shifters.
A lower, deeper rumble revealed Baako’s presence not too far from where I prowled.
The scent intensified until we shifters reacted to the Clerics abrupt charge and broke rank. We raced forward past the galloping hoofs to leap, claws extended, fangs bared, onto the surge of zombies cresting the mound of debris.
As I mauled an eyeless wretch spoiled blood and putrid flesh oozed into my mouth. The vicious liquid coated my tongue, and putrid gristle wedged between my teeth. My eyes watered. Snarling, I ripped out its throat and finished the decapitation with my paws. Saliva slicked the walls and roof of my maw and I hunched over, battling through my gag reflex. It passed. I shuddered, tilting my head to scan for prey.
Forked lightening split the sky and thunder rolled. The heavens opened and rain wet my fur as the winds howled mournfully.
The deafening sound of rifle discharge and the dull thud of head’s hitting the ground had a thrill zipping down my spine.
I flicked my tail and stuck my nose higher to find my mate. Her trail took me through a graveyard of crushed bodies with arrows protruding from their eyes and mouths.
Maeve and Lorken fought a circle of zombies and vampires.
The goblin doubled in size, a giant. Lorken swung his club and smashed the heads of three zombies before grabbing a vampire and ripping its arm off. He bludgeoned the blood drinker to death with its own limb. He roared. Thick veins streaked across his bulging muscles, and the cords of his neck bunched. His pupils dilated to solid discs of black and held not a whisper of gentle emotion. His expression was pure rage and aggression. Attention turning to me, he took a threatening step.