Panthers of Brigantia Shifter Box Set

by Lisa Daniels

“Yeah. I learned a lot on the other plane and until just a couple of days ago, I was pretty much still tracking everything from the outside. Not everything, but key aspects of—”

  “Your mind is tied up in the hearts. And there is one in Ishtar.” Caspian’s eyes looked at her intently for any sign that he was wrong.

  Phoenix’s mouth opened a little, but it was Orion who answered, “How did you know that?”

  Caspian tapped his mouth with a long, elegant finger. “Yes, that makes sense. Ishtar was full of seers, and no matter how watered down their blood, they must be calling to her, but Miracle doesn’t know that is what she is hearing. She thinks it is prophecies roiling around, because as she admitted, she has been mostly dormant for years.” He stood up and started pacing. “If I try to fix the latest curse, it will just make things worse because they will catch her. Maverick isn’t going to be able to protect her alone. The problem is,” he stopped and looked at the pair, “I have already proven with Dulce that my presence is not a good thing. I mean, her champion died, and she was poisoned with something that made her easy to track. If Orion had been there—”

  The shifter stepped forward, “The same thing could have happened. I don’t think that the blame lies with you either. Draven is absolutely right.”

  “Oh good, point out another way that my students have surpassed me.” Caspian gave him a look.

  Orion laughed, “Ignacio found the Holding Place on his own and was using it for storage.” Caspian raised an eyebrow. Orion pointed at him and laughed, “Yeah, that’s what I said. Still haven’t had a proper conversation with him about it, but Rosaline figured out that they could go through it, then figured out that you could use it to heal, too. So, don’t cry to me about being surpassed by the younger people. And if you ask me, Draven didn’t surpass you. He was always ahead of you in that area. He puts the blame where it is due instead of constantly blaming himself for the things that go wrong. How did he put it?”

  Phoenix smiled, “You aren’t so important that everything that goes wrong is your fault.”

  Caspian laughed, “Not quite. ‘You aren’t one of the gods, so don’t go claiming that you were responsible for everything that goes wrong. You aren’t that important.’ That’s more his way of putting someone in their place.” He rolled his head around his neck, causing it to pop. “Speaking of Draven, they already took out the heart near Belson.”

  “Yes, that isn’t the one you guys are going to destroy.” Orion looked over at Phoenix as he spoke. He was going to let her deliver the worst part of the news—that was how they rehearsed it.

  “You are going to the capital for a reason. There are no uncontrolled seers left, so they have brought the heart out of hiding and are now using it to control everyone for miles around the city.”

  Caspian froze, his eyes boring into Phoenix, a grim look on his face. “So everyone is going to try to stop us.”

  Phoenix nodded.

  “We don’t stand a chance. Not three of us with a large heart of seers and an entire city against us.”

  Orion stepped forward, “I think you can. You’ve never shied away from a challenge.”

  “A challenge, no. Suicide, yes. I’ve never been the suicidal type.”

  “Of course you aren’t. You are practically immortal.”

  “Okay, then, I’m not a masochist. And I really, really do not want to watch Maverick get slaughtered. I am not going to willingly take him into danger to die. That is not happening.”

  Phoenix stood up and walked over to him, “Please, Caspian, we need you to go. There are three hearts left. Orion and I plan to take a team into the capital of Sumaria. And we are asking a few others to lead the way to another heart along the coast near Solona. But you guys are leaving tomorrow. I don’t see any way that anyone can make it to help you before then.”

  Caspian looked between the pair. His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly as he looked at Phoenix, then he looked away. His tone was a little detached as he said, “I don’t see how we can be successful without at least one more. I’m good, but not that good. And Maverick will be distracted by trying to keep her safe. But I understand and will do what I can.”

  Phoenix and Orion shared a look behind his back. Caspian knew they were communicating, and he let them because whatever they had to say was not his business. Even if it was about him. Clearly they were both worried, but weren’t offering any help. The shock of seeing Phoenix had worn off incredibly quickly, leaving him feeling much more alone. Heaven watched as several expressions passed across the assassin’s face, and she knew that this encounter was not going to be a salve for him. He was going to come out of it in far greater pain. Shit, I’m going to have to do something, aren’t I? Her mind raced as she watched them. She couldn’t interrupt their discussion, but certainly there was something she should be able to do to alleviate some of the fallout.

  “So,” Caspian said, his eyes looking up at the sky, “when do you have to go back?”

  “We wanted to catch up with you for a bit, but we’re supposed to start the meeting in a few hours. At the compound, since many of the people are there anyway.” Orion placed a hand on Phoenix’s shoulder as her voice seemed a little shaken by the colder tone in Caspian’s voice.

  Leaning back a little and looking over his shoulder, Caspian clarified his question, “That much I assumed. I meant when do you have to go back to the other plane?”

  The couple exchanged another look. Caspian turned back around, unable to look at them, his eyes rolling as he did.

  “Well, they can’t take me back in my current condition,” Phoenix said, a smile playing uncertainly on her lips.

  “I realize you can’t go back until your mind is fully repaired, but once that happens, balance will be restored, and that must mean you have to return.”

  Phoenix was no longer certain if it was a good idea to tell him the other news. Stopping Orion from answering, she stood up and said, “Of course, but let’s see how the rest of this goes before—”

  Caspian looked around at her again, “Or were you referring to the fact that you are pregnant? You can’t go back if you are expecting, can you?”

  Neither of them knew how to respond to that.

  He flashed his usual smile, “Congratulations. You both deserve to be happy. I wish you luck in figuring out how to make it more permanent. With nearly a year to work it out, I have no doubt you will. If you will excuse me, it appears I need to prepare for the impossible. It was great to see you again, Phoenix. Do be careful now that you are fighting for two.” He didn’t give them a chance to say anything before stepping through the Holding Place.

  Phoenix looked at the place where Caspian had been standing. “I don’t….”

  Orion pressed himself against her back and wrapped his arms around her. Resting his head on top of hers, he murmured, “I know. He’s not at all the person you remember. Watching him isn’t the same as experiencing it.”

  “But…” a tear rolled down her face, “I just didn’t… he’s so alone.”

  “Yes, yes, he is, but he won’t let anyone help. Come on. We have other things we need to do. Once we get rid of the Unwashed, we can try to fix Caspian.”

  “I don’t understand. I was so—”

  “I know.” He turned her around and stroked her hair. “I feel the same way. But right now there are more pressing issues, and Caspian is more than capable of managing himself for the time being.”

  “I don’t know if that is true, though. I really don’t think he is.”

  “Look, Phoenix,” he gently took her chin and brought his face down so that he could look into her eyes, “I knew you would be more worried about him after seeing him, but right now we have to get your mind put back together. Once you have that and balance is restored, we can figure out what to do for him. Although, I will warn you now that he is not going to make it easy. The only time he accepts help is…” Orion sighed. “One thing at a time. Caspian will keep for another week or two. The Unwashed
must be eliminated now.” He gently brushed away another tear.

  “You are right.” Her eyes went back to where Caspian had been. “Of course you are right. He’s more than capable, and the Unwashed have been unchecked for too long.”

  Orion gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead before opening a way through the Holding Place. “Don’t look for him when you go through. He will be long gone.”

  “I—how did you know?”

  “Because I know you.”

  “Do you know where he went?” Phoenix looked up at him as she stepped through the opening.

  “That’s the strange thing. He passes straight through the Holding Place, almost like it is a screen door. I don’t know anyone else who can do that.” A sound caught his attention as Orion was about to follow Phoenix. Stopping, he looked around for the source of the noise. He narrowed his eyes, but Orion could not detect anything. Feeling apprehensive, he wondered for a moment if he should leave Caspian a note. Then he laughed and shook his head.

  “Are you coming?” Phoenix’s voice was just audible from the other side of the opening.

  “Yes, yes. Sorry. Just thought I heard something. I must be getting paranoid now that I’m going to be a father.”

  “If there is one thing we don’t have to worry about, it is someone spying on Caspian,” Phoenix’s voice was a little clearer.

  “That’s exactly what I was thinking.” He stepped through and the opening closed.

  Once they were gone, Heaven leaned against a tree and slid down. Her fingers furiously pulled at her lip as she fought back the panic she was feeling. The entire Ishtar capital had been taken, and she hadn’t even noticed. “You are getting sloppy, Heaven. Too sloppy.” Her muttered words were heard only by a few animals nearby. A small fox approached her, rubbing its head against her leg. Heaven was startled into the moment. “Oh, how sweet of you. Don’t worry, I’ll be just fine.”

  The fox moved over to her and sniffed at her bloody fingers. Its large black eyes stared into her golden ones. “Ah, haha,” she laughed as she realized how much her lip was bleeding. “I’m not exactly fine now, but I will be. Don’t worry.” She stroked the fox’s head, waiting for Caspian to return. She knew where he was, but was not about to interrupt him while he allowed himself a few moments to grieve what his life had become. The couple had come to talk to him, but had placed far too much emphasis on the mission and left him to figure everything else out on his own. They said they wanted to catch up, but in the end they had thought it best not to tell him that she was pregnant. The lack of trust must have been heartbreaking for him. Phoenix may have meant well, but her arrival was one of the worst things that could have happened to Caspian at that time. With a city under siege, Caspian needed to focus. Now it would be impossible to ignore the emotions she had inspired in him.

  “Shit,” Heaven muttered. “I’m going to have to go, aren’t I?”

  The fox looked up at her, not comprehending what she meant.

  “Alright, fine. I know it’s my mistake, so I need to clean it up. Story of my life, right?” She patted the fox as she rested her head and allowed her mind to wander far from the problems of the present.

  Chapter 2

  What He Needs

  Heaven watched Caspian after he returned. It was clear he had not recovered from the shock of seeing Phoenix, and he was far too unfocused for her liking. There had been a number of times where he had gone into dangerous situations not fully focused, but this was different. Heaven had never felt the need to interfere with any of his plans, though she had felt guilty for letting him suffer through the worst turn of events. Caspian never took failure well, but it was impossible to call any of his endeavors completely successful. Everything he did was tinged with sorrow or regret. Even in his work as an assassin, things had not turned out well for him. For example, he had turned the Order against him by killing a mystic who had turned rogue and was killing off other magic users. The Order didn’t know that she had been working with the Unwashed, helped them further their studies. They were after her for something else entirely, but Caspian had been the one who had to deal with her. It had made it that much harder to approach them to get their assistance against the Unwashed.

  There were only a few exceptions, like Draven and Maverick. He had been able to train them into an adept combination of champion and assassin, but their personalities were completely different from that of a champion. They were accepted by the champions, largely because of Haiden’s remarkable abilities of persuasion. Still, they were on the margins of their kind, particularly Draven. As a result, Caspian had refused to get close to anyone, never asked for help. When he was needed, he kept his contact with people to a minimum. If there was one thing that Heaven knew about Caspian, it was that he was not alright with being alone. Their time fighting her sister had taught her just how much Caspian needed people, no matter how gifted he was.

  The real problem was that Caspian had still been far more successful than anyone but Orion and the albino. They were the only other living creatures who could possibly manage the kind of balance and stability that Caspian brought to areas. As that kind of player in the world, nothing was ever going to be black and white. Heaven could see the good that came from Caspian’s actions, even if the results weren’t immediate. Often there were ripples that moved out, creating a much better place for everyone. It was Caspian who forced Caden into confessing the feelings he had tried to ignore for Callie, and that had been one of the biggest causes for the changes now being made in the Order. That was worth so much more than the time lost for the alliance with the Order. Caspian could not save Dulce’s champion a few years ago, but he had managed to save her. Coupled with his having turned two outcasts into some of the most effective fighters the jaguars had, there was no question that the assassins were willing to do more to help if they were asked. He had helped to move Jade to Callie’s old village, and had left a kind of protection around the village there so that the impending war would not affect them. And all he got in return were a couple weeks of home-cooked meals. Heaven smiled. He really did love home-cooked meals, largely because he always ate alone. It was the companionship he felt, not the food, that really made him happy. Yet he had left protection that no human and few magic users could penetrate around a small village of people he probably would never see again. No life was too minor for him to be concerned, and that approach had far-reaching consequences.

  Heaven also knew why he was so willing to go beyond what was necessary. She was the only one who understood what drove him.

  “You are going to have to talk to him, Heaven. This can’t go on much longer. Just look at him. It’s your fault he’s like that.” Her eyes followed him as she tried to convince herself to go talk to the assassin. “Well, not all your fault, of course. All of that stuff with Phoenix happened before he met you. He was so young.” She smiled and her eyes seemed to stare off for a moment. “If only things had worked out a bit differently. Caspian would have been happy with her. And both he and Orion would have been dead a long time ago.” She shivered at the thought, then flopped down on the forest floor. “I wish the fox were still here. It’s nice to have someone to talk to during these times.”

  Heaven stared at her hands, her eyes hurting a little less now as the sun was setting. She barely moved as she tried to work herself up to finally talking to Caspian. Clearly, he would have to calm down before that was possible, but time was beginning to run out.

  Twisting her fingers together, Heaven ignored the pain in her stomach. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t eaten in days, it was really more of a formality than a necessity for her, and there wasn’t time for that kind of luxury.

  “Are you sure you aren’t just using this as an excuse? If you would have spoken to him yesterday, he would know what to do instead of being blindsided by Phoenix. He probably would have set off early, on his own—oh, right, that wouldn’t have been good either. Maybe you could have taken him back to your place.” She continued to st
are at her hands. “But that could have triggered memories, and that would have been a disaster.” Throwing her head back with the agony of constantly second-guessing herself, Heaven looked at the stars. “You guys are no help, are you? What about not having to do everything on my own? What about having someone to help me? Where is this help I was promised? Not a single one of them was willing to stay with me after learning the truth.” Her eyes moved to a small, dim star. “You are the worst, aren’t you? I know you are laughing up there. Laughing at me. Well, I’m still not sorry about what I did. You were going to destroy everything, so you got what you deserved. And you ruined his life.” Heaven pulled her knees to her chest. “We ruined his life,” her voice was barely above a whisper.

  “I can’t talk to him tonight. It will only make things worse. When is it going to be the right time, though?” She groaned. “I really hate dealing with people because there is never a good time. And then you have to talk to them. That part never goes over well.”

  She flopped down on the ground and let her mind wander far away as the night started.

  Sounds from Caspian’s area the next morning let her know that he was up and preparing to leave. Waiting for him to finish collecting his things, Heaven knew that it would be a while before she could approach him. For now, all she could do was to watch how he interacted with the seer and his student. It did bother her that he was leaving so early. That was not like Caspian at all.

  It’s not going to be pretty since I know he sees Mercy when he looks at her. He has to know that she is a descendant of that woman, but he is keeping himself together quite well. I wish I could be more like him. Or at least had a fraction of his charm. Life would be a little less lonely, then. Maybe. She looked up at the sky, all of the stars hidden in the light of the sun. We are all fools. Some of us are just much happier fools.

  Her eyes moved back to Caspian just as he stepped through the opening. She knew exactly where he would come out, so she created her own space and moved through to Maverick’s cabin. Caspian would be a couple of miles away because Maverick would be watching for him. Those few people who could travel through the Holding Place were always very careful not to let others know about its existence. No one would be watching for her—nearly no one knew that she existed. It was one of the benefits she had. Moving her head side to side, Heaven adjusted the color of her hair to a raven black and changed her eye color to a sky blue. She knew exactly what they would assume when they saw her.