by Raye Wagner
Midnight Lies
Shifter Island Book Two
Raye Wagner
Leia Stone
Copyright © 2020 by Raye Wagner and Leia Stone
All rights reserved.
Cover by KD Richie at Story Wrappers
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Acknowledgments
Also by Raye Wagner
Also by Leia Stone
Chapter 1
The moon hung bloated and heavy in the night sky, its light casting everything in a deathly pallor as if even the heavens mourned the Midnight prince’s passing. Noble pulled the boat alongside the dock, and Justice and Rage worked together to tie us off. Unlike my last trip to Dark Row, no one approached as we disembarked and made our way toward the busy market. Heavy incense, yeasty breads, cardamom, cinnamon, and seared steak perfumed the air.
At least, I hoped that was steak. Given the illegal nature of the activities here, the smell could be any kind of meat. The thought made my stomach roil, and I shivered as the wind picked up. Nothing like an icy wind to add to the creepiness factor.
“You do not leave my side,” Rage growled, tucking me closer into his body with possessive force.
I wiped away a stray tear, letting him guide me as we walked down the torchlit path. Shadows danced in tandem with the flames as a cloud lumbered over the moon, blocking its light.
The vision of Honor howling and writhing in pain … the sensation of holding his burned wolf in my arms … I couldn’t stop the scene from replaying in my mind.
Honor is dead.
“I can’t believe you want to deal with the dark witch again,” Rage grumbled. “She and this place are not safe.”
I straightened and pulled away from him. “I don’t see how it could be worse than Alpha Academy right now. Besides, this is the only way to bring Honor back.”
His brow furrowed, and I knew my harsh tone had struck home. Was I mad at Rage? Or the world? Too tired and overwhelmed to analyze those emotions, I gritted my teeth and slogged forward. With zero doubt, I was 100.9% pissed with the alpha king.
Mostly, I just wanted Honor back.
“I just want to make sure you’re safe,” Rage replied, his tone softer. “It’s my role as your mate and shield to provide and protect.”
I blushed at his casual use of the M-word. Total 180 from two days ago. Or was that yesterday? Either way, I shook my head and held out my hand to stop him. “I’m your equal, Rage. If you can’t respect that … our bond is going to suffer.”
His jaw hardened, and he narrowed his eyes. I didn’t need our mate bond to know he was upset, so I scooted nearer to Noble to make conversation when Rage snaked out and grabbed me gently. When I looked back, orange fire danced in his eyes.
“Nai, you are my equal and, in case I wasn’t clear before, I’m madly in love with you. The last thing I want is to hurt you.”
The breath whooshed out of me in a rush as my cheeks flushed. Justice gave Noble a knowing grin, but Rage didn’t even look up at his brothers.
My mate moved closer, capturing my attention. “Everything I do is because I love you. You know that, right?”
Love. Madly in love.
Whoa.
His words pinged around my head until I felt dizzy.
We stopped in the market, clogging the main thoroughfare. People grumbled as they passed, their gazes boring into us, but I didn’t care. After months of uncertainty and strain, I needed things between Rage and me to be semi-okay before venturing into more unknown peril.
Maybe I’d heard him wrong. “Say it again.”
A grin pulled at the corner of his lips. “I love you, Nai Crescent.”
I took a breath and grinned, my body suddenly light, free, and filled with joy, even if only for a second. He captured my hand and then coaxed me closer until I was flush against his body. Tingles of … energy … danced over my skin as he reached up and cupped my face. Slowly, giving me plenty of time to pull away, he lowered his head and captured my mouth in a kiss.
Gentle and soft, his kiss was more reassurance than passion, the perfect way to punctuate his statement.
“Focus,” Justice growled, and Rage swayed from his brother’s shoulder check, which broke us apart. My eyes popped open, but my sharp reprimand died in my throat at the pain etched on Justice’s face. Rage offered me a small smile that seemed more of an apology for his brother’s actions.
Rage and I still had stuff to figure out, like how to build trust, share feelings, and not be deceitful, but those conversations would have to wait. Getting Honor back was more pressing.
My gaze jumped to Noble, his head hung low, and I pulled away from Rage to go to my first ally among the Virtues.
“How are you holding up?” I asked, threading my arm through Noble’s.
He offered me a sad smile and then gently patted my hand in the crook of his arm. “I can’t believe Honor”—his voice cracked—“is gone.”
Noble’s words punched me in the stomach, and I nodded. “I know. We’re going to get him back though.”
“I hope so,” he said, but his voice lacked conviction.
Ugh. What else could I do?
I gave him a curt nod and then strode forward, putting a little distance between me and the Midnight princes. The weight of the task pressed on my shoulders. It was my idea to get Honor back; I was the one who’d led them here…
Mother Mage, please let me be able to do this.
I couldn’t bear their disappointment if I’d led them astray.
Not even two steps later, Justice strode past me, leading the way. I sighed and followed his brother into the bowels of Dark Row.
Despite the late hour, people thronged the paths, openly conducting their illicit trades. The closer we drew to Madame Surlama’s tent, the more my stomach churned. Despite my impulsive declaration as we’d fled Alpha Island, I didn’t know if this would work.
“So, what’s the plan?” Rage asked, appearing at my side. “You believe this dark mage can get us into the realm of the dead?”
“When we were here last month, Madame Surlama bragged about her connection to the Keeper of Souls. If anyone can get us there—”
“Madame Surlama is evil,” Rage snarled, his voice filled with vitriol. His gaze darted to Justice’s back where pelts of onyx fur ran down his arms, the younger brother obviously beyond pissed. “You want us to go to Surlama for this? Who knows what her price might be…”
“Hey, wolf-boy,” a scantily-clothed female mage taunted from the crowd. She shimmied, wiggling her breasts in invitation. “Come with me, and I’ll wipe that scowl from your—”
Justice hurled a ball of fire at the woman and growled as she dodged the fireball, laughing.
He dropped his voice, but his next words crawled back to me. “Dark Row mages are liars and thieves.” Fur crawled up his neck as his bones started to snap. Two men nearest Justice pushed away from the crowd, apparently fleeing from him and his changing wolf.
Noble hissed a warning from behind. “If you shift and cause
a scene, Declan will hear of our location and send guards to fetch us. Rein it in, Justice.”
Justice snapped his jaws shut, his body heaving with the effort to control his wolf. Whatever frustration and guilt I felt for Honor’s death, his brothers also wrestled with their own torment.
Noble bit out another warning to his brother.
“Do you have another idea?” I asked Rage, ignoring the other brothers’ bickering.
Justice slowed as he approached the white silk tent, and we pulled to a stop just outside. When he pivoted, facing us, his skin was pale and his eyes were saucer-wide. Noble blanched but said nothing as he joined our group.
Rage glanced at his brothers before turning his emerald gaze on me. “I don’t.” He took a deep breath and then added, “But I don’t like it either. That woman is an evil shark.”
“Tell me about it,” I snorted. “I don’t trust her either, but since no one else is doling out alternative plans … this is it. We have to try. We’re talking about Honor.”
Turning toward the tent, I raised my hands, and Rage snatched them both from the air, holding them in his.
“Before we do this,” he said, his voice low and rushed, “please…” He swallowed. “Please, be careful. Let me give whatever sacrifice she requires. Let me show you I care. Let me try—”
My heart melted a little. A lot. With one big step, I pressed my lips to his in a brief, chaste kiss and then offered him a half-smile. “Okay.”
I could only hope she wouldn’t bargain for a kidney. Wait … didn’t a person only need one kidney? I was 62.4% sure that was true. So, even though I felt responsible for Honor’s death, I wouldn’t deny Rage the sacrifice to save his brother. As first alpha heir of Midnight Pack, it was Rage’s right and duty.
The rustle of fabric tickled my ears, followed by a low throaty chuckle.
“I thought I smelled alpha heirs,” Madame Surlama said, her eyes gleaming as her gaze darted from Justice to me. “A week early. That’s a first.”
Before I could say anything, Rage spun, tucking me behind his back as he drew his sword.
“Surlama,” he growled, “I can’t believe you’re still alive.”
Did he know her?
“Which Virtue are you?” she asked Rage, sniffing the air. “Hmmm, definitely one of the stronger ones.”
Huh. Not mutually acquainted, but she’d obviously heard of the four Midnight heirs.
“Can you get us into the Realm of Dead Souls?” he asked, anger and violence rolling off him in waves. “Or is this another one of your lies?”
Whoa. My mate was not messing around.
Her lips peeled back from her teeth in a sneer. “Careful who you call a liar, wolf.”
Stepping to the side, I glared at the beautiful dark mage. “Madame Surlama…”
Her eyes lit up, and she purred, “Virgin.”
Seriously? Kill me now.
“If you want to keep your head and neck together, I suggest you call her by her name,” Rage snarled, pointing the tip of his sword at her throat.
Surlama pushed Rage’s sword away. Then, she leaned forward and whispered, “If you don’t want your mate to be a virgin, I suggest you do something about it.”
Oh. My. Mage.
A nervous laugh escaped me.
“So can you get us into the Realm of the Dead or not?” I huffed, trying my best to steer the conversation away from Rage and me having sex.
She sighed. “For a price.”
“Name it,” Rage growled. “And be aware that you are speaking to the first prince of Alpha Island. I will not be duped into giving you monthly blood sacrifices.”
Justice and I hung our heads low. Clearly, we both were not good with negotiations.
Surlama looked intrigued at his mention of his lineage before she threw her long red hair over one shoulder. “Come inside, alpha heirs. Best not to speak of these things out here with such a large audience.”
She disappeared behind the curtain. Rage moved to step forward, but I crossed in front of him, leading the way. Sadly, I knew my way around the place. Taking a left at the fork in the tent, I maneuvered down the hallway and into the opening with the stone table Kaja had lain on. There was a bit of dried blood on it, and I wondered if it was hers. Surlama’s red hair lifted from her shoulders with a gust of fresh air as she disappeared into the garden off to the right of the room, and I followed her out there, the boys shuffling in behind me.
The dark mage stood before a trellis of vines, pink and white flowers hanging from the plants. “Drop your weapons in the basket. I don’t allow them at my altar.” She indicated a small wicker basket at the corner of the room. With reluctant trepidation, we all pulled out our swords and dropped them in the basket.
Surlama held a small dagger in her hands, directly contradicting the no weapons rule, and ran her finger along the edge.
“You can put that away. I told you, no blood,” Rage growled from behind me.
She rolled her eyes. “First of all, where’s the body?” Her gaze darted to the empty space behind Justice and Noble. “How do you expect to raise the dead without a body?”
My stomach dropped as her words sank in. “Well, I was hoping—”
“That he’d just walk out of a portal in the Realm of the Dead and be like new?” She huffed and shook her head. “Don’t be so naive.”
Rage growled low in his throat and stepped closer to me as Noble moved toward the witch, his arms extended in supplication.
“Tell us everything you know about bringing someone back from the dead. Please?” His voice cracked, and then he added, “He was our brother.”
Noble’s begging seemed to soften something in Surlama, and she sighed. “You have seventy-two hours from when they crossed over.”
Rage fiddled with the watch on his wrist, and I wondered how long had passed. Not more than an hour—at most.
“You must have a body for the soul to go into,” she continued. “Or he’ll be trapped here as a ghost, roaming this world forever.”
Yikes, I did not want that.
“His body is…” My throat constricted.
“Burned. That won’t be an option,” Justice told her. He stood with his fists at his sides, and his nostrils flared with each breath. Dude seemed more than a little unhinged.
She shook her head. “Then we’ll need another body, someone who hasn’t been dead more than three days.”
Rage scoffed. “You want us to put our brother’s soul in some rando body?”
Surlama shrugged. “I want you to go home and never bother me again, but clearly I’m not getting what I want.”
“I’ll find a body,” Justice growled. “You take Nai and Noble into the Realm of the Dead and find Honor.”
Surlama laughed. “That’s cute. You think I can transport three living beings down there? Impossible. Nai only.”
Rage moved very slowly, pushing Noble and me out of the way as he approached Surlama in an epic staredown. Tension filled the air. As patches of fur erupted on the back of his neck, he clenched his teeth, making the muscles in his neck corded and taut. “What is your obsession with my mate?”
Surlama at least had the decency to look scared—but only for a heartbeat—then the fear in her eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, hard gaze.
“Your mate is more powerful than all three of you combined. Only she can walk in that realm and return with your fallen brother.”
“Lies.” Rage growled. “I see it in your eyes. I can smell your deceit in the air. What are you hiding?”
Damn. He had no issues calling her on her shit.
Fear flashed across her face once more before she narrowed her eyes in a look of calculation. Reaching out, she stroked a finger along Rage’s chest and purred. “I’m not saying you’re not powerful.”
My vision blurred as red-hot jealousy burned through me.
“Name your price, witch, and let’s be done,” I snarled. “Don’t play with us.”
While callin
g her a witch was crass and disrespectful, if she didn’t get her hands off my man, I’d tear them off, and then where would we be? We needed her.
She pulled her finger from Rage and stared into his eyes, her gaze hungry. “I want your blood, first prince,”—she crossed her arms—“or I won’t do the deal.”
“Oh, you’ll make a deal with me”—Rage chuckled, a sound filled with darkness, and his lip curled—“or I’ll rip your damn head off.” Then, he smiled, his canines elongating in a look of anticipated violence. “And the only way you’re getting my blood is if I’m dead.”
Whoa. So, yeah, that was one way to negotiate. Both my wolf and I stared at Rage with appreciation, loving that he had enough confidence to tell a dark mage he was about to behead her.
Surlama sharpened her gaze at Rage, but I could see the respect in her eyes. “What do you propose?”
“I’m the future king of every wolf in existence. If you do this, I’ll owe you a favor.”
Her eyes brightened, and a slow smile spread across her beautiful face. A favor from the future alpha king was quite a carrot.
“A favor of my choosing?” she asked, cocking her head to the side.
Rage nodded. “As long as it’s reasonable. I won’t kill or bring harm to anyone in your name.”
“Done.” She grinned, a wicked gleam in her eye.
Wow. That was fast and relatively pain-free—at least for me. I was 74.9% sure Rage wasn’t going to like Surlama’s favor, but we’d deal with that trouble later. Now, we could get to Honor. “So how do we—?”
A deep howl rose into the night, cutting off my question, followed by another and another.
Rage flinched. “My uncle and our pack. They’ve come…”
“Your price just doubled,” Surlama muttered, rubbing her hands together vigorously until a sickly green light began to emanate from her palms.