Untamed Winter

by Cassandra Lawson

  “You’re trying to bait me,” Richard remarked calmly. “Could it be you want to fight?”

  Rafe’s eyes lit with excitement. “Are you offering to fight me?”

  Richard decided to get on with the reason for tracking this man down quickly since he wasn’t interested in playing games. “I hope you understand our reasons for needing to turn down your request to leave the city. As you’ve just pointed out, vampires are the result of a virus. Here in Fangri La, we are able to protect visitors from the more dangerous varieties of vampire. While you may argue you were required to show proof of having been vaccinated before traveling here, the vaccine is not one-hundred percent effective. We’d never want to risk your safety.”

  One of his guards gave him the signal that the camera feed had been disrupted. To avoid drawing attention to this corridor, they’d taken down the security cameras in the entire building, something that happened on occasion. “Now, we can speak freely,” Richard stated. “Shall we talk in your room to avoid nosy humans?”

  Rafe nodded and motioned him into the room. While Richard got the impression the man was very powerful, he was still staying in one of the low-end rooms. There were four men and two women already in the room when Richard walked in. Both women and one of the men were naked, but they appeared to be standing guard. One of the women knelt on the floor with her head bowed and her long black hair covering her face.

  “My name is Rafe,” the man said by way of introduction.

  “Richard,” he replied with a nod. Neither introduced the others in the room, both choosing to treat their guards more like furniture.

  “Why did you seek me out, Richard?” Rafe asked. “I know it wasn’t to warn me of the dangers of venturing out on my own.”

  “And I know you weren’t really asking permission from the council,” Richard added, taking a seat. “I’m sure you already have plans to disappear from Fangri La. You simply wanted to see if we’ve heard anything about the woman who controls nature since there is far too much land for you to cover.”

  “Make no mistake, I am willing to search every inch of this land to find her,” Rafe told him with a deadly calm. “It would have been helpful if your council had given us details, but we will still manage. Nothing will stop me from finding her.”

  There was something almost frightening in Rafe’s apparent obsession with this woman, and Richard wondered if this man might be too volatile to be useful. He also found Rafe’s willingness to admit that he’d go to such lengths foolish. He had just told Richard his weakness. Aligning himself with another person who was only destined to get themselves killed was not on Richard’s agenda, largely because he wanted to avoid being killed himself. This was a matter he’d prefer to spend more time considering before making a decision, but he lacked the luxury of time. The cameras would be up within the hour, and after that, he’d need to stay away from these tourists or the council would become suspicious.

  He hated being under the rule of the council, which is why he’d come up with a new plan to gain the power he so richly deserved. Rafe could definitely help him with his plan. Deciding he’d give Rafe some information, while feeling him out, Richard steepled his hands and studied the man as he spoke. “There have been rumors of a man being killed with ball lightning.”

  Rafe took a step toward him, losing his composure some as he eagerly awaited more information. “Ball lightning would be a very unusual way to die.”

  “It certainly would,” Richard agreed in a bored tone. “The stories of his death have been inconsistent. Some say he was simply struck by lightning. Others claim a woman created the ball of lightning and used it as a weapon to kill him. After what you’ve said, I have to wonder if this is the same woman you’re looking for.”

  “Where was this?” Rafe demanded.

  “I realize I come off as the helpful type, and I can be,” Richard began.

  “But you are not the charitable type,” Rafe finished for him. “What do you want in exchange for helping me find my female?”

  “Your female?” Richard asked.

  “Yes, she is mine,” Rafe snapped.

  “Interesting. This makes me think she’s not the dangerous killer you claim she is,” he mused. “No doubt she’s a killer, but that doesn’t seem to be why you’re looking for her.”

  “She is a dangerous killer,” Rafe assured him. “I intend to use that to my advantage.”

  “What exactly are you?” Richard asked.

  “I am a jaguar,” Rafe replied without hesitation.

  “So, you’re a shapeshifter?” Richard had heard of them but never met one. The shapeshifters in Connor’s territory had sided with him against the council, and the council was fascinated with the idea of meeting one. At this point, Eleanor was the only council member who could confirm their existence, and she’d argued that the council should not try to involve themselves in the lives of the shapeshifters. Unfortunately, others agreed with her, mostly because they feared starting a war with the elusive creatures.

  “That term is sometimes used to describe my kind,” Rafe replied. “The female I am hoping to find is also a shapeshifter.”

  “Your kind possess powers like hers?” Richard wasn’t able to maintain his usual aloof tone at the thought of the creatures supporting Connor being that dangerous. If that was the case, he would abandon his current plan.

  “She is also something else,” Rafe said cryptically.

  “We don’t have much time,” Richard stated. “There is certainly no time for posturing or games. I originally wanted the power to take over the council here, but I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not possible. Now, I’m setting my sights on taking over a different territory, one where I can trade with other countries. I have no interest in taking over a territory where I’ll be forced to live without certain luxuries.”

  “How does finding my female play into your plans?” Rafe asked, clearly not interested in what Richard wanted unless it benefited him.

  “She was seen in the territory I’m hoping to control,” Richard explained. “I can provide a small army of vampires, and I may be able to gain support of another group in that territory, but it won’t be enough.”

  “All you’re after from us is fighters?” Rafe asked suspiciously.

  Richard shook his head. “It’s not quite that simple. I need help to win over the shapeshifters in that territory.”

  Rafe shook his head. “They won’t tolerate other shifters in their territory. I cannot act as a diplomat on your behalf to gain their cooperation.”

  “That’s a pity,” Richard lamented. “It would be the easiest way to get what I want, but it’s not the only way. The vampire leader is determined to take care of all the humans and vampires living in his territory. If it seemed the local shapeshifters were killing off humans, he would have no choice but to act against them.”

  “And if they are fighting each other, they will be weaker when you attack,” Rafe finished for him. “This is a good plan, but I’m still not sure why you think I should help you.”

  Richard bit back a smile, knowing he had all he needed to secure Rafe’s cooperation. “Have you considered how you’ll capture a creature who can control lightning?”

  “I have no reason to suspect she won’t want to return to her childhood home as my mate,” Rafe replied. “It is a position of great power among the jaguars.”

  “And what if she doesn’t want to return with you?” Richard asked.

  Anger flashed in Rafe’s eyes. “Why wouldn’t she want to return with me?” he demanded arrogantly.

  Richard shrugged. “I’m just asking in case she doesn’t. What kind of force can you use against someone that powerful?” Richard asked. “Before you answer, I would like to offer a suggestion.”

  Rafe raised an eyebrow, waiting for his suggestion.

  “We have various types of tranquilizers you could use if you needed to take her,” Richard explained. “We also have other things that can help you control he
r after that.”

  “That could be useful,” Rafe agreed thoughtfully, but Richard got the impression he wasn’t sold on the idea of joining forces yet. Rafe’s eyes moved to the woman kneeling on the floor. “I’m not certain I need any of those things.”

  “Have you considered how you’ll leave this area?” Richard asked. “With the borders locked down, you will have a hard time simply walking away, and once you’ve disappeared from Fangri La, you won’t be allowed to leave from here.”

  Rafe shrugged. “There is nothing stopping us from leaving in jaguar form. While we’re larger than normal jaguars, those guarding the borders won’t try to stop us.”

  “Good point,” Richard agreed. “I suppose it might be harder if the woman you’re after is reluctant to leave. It would seem strange having jaguars carrying another jaguar across the border. That’s not the sort of thing one sees in wild cats, or so I’m told.”

  Rafe let out a frustrated growl. “Stop toying with me, human, and tell me what you’re offering.”

  “If you help me take over that territory, I’ll have access to a major trade port, making it much easier for you to get your mate out of the area,” Richard explained.

  Rafe considered his words before nodding. “I believe we can help each other. When do we leave?”

  “Tonight,” Richard replied. “I’ll gather my guards and the supplies we’ll need.”

  While Richard knew it was risky trusting the shapeshifters, it seemed even riskier to stay in Fangri La. The council’s distrust of him made it unsafe. Now, he just had to hope the shapeshifters could deliver on their end of the agreement. Either way, he’d soon be free of the wretched tourists wandering around Fangri La.

  Chapter Five

  Three Weeks Later

  Cold. Distant. Deadly. Winter had been described by all those words in her many years. One had to be those things when protecting the land from destruction. That’s what her mother had taught her, and it seemed to be the case. Mage were solitary creatures. A century ago, her feelings had reemerged briefly, tempting her to abandon her destiny, but she’d made the right choice. Since that time, she’d become even more detached from others.

  At least, that had been the case before she’d run into a young mage by the name of Quinn—a female still filled with wide-eyed innocence. Winter had found herself saving the girl’s life. It seemed wrong to let a light as bright as hers be snuffed out forever. Winter was willing to admit it was more than that. Had she not been taken away from her clan, Winter could have easily ended up with a life much like Quinn’s. For Quinn, Winter had been willing to break the rules. First, she’d let the young mage return to her old life instead of insisting she begin training. While their powers came naturally, the mage were trained to be alone and to recognize the call to move on to the next territory in need. She’d been unwilling to force that on Quinn. The other rule she’d broken was in staying in the area. There was no reason for her to linger here. She was definitely not supposed to stay in this area where she risked running into Cord. All these years later, she still experienced the tug of emotion when she thought of him.

  “I’m a fool,” she muttered. “Emotions weaken me. I will not think of him.” That was easier said than done when she was this close to Cord. While she used extra energy masking her scent, it was for the best. Cord’s last words to her still played in the back of her mind, and she knew he’d meant them. The problem was, some days, she longed for him to find her and claim her.

  Winter scanned the area. Something evil was close, but she had no idea what it was. The birds seemed to feel it, too, as the ones perched on the trees directly above her flew away, spooked by something. It wasn’t until the wind shifted that she caught the familiar scent. Her nose had never been as good as the others in her clan, but there was no mistaking the scent of jaguar. Sensing the jaguars’ presence, another wave of emotion hit her. No matter how impossible it was, she couldn’t help wondering if they were her father’s people.

  “Hello, Winter. We’ve been looking for you.”

  Winter spun to find nearly a dozen vampires standing beside the one who’d spoken. Despite being outnumbered, she wasn’t worried. While all vampires were physically stronger than her, none possessed any sort of magic.

  “What do you want, vampire?” she demanded.

  “A friend of yours would like to see you,” the vampire replied.

  “I don’t have friends,” Winter stated in a bored tone, wondering if it was the lynx shapeshifter trying to talk to her again. She had no idea why he was so determined to meet her, but she’d refused several times. Other than that, Quinn was the only one who ever sought her out, and she doubted the young mage would send such a cryptic request.

  “According to him, you’re more than his friend,” a different vampire added.

  “What exactly am I to him?” Winter asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “His mate,” the first vampire replied.

  Her mind first went to Cord, and the sudden rush of emotions was enough to make her slip up and stop masking her scent for just a moment. A century after she’d last seen him, the cougar still brought out her long suppressed reckless side. She knew Cord wasn’t the one looking for her. If Cord knew she was there, she was certain he’d search for her personally, rather than sending others. The male seeking her wasn’t Cord, and the scent of jaguar made her suspect Rafe had come for her. A wave of sadness washed over her at the realization that Rafe would only come for her if her father was dead. Pushing away her emotions, Winter shook her head. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken. Tell the little kitty to go home.”

  She laughed at the arrogance of the vampires when one of them raised a tranquilizer gun and pointed it at her. “I wouldn’t recommend it, vampire. You’ll be dead before the dart hits me.” When the vampire hesitated, she smiled, and fate decided to teach her a lesson in humility. She felt the blow to the back of her head just before the world faded to black.

  Chapter Six

  Cord had been chasing the scent of jaguars with five of his cougars for the last hour. It pissed him off when other shifters came into his territory without permission. Jaguars were not something he’d expected to come across. Before the borders had been closed, it had happened on occasion. While there were actual jaguars further south, there were no jaguar shifters living within the borders, to the best of his knowledge. There were only a handful of jaguar shifter clans, and they were mostly in the Amazon Rainforest with one clan in Belize.

  The familiar scent of a female he hadn’t seen in over a century distracted him from the hunt. He should continue hunting the jaguars invading his territory. The problem was, every cell in his body was screaming for him to get to his mate. That was the thing about being in cougar form; he had less control over his baser instincts. Then again, he wasn’t sure he’d have resisted the call in human form.

  He’d warned her what would happen if he found her again. He hoped this was why she’d allowed herself to be discovered.

  When he came across his female, she was surrounded by vampires, and it was obvious they were a threat to her. While his clan was at peace with the local vampires, he would allow no one to threaten his mate. A growl rumbled in the back of his throat. When one of the vampires hit his mate from behind and she crumpled to the ground, Cord gave in to his instincts and attacked. His cougars followed as they tore into the vampires. While strong and fast, the vampires were caught off guard by the attack and quickly retreated.

  Cord immediately shifted forms, dropping to his knees beside his mate. Her hair was matted with blood in the back, but she was still breathing. “I should have killed that asshole who touched you.”

  “Who is she?” Beck, one of his most trusted friends, asked. The remainder of his followers were still in cougar form, guarding them in case the vampires returned.

  “Her name is Winn,” Cord replied, lifting her in his arms and cradling her against his chest. He was sure he’d feel like an asshole for it later, but he was thr
illed to have her in his arms again, and he was already thinking of ways to make sure she didn’t leave. A shudder ran through his body, making him feel like an even bigger asshole for lusting after an injured female. This was the female he’d dreamt of for the last century. When he’d been planning to take another female as his mate, thoughts of Winn had haunted him, made him feel like he was being unfaithful to her.

  “Winn,” Beck spoke her name quietly, testing it to see if he remembered a female by that name. Cord saw the moment of realization when Beck’s eyes widened. “The same Winn you met decades ago?” Beck was one of the few people who’d heard about his meeting with Winn all those years ago. When he’d returned after letting Winn walk away, it had been easier to pretend nothing had happened, but Beck had noticed something was wrong and had refused to leave him alone until they’d talked. As a result, Beck knew what Cord had given up with this female. Beck had been surprised by Cord’s willingness to let his mate walk away, and he likely realized that wouldn’t happen again.

  “More than a hundred years ago,” Cord confirmed. “The stupidest thing I ever did was let her walk away, and I’m not about to make the same mistake now that I have her again.”

  Beck was one of the few males who would call him on his shit. Cord had plenty of females willing to do that, probably because he’d never kicked any of their asses. The males were another story. He’d asserted his dominance with many of the ones who would have stood up to him, and they no longer wanted to suffer the repercussion of saying the wrong thing. Except for Beck, who’d been his friend long before he’d become leader of their clan. Beck could hold his own in a fight and might have been a real contender for the position of leader if he’d wanted to challenge Cord. It came as no surprise to Cord when Beck spoke.