Wolf of Sight

by Quinn Loftis

  Now they all turned to Jewel, but she said nothing. “Are you certain you cannot share with us your own sacrifice?” asked Anna.

  Jewel shook her head and pursed her lips. “No. When the Great Luna visited me, I told her what I would give. She approved and counseled me to tell no one. I trust her. I will remain silent.”

  “Okay, then. What’s done is done,” said Heather. “We won’t press you any further about it.”

  Stella reached out a hand to Kara on her left and Anna on her right. “I think we should all hold hands,” she said. They took Stella’s hands and offered their own to Jewel and Heather.

  “Agreed,” said Heather. “Like in church.”

  “Everyone ready?” asked Jewel.

  “Yep,” said Stella.

  “Aye,” said Heather.

  Kara giggled, then said, “Full throttle.”

  “Go for it,” said Anna.

  “Great Luna,” said Jewel, “we beseech you. Please accept these sacrifices from your servants. We make them on behalf of everyone we love, our mates, our friends, and our families. We make them on behalf of those people we don't even know. We pray we make them with pure hearts, and we ask you to accept them in the spirit with which they are intended.”

  All of a sudden, the area surrounding them shimmered, and the Great Luna stepped into the firelight. The pale glow from the fire was dwarfed in comparison to the goddess, who shimmered like a thousand lighted candles contained in a glass jar.

  “I heed your call, healers.” The Great Luna turned first to Stella. “Stella James, I accept the sacrifice you have offered, the relationship with your brother. Henceforth, it will be as if he had never met you, as if he’d never known you, as if he’d never had a sister. He will live a long and happy life, and I will watch over him. I will bless the spell because of the sacrifice you have made.”

  The Great Luna turned to Kara. “Kara Jones, I accept the sacrifice you have offered, the chance to ever bear children. Though you would have been the finest of mothers, lavishing the love upon your child that was so often denied to you during your life, and Nick would have made the finest of fathers, guiding his pups into adulthood with love and patience, you shall, all your life, remain barren.” Kara began to sob, but stifled them and focused on the goddess. “I will bless the spell because of the sacrifice you have made.”

  Next, the goddess turned to Anna. “You are strong, Anastasia French, I accept the sacrifice you have offered, a relationship with your father. It would never have been my will for your father to have abandoned you. He is a broken man because of what he did. But his reconciliation with you would have given him a new life. And the relationship, even after so much has been missed, would have been rich and full of love and benefited you both. I will make it so that he forgets he ever had a daughter, and he will be happy the rest of his days. I will bless the spell because of the sacrifice you have made.”

  Next, the Great Luna faced Heather. “You, Heather Banks, know above all how precious is the gift of sight. Having lived so long without it, and now having experienced it for such a short period of time, you appreciate it more than anyone. You also see so much more than anyone else. You see through the façade, right to the core person. That has always been the case and will never change regardless of whether you can see the physical features of a person. I will bless the spell because of the sacrifice you have made.”

  Finally, the goddess turned to Jewel. “And you, Jewel Stone…” The Great Luna hesitated. “As every pack has an Alpha, you are the leader of these healers, that cannot be denied. They look to you for guidance, for strength. Are you confident of your decision?”

  Jewel did not hesitate. “I am,” she said.

  “Very well,” said the Great Luna. “When all is said and done, these great women will perform deeds that will be whispered about for generations. All of that is made possible because of what you have done. I will bless the spell because of the sacrifice you have made.

  “Farewell, brave and noble healers. You shall perform the spell at sunrise tomorrow. Though you may not see me, I will be in your midst. I would counsel you to spend the remaining moments of this night in the arms of your mates. This time of peace is fleeting.

  “And for those of you who have yet to perform the ceremony binding you to your mates, I would ask only this. What are you waiting for?” There was a flash, and the Great Luna was gone.

  Chapter 17

  “The darkness that comes from within is more absolute than any darkness that might dwell on the outside, because the darkness that lives inside of us doesn’t just cover us. It has the power to consume us if we let it.” ~Crina

  “I understand why you’re doing this, but I don’t like it,” Adam said as he pressed his forehead to Crina’s.

  “Your complaint has been noted,” she teased, hoping to ease some of the tension in him.

  “As much as I want to allow us each the luxury of a long goodbye, we don’t have time,” Peri said as she stood in the center of her living room. “All of you going to the In-Between, place a hand on my arms. Let’s get this over with.”

  Adam pressed his lips to Crina’s in a firm but quick kiss. “Don’t believe anything you see in there.”

  She nodded and then reached out to place a hand on Peri’s arm. The other wolves had done the same. Within seconds, they were standing in the forest. A troll stood on a small bridge, and he seemed to be guarding it.

  “Perizada, this is becoming a habit of yours,” the troll said. “I’m beginning to think you want my job.”

  “I would never attempt to take your job as you so obviously are overjoyed with the task,” Peri said dryly. “I am simply dropping off five wolves who wish to take a tour of the In-Between.”

  “A tour?” the troll asked, his eyes going wide. “Do they realize that the chances of the tour ever ending are slim?”

  Peri clucked her tongue at him. “Don’t insult me or them. These aren’t the first wolves to enter.”

  “True. But things have changed since then,” he said.

  “What things?” Peri asked as she took a step closer to the troll.

  “The In-Between has always been an entity with its own magic. But another has come along and joined his magic with it. I honestly couldn’t tell you what effect that will have on it.”

  “Volcan,” Peri spat out. “Did you see him when he joined his magic with the In-Between?”

  It was obvious to Crina that the troll hadn’t expected Peri to just call him out like that. He stumbled around his words a bit before finally speaking a clear sentence. “Do you have a toll to pass?” It appeared as though he was simply going to ignore the high fae’s comment altogether.

  Peri reached into the pocket of her robe and pulled out several gold coins. There was no telling how old they were. She flicked them at the troll, and one second they were flying through the air, and the next they were gone. The troll stepped aside and motioned for them to cross.

  They were silent as they walked. None of them acknowledged the troll as they passed him. When they were standing in front of a large cave-like entrance, Peri turned to face them.

  Crina glanced at the four other wolves. Aimo and Antonio seemed anxious as they shifted their weight from foot to foot. Bannan was cool and calm. His arms were folded across his chest, and he watched Peri expectantly. Lucian didn’t appear worried, either. He almost looked bored. Crina tried to mimic Lucian’s face, but inside, she was already feeling sick. She’d heard the stories of what the In-Between had been like for the males of her pack, and she was dreading it. Who wanted to live through their most horrific fears? Apparently, she did because she’d volunteered to waltz right into hell.

  “Volcan’s magic has grown stronger,” Peri began. “Joining it with the In-Between’s magic will probably make it unstable inside.” She motioned to the entrance. “I’m going to be honest. I’m not sure how you will defeat this. But somehow you must overcome the spell t
hat the In-Between casts over you. When you’re able to do that, you will be able to exit and end up at the veil to the draheim realm. He wanted whoever was able to enter the realm to be weak. Forcing someone who wanted in to the draheim realm to go in the In-Between would ensure that if they made it, they wouldn’t have any fight left in them. But you five need not worry because you will have the rest of us.”

  The five nodded in unison.

  “When you exit the In-Between, call me immediately, Lucian.” She pointed to her temple. “I’ll be here in a flash … pun intended.”

  “Do not worry yourself on our behalf, Peri,” he replied, his voice strong and confident. “Prepare the others for battle. We will make it through.”

  “Good. Now, time is of the essence. This isn’t a vacation. Get in there and kick some In-Between ass.”

  “Jen would be proud,” Lucian said, making Peri and Crina smile.

  Peri’s smile melded into a smirk. “Well, since I live for her approval, I’m so glad.”

  Crina and the other males turned away as Peri and Lucian said their goodbyes. She glanced at the males again. “You three ready?”

  They shrugged. “It’s not like we have a choice,” Antonio said.

  “Just remember it isn’t real,” Crina told them. “If you can do nothing else, repeat, out loud, over and over, it isn’t real.”

  Peri moved out of the way and, as one, all five of them stepped into the darkness.

  Crina made it several steps before she felt the chill creeping into her bloodstream. It was as though ice water was being poured straight into her veins. She continued forward as her breathing became labored despite the fact she was walking slowly. She couldn’t see anything, and she didn’t want to call out to the others in case she broke their concentration.

  Crina felt something nudging her in her mind and knew it had to be Adam attempting to reach her through their bond. She’d locked it down tight. She wasn’t about to let him experience this with her. She knew it would make him angry, but she’d deal with that once she’d gotten out.

  She took another ten steps before anything happened. But then, suddenly, standing before her was Adam. He looked as real as her mate, as if he were truly standing mere feet from her. She could even smell his scent. For a moment she wondered if he’d flashed himself there and entered without her knowledge, but then a cruel smile twisted his lush lips and she knew it wasn’t really her mate. Her Adam would never look at her that way.

  “Knock, knock,” the In-Between’s version of Adam said.

  Crina glared at the false image. “I’m not here to play games.”

  The false Adam chuckled, low and dark. “You’re a wolf. Wolves love games. I could get a ball if they’re more your speed.”

  “I think I’m good, just not playing. Thanks for caring.” She smiled politely at him and began walking again. She wondered for a minute if she would physically run into him, but he just seemed to move farther back as she moved. He wasn’t walking. He would just reappear a few feet in front of her. Crina couldn’t see anything around her, except for Adam.

  “Crina, my dear mate,” the false Adam began, “I think it’s time we had a talk about reality. We’ve been living together as though we were equal, as if we belong together, and we both know that isn’t true. We need to accept that our kind were never supposed to join. You’re a wolf, for goodness’ sakes. I’m a fae. My kind is far superior to your kind. I thought that perhaps I would give this whole true mate thing a try. I mean, I’ve been bored as hell since the werewolf wars, and you aren’t exactly hard on the eyes, but I’m just not feeling it anymore.”

  Crina was trying to tune out the harsh words, but it was difficult because what he was saying was exactly what she feared. Regardless of the fact that the Great Luna had made them true mates, Crina wondered if she was good enough for Adam. She wondered if she measured up to lovers he’d taken in the past. She feared that there would come a day when he would get bored of having a mate and being committed to one woman.

  ***

  Peri flashed back to her home, and into her and Lucian’s bedroom. His sent filled her and her stomach twisted at the thought of him in that awful place. She wished she could hear Lucian’s voice in her head. It was strange how accustomed she’d become to hearing it when it been so startling in the beginning. Now, she was like a city-dweller who’d been transplanted to the country and missed the constant drone of automobile engines, sirens, and people. The silence in her mind was deafening. Though she knew it was futile, Peri reached for his mind. Nothing. The In-Between was too far, too impenetrable. She took a small measure of comfort in knowing that wolves had survived the In-Between before. And Lucian was one of the strongest wolves of all. If anyone could do it, he could. She only hoped he was the same wolf when he emerged on the other side.

  The high fae fidgeted. It wasn’t long now. She could feel the storm brewing. Volcan had been silent for entirely too long. Peri felt she needed to make a move against him as quickly as possible. The longer they hesitated, the stronger his dark presence became in Anna and Jewel. Not only that, Peri wasn’t fool enough to believe Volcan would place all his eggs in one basket. He’d have something else up his sleeve besides the healers. He was sitting behind that draheim veil plotting, working, increasing his strength. She just wished she knew exactly what he was up to so she could be ready for it.

  The room became bathed in white light. Peri knelt. “Great Luna.”

  “Haven’t I told you I will always come when you need me most?”

  “And you’ve never failed me,” replied Peri, as she bowed her head and closed her eyes. She could feel the power and glory of the goddess but that wasn’t what held her on the ground. It was the all-consuming peace that the creator of the wolves filled the space around them with. Peri could feel her shoulders relaxing despite all of the weight that was practically breaking her back.

  “The hour is almost upon you, Perizada of the fae,” said the Great Luna. “You shall cast the spell at sunrise. I have spoken directly with your healers. Each has chosen a fitting sacrifice. The lives of their mates are no longer necessary.”

  “But I…” Peri began but her words faltered. She had no right to question the Great Luna and yet she desperately wanted to know why her role had changed.

  “You what, Perizada? You wanted to sacrifice yourself? Of course you did. But that won’t happen.”

  “They’ve suffered enough.” Peri’s voice was pleading and she nearly raised her head but forced herself to maintain the respectful pose.

  “And you haven’t?” The Great Luna asked.

  “I have more to give,” Peri sighed and despite her words, she could hear her own weariness. She was tired, immensely so, but she knew that she didn’t have time to be exhausted. Evil didn’t rest and that meant none of them could rest either.

  The goddess laughed, and the sound was like an accompaniment of harps playing in perfect harmony. “Perizada of the fae cannot control everything, no matter how hard she tries. It’s time to trust in those who have trusted in you, Peri. I have asked each of the healers to spend the remaining hours of this night with their mates. The two that remain unbonded will not be so by morning. They will need the strength of their mates.”

  “And Dalton?”

  “I shall speak to him before the night is out. Concern yourself with only performing the spell adequately. I would, however, ask this one thing of you. For the spell to succeed, the circle must not be broken until the entire ritual is complete. To ensure that happens, you are to bind the others until the spell is complete. Do not let them break the circle or all is lost.”

  “I will do as you say, Great Luna.”

  “We shall see,” replied the goddess.

  “What’s that supposed to…” The fae’s words fell flat as the Great Luna faded from view. “Really? That’s all I get,” yelled Peri at the ceiling. “Thanks a ton, Great Luna. I feel so much better now.” Peri shook her
head. “Sometimes, she’s worse than the damn wolves.”

  Chapter 18

  “I thought it was difficult not knowing my true mate and having to wait for her, but I’m beginning to think that knowing her and having to wait might even prove to be more difficult. Guess it’s a good thing that I like challenges.” ~Nick

  Jezebel was trying her hardest to remain optimistic, despite the fact that Thad had left them high and dry with an incomplete spell. He said he’d be back, and regardless of the anger he’d obviously felt toward her, she had to trust that the fate of the healers and all those involved was more important to him than their relationship issues.

  It was late afternoon when she heard his deep voice.

  “Where is your mother?”

  “She’s in that first bedroom down the hall,” Anna answered. “If you hurt her, I’ll figure out a way to destroy you,” her daughter answered, bringing a smile to Jezebel’s lips.

  “I would expect nothing less, but rest assured, that is not my intention.”

  “We all know where intentions lead us,” Heather jumped in. “The good ones and the bad ones.”

  There was a soft knock and then the door opened. He’d never been a patient man, and it appeared that he still was not if he couldn’t even wait for her to invite him in. She turned to face him and was struck, not for the first or fifty-first time, by how handsome he was. He’d always taken her breath away and that hadn’t changed.

  “Thank you for coming back,” she said after several heartbeats of simply staring at one another.

  “I said I would.”

  She nodded. “Yes, you did.”

  “I need to ask you something before I explain where I’ve been.” He looked a tad unsure of himself, which was something she was not used to seeing on him. “Is there still a chance for us? I mean, would you be willing to try again with me?”