Chills & Thrills Paranormal Boxed Set

by Flynn, Connie

  An alarmed cry left her lips. Dear God! Beryl was leading her to the Clearing of the Black Hands.

  For an instant she thought she might be sick. Images of fire and snow, a white flowing gown, a golden-eyed raptor, flashed before her eyes. Blood — Morgan's, Jorje's, her own — flowed thick and red. Finally the images came to rest on Jorje's lifeless body.

  Her emotions whirled around a vortex of fear. Even for the love of Shala, could she face that fateful spot and all the memories it revived?

  Just as abruptly as it had arisen, the thunder stopped, and in its wake rang the tones of Shala's sweet song.

  With trembling hands, Lily grasped the tree branch firmly and swung off the ledge back to the ground.

  The grotesque events of the night Dana Gibbs had invoked the Shadow of Venus in Morgan's behalf were coming back to haunt her. As a werewolf she'd had the courage born of invincibility. Did she possess even one ounce of that courage now that she was mortal?

  For Shala's sake, she hoped she did.

  "You fools," Sebastian growled. "Why didn't you keep her in your sights?"

  "She was right behind us, Lord," Beryl whined. "I never thought she'd leave the trail."

  "Bah! I told you how well she knows this country."

  "She'll come." This reassurance was spoken in a human voice. "We have the girl.”

  "Don't underestimate Lily, mortal," Sebastian retorted. "It could be the end of you." He rapped his walking stick on the ground and shook his head in annoyance. "Very well," he finally said. "We will wait. Put the girl in the ring."

  Lily pressed her body tightly against the stone wall behind the clearing and inched along until she could see everything. The effort of blocking her thoughts against Sebastian's continuous psychic scan was taking its toll, but her brief foray into Beryl's mind had given her a wealth of information beyond the location he was bound for. She knew Shala was safe, for the time being at least, and the reason Sebastian had sent Beryl, his trusted prince, out on that particular night. And why she hadn't sensed Sebastian's presence since she and White Hawk had climbed down into the canyon.

  Sebastian had been biding his time until it was auspicious for the Song of Hades. Tonight the moon came close to Pluto, an aspect needed to perform the ceremony that created werewolves. While the perfect aspect for the Shadow of Venus occurred only once in seven years, the planet Pluto moved slowly, and if Sebastian failed tonight, he'd have several chances before the moon passed away. As usual, he could bide his time, although she suspected failure wasn't something he'd considered.

  Lily didn't find it coincidental that he'd selected the Clearing of the Black Hands as a site for the ceremony. Large and relatively free of vegetation, it had the requisite fire pit. The black stone outcroppings, some of which jutted up several stories high, gave it a dramatic air that would appeal to him.

  Obviously, they didn't doubt she'd come. The fire was already laid and burning steadily, waiting for more fuel. One of the eight werewolves, whom she recognized as the omega wolfling Philippe, was walking in a circle, cautiously sprinkling water on the dirt.

  Sanctifying the ring. In preparation for me. Fingers of dread traveled up Lily's spine.

  Inside the route that Philippe traveled, sobbed Shala, her blissful enchantment obviously gone. She climbed to her feet and started to leave the ring. Philippe growled. She scooted back to the center.

  Including Sebastian, nine werewolves were in the clearing. Off to one side stood the mysterious man who'd accompanied them, his face again shadowed by the limb of a tree.

  Lightning flashed, illuminating the man's familiar, arrogant expression, and though she was startled, Lily wasn't at all surprised. So Ravenheart had found someone to accept his unholy bargain. How she wished he'd failed. Not only would he be unaffected by the holy water, she wasn't willing to kill another member of the Dawn People, no matter how twisted he was.

  She slipped one of the bottles out of her pocket, positioned the small knife so it would be easy to reach, then glanced up at the dark sky, hoping the ever-increasing streaks of lightning would offer a glimpse of soaring white. Where was that filthy fowl when she needed it? She couldn't remember ever needing help more. The creature had come to her aid once before. Why not now?

  She heard Sebastian give Philippe another instruction and turned her attention back to him. He was wearing a maroon tuxedo and top hat—which he kept having to secure against the blowing wind—and looked as if he were about to attend an opera.

  All signs of his encounter with the holy water were gone, although this was to be expected, since alchemizing to human form never failed to heal a werewolf's injuries. He did, however, stay well back as Philippe nervously spilled the dangerous water and chanted the litany that accompanied the drawing of the ring. During Sebastian's unusual bout with anxiety, his psychic probe ceased. Seeking a moment's rest and praying she wouldn't regret it, Lily dropped her mental block.

  She didn't have time for regret.

  With an incredible speed, Sebastian whirled. His hat flew off his head and he made a titanic leap, landing in front of Lily. He ripped the vial of holy water she'd been clutching in her hand and sent it soaring over the treetops.

  "So you did come, dear one," he said. "I am pleased. I have such a treat in store."

  Lily tried to fight but it was useless, and she quickly gave up, allowing Sebastian to pin her arms to her body and carry her to the edge of the ceremonial circle, where he deposited her.

  "The Song of Hades is about to begin," he said, adjusting the tail of his maroon waistcoat. "The child will make a fetching werewolf, do you not agree?"

  "Damn you, Sebastian, you can't do this. No one's ever initiated a child before. She could die."

  "Relax, my dear. We rarely see such robustness in Europe. I doubt the rigors will prove too much for this healthy wild child. And — if you will pardon my pun — you shall have a ringside seat for my little experiment."

  He was toying with her like an overfed cat might a mouse. To test her theory, Lily took a step toward the ring. A quick sly smile crossed his face. She returned his smile knowingly.

  "Me for the girl, Sebastian. Let me take her to the village, then I'll submit to the ceremony."

  "The child would make a unique addition to the pack." Sebastian brought his hand to his chin reflectively. "I must think on this."

  Lily knew he was posturing. She waited quietly.

  The silence grew longer. And longer. Still she didn't speak.

  "You will submit willingly?" he finally asked. "After the girl is safely in her village."

  "No, Lily!" Shala cried from inside the ring. "You can't become a werewolf again! You promised!"

  Lily forced herself to ignore Shala's plea, meeting Sebastian's eyes as only an alpha queen might do. After another span of silence, he laughed. "You must think I am still the fool for you, Lily. I know you will not return, so do not seek to deceive me."

  "Deceive you, Lord? How could I? I’m not one of you anymore and have lost my skill at trickery. But even if I hadn't, I couldn't possibly be strong enough to deceive a great leader like yourself."

  He laughed again. "Oh, Lily, I have missed your sugary praise almost as much as your peppery tongue. All right." He pivoted toward Ravenheart. "The child can go free. But I will ask the young warrior here to take her in your stead."

  Ravenheart looked stunned. "But, I—"

  "You will take her!"

  "Yes, yes sire, of course I will," Ravenheart replied. He started toward the ring.

  "Wait!" Lily said. "I won't agree to this change unless you give me another promise. After the ceremony we'll leave Ebony Canyon and never come back."

  Sebastian's gaze shifted between Lily, Shala, and the eagerly waiting Ravenheart. A werewolf's promise was bound by Law, and if Lily extracted one, Sebastian could not go back on his word. It was a hellish bargain, but if she saved Shala's life and protected the Dawn People it was a bargain well worth making.

  "Agreed," Seb
astian replied. "Get the child, Warrior."

  Face unaccountably lit with triumph, Ravenheart entered the circle and grabbed Shala's arm.

  "I won't go!" Shala screamed, pulling back with all her tiny might. "I won't leave Lily! I won't!"

  "Shut up, girl!" Ravenheart growled. "You're too stupid to know what's good for you."

  "Don't treat her that way," Lily ordered, crouching to Shala's level. "Come out now, Shala." She pulled the girl to the edge of the circle and embraced her. "I'll be all right, but I won't be coming back."

  "No, Lily, p-plee-ease. I-I-I was just about to f-forgive you. Please don't s-stay here."

  "It's the only way, sweetheart. Go with Ravenheart now. Tell Star Dancer I appreciated her kindness." Lily blinked hard and looked away for a second. "When . . . when your father returns tell him justice was served."

  Shala frowned.

  "I know that doesn't make sense to you, but he'll understand."

  "You take me, Lily. I don't want to go with Ravenheart." Shala shot the warrior a quick glance, then lowered her voice. "I don't like him."

  "Nevertheless, he'll get you to safety. Go with him, sweetheart, if only because I ask you to."

  New tears formed in Shala's eyes and she threw herself on Lily's shoulder, wrapped her small arms tightly around Lily's neck, and began sobbing. Lily stroked her tangled hair, fighting with the fierce wind to smooth it. Thunder and lightning punctuated Shala's sobs, causing them to pierce Lily's heart ever deeper.

  "I love you, Shala," she whispered. Shala loosened her hold on Lily's neck and looked into her eyes.

  "I 1-love you too," she said. "And I d-do forgive you."

  Lily inhaled sharply, struggling to hold back the ache in her chest. She held Shala until her tears subsided.

  "I'll go," she whispered, rubbing her reddened eyes. "I'll get help."

  "Yes," Lily said, standing up and taking one of Shala's hands. Slipping her other hand into the pocket of her jacket, she palmed a vial. Whether one would be of much use against nine werewolves, she didn't know.

  With her hand still in her pocket, she reluctantly gave Shala over to Ravenheart. "Be good to her," she warned, "and keep your word. You won't want to pay the price if you don't."

  She received a baleful glare in return, but was gratified to see him lead Shala gently from the clearing. When the pair reached the forest, Sebastian grabbed the collar of her jacket.

  "Let me relieve you of that, dear one." With a smooth move, he pulled it down her arms, forcing her hand from the pocket.

  But not before her fingers curled neatly around the vial.

  Her jacket in hand, Sebastian gave her a werewolf nudge that sent her sprawling into the center of the ring. Beryl moved to the pit and stoked the fire. The other werewolves began shrinking to the smaller wolf form. When the last one alchemized, they lined up single file and marched around the ring until they'd surrounded it. Sinking to their haunches, they lifted their large heads in unison and emitted a synchronized howl.

  "The Song of Hades begins," Sebastian announced, raising his hands to the sky.

  Chapter Sixteen

  "Yeafanay cawfanay naylanay may," Sebastian recited in front of the wind-tossed flames, his long tail coat flapping around his legs as lightning flashed above. The tall black obelisks behind Sebastian darkly reflected the fire. "A she-wolf shall be born this day. Yeafanay cawfanay naylanay may."

  "Powers of darkness, heed our cry," Lily translated, cringing on the ground inside the circle. Steeling herself against dread, she rolled to a sitting position, fingering the slim plastic vial between her fingers. Already she felt twinges in her knees and elbows. Soon they'd spread into the long connecting bones. She must escape before the ceremony caused those agonizing changes in her body.

  "Wait!" a panicked voice called. Ravenheart bolted out of the woods, the kicking and squalling Shala tucked under his arm like a bundle of clothing.

  "Let go!" Shala bellowed, beating on the warrior's back. "Let me go!"

  He thumped her on the head, which did little to check her pugnacity. Sebastian turned toward Ravenheart with a sardonic smile, obviously amused by Shala's spirited battle, then waved his hand toward the circle. The wolves sitting in Ravenheart's path moved apart, and Sebastian turned back to Lily. "I did not promise my follower would necessarily obey my orders. Only that I would issue them."

  "He offered me what you refused," Ravenheart said. "In exchange I agreed to deliver you and the shaman's child into his hands."

  "Damn you both!" Lily leaped from the ring at Ravenheart. The wolf beside him pivoted and snapped his jaws near Shala's head. Lily halted. "All right. All right. Don't hurt her."

  Backing up with her arms behind her, she gingerly uncorked the vial. It was a last desperate effort, but their only chance, and she was determined not to waste a single drop.

  Spilling just the smallest amount on her fingers, she flicked it on the wolf who'd snapped at Shala. Although some of the water got lost in the wind, enough hit its target. The wolf yelped in agony and fell on its side, fluctuating rapidly between wolf and man-wolf form.

  Shala screamed at the hideous sight. Ravenheart gaped in horror, obviously not comprehending what was happening.

  "I told you the bitch could not be trusted," Beryl bellowed from his place beside the fire.

  Lily flicked a few more drops. The other wolves broke rank, scurrying back with fearful whimpers. Lily scattered more water. Sebastian roared in outrage, then leaped forward and tore Shala from Ravenheart's hold. She shrieked as Sebastian's hands closed around her neck.

  "Enough, Lily!" he commanded, dangling Shala in front of him. Gasping for breath, the girl tore frantically at the werewolf's hands. "Toss that fluid into the fire or I will break this young mortal's neck like the match stick that ignited the flames."

  Lily paused, trying to gauge the extent of Sebastian's resolve. If he killed Shala he would lose his power over Lily, something he clearly wanted. But his fear of the sanctified water was great. Enough to make him follow through on his threat? She considered hurling the entire bottle at him, but he stood too far away. She might miss.

  Shala let out a sickening gurgle.

  "Put the girl down first, Sebastian," Lily said, holding the vial in front of her.

  "No tricks, Lily, or you will sorely regret them."

  Lily nodded, and Sebastian returned Shala to the ground. She dashed forward and wrapped her arms around Lily's waist. The wolf who'd been injured took on human shape. Immune to the water's effects now and glowering at Lily, he wiped the last remnant of water from his body, then quickly resumed wolf form and joined the other six.

  Lowering their heads, the seven of them crept toward Lily and Shala, fangs bared, gleaming eyes reflecting the flames of the fire. Thunder shook the clearing. Renewed wind gusts battered their clothes and hair.

  "Recork the vial," Sebastian commanded. "And throw it toward the fire."

  With a show of insolence she didn't feel but knew was vital for their safety, Lily replaced the stopper, then tossed the bottle in the air. The wind carried it to the right of where she'd aimed, and it landed not far from Beryl's feet. He jumped back

  "Dispose of it," Sebastian

  Beryl's eyes darted around the clearing, and he moved to collect two long sticks, which he then used as pinchers to gingerly lift the bottle. With a look of immense relief, he dropped it in the flames.

  "The ceremony resumes," Sebastian intoned dramatically.

  Ravenheart stepped eagerly into the ring. Sebastian gave Lily a commanding look, then glanced meaningfully at Shala. With the child still clinging to her, Lily backed over the line in the dirt.

  "L-Lily." Shala hiccupped. "What's going to happen?"

  Kneeling, she cupped Shala's dirty tear-streaked face, then looked up at Sebastian. "Please let her go. She's just a child."

  "You've grown fond of these mortals, have you not?" He looked vaguely puzzled that anyone who'd been so close to him could do such a thing.
"I warned you such sensibilities would bring you to doom. Am I not proof of that? Look how I doted on you. Yet you, the daughter I once cherished, have caused me terrible pain. No, Lily, this girl will become what I always hoped you would be. So 'tis your choice. She stays in the ring and becomes one of us, or . . ." He licked his man-wolf muzzle as if anticipating a treat.

  Lily's shoulders sagged. She pulled the trembling Shala close, feeling more miserable than she had the morning she'd keened over Jorje's lifeless body. She'd brought on this horror as surely as she'd taken Jorje's life. If not for her, Sebastian and his godless eight wouldn't even be here, Ravenheart wouldn't have been tempted to take a shortcut to shamanhood, and Shala wouldn't be trapped in this ring. White Hawk should have let her die.

  "Sebastian, please . . ."

  Giving no reply, Sebastian stretched his arms to the moon. The sky lit up with lightning, as if he'd commanded it. "Yeafanay, cawfanay, naylanay, may. Yeafanay, cawfanay, naylanay, may. Werewolves shall be born this day."

  Defeated, Lily sank to the ground and settled Shala in her lap. The girl had grown eerily silent, her eyes huge pools of fear.

  "Hang on to me, sweetheart," Lily said. "No matter what happens, hang on."

  Sebastian began reciting words that Lily had often used herself in the same unholy ritual and knew by heart in all their variations.

  "Lady moon doth touch dark Pluto now. Yet fickle lady waits for none and soon moves on.

  Oh, phantoms of the dark beneath rise up to heed my cry."

  A log crashed in the fire, sparks swirled on the fierce wind.

  "Bring fang and claw and strength beyond what mortals know.

  Bestow these gifts upon your servants now that they may roam the earth as wolf and man, as man and wolf forever more."

  The seven wolves emitted long, piercing howls. From somewhere above, a bird of prey gave out a shrill, foreboding cry. Shards of pain ripped at Lily's body as she fought back alchemization. Ravenheart wailed in torment beside her, clawing at his belly. Shala twisted feverishly in her arms, whimpering. Lily stroked the child's mud-smeared arms and dropped kisses on her teary face.