by Sydney Addae
“Put up a fuss, curse, stomp your feet, but in the end, agree.”
“That sucks, but whatever you need me to do.”
“I’d like to have Jasmine merge with you to make sure they don’t poison you again, is that alright?”
She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “Okay.”
He brushed a kiss against her lips. “When I leave, act casual but listen to me, follow my instructions. Pack is surrounding this place and will be breaking through soon.”
“Where are we?” she asked, leaning on his shoulder.
“Memphis, Tennessee.” He shared the information regarding the family he had received from Silas.
“Wernher. Why does that name sound familiar?”
“It does?”
“Yes. Something in the archives, let me think.” She closed her eyes.
“Silas?”
“Yeah?”
Angus shared his latest conversation with Cancer and asked for the merger between Jasmine and Shyla again.
“We’re here for whatever you need. About this crystal, can it really heal cancer?”
“It assists in the natural progression of healing, how much it helps humans? That I don’t know. He may feel some temporary benefits.”
“Can you imagine what happens if it turns out the crystal can do anything, let alone heal permanently? The caves will be decimated, sacred areas destroyed, and possibly a war. How can we minimize those possibilities and get all three of you out of there without alerting human authorities?”
Angus pursed his lips. “When I tune the crystal, I won’t take it to its maximum potential. There should be enough to give him some temporary relief. In a day or two, he’ll revert to his present state.”
“Gilbert’s pack would’ve shut down the place by then. Run with that plan.”
Angus touched Shyla’s arm. “Silas approved the plan.”
She nodded but remained silent. They sat in silence while the TV played a game show. Angus wondered what Asia had found. Had they examined her? Did they know about her metal limbs? Was Asia really out of it or was this a game she played? Jasmine would’ve reached out to her, and game or not, Asia would’ve responded.
“We’ve moved her to a place where you can check her and tune the crystal,” Cancer said several minutes later. “Your mate remains behind.”
Shyla jumped up. “Kiss my ass, bitch, where he goes, I go,” she yelled, pointing at the monitor.
“Not this time. You stay here in the room until he finishes the job, when he’s done, both of you can leave,” Cancer said in a firm tone.
She turned to Angus. “Baby, don’t trust that one. This is a trick, as soon as you leave, they’ll gas me again. I hated that, I don’t want to stay here without you.” She wrapped her arms around Angus. “You aren’t leaving me.”
“We’re running out of time,” Cancer snapped. “Do we have a deal? Yes or no?”
“Don’t push me,” Angus growled. Concerned by the truth of Shyla’s fears, he cupped her cheeks and stared into her eyes. “If you want me to stay, I will.”
“No, you won’t,” Cancer yelled.
“My woman is afraid you’ll gas her again or use that shit in the darts and that’s your fault. Unless she’s calm and believes she’s safe, there is no deal.” Angus wrapped his arms tight around her. “I’m sorry, I should’ve listened to you.”
“I’m really not this weak person, it’s just I’ve never experienced anything like what’s happened the past two days. Give me a moment to get into character.” She rested her head on his chest.
“We will not do anything to your mate. No one or nothing will enter the room while you are away,” Cancer said. “Timing is critical, please let’s get this done.”
“Do you believe him?” she asked Angus.
“Not at all, so be on guard, merge with Jasmine. Call out to her, the two of you have a connection.” He kissed her. “What do you want me to do?” Angus asked aloud so Cancer could hear.
“Hurry back,” she whispered.
He kissed her again, stood, and looked at the monitor. “Okay.”
The room moved in a circular manner. Angus widened his stance so he didn’t fall, and braced his hands on the table.
“What the hell?” Shyla asked as she fell backward.
“This is why we didn’t see a door to get out of here before.” The room stopped. A large metal door opened. Cancer and Scorpio were on the other side waving him out. Each held guns. Angus wondered what ammunition they used. He walked behind Cancer with Scorpio bringing up the rear. They stopped in front of another door, opened it, and strode inside.
Asia was lying on the bed in the middle of the room. Angus walked over and touched her neck, activating his necklace. Tingles shot down his arm into her. After a second or two, he looked at the men still in their monk garb.
“Where are the crystals?”
“In that refrigerator.” Cancer pointed.
Angus opened the door and pulled out two long crystals, ignoring the others. He rolled one of the stones between both palms to get the feel of it. This one was purer than the first and responded to his energy quickly. Closing his eyes, he hummed to find the correct frequency. Warmth from the stone filled his palms and spread throughout his body. He felt lighter, stronger, and at peace.
“Is that one ready?” Cancer asked, interrupting Angus’ meditation.
He looked at the nearly translucent crystal and handed it to Scorpio. Cancer watched his brother’s eyes widen and then smile as he clasped the stone. Angus picked up the second crystal as Scorpio left the room with the first.
“Thank you,” Cancer said in a choked voice.
“Don’t thank me, whatever happens probably isn’t permanent.” He rolled the crystal in his palms.
“I know. But my father wants this and if he only has one day, that’s better than nothing.” Cancer paused. “Who’s the female? Is she someone important?”
Angus’ brow rose. “Everyone is someone important.”
Cancer waved down his comments. “In the general sense, yes. But is she important to your Alpha?”
“Yes, we are all important to him.” Angus glared at the man. “Quiet, I need to focus.”
Cancer held up his hand and bowed.
Ignoring him, Angus warmed the crystal in his palm. This one was of lesser quality. It took longer to respond and the energy level wasn’t as high. Once it warmed in his palm, he handed the glowing stone to Cancer.
“It’s not as bright as the other one.” Cancer held it up for inspection.
“No, it’s not. Use the first one on your father and this one on your brother. That should work.” Angus stepped back and checked on Asia. “How long has she been like this?”
“Before we got back in the country, maybe four hours or so. Thanks for this. Someone will show you back to your room to get your mate.” Cancer left.
Angus picked up Asia and turned to reach the door. He engaged his bracelet to check Asia’s memories and hit a brick wall. “Good.” The door opened and he walked down the hall into the room he shared with Shyla.
“Is she alright?” Shyla asked, walking over to him.
“Her heart’s beating.” Angus went into the bathroom to wash his hands. When he returned, he found Shyla sitting next to Asia, gently touching her face.
“Jasmine?”
Shyla nodded but didn’t say anything.
“Let’s get out of here.” He knocked on the metal door. A guard answered it. “Get Cancer in here.” Angus closed the door and paced. Something was off. Cancer should have had someone escort Shyla to him, instead, they’re back in this room.
Minutes passed and no one came to release them. “Silas, Asia is still not responding and the hospitality here sucks. Gilbert and his pack here?”
“Yes, they are in place.”
“Great.” Angus morphed to his largest size and punched up into the ceiling. He pulled down several cables and snatched them out. Wires sizzled and popped
as he tapped each section of the wall until he came to the area he wanted to kick. Plaster, block, and wood flew outward as he battered down the wall, leaving a huge opening.
“Silas, keep the poison from slowing me down.”
“I’m here,” Silas said as they merged.
Angus picked up Asia and jumped out the hole onto another level. Turning, he motioned for Shyla to follow his lead.
She jumped and landed next to him. The dim space they landed in was filled with statues of Nicromja and strange writings on the wall. Shyla covered her mouth with her hand and pointed to a wall. Angus couldn’t make out the words and morphed to his hybrid.
“You got this?” Silas asked.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“That’s why his name was so familiar,” Shyla said. “In the records, there’s a family who basically sold their lives to two gods. They were released by one but not the other. It was an interesting story of how the family thought they were cursed because men are the majority in their line, but they died young. A deal was struck for long life, but they were enslaved or something similar by the god.”
“Nicromja?” Angus looked at the altar, the familiar statue, the writings.
“Could be. It was actually a sad story of suffering.”
Angus touched the gold candleholder. “Profitable suffering. Let’s go.” They moved toward the door. Shyla threw up her hand.
“Heartbeats in the hall.”
He nodded. “Good looking out.” Gently he placed Asia on the table, and picked up a large statute. Using it as a battering ram, he broke down the door, knocking the guards down like bowling pins. The sting of two darts in his shoulder enraged him and he shifted to his larger form while Silas dispelled the poison. Angus grabbed two men with guns, slammed them together with considerable force, and tossed them aside as he picked up two more. Shyla kicked a guard beneath his chin so hard he flew several feet in the air, then hit the wall so hard the sound of breaking bones filled the air. Angus morphed to his hybrid and picked up Asia.
Shyla grabbed two pistols from the dead guards as she followed. They reached an area that looked like a loft. Angus looked over and saw an emaciated man lying on the bed. Scorpio’s hands were tied behind his back and blood ran down his face. Cancer placed the glowing crystal in the old man’s hands and closed them around it. With each breath, the older man took, his skin filled, pinked, the stench of death abated. Mesmerized, Angus watched the transformation in shock.
Cancer knelt on one knee and placed his fist on his chest. “Greetings, father.”
“Greetings Cancer, Scorpio.” He looked at the men holding Scorpio. “Kill him.”
Cancer stood. “I beg for mercy on his behalf.”
“Mercy? He took the crystal for himself and had to be hunted down to return it. I cannot abide traitors.” He snatched a gun out of the waistband of one of the security guards, pointed, and shot Scorpio in the forehead. With his arm raised, he pointed the gun at Cancer. “There’s another bullet in here for you if you want it. Tell me now, are you with me or against me?”
“I’ve always been with you.” Cancer returned to one knee.
“Then bring the woman to me so the exchange can be made.”
“Sir?”
“I told Scorpio not to trade the woman. I want her. Bring her to me.”
“He told me you said to make the trade.”
The old man shot Scorpio again. “Selfish bastard. The woman is able to exchange bodies; I need to rid myself of this one. Find her and bring her to me.” He waved Cancer away.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Gilbert’s men have accessed the basement and will be there soon to take Asia,” Silas said.
Angus threw back his head and howled. Shyla joined him. Seconds later, several pack members joined the chorus.
“What is that?” the old man asked, looking around. “Filthy wolves in my home, have security take care of them.” He moved slowly toward the wall and then slid behind a panel.
Angus stood in front of Asia and waited for the pack to arrive.
Cancer and his men got there first. “I hoped you’d left the building, why did you hang around?”
Shyla whipped out the two pistols and shot off four rounds that hit their targets before Cancer pulled his weapon. Angus grabbed the two remaining guards, slammed them together like cymbals, and tossed them on the floor.
Cancer took off running out the room.
Angus pulled the dart from his other shoulder and checked his mate.
“I’m good.” She exchanged her pistols for an automatic lying in the cold grasp of a fallen guard.
“When did you learn to shoot like that?” His mate was full of surprises.
“As a librarian, I’ve gone to more self-defense classes with co-workers than I can count. We all bought guns and learned how to shoot.” She blew across the nozzle and winked.
“I like that cowgirl thing you got going on,” he said, pulling her away from the bodies on the floor.
The building shook, toppling vases, pictures from the wall crashed to the floor. “An earthquake in Tennessee?” Shyla asked as she placed her hand on the wall to keep from falling.
“Doubt it. Whatever that is, it’s not good.” Angus covered Asia with a heavy dark drape that fell from the ceiling and waved Shyla behind him as he ran down the corridor, determined to get his mate and Asia to safety.
There was a large rumbling and a long scream.
Angus moved faster down the steps. They’d reached the outer courtyard when the old man jumped down three stories and landed in front of him holding Nicromja’s sword and sliced Angus across the arm.
Angus dropped Asia and morphed to his largest size.
CHAPTER 31
“You denied me in the challenge, but you won’t deny me now that I have my own champion,” Wernher snarled, looking nothing like the sick man from before. His skin glowed with an eerie light. “I am Nicromja, you should have been honored to serve me, but instead you betrayed me. For that, you will die.” Wernher moved so fast, Angus didn’t have time to block his move as the blade sliced across his thigh and his head snapped back with an uppercut beneath the chin. Blood spurted from Angus’ mouth as he flew backward.
Wernher raised his sword up toward the sky, an arc of lightning struck the tip. His entire body vibrated as he absorbed the shock.
Unbearable pain raced through Angus as he stood slowly while his flesh healed. To his right, Shyla held Asia, who was still unconscious. He’d just taken a step when Wernher flew forward, plowing his fist into his gut, knocking the wind out of him as he flew backward and hit the wall again.
Stars exploded in his skull. For a few seconds, he couldn’t see. He tried to stand, but fell, only to get back up again. He heard the sing of the sword and jumped back, keeping his head in the process.
“Coward,” Wernher yelled. “Worthless coward. No wonder you didn’t want to fight the Goddess’ champion, you’re a weak, sniveling piece of trash.”
Angus inhaled. Every place on him hurt. He morphed to his hybrid to speed the healing.
“What’s going on?” Silas demanded.
“Nicromja. Fight. Sword.”
Silas merged with Angus. “Damn it, why didn’t you call me?”
“For a fight?”
“He’s a fucking god who hates you,” Silas said, sending healing energy through Angus, which helped tremendously.
“Sorry, I gotta do this on my own, my mate is watching,” Angus glanced at Shyla. Her eyes were glassy.
“I know. Damn it,” Silas yelled and pulled out.
“How’s it going?” Shyla asked as he shook his head to stop the ringing.
“Just need to get my second wind, I’ll be good.” He didn’t look at her. He watched Wernher talk to Cancer, who’d joined his father on the other side of the room, and inhaled. He winced at the pain.
A cooling mist flowed through their link, soothing like menthol, easing his bruised places. “He’s not a god, not really
,” Shyla said.
“No?” He didn’t mean to sound skeptical, but he refused to believe an old man had kicked his ass without celestial assistance.
“Gods cannot fight humans; it’s forbidden and simply cannot happen. They can help or assist on occasion and even that’s limited. He’s just a man with a sharp toy, Angus. You can take him.”
He glanced over his shoulder at her. She winked and blew him a kiss. “Kick his ass so we can go home, we’ve got more bonding to do.” Heat rushed through their link, strengthening him as never before. Energized by her faith in him, he morphed into his largest form, threw back his head and released an ear-splitting howl.
Wernher jumped toward him with the sword outstretched. Angus waited, then sidestepped at the last second and elbowed the man in the back, sending him forward into the wall. The old man jumped up and ran screaming at him, his face mottled red with fury as he swung the sword, missing Angus by a hair’s breadth. Angus slammed his fist into Wernher’s stomach, lifting him off the ground and sending him flying backward into a stone statue that broke into a few jagged pieces.
“I will kill you,” Wernher screamed, standing slowly and shaking off debris.
Angus moved back a bit, preparing for the attack, and ducked just in time to miss being skewered by the sword as it came flying past his ear. It hit the wall and fell to the floor. Cancer picked it up and yelled, releasing it. Smoke rose from his palm. He ran from the room.
One second, Wernher was on one side of the room, the next, he picked up the sword and charged Angus again. Jumping up, Angus missed the blade. He kicked out, the side of his foot hit Wernher’s head, sending the man flying, and landing on the jagged edge of the broken statue, impaled. The sword fell from his hand and landed on the ground. Seconds later, it disappeared.
Angus morphed to human, strode to his mate, captured her mouth with his, and all the world ceased to exist. Eyes closed, he delighted in the taste of her. He took his time, solidifying his commitment to her, their den, and their future. Gasping, they broke apart. His eyes lingered on her face, so precious, so beautiful, so strong. His beast agreed their future with this woman would banish the cold, lonely memories of his past, they’d be blissfully happy. He swallowed the knot forming in his throat, bringing a hand to her face. “Mine,” he whispered.