Stilling at the mysterious undercurrent to his words, she studied him. Rather than looking directly at her, his focus seemed to drift from the top of her head to her shoulders. As if he were outlining her body with his gaze. “What? You think he’ll be afraid to hurt me?”
He chuckled at that, finally meeting her stare head-on. “He won’t hurt you, kitten. He doesn’t stand a chance against you.”
“But he’s a primo. I thought the only one who could outfight him was you.”
“Me,” he said stalking forward, “or a sorcerer with your strength.”
She froze. Iced to her very core despite the jungle’s humid warmth and trembling beneath an onslaught of fear. “My family is warrior house.”
“Your family is predominately warrior house. But your grandmother is a seer, and now they have a sorcerer. A powerful one given the depth of your aura.”
She swallowed hard and forced her fear to the surface, her voice little more than a rasp. “Draven is a sorcerer.”
“And the only one I’ve ever known who’s embraced the darkness.” As his words trailed off, he reached her, firmly cupped one shoulder and angled her face to his with the other. “You are light, Kateri. Caring. Thoughtful. Smart. Nothing like my brother was before or after he twisted his gifts. To receive the magic you’ve been given is not only an honor, but a testament to the Keeper’s belief in you. Take it as the blessing and compliment it was intended to be.”
A blessing? Based on what Jade and Tate had shared with her, sorcerers were the most revered and most powerful house of their clan. “But you saw me. Saw how angry I was. What if I let it... I can’t be the person who abuses their gifts like he did.”
“And that’s exactly why you won’t. You’ve faced your past. You’ve owned it. And now you’re in a position to help us right the havoc my brother created.”
A growl sounded behind her, the depth of it more of a greeting or polite interruption than anything ominous.
Katy dug her fingers into Priest’s forearms, but Priest merely shifted his gaze to the space directly behind her, a flicker of annoyance shifting across his face before his mouth curved in a delighted smile.
Okay, so not a bad development. Which was good, because as out-of-body experiences and unexpected gifts went, she’d had more than enough. Slowly, she pivoted toward the sound, careful to keep her body close to Priest’s.
Not twenty feet away, a lioness slowly padded their direction, her coat nearly matching the wheat-colored tones of her own hair and her eyes eerily close to the blue-gray Katy and Naomi shared. And she was huge. Not quite as big as Priest’s panther, but enough the two of them could easily walk side by side.
“Oh my God,” she whispered. “Is that what I think it is?”
“I guess calling you kitten was more apt than I thought.” Priest chuckled, settled his hands on her shoulders and pressed a soft kiss to her temple. “Kateri Falsen, say hello to your companion.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Not one visible difference. Not in her face or her body. Yet no matter how long Katy stared at her reflection in the mirror, she couldn’t reconcile the woman staring back at her with the person she’d seen every other day of her life. As if the last twenty-four hours of her life had altered so much beneath the surface and offloaded so much internal junk, she was actually seeing herself for the first time. The real Katy. Not the flaws. Not the limitations, but the true woman along with all her hopes and dreams.
She braced her trembling hands on the vanity’s marble surface and leaned closer, studying the outline of her head and shoulders for the aura Priest assured her was there.
“You won’t see it.” Priest moved into the reflection behind her, set a glass of water on the counter and cupped her shoulders. Like hers, his dark hair was still slightly damp from the shower they’d shared after waking up. Rather than mill about bare-chested as was his norm at home, he’d donned a tight T-shirt along with his track pants. “Mirrors do a good job with objects. Not so much with magic.” He kissed the top of her head and smiled. “But it’s beautiful.”
If it was anything close to the luminescent silver surrounding Priest, she believed it, but she still wanted to see it for herself. “It’s purple?”
“Purple doesn’t do it justice. It’s deep. Thick but soft like the color just before the sun surrenders to the night.”
And dark meant powerful.
Which, in her case, was kind of like handing a lit blowtorch to a two-year-old. She straightened and pumped her fists as she had repeatedly since waking in Priest’s arms. No matter how many times she did it, the pulsing vibrancy beneath her skin persisted. As if the only thing she’d ingested for the last twenty-four hours was enough double-fudge chocolate cake to feed a classroom full of six-year-olds and a case of energy drink.
Priest chuckled, covered one of her hands with his own, and gently squeezed. “You need to get out of this room and move. Your cat wants out and is going to pester you until you let her, but until you burn off some of the jitters that will never happen.”
Translation—no more hiding from her family. Although, she’d studied the drop from Priest’s balcony a few times and considered if she could make the leap in human form and bypass their reactions and consequent questions altogether. At least for a little while longer. “Did you tell them?”
He turned her, cupped the side of her face in a strong grip and forced her face to his. “You’re a sorcerer, Kateri. Not an abomination. Not something to be feared. Certainly, not by your family.”
Right.
Not a curse, but a blessing. A really freaking strong one without an instruction manual or warning labels attached.
“But no,” he said matter-of-factly. “I didn’t tell them. Not them or the other fifty or sixty people who caught wind my mate had her soul quest and are camped out in the backyard waiting to see you.”
She jerked herself free of his hold and stormed to the sliding glass door that led out to the balcony. “They’re here? And why in the backyard?”
“Yes, here,” he said following behind her at a much slower pace and a boatload of humor in his voice. “It’s a big deal when a primo’s sister has her soul quest. A bigger deal when it’s the high priest’s mate. And they’re in the backyard because I threatened Alek and Tate with their nuts if they let anyone in the house before I was back from the Otherworld.” He shrugged and grinned. “By the time that happened, the crowd was big enough that outside made more sense room-wise and it turned into a party.”
She gave up peeking through the curtains and rose on her tiptoes for a better look, but between the depth of his balcony and the height his room had on the gorge below, the best she could catch were a few straggling men talking in the distance. Both had beers in hand and were apparently settled in for the long haul. “I can’t do this.”
“Sure, you can.” Priest pried the heavy chocolate curtain from her hand and it fell back into place, blocking out the soft evening light. “There’s not a soul out there who doesn’t know what you’ve just gone through. They understand you need to take the edge off and give your companion time in this world. None of them will stop you or expect more than a brief appearance.”
He frowned as if a thought had just occurred to him.
“What?”
His lips quirked as though he couldn’t decide if he wanted to smile or grimace. “Okay, one person expects more. Naomi cornered me when I went for your water and made me swear I’d talk you into showing her your companion after you shift.”
“Did you tell her about my cat?”
That time he did smile, a huge one full of beautiful white teeth and a ton of pride. “Not gonna ruin that surprise, kitten.” He eased in close and pulled her flush against him, his voice dropping to an easy rumble. “She’s perfect for you.”
“You’re not going to comment on claws again are you? Because
I’m pretty sure the ones I’ve got now will do more damage than the curious ones you’re used to.”
He chuckled at that and nuzzled his nose alongside hers. “No. I meant it. A lioness is a fierce hunter, but her real skill is taking care of the pack. Nurturing and providing for the people she calls her own.”
A pleasant flutter whispered beneath her sternum, and she’d swear a contented purr rolled through her head. “Holy crap.” She stilled and focused on the broad expanse of Priest’s chest, listening for the sound again. “I think...” Surely not. But Priest had said their companions heard and felt what they did. And Alek had said he’d heard his wolf. She refocused on Priest. “I think I heard her.”
“All the more reason to get you moving. She deserves a reward and there’s no better one than letting her run in our world.”
She wanted that. Wanted to experience the world through her companion’s eyes and feel the unique connection she’d experienced when her lion had merged with her spirit. Enough, it was worth facing her whole clan if that’s what it took.
She sucked in a deep breath and nodded her head. “Okay, let’s do it.”
Five minutes later, she neared the foot of the stairs, Priest’s fingers laced tightly with hers as he led her forward. Inside, the house was strangely quiet, but beyond the open sliding glass door the happy chatter and laughter of those who’d gathered billowed up from the open expanse below.
Priest slid the screen door aside. “Breathe, mihara. All you have to do is walk outside and let them see you’re safe and happy. Then we’ll go for a nice long run to even you out.”
God, yes. A run sounded perfect. And if the vibration beneath her sternum was any indication, her cat thought so, too.
The swish of the screen door opening almost instantly quieted the voices below, and Priest squeezed her hand encouragingly.
Step by step, the crowd came into view below, every eye trained on her. For a second, she thought about running. Ducking back inside or at least out the front door and going for a run solo.
But then the rainbow of auras around those who waited stole her attention. Reds for the warriors, gold for the seers and green for the healers. “I’m the only one.” Not one spec of purple emanated from the crowd. Priest had said he knew of no living sorcerers, but until that second, it hadn’t really clicked. Didn’t fully register how very important her gift could be for their clan. And if she could see their auras, then they could most assuredly see hers.
“Like I said. A blessing, not a curse.” He steered her down the wooden staircase to the waiting crowd below.
Not surprising, Naomi beat her to the foot of the stairs, though along the way she nearly knocked down two men and one unsuspecting woman. “Look at you!” Before Katy could offer a response, Nanna wrapped her up in a fierce embrace and rocked her back and forth. “I knew you’d accept your gifts. And a sorcerer, too!”
“She’s gonna be a dead sorcerer if you don’t ease that choke hold, Nanna.” Planting a firm hand on Naomi’s shoulder, Alek somehow managed to pry her away and pulled Katy in for his own hug. Unlike her grandmother’s happy and unapologetically bold voice, Alek’s was low and only for her. “Leave it to you to find a way to one-up your brother being primo.”
Typical Alek. Always leveraging his humor to unwind the tension. And neither Nanna or Alek seemed afraid of her. Weren’t worried or even remotely hesitant about her house or the strength of her untried gifts. Even as she made her way through the crowd, accepting hugs, a few wildflowers from some of the children and well-wishes all around, not once did anyone look on her with anything other than happiness.
Through it all, Priest stayed silent, yet supportive by her side. When someone made attempts to draw him into the conversation, he subtly redirected, ensuring the focus stayed on her and her happy moment. The only exception was when they neared the silver-haired man waiting at the edge of the crowd. A warrior she’d seen Alek spend considerable time with since he’d earned his place as primo, but couldn’t for the life of her remember his name.
Priest wrapped one arm around Katy and held out his hand to the warrior. “Garrett.”
Now she remembered. He’d been one of the first to relocate to the area after learning Priest had settled there as a show of support. One of the last living warriors from her grandmother’s generation.
Shaking the hand offered, Garrett slapped Priest on the shoulder and grinned in a way that spoke of experience only two men would understand. “Not sure which one of you deserves a pat on the back more. You for finally cornering your mate, or your mate for making such an impression on the Keeper.”
He turned his shrewd eyes on Katy and the warmth in their pale green depths thawed what was left of her worries. He’d been there the night Draven had worked his dark magic. Had seen firsthand the devastation a sorcerer gone rogue could wreak. And yet there was not only genuine happiness for her in his expression, but hope as well. “It’s good to see another one of our clan find their way back into the fold. Even better to see our sorcerer house getting some life in it.”
“I’m not sure how comfortable I am being the first one to wade back in, but Priest says he’ll help me figure it out.”
“We’ll all help you,” Garrett said. “That’s what clan does. All you have to do is ask.”
“Speaking of asking...” Priest jerked his head at the milling crowd behind them that showed no signs of breaking up anytime soon. “You mind hanging around and helping out if Alek or Naomi need it?”
Garrett grinned and shook his head. “You’re kidding, right? Either one of them could lead a whole damned battalion and not bat an eye. But yeah, I’ll hang.” He winked at Katy. “Besides, I heard rumor there might be some new mystery animal making rounds in the woods soon. Wouldn’t want to miss out on the big reveal.”
God, her grandmother was going to be the death of her. Barely an hour and a half back from the Otherworld and she was already building an audience for her first time out in animal form. Given enough time, she’d probably turn the whole thing into a parade. No pressure or anything.
“Yeah, well, let’s cross one bridge at a time,” Katy said. “I’ve got to figure out how things work first. Then we’ll see about taking my new-and-improved half out for a spin.”
“You’ll figure it out,” Garrett said with the confidence of a man who’d seen more than his share of celebrations. “Go. Have fun. We’ll make sure everyone gives you a wide berth.”
Before he could amble away, Katy blurted, “A wide berth for what?”
He stopped, shot a knowing smirk at Priest, then turned back for the crowd, his voice loaded with amusement when it floated back to them. “I think I’ll leave that one for your mate to answer.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
This was what peace felt like. Surrounded by good people, their laughter sparking through the open air like the flames on the torches around them, and his mate happily exploring her newfound companion among his people.
Priest had had glimpses of this kind of contentment in the last fifty years. Simple experiences with Jade and Tate growing up, or when he lingered in his panther form, but they were just snippets compared to tonight. Nowhere near the quiet stillness that rested behind his sternum right now.
Beside him, Garrett popped the top on his cooler, pilfered a fresh longneck from the slowly melting ice and resumed his lazy sprawl against the thick tree trunk where the two of them had taken to watching Kateri interact with the clan. “She shifted easy, I take it?”
“One of the fastest I’ve ever seen. But then she watched Alek’s first shift, so it could just be she had a leg up.”
Garrett nodded, but kept his gaze on Kateri in lion form, stretched out on her belly between two ten-year-old little girls who’d made it their personal mission to pet her into a trance. “Could be?”
As if Garrett had to ask what the other cause might be. H
e’d seen his share of alpha companions over the many years he’d been alive and knew the challenge they presented. Nothing was more important than establishing human control over the animal in those first shifts, and as ready as Kateri’s had been to enter this world, there was a high probability Kateri’s lion would give her a run for her money. “All right, so odds are good her cat’s an alpha.”
“Yeah, the Keeper’s not gonna give a beta to a sorcerer with Kateri’s power.” Garrett chuckled and tossed his bottle cap into the bag where he’d stowed his empties. “Gotta say, I’m a little bummed I can’t be a fly on the wall when it’s time for her to shift back.”
Meaning Priest would likely have to use his powers as high priest to force her transition—an act that would no doubt piss off both females. He hadn’t liked it when the outgoing high priest had forced it on him and he’d actually known what was happening.
Still, if it came to him forcing things, he was counting on the aftereffects of her first shift to help cushion the blow. Honest to God, until he’d seen how fast Kateri had welcomed her cat, he’d looked forward to her transition back to her human self and the very carnal rush that came with it. Now, it would be a crapshoot if she took her frustration out in physical form, or just tried to unman him with her bare hands.
“Speaking of, I’ve gotta get things moving.” Priest stood, finished off his own beer and added the empty bottle to Garrett’s nearly full bag. “Wish me luck.”
“No need for that. The Keeper wouldn’t have given her to you if you couldn’t handle it.” He grinned and raised his bottle in salute. “I’ll mourn for you, though, if you end up back on the couch tonight.”
Right. More like his love life would retain its place at the top of everyone’s gossip sheet. One thing about a growing clan—everyone knew everyone else’s business. A fact he’d hate if it wasn’t so damned nice to see everyone coming together again.
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