Anton bit back a growl. The formalities the Yuran pride adhered to were outdated. Just about everything they did was antiquated. Considering none of the brothers had left the dungeon since they’d located the Shifter Council here, it wasn’t all that surprising. Anton didn’t have time to abide by customs today. He wanted to establish new ones.
“I need to see one of our treasures.” Anton stepped in front of Zaheer, the brother with the mismatched eyes and the only one who’d ever spoken to him. “It’s important.”
“Tsar isn’t accepting visitors today.”
Anton took a step forward. “Then allow us inside, and we’ll find what we’re looking for ourselves.”
“That won’t be possible.” A pleading look settled in Zaheer’s mismatched eyes. “You’ll have to come back later.”
“No. I won’t. Councilmen are allowed in the dungeon anytime.” Anton fisted the spear’s shaft. “Move aside. Or I’ll move you.”
Zaheer clasped Anton’s wrist. “Kade is not a Council member. He’ll have to wait outside.”
“Kade is pride leader and my guest. I vouch for him.” That was the requirement for bringing visitors into the dungeon. If they were to damage anything, it’d be on the councilman’s head. Destroying their treasures was punishable up to and including death.
Zaheer studied Kade, who stood silently staring at Zaheer as if he’d never seen a shifter with one blue eye and one green eye. Although unusual, it wasn’t abnormal. Humans could have the same.
“Only if I accompany the two of you.” Zaheer dismissed Kade on a disgusted sound and addressed Anton. “Your pride leader won’t abide by your directions. He will mine. Or blood will fly.”
The other guard let out a low growl. He glared at Zaheer. The two Royals held each other’s stare in a silent battle. Finally, both males moved their spears, unblocking the door.
“You will stay in the main room, and I’ll get whatever piece you need.” Zaheer grabbed the door handle but didn’t open the door. “Is that acceptable?”
“Yes.” It’d be quicker too. Anton didn’t know where things were kept in the many treasure rooms located below the campus.
The same punch of incense hit Anton the moment they entered the main chamber. Damn, he hated the light-headedness, but the herbs were necessary to preserve these treasures.
After a moment, his body acclimated to the heavy scents. Anton cleared his throat. “We want to see the first Alexander’s book.”
Zaheer’s expression didn’t change, but a predatory sense of stillness settled over him. “You know.”
“My secretary is the one who delivered the book to Tsar last night. Why wouldn’t I know?”
“I’m surprised Nyx told you.” Zaheer smirked, showing a side of the stoic guard Anton had never seen. It didn’t look natural on him. “That female seemed too driven to be swayed by lust.”
Lust didn’t sway Nyx. The gift given to them by the goddesses guided both Nyx and Anton. Zaheer didn’t need the intimate details, however. “The book. I want to see the book, not talk about my employee.”
“Fine.” The amusement faded from Zaheer’s expression. “I can get you the copy. Not the original.”
Kade stepped in front of Zaheer and lowered his voice. “Why? Where’s the original?”
“Tsar is prepping it for storage. It’s in poor condition.”
“You’ve seen it?” Kade studied Zaheer with an intensity that triggered Anton’s instincts. Kade suspected something. Anton was sure of it.
“No.” Zaheer pointed to the main entrance. “But I was on duty last night. I saw your secretary and the Shifter Affairs’ agent arrive with the package, then I spoke with Tsar earlier this morning after he’d finished transcribing the book.”
“So nobody besides Tsar has read it.” A wash of power swept through the room, stemming from Kade. The tips of his claws poked through the ends of his fingers. “Is that what you’re telling me?”
Anton laid a hand on Zaheer’s shoulder and drew him away from Kade. If Anton didn’t intervene, there’d be a fight. The accusation in Kade’s voice was thick. “I’m sure Tsar will remove the book from storage for a second transcription in a few days. Won’t he, Zaheer?”
“I don’t see why not. The incense in these chambers is potent. Once it’s had a chance to work its magic, the deterioration will be significantly slowed, and it’ll be safer to handle.”
Kade crossed his arms over his chest. “Then I’ll stay on campus until I can see the original.”
Zaheer shrugged. “If you feel it’s necessary, but trust me when I say nobody is quicker or better at transcription than my elder brother.”
“We’re not questioning Tsar’s skills. This book was written by our forefather. We want to see it. Touch it. Surely you understand.” Anton spoke before Kade could. Fighting with Zaheer wouldn’t accomplish anything.
“I do.” Zaheer nodded, then slipped from the room.
“He’s agitated.” Kade focused on the door Zaheer left through. “Guards shouldn’t be agitated. They should be stoic and calm.”
“Zaheer usually is.” Honestly, other than the smirk and forced amusement from moments ago, Anton hadn’t noticed any details to indicate the guard was agitated. Anton wasn’t a pride leader, however. The influence of their pride’s spirit on Kade heightened his instincts. “Maybe it’s you. Your stare did come off as challenging.”
“If you consider what happened out there as challenging, you haven’t been around me—” Kade cursed. He worked his jaw. “You’re right. Maybe it is me. I’m restless. I can’t put my finger on why.”
Anton stepped in front of his pride leader. “You carry the first Alexander’s spirit and his felines’ spirits. Our forefather lives on through you, and finally, his voice is about to be heard. It’s understandable.”
Kade shrugged. “Maybe. I can’t—”
The door Zaheer left through opened. A different Yuran brother entered, carrying a modern, leather-bound book. The male set it on the table and turned back to the door.
“Wait.” The force of a pride leader’s command accompanied the word, compelling any shifter into obeying.
Anton never remembered his pride leader being as powerful as Kade appeared today. Time had strengthened him. Or life had. Either way, a dangerous predator lurked behind his model-worthy persona.
The guard stopped midstep and glanced over his shoulder. He didn’t speak. He raised a brow.
“Where is Zaheer?” Kade asked.
The Yuran brother member smiled. “Hunting.”
“Hunting?” Kade moved closer to the book lying on the table. “Hunting what?”
“Appears we have a trespasser in the dungeon. Might be a wild animal. Maybe a thief. You never know.” The male held up a hand in a pacifying gesture. “No need to worry. Trespassers never leave the dungeon with our treasures. Or their lives.”
Before Anton could ask anything else, the other shifter walked through the door, closing it firmly at his back.
Kade spun the book to face him and opened the cover. “As soon as we see the original, I want pictures of every page.”
Anton joined his pride leader at the table. “Photographing it is a good idea, but the last time the topic of digitally archiving our books came up, Brock shot it down. If you take those pictures, you’ll be committing a crime.”
“A crime? Hiding the first Alexander’s book for thousands of years is a crime. Whoever did so silenced our ancestor’s voice.”
“True. I’m surprised it survived this long outside the Yuran brothers’ care. They’re the closest to practicing shamans as our species has left.” Anton skimmed his finger over the opening page. “Even the eldest among us have forgotten our earliest practices.”
“The Leon spirit taught what he knew to Molly before their souls merged.”
“Merged?” Anton turned the page. The opening words written on it matched every other forefather’s book. “You’ve used that term before, but most pride leader
s and alphas don’t use it. They say they house their family’s spirit.”
“Molly does house the Leon spirit.” Kade leaned over Anton’s shoulder. “But their souls are bonded, much the same way that true mates are bonded. Breaking the connection between Molly and the Leon spirit will likely kill her the same way a female would die when her soul-bonded mate did.”
“She’ll never be able to hand over the spirit willingly.” Which meant finding this book was essential to keeping the little girl alive. For all Boris’s faults, Anton was grateful Boris believed in guarding the truth contained in this book. Now if only Anton could get Boris to agree on other important issues, like not condemning feral children to death.
“Right. Molly won’t be able to give up the spirit without forfeiting her life.” Kade turned the page before Anton finished reading it.
A deep growl slipped from Kade’s mouth. He reached for the next page. Anton slapped his hand on the page, stopping Kade from turning it, and shoved his pride leader back. He couldn’t read it with Kade in the way.
Anton pulled the book closer and read. “Our females should be treated as if they were goddesses. Give them the most tender piece of meat and the richest mead. Wrap them in the finest pelts. Place them on an altar and worship them. Above all, protect them from themselves. They are weak of mind and body. They think only of carnal pleasures. A wise man will shackle his female to prevent her from tempting another male. He will silence her. He will—”
Kade swept his hand across the table, knocking the book to the floor. “Tsar has betrayed us. The first Alexander would never have written those words. I know. I feel him!”
The animalistic quality to Kade’s voice matched the anger building within Anton. All his life, he’d clung to the letters written by the sons of the first Alexander who’d hinted at the contents of this book. “The first Alexander treated both his daughters and sons equally. He even wanted to pass on the role of leader to his eldest child.”
“But she was beheaded before he lost his life.” Kade pivoted and faced Anton. Full fangs filled Kade’s mouth. “That book is full of lies.”
“Yes.” A red haze slid over Anton’s eyes. “That book supports our current treatment of our females.”
“And with it, Molly will never be safe.”
“Neither will Nyx.” They’d have to live their lives in fear of someone hurting her to hurt him. Claiming a spot on the Council would’ve been ideal. She’d be protected under the same Code of Conduct that protected him.
Kade stormed toward the door the Yuran guard had left through. “Tsar will pay for this.”
Anton’s felines pushed against the separation between their souls and his. They didn’t fight each other. They blended their wills into a single force driven by rage. Nobody would take their true mate from them. Ever.
“Yes, Tsar will pay.” Anton followed his pride leader into the hallway. “With his life.”
Chapter 26
“I lost Molly!” Nyx kicked off her heels and scrambled down the ladder. “I can’t believe I lost a child. In the house!”
Boris laughed as he followed her down the ladder. “I thought I lost you a few times in the house too.”
Nyx smiled, despite the situation. “We didn’t have tunnels under our house.”
“Rumor has it she’s a pride leader. If that’s the case, she’ll be fine.”
“It doesn’t matter. I was supposed to be watching her.” Latching on to Molly’s scent, Nyx ran.
Complete darkness surrounded Nyx. She opened herself to her jaguar, allowing the animal to partially merge with her. It didn’t help. She still couldn’t see, but she could hear and smell better than she could’ve without her cat. She almost wished she didn’t have the enhanced senses. This place wasn’t safe for a child. There was water running somewhere nearby, and the stench of death hung in the air. Neither slowed Nyx.
With her arms stretched to the sides, her fingertips skimmed along the damp walls. Bricks gave way to uneven rock. Loose stones and larger pieces of rocks slid under her feet, cutting them open. She ignored the pain and pushed on.
Her uncle’s steps behind her comforted her. She wasn’t alone. If Molly got herself in trouble, Nyx might need the help getting the child she’d been tasked with watching out of a risky situation.
A dim light up ahead offered Nyx the first glimpse into the tunnel. Somebody had expanded this corridor. Rocks and bricks formed an archway. Water slickened the walls. It dripped off crevices and collected in a manmade drain along the floor of the tunnel.
The sound of a heartbeat reached Nyx. She zeroed in on it and turned right at the end of the tunnel. Molly crouched a few feet away, examining something on the ground.
“Molly!” Nyx ran forward and drew the little girl to her feet. “What do you think you’re doing down here? Don’t ever do something like this again!”
Molly’s lip quivered. “I was trying to help you.”
“Running away is not helping. You scared me half to death.”
Boris squeezed Nyx’s shoulder, drawing her attention to the man who’d raised her. “If I had to guess I’d say Molly was exploring. You did find an entrance to an underground tunnel.”
“With treasure rooms.” Molly chimed in.
Guilt punched Nyx in the gut. She hunched her shoulders. “I was supposed to be watching you.”
“And I was trying to help you,” Molly repeated herself. “You said people were telling lies about Anton. That he hurt a woman.”
Nyx glanced at her uncle. He watched her with a contemplative expression. “I mentioned Bianca might’ve been sneaking out to see her boyfriend.”
Boris scanned the tunnel. “I think you’re right. Let’s see where this goes.”
“I can’t imagine the Yuran brothers would be happy about us being down here.” Especially since they’d had guards at the main entrance when she’d dropped off the first Alexander’s book.
“Then they should’ve disclosed to the Council that there were other access points to the dungeon.” Boris pivoted, studying the tunnel they’d followed. “This poses a security risk. Anyone visiting Anton’s house could’ve snuck down here and taken one of our treasures. I find it hard to imagine the hidden trapdoor in Bianca’s old room is the only one on the campus.”
“And it smells down here.” Molly tugged on Nyx’s sleeve. “Like something died.”
Nyx shook her head. “We should wait for Anton and Kade. Anton will be worried if he comes back to the house and can’t find us.”
“Anton doesn’t control you, Nyx Mercer. No man should control you.” Boris stepped in front of Nyx, blocking her path. “And you’re not alone. If Anton doesn’t like what you’ve done, he’ll have to answer to me.”
This was the protective side of her uncle she valued. Now if he’d only stop trying to step over everyone to get what he wanted, she’d be able to understand his actions. Nyx dipped her head. “Then let’s look around.”
Molly smirked, looking completely pleased with her ability to convince them to do what she wanted, then continued down the tunnel. Nyx fell into step with her, and Boris followed. The farther they went, the stronger the smell of death grew.
Something had died down here.
Nyx blocked Molly from advancing and crouched. Drawing Molly close, Nyx whispered into her ear. “I want you to stay here while Boris and I investigate.”
Molly shook her head. “I want to come too. I—”
“No.” Nyx firmed her voice. “We’ll see where that smell is coming from, then we’re going back to the house.”
“But I—”
Nyx hardened her tone. “This is nonnegotiable. You might be a pride leader, but I’m acting as your guardian in this instance. We either do as I say, or I’m carrying you kicking and screaming back to the house if I have to.”
If looks could kill, the glare on Molly’s face would’ve stopped Nyx’s heart. Oh boy, she didn’t envy Kade and the other Alexander pride members who were raising
Molly. Once puberty hit, she’d be a handful.
Nyx narrowed her eyes and let her stubbornness show in her expression. She wasn’t backing down.
Molly crossed her arms over her chest and wriggled her nose. It wasn’t the best agreement, but Nyx would take it. She didn’t have time for a mini dominance battle with a child. Something had definitely died down here. Nyx needed to find out what. Or who.
Not knowing would drive her nuts.
A quick glance over her shoulder confirmed Molly had remained in the spot Nyx had left her. She nodded to Boris, who moved up next to her, then focused on the path ahead of her. The narrow, rounded corridor sloped down. Stones lined the walls and roof. Every few feet, a thick rough-cut piece of lumber formed an archway. Attached to each log, metal grates enclosed lightbulbs. The dim light barely brightened the space. It was enough to navigate the tunnel, however.
No sounds reached her, but the smell of death choked her. Had Nyx not been so obsessed with Bianca’s disappearance, she’d assume it was an animal. That made the most sense. The fact that Bianca’s body had never been recovered urged Nyx forward. These tunnels would be the perfect place to hide a body from those living aboveground.
The handmade tunnel gave way to a natural corridor. She was in an underground cave system. Stalactites and stalagmites decorated the ceilings and floors. The dim lightbulbs drew attention to the elaborate formations. Nyx barely gave the beautiful display a second glance. She followed the corridor to another manmade area. Doors lined this hallway.
Tsar had mentioned his pride members lived in the dungeon.
Nyx slowed her steps and listened. Boris matched her pace. No other heartbeats reached her, but other smells blended with the overpowering one of death. She picked out the scent of the guard with the mismatched eyes. There were others. His was the only one she could put a face to. This was where they lived. No sunlight. No fresh air. No warmth.
The cool air blanketed the network of tunnels. How could any shifter prefer this over being aboveground where the sun warmed their skin and the earth cushioned their animal’s feet when they allowed their primal side out for a run? Down here, you couldn’t even feel the moon.
Forbidden Mate_Shifter World Page 22