Bear My Soul: (Arcane Affairs Agency)

by Sophia Barron

  “Said agent confirmed that there are no known warlocks active in this region. He also passed along a list of all the known supernaturals within a twenty-five-mile radius of your cabin.” Devlin thumbed his phone, and a text message popped up with a list of names. He scrolled down the list slowly. “Know any of them?”

  Michaela nodded. “You’re missing a few, though.” She pointed back toward the cabin. “My nephews. Sam, Mark. And Shaundelle, although I’m not even sure she knows…”

  “So my list of a couple dozen should really be more like thirty or so?” Devlin’s heart fell like lead weights. “Because by my count that’s a really low number for such a small out of the way town. Especially when you take into account the sheer land mass this zone covers.”

  Michaela nodded. Fifty miles in any direction would put her smack in the middle of a relatively large town. Much larger than the tiny village she called home. Maple Lake boasted four hundred residents max, even during tourist season. But that didn’t mean supes weren’t around. “How’d you come up with that list, Devlin?” Part of her dreaded the answer. If it was a magic-sourced list, she’d have no way to refute it. But, if he’d used other, more technical resources, she had a couple ideas.

  Devlin shook his phone in front of her face. “Modern tech. All these pocket computers have GPS installed. Easy peasy to track ‘em”.

  “Unless the folks you’re looking for don’t carry cell phones.” Michaela shrugged. She hadn’t seen half her coven on his list. Not to mention some of the more reclusive supernaturals that frequented her shop. No way she was going to out them to an Agent, even if that agent was damn good in bed, and gave mind blowing orgasms.

  “Point to the witch. Was your Supreme on that list?”

  Shit, no way to wiggle out of answering. “No.” Keeping it short just made her sound bitchy, but that was preferable to being a liar. Hopefully, anyway. She really wanted to stay in his good graces, she had plans for him tonight.

  “How many coven members were missing?” His voice was more snarl than words, and his face was twisted in anger. Even his eyes looked lighter, flashed silvery in the morning light.

  “Probably all but me,” she admitted with a sigh. “They’re a bit reclusive, Devlin.”

  “I see.” He glanced at her, anger fading fast. Michaela’s heart fell when his expression turned blank, professional. Please don’t hate me, she begged silently. “Can you direct me to your coven leader’s house?”

  “Of course,” Michaela whispered. “Just take Main street north a few miles to the first minimum maintenance road on the right. Follow that ‘til it ends.”

  Devlin sighed, and backed out of the yard, then proceeded down main street with due haste. Michaela could hear the fight he fought to keep his beast leashed, see it in the tense set of his shoulders. She knew her quiet anxiety and desperate fear for Sam’s safety wasn’t helping his bear, was probably driving the beast to destroy whatever had caused their mate pain. Still, they needed answers to find Samantha. Which meant he had to ask the hard questions. “Does it seem unreasonable to you that your entire coven lives in the middle of nowhere?”

  “Have you looked around you, Devlin?” The sarcastic bite in her tone made Michaela wince. Even her ears stung a bit. “The entire goddamn town of Maple Lake is the middle of nowhere. So why should I be surprised again?”

  Devlin grumbled and muttered, but he didn’t ask any more questions. Just followed her silent gestures, eyes scanning for trouble as he navigated the car down the bumpy, pothole riddled minimum maintenance road.

  “How far does this damn thing go?”

  “I dunno, a few miles or more, I guess. Not sure your car’s going to make it.”

  “It’s made it so far, what makes you—” Devlin slammed on the brakes, and gravel flew. Michaela wanted to spit out the taste of dust and grit between her teeth, but she was too busy holding on to the oh shit handle. “Son of a bitch. They’ve blocked the road.” Devlin muttered and grumbled under his breath a moment more. Michaela fought to loosen her seatbelt, she hated that trapped feeling she got when it locked up. She finally got loose, and exited the sedan. The fresh scent of the woods cleared the panicked fog from her mind. A slow walk around to the front of the car revealed the reason for their unplanned stop. The biggest tree Michaela had ever seen lay on its side at an angle; completely blocking the path forward.

  “Guess we walk from here,” she shrugged and clambered carefully over the tree. Answers were close, she could damn near feel them trembling in the bright forest air.

  “Hold up a minute, don’t run in half-cocked.” Devlin’s words were harsh, demanding but his voice was soft, almost calm. That contrast brought her up short two steps away from the rough tree trunk. The sound of cloth rustling blends with the rustle of the leaves, but the slam of the trunk echoes through the trees. No matter. Michaela was fairly certain they had a hell of a hike to get to the Supreme’s place. Assuming her memory wasn’t faulty.

  Devlin placed one palm lightly on the large tree trunk, and hopped over with an effortless grace. If she hadn’t known he was a shifter, his smooth movement and quiet confidence in the woods would have totally given him away. “Needed some supplies,” he shook the bag in his hand with a grin. Michaela heard the soft clink of glass or maybe crystal.

  “Supplies? Or weapons?” She glanced at the bag again, looked closer with her magic. And saw nothing. Or, nothing out of the ordinary. Which made very little sense considering they were hunting a warlock.

  “My partner’s a fine witch, best man I’ve ever met. Fucker knows his shit when he’s not getting ate up by pissed off shifters because of his moral compass…” Devlin trailed off with a sigh. “I’ve got some of everything in here, spell wise. Hate to use it because might be a while before Ash’s back to true spell-casting form, but needs must.”

  “I see.” Except she didn’t, not really. “So your partner is in the hospital?”

  “Yep. Our last target, a panther shifter, damn near gutted him ‘cuz he objects on moral grounds to the use of silver bullets on shifters.” Devlin shivered, then continued. “I hope he’s learned that lesson good and well.”

  “Hope he gets better soon,” Michaela said softly. The thought of meeting a panther shifter face to face chilled her to her core. Especially if said beast was out for blood. “Anyway, we’ve got a bit of a hike ahead of us.” She gestured down the swiftly narrowing road with a sigh. “Doubt we’ll find anyone there though considering the road’s blocked.”

  “That, or we’ll find everyone stranded without chain saws or axes or tools.”

  “I doubt that. The Supreme likes the woods, but she’s not insane.” Somehow Devlin heard her unsaid ‘I don’t think’, or inferred it. Shit. How long had it been since she’d last seen any of the coven? Surely it was after the last big thunderstorm?

  No matter, they had a job to do. Michaela set off with a determined stride down the path, deeper into the woods. Devlin stalked shoulder to shoulder with her, but where her feet thudded softly with each step, sending puffs of dirt up to linger in the air, he paced so light across the ground he barely left a footprint behind them. She’d checked more than once to see if she was imagining it, but no. The well-muscled agent was incredibly light on his feet for a big guy. Had to be his shifter genes showing.

  For a half second, Michaela entertained jealous thoughts of being that competent as a witch, then she shoved them away with a sigh. No matter. Her magic was what it was. At least the trees and the plants around them fed her energy, almost to the point she felt too full, on the edge of losing control the further they walked. Nothing her plants shared compared to the sheer wild joy that existed in the forests.

  The further they walked, the closer they got to the Supreme’s cabin in the clearing the more that joy faded to Michaela’s senses and darkness encroached in on them.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Devlin grinned at Michaela when he spotted the little cabin nestled in the clearing ahead. Sure t
he path was dark and narrow, but their destination was in sight. And yet, the closer they’d gotten, the quieter and more reserved Michaela’s attitude became, to the point where she hugged her middle as if trying to hold in a scream or worse.

  Bear, you scent anything? The beast rumbled quietly and frustration rolled off him in waves as he scanned the clearing. The negative answer Devlin got back from the bear was less than reassuring. Sure, they might not sense anything consciously, but subconsciously? The place, and Michaela’s extreme caution and I’m gonna hurl pose had their hackles standing upright but fast.

  “What’s wrong Michaela? Don’t tell me you’re going to be sick.” Her slight shudder at his question was either reluctant confirmation of impending explosion or true fear shaking her bones. His beast couldn’t tell, and damned if he knew why. The air smelled clean, fresh. Like a forest in bloom, but the air was heavy and dank like he’d expect to find in a swamp.

  “Bad magic is everywhere,” Michaela shivered again and sidled closer to him. Devlin resisted the urge to pull her tight to his ribs in a one-armed hug. If there was something out there stalking them, he had to keep just the right distance to protect her without hurting her.

  “Can you define ‘everywhere’, Mike?” Devlin deliberately used the nickname he’d heard Shaundelle use, hoping it’d pull his mate-to-be up out of her fear.

  “It’s in the forest. All around the cove, but never crosses the tree-line into the clearing. At least, not that I can see.” The soft emphasis she put on that last word told him she was using her other sight. For a moment he wished he could share that view, see what she saw. If he remembered right, Asher had included a charm for that. But there’d been some pretty dire warnings about lingering aftereffects to his enhanced shifter senses as a side effect. That was the last thing he needed, to be handicapped when they were literally surrounded on all sides by danger. Or would be as soon as they stepped out of the forest into the clearing.

  “Can you describe it to me, Mikey?” Devlin deliberately kept his voice low and soft. Gentle coaxing worked better in his experience than demanding, especially when someone was verging on the edge of panic like she was.

  “It’s dark, thick. Sort of tastes oily in the back of my throat. Not good, bitter. Makes me want to choke and spit with every breath I take. And it’s everywhere. Everywhere but there,” she pointed at the clearing again. “I think it could be a trap,” she whispered.

  “Alright, Michaela. We’re going to take this one step at a time, okay? Just follow my lead, step where I step.” Devlin waited until he saw her nod. Her smooth cheeks were pale and her eyes wide and rounded in fear, but the moment he stepped forward she followed. He could hear her feet rustling in the grass with every stride closer to the cabin.

  The air grew lighter, friendlier with every step toward the cabin. Bright sunlight streamed into the clearing, chasing away the faintest hint of shadows. Must be closing in on noon, based on the lack of darkness anywhere in the clearing. Devlin kept in tight communion with his bear as they stalked every closer to the log cabin centered in the clearing. The gravel under his feet crunched lightly, but the wind, steadily gaining in speed with every step they took muffled the sound of their approach. Unless the wind was a subtle defense? He glanced back at Michaela, eyebrows raised in question.

  She met his gaze, her soft eyes confused and yet oddly focused. Too bad they weren’t a couple yet, hadn’t had years to get to know each other. Because he damn well knew Asher would read the right questions in his look. Michaela’s delicately arched brows furrowed and her gaze darted nervously around the clearing. “I don’t see anyone. And the magic I can see in the clearing is pure.”

  Her whisper barely carried to his keen shifter ears, so Devlin didn’t worry about any watchers hearing her. “The cabin?”

  “Same. Can’t tell if anyone’s home, but the magic surrounding it is pure as the driven snow.”

  Which begged the question, how the hell did it stay that way? Devlin guessed they were going to find out soon. One way or another. Probably when he least wanted that particular answer. He kept up his steady, slow, stalk toward the front porch of the cabin, eyes squinting in the ever-brightening light. Before he could voice his suspicions they were standing on the red-painted porch. The front door matched the porch. Dark red, made brighter by the sunlight. Devlin could see spots where the paint had actually faded under the sunlight. He put an ear up to the solid door and listened carefully. Nothing. Did a quick scan of the porch for wards, charms, curses and again came up blank. His beast couldn’t sense any magic besides the dark fog of it out in the forest. Didn’t’ sense any people present besides themselves, either. Devlin knew good and well that an accomplished witch had ways of masking her presence at will. Question was, just how powerful was Michaela’s Supreme. Comparable to Asher? If so, finding her could become quite a challenge without another witch besides Michaela here.

  Devlin turned to Michaela, placed his hands lightly on her trembling shoulders and pulled her close. The sweet scent of jasmine shampoo damn near dropped him to his knees as he leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Wait here, I’m going to survey the property quick. Don’t move an inch.”

  She nodded, and soft tendrils of her hair tickled his face. Devlin fought to repress a sneeze, gave her a quick hug, and then tiptoed back down the stairs. He could feel Michaela’s attention on him as he pulled his shirt off over his head. No matter, she’d already seen him naked. No need to be shy. He didn’t want to be stuck without clothes for the trip home. Damn if he didn’t like the feel of her gaze on him as he finished stripping down. A quick glance over his shoulder almost killed him dead. Her bright eyes had lost that sheen of fear, and her cheeks were pink. Lips parted just right, and desire flared in her eyes. Too damn bad he couldn’t take her up on that silent invitation. The beast rumbled agreement, and gentle reminder. Her safety had to be first: in other words scout now, sexytimes later. That reminder was enough for Dylan to cede control to the bear, and he felt his bones shift and crack as the beast burst free.

  The bear ignored the ache, ignored the honey sweet scent of his mate’s arousal, and began to hunt.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Michaela was mesmerized by the subtle play of Devlin’s muscles as he bent down to pull off his jeans. Her whole body heated at the sight of his naked back side, and the cocky grin he shot her over his shoulder didn’t help. A devilish light danced in his too-bright gaze for a moment, but only a moment. Then a sharp crack echoed through the clearing and his body changed, shifted. In moments, where Devlin had been stood a giant silver-tipped grizzly bear. The beast cocked an ear at her, slanted an eye her way, then put his head down and marched round the side of the cabin and out of sight.

  Adrenalin flooded her system, and Michaela didn’t know if she’d rather fuck that man or run screaming from the troubles she knew were coming like a freight train. She couldn’t see them, but damned if she could feel their rumbling approach. On further consideration, she didn’t dare run. Running from a predator like that beast was invitation to attack. Shit.

  So she waited. And trembled, and tested the air with every sense she had, magical and human. She couldn’t find a hint of anyone home, not a hint of dark magic in the clearing, despite the growing fog of darkness in the surrounding forest. Was the warlock stalking her coven leader? Surrounding their meeting place to keep them out of his hair? Or was something worse going on? No matter, they’d get to the bottom of things. She just hoped it was soon.

  As the beast rounded the far corner of the cabin, head swinging, nose twitching as he scented the air, Michaela pulled herself together. She took several, deep, cleansing breaths. Focused on how her ribs stretched and expanded to let the air in, on how her heartbeat slowed, and her mind calmed. Then exhaled long and slow. By the time the first creaks of the bears impending return to human form sounded, Michaela had her fear cornered and locked down tight. Too bad she couldn’t do the same for the wave of desire and need that crashed ove
r her when Devlin stood naked once again.

  The echoing flash of need in Devlin’s gaze as he slowly slipped into his skivvies, then his khakis, and pulled them up as a single set sent a whole different kind of trembling coursing through Michaela. That bastard was such a tease, and the wink he sent at her after he pulled the polo over his mussed hair told her he knew damn well what she wanted. He bounded silently up the steps, and froze beside her.

  “Find anything,” she whispered.

  “Nothing important out there,” he replied. His words were a soft brush of air across her ear that sent bolts of need shooting through her. “Lots of important, downright vital info right here, though.” He grinned and winked at her, then planted a feather-light kiss on her lips. He drew back slowly, and his eyes lost their merry glow. “Can you sense any magic in there at all?” He pointed toward the door.

  Michaela shook her head, and locked her knees to still the trembling in her legs. “Guess we could knock, see if anyone’s home.”

  Devlin nodded at her, then glared at the door. A moment later, his large fist rapped loudly on the solid door a good half dozen times.

  The ensuing silence loomed over them, teetering like a rock just waiting to carom down a cliff. Finally, Michaela heard footsteps thudding closer to the door. Slow, agonizing steps. Like someone was injured or exhausted, but that made no sense to her. Last time she’d seen the Supreme, the woman had been vibrant and bustling with life and energy.

  The woman who stood framed in the doorway was just as gorgeous as ever. Slim, willowy, and tall. All things that stung Michaela’s jealous bone to the core, no matter how much she wanted that not to be the case. But where Supreme Maura’s face had once been vibrant with smiles and laughter, it was now pale and pinched. Drawn, like an invalid waiting to fade away.

  “Are you alright?” Michaela couldn’t keep from asking. Despite all her other questions, she didn’t dare consider that her Supreme would be unable to help at all. But this woman standing in front of her looked unable to help herself back to a stable chair, much less help Michaela and Devlin find the warlock or her missing relatives.