Warrior

by Holly S. Roberts

  “May I speak to them directly?” I ask King unsure of the proper protocol.

  “Yes.” His fingers tighten on my shoulders, giving me the impression he’d prefer I didn’t.

  I ignore his preference. “Thank you for what you did the night of the attack. I don’t remember much, but King told me you are the ones who recovered Boot’s body.”

  I receive three very uncomfortable nods, eyes looking anywhere but at me.

  King turns me so I’m facing away from the men and she who shall not be named doesn’t like it in the least. I start counting backward by threes while trying to follow what King tells me as she fights me again. I focus on King’s words and try to stay in the moment. Or at least a human moment.

  “Axel is also one of my guards, though his primary responsibility is my health and that of my men. These Warriors will help you when needed. They’ll stay close tonight and offer a barrier if things get out of hand.”

  “You’d rather no one else know what I am?” The thought that King might be embarrassed of me muddles inside my brain.

  His gaze holds compassion. “For now. We’ll discuss the best way to handle things tomorrow.”

  This isn’t exactly the answer I need. With another inhale and struggle with the thing inside me, I stay in human skin. There are other items I need to concentrate on right now: Stay near King—check. His guards will protect me—check. Don’t eat humans—double check. “Then I’m ready,” I say with much more bravado than I feel.

  King steers me back to his side and leads me from the room. Beck stays behind us with Nokita and Labyrinth taking the lead. I glance over my shoulder and catch Beck’s eyes. He looks away immediately, though not before I realize he was staring at me, not with hatred or even dislike but a touch of wonder.

  Chapter Two

  King

  THE PAST TWO days have been hell. It’s one thing to watch a teenaged young man going through his first change but it’s very different for it to happen to my mate. Marinah’s a trouper and she’s handling this much better than many Warriors do.

  Things happened quickly after Axel and I realized what was taking place. We’ve handled it many times before, though under entirely different circumstances. Usually a Warrior brings their teenage son to me and I assign them a Shadow until they are able to control themselves. They’ll live with their Shadow if the mother and father prefer. If younger children are present in the house, it’s a must. A new Warrior will not intentionally harm someone they love, but accidents involving unaccustomed strength, claws, and teeth happen.

  The most important thing is to limit mood fluctuations and stress. Tonight, just forty-eight hours after her first shift, I’m taking Marinah into a situation that ticks all the wrong boxes. Axel thinks it’s a mistake and I’m not far behind him. Physically, Marinah is doing great. It’s her mental strength I’m worried about. She has little warning when she shifts, but I’m pleasantly surprised at her ability to push back the K-5 when it attacks. She’s amazing and we only need her to hold it together for an hour at the funeral.

  We leave the citadel’s courtyard and walk about a mile toward the ocean. Axel is bringing a car in case we need to leave quickly. We both agreed that Marinah and I should walk to the funeral for her beast’s sake; she needs the exercise. Running would be better to help control her beast, but she’s weak from fighting so hard and walking will have to do.

  “I feel so strange,” she says while looking around. I remember when my change started and how the world looked through new Warrior eyes. I hated it at the time because it reminded me, I was different. Now the clear vision, advanced hearing, and ability to detect so many different scents are part of me and Beast.

  It will take Marinah time to adjust. There’s so much for her to learn and she’ll come to appreciate the new world that’s opened at her feet. Axel and I have discussed mating and what this means for Marinah. Her beast must decide I’m who she wants too. When that happens, Marinah will get a double dose of chemicals coursing through her body. Axel wants me to hold off and allow Marinah time to settle into Warriorhood and time for her to understand who she is and where she came from.

  Our history books chronicle everything from our home planet, including its catastrophic annihilation, our travels to Earth, and eventually how we settled into the human world. These textbooks are sacred to us. There are also many texts written by female Shadow Warriors from our home planet. I’ve read a little from them, but for the most part, because female Warriors didn’t exist anymore, they didn’t hold my interest. I’ll show Marinah our history tomorrow. One of my tasks as leader is to protect the sacred books. They’re at my real home, not at the citadel. Axel and I decided it would be easier on Marinah if she stayed with me in a quieter setting while she adjusts. We’re leaving here tomorrow.

  The biggest problem we have right now is time. We don’t have a year or even months to prepare Marinah for who and what she is now. My council and I will discuss it all tomorrow at an early morning meeting I’ve scheduled. At all costs, Marinah must be protected. She’s one of us in the most unique way possible and we can’t afford to lose a female Warrior. That’s in addition to the fact that I’m unwilling to lose her, period.

  Beast gives an unhappy grumble deep within me at my thoughts. Even though he needs to run and hunt, he’s stayed remarkably quiet during the past two days. It’s almost like he’s still unsure of her. He has been since the beginning, but I thought it was pure dislike. He, however, knew something was strange about her and he threw fits by twisting my insides around when she was near. We’re in completely uncharted territory and his silence worries me. He will take Marinah as mate even if I need to challenge him to make it happen. Not that it’s possible, it just helps relieve some of my tension by planning his demise if needed.

  The kick to my ribs at least lets me know he’s paying attention.

  Flames appear in the distance and Marinah’s grip on my hand tightens. Axel waits by the car and nods when we draw closer. His gaze travels from her head to her toes assessing her in the same way that always irritates me when I’m his patient. Beast grumbles, letting me know he doesn’t like it when Axel gives Marinah the same medical perusal and it’s a good sign. It’s not exactly jealousy and more like protective instincts that cause Beast’s reaction. Beast has handled Axel’s close proximity to Marinah remarkably well considering Axel helped her bathe and has touched her during his examinations. This makes me worried about our mating more than anything. We need our beasts to fall in line.

  “I’m good,” Marinah whispers to him when we’re close enough and she can keep her voice lowered. Her problem with noise is one I remember well at my first change. As with eyesight, the clarity and volume are overwhelming at first and it takes time to adjust even to your own voice. Keeping a tight hold on her hand, I turn and greet the others who are waiting.

  Che breaks away from his mother and runs at Marinah full tilt. I step in front of him, but it doesn’t stop her from releasing my hand and stepping around me. Che throws himself into her arms, squeezing his tiny muscles for all they’re worth. His small legs wrap around her waist, making it extremely dangerous if she shifts. I stand as close as I can without crowding them.

  “I’m so sorry, Che,” she whispers in his ear, cuddling him closer and holding on for dear life. Maylin steps over and tries to take Che from her arms. “No please, I’m good,” Marinah tells her.

  Axel gives me a look and I shrug. Maylin places her hand over Marinah’s, which is against Che’s back. “I thank you for my son.”

  Marinah peers at Maylin, who has tears streaming down her cheeks. “Boot saved him, not me,” she tells her. Then she whispers in Che’s ear, though we can all hear her. “Your father was very brave.”

  Che’s small shoulders shake as he cries into her shirt. I step forward and stop when Marinah shakes her head. With her other arm, she pulls Maylin in so the three of them are in a tight hug. I would look away and give them this time, but I need to be
sure Marinah is handling the situation. After another minute, she places Che on his feet and Maylin gives her another hug.

  Che glances in my direction. “My dad was very brave.” He wipes snot onto the sleeve of his shirt and stares at me with small, trembling lips.

  “Yes, he was. The bravest,” I tell him and rest my hand on his back. “Your father would be so proud that you were able to get away.”

  Che’s satisfied smile lights up his face. I ruffle his hair and he bashfully glances down at the ground. Maylin says something to him in Spanish and after a quick wave at Marinah, he runs off.

  Maylin places her arm around Marinah’s shoulder while her eyes follow her son. “He wanted to be with his friends and I made him wait until after you arrived.” Her English has improved.

  “It’s not just Boot who was brave. Che kept me alive,” Marinah says and wipes her eyes. “I am so sorry I couldn’t help Boot.”

  Maylin releases Marinah and places her hand on her stomach. “This child holds a piece of us. He will live to be everything his father wanted him to be. You are welcome at my home any time.” She nods at both of us and walks away to join the women who stayed back while she spoke with us.

  “I’m good,” Marinah assures me when my questioning gaze meets hers.

  Taking her hand again, we walk to the pyre set up at the edge of the water. Labyrinth, Nokita, and Beck built it for Boot and wrapped his body for burial. It’s always hard losing a Warrior, but this one exceptionally difficult. Boot was no fighter and we protected him as we would a woman or child. He had a gentle heart and we all recognized it. Leaving Marinah in the hot room was more forgetfulness than anything else. Boot was sweet, gentle, a man of the land, and not always the brightest. When the other men stayed away from Maylin due to her constant complaints, Boot stepped in and helped her. In a way, he tamed her beast. Even seeing her with Marinah is the calmest she’s been since I’ve known her.

  Maybe she loved Boot. Shortly after we arrived in Cuba, we knew that the islanders looked to us to keep them safe. We would do it without expecting anything from them, but it became apparent that marriage offered added security for the women. It’s one of the reasons since coming to the island that I stayed as far from female companionship as possible. I had no desire to settle for someone I didn’t love. As leader, it’s my duty to mate and produce offspring. It is not, however, my duty to be in an unhappy relationship so I waited for that special someone having no idea I would win the prize of the century.

  I glance at my guards standing a few feet away ready to jump in if needed. “It’s time to begin.” I raise Marinah’s hand and kiss the backs of her fingers. “Stay with Axel.” I search her eyes for just long enough to see if she’s handling herself before I glance away.

  “I’m fine, really,” she assures me.

  Axel nods, letting me know that he has her. I walk forward and face about two hundred people who came to say farewell to Boot. A few “hushes” sound and small talk quickly dies.

  “Death is always a tragedy,” I say loudly enough for everyone to hear. Marinah grimaces but otherwise doesn’t react. “Boot died saving his young son’s life.” I look to the children standing in a group and find Che. “He loved you and he was proud to call you son.” Che’s tears stream down his face when I continue. “You are the son of Boot, a mighty Shadow Warrior, and you are one of us as is your mother. Look around you at every Shadow Warrior here. We are your family now.” I glance out at the others. “Boot shall be written about in our history books. He died a Warrior’s death and will be remembered for as long as every Shadow Warrior breathes on this planet.” Maylin wipes tears from her face and a few of the women offer her comfort. I’m sure she’s been scared over her fate and if it weren’t for Marinah’s circumstances, I’d have visited Maylin and explained that she has nothing to worry about. Through her marriage to Boot, she and her son are part of us.

  I walk to the pyre and rest my hand on Boot’s covered leg, offering a last goodbye. When I turn back to the people, my voice drops. “Each day we fight for our lives. We sacrifice all for those we love. Forward or Die is our motto. Tonight, we celebrate Boot’s life and grieve for one of our own. Tomorrow we move forward, but,” I look again at the faces around me, “we never forget.”

  I take two steps and grab a lit torch from the sand. I place the torch to the wood beneath Boot’s body. Others step forward, take torches from the sand, and light the wood until the heat makes us move back. Warriors will remain on the beach and keep the pyre burning until Boot is ash. He won’t be alone.

  I glance at Marinah and see more tears. It’s good for her to cry. She’s handling herself well and I exhale, allowing a small bit of my stress to lessen. She needed to be here tonight even though it was a lot to ask of her. The only way to keep her away would have been knocking her out. She’s had about half as much knockout drugs as other Warriors in the first few days, which surprises Axel and me. Maybe when Marinah begins reading our history she’ll discover something we don’t know about the female Warriors. Greystone would have all the answers and knowing this makes me miss him more than ever.

  Cabel walks over holding his wife’s hand. They’ve stayed back until the crowd thinned a bit. “Marinah, this is Cabel, also one of my guards. He’s taking a short break and enjoying time with his new wife, Mary.”

  Marinah places her hand out and Mary takes it briefly while holding Marinah’s gaze. Neither her nor Cabel has any idea that staring into Marinah’s eyes will cause trouble. I won’t be able to speak privately with Cabel until tomorrow to explain what’s happened.

  A sharp wave of heat comes from Marinah’s body. Cabel gives me a questioning look when he feels it.

  “You’re requested at tomorrow’s council meeting,” I tell him quickly. Usually, a Warrior is exempt from meetings this soon after mating, but with the hellhounds causing trouble again he doesn’t balk.

  “No problem,” he says and pulls Mary closer, gaining her attention.

  When I glance at Marinah again, panic is in her eyes and she looks around for somewhere to run. “I need the car,” she strangles out with stark terror.

  I glance where Axel was standing a moment before and he’s already heading to the vehicle. Without a word to Cabel or his wife, I grab Marinah’s hand and pull her with me. She resists and I tug harder. “Come on, love. Breathe and concentrate. We need to get you out of here.”

  “I’m losing it. Really losing it,” she says shakily after we’re a few feet away. Her panic is hard to watch.

  “Nothing bad will happen even if you do shift,” I tell her. “Keep walking, concentrate, and we’ll be out of here in a few seconds.” If she shifts, it brings on an entirely new set of problems. My human side knows Marinah is mate. If Beast has figured it out and the men touch her, this will quickly become a disaster. The last thing I need is Beast going crazy because of the mating rage.

  Marinah’s beast is practically bursting through her skin before we’re halfway to the car. I scoop her into my arms and carry her the rest of the way. “I have the shot ready once we get in the car. Breathe,” I remind her when she groans. Several people look over. To hell with it, I start running to the car, open the back door, toss her inside, and climb in behind her. Axel pulls the vehicle away as soon as I swing the door closed.

  Marinah curls into herself fighting to hold back her shift. “You promise it isn’t always this bad?” she asks through the pain.

  “Stop fighting the change. The less you fight the easier it is.”

  “You say that like this is my fault,” she cries. “I hate you right now. This shouldn’t be happening to me.”

  I can’t help laughing. With a desperate growl, Marinah shifts and her snapping jaws are my answer. “You’re amazing,” I tell her as I stab the needle in her thigh while blocking her teeth with one arm, which isn’t easy. One of her claws rakes a nice furrow on my neck. “Now, now. No scratching,” I tell her harshly as I wait for the drug to kick in.

 
When K-5 takes over in the beginning of a Shadow Warrior’s journey, telling friends from foe becomes difficult. A new Warrior must be steered in the right direction—kill the enemy and don’t eat your allies, friends, or lover. Beast grumbles. Does he want me to claim Marinah? I wish I knew. Marinah needs her beast along for the ride too or she’ll have the same trouble I did when Beast told me to kill her. This is a dicey way to establish a relationship. That we were quite volatile when she arrived here on the island doesn’t exactly help. I slam my brain closed on these thoughts because mating is the last thing I should worry about. I need to help Marinah stay calm.

  With a groan, she finally collapses half in my lap and her heavy breathing fills the car.

  “I didn’t think she could do it,” Axel says from the front seat.

  “She’ll be angry we rushed out.”

  “You need to try a little less stress and a lot more calmness with her.”

  “Yes, mother,” I snap. He’s worse than a mother hen and twice as ornery when one of his patients is suffering.

  Resting my head back against the seat, I close my eyes and pull Marinah closer inhaling her scent and relaxing. It’s going to be a long and incredible journey with her by my side.

  Chapter Three