Maeve blinked. When the full implications of Nimah’s words filtered through her shock, she pressed a hand to her chest. “Oh.”
“I suppose it’s a good thing fairies heal fast. Alec will literally tear into your ass.”
Maeve paled. Stumbling back, her chin burrowed into her chest. “I see.”
Nimah scowled. “This is our alpha female?”
Struggling to keep my human form, I ground my back teeth together. I doubted shifting and slapping Nimah’s lynx around the clearing would improve Maeve’s impression of me, even if her beast matched my panther in aggression and ferocity. “Finished?”
“Not even close. Tell her she can’t stay.” Nimah pointed behind her. “Explain why staying here when the Pride leaves is stupid and irresponsible.”
Amelia joined us and threw me an apologetic look. She placed a gentle hand on her twin’s waist and hugged her from behind. “Ni, this isn’t the way.”
“Tell her, Alpha.” Nimah’s eyes burned. “Please.”
“I can’t force her to return home if she doesn’t want to.”
“Yes, you can.” She blinked angrily, and tears slipped down the sides of her face. “As Alpha your beast can command her wayward ass. I’m telling you to order her home.”
My thin patience cracked. I looked a question at Amelia, hoping she had a damn good answer for riling her twin enough to disturb me as I Claimed my mate.
“I’ve decided to stay here at the Wyld with Ana, Alpha,” Amelia explained, eyes averted. She bared her throat in submission as a sign of respect. “I’m going to ask to become her Familiar.”
Having seen how protective the werelynx was of the white witch, her words weren’t surprising. “She doesn’t need a protector.”
“I want … I think … she’s….” Amelia flushed. It brought a comely tint to her plain face. “I think she’s amazing.”
“Father would be ashamed of you.” Nimah shook her sister away. “You’re abandoning your Pride, your family, and for what?”
“Why is it me abandoning you?” Amelia asked. “You could stay here with me. Help me help the fairies.”
“I don’t want to. Their business is not ours.”
I tried to interject. “Byron–”
“My Alpha made the right decision the first time around,” Nimah yelled. “We were going to leave and go home. Then those stupid humans attacked, and everybody got cold feet, staying to help when they should have run far and fast.”
“We can’t think only of ourselves,” Amelia said.
“Why not.” Nimah flung out an arm, a gesture encompassing the Wyld. “The fairies are doing pretty well for themselves. They have most factions of demonkind guarding their territory. Ours is being raided by goblins.”
“We don’t know that.” Amelia said. “They could be passing through the Pride to come here.”
Nimah’s face twisted in scepticism. “Those murderous berserkers?”
“Take the time to talk with Breandan or Wasp about what happened when they spoke to the vampire Queen.”
Nimah spun from her twin to me. “You’re Alpha now. Since we have no brother, and a female can’t lead, you’re as good a choice as any. It’s your responsibility to lead us, protect us, and ensure the continuation of the Pride. The land itself is as big a part of what makes us who we are as is our ability to Change. We must reclaim our home.”
Since her harsh education on shifter mating, Maeve had been quiet. She roused. “I agree.”
Nimah’s mouth dropped.
I clasped the nape of her neck. Tangled my fingers in fiery hair soft as feathers. “Do you understand what you’re saying?”
Accepting of my dominant hold, she stared into my eyes. “We shall go defend your home. We’ll discus if this relationship between us can work, but most importantly you shall begin your destiny as a great Alpha.”
“Lochlann–”
“No longer has a say in what I do with my life.” Her eyes flashed. “His emotions are out of control.”
“Most important is our relationship. Not my being Alpha.”
“I come from a family seeded by conflict. War is our life, yet my brothers and I understand the value of love. Until Breandan met Rae our personal dreams never threatened our core beliefs. The purpose of a special few is to serve.” She motioned to herself and me. “We were born to serve our people.”
“Serve,” Nimah spluttered.
Maeve lifted her chin proudly. “Those with power have an obligation to lead. The strong defend the weak. Yes, we serve our people and are bound to them until death. The most important thing is the protection of your people, Alec.”
“Like Breandan being Wyld Guardian,” Nimah said, sardonic. “Didn’t he, oh, break that sacred oath?”
“This duty is unbreakable regardless of how a far a leader strays.” Maeve pinned her with a cold look. “No one gives Breandan more grief than me. I love him. Fiercely. I know in the end he’ll sacrifice everything for the just cause.”
Amelia nodded. “Rae will too. She could’ve run to her mate when the Clerics had us, but she risked her life to free us instead. Remember that?”
Nimah’s eyebrows rose. “They receive devotion because they act as a decent person should?”
“Considering they could trot off into the sunset and not look back, yeah,” Amelia said. “They stay when it’s dangerous. They fight for demons who judge them for loving each other, and criticise everything they do.”
“They might not make it obvious,” I said, “but they support their friends in their decisions.”
“Regardless of what obstructions are thrown in our path beneath the confusion we serve, Nimah.” Maeve slid a diffident look toward me that diverted to the ground. “No matter how wonderful those obstacles appear, and how they tempt us.”
The undertones to her words made me grit my teeth. The beast sulked. It couldn’t understand why its mate didn’t feel the primal need to mate and be dominated by a strong provider. As a human communicating Maeve’s different point of view was impossible. There was no animal equivalent for, “She’s from a different culture.”
“We leave tonight. Maeve will join the Pride as an honoured guest.” I smiled fondly at Amelia and opened my arms for a hug. “You have your Alpha’s blessing and support.”
Tears streaming down her cheeks, Nimah ignored us when we reached for her to draw her into our embrace. “You better come home alive, Melia.” She turned and fled into the woods.
Squeezing Amelia in comfort, I sighed, and looked over her head at Maeve. “We leave at dawn.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Alec
I stood before the Pride Heart and stared into the bonfire, not entirely sure what to make of the situation. The beast was quite certain of its feelings, and they banged in my head like a drumbeat.
Territory. Mine. Protect. Mate. Mine. Protect.
The enormous goblins stood in an uneasy cluster behind me. I inhaled and smelt old sweat, leather and blood.
Rather than a battle to the death, when the Horde saw our advance they’d gathered and waited for the shifters roaring and screaming at them to stop. Enraged as I was, it took me a long while to realise the supposed rivals weren’t attacking, and were perplexed or uninterested. A staring match began between them and us. At a loss of what to do, I’d Changed into my human form, and the biggest of the Horde finally spoke. “I am Lorken.” His voice was deeper and more profound than even Baako’s. “We avoid humans. We mean no harm.” That occurred over an hour ago, and the more of an explanation I heard, the more incredulous I became. “So you didn’t oust my Pride from their homes?”
Lorken shook his head. “They saw us and ran before we could explain we had peaceful intentions.” He paused. “It is a reaction we often get from others.”
Nimah snarled. “We’re not afraid of you.”
“He didn’t imply that we’re cowards,” I said. “Be quiet, Ni. You’re not helping.” I scratched my chest, thoughtful. The report
s I had gotten were vague, and this might be why. “All the Horde appeared at once?”
“Yes.”
Flicking my eyes over the motley group, I knew precisely what happened. The muscled chests and lofty heights of the goblins set my instincts raging, and I was Alpha. They were intimidating standing still and at peace. Seeing them marching towards me with grimaces of pain would set my fight or flight response on high alert. “Why didn’t you send a patrol ahead?”
“We were tired and hurt.” Jord, a smaller goblin male with neat, softer features sighed, his gigantic shoulders drooping. “We were just happy to find safety.”
Lorken winced. “I didn’t think.”
“Idiots.” Unable to contain herself, Nimah marched up to Jord and throttled him. “We thought our homeland was under siege. We came here to kill you. You’re telling us you’re peaceful and want sanctuary? I left my sister with imbeciles to return, and all you needed was shelter and food?” Nimah’s head snapped to me. “I’m going to rip the stripes of the sentries my father left behind. Fierce tigers my ass.”
Thick claws dug into Jord’s neck, but he didn’t appear to notice. He watched spellbound as her face lengthened and ochre fur rippled across her cheeks before reverting back to smooth human skin again.
“Special female,” he rumbled.
“If this Horde were attacking two tigers wouldn’t have been enough to protect those left behind. They were right to run.” I motioned for her to release the male she strangled. It’s not like her attempt to hurt him is doing anything anyway. When she didn’t, my eyes shifted feline, and I snarled menacingly. “Let him go, Nimah. Resolve your issues elsewhere.”
Shoving the goblin male’s chest, pissed when he didn’t sway even a little, she stomped behind me, cheeks pink and muttering under her breath about overprotective males.
Lorken cocked his head at the goblin. “Are you well, Jord?”
The smaller demon nodded, face flushing a dull colour as his gaze wandered in search of Nimah. A glint of something possessive lurked there.
My eyebrows lifted as I met Lorken’s bemused gaze. “This is my territory.”
“I am sorry, Alpha.” The trace of amusement fled, and Lorken bowed, his baldhead reflecting light. “We do not know this land.” He hesitated. “I look for fairies.”
Mate. Mine. Protect.
“I want to offer you a refuge, but your timing is bad. You must leave.” Uncomfortable by the devastated expression that flitted across his face, I cracked my knuckles. Turning away those in need felt foreign to me, but my responsibilities forced me to ignore the protest of my conscience. “My Pride is afraid of the berserker rage, and there is too much for them to fear nowadays for them to be frightened of what rests in their own home.”
“We are spawned from half breeds. We have strong control. The rage does not control us. We control it.”
Lorken seemed chatty and amiable for a goblin. It was still a huge risk to take with my mate close and my people grieving. I sighed. I didn’t like the idea of sending injured innocents on their way when I could offer help, and whilst I had to protect the Pride as Alpha I needed to strengthen our allies too.
Goblins were a secretive, tough race. Hordes were run by dominant males known to be so aggressive that when their anger was riled, and the frenzy took hold they’d kill dozens of demons in a blinding rage until taken down. Nothing and no one would be safe until the anger cooled. Hardened warriors, the elderly, breeding women and children had all fallen under berserk goblins.
All demonkind were chary around them.
Moving closer, I lowered my voice. “Explain to me how you have control when others of your kind are slaves to their moods.”
“The forefathers of this Horde were the evilest creatures to walk this earth. But from their rapacious pillaging came life. Our blood is diluted.” Lorken lowered his tone to match mine. “The frenzy does not burn in us as in the pureblooded of our kind.” Lorken shrugged his enormous shoulders. “It is why we look human too.”
I eyed his overtly muscular seven-foot frame, long pointed ears, and twitchy pinprick pupils. “Yeah. Okay. And your temper?”
“I have strong influence over these males, and my temper is fast, but only heats when provoked.”
The goblin had remained calm while his people were under threat. If anything Lorken seemed keen to avoid a fight though it was clear from the battered state of his Horde they’d been in one. “What happened?” I nodded to a goblin with several blood soaked bandages draped over his thick neck. “You are the Chief, aren’t you?”
“I am now.” Lorken scowled. “We were attacked. Vampires drained the old Chief. He was kin to me, Runt’s older brother and my cousin. I mourn his death.”
“Runt?” I glanced over my shoulder. Nimah glared at us. “That female and her twin were held with him at the human Temple.”
Lorken pupils flicked up to stare over my head. “Which one is she?”
“That’s Nimah.”
Jord softly repeated her name in his deep baritone, lending a dreamy edge to it.
Cutting the male a warning look, Lorken asked me, “Where is the other?”
“Amelia stayed at the fairy Wyld to become a Familiar to the white witch, Ana.”
A grin stretched across his grisly face. “I know these names.”
Hearing a commotion coming up behind me, I just knew Maeve gave her protectors the slip. Scenting her creeping up on me from behind, I sighed, and without turning asked, “Eve, my own, you need something?”
She huffed.
It amused me she failed to comprehend as silent as her movement was she’d never sneak up on me.
Her scent was the most significant in my world.
Maeve’s slender hand slid around my waist, and she leaned into my side. Her head settled on my chest and rubbed there. “I heard. He’s looking for fairies.”
Purring and pulling her to my front, I crossed my arms to cage her in. “Lorken, this is my mate, Maeve.” My voice filled with pride. “A tribal fairy from the Grove Wyld.”
Lorken eyed her curiously. “You are a fairy, but green not gold. I need a gold fairy.”
Eyes widening as they stared at Maeve, Jord nodded. “Rae of the fae.”
“Rae of the fae,” Nimah echoed, elbowing her way back in. “They make her sound like a deity or something.”
Angling her head back as I tilted mine, Maeve and I shared a long look.
“You were meant to attend the Meet?” I asked.
“Yes. Our Horde is weak amongst our kind. Yet we are strong in other ways. We are the only Horde that heeded the High Lord’s call.” Lorken shrugged. “The fairies helped one of us. A debt is owed.”
“A debt to twin two-natured also.” Jord smiled at Nimah. “Strong female.”
Nonplussed, Nimah looked at Lorken. “So you’re the brains of this bunch, huh?”
While the goblins frowned, puzzling through the veiled insult to Jord, I quickly thought of a way to get rid of her. “The Horde is staying, Ni. Tell the others to round up the elderly and children hiding across the plain. It’s safe to come home now.”
Studying the goblins’ bloodied weapons, she snorted. “Safe? You have got to be joking.”
Maeve glanced at her coolly. “Your Alpha gave you an order.”
Pivoting on her heel, Nimah stormed off muttering, “Everything’s gone to hell.”
Jord took a confident step to follow, a determined expression plastered across his face. “I will help her.”
“Help Nimah,” Maeve said, blinking rapidly.
I jerked out an arm then held up a hand in consolation when the goblin growled. “I can’t even begin to explain what a bad idea that would be.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Rae
The sun set below the broken buildings of the Northern City, vampire territory, and the home of my brother and his Coven.
The earth stirred beneath my feet, and I backed up.
An arm thrust into the a
ir then another. They slammed onto the ground, and as the hands planted firmly the fingers splayed and dug in. A head burst through the loose earth. Skin white against the black soil, glaring, Tomas heaved his shoulders and upper chest from the mud. “You couldn’t make it easier?” He continued to wriggle from the dirt.
He didn’t have to choose his vampiric corporeal form and hide from the sun, but he described the ghostly plane his phantom form faded into as barren and creepy.
My gaze skimmed his pale torso then stopped as it reached his hips. I nudged his folded clothing with my foot. “Hurry.”
Slicking his dark hair back, Tomas frowned at the clothes then me. “You’re mad still.”
“Yup.”
“And answering my questions one worded.”
I shrugged.
He unearthed the rest of his body to stand naked and muddied under the moonlight. Throwing back his head, he breathed deep and opened his arms wide. “It feels good to be alive.” His head dropped, and he grinned fangs running out. “Well, in a sense.”
Rolling my eyes, I moved past, impatient to get moving.
He caught my upper arm and pulled me close. “I thirst.”
I jerked free. “Go find a rat. The sewers have plenty to spare.” I inhaled then gagged. “At least that’s how it smells.”
Tomas’ nostrils flared. He peered into the deserted street we’d travel to head deeper into the city to Cael’s Coven, brow furrowing in distaste. “It does smell unpleasant.”
“Surprised?”
He glanced at me, solemn. “This is not normal. Only corpses stink this bad.”
“The temperature’s dropping. If we’re lucky we’ll get a nice blanket of snow covering everything. Even rain would be an improvement. Wash away some of the stench.”
Tomas rubbed what mud he could from his body without success. “There is a river that runs through the city. It’s not clean, but at least I would not be covered in dirt.”
Kneeling, I placed my hand on the ground and burrowed my fingers into the soil. It felt grainy, but I sensed a well of fresh water beneath us, and I tugged the current off course. A spring bubbled through the soil. I grabbed a few rocks in arm’s reach and piled them together. The water ran clean down the sides.
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