by M. D. Grimm
Poe clenched his fists before he spun around and started to pace the kitchen. Nordik stood silently, his muscles jumping and straining under his skin. His instinct was to force submission, but that wasn’t the way to handle Poe. It could even break the bond of trust between them. He fully recognized Poe was an alpha as well. It was often arousing. But at times like this, it was irritating.
“Fuck you for being right,” Poe finally said, quivering where he stood by the kitchen window.
Some of Nordik’s muscles loosened, and he lifted his head, his shoulders easing down.
“But even if I did want you with me on missions—and the jury’s still out on that—the Agency would have to sign off on it. This is unprecedented. Such a partnership has never happened before—an agent and a shifter going on missions together? Unthinkable.”
“There was never an ambassador from the Agency to a shifter clan before either, was there? Not before you and me.”
Poe grumbled something, but most of the fury appeared to have slid off his face. Nordik judged it was safe to approach and did so slowly. Poe frowned at him, still looking annoyed. Nordik unclenched his hands and gripped Poe’s shoulders.
“I cannot change how I feel, mate. I must protect you and fight by your side. This war involves me. There is no denying that. My brethren are dying. They’re hurting. I am a master shifter descended from Merlin himself. I am already in this war.”
Poe stared at him, and his expression turned so vulnerable that Nordik sucked in a breath.
“You know I feel exactly the way you do, right? You weren’t wrong when you said I want you to stay in Sanctuary. I—” He stopped. Cleared his throat. “I can’t lose you either.”
Nordik pulled Poe into a fierce hug. They gripped each other tightly, and Nordik laid several kisses on Poe’s head.
“As I said,” Nordik whispered, “I am a master shifter. Do you honestly think the Agency will reject my offer of help?”
Poe sighed heavily and squeezed him so hard Nordik worried about breaking a rib.
“No. That’s why I’m afraid.”
NORDIK LISTENED intently as Poe explained the most recent mission of two other agents. They decided they would come up with a game plan on Poe’s first day back. Then they would enjoy their remaining days together in Sanctuary. If the Agency accepted Nordik’s help and they were put on missions, then who knew how long it would be before either of them would return home?
He was enthralled as Poe described the doings of Agents Jin and Pan and their encounter with knights, with Gregor—Arcas’s right-hand man—and an ancient scroll. When Poe mentioned the appearance of Merlin, Nordik sat up straighter.
“If he has once more become active, then events are dire.”
Poe’s gaze turned wary. “What do you mean by ‘dire’?”
“I’ve never heard of the scrolls, but if they are keys to a weapon, then I can only assume that weapon is from Merlin’s time. As Arcas is.”
“What?”
“Think about it. How would Arcas know of the scrolls that only bird shifters knew about? Not even Merlin himself knew about them. And the beast of rage.”
“Yeah. A beast of rage that spreads disease? I mean, seriously, what the fuck?”
“It all goes back to the Beginning.”
“The beginning?”
“Of everything. The three tribes. Your ancestors and mine. Merlin’s time. The time of the great plague that nearly caused shifters to go extinct.”
“Just wait a minute.” Poe held up a hand and gripped his head. “Babe, I can’t get my brain around any of this. I was never one to believe anything was impossible. I mean, come on, look at the world I live in. But magic scrolls and plague beasts and who the hell knows what else?”
Poe appeared truly overwhelmed. Poe didn’t overwhelm easily, and it made Nordik calm his own beating heart. He knew it all had to be connected: Merlin, Arcas, the scrolls, the beast. Merlin was ashamed about something he’d done in his past. His guilt weighed on him. Perhaps it was all coming full circle. Fate. Nordik had always been a believer in fate. From the time of his birth to now, fate had ruled him. Poe—his Byron—was here with him because of fate.
“Just take a breath and calm yourself, Agent Poe,” Nordik said firmly, gripping Poe’s shoulder. “We will figure this out. And it makes me more determined than ever to come out of hiding. You need me. The Agency and the shifters need me to act.”
“Yeah. You could be right about that.” Poe took a deep breath. Their gazes met and held. “But I was guaranteed a week of reprieve from Agency duties. I plan on taking it. Care to join me?”
Nordik smiled and shoved aside his impatience. He wanted to do something, yes. But he was guaranteed a week with Poe, and he wasn’t about to toss that aside or bog it down with outside concerns. There would be time for that later. The war would still be there when they got back.
“I’ll need that week to set up my new identity anyway.”
“The Agency can help with that.”
Nordik only raised an eyebrow.
Poe snorted. “Right, what was I thinking? You’ve done this for centuries. You know the deal.”
Nordik grinned and shoved Poe back on the bed, lying on top of him. “Yes. But I’ll worry about that later.”
The sun had set long ago, and they’d been talking by candlelight for several hours. The flames cast dancing shadows on the walls, and Nordik loved the way they brushed over Poe’s skin and lit his eyes. His Celtic trinity tattoo seemed to dance where it was etched above his heart. A symbol of unity and dedication. It succinctly illustrated who Poe was and what he stood for.
Poe quirked his eyebrow before using one of his best moves to roll them and hold Nordik down on the bed. None of Nordik’s other lovers had ever been so aggressive. It was a delightful challenge.
“I think it’s your turn to take me inside. What do you think?” Poe bit Nordik’s lower lip, and the pain shot down to his cock, hardening it. That was also something else he’d never done with another: submit. Only with Poe could he offer himself in such a way.
“You’ll have to fight for it,” Nordik said, rolling them once again, holding Poe down.
His bright blue eyes flashed with passion and determination. “Bring it on, bear.”
Chapter Three
POE WALKED into HQ with Nordik in tow and wasn’t surprised at the wide-eyed looks and gaping mouths. Nordik certainly made an entrance. His fierce energy surrounded him like an aura, and given his unusual appearance, Poe would’ve been surprised if Nordik didn’t get attention.
They exited the elevator and strode onto the top floor of a building that currently housed the US Agency’s main headquarters. To maintain security the Agency moved frequently, never on any set schedule, and had only been at the current location for a few weeks. They simply couldn’t risk any of the knights finding them.
The familiar sounds of phones ringing and conversation permeated the office space. The top floor was where the field agents and chief were housed. Poe led the way down the narrow hallway, past open doors of rooms that held cubicles and boxes of files shoved all along the walls. He glanced a couple of times at Nordik to see him absorbing all of it. It was certainly a world he wasn’t familiar with, but when Nordik met his gaze, he nodded as if in approval.
As they continued on their way, a few agents looked up, and even as Poe nodded at them, they seemed startled to see Nordik. It wasn’t easy to startle an agent. Poe had called ahead to Odin, his captain and friend, to inform him of Nordik’s request. Apparently Odin had only told the chief and no one else. He was just too good at keeping secrets.
As they reached the end of the hallway, the single door that led to the chief’s office opened, and Mac came out. He was a man in his early thirties, and most would call him a “pretty boy.” But he had more going for him than looks. He had intelligence, a gentle but dogged nature, and super-sight. His soft blue eyes and short brown hair paired with his lithe body and average stature p
resented a man who used his brains and brawn to get the job done.
Upon seeing them, Mac grinned and stepped forward.
“Poe, glad you made it here safely.” Mac turned to Nordik and held out a hand in welcome. “It’s an honor to meet you, Nordik. I’m Mac, Captain Odin’s assistant.”
Of course Odin would tell Mac about Nordik. Poe didn’t doubt for a second Mac knew everything there was to know about Odin, and probably more besides. Odin often said to Poe in confidence that Mac was an invaluable asset, and he’d never let him go without a fight. That was probably why, despite Mac’s exceptional skills, he’d yet to be promoted to agent.
Nordik shook Mac’s hand. “It is an honor to meet you as well. I have great respect for the Agency.”
“That means a lot coming from you.” Mac stepped back and gestured to the door. “They’re waiting. I’ll see you later?”
Poe slapped Mac’s shoulder. “Count on it.”
Mac nodded to both of them before hurrying down the hallway, pulling out an iPad as he went.
“Attractive man,” Nordik said.
Poe rolled his eyes up to Nordik even as he knew the comment for what it was: an observation, one Poe could hardly argue with.
“Yeah, he is. We call him the golden boy. He’s just so damn good at everything. If he wasn’t a friend to everyone, they’d hate him.”
Nordik snorted. “Sounds like someone else I know.”
Poe chuckled. “Trust me, there are those who don’t like me. I’m not as charming as Mac.”
Poe opened the door to the office then, cutting their conversation short. He shouldn’t keep his chief and captain waiting. He stepped in, and Nordik shut the door behind them. Every time Poe stepped into Chief Hera’s office, he was always struck with the difference between her style and the former chief’s, who was discovered to be a traitor.
Chief Hera was a no-nonsense warrior who continued to lead the Agency with an iron fist. But she was also compassionate, generous, and though she made decisions with her head, she always consulted her heart first. She put Poe in mind of an Amazon, and he was proud to have her as chief. He would follow her orders without question because he knew she’d never lead him, or the Agency, wrong. That was why he could trust her with Nordik. If he’d had any doubt of her allegiance or motives, he would never have exposed Nordik.
Hera and Odin had been talking before they entered and Odin stepped back as Hera stood. Odin moved forward to offer his hand to Nordik. Nordik shook it, his expression never exposing the content of his thoughts. Poe suspected Nordik was still analyzing the situation and hadn’t yet come to a conclusion.
“Poe,” Odin said with a nod. He was an imposing man, nearly seven feet tall and built like a Mack truck. His skin was normally a pasty pale, but his most recent mission had sent him to America’s Deep South, and he’d gotten a ruddy tan out of the trip. He was bald and had the most intense black eyes Poe had ever seen. He looked to be in his late forties, maybe early fifties, but Poe knew him to be much older. How old, he had never found out. Odin wasn’t much of a sharer, especially about his past. Poe always found it amusing that despite Odin’s immensity, his ability was to be invisible in plain sight. He could quiet his presence and everyone, even if they were looking for him, simply wouldn’t see him. He could blend into the background and, essentially, disappear.
He was the Agency’s main recruiter, finding those with manifested abilities and giving them somewhere to belong. Giving their abilities purpose. Odin would never admit it, but he’d given many people with troubled and tragic pasts a place to call home. In some ways, a family.
Odin had been Poe’s trainer, and for a short time, his partner. Then Poe had been promoted to Level 4 agent, and Odin to captain. He trusted Odin with his life, and now he was trusting him with Nordik.
Odin stepped back, giving the floor entirely to Hera.
“Captain.” Poe looked at Hera. “Chief. Thank you for granting this meeting.”
Hera nodded, her sharp eyes fixed on Nordik. She was masculine in her appearance, with her square jawline, red hair in a military cut, hard body dressed in black fatigues, and a recent jagged scar running down the left side of her face. She was someone who demanded to be taken seriously, someone who had been on the ground, in the field, fighting and bleeding for the cause. She hadn’t come up the ranks bureaucratically like the former chief—may he rot in hell for all eternity.
“I am honored to meet you, Nordik,” Hera said after a moment of silence as she and Nordik sized each other up. “But I will comment on the fact of the irregularity of this meeting and the unprecedented step you and Agent Poe request the Agency to make.”
“It’s no more unprecedented than allowing me to mate with Nordik and remain an agent. Sir,” Poe said.
Hera glanced at Poe and lifted an eyebrow. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Odin’s lips twitch.
“Perhaps it isn’t, Agent. But forming alliances with shifters and sending them out on missions are two entirely different things. Then we must consider the fact we are talking about a master shifter. I won’t be responsible for sending a master shifter to his or her death.”
“If I may, Chief Hera,” Nordik interjected.
Hera nodded and gestured for Nordik to continue.
“I will accompany Poe whether you approve or not.”
Hera’s brows nearly touched her hairline.
“He is my mate. Perhaps nonshifters do not understand, so I will try to explain. For master shifters, there is one true mate. Only one. When we find that mate, we must claim them. If we miss the opportunity or the mate dies, then we are lost. There will never be another for us. Misery and depression become our constant companion for the rest of our innumerable days. A few master shifters have fallen victim to this, and they committed suicide to stop the pain.”
Poe swallowed hard. He knew about all of that, but it was difficult to hear again.
“I will not lose Poe.” Nordik gripped Poe’s hand, and Poe couldn’t help feeling slightly embarrassed. But he stood tall and didn’t flinch. “I can’t. And since you fight a battle to protect my kin, how can I stay behind? How can I not fight when my children, my brethren, are being hunted and massacred?” Nordik met and held Hera’s gaze. “You are not responsible for keeping me safe and protected. I am a warrior as you are. Your cause is my cause. I will fight.”
Hera stared at him a moment longer before turning to Odin. Poe knew there was some silent communication between them. Odin’s nod was nearly imperceptible. But Odin had trained Poe, they were friends, and Poe knew Odin had agreed to let Nordik join. He squeezed Nordik’s hand even as his heart kicked up a notch.
When Hera looked back at Poe and Nordik, Poe still sensed her hesitation.
“Sir?” he said.
She glanced at him.
“You’ve said yourself that we must adapt to changing times, to the changes in the battlefield. Arcas changed everything when he started hunting for the scrolls. We changed everything when we infiltrated their headquarters. You’re making alliances with shifters, assigning ambassadors to the larger clans and packs. We’re stretched thin, sir. We need assistance. Who better than a master shifter? Shifters respond to him, they’ll follow his command. He’s an asset.”
Hera nodded slowly. “I know, Poe. I know.” She sat down heavily in her chair, and only then did Poe see how much the war weighed on her. She was an expert in hiding her fatigue, but she wasn’t perfect.
Odin regarded her silently for a moment before stepping forward. “Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows.”
Hera’s entire demeanor changed. She smirked and looked at Odin with bright eyes. “The soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.”
Odin smiled slightly and nodded.
Poe grinned, knowing they’d won. He looked up at Nordik to see his
confused frown.
“It’s a quote from The Art of War,” Poe said. “By Sun Tzu.”
Nordik shook his head.
“I’ll show it to you later. You’d like it.” As it was standard reading for any new recruit, Poe knew several quotes by heart as well.
The office door banged open, and Poe and Nordik jumped apart, each taking a fighting stance. But Poe immediately reassessed the situation when he saw it was Mackenzie, a curvy, confident woman who often ran dispatch and coordinated field agents. She was panting as if she’d run a marathon, and her eyes were bright with terror.
“Stand down, Nordik,” Poe said as he gripped Mackenzie’s arm.
“Speak, Mackenzie,” Hera said in a tone like a whipcrack.
“Arcas, it’s Arcas,” Mackenzie said in between gasps for air. “He sent a message to his knights. We intercepted. You have to see!”
Everyone hurried down the hallway and took the elevator to the first floor, where most of the technicians and office drones resided. It was impossible not to attract attention, but Hera didn’t seem too concerned with it. Poe kept a hand on Mackenzie’s shoulder, hoping the contact eased some of her fear. For himself it wasn’t fear that made his heart thunder in his chest—it was excitement. What had Arcas said to his minions? Were they finally going to get an advantage over him?
They burst into Mackenzie’s office, where three other techs worked. One look at their faces said they knew why the chief and Captain Odin were there. Mackenzie dove to her workstation and called up the video transmission.
“Broadcast it to the entire building,” Hera said.
Mackenzie looked up in confusion. “But—”
Hera’s look silenced her. Mackenzie hit a few keys, and suddenly all the monitors in the building were hijacked and all Agency employees in the building would be able to see the broadcast.
“Play,” Hera said.