Shattered Warrior

by Brenda Trim

Angus had been so relieved when they’d told him they could make something to mask his presence. He had no fucking doubt the Unseelie King was behind this whole mess and the reason he was always five minutes too late and couldn’t find Keira. The bastard was powerful and kept moving whenever he sensed them coming. The only way Angus was going to be able to get close was if Cyril couldn’t sense them.

  “We owe you much. Thank you for your assistance,” Angus mentally replied.

  “We want the best rooms in the castle when we visit,” Pema said and the group waved them goodbye.

  “The best room’s at my place,” Lorne teased before the two of them inclined their large reptilian heads and took to the skies.

  Anticipation urged Angus on. He was so close to being reunited with Keira. It had been so long since he’d seen her, but he hadn’t stopped loving her for one minute.

  He recalled the first time he’d seen her. As a sea dragon, she lived in the oceans of Khoth. Taking a break from the monotony of life at the palace, Angus often went to the beach. The sea called to him in a way he hadn’t understood until the day Keira stepped from the waves.

  His mouth went dry remembering the way her curves glistened in the sun, her lush breasts on full display. He didn’t realize she was one of the Stoorworm, let alone the Stoorworm King’s only daughter. Her long green hair should have been his first clue, but all he could see was the way her aura called to him.

  She had this energy about her that livened every cell in his body. Her raspy voice had been at odds with her delicate appearance. When she’d greeted him, she stumbled in her attempt to walk and that was when he’d finally realized what she was. Keira had never let him forget how he’d lost his mind that day, practically drooling all over her from his attraction.

  Keira was much like the females at Zeum. She had a fire that ignited his ardor and set him in his place at the same time. She spoke her mind and stood her ground, regardless, if she was wrong. But, she was happy, always smiling, and forever teasing him. Her aqua eyes would sparkle with mirth when she gave him shit about mundane things.

  His heart lurched in his chest as his mind envisioned her beautiful face. He missed her beyond words and his world had literally come down around him after losing her. All hope had been gone for so long that it was difficult to accept that she was now within reach.

  He glanced over and saw Lorne flying close, his slate gray hide barely visible in the dark sky. Angus could only see his green eyes as the male looked over. He swore the Máahes was smiling. Lorne was frustrated and wanted to go home, but it was obvious the male had a renewed energy for their quest after the witches located Keira. Determination had Angus putting on a burst of speed as they neared the Gulf of Mexico.

  Angus gestured to the deserted beach below and they both landed gracefully in the sand. Angus shifted back quickly and removed the pack from his back. He’d worn expensive suits for so long that it was still odd for him to don the rough jeans. They weren’t the softest material, but he wanted to blend in as much as possible so he’d left his suits behind for Nate.

  “Ready?” he asked Lorne who was pulling a t-shirt over his head.

  The warm, salty air tasted of his beloved sea serpent and had him more eager to find her.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be. We will have her back by morning,” Lorne promised.

  “Och, do you really think it will be that easy?” Angus asked.

  “We can’t afford to think otherwise,” the male amended and patted Angus on the shoulder, offering support.

  Angus slung the bag over his shoulder and began his trek towards the nearby mountainside. He was tempted to grab the weapons and have them at the ready, but he didn’t want to frighten Keira. She’d always hated violence or anything to do with fighting or harming of another.

  That thought had his mind stalling on another. Had she been kept in that cave the entire time she’d been missing? On the heels of that, he wondered what she’d been put through. Had Cyril harmed her? He’d kill the bastard if he dared lay one finger on her.

  They made their way up the rocky cliff and into the small town. The second they entered the bar, it was clear to him that, once again, they were too late. Her magical signature was faint, but definitely Keira’s.

  “Fuck!” Angus exploded so frustrated he nearly lost control of his dragon. His beast wanted to rain fire down around the earth. It wanted its queen as much as Angus did. Keira had once again slipped through their hands.

  “I thought for sure we had her this time,” Lorne growled.

  “Aye, so did I. Cyril is too bluidy smart. He keeps her moving and ‘tis impossible to get a read on them. They are always one step ahead of us, but the Rowan sisters gave me proof that she is alive and I willna stop until I have her back,” Angus vowed.

  Cyril hadn’t covered his tracks as thoroughly as he should have because Angus picked up traces of his Unseelie magic. The bastard would pay with his life for keeping Keira from him.

  *****

  “Do you have a minute?” Illianna asked as she knocked on the doorjamb.

  Orlando looked to the open doorway and saw Rhys’s mate standing with a plate of food in her hand. He cursed himself for not being at dinner, but he hadn’t been in the mood to be around the many loving couples. Hearing them laugh and chase each other through the hallway near his rooms was bad enough.

  “Sure, come on in,” he whispered as he looked down to a sleeping Brantley on the couch beside him.

  Illianna glided gracefully into the room. He was still awed by the angel’s gold wings as she easily maneuvered into his quarters and sat on the adjacent loveseat. Her presence was always soothing and comforting and it eased the ache in his chest. He missed Ember with a fervency he didn’t think possible. It had only been two days, but it seemed like an eternity.

  “I noticed you weren’t at dinner and brought you a plate,” she murmured and held out the plate of food. Looked like Elsie’s enchiladas. Typically, he inhaled several servings of the tasty dish, but he didn’t have an appetite.

  “Thank you,” he replied as he accepted the plate and set it on the coffee table in front of him.

  “Where’s Ember?” Illianna asked as she looked around the suite.

  Orlando couldn’t hide his wince. This was why he’d been playing hermit in his room. “I assume she’s at her house, but I honestly don’t know.”

  “Oh, I see. Do you want to talk about it?”

  Orlando waved his arm dismissively, pasting a smile on his face. He hoped it wasn’t as brittle as it felt. It was difficult to maintain his composure in the angel’s presence. He barely held back the urge to punch his fist through the wall. If the angel entered his bedroom, she’d see how often he’d given into that impulse.

  “What’s there to say? I found my mate and then she left me. So much for that infamous mating compulsion. Ember seemed to have no problem walking away from me,” he said meeting her striking silver eyes.

  Rhys’s mate held a world of compassion in those silver eyes and it hit that Rhys was one lucky sonovabitch for finding this female who offset his hedonism so perfectly.

  “The mating compulsion doesn’t erase a person’s will. It is merely a guide. You still have freedom of choice. Why did she leave? Did you two have a fight?” she asked with concern.

  “You could say that. She refuses to live here with me. Said she belonged at the Grove and that the females living here don’t like her,” he relayed, shocked that he was telling her so much, but it just poured out of him. “I tried to talk to her, but she became unreasonable and stormed out.”

  “And, have you gone after her?” Illianna asked then reached over and ran her palm over Brantley’s blond head while she spoke.

  Her soft-spoken words hit Orlando like bullets as he admitted to himself he hadn’t even tried calling Ember. Truth was, it was killing him and he needed to hear her voice and be close to her.

  “No, I haven’t. I don’t think she wants me around. I can sense her anger and
frustration,” he replied.

  Countless emotions were bombarding him. He usually put up barriers to block sensations around him, but he was such a wreck, the walls were crumbling and it was difficult to pinpoint Ember’s feelings from his own, but the fact that she was still pissed came across loud and clear.

  “But, how do you feel? What is it that you want?” she asked.

  “I want my mate…more than anything,” he admitted, “but I can’t leave the compound with this new demon on the loose. We are all needed and me being gone is out of the question.”

  “I can understand your dilemma. I went through a similar choice when I met Rhys,” she shared.

  Orlando had heard a little about what had gone down and knew that Rhys had died and Illianna made the choice to save him. He recalled her early days in the compound when she didn’t have her wings.

  “You gave up your wings for him,” he recalled.

  “I did. Angel’s aren’t blessed with a Fated Mate like your kind and I fought Rhys’s claim on me every step of the way in Hell. I knew that accepting and mating with him would mean I had to give up my job and my home in Heaven.”

  Orlando had never equated Illianna being an angel as her job, but that was her job just as much as him being a Dark Warrior. Her duty was to bring joy and happiness like his duty was to protect innocents from the demons. She had sacrificed everything for Rhys. He really was a lucky bastard.

  “After being a prisoner in the Underworld and suffering their cruel torture, I wanted nothing more than to get back to my brethren and heal. When I watched Rhys be slain, I realized I couldn’t survive unless he was by my side. He had healed me by showing me over and over how much he loved me. And you know what? Rhys was going to let me go so I could be happy. He didn’t care what it did to him so long as I was fulfilled. Taught me, bearer of joy and happiness, a thing or two about giving true joy and happiness.”

  “To see you now I never would have guessed it. You two are a perfect match. It seems like every couple in the compound is the perfect couple and I don’t think I will ever have that with Ember. None of you have this insane jealousy between the females. It’s a real barrier for my mate.”

  “You only see half of what goes on, Orlando. Each one of us has had our issues. I am reminded every day that my mate has slept with nearly every female on the planet,” she said with a laugh, “and I don’t even have peace in my own home. The Rowan triplets step foot through our door and I constantly remind myself that they are mated and happy, as are Rhys and I. I may be an angel, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have an urge to slaughter all those that came before me. But I deal with it and soak up my mate’s love every chance I get. It’s a choice I make,” she admitted, shocking Orlando with her candor.

  “I never considered how Rhys’s history would affect you. You hide it very well. I never sense anything but respect and devotion between you two.”

  The pretty blonde sat quietly for a minute and Orlando felt her angelic power at work and he allowed it to flow through his battered soul.

  “I’m going to leave you with your thoughts, but remember it takes two to make this work. Consider what you might do to make this an easier transition for her,” Illianna murmured before she got up and left the room.

  Orlando watched Brantley sleep peacefully while his mind churned. He missed Ember, his body ached to have her and his head was stuck up his ass. How the fuck was he supposed to make sense of anything under these conditions?

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  The stars were bright in the sky, the bonfire was ready to be lit, and the pack was gathered around. All but the most important person, that is, Ember mused. Her stomach fluttered and she thought she might hurl as she stood there facing her family and friends. They were so excited for her with beaming smiles on their faces and pride shining in their eyes. She imagined her father was watching from Annwyn, as well. She was making history and her mate was not there to share the moment with her.

  “Ember, we can’t wait any longer. We have to begin,” Hayden informed her.

  Ember looked around the clearing and saw six tiki torches burning, as well as, the table set for the ceremony, but didn’t see Orlando’s white blond head anywhere. The bond she shared with her mate told her he was still wallowing like he had been for the past week, but he was nowhere near.

  He wasn’t coming.

  “Yes, Sire. I understand.” The ache in her chest twisted, stealing her breath.

  “I haven’t seen Orlando in several days. What’s going on with you guys? You have excelled in your patrols and earned your position as one of my C.L.A.W.s but he isn’t here for you.” The words were more of an accusation and she didn’t miss the threat in Hayden’s tone.

  “We had a disagreement. It’s nothing to worry about. It will not affect my performance.” She couldn’t allow her personal life to jeopardize her new position. She had wanted it for too long and had worked her ass off to get where she was.

  “I’m not worried about your performance, Em. I’m worried about your heart. I have half a mind to string him up by his hide,” Hayden growled.

  “No, don’t do that. He’s been busy with the new demon threat. It will be worked out,” she promised even as she doubted her own words.

  “It better be. I will not tolerate this treatment of you,” Hayden told her. The defense warmed her heart and echoed what her grandfather had told her, as well.

  “Pack, we are gathered here to witness history,” Hayden boomed to the gathered crowd. “Ember Hawthorne has worked hard and earned the title of the first female Lieutenant in the C.L.A.W.’s history. Tonight, I am proud to bring her into the fold.”

  Hayden turned to Ember, a huge smile on his face with his hair blowing around his brown eyes. His pride was evident and broke through some of her melancholy over not having Orlando by her side for the ceremony. Her heart kicked up when she realized the goal she had been fighting to achieve for decades was finally here.

  Wiping her sweaty palms on her black dress pants, she folded them in front of her and kneeled in front of her Omega when he gave the order. From her position, Hayden was larger than life. He had on dark denim jeans and a button up white shirt that made him look regal. Shifters were far more casual in their ceremonies, with the mating ceremony being the exception.

  “As we celebrate this day, we must remember that no one becomes a C.L.A.W. without passing trials and proving themselves worthy. Ember has displayed great skills in battle and stepped up in defense of the pack regardless of the danger to herself. We have never had a female work harder to prove their worth. You honor the pack and your family. Are you ready to take your vows and join the fold, Ember?” Hayden boomed.

  Ember shook off her nervousness and cleared her throat as she nodded her head and began reciting her oath of fealty.

  “I hereby declare on pack land that I absolutely and entirely pledge my allegiance and fidelity to my fellow brethren,” she vowed and sliced open her palm on the sword Hayden was holding. The cut wasn’t deep, but blood immediately leaked from the laceration.

  Zeke stepped forward and picked up the nearest tiki torch. He tossed the torch onto the bonfire then walked to stand in front of Hayden and cut his palm on the same sword then clasped Ember’s palm, sealing their brotherhood. He stepped away and took his place among the other C.L.A.W.s.

  “I will support and defend against all enemies,” she swore before Grant stepped forward and tossed his torch then walked to the sword and cut his palm. Grant winked at her when they clasped hands and a smile spread across Ember’s face for the first time in a week. Grant was a good friend and having him as her brethren was such an honor.

  “I will wield my sword on behalf of my pack,” she promised before Scott stepped forward and repeated the same process then shook her hand. She glanced to the fire, expecting a roaring inferno, but it seemed content to remain around each torch.

  “I will perform all duties necessary to protect the safety and integrity of the pack,”
she pledged and then accepted Beau’s handshake. With the mingling of their blood on the blade, she heard a hum begin in the metal as if being tempered by the combined fluids.

  “I take this obligation freely without reservation or malice,” she declared and clasped hands with Don. Don’s firm handshake and warm smile welcomed her into their fold. In fact, each of the males had accepted her without hesitation.

  “May the Goddess bless my journey,” she concluded and stood up. Hayden cut his palm and they clasped hands before he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tight. He grabbed the last torch and tossed into the fire. Suddenly, an inferno erupted and flames shot to the sky.

  “Welcome to the C.L.A.W.,” Hayden boomed and handed the sword to her with a flourish.

  A gasp escaped as she glanced down in awe. Bastien, the pack swordsmith, handcrafted the weapon. He used natural resources found at the Grove. Ember’s eyes clouded over as she marveled at the tiger’s eye stone set into the pommel that was shaped like a claw. It was by far the most elegant sword ever created. Bastien had captured the importance of the occasion perfectly, she thought.

  Looking to her palm, she noticed the six cuts were already healing. The significance of the ceremony caught up to her and tears welled in her eyes. She wanted to see the pride in Orlando’s eyes. Her friends and family weren’t enough. The post-celebration began and she should be ecstatic to join in the drinking and eating, but she couldn’t stand there and put on a happy face. She was a millisecond from having a meltdown and all she could do was flee. As soon as she hit the forest, the waterfall of tears broke through.

  *****

  “He should have been there Faith,” Ember snapped as she paced her friend’s living room.

  She’d made pack history, becoming the first female C.L.A.W. Her entire family had been there to celebrate her achievement, but Orlando had been a no-show and she had fled like a heartbroken stripling. And, what an embarrassment to lose her Fated Mate three days after mating when they should still be in the throes of passion. Some Lieutenant she was turning out to be. Couldn’t hold her emotions in check to share one damn drink with her pack.