Casey’s heart swelled when Sev referred to Mikhail as their brother. It steeled his resolve that they’d find a way to beat Elizar.
***
Sev sighed in relief when he spotted Vadim. His brother sat against a tree, arms curled around his waist, clutching Sev’s clothes. When he glanced up at the approaching pair, Sev’s heart stuttered. Vadim’s eyes were vacant and milky white. They gazed off into nothingness.
“Did you truly think you could escape me, Shaman?”
The deep bass of Elizar’s voice from the mouth of a twelve-year-old unraveled any control Sev had. “You bastard,” he hissed, clutching Vadim by the collar, “let him go.”
“I have eyes everywhere, little one. No matter where you are, I’m going to find you. You and the shaman may not carry my seed within you, but there are other ways to bend you to my will. If you don’t come back, I’ll make your youngest brother slice his throat and force you to watch him bleed to death.”
Sev couldn’t catch his breath. The thought of Vadim lying on the ground, bleeding out, and him being unable to stop it forced his breakfast out and spilled it over the ground. Elizar laughed at that.
“I could do it slowly. Perhaps you’d prefer if I had him pluck out his own eye, then eat it, while you were helpless to stop him. Maybe I should make him come back and act as a sex slave. There are so many possibilities, and I’m intrigued by every one. This is more entertaining than the arena.”
“You’re a sick, disgusting sack of shit,” Casey snapped. “I can’t wait to see your face when we tear you down.”
Vadim’s expression remained neutral, even in the face of Casey’s taunting.
“The Protector is being tended to as we speak. When he is back to full strength, I am going to have him rip you apart slowly. Perhaps I’ll let him have your mate first. I’d enjoy listening to him scream. Did you know that cats have barbs on their penises? It’s to keep themselves embedded until the deed is done. Imagine the Protector taking your mate while in jaguar form. Shredding your lover as he takes him over and over again, to the point where he begs for you to kill him.”
“I’m going to have your head,” Casey vowed. “I’m going to find a way to get Jake back, and when I do, we’re coming after you.”
“That would be welcome. In the spirit realm, I can complete my feasting on the Protector’s spirit. The small taste I had was enough to allow me to break through your pitiful wards. Should I consume him, he would give me enough power to completely cross over and live again. So yes, please, bring him to me. Do that and I may even give you Tsvetok and his family.”
Casey paled. Sev could only imagine how difficult this must be for him. To be trapped between promises made to your family. “Casey, I—”
“No. I know what you’re going to say, and the answer is no. I will not let Elizar have either one of you. Not ever.”
“But Jake is your—”
Casey grabbed Sev by the shoulders. “Jake is my friend. In my position, he would do the exact same thing. He wouldn’t let Elizar keep you to save Zak, and I’m not going to let him have you.”
“A brave speech, Shaman. You can’t stop what’s already begun. Even now, my hold over the enclave grows. There are a few holdouts, but they will succumb and, in time, become my army. We’ll create weapons and expand outward, absorbing first the Tiklit to our north. They have guns, which will increase my power and allow me to finally rule as I was destined to do.”
Sev’s fist balled up. Anger coursed through him, knowing that his brothers would be horrified to know that he’d allowed Elizar to hold them. They would rather die than become his slaves. He remembered the years they lived under Elizar’s rule, the death of his parents in the pits for alleged crimes. Seeing his brothers wasting away because of lack of food. Having to hold Vadim when he became so sick he was little more than a skeleton. To think of others having to suffer through that was more than he could bear.
“Kell told me of the outside world. Of the millions of small-minded inhabitants. They would be easy—” Elizar began.
“No. I won’t allow it.”
Sev swung out, catching Vadim on the cheek. He crumbled as Sev continued to strike, jumping on Vadim as he fell, hammering away. He barely heard his mate’s cries or felt strong hands pulling him back. He stood, breath coming in ragged gasps, glaring at Vadim’s body, so small and fragile. Now bloodied, harsh marks on his face.
“What the hell did you do?” Casey whispered.
“Saved him,” came the angry reply.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Casey knelt next to Vadim and put a finger to his throat. “He’s alive. Sev, how could you do that?”
“Because they’ve already suffered enough. You don’t know what it was like to watch them withering away while Elizar enjoyed their pain. I can’t let it happen again. They would beg me to kill them first.”
“No one is dying,” Casey snapped as he applied some ointment to the worst of Vadim’s injuries.
“You can’t say that. Not anymore. People will die. Elizar is going to make it happen.”
Casey leapt up and grabbed Sev. “Listen to me. Elizar has the upper hand, I won’t deny it, but I don’t think he’s going to kill anyone. He needs an army, and the enclave has less than one hundred fifty people. He is going to need everyone he’s got. He isn’t stupid, and he knows that a lot of what he’s going to have to do is psychological. He’s trying to get you to doubt yourself. And me. Do you trust me?”
“With my life.”
“And what about the lives of your brothers? The Alpha and Protector?”
Dark eyes swept over Vadim’s form before returning to Casey. “Yes. I trust you.”
“Then we have to work together. Elizar has something hidden that we couldn’t find. Can you think of anywhere he might have gone when he wasn’t in the enclave? Did he have a house somewhere else? A hideaway?”
Sev’s eyes glazed over in thought. “Not in the enclave. He rarely ventured out, because he knew of the people’s hatred for him. He came through the outer ring once, deep in the night. He didn’t have Kell with him, which was unheard of. I thought maybe if I followed him, I would find food or something of value that I could trade in exchange for something my brothers could eat. He went to the ocean’s edge, then followed it to the mountains. He had too much of a head start, and I lost him as he followed a rugged path up the side. If I could have shifted to my skunk form, I would have been able to track him, but I didn’t have time.
“He vanished somewhere along the pass. I went back a few times, trying to find where he’d been, but wasn’t ever able to locate it. Not that it matters. I could probably get up there as a skunk, but the terrain would be impassable for a human, unless he knew where he was going.”
Casey slung an arm around Sev’s shoulder. “We can do this. I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
As they began to move away, Sev took one last look at his brother. “What about Vadim?”
“He’ll be fine. I gave him something for his pain—you have a mean hook, by the way—and he should wake up in about an hour. He’s still in the temperate area of the enclave so he won’t freeze. My guess is that he’s going to be called back when he wakes. Our main concern will be Jake. He’s not exactly Hello Kitty.”
“You say the most confounding things,” Sev muttered.
“One thing you didn’t lose out on growing up here is being inundated with corporate media crap. No Pokémon, no Yu-Gi-Oh!, no Magic: The Gathering. Can’t tell you how much of my life I spent playing those games.”
“You sound distraught. Do you miss it?”
“Not in the least. I’m annoyed because I wasted years of my life chasing the next big thing. I wonder what would have happened if I had applied myself and learned more.”
“You wouldn’t be you. The man I love. Every choice brought you to me, so I’m grateful for them.”
Casey squeaked when Sev slipped arms around him and squeezed tight. He wished they could stay
where they were, but that wasn’t a good idea, given the circumstances.
“Come on, we have to move.”
***
Sev refused to let go of Casey’s hand. It was the only thing that kept him grounded to the here and now. After his anger had dissipated, he began shivering. He’d never been a violent person before. Elizar may not have infected Sev as he’d done with everyone else, but he still left a black stain on his soul. Casey had pulled him close for a moment, and whispered to him, telling him that he hadn’t done anything any other person wouldn’t do, that his feelings were completely understandable.
They’d made good time to the outer edge of the enclave’s land. From here on, they’d be exposed to the elements. Casey gave Sev a charm to help hold in body heat, but it did little good. It was bitterly cold beyond the borders, and the mountains still loomed high in front of them.
“It’s been several years since I was here last. I’m not sure I’ll know the place when I see it,” Sev admitted.
“Better to try than do nothing, or so they say. We can do this, Sev. We have to do it. If you’re not sure, just point me in the direction and I’ll go myself.”
Sev sneered at Casey. “Try to get me to stay behind. See what good it does you. Besides, you need protection. You’re just a human, after all,” Sev said, a playful curl to his lip.
“Ha. Ha. Ha. Jake said the same thing to me once. Remind me later to tell you how I convinced him. Maybe I’ll do the same to you.”
Jealousy burned in Sev’s chest. Before he could open his mouth to protest, Casey chuckled. “I told you, Jake and I never did anything. He’s my friend, that’s all. But I like knowing you get worked up over me.”
“It’s not funny. I keep thinking you’re going to decide this isn’t what you want, and that you’ll leave me alone. I know we’re heart mates, but it’s different for humans. They might be able to walk away and not feel the depth of pain shifters do.”
Casey stopped short. “Hey, I’m in this for the long haul. I admit it’s not the way I expected my life to be, but I told Hakiim I was hoping to score points with a shifter babe, and you are definitely that.”
Shallow lines formed between Casey’s eyes when he smiled.
“I’m not perfect, Sev—”
“Yes, I know,” Sev teased.
Casey glared at him. “But I’m always going to do right by you. Okay?”
“After we get our people back, I’m going to show you how okay it is,” Sev whispered breathlessly.
“Oh, baby, sounds like I’m getting lucky!”
“If we don’t die, I’m going to show you the best night ever.”
“I’m going to make sure of it just for that promise. You ready to step into the chill?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
The difference in temperature beyond the borders of the enclave was drastic. Where the shaman had magics that kept the people in a comfortable climate, the area beyond was frigid part of the year. Casey wrapped his arms around his chest, his breath already crusting to ice on his lips.
“You’re not going to make it. Temperatures don’t bother me as much as they do you, and I’m still very cold. Go back. I’ll scout ahead and see what I can find, then come and get you. There’s no sense in both of us being at risk.”
Casey pinched Sev’s cheeks. “You’re so cute when you get protective.” He reached into his satchel and pulled out a small brown packet. One quick slap to the cloth sack and Casey sighed in relief.
“Hot pack. Should keep my hands warm for a while. Hopefully long enough to do this.”
Sev heaved a resigned sigh. There would be no arguing with his mate. He’d known all along the man was stubborn and obstinate. Though he wouldn’t admit it out loud, that was part of Casey’s charm.
“That won’t keep your face warm. Your lips are already turning blue. Frostbite isn’t unheard of, even in the enclave. The wards can only do so much.”
“The longer we stand and argue, the better chance I have of freezing stiff.” Casey waggled his eyebrows, forcing a snicker from Sev.
“You’re incorrigible. Here.”
Sev stripped off his shirt. His nipples peaked, and he knew he’d get goose bumps pretty quickly.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to shift. I’ll be able to be out here longer, and you can add extra layers to keep warm. There is no discussing this. We do this, or we don’t go.”
When a deep rumble came from Casey, Sev knew he’d won this time. He shifted quickly, grateful for the heavy fur his skunk had. He could feel the cold air creeping through to his skin, but it didn’t hurt as much as his exposed body had. He glanced up through heavy-lidded eyes and watched as Casey wrapped the brown shirt around his face, then breathed deeply.
“Smells nice. Like you,” he said, though muffled. He leaned down and stroked Sev’s head. “Love you.”
He was about to nuzzle Casey’s hand when a large black object slammed into his mate’s back, knocking him into the snow with a resounding thump. Jake stood over Casey, claws embedded deep into Casey’s side, slavering as he prepared to deliver the deathblow. Sev launched himself forward, chittering loudly. Jake spun and a heavy paw batted Sev aside. The Protector began stalking toward him, eyes milky white. Sev was too shaken to spray. He could barely catch a breath.
“Jake, stop.”
Casey’s voice quavered and blood ran freely down his side, dripping onto the virgin snow, painting a macabre portrait. The Protector continued advancing on Sev.
“Jake, please. Don’t make me hurt you.”
The large black head spun toward Sev’s mate and chuffed. Casey’s hands, stained with red, fiddled with the pouch at his side. Sev could see Casey’s blue eyes imploring Jake to stop, but he continued grasping at items in his bag.
Jake crouched, tensing to leap, when Casey’s hand flashed out and tossed something in his direction. Thick black vines wrapped in thorns burst through the frozen ground, winding themselves around Jake, who attempted to tear at them with fang and claw, ripping open skin in the process. It had to hurt like hell, but he never made a sound other than grunts.
“Don’t struggle,” Casey wheezed. “They’ll only tighten. Please, Jake. Just stay down.”
As Casey approached, Sev regained his human form. Casey gave him back his clothes, then took his hand, helping Sev to his feet.
“What did you do to him?”
“Blood thorn. A potent spell I found in the grimoire. Never had a chance to try it because one of the ingredients is blood of a magical being. I think I qualify, and I sure had enough oozing out of me to spare a bit. The vines will hold him until the blood loses potency, or—”
“Or until he dies.”
“Yeah. Or that.”
***
Casey’s gut clenched. Jake continued to struggle, and true to Casey’s word, the vines tightened. Thorns pierced Jake’s skin, adding more blood to what already dotted the ground.
“You keep this up, Elizar, you’re going to lose him. He’ll die and since he has nothing to regret, he’ll move on, out of your reach forever.”
Trying to talk was painful. Deep gashes in his side would hamper his ability to move with any surety. Casey ran his hands over Sev, trying to ensure his mate wasn’t injured, too.
“They began healing when I shifted. But you’re—”
“Ready to move on.”
Pangs of sympathy rushed through Casey. He didn’t want to leave Jake like this. His friend could die out here, and it would be Casey’s fault. Still, he thought about Zak, Mikhail, and Vadim, and knew there was only one choice.
“Jake told me once that he would sacrifice his life for the enclave. If we had time, we might be able to get him free of Elizar, but time is a luxury we don’t have. Not even twenty-four hours, and Elizar already has almost all the people under his control. If he can hold Jake, then there isn’t much of a choice.”
“You can’t sacrifice your friend!”
“I’
m going to do what Jake would tell me needs to be done. If there was a choice between Jake’s survival and all of our people, I know what he would want me to do.”
Without another word, Sev gathered what had fallen onto the snow, then gave a sad glance toward Jake, and allowed Casey to wrap an arm around his shoulder for support before trudging toward the mountain once again.
***
Casey hated the fact that he needed to lean on Sev. He’d lost quite a bit of blood, and what he’d used to infuse the thorns definitely hadn’t helped, but they required a lot to be effective, especially against someone as powerful as Jake. Casey wasn’t under any misconception. If Jake hadn’t been controlled, the thorns wouldn’t have held him for long.
He also wasn't overly pleased he was still bleeding, even if it had begun to scab over. Jakes claws had been razor sharp, and they had dug deep. Casey’s head was swimmy, and the sun glinting off the snow didn't help.
They continued at a maddeningly slow pace. Sev should be in skunk form so he could protect them, but if he didn’t have a shoulder to lean on, he’d be face first in the snow within a couple of steps. He huffed a sigh and Sev’s grip tightened.
“Are you okay?”
"I'm a crappy shaman.” It sounded whiney, even to his own ears.
"Why would you say something so stupid?"
“I’ve read through the grimoire many times and saw some of the medicines and magic those who came before me could do. I don't even understand half of it. If I did, maybe—”
"No." Sev's voice was harsh. "Our shamans had an oral history. Their knowledge was passed down from one to another. When a shaman was accepted by the enclave, he or she immediately took an apprentice, and the teachings were passed, old to young. You can't learn our history because there is no one to teach you. What you've accomplished on your own is amazing. And you have a lifetime to learn. We have a lifetime to learn together. No one, maybe other than you, expects you to be an expert in eight months. No one could, even with the foreknowledge of the other shaman."
A laugh bubbled out of Casey, and Sev gazed into his eyes. “Are you okay? Do you need to rest?”
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