Lost Roar

by Zenina Masters

  Robbed of her roar, Nicia doesn’t want a lion. She goes to the Crossroads and has a wolf follow her home. No red hood required.

  Nicia was at the fundamental lion compound and rescued from a life as guard beast for her family.

  Her mother’s family takes her in and helps her recover from the years of abuse.

  Once she is recovered, she decides that it is time to seek out a mate, provided she could change her mind and come home if needed. With that agreement in place, she heads to the Crossroads.

  Braxton has been watching for a mate, and while several women came close, it was the sombre lioness asking for directions that caught his attention. He wanted to make her smile, and when that became his primary pleasure, he knew he was in deep.

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Lost Roar

  Copyright © 2014 Zenina Masters

  ISBN: 978-1-77111-785-2

  Cover art by Carmen Waters

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

  Published by eXtasy Books

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  Lost Roar

  Shifting Crossroads Book Twelve

  By

  Zenina Masters

  Chapter One

  Nicia smelled the lions approaching before she saw them. She crept around in the shadows in the front of the house, watching them approach.

  A huge male walked toward the house, and Nicia cocked her head. It wasn’t a male she had met before. She waited until he was firmly in her territory, and then, she ran for him.

  He was surprised by her attack and she knocked him to his back. He flailed and got to his feet, returning the attack with a roar. She ducked under him and jumped, but her chain pulled her tight.

  She lashed her tail and fought back to her feet. She sucked in air as hard as she could, but the male came up behind her and pinned her to the ground with his jaws on the back of her neck like a mother with a cub.

  He had to hold her around the wide cuff of leather and chain that bound her throat. Other feet rushed by her, feline and human alike. She heard shouting from inside the house, and the family was pulled out one by one, lined up on the lawn.

  Nicia thrashed in the grip of the other lion and wished she could give sound to her frustration.

  When everyone was out of the house, the lion let her go. He shifted to his human form and stroked her head. “Come on, lass, into your human shape.”

  She shook her head and the chain rattled.

  He unbuckled the collar and knelt next to her. He was old for a human, in his sixties at least.

  Nicia flexed her paws and shifted a little at a time. When she finished, she was kneeling on the ground, her long brown hair around her and hiding her from the gazes of those around her.

  The man next to her inhaled deeply. “What is your name, lass?”

  She hesitated. Her voice was horrible to hear, or so she had been told. She licked her lips and slowly spoke. “Nicia Wells.”

  He blinked. “Nicia?”

  She nodded.

  He extended his hand. “I am your grandfather. Anderson Mooring.”

  Nicia was suddenly overcome with sorrow. “Mom is dead.”

  He blinked away tears. “I know. She made it out to a hospital, but she was too badly mauled to tell us where she had been. I only found out she had had a child about a year ago. I have been looking for you ever since.”

  Nicia let tears flow. “You were with her when she died?”

  “I was.”

  “Thank you. She should not have died alone.” She took his hand, and he pulled her to her in a hug.

  “I knew it was you the moment you knocked me on my butt. Nancy had the same spirit.”

  “I know. She never stopped fighting.” Nicia looked up at him and smiled through her tears.

  “Would you like to come home with me?”

  She nodded. There had never been a home for her here. It had always been a life of pain and loss. Time to try something new.

  * * * *

  Later, Nicia learned that every home in the fundamentalist lion compound had been raided. Children had been separated from mothers who were committed to the cause, and the mothers were kept in an area to learn life skills and how to live on their own.

  Nicia changed her name to Nicia Mooring. She wanted nothing of that previous life attached to her beyond the scars she couldn’t get rid of.

  She woke at dawn and crept down the stairs, making breakfast for her grandparents. She whisked the eggs, popped the toast and put the turkey bacon on to fry.

  Helena came down in her robe, “You know you don’t have to make breakfast, Nissy.”

  She smiled, “I like it. If you don’t mind it, I would like to continue.”

  “If it makes you smile, keep doing it. Your voice is sounding better.” Helena grinned and gave Nicia a hug.

  “Thanks. The healers are doing what they can, but the scar tissue is extensive. My father was trying to silence me with the wire. It nearly worked.” She rubbed the bands of scars on her throat as she thought of Dan Wells. The scars were as much a part of her as the black lock in her hair or her silent attack pattern.

  “The mages aren’t really on our frequency, so they do what they can.” Anderson came down in his robe and slippers.

  “I know, and I am grateful for their help. My voice doesn’t make people flinch anymore.” She had been to three lion-guild debriefings, and she had watched the reactions of those around her.

  She finished breakfast, and as they all sat together, Helena asked, “Have you given any more thought to finding a mate?”

  Nicia nodded and bit her lip. “I have given it thought, but I am not sure that I could deal with a lion. I know there are a few interested males, but I simply want to tear them to shreds.”

  Anderson sipped at his coffee. “That isn’t good. I am guessing that there is only one thing to do when you are ready.”

  Nicia looked at him through narrowed eyes. “What is that?”

  Helena snorted. “Send you to the Crossroads, of course. One of the other females managed to find a good match there outside the lion species.”

  Nicia thought about it. “Leandiir. She ran a few days before the raid.”

  Anderson nodded. “That is the one. She lives at the Crossroads now as the medic, from what we hear.”

  “She always enjoyed all things medical.” Nicia didn’t mention that Lee had come by her post and talked to her in low tones, scratching her head and easing the pain of the collar.

  In Lee’s family, transformation had been forbidden, and in Nicia’s, she had been posted outside as guard the day that her mother disappeared with a trail of blood behind her.

  She didn’t tell her grandparents that either. They already had enough harsh memories of their daughter’s last days.

  “So, what kind of species can
I meet there?”

  Anderson shrugged. “Any of them. Birds, dogs, cats, I even have heard of a reindeer running through the main intersection.”

  Nicia collected the plates and loaded the dishwasher. “You have been getting into some serious research then.”

  Helena sighed. “We didn’t know you existed until a year ago, but now that you are here, we want nothing but the best for you. You are Nancy’s daughter and that is all that matters. If you wanted to live on your own and not find a mate, we would be fine with that as well.”

  Nicia cocked her head. “I would like to try. Is there a way to go to the Crossroads on a trial basis?”

  Helena smiled, “I think Anderson is going to get that very information today.”

  Nicia inclined her head. “Thank you. I think I will go for a swim this afternoon if that is alright?”

  “I might join you, Nissy.” Helena smiled.

  She finished cleaning up from breakfast and grabbed her outside gear. The Moorings lived on the edge of a huge lake surrounded by rocky outcroppings. With her pack in place, she headed out to one of the spires of stone that appealed to her.

  She climbed the spire, sat on the top of the rock and looked out over the green, stone and water. Nicia could breathe here, really breathe. She inhaled, threw her shoulders back and opened her mouth. Nothing. Her roar was gone.

  She removed her clothing and put it on her pack. She shifted into her lion and repeated the effort. Nothing. Being strangled by her father had killed her roar. She slumped down and looked at nature all around her, enjoying the sun on her neck. The scars would fade, but she might never get her voice back. It was something she was coming to grips with, but she didn’t have to like it.

  Chapter Two

  Nicia looked at Krisia across the table and inclined her head. “I remember you.”

  Krisia gave her a look close to tears. “I remember you as well. Your neck…”

  Nicia nodded. “That is me. It was quite the night, and you sent me and Anderson home.”

  “You look better.” The transporter sniffed.

  “I do. Thank you, Krisia. So, what do I need to do to get me to the Crossroads?” She patted the other woman’s hand. Giving comfort didn’t come naturally to her, but she was trying.

  Helena and Anderson were standing in the background, willing to provide any details that Nicia couldn’t.

  “Well, it seems your grandparents have set you up for a nice room at the Open Heart Bed and Breakfast. It will allow you privacy, and the host is a charming woman who will make sure you are cared for at all times.” Krisia gave her another concerned look.

  “Thank you.” She turned and extended her hand to her grandmother.

  Helena smiled and squeezed her hand quickly.

  Nicia returned her attention to the transporter. “What else do I need to do?”

  “The account is set up, you have your bag and I have samples from your grandparents and your mother. You will have plenty of time to look around and see if you are amenable to any of the men there. There is an out for those from your community. If you want to leave, just tell the guardians, and they will send you home.”

  Nicia nodded. “I understand. Where would I live if I do find a mate?”

  Her grandparents shared a look. Helena pressed a hand to her shoulder. “If he has a home or territory of his own, his species might expect you to move there. You will have to discuss it with him. You are always welcome here, you know that, and I want to be called the moment that you finish your time in the Crossroads. I will tell Anderson where you are, and we will make arrangements to come to you if you can’t come here.”

  Nicia nodded and felt her heart lurch as she looked at the two people who had made her mother. The living blend of their features had been the most comforting thing of her life, and she was gone now. The past was the past, and it was time to seek the future.

  She signed the final document and nodded to Krisia. “I am ready.”

  She pulled a few strands of her hair out and folded them neatly, rolling them into a column. “My contribution to the payment.”

  Krisia smiled. “Thank you. If you are ready, I will make the portal on your deck.”

  Nicia nodded, got to her feet, hugged her grandparents and picked up her bag. She was ready. Outside, light flared, and she stepped into it, transporting away from her family’s home and into an agonizing light in the Crossroads.

  Nicia looked around from her position on her knees. Pain radiated from her, but it was quickly dissipating.

  A woman approached her carefully. “Just breathe deeply. Predators sometimes have problems with the transport.”

  A glass of water was extended to her and Nicia took it. “Thank you.”

  The water went down and cooled the last of the pain. She handed the glass back with a nod. “Thank you again.”

  Her inner beast watched the motions of the woman, and she nodded. The woman was a swan. The cat in her could identify any bird.

  “I am Teal, this is my mate Tony and we are the guardians of the Meditation Centre.”

  Nicia got to her feet. “I am Nicia Mooring.”

  “We have been hoping you would come. Your name was on the list of the…well, the list.”

  Nicia inclined her head. “I know what list you are referring to.”

  “If you will wait a moment, Lee is on her way here.”

  Nicia hefted her bag. “I will wait.”

  Teal looked nervous. “Do you ever smile?”

  Nicia smiled briefly. “I am trying.”

  Teal was about to speak, but the door opened and she gasped instead.

  Nicia turned, “Yes, I am that one.”

  Lee was waiting, and Nicia walked to her and gave her a hug. “Hello, Leandiir.”

  “Nicia. You look amazing and your voice is so much better.”

  Nicia gave her a genuine smile. “You are blooming, Lee. How pregnant are you?”

  Lee hushed her and ushered her out into the sun. “I haven’t told anyone. Most folks here don’t have the best sense of smell, and my mate is usually distracted when I am around.”

  Nicia linked arms with her childhood friend and walked out with her into the strange environment that smelled of shifters and magic.

  “How have you enjoyed your time here?”

  Lee shrugged. “Well, once I helped to stamp out an illegal drug infiltration, it has been fairly calm. I set bones and give x-rays, as well as stitch up cuts. We have a full contingent of beavers here, and they can get into the oddest scrapes with trees.”

  Nicia felt another smile flit across her face.

  Lee pointed out the café, restaurant and new salon. “I want to introduce you to my husband. He was with me that night when I faced my father.”

  Lee had mauled her father into a comatose state from which he had not woken. The lion guild was watching him for any sign of waking. He had to pay for what he had instigated.

  “I see. My grandfather came for me that night. I have been with them since.”

  Lee blinked. “That is amazing. I thought your father said you had no relatives.”

  “He lied. My mother was one of the stolen ones. After she ran and died, my grandfather found out that I was alive somehow. They never have said how they learned about me.”

  “I think the lion guild had us under surveillance. They were eager to help when we decided to move to rescue my mother and siblings.”

  Nicia nodded. “You did very well.”

  They entered the Crossed Star and Lee hauled her past the bar, waving cheerfully at the tattooed serpent shifter behind the bar. “Hiya, Chuck.”

  Nicia didn’t have a chance to say hello; she was dragged up a set of stairs and prodded into an office. “Jim, this is my friend Nicia.”

  Nicia inclined her head to the tiger shifter. “I am pleased to meet you. Lee is a handful once you get through her initial hesitation.”

  Jim extended his
hand. “You are correct. Lee has mentioned you. She worried.”

  Lee grimaced.

  Nicia smiled slightly. “She does that. She was born to nurture.”

  Jim looked between them, and he blinked. “She told you before she told me.”

  Nicia actually cackled. “She didn’t have to. I have abnormally keen senses.”

  Lee’s mouth was open. “How long have you known?”

  Jim sighed, “About a week. I was waiting for you to tell me.”

  Nicia recognized a family moment when she saw one. She had done research. “I will just be downstairs or maybe someone down there can show me to the Open Heart. You two need to talk.”

  She retreated before Lee could call her back. With her backpack in place, she headed into the main area of the bar. Nicia walked up to the bar.

  “What can I get for you?”

  She looked at Chuck and cocked her head. “Directions to the Open Heart Bed and Breakfast.”

  He looked toward the stairs. “Where is Lee?”

  “Having a heart-to-heart with Jim. She forgot to tell him something.” Nicia arched her brows. “So…directions?”

  He blinked at her directness and was about to speak when a man came out of the shadows and stood next to her. “I can show her, Chuck. I need to get back to change for dinner anyway.”

  She turned and looked at him, smelling predator and dog. It wasn’t unpleasant because his human form also smelled of musk and warmth.

  “I am Nicia.” She extended her hand.

  “Braxton.” He smiled and took her hand.

  She blinked at the heat that ran up her arm, and he jerked noticeably. Shaking her head, she released him. “So, directions?”

  He smiled. “This way. It is nearby.”

  She walked next to him and absorbed his traits as casually as she could. Black hair, ice blue eyes and an easy-ranging gate put him in the wolf family.