True Shifter

by Rains, Christine

  “We believe he fatally wounded Grandfather a few days ago.” Lucky bowed his head and clenched his jaw.

  Saskia sucked in a breath. The domovoi could be killed? “How do you know? Isn’t he a spirit?”

  The others looked to Kinley. Her willowy sister wrapped her arms around herself. “He’s a spirit of a sort. The domovoi lives on a different plane, crossing ours and the astral. That’s how we believe Azarius managed to hurt Grandfather.”

  Her teacher and mentor. Saskia once considered Az a brother. She shared everything with him. Opened herself to him in a way she’d never had with anyone else. All the good things she liked about herself were what he taught her. Then he betrayed them. Betrayed her.

  Not only could she no longer rely on him, but she felt she couldn’t trust herself. If what she believed Az to be was a lie, then what was she?

  Saskia gritted her teeth. “The bastard. We can’t fight him on the astral.” Then remembering Kinley’s abilities, she added, “You haven’t been back to the astral? You can’t fight him, Kin. Don’t you dare.”

  “No, I’m not going to fight him.” Kinley glanced to the side before adding, “But I can step into the astral easier now. I’ve been practicing, just in case, and now that I have a teacher—”

  “A teacher?” Saskia narrowed her eyes. Who the hell could teach her how to do something like that other than Sedge or Azarius?

  “Yes. Mr. Ellsworth.” Kinley smiled a little.

  Berton Ellsworth the vampire. Saskia almost laughed out loud. The guy was full of surprises. He’d lent Kinley a magical blade. “Do you still have the sword?”

  Kinley shook her head. “No. He took it back. And for good reason. It—”

  Saskia waved it off. “So no sword. Is Ellsworth here?”

  “He’s still in Russia.” Ransom turned one of the kitchen chairs around and sat down with his arms on top of the back of it. “We discussed asking him to come here, or even leaving here to go there, but we decided against it.”

  “It doesn’t matter where we go. Best to meet on ground that gives us an advantage.” Saskia didn’t know if they’d have the advantage over Azarius anywhere without Sedge. Dammit, she should have insisted he come back.

  “We thought so too.” Lucky nodded.

  The scent of fresh coffee with a hint of toffee brought wetness to Saskia’s mouth. Knowing Mett, she figured it was probably really expensive coffee too. It wasn’t percolating fast enough.

  “We need to know everything you know about Azarius. Anything could be an advantage against him.” Kinley fiddled with her fingers and glanced to her left as if she just spotted something. Or maybe she heard something. But she didn’t say anything else.

  Saskia worked her fingers forward and back on the smooth marble of the counter. The last person in the world she wanted to think about was Azarius. And really, what could she tell them? “Everything I know is a lie.”

  “Don’t be so overly dramatic. Not everything is a lie. There has to be some truth in there.” Ametta removed five mugs from the cupboard, set them on the counter by the coffee maker, and folded her arms. “And don’t give me that look. Once you get some coffee in you, you’ll feel better, and then you’ll talk.”

  “Maybe she should see Grandfather too.” Kinley suggested.

  Saskia twisted her head to gape at Kinley. See the house spirit? Was that even possible?

  The others exchanged glances, and Lucky finally dipped his head. “Yes, take her now. Before… We aren’t sure how much longer he has.”

  “All right. Come on.” Kinley gestured to Saskia. “Let’s go to the sitting room and get comfortable.”

  “What do you mean see the domovoi?” Saskia pushed away from the island and followed her sister. Were they going to have a séance or something?

  “I’m taking you onto the astral plane.” How Kinley said it as if it were an ordinary thing, Saskia didn’t know.

  Exhaling long and audibly, Saskia sat on the couch next to Kinley, and her sister took her hand in hers. Ransom took a spot on the chair closest to Kinley. Not one annoying or dirty comment left his mouth. When the cat was somber, things were serious.

  Saskia worked her shoulders against the back of the couch. One of Mett’s picks. More for looks than comfort. “So how does this work? Because this is something I never had a knack for. Az…” Dammit, she said his name. “Never trained me in this. Never even suggested it.”

  Of course he wouldn’t. It was his realm.

  “You don’t need a knack for it. I can do it, and I’ll take you with me. Our connection not only through being sisters, but through our totem tokens, makes it easy.” Kinley bobbed her head from one side to the other. “Well, as easy as it can be.”

  Ransom propped one foot up on his other knee. “I’ll be watching over you as you go plane jumping.”

  Saskia’s hand seemed almost too hot against her sister’s. Was the bear totem stronger than the others? Or did it depend on the bearer? And who was she to underestimate Kinley’s strength anymore? She had not seen it before. She’d been too overly confident. Just like she’d been too naïve about the fact Azarius was a murdering bastard.

  “Close your eyes and relax. Like you’re going to sleep.” Kinley settled back and took in slow, deep breaths. “Like meditating. Focus in your mind that you want to go where I go and let me lead. Try not to resist.”

  Why would Saskia resist? They were only going to the astral plane to see a dying spirit. No, nothing to get worked up about at all.

  She should have had that coffee before doing this.

  Saskia closed her eyes and ordered her body to relax. The smell of the brew was thick in the air, and she took it in to fill up her lungs as if that could satisfy her for the moment. That helped. Her arm was now almost as hot and tingly as her joined hand.

  How did Ransom and Kin manage to be together when they were both bearers? And why the hell was she even thinking about it? Scrub that thought clean.

  She inhaled, wanting more of that coffee perfume, but she smelled woods instead. Or wood, rather. With wet stone subtly under it as if they were beside a creek.

  Feeling a tug on her hand, Saskia opened her eyes to a dimly lit room. Did Ransom turn off the lights? No. He wasn’t even there.

  “See? Easy.” Kinley let go of Saskia’s hand and stood. “Come on. Grandfather is upstairs in the master bedroom.” She paused and added in a hushed voice, “Just don’t tell Lucky or Mett. They don’t know the domovoi is in their room, and if I know Mett at least, she would not want to sleep in there if I did tell her.”

  “Right.” Saskia nodded and rose off the couch. The air, or gravity, or something felt strange. She couldn’t put her finger on it. It was like moving in a dream. Not that she really remembered her dreams.

  Now that she took in the room, she realized several things were missing. Paintings and pieces of furniture. And it was so damn quiet. No wind outside or crackling flames in the fireplace or little creaks of the house. Good thing she wasn’t the one who had the ability to travel to the astral plane. She didn’t like it. Not one bit.

  “It’s okay. We’re safe in the house for the time being.” Kinley nipped her bottom lip and led the way up the stairs.

  “Why? What’s going to happen?” Saskia didn’t even like the sound of her own voice. It was hers, but something was a bit off. Like listening to a recording of herself.

  Kinley took each step slow. “Well, once the domovoi passes on, the house won’t have any protection. Right now, he can still fend off threats in the astral and physical worlds. Or at the very least, his presence turns ill intentions away.”

  So a minute bit of protection. That was better than nothing. “So how long does he have? Do you know?”

  “I don’t know.” Kinley shook her head and took a deep breath as they reached the second floor. “Brace yourself. He looks a bit like Lucky.”

  Saskia remembered that. She didn’t know why she needed to be ready for it, though. She shrugged an
d walked the length of the hall beside her sister who politely knocked at the master bedroom door before pushing it open.

  A single thick candle lit the room, and it sat on a small table near to the door. The curtains were drawn, and dust motes swirled from the movement of the door. The massive bed was positioned against the wall to her right. In it, a large bearded figure groaned softly.

  “Grandfather, I’ve brought my older sister Saskia to meet you. May we come in?” Kinley had an ever-polite tone. One Saskia sometimes wished she had when dealing with clients.

  “Come, come.” The domovoi gestured with a large hand.

  Kinley went to stand at the foot of the bed, and Saskia stayed by her side. Closer to the house spirit, her eyes focused, and Grandfather looked more than just a bit like Lucky. If Lucky were a large-sized dwarf with all the stereotypical features, that’s what he’d look like.

  “My ax—” Grandfather cut himself off with a coughing fit. The entire bed shook with them.

  From the other side of the room, choppy movement drew Saskia’s attention. She bent her knees and raised her fists as a hunched figure shuffled toward them with an ax slung over a shoulder. What the hell? No one else seemed to be freaked out by an armed creature coming toward them.

  Kinley laid a hand on Saskia’s arm. “It’s okay. It’s the domovoi’s wife.”

  Saskia’s muscles tensed further. The kikimora. Wasn’t that the same spirit who went bonkers from the totem and Ametta devoured her? She had no idea that crazy thing was still in the house.

  The kikimora dragged her slippered feet as she walked and made a path around them to the head of the bed. Her breathing rattled like crumpled paper as if it had been a huge effort to walk from one side of the room to the other. She passed the ax to her husband.

  Her hands seemed made of sticks. So dry and thin. While her head was wrapped in a kerchief, stringy gray hair poked out but not as far as her very pointed nose. Withered, like a mummified bird, she didn’t look like she had enough to her to actually be up and moving.

  “Grandmother came out of her slumber when she sensed his wounds. She tends to him, sees he is comfortable.” Kinley smiled, so full of sympathy.

  Damn. Saskia couldn’t stop her skin from crawling. Why were they here anyway? She didn’t need to witness the domovoi in his last moments of life, or whatever it was.

  “My ax.” Grandfather managed it without a cough this time, though his voice was rough. “Bear gave it to me.”

  Saskia nodded, guessing the comment was directed at her. “Yes, he did.”

  “Bear is your mate.” He didn’t pose it as a question.

  “Yeah,” Saskia replied, uncertain where this was going. “He’s not here right now. Did you want to talk to him?”

  “No.” Grandfather’s answer reverberated throughout the room. “Do not bring Bear here, to this realm. The bird will see him die.”

  Saskia leaned back with the force of the warning. There was no mystery to it. She didn’t know whether the domovoi could see the future or not, or if he realized Azarius had the advantage on the astral plane, it didn’t matter. She agreed it was best if Sedge didn’t come there. Not that she had any say in it. Her chest constricted. Sedge was likely gone from her life.

  “But I will give a gift to him as he gave one to me.” Grandfather crooked a finger at Saskia.

  Kinley grasped one of the posts at the end of the bed, eyes wide. Saskia left her side and came around the opposite edge of the kikimora. Whether the spirit was harmless or not, she wasn’t going to take the chance.

  “I don’t know if I can carry anything back over. You could hand it to my sister—”

  “No. To you, to Bear’s mate. A gift for him through you.” Grandfather coughed as he pushed himself into sitting position. His wife squawked at him and attempted to arrange the pillows to help him, but he swatted weakly at her.

  Just like an old married couple. Maybe it was kinda cute.

  “Hands.” The domovoi held out his to Saskia, and she placed hers in his cold grasp. “I give you some of my power.”

  The kikimora protested with a screech and tried to pull him back to her. Grandfather held his ground as he twisted his head to stare at her. “Stop. My time is near. You need to go find another husband.” She let out a cry, and he made a hushing noise. “Find another mate. Tell him of this house, bring him here. Any of our kind would be proud to have this grand house as their own. Protect Lucky and his family.”

  Grandmother’s sobs were dry. She bowed her head against her hands and stayed by his side.

  Saskia lifted her chin. Creepy as this was, there was honor in his words. This she could respect. Whatever he asked, she would do.

  He turned back to Saskia, his black eyes shimmering. “Now you, Bear’s mate, sister of my Ametta. I give you power. Kiss me.”

  Ew, no.

  Saskia didn’t even get a chance to protest as she was yanked toward the domovoi. His whiskers tickled her skin before his mouth met hers. It wasn’t a kiss. Nothing like it.

  His lips heated and spread, opening her mouth with his. She couldn’t pull away. Massive strength still resided in him.

  Then his cheeks puffed, and he blew. Not air. Too hot, charged with electricity. So much, so fast. It filled her. Like a swarm of bees with her as their new hive. They needed a bigger home and pushed outward, forever buzzing.

  She couldn’t contain any more, and he didn’t stop.

  Saskia kicked and flailed, launching herself off the couch in the sitting room and over the coffee table. She rolled across the floor and bumped into a pair of legs.

  On her back with limbs twitching, she stared up at Sedge.

  Was Saskia still in the astral realm? The lights were on, gravity had returned, and the smell of coffee filled her nostrils. But the scent didn’t fill her as much as the sight of Sedge standing there.

  No one made a peep. She stared up at him and wanted to hug him and kick him simultaneously.

  Sedge offered a hand.

  Was he happy to see her? Why didn’t he scoop her up and give her a crushing kiss instead of holding out his hand like he was helping a buddy?

  “Just take his hand and get up off the floor.” Ametta’s sharp tone jerked Saskia’s arm into motion.

  Sedge clasped her hand as she took his and eased her to her feet. He leaned in to her. Was he going to kiss her now?

  He frowned. “You’re different somehow.”

  Saskia snatched her hand away from his. Right. No kiss or apology or even a hello. Still in asshole mode. She wasn’t going to put up with that shit. “Nothing’s different. What the hell are you doing here?”

  The floor squeaked behind Saskia as Kinley rose from the couch and started to speak. “Well, there is—”

  “Nothing.” Saskia repeated like a door slam. He wasn’t worthy of a gift from the domovoi. Well, she wouldn’t keep it from him, but right at this moment, she wasn’t sharing shit. She brushed past Sedge to the kitchen. “Mett, I need that coffee.”

  “It’s hot and waiting.” Ametta motioned to the counter where a full mug steamed.

  Saskia scooped up the cup and took a gulp. Oh yeah. Her eyes fluttered closed for a few seconds. That’s the good stuff. It didn’t wash away the feeling of a thousand living whiskers writhing in her mouth, though.

  Sedge followed her into the kitchen. “Tell me.”

  Hadn’t Saskia said the same thing when she heard there was news? She hated those couples that finished each other’s sentences or talked the same way. She and Sedge were very different. Mostly. Partly. Dammit.

  “Did you just come barging into the house? I hope you didn’t assume you’re welcome here anymore.” Another burning gulp and the wiggly sensation in her mouth lessened.

  Sedge’s jaw tightened. “I knocked. I asked. I did not assume.”

  “He was respectful. And he apologized,” Lucky added. Always the guys sticking together.

  Really? That sat heavy on Saskia’s chest, and she couldn’t
figure out why. “So what changed your mind?”

  “First, I have one more apology.” Sedge turned and approached Kinley who had just entered the kitchen with Ransom. He towered over them until he lowered himself to one knee and bowed his head. “I am at your mercy, Kinley. I should not have fought with you. I should not have attacked the mother bear. I was wrong, and I seek to make amends. You are worthy of the bear totem. You are a true guardian.”

  Holy fuck. Saskia nearly dropped her mug. Her blurted apology seemed immensely lame next to that.

  Kinley’s eyes went wide when Sedge had knelt in front of her, and Ransom broke into a sly grin. When Sedge finished speaking, Kinley’s face softened, and she held out her hands. He took them and stood at her insistence. Then she hugged him.

  Saskia put her coffee down on the counter. Did she really wake from the astral plane? This couldn’t be real.

  Ransom pressed in to Kinley from behind and patted Sedge on the back.

  It was real. So where the hell was her apology from Sedge?

  “You were trying to do what you thought needed to be done. I understand, and you’re forgiven.” Kinley honestly forgave the man who tried to kill her or, at least, beat the crap out of her.

  How? Why? Saskia’s throat constricted.

  “Yeah, man. You’re here. The team’s back together. We can do this thing.” Ransom stepped back with an arm around Kinley’s middle and tucked her against him.

  “Thank you.” Sedge dipped his head again, less dramatic this time.

  “Saskia and I just visited Grandfather, and he granted her a gift for you.” Kinley couldn’t have kept that to herself for a little while, could she?

  Saskia bit the side of her tongue to keep from snapping and held up her chin as Sedge turned to face her. Everyone else did too, but he was the only one she focused on.

  “What gift?” Sedge asked.

  It was to the benefit of all of them that the domovoi had granted her some of his power, and he had been honoring the gift Sedge had given to him. It wasn’t Saskia’s gift alone, even though she was the only one who had static crackling faintly in her mouth. But she wasn’t willing to share with him at the moment. Not after he turned his back to her and then followed to give her sister a knight’s apology. Like everything could be as it was.