by Hazel Gower
Evernight Publishing
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2014 Hazel Gower and Jess Buffett
ISBN: 978-1-77130-806-9
Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs
Editor: Karyn White
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DEDICATION
To our families for putting up with our constant chats and focus on our work. We are very lucky to have such loving and supporting people surrounding us.
CLAIMED BY HER PANTHER
Mount View Treaty, 1
Hazel Gower and Jess Buffett
Copyright © 2014
Prologue
One thousand five hundred years ago
Voices echoed deep through the mountains as both Shifters and Vampires, for the first time in history, came together. While neither completely trusted one another, they had been left no other choice but to take action against their common enemies, to make a treaty, one that allowed them to focus all their efforts on annihilating the threat, the true monsters that walked the night.
“How is a piece of paper supposed to guarantee these animals will not still attack us in our sleep?” one of the councilmen grumbled.
“It’s no different from us expecting you leeches to keep your fangs to yourself,” sneered the closest Shifter, a panther with skin as dark as his fur would have been if shifted.
“Enough,” demanded one of the Vampire Elders, Theroes. He stood in front of the podium, his presence fierce and dominating in the burning light of the torches. “We will all uphold this treaty for the very reason that separates us from the ones we call enemy. Honor. It is that which defines us, our moral center. Why we do not hurt or kill the innocent. It is the reason we are here tonight.”
“What Theroes says is true,” one of the Shifter Elders added. “Our enemies grow stronger by the day, yet we spend so much time and energy feuding with each other. No more.”
Silence fell across the crowd, the communities eager and yet fearful of what the Elders had planned. While they each cared for the individual people in their species, they held the wellbeing of the whole as a priority, even if that meant sacrificing a few.
“We gather here tonight to bring our species together. For too long the likes of Demons and Wraiths have gone unpunished for their cruelty.” Theroes addressed the crowd.
“How is a treaty going to help us do that?” a faceless voice shouted from the gathering.
“The Fae,” the Vampire Elder answered. “While they remain neutral on many things, they have conceded that the earth, so precious to them, is slowly being destroyed by the Demons. The Fae may care very little about others, especially humans, but the earth is their greatest gift.”
“And we will protect that gift,” spoke a bodiless voice.
Gasps and murmurs filtered through the air as Fae, one by one, appeared in the cavernous room. Soon more than twenty of the mystical, yet wary, creatures had joined them. Both handsome and stunningly beautiful, these fair people gathered onto the podium with the Elders of Vampires and Shifters.
“In payment for agreeing to protect the earth, we, too, have a gift to bestow.” The regal looking blond Fae arched a brow. “We do not give this lightly, be assured. This gift will grant those of you chosen, more strength, energy, and resistance to harm than you already possess. With it, you will have the means to control the chaotic nature that is in the Demons, Wraiths, and many more. And while we find no use for the humans, we acknowledge their necessity and understand your need to protect them from the unknown. So now the questions stands … who among you are worthy of such a gift?”
Vampires and Shifters of all walks of life spoke up, the sounds almost deafening in their bid to gain power. However a few, small in their numbers, remained quiet and still. It was they who were asked to come forward.
Of them, Draken, the son of the Vampire Elder Theroes, was the first to speak. “Exactly what is it that will be expected from us?”
“To work together, as one. To rid the earth of those who poison it.” The Fae stepped closer to Draken and the others, who now stood in a line. “You will become two species with one goal. Guardians of the earth and the humans you hold so dear. You will fight to wipe out the evil. And you will do it with a strength known only to a few.”
Three more Fae came forward with what appeared to be wooden sticks, though there was something otherworldly about them. The Fae Elder also withdrew one from the cloth he wore and raised it. “Remove the garments from your chests. The brand we give you now is to be placed over your heart, ensuring you never forget its true meaning.”
“A brand. You want to brand us?” one of the men asked, outraged.
The Fae shrugged. “There is a price for everything. Do you accept?”
At the man’s reluctant nod, the crowd gathered and watched as the men and women removed their upper garments. Only moments later cries sounded, echoing off of the cave walls as those chosen were marked with a magical brand that would stay in place regardless of any paranormal healing ability, for the mark went further than skin deep. It marked their souls.
Awe and silence fell upon the room as the marks were revealed. The double infinity symbol, wrapped around the top half of the letter “T”. It glowed in the dim light, giving off the sense of power.
“It is done,” the Fae Elder announced as the last person was done. “We leave with your Elders now the tools necessary to grant this blessing. It will be for them to decide who is worthy.”
“So what do we do now?” Draken asked, still stunned by the effects of the mark.
“We keep our word,” the Elder Shifter answered. “We put our energies into stopping the enemies that threaten us. We may not always get along, but we will never turn on one another.”
“No, you will not,” the Fae interrupted. “That is a condition in our agreement. The spell that gives you your extra strength, that empowers the mark, will break if your two species were to turn on one another in the name of war.”
“What?” The Vampire Elder, Theroes, wore a mask of fury. “That was not part of our arrangement.”
“No,” the Fae said carelessly. “However it is part of our stipulation nonetheless. How can you possibly keep the earth safe if you are squabbling amongst yourselves? Now, you have even more reason to maintain this treaty of yours.”
With that, the Fae disappeared as quickly as they had come, leaving the Elders furious at their underhandedness. Though, since it was the Fae, not too many were surprised.
Murmurs carried through the crowds, with the knowledge of what these men and woman would have to face. With the threat of the Demons, Wraiths, and others growing every day, the only thing that would keep their species safe now … was the Mount View Treaty.
****
Twenty-two years ago
Owen watched his friend, Joel’s head dart back and forth between him and Stephan. “Do you think my mum has had the baby yet? I can’t believe she’s having another child. It’s just gross. I’ll be fifteen next month, and Mum will be forty.”
Owen shrugged. “Forty to Shifters isn’t old. We live until about two hundred. Gramps is one hundred and eighty.”
“I wish I was a Shifter. It’s so cool. Aunt Stacey said she can’t change just ‘cos she’s mated to on
e of you. Donavan will, and any other children she has with your great uncle.”
“I’m sorry we couldn’t tell you when we were younger, but it’s a secret. The council in our area didn’t allow it, but now that your aunt is mated to one of us and your mum needs help to get away from your father we can,” Stephan said to their best friend, as he laid a comforting hand on the human’s shoulders.
Joel smiled, showing his braces to Owen. “Do you think my dad will stay away if he knows Mum, the baby, and I are living up in the mountains with you?”
Stephan and Owen both nodded. “Yeah. I overheard my mum talking to Dad about how they only had to worry about your father trying to get in contact with you when you go back to school after the holidays.” Owen moaned. “You might not like living here then. We have to get up an hour earlier than you did, so we can catch the bus and be at school on time.”
Owen knew his friend didn’t care about getting up early if his mum was okay. All Joel wanted was to see his mother smile. He wanted his mum happy. This last beating Joel’s dad had given his mum had put her into labor. Owen had been impressed with how brave his friend had been. After Joel’s father passed out on the lounge Joel had rushed to his mother calling his Aunt Stacey. Joel’s aunt had gone to the rescue straight away with her new husband, a Shifter in their pack. Owen wasn’t sure what else had happened after that, but the next thing any of them knew Joel and his mother had been packed up and both of them brought up the mountain.
Owen’s mum came out with the phone to her ear. She beamed down at Joel. “Joel, you have a baby sister. Your mother called her Angelica. I’m going to take you in the morning to see them both.”
His friend nodded as she walked away.
“Whoa, man. A baby sister. That’s going to be so weird,” Owen said beside him.
“Yep. Will you two come tomorrow with me?”
“Sure, man,” Owen said.
****
Stephan glanced at his friend as he quietly walked into his mother’s room. Joel’s mum looked tired and bruised all over. She held a tiny bundle wrapped in pink. She smiled as soon as she saw Joel.
“Joel, honey, come and meet your sister, Angelica. She’s my angel.”
Joel slowly walked to his mother’s side and peered down at the bundle. “She’s so tiny.”
“Yes, she is tiny, but she’s perfect. Hold her.” Joel’s mother passed him his sister.
Stephan could feel his panther standing up eager to have a look at the tiny bundle in his friend’s arms. Walking over, he looked down at the sleeping baby girl. Stephan’s panther purred, and he started to get a bit scared at his panther’s reaction.
“Joel, I have a favor to ask, honey.”
“Sure, Mum anything,” Joel said his eyes darting from his mother back to his sister.
“Promise me you’ll look after your sister. Don’t ever let her do what I did. Promise me you’ll love her, like I love you with everything in my heart. Promise me you’ll always protect her and keep her safe.”
Stephan knew then, as he heard the last promise and his panther nodded, that this girl was special to him and his panther would help look out for the girl. He would protect Angelica with everything he was.
Owen nodded his head also, and Stephan could see he felt the same as Stephan did as they looked down at Angelica.
“I promise, Mum.” Joel kissed his baby sister’s forehead and passed her back to his mother.
****
Six years old
Owen stared down at the chubby little girl as she pouted up at him. “But, Owennn, Muma is sick, and Joely said he had class and a test so he couldn’t miss it. I know you don’t got a class. I needs to go to this party. Jenika is my bestest friend in the whole wide world. Please.”
He groaned, because he was going to give in. Owen couldn’t help himself. Angelica’s big green eyes gazed up and him, and he was a goner. His panther whined at him to say yes. “Okay, only because you said please.”
Angelica squealed and pumped her little fists in the air before she jumped on him hugging him. “You’re the best. I’m just gonna tell Muma.”
Owen took Angelica to the party, and two days later her mother died of heart failure.
Joel’s Aunt Stacey wanted to take Angelica, but Joel wouldn’t let her. Joel argued that she was his sister and his mother had made him promise to look after and make sure Angelica was safe. Joel agreed to his aunt helping him out with babysitting when he was working or in class, but he wouldn’t let her have full custardy.
Owen just wanted what was best for Angelica, and Stephan felt the same. They offered their friend help whenever they needed them.
****
Sixteen years old
Stephan glared at the fuckwit as he sat next them on the lounge looking uncomfortable. Joel had his badge out along with his gun.
“Angelica is to be home no later than twelve. If you bring her back at twelve o-five I will find something to arrest you for and lock you up. Do you get it?”
The teen nodded as he turned white. “Yes, sir.”
“She is sixteen and underage, so if I smell even the faintest smell of smoke or alcohol…”
“Yes, sir.”
“Joely, stop interrogating my friend.” Angelica came down in a bright yellow sundress, with white flip-flops and a backpack flung over her shoulder. “We are going to a pool party. You know Jenika. It’s at her house. Brenda and Emily will be there as well.”
“Cupcake, I can drop you off. I’m heading over that way. The boy can meet you there.” Stephan hated the idea of Angelica getting in the car with the horny teenager.
Angelica shook her head and held the teenage boy’s hand. Stephan stood and went over to her. Stephan wanted to rip her hand away from the boy and put her away somewhere safe. He could smell the lust coming in waves from the boy. He narrowed his eyes, and a growl slipped free.
“Stephan, stop your growling. I’ll call if I need any of you.”
With that she walked out the door, his panther growled inside his head unhappily. “I can’t believe you’re letting her go out with that boy. What do you know about him?”
Joel scrubbed his face. “I did a check on him. He’s a jock, lots of sports and friends. He does all right at school. He’s in his last year. His parents are nice, and he doesn’t have anything bad on him.”
“I don’t like him.”
Joel chuckled. “Yeah, me neither, but Angelica is sixteen. I can’t lock her up.”
****
Eighteen years old
Owen got another beer for Joel and listened as he told them about Angelica begging to spend the whole week at Schoolies, a graduation-themed event held after seniors left school at the end of their final year, on the Gold Coast. Joel had caved. She was going with her group of friends.
Stephan was shaking his head at him. All the bad supernaturals went to that event. Demons and Wraiths were the most common. Owen’s cousin said Schoolies was their busiest time. They got overrun with the wrong kind of supernaturals, and people went missing and things happened that the Vampires and Shifters, even working together, couldn’t control. Joel couldn’t allow Angelica to spend a week at Schoolies.
“I think it is too dangerous to let her have a week away with her girlfriends. I know she’s celebrating finishing high school, but you’re a cop. Think about what goes on.”
Owen hoped getting Joel to think about what he dealt with on the force would help him change his mind without him or Stephan having to tell him more about supernaturals. Joel knew about Shifters, but he hadn’t been told about the other creatures. Wraiths, Demons, Trolls, and Ogres, they were the ones you avoided. They were the ones the Shifters kept under control and killed. The Pixies and Sirens were on the border. You never knew how they would be or what kind you’d get. Fairies, Mermaids or Mermen, Witches and Warlocks were all pretty cool, and they were on a truce with Vampires, who were finding it hard to adapt to the new world.
“I can’t tell her n
o now. She’s eighteen.”
“Tell her you need her at home,” Stephan suggested.
“I can’t do that because she knows I don’t. I trust her, and she will be with a group of friends. I’m letting her go.”
“How about we fly Angelica and her friends to Schoolies for the weekend? Stephan and I will stay and watch out for her.” Owen hoped Joel would take this. His panther was pacing inside, frantic at the thought of Angelica getting taken by a Wraith or talked into something by a Demon.
“I think that’s a bit much. Angelica will be fine. I have to let her go at some stage.” Joel sounded resolved. There was no way to get what he wanted without telling Joel something.
“Joel, Stephan and I didn’t tell you everything about the supernatural world. Shifters aren’t the only beings. There are other things, and they’re not so nice. We Shifters help control and protect people from them, but Schoolies is swarming with these deadly creatures, and we don’t want Angelica anywhere near them.”
Joel’s eyes widened, and he chugged the last of his beer down. “Okay, Angelica is only going for a weekend, but I want you two there when I tell her. Maybe she won’t get as upset in front of you.”
Owen nodded, and his panther calmed. They would watch over Angelica. Nothing would happen to her.
****
Stephan relaxed back into the sofa, and Angelica laid her head on his shoulder as she watched the movie. Joel had called them over after Angelica had come home crying. She’d broken up with her boyfriend, and Joel needed help to cheer her up. So he and Owen had come over to help Joel.
Angelica had spent the first hour of them arriving telling them that she was an idiot and she shouldn’t have broken up with him. Then she’d cried for the next going on about how she never felt anything for him and maybe she was frigid. Joel had paled and walked away when Angelica had started talking about that. Then she got angry at her best friend for moving away to do her university degree, and crying over the phone was different and not as good. Now Angelica had calmed and was watching a whole heap of girlie movies. She’d somehow gotten him and Owen to agree to watch them with her.