The Changer Complete Box Set

by A C Wilds

  “That doesn’t explain how you know,” Cass says. He wants answers and I don’t blame him.

  “I confirmed it,” the man on the other side of the table says. He is older than the rest and looks oddly out of place.

  “Who are you?” Shax asks.

  With a smile on his face, the man says, “One of your mother’s mates.”

  Holy shit! A mate? I didn’t know the Queen had mates. Why is this guy here? I have so many questions.

  “My mother doesn’t have mates,” Shax says with disdain.

  “She did, and she does. Do you think you and your sister were magically created? You had to have been curious at some point in your life,” he says.

  “She told us that we were products of a one-night stand. She wanted children and picked the strongest Fae males to breed with. Nothing about mates,”

  “Well, she lied. It’s not a surprise, really. By the time you were born, she was so obsessed with getting the portals and Michael back that she didn’t concentrate on anything else,”

  “What do you mean ‘get’ him back?” I ask. I didn’t miss the way he just threw that in there.

  “She was his mate as well. Before they had their huge fight, Michael was Lucifer’s alpha, but then he got so jealous of a woman’s rule that he dissolved the bond and tried to start his own kingdom, even found a goddess to help.”

  “I…I don’t know what to say,” Shax says, a bit dazed. “Are you my father?”

  “No, I was Sola’s,” he says. Sadness seems to take over the room, and he looks crushed. Gunn bows his head. I know he struggles with what he’s done. I hate that he had no choice.

  “What is your name?” I ask. He hasn’t told us yet.

  “Mazatl, I’m the last living shaman in Faerie. I’m also a croc shifter. I was hoping my powers would have passed down to Sola, but she died too young.”

  “Why didn't you come forward before? It must have been difficult for you to stay away,” I ask.

  “Lucy is smart. The one thing she has always done is cover her ass, there is no way I would have been able to get to Sola when she was alive. She spelled us to stay away.”

  “Is that why my father has never contacted me?” Shax asks, curiosity and a bit of hope coming through. He edges closer in his seat, waiting for a response.

  “As long as Lucifer is alive, you won’t be able to see him. He isn’t in this realm anyway. You’d need a portal to get to him,” he explains.

  “Can you at least tell me who he is?”

  “His name is Tochniacal, he is the King of the Underworld.”

  “What? You mean to tell me that we’ve been serving Lucifer’s mate all these years"? Zolin questions. I don’t know why this would matter.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m not surprised that you have kept all this knowledge from us. It’s kind of your way, isn’t it, Mazatl?” Izzy says in anger. There is definitely tension between these two.

  They stare at each other for a few moments, while the tension in the air grows thicker. I have no doubt this could escalate fairly quickly.

  “Let’s discuss what we can do,” I suggest. Everyone in the room turns their attention to me, and Acalon gives me a nod of gratitude.

  “Yes, my apologies, some things are just harder for me to forget,” Izzy says.

  “We know that Michael is located in the Mountains to the north, and we know Lucifer has stationed herself at the Oceanfront in the south. Our town is located in the middle of the two. From a tactical standpoint, it would make sense to have them travel to us. We could create a stronghold and obstacles for them before they even get here. We know the terrain very well, and there are advantages to having the enemy meet on your territory,” Acalon says, using his alpha voice.

  “I will be honest with you, I don’t have battle training of any kind. I can hold my sword and can produce some magic, but mostly my power shows up when I’m scared or angry. There is no control. Grey is newly Fae as well, and his powers aren’t honed either. We would definitely need instruction of some sort to get through,”

  “Newly created? How can he be newly created? He has wings,” Tenoch asks, giving Grey the once over. Grey responds by raising his wings a bit and sticking his chest out. Ever the cocky Fae.

  “I turned him Fae. It was an accident, like most things when it comes to my powers, but it was either save him or lose him, and he’s too important to lose,” I explain. Everyone in the room is watching me as if I will do something miraculous at that moment.

  “As your soul-bonded, I will begin to train you now. We were trying to prevent Lucifer from knowing I am back, but since that is not an issue, I will take over now,” Red says.

  Gunn looks a little peeved at this but doesn’t speak up. He gives me a tight smile to try to reassure me, it doesn’t.

  The meeting rolls into more discussion about technical stuff that flies right over my head. Noli keeps shifting in her seat, and I can tell something is bothering her. When a lull in the conversation begins, I speak up.

  “Nol, what’s the matter? You look like a kid who has had too much cake.”

  “I know how we can kill Michael and Lucifer,” she says, stunning us all.

  “How do you know this?” Acalon queries. Disbelief is written all over his face.

  “Nora. Before I was rescued, she told me what Azra needs to do,” she says. Her eyes downturned, and she fidgets in her chair again.

  “Out with it. Because if you think you're not telling me, you're wrong. Also, the truth,” I say, getting up, and going to sit with her. I untangle her hands and pull them into mine.

  “I have to die,” she whispers. My heart stops for a moment, and a chill creeps from my toes all the way up to my head. The room begins to tilt, and my magic courses through me. She pulls out of my hands, and that’s the only thing that pulls me out of my trance.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you. But I can’t accept that. You. Are. Not. Dying.” I say, purposely punctuating each word. She doesn’t face me again.

  “Tell us what needs to be done,” Mazatl says. He has no emotion on his face. This doesn’t affect him.

  “I don’t want to know because it isn’t happening. I don’t care what it is.”

  “Azra, it has to. Don’t you see, this isn’t about you or me. It’s about Faerie and Earth. It’s bigger than us. It’s something that can’t be prevented. I was born for this exact reason. A witch of my power is the only one that can be your familiar,”

  “What the fuck, like Zagan? That’s what you’re telling me?”

  “I don’t know who that is. All I know is that I have to be there at the last battle to funnel your power from your mates to you so that you can use it to kill them. The diamonds and your sword are the keys.”

  “Uh, well, that’s interesting. I’m assuming you’re talking about the Death Stone?” Mazatl asks.

  “Yes, I have the Light’s piece,” she says, taking the huge rock from her pocket. She places it on the table. It catches all the light in the room, and sends a rainbow of twinkling lights all around. A collection of breaths are sucked in as we all look at it in awe.

  “That’s a huge-ass diamond. I wonder how much we could get for that thing,” Grey says, breaking the silence.

  “Of course that’s what you would be thinking,” Cass teases.

  “What can I say, I’ve always been poor, so anything of value makes me think of money.”

  “I still won’t let you do it. We will find another way. A way for you to live. There is no way I am agreeing with it.”

  “You have no choice,” Mazatl says,

  “That’s fucking hilarious,” I say, with an evil chuckle. “You think you can tell me what I can and can’t do? No one, and I truly mean no one, controls me. So, get that shit out of your head,” I reply, getting up from the table and walking toward the door. I’m fucking tired, and I can’t deal with much more. “I’m going to bed.”

  Walking out of the room, the tears start up again. I can
’t lose her. I won’t lose her. Fuck the prophecy and fuck whatever everyone thinks. I’m the changer, and I’m going to do what I need to keep everyone I love safe and whole.

  It doesn’t take me long to reach my room. I strip down to my underwear and bra then crawl into bed. The last thing I hear is the sound of the guys coming into the room. I’m too tired to even move over for them.

  Chapter 4

  Trouble with the Guard

  Red

  It’s been so long since I’ve trained in this form. It felt good to stretch those muscles and practice my skills. Azra is slowly learning the difference between overusing her magic and using it just enough to protect herself. I wish we had more time to train. Her swordsmanship is not very good, and I worry about her.

  “How did training go?” Ash asks as I walk into the guard’s training ring. We used the training yard on the other side of the guard’s property.

  “She’s getting better. I’m still worried it will not be enough if she can’t use her powers. Tomorrow I want to work on portal magic, and her ciphering,” I respond, moving close to her and placing a kiss on her forehead. It is so good to be next to her, to hold her, and to make love to her.

  “I have confidence that she will be able to make the changes we need. The guard is magnificent, and quite a few of them kicked my ass. We have a solid team, even if some don’t agree with the cause.”

  “What do you mean? Has there been resistance?”

  “Some believe that closing off the portals to Earth is unfair. Most of these Fae have nothing, and a chance to go to Earth is salvation for them. They do not understand why she would take it away.”

  “They have not seen what Azra and I have. The cruelty and torture that occurred there shouldn’t be something desired. The humans are brutal, and the Fae does not belong.”

  “That is your opinion, mate. Many won’t believe it.”

  “She won’t be happy when I tell her. She believes she is doing the right thing, protecting all of the species.”

  “I have faith there will be a compromise. She is strong, and one of the best Fae I have met. Her heart is so big. She is perfect for Cass and for you. There is nothing I will not do for her.”

  My heart swells with pride and I bend down to kiss her head. I have missed her so much. I never thought I would hear her laugh again, or hold her close. Azra has given me more than I ever dreamed.

  “I am having a hard time with Gunner being here,” she says, looking down with her eyes. She was Sola’s best friend. The one she confided in the most.

  “I am as well, but he is Azra’s mate. He is going to help bring down the Courts, and we never found out the real story from him. It could have been an impossible situation,” I say, pulling her close to me. I bend down and bury my face in the crook of her neck. I inhale her intoxicating scent that only my mate can have — honeysuckle and sunshine.

  “Let us go inside and find Azra, I think she will have to address the guard and try to make them see her side. It is the only way to get them all working together. We have to be united in order to win this war.”

  We make our way into the manor and find Azra in the kitchen with Greyson and Gunner. They look so relaxed and at peace. Azra is laughing at something Greyson said, and I can feel how happy she is through our bond. I hope she can hold onto this happiness when we find ourselves in the worst situation we could be in.

  Chapter 5

  Training

  Azra

  It appears that I am even worse at using a sword than I previously thought. My arms and hands are killing me from holding it for so long. I have dirt in places I shouldn’t, and sweat is beginning to drip into my eyes. Red is not going easy on me. We’ve been at this for most of the day, and there has been little progress made.

  “Azra, eyes on me! Keep your weight balanced between both legs, and grip your sword a bit lower — focus,” Red says. Reminding me again for the fourteenth time that I’m gripping the sword wrong. I adjust my stance again and wait for his attack. Even with my Fae strength and speed, I’m no match for this warrior. Our swords clash with a bang, and I feel the hit all the way up my arm. I manage to dodge a bit and cause him to push forward with the movement. My body swings to the side, and I’m once again free from his punishing moves.

  We dance like this for all of five minutes before he disarms me again. My sword goes flying into the arena, while I land on my back. Staring up into the clear blue sky, I wonder how I am ever going to be good at this.

  “Stop wallowing. It’s very unbecoming,” Red says, offering me a hand up. He has a smile plastered on his face.

  “You know what? You’ve had like four-thousand years to perfect your swordsmanship, and I’ve had like four training sessions, so maybe you should be going a little bit easier on me. I can’t be perfect at everything.”

  “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about protecting yourself. You’re right. I have had a long time to perfect my skill, but I started the same place you did. Practice is key, and we don’t have a lot of time. I need for you to be able to kill someone at least if your magic should fail.”

  “Why would my magic fail? Isn’t it everlasting?” I ask, because I really have no idea. No one has taken the time to teach me much of anything, except when I had those sessions with Gunn before he was my mate.

  “Magic isn’t a bottomless pit. Think of it as a pool inside you, once you use up all the water, you need to wait for it to refill before you can go swimming again. Magic is just another type of energy. It needs fuel to survive, and it does deplete. You need to be mindful of both.”

  “The guys are the fuel?”

  “Yes and no. You have some singular powers from being Fae, such as your time stop and blowback, but the elemental powers all come from your mates. When you use that magic, you are pulling it from their reserves. You have to consider that too. When you exploded back at the Dark palace, you used all of their energies combined to kill those people. It drained them completely. It is going to leave them vulnerable should you have to do it again.”

  Realizing what he is saying makes me want to crawl in the corner and rock. I have to do it again, it’s the only way to kill Michael and Lucifer, but if I do, all my mates will be in danger and Noli will be dead. I need to figure something else out. I can’t have them hurt.

  “We keep training then. I don’t want to stop until I can at least get myself out of a fight.”

  He smiles at me and readies his weapon. My magic starts to sing, and I wonder if I can put any of my blowback magic into my sword. We circle each other, just as we have done all the other times, but when he strikes, my sword lights up to its purple color and tosses him on his ass yards away. I jump in the air and do a little whoop-whoop dance as he makes his way back over to me.

  “Very sneaky, but very smart. I like how you turned your weakness into something you could work with. I didn’t anticipate that at all,” he praises. I can’t help but put a huge cheesy smile on my face.

  “Why, thank you, kind sir,” I say, taking a bow. My giggles come fully on, as I dodge his shove.

  Our practice goes on for a few more hours before I admit defeat and wonder back into the manor. Red goes off to find Ash, as she was training with the rest of the guard that Izzy has assembled to help with our cause. There are more than I initially thought, but I don’t think it will be enough. We have to take on two courts who have had a millennia to perfect their military.

  “There you are,” Gunn says, jogging up to reach me as I approach the front steps. “I went looking for you, but I guess I just missed you. How was training?”

  “I hate swords, and I hate training,” I reply, rather grumpy. I’m super tired, and all I want is food and a bath.

  “Red said you did great, even put him on his ass.”

  “That’s because I used my magic, not because of my awesome sword skills.”

  He laughs a bit at that and then pulls me in for a hug. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”

&nbs
p; “I want to protect myself. It’s my job as the Changer to make the difference. It all lies with me.”

  “We’re your mates. Our job is to protect you and make sure you accomplish your tasks. Without us, you can’t be the Changer you’re destined to be.”

  I look at him all crabby and walk into the manor. Seeking out the kitchen, I find a bunch of people milling around and the smell of delicious coffee.

  “There you are. How was training?” Izzy asks. She’s sitting on Acalon’s lap, reading some sort of document.

  “It was miserable. I don’t understand why we can’t use guns or something that doesn’t make my hands and arms hurt so much,” I reply, walking over to the coffee pot and pouring myself some. I get cream out of the fridge and inhale the scent of the magical beans.

  “I can train you with guns if you want. They are easier, but they won’t allow you to kill Michael and Lucifer,” she says, placing the document down in front of her, and pushing it off to the side.

  “What’s that?” I ask, gesturing toward the paper. A rush of energy climbs over me as she picks up the paper and hands it to me.

  “It’s a report on where the Light and Dark are. It seems the scouts have found them closer to us than we originally thought. We might have to move up our window of attack. I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but trust that my guard is ready. They’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time.”

  “How long?” I ask, not even glancing at the paper. I don’t need to see what it says to know how bad it is.

  “A month, maybe a little less. The Courts need to organize their armies and move them. It takes time to organize that many soldiers.”

  “It’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be.”