by Janie Marie
“He never shifted into a human, but she knew he was intelligent. She formed a mind link, of sorts, and was able to pick up language. As he grew, he began to sense other minds and led her to them—they were just like him. They had been found by an immortal named Pan—he was using them as hunting dogs. He was a nasty little beast, a creation from one of Hell’s demons. He used silver blades to torture them, always holding one hostage to control the others.
“Artemis and the pup she’d raised were blinded by rage. Together, they attacked the camp. Pan’s hounds were ordered to defend him. Artemis’ male pup fought them, not destroying them, but defeating them nonetheless. Artemis set her attack on Pan and the others with him. She destroyed him and his followers, leaving only the wolves.
“Since her wolf pup was the strongest, he became the alpha. Artemis took all of them with her, hiding when word got out she had the abominations in her care. Arthur found her, intent on punishing her and destroying the beasts, but he realized they were not wild. They were intelligent and could communicate with him. They had picked up language skills, just as a human child would. So, after learning from Artemis of their origins, he determined they were human souls and minds, trapped in wolf form. He allowed her to keep them under the condition she took responsibility should they ever turn on humans.”
“That’s incredible,” Jane whispered, her eyes moving to where Artemis was. “Can she hear us, David?”
“No. If you keep your voice low, the others will not understand all we discuss.”
“So, they look like normal wolves?”
He shook his head. “Larger. Sorrow is the largest horse I have seen before, and even on all fours, they are taller than him.”
“Oh, wow. So, do the women still escape and have these wolf pups?”
“No. Once Lancelot learned what could come, he stopped changing the women who were there as sex slaves. I’m sure he slips up on occasion, but he must kill them quickly if he suspects conception occurred. I believe he has tried to make his own with his females, but none have shifted like these mothers. Arthur believes the other females could because of their maternal instincts. They were in a hostile environment, being treated horribly, and their instincts to protect their child triggered the change. The females with Lance feel loved. Therefore, their instincts do not tell them to protect the child. They believe he will.”
“That’s all so sad.”
“Yes, but the hounds, as Artemis calls them, have been content. They never had a human life, so they miss nothing about being human. As cruel as it sounds, Lance killing his offspring is a blessing. I think he knows this, otherwise why not just let them grow into more soldiers? He keeps some, but killing them spares them of the life they will have. They would become murderers—monsters. I think he believes those infants are granted peace if he kills them before they change. Humans do this, too. They kill their own children to save them from more horror or pain.”
“God, I can’t imagine having to make that decision. I would rather die than hurt a child . . . So, Artemis, she understands them?”
“In a sense. She was able to learn more through Arthur interacting with them. I suppose you could describe her as someone very good with animals, but on a higher level. She thinks like them when she’s around them—tracking, killing, knowing what their attacks will involve and offering her own. It’s incredible to witness.”
Jane frowned. Artemis had been a favorite goddess of hers from mythology because of her love for animals, and she wasn’t consumed by lust like the others. Now, she knew it was because Artemis had chosen someone who would not choose her. Jane wanted to take David away from the picture just to restore her fascination with the Virgin Goddess.
David squeezed her. “What’s wrong?”
She savored his affection, closing her eyes to enjoy it more. “Nothing.”
He pressed his lips against her neck, whispering, “Don’t lie. Are you thinking about her and me?”
Jane let out a sigh. “It just sounds like you like her a lot.”
He smiled against her skin. “Are you jealous, baby?”
She pursed her lips but decided to be honest. “Yes, okay? She’s a goddess, and she’s beautiful and talented. She sounds like an amazing warrior, and she clearly loves nature the way you speak about her. I don’t like her having the same interests as me anymore. I actually liked her out of the other goddesses because she liked animals, but now I don’t. All I see is you are the reason she is the Virgin Goddess! And you liked her.”
David leaned away from her neck and turned her face toward his. For a moment, he studied her, his gaze slowly scanning every one of her features. She could barely control her breathing.
Finally, he spoke again, low enough the others wouldn’t understand him. “Artemis is attractive, Jane. I have eyes, and I have formed that conclusion over the years I’ve known her.”
Jane’s lip trembled, but she nodded, trying to be tough. “Okay.”
He smiled and spoke again. “Her looks do not mean I like her in a romantic sense. I considered settling for less than perfection when I made that remark about her. Settling, Jane. Settling would mean giving up greatness, giving up my real goddess. Believe me when I say this, sweetheart, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever looked upon. There is no contest when I see another woman; there never really was. I already told you, even before I found you, I saw you in my dreams, your eyes and smile, and no woman made me feel the way the woman haunting my dreams did. I never saw your smile in any of theirs, and that immediately pushed me from finding them as beautiful as my dream girl. And I refused Artemis, remember? I refused all of them because I knew you were out there, and settling was an easy dismissal for me.”
He kissed her forehead. “I love you. No one else. Artemis is a comrade. I have respected her fairness and skill in battle. I admire that she has gone so long without falling to darkness, and any praise I give her is deserved. She is not a bad person, although my view of her is weakening. I did not expect her to be so hostile and negative toward you. Gawain always said I was a fool to not realize how attached she and the others were to the idea I might one day choose one of them.
“As far as you being upset that she is like you with her love for animals, don’t be. Her creation gave her qualities that drew her to nature. You were drawn to nature because that is who you are. So, don’t be jealous. No one compares to you.”
“David,” Arthur called, popping the bubble they’d made for themselves.
“Are we close?” David asked, shifting her on his lap so they could see Arthur.
“Yes. Get her ready to jump with you.”
David helped her stand, and she looked at him as Artemis tugged her shirt off, revealing a sports bra. Jane realized she was simply changing into battle gear, but she could not believe she was so open with changing like this. None of the men looked at her, though. David didn’t either.
“Are you ready for this?” he asked, grabbing her hand and leading her past Artemis.
Jane smiled, her thoughts and emotions still complete chaos inside her. “Just don’t drop me.”
David grinned, letting go of her hand only to grab her ass. He lifted her, but kept walking, forcing her to hold on to his shoulders as he beamed up at her. “I will be sure to get a good grip”—he squeezed her butt—“on you.”
“David!” She blushed and quickly hid her face in the crook of his neck. “Let go.”
He squeezed her ass harder. “You fit in my hand. Well, almost.” He kissed her shoulder, still carrying her the whole time. “You are a handful. I love it.”
“I’m glad you do, but the others are watching.”
“Let them. I love your ass.”
She covered her face when he came to a stop.
“Look at me,” he said in a serious tone she couldn’t ignore.
She lowered her hands. “What?”
“Never be embarrassed by the affection I give you, Jane.”
“I’m not, but I’m not
used to it, especially around others.”
“Get used to it.” He kissed her, a rushed caress of their lips before placing her on her feet. “I enjoy showing off my girl.”
Jane smiled, unable to speak.
“David stunned our Jane to silence again,” Gareth said, shaking his head in disapproval.
Gawain nodded as he fixed a belt around his waist. “We will have to convince the others we can take him if he breaks her. Look at her. She has a sparkly gleam in her eye. He must have used some Black Magic. Prepare the others, brother.”
Jane laughed before leaning forward to kiss David’s chest. “You may show me off.”
David cupped her cheeks, bending so he could reach her. “Thank you, baby.”
“Hurry, brother,” Gawain said louder. “He is trying to eat her now.”
Smiling, she walked toward the two knights, shaking her head. “I don’t think you could take him.”
Gareth slung his arm over her shoulder as David chuckled, picking through their supplies for their gear. “Nonsense, darling, we are capable of great feats when fairest maidens are in danger. We shall fight to the death.”
“The only danger she faces is the nonsense you two spout.” David grinned at Jane as he tossed her a black vest. “Do not undress as she did. Put this over your shirt.”
“Possessive David in the house,” Gareth muttered, making her laugh along with Gawain.
David, however, didn’t. He stood silent as she put the vest on. “Is it too tight?”
Jane blushed, embarrassed and slightly humiliated because it was. “Um. Yeah, a little. It’s different from the one I had before.”
“It is different,” he said, not looking disappointed she was too big. “I think I can adjust this.” He began messing with the straps, and, thankfully, it was getting looser.
“That feels good,” she whispered, catching a glimpse of Artemis watching them. The goddess looked incredible in her white and gray bodysuit. It fit Artemis like a glove while not looking like she was struggling to burst out of it.
He squeezed her waist and brought his mouth closer to her ear. “It does.” He breathed her scent in. “Stop comparing yourself to her. It is tight because you have curves she does not. That is not a bad thing. Right now, she is likely wishing she filled out this suit the way you do. And she is probably upset she did not choose black.”
Jane took a shaky breath as he slid his hands around her waist and pulled her body flush against his. His heat spread through her body and his scent grew stronger.
“Don’t grow attached to this suit—I am ripping this off you the first chance I get.” He kissed her cheek and then went back to the supplies as if he hadn’t just gotten her all worked up.
Jane looked over at Gawain, who smiled, Gareth, who was pestering David to teach him his ways, and then she looked at Artemis.
She smiled inwardly as the goddess roughly sheathed a sword and whispered something to Hades.
I do fill it out better than she does.
“Finally see it?” David asked as he walked back to her, carrying their swords.
“I guess it’s not so bad.” She smiled when his gaze fell to her chest.
“It isn’t. It’s distracting.” He lifted his gaze back to her face. “Turn around.”
Jane obeyed, smiling when he let out a frustrated groan.
He moved her hair over her shoulder and adjusted another strap. “I cannot decide which view I like best.”
“Well, they both feel like I’m busting out. Where did these come from?”
David chuckled, and after sheathing her sword, he lowered his voice. “The seamstress used Artemis’ measurements because she is closest to your height.” He grabbed her waist before sliding one hand down to grab her ass. “See? No competition.”
“David,” she said softly, closing her eyes when he squeezed her harder.
He let go and handed her a hair tie. “Secure your hair. You’ll wear a mask, but the wind will have it whipping around if you leave it down.”
She turned to him, watching him watch her as she quickly made a messy braid. “Is this fine?”
His eyes had darkened. “Perfect.”
“Do we need our rifles?” she asked, touching some of his knives and clips.
“I put them in a bag to make it easier to carry you.”
Right then, the hangar door of the plane banged and began to lower. Harsh winds immediately filled the cabin, stinging her eyes and cheeks. Jane watched everyone pulling black, gray, or white masks over their faces.
David held two black masks in his hand, but he kissed her before handing it to her. “I will not drop you.”
“I know.”
He lowered his face, his lips almost touching hers as he spoke over the noise filling the plane cabin now. “You know, the last time I made a jump, I knew my life would change.” He held the back of her head and gave her a long, deep kiss. The wolf whistles from the others were drowned by the noise and her own heartbeat pounding in her ears.
David broke their kiss. “I knew my girl was calling to me. I won’t let her go.” He kissed her once more before pulling his mask on. Just like the first time she’d seen him, only his sapphire eyes stood out. “Hide your face from me only this once.”
Jane couldn’t stop smiling as she pulled on her mask. The material was thin but warm, and she could tell David was grinning even though his mouth was hidden.
“Come,” he said, taking her hand and leading her to wait behind the others as they pushed out huge supply crates.
Jane looked at the impressive gathering of immortals. She felt like she was in a movie. Although she was nervous, terrified to jump from a plane and face the unknown, she was excited, ready for whatever adventure she would be a part of with them.
“Hang on to me,” David said, lifting her in his arms. “That’s all you have to do, and enjoy the view.”
Artemis turned away from them when Hades tapped her on the shoulder. The Greeks all jumped, one after another, leaving only her and David.
“Ready, baby?” he asked.
She tightened her arms around his neck. “I’m ready.”
He walked to the edge. “That’s my brave girl.”
Then he jumped.
The roar of the icy wind was deafening. Jane was too terrified to open her eyes, and every gust had her squeezing her arms tighter around David’s neck.
David chuckled, pulling her closer. “Open your eyes, Jane.”
“No.” She didn’t have a fear of heights, but jumping from a plane wasn’t something she’d ever think was okay.
“Please, baby. I promise you will not regret it.”
She didn’t want to look, but she peeked one eye open, squinting against the harsh winds.
“Look at me,” he said, bringing his face closer.
She opened both eyes and stared into his. It was like magic. She knew they were falling, but holding his stare made it look like they were floating.
“Do you want to see the mountain?” He turned his head to the side.
Jane followed his line of sight and gasped. It was like she’d gone to a different world. The pale moon illuminated the glistening snow and ice hanging from the mountainsides. One mountain in particular stood out with two flattened peaks side by side, like watch towers, from the center of its long ridge.
“That’s Mount Asgard,” David said.
Hearing his voice through the howling air, Jane remembered they were actually falling. She tightened her grip as she looked down to see the rocky terrain they were hurtling toward.
“Look at me, Jane.”
She quickly lifted her head. His mask covered his face, but she saw him. Those eyes made her feel so many things. They lit up the darkness, beckoning her to follow it as warmth flooded her body. The frigid temperature numbing her faded, and she breathed out slowly, only now realizing she’d been taking panicky gasps for breath.
“I will never let go, my love.” His promise held so many meanings bet
ween them.
She began to smile until his eyes widened, and he looked down. Jane did, too.
“David!” she yelled upon seeing the mass of bodies fighting on the ground. Each of the knights were landing right in the middle of a huge battle, immediately joining the others to fight off their attackers.
David finally lifted his head and met her gaze. For a moment, they stared at each other in silence before his eyes paled to a crystal blue color. “As soon as I touch the ground, I’m throwing you behind me. Pull your sword and do not hesitate to join the fight.” He tightened his grip. “There are vampires and werewolves down there, and we are outnumbered. Stay close to me. If I move, you follow. Do not run unless I say. You can do this. Use your powers wisely. The fight won’t be over quickly, and you will need your strength. Do you understand me?”
“I understand.”
They looked away from each other.
Almost there.
Jane began to shake. She had not been in battle since Texas. Her training had been helpful, but she was cursing herself for being so weak their last days there.
“You’re a vampire, Jane,” David said, cutting into her thoughts with his harsh tone. “You are the most powerful to ever be created. Don’t fear them. You were made and are destined to destroy them.” His voice softened, calmer. “I have complete faith in you. Do not doubt yourself.”
Something switched in her, just like it had in Austin. His confidence in her made her feel like she was capable of anything. “I won’t,” she said.
“That’s my brave girl.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “I love you. Fight well.”
She closed her eyes, listening to the roars of battle grow louder. “I something you, too.”
He kissed her forehead through their masks and rearranged his hands around her. “Be brave, my love.”
The ground was growing closer. Just a few more seconds, and they’d land. Jane sucked in a deep breath as David’s feet hit the rocky surface. He bent his legs to absorb the impact, and upon standing, tossed her over his shoulder.