The Devil’s Kiss

by Stacey Kennedy

  Without hesitation, I stood, then knelt down in front of her and took her hands in mine. “I’m so sorry for your son. Believe me, Ayan, we will find out what has happened here.”

  She squeezed my hands, her palms clammy. “You are a Guardian?” she asked.

  I nodded softly. “Among other things.”

  “Then, I trust that you will keep your word. Our Rhoden would do nothing of this cruelty. There must be an explanation.”

  “May we go around back?” Valor asked.

  She nodded, releasing my hands to wipe her nose. “By all means, do whatever you need to catch the one who did this to my son.”

  After a few reassuring words from Valor, we exited the home. Kyden met me at the door. “Alright?”

  “Yeah.” I waited until Valor joined us before I filled them in on what I knew. “She truly believes that he is innocent,” I told everyone. While I held her hands, I read her a little, searching for anything that could help us. “From what I saw, her son definitely didn’t seem the type to do something this vicious.”

  Valor sighed, and gave his head a rub. “Let’s go see.”

  When we reached the back of the home, there was a little vegetable garden off to the left and an uninhabited area filled the rest. Sitting next to a rock was a man, sobbing hysterically.

  “Narn, I take it?” I asked Valor.

  Valor nodded, then approached him. “Narn,” he said loudly.

  The man lifted his face, heartbreak aligning every part of his face. I froze where I stood. I had seen eyes like that staring back at me in the mirror just after Gloria and Frank died. They were completely desolate.

  “Valor…I…apologize you are seeing me this way,” Narn said, desperation hitting every note.

  Valor helped him to his feet, his hand tight on the Narn’s shoulder. “Think nothing of it. I would be in no better condition.”

  “Narn, do you think it wise that you stay for this?” Dante asked him.

  “I must be here,” Narn replied, his tone firming with each word. “I need to be here to see what happened to Rhoden.”

  I understood why. The unknown is always the worse part of loss, the hardest thing to get over. He was searching for a reason, needed to find some sense in all this tragedy. My eyes connected with Haven’s and I gave her a nod to proceed.

  She stepped forward, raised her hands to the sky, and within seconds the scene was before us. The Earth element gave her the gift—which Zia also had—an ability to manipulate time and bring a moment back. They could recreate past events that happened, imprints on time that showed exactly what had taken place in this backyard.

  What we saw wasn’t good. A woman, knocked out cold, was lying on the grass as Rhoden growled fiercely beside her. His teeth were pulled back in a snarl as salvia poured from his mouth. I’d never seen anything like it. His expression was crazed and he looked rabid.

  Suddenly, the woman stirred, moaning as she awakened from unconsciousness. She turned her head slightly. When she saw the wolf, she scrambled away, only to be stopped by Rhoden.

  He bit into her calf, forcing her still. She screamed out loudly as Rhoden went wild on her. Tearing into her slowly, he ripped pieces out of her flesh.

  Terror and horror shot straight through me, but it wasn’t all mine. I turned to see Finn grab Haven and cover her ears with his hands as she hid against his chest. I glanced back to the scene as the woman was mauled to death, piece by piece.

  By the time it was over, all that remained was her skeleton. My stomach turned. “He ate every piece of her?” I said to Kyden, aghast.

  He nodded grimly. “Indeed he did.”

  Haven sobbed in Finn’s arms. She never could deal with this part of our jobs. Hell, I wasn’t sure I could deal with it. Gruesome never did sit well. Usually that part was easy to get past, when the need to stop the one who did it began to consume me.

  The wolf lay next to the bones, stared intently at his kill. “When I found Rhoden,” Valor said. “He had not moved. He was still in this exact same position.”

  Narn stepped forward, wiped tears off his face. “His eyes are not his. None of my son lies in there.”

  Squinting my eyes, I looked closer, more intensely. Rhoden was lying down, breathing oddly. His quick, shallow breaths just didn’t seem normal. When I looked into his eyes, I instantly understood what his father meant about the eyes. They didn’t seem in any way right to me either.

  Wolves eyes were always yellow or silver—a bright vibrant color. Rhoden’s were dark, completely shadowed. I reached out with my powers, searched the area and opened myself to all that was here. I could sense something was off. It was faint, but it was definitely there, and I had felt before.

  I glanced urgently at Kyden. “We need to get Zia here immediately. There’s something wrong here.”

  He shot a look in Finn’s direction, who instantly rushed off with Haven to the front of the house.

  Seconds later, the scene faded as Haven returned to the Otherworld. Within minutes, Zia arrived.

  “Haven is sleeping soundly,” she assured me.

  Zia had had to erase more memories from Haven’s mind than I could count. She just couldn’t deal with the violence. Her sweet heart couldn’t bear it. Zia promised it didn’t cause her any damage, and I couldn’t deny that it wasn’t for her benefit.

  “Glad to hear it.”

  Then, I looked around. “There is something here,” I announced.

  Zia stepped free from the crowd and lifted her arms, bringing the scene back again. It flashed by quickly. My stomach was as unforgiving as the first time. When it froze, she knelt down and examined the wolf. Then, she met my gaze with a knowing look. “Dark Magic surrounds him.”

  I sighed deeply, glad I was on the right track, but annoyed by it too. “I thought it could be something like that.”

  My experience with Black Magic was limited, but it felt very similar to when I fought a Black Witch not long ago. Had the similar edge to it that made it difficult to breathe, but a little fainter.

  “You think Rhoden was influenced by Dark Magic?” Narn asked.

  Zia stood, wiping her hands on her long black skirt. “He was either seduced by it or somehow it was placed upon him.”

  Narn cried. “I knew it. I knew something had overtaken him. He would never do something like this.”

  Zia glanced my way. “He may have chosen it.”

  “Why would he?” I couldn’t imagine why he would do such a thing when he had a wonderful home and family.

  She shrugged, then glanced to Narn. “He was not having any trouble?”

  Narn shook his head. “He was happy, awaiting the birth of his first cub. He was a good soul. Never would he turn to the darkness. He had everything he needed. Someone must have forced him into it. They must have.”

  Zia examined Rhoden a little longer, then looked at me again. “Darkness is wrapped so tightly around him I do not sense anything good in this wolf, do you?”

  “He ate her entirely. I can’t see anyone with an ounce of good doing something like that.”

  “What do we do from here?” Valor asked.

  “We return to the Council,” Zia said, and instantly headed toward the front of the house, each of us scrambling behind her.

  The moment we hit the front lawn, we all grasped hands, making the needed connection for teleportation. Then, with a bright flash, Utah disappeared as we landed back in the Council’s foyer. Weird as it was, that’s the way it worked. Wherever you stepped through the wooden door, the magic held within the portal, read your mind on the location you needed to go. To return, you only had to revisit that spot and think of the Otherworld. Quick and easy transportation at its finest.

  When we stepped into the Council’s Hall, Zia didn’t waste a moment in bringing the other Council members up to speed. Within minutes, she was done, and the room was silent enough to hear a mouse scurry.

  Finally, Talon broke the
silence. “Dark Magic!” he exclaimed, surprise widening his eyes.

  Zia nodded without hesitation. “It had overtaken him completely.”

  “Intriguing,” Brax exhaled.

  “This makes no sense!” Valor said. “Rogue wolves are normally the ones to turn to Magnus’ realm. They have been cast out by their packs, needing somewhere to belong, but Rhoden wasn’t rogue. He had a family, a cub on the way.”

  My thoughts ran along the same lines. “I agree, something’s screwy here. When I read into his mother there was nothing at all that would lead me to believe he would accept the darkness.”

  “Could he have been bewitched?” Kyden asked.

  Zia was thoughtful for a moment then said, “I suppose it could true, but what would they want with a crazed wolf?”

  No one had the answer to that.

  “If this is true.” Valor sighed deeply, breaking the eerie silence. “We are in grave danger. None of us are safe here.”

  “I should say not,” Zia noted grimly.

  Without any warning, Valor suddenly growled, deep and low. He was eager to annihilate something, as was Dante. Then like a bat out of hell, they ran from the hall.

  “Well that was just weird.” I said aloud.

  Kyden nodded. “Indeed.” He stepped forward, his body tight with concern.

  Curious as to what had caught his interest, I followed his gaze and immediately understood his distress. Valor and Dante rushed back into the hall, carrying a wolf. Isla followed close behind, her face streaked with tears.

  Zia ran toward him before I even had a chance to comprehend what was happening. After Valor and Dante placed the wolf on the floor, she knelt down, rested her hand upon his chest and began shaking.

  Shock froze my breath. I had never seen Zia strain so much healing someone—the wolf must have been very close to death.

  Zia wavered, nearly toppling over, but Talon lunged forward to scoop her up before falling over just as the wolf shifted.

  The moment Zia’s hand released from the man’s chest, I sprinted forward, drew on Spirit and gave Zia a little burst of healing. Within seconds, the tiredness left her eyes and she gave me a quick wink.

  Glad that little bit of silliness was over, it was time for answers. I straightened up to find the wolf was Thor, the Alpha of Texas. He looked the same as he did the last time I saw him—gentle with a perfect baby face. Not what you’d expect to see in an Alpha, but appearances were sometimes deceiving. I’d seen this wolf kill another in a split second.

  “What happened to you?” Valor asked him.

  Thor stood, then glanced back at Isla. “I owe you much, Isla. If it wasn’t for you, I’d be dead.”

  They shared a look¯one that was unmistakable. I’d seen the same look between Briggs and Rynn. She must be his mate and made me curious. Why weren’t they bonded? Isla stayed with Valor and never once had I heard of this. As much as I was intrigued, now wasn’t the appropriate time to let my mind drift away with such thoughts. I gave my head a little shake to clear the swirling questions and focused back on the present

  Apparently, Valor caught the glance as well and looked none too happy about it. “What happened?” he growled at Thor.

  Thor snapped his head toward him, leaving Isla’s gaze full of longing. “A wolf in my pack killed a man tonight,” he answered. “His mate contacted me and when I went to him, he was in the worst of sorts.”

  Valor nodded dourly. “We have just recently discovered this. Did he attack you?”

  Thor looked nothing short of pissed. “I was not expecting it. Being an Alpha…” He hesitated, grumbled something incoherent then finished, “I was not prepared for such an intense battle.”

  “He nearly killed you,” Isla cried out, wiping tears.

  Thor met her gaze again, his brows furrowed in unhappiness. He was about to reach out to her, but pulled his hand back at Valor’s growl.

  I glanced at Kyden and his look of I’ll tell you later was clear. Oh yeah, he’d be telling me later. This was juicy gossip—the best kind.

  “Where is the wolf now?” Brax asked.

  Thor shrugged. “It is Isla who can answer that. I don’t remember what took place. She came for me.”

  Valor’s growl deepened, while he glared at her. “You did what?”

  She lifted her chin. “I sensed danger, so I used the portal to go to him. What should I have done, let him die?”

  Sensed danger, huh? They weren’t bonded yet. The idea left me flabbergasted that the bond between mates ran that deep. Even without the connection sealed, they still held the ability to feel each other. Werewolves are so cool.

  It appeared Valor wasn’t feeling as awed as I was. He stepped forward, wrapped his hands around her shoulders and shook her. “This is not your place, Isla. I have told you over and over again, you are too young to be dealing with matters such as these.”

  “You think I’m too young,” she shouted at him. “I am not! I’m Nexi’s age and look at what she does.”

  Everyone looked at me. I gave a little shrug in her defense. “She has a point.” Valor scowled at me. I quickly raised a hand to my mouth. “Okay, mouth zipped.” I locked my lips, threw the key over my shoulder.

  “Tell me what took place.” Valor demanded from his daughter.

  “I felt that something was wrong, so I went to him, and found the wolf attacking him,” she answered, examining her fingernails. “Soooo…” She glanced back up to meet her father’s furious gaze. “I returned home quickly, grabbed a bat and went back.”

  “Go on.” Valor’s voice had deepened.

  She didn’t look at all put off by the anger ruminating off him. “He was so focused on Thor that he didn’t even notice me. Basically, I swung the bat as hard as I could at his head.”

  Dante laughed. “You hit him with a bat?”

  Valor glowered at him. Dante’s smile faded instantly.

  Isla shrugged. “It was the only thing I could think of. I had to get him off quickly. The second he started to black out, I grabbed onto Thor, and we landed back home. Then, I dragged him back through the portal, which leads us to now.”

  The room was silent enough to hear a pin drop. Everyone awaited Valor’s response.

  I thought Isla had done really well. Without thought, the stupid part of my brain made me reach up and give her a high five. “Way to go, Isla.”

  She laughed, beaming from ear to ear.

  Valor growled at me which lowered my hand in a flash, then he hovered over Isla. “You took a huge risk with your life, Isla. I should thrash you for disobeying me.”

  “Do it.” She squared her shoulders. “Give me the biggest beating, I don’t care. I will not feel bad about doing it. He’s…” She glanced to Thor, who gazed at her intently.

  Valor stepped between them, breaking their locked gazes.

  “I will take her punishment,” Thor said adamantly.

  Pride for Isla ran through me. Valor could be one tough cookie, yet she was standing up to him as if he didn’t scare her one bit. Plus, respect for Thor couldn’t be denied if he would suffer the brunt of Valor’s dismay. My heart broke a little watching them, they weren’t lusting after each other, they were desperate to be together. It was gut-wrenching to see.

  Valor grumbled, dismissing the whole incident with a wave of his hand. “We need to find this wolf now. Dante, contact the other Alphas. Inform them of this situation.”

  Dante nodded, then gave his sister a pat on the shoulder, obviously sharing my sense of pride for what she had done.

  “I will be able to scent him out,” Valor said to the Council. “But I do fear we will need help in destroying him.”

  “Of course,” Brax answered. “Kyden, Nexi, go with Valor, deal with this wolf.”

  Kyden nodded firmly.

  I sighed and glanced at Kyden. “Let’s just hope we don’t become doggy dinner.”

  He grinned.

  * * *
*

  The forest was lush with most of the grounds covered in rocks and weeds. “Texas is pretty and all, but I wish this damn wolf had chosen somewhere a little more flat to go run and hide,” I grumbled as I slipped on a rock once again. Rough terrain looked easy compared to this.

  Kyden chuckled. He held my hand tight as we made our way through the thick bush. Of course, he had yet to slip, which only pissed me off.

  Valor had shifted immediately upon arrival, having caught the scent of our wolf. I purposely slowed down, hoping to get a little info. When Valor was a few feet away, I whispered to Kyden. “Why is Valor refusing to let Thor and Isla be together?”