Tarnished Legacy: Shifter Paranormal Romance (Soul Dance Book 2)

by Ann Gimpel

  “Hope no one notices us.”

  “I’ll make certain they don’t.” The scents of clay baked hot by a southern sun, fresh hay, and rosemary rose around them as Meara worked her brand of power. “You asked about shifter magic. You can learn more about it, but integrating it with the Romani side of your blood will be for you to puzzle through.”

  “Why can’t you or Jamal help me?”

  Meara sent half a smile scudding toward her. “Because we’re not Romani. Magic is unique to the wielder to some extent, even within our own ranks. Blended power is stronger, but you’ll have to find your own way to develop it.”

  Tairin pushed hair out of her face. “I thought about shifting back there.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “I couldn’t see where it would buy me any advantage. The wolf wasn’t pushing for a shift, and it would have if it felt we needed its form. Beyond that, I didn’t want to abandon the horses and wagon.”

  Meara laughed softly. “Spoken like a true Romani. No shifter has ever given a good goddamn about either of those things.”

  Tairin laughed too. “If what you said earlier is true, all that’s about to change. We’ll become more like them. They’ll become more like us.”

  “And pretty soon, everyone will react to things just like you do?” Meara furled her brows.

  “When you say it like that, it sounds like so much flimflam.”

  “Change is slow, child. It will take generations for trust to reestablish itself among people who are different than one another. What we’re doing is a start, but only a start. Don’t expect too much too soon.”

  Tairin mulled it through as she drove the rest of the way to the courtyard, which was tightly packed with automobiles and horses. There was nowhere for the team and wagon, so she drove behind the crumbling structure. At least passersby on the road wouldn’t see the wagon. For good measure, she cast a don’t look here spell once Meara had climbed down.

  Elliott loped toward her. “What happened? Where were you? I’d just gathered a group of men to look for you.”

  “Jamal knew. He and Meara are linked telepathically. You could have asked him,” Tairin replied. Happiness to see Elliott beat a path through her, and she smiled. Too many people around for them to embrace, but she wanted to wrap her arms around him and pull him close.

  “Never even thought to look for him. Last time I saw him, he was in his wolf form snarling at the demon.”

  “So? You could’ve use telepathy.”

  Elliott drew his dark brows together, face darkening like a thundercloud. “I didn’t. You never answered me. Where were you?”

  She shrugged sheepishly, but his tone made her wary. She was here, unharmed. Why was he treating her like a miscreant child? “The demon got away. Somehow it found me, no doubt because I smelled like you and it has a score to settle. Anyway, dealing with it slowed me down, but I managed. Meara showed up, and—”

  Elliott grabbed her shoulders, his fingers digging in. “Why didn’t you call me? You were supposed to let me know if you ran into trouble.”

  “I—I had things under control. I didn’t need—”

  “If Meara showed up, you sure as hell needed something.” He shook her, not hard, but anger exploded from her belly.

  “Goddammit!” She wrenched away from him. “I’ve been taking care of myself for two hundred years. Maybe sometimes I didn’t do that great a job, but I’m still here. I’m not in the habit of calling for help. Not from you or anyone else.” Turning on her heel, she stalked away, seething.

  “He was worried about us,” the wolf spoke up.

  “Whose fucking side are you on?” she demanded.

  “All of ours.” The wolf sounded sad.

  “Get over it. Hooking up with a Rom was a bad idea. They hate me, and right now I’m not overly fond of them, either. I’m done talking.”

  She jumped down the crumbling steps and pelted down the passageway. The place smelled like Elliott and made her heart hurt.

  I can’t think about this. Not now.

  Not ever, a different inner voice inserted. Move on. It’s the only way to get past painful things.

  Hoping it wouldn’t take as long as getting over her mother’s death and her father’s abandonment, she moved inside Elliott’s grotto. It was packed with Romani and shifters, and she slunk into a corner wanting nothing more than to be invisible for a while.

  Jamal, back in his human form, noticed her immediately. “Did you bring the amulets?”

  Tairin nodded. “Yes. They’re in my wagon. And two pieces of welcome news. They work against anything evil, and shifters can use them.”

  “Just because you apparently did, and they didn’t go wrong on you, isn’t any guarantee for those of us without mixed blood,” a shifter grumbled.

  She wanted to carp at him that she’d had a bellyful of glass-half-empties for now, but clamped her jaws together. “Is the plan still to attack tomorrow?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Jamal replied. “All that’s left is to form our groups.”

  “I’m here.” Meara’s voice rang from the doorway. “I’ll take care of ensuring an optimal mix of magics.”

  “Once that’s done, we’ll eat and rest,” Michael said. “We want to be as strong as possible for this undertaking. Whichever Romani aren’t selected will return to their caravans.”

  Meara moved to the front of the room. “I want everyone in here, and yes it will be a very tight fit. Romani on the left, shifters on the right.” She eyed Michael. “Summon the rest of your people. All of mine are here.”

  Tairin felt Elliott’s essence when he entered the room in the midst of several other Romani. She shrank farther back into her corner. Soon, she’d be able to hide out in a corner of the passageway until it was time to launch their attack. If the goddess were good to her, she’d be able to avoid Elliott entirely. No reason to speak with him ever again.

  Better to let her heart scab over. Eventually, she’d heal. She had strength, and her path was to be alone. Today proved that.

  “You’re making a mistake,” her wolf observed.

  “I didn’t ask you.”

  “No. You didn’t, but you needed to hear that. He’s a good man, and he loves us.”

  “Awk. He’s a heavy-handed bastard who thinks he owns us. Or me, anyway. Why am I even discussing this with you?”

  “Because we discuss everything important. Your feelings got hurt. You’ll forgive him.”

  “In a pig’s eye, I will. You’re impossible. Quiet now. I don’t want to miss which group Meara puts us in.”

  Tairin focused her attention on the front of the room. Seven groups had already formed and left the grotto to discuss their respective strategies and get to know one another. She took stock of who was left. Elliott was still in the room, but she’d known that because she hadn’t felt his energy depart.

  Please, she pleaded with whichever goddess watched over mixed-blood mages, do not let Meara stick us in the same group.

  Finally, she and Jamal were all that remained. Along with Elliott, Stewart, and Michael.

  Tairin straightened from her slump against the wall. “Could you please reassign me?” she asked Meara.

  “I will not.” Meara eyed her imperiously. “This mix of magics is perfectly balanced, and it’s exactly where you belong. I will float between groups, offering assistance as required.” She clapped her hands together. “Get moving. Experiment with blending your power so you’re ready.”

  Elliott stalked out of the grotto without a backward glance, clearly as done with her as she was with him.

  Except I’m not.

  Shut up, she told herself. Get over it. One more day, and I can be free.

  The prospect didn’t do anything but make her feel depressed, and she headed toward the doorway, intent on meeting with her group outside in a place that didn’t reek of Elliott. His scent made her want him, but she had to find a way past that.

  Jamal caught up with her. “Are you
all right?” he asked.

  No. I’ll never be all right again.

  “Yeah. Fine. I brought a couple pair of shoes in the wagon. One of them should fit you.”

  Jamal probed the edges of her mind, but she shook her head. “Don’t. You may mean well now, but it’s a little late in the game to start making protective father noises.”

  “I understand. How can I help?”

  “Be my friend.”

  He draped an arm around her shoulders. “It would be an honor. Tell me what happened with the demon. I apologize for letting it get away.”

  Grateful for something to think about besides Elliott, she began to talk. “I’d just guided the wagon off Munich’s central streets. Too much traffic, and a few passersby who didn’t like Romani drove me off the main byway…”

  Chapter 13

  Elliott tossed and turned on a makeshift mat in a corner of his grotto. Hours had passed since they’d formed their groups, making certain each of them was armed with an amulet. They’d practiced blending their power, with Tairin keeping herself as far from him as possible. And they’d shared a meal with her sticking to her father’s side like a shadow. He’d wanted to talk with her, but she’d made certain there wasn’t an opportunity, and the conversation he had in mind was a private one.

  Regardless of whether he liked it or not, Michael’s directive about not making his feelings about Tairin public until after they were done with the vampire attack made sense. Many of the Romani would believe she’d bewitched him and take it as an omen that their effort to eradicate the vampires was doomed from its outset.

  Probably more than a few shifters would interpret it that way too. Except they’d think he’d ensorcelled her, probably to get into her bed.

  He needed rest to ensure his magic was as fully recharged as possible, but sleep wouldn’t come. Every time he shut his eyes, he saw Tairin. Her tawny hair and liquid dark eyes. The smell of her and her magic tantalized him, made him ache with longing for her.

  I have to pull my head out of my ass.

  Taking on a nest of vampires was as challenging a magical task as he’d ever set for himself. To go into it mooning like a lovesick adolescent was stupid. He’d put the rest of his group in danger if he wasn’t functioning at a hundred percent.

  Despite his strong intentions, he replayed what had happened with Tairin for the hundredth time. He’d been so worried about her he was almost sick with fear. When she’d shown up, smiling, happy to see him, what had he done? Grilled her. Rebuked her. Dunned her for taking care of her own problems without him by her side.

  “Jesus,” he mumbled. “I was a total jerk. No wonder she reacted like she did.”

  He’d wanted to apologize. Tell her he hadn’t meant any of what he’d said, but she never gave him a chance. Hadn’t even looked at him from what he could ascertain. It was as if she’d withdrawn into the same shell she was in when he’d apprehended her outside Michael’s wagon that night.

  He’d hurt her. He’d seen the light flicker and die in her eyes when he grabbed her and shook her. Yeah, he’d actually shaken her. How could he have been such a ham-fisted idiot?

  It didn’t matter. Nothing did. He’d lost her. She wasn’t just angry. She was done with him. He saw it in the set of her shoulders and her refusal to engage on any level. He blew out a breath. And then did it again. He had to find a way past this. Soon he’d be in the thick of a serious battle, and he’d be damned if he’d be the weak link in their chain. Having her or any of the others protect him would be the final straw. It was bad enough she’d spurned him—never mind he deserved it. He’d pull his weight when they took on their assigned vampire. Or die trying.

  He shut his eyes again and called a trance state, resolved to get some rest. It wasn’t as good as sleep, but at least it would be something. If things went awry later today, it wouldn’t be his fault.

  He must have drifted off because Michael shaking his shoulder brought him around. “Time to go,” Michael said. “You looked exhausted, and I let you sleep as long as I could.”

  “Thanks.” Elliott rolled to a sit and thence to his feet.

  The groups were all taking vehicles until they got close to their destination. Mostly because cars were faster than horses and less noticeable on the roadway. While everyone else rested last night, Meara had volunteered to find a place large enough to park a dozen cars. From there, they’d go on foot.

  Elliott followed Michael to a sleek, black Mercedes 770 sedan. Tairin was in the front seat with Jamal and Stewart, so Elliott crawled into the back with Michael. It was one of the cars the Reich favored, so they wouldn’t be overly noticeable. Elliott looked away from where Tairin sat. He focused on gathering his power and girding himself for the task ahead.

  “Are we clear about our roles?” Michael asked as the car rolled forward.

  “Aye, I believe we are,” Stewart replied. “’Twill be good to get to the far side of this.”

  “The challenge,” Jamal spoke up, “will be so many of us getting close to the nest without them realizing we’re there.”

  “We snuck up on them,” Tairin said.

  “Aye, but ’twas only the two of ye, not sixty with strong magic.”

  “We won’t be able to scope them out like Tairin and I did.” Elliott joined the conversation. He had to quell his tumbling emotions fast and get down to business.

  “Which means we willna have the luxury of selecting which vampire each group targets,” Stewart said.

  “I’d already come to that conclusion,” Michael agreed. “It will be first come, first served. Once they know we’re there, they’ll focus the full brunt of their hypnotic abilities on us.”

  “That’s where we come in,” Jamal said. “Tairin and I are immune to that part of their magic, so we should be able to break its hold on you—if it subverts the amulets’ inherent power.”

  “So long as ye brought up the amulets, we can hope for the best,” Stewart cut in, “but they’re an unknown quantity. Just because an ancient lore book proclaimed that particular mix works to fend off vampire mind control isna a guarantee.”

  “True enough,” Jamal replied. “Let’s recap here. Tairin will weave and hold the magic to keep the vampire from turning you Romani into their next meal. Michael and I will capture it. Stewart will help us drive it to the ground.”

  “And I’ll pound a silver stake through its heart,” Elliott said. “This all sounds nice and neat and clinical here in this car, but we’ll be surrounded by eleven other groups. The odds of every single group killing their vampire aren’t good, which means we could end up dealing with more than one of those bastards.”

  “Granted, there are more than a few loose ends.” Jamal exchanged glances with him in the rearview mirror. “But we could have accomplished this with only three or four of us on each team. That we brought one extra man was overkill, and it should mean victory for us.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Tairin said. “Do you expect we’ll have to shift?”

  “I’m not thinking we will,” Jamal replied. “Unless one of those abominations gets away. They’re fast. Far faster than humans. A wolf could run one to ground, though.”

  He guided the car onto a side road, following the vehicle ahead of them. This wasn’t the same track Elliott and Tairin had used with the horse. That one wouldn’t have been wide enough for vehicles, but the nest was within easy striking distance.

  “We’ll have to use magic to get past these farms unnoticed,” Elliott said, “but not so much we tip the vampires off. I assume they’re sensitive to expended power.”

  “Not as much as ye might believe,” Stewart answered. “If they were, they’d have sensed ye and Tairin.”

  “It isn’t that they’re not aware,” Jamal countered and drew the car to a stop off the road in a wide copse of trees. “They’ve been at the top of the food chain for so long, they don’t bother to be cautious. It’s not in their nature. Ward yourselves for as long as it makes sense.”

/>   Elliott crawled out of the back of the car and stood with the others, who’d already arrived. No one had much to say. They’d either succeed or not—and everyone knew it.

  Once the other cars arrived, disgorging their occupants, shifters and Romani set off for the nest, keeping to their respective groups. Elliott had no idea if the vampires would still be there. Perhaps they moved around. The shifters seemed to know more about vampires than Romani did, and they hadn’t expressed doubts about locating the creatures, so Elliott kept his concerns to himself.

  As he thought about it, moving the coffins would be a big job. Once vampires settled into a camp, they probably remained there until they left the area. That it was daylight meant they should be exactly where he and Tairin had found them.

  What the hell did they even need the coffins for? They might be stronger at night like Meara indicated, but they’d been pretty damned functional when he and Tairin saw them, and it had been daylight then. Words from the lore book slapped him smartly.

  While vampire powers are enhanced by darkness, they are perfectly capable of functioning in broad daylight. The idea that light weakens them is nothing more than a myth.

  Jamal straightened his spine. They’d do what they’d come for. No choice. Not really. He was part of a horizontal line, flanking one end of it. Michael was to his left, then Jamal, then Stewart, then Tairin at the far end. It was the most effective way to utilize their magic. Far better than bunching up in front and behind each other. Six groups, similarly arrayed, walked ahead of them and five behind.

  They intercepted the path he and Tairin had taken the other night. It felt like that had happened several lifetimes ago, but only a scant handful of days had passed. “Careful,” he sent to Keenan who was part of the lead group. “You’re close.”

  Jamal glanced his way and placed a finger over his mouth in the universal sign for silence. Elliott nodded and focused on keeping the ward shielding his magic and his presence in place. His heart beat faster, and the sharp, metallic taste of adrenaline burned his mouth. Romani weren’t warriors. It didn’t come naturally to them, but three dozen of his kin had accepted this task, and pride for his people welled in him.