She spun on one leg while raising the other. Contact with enough force to crack bone slammed into my chest. I flew backward, landing flat on my back, while pain crashed through my entire body. The blow left me gasping for breath and I barely noticed the wolves scurrying to get out of the way where I fell. The air moved in a whirling warning I could barely hear through the blood rushing in my ears. I rolled just as her knee came down, denting the soft earth where my gut would have been.
“How are you going to protect him? How will you be at his side when danger threatens the Pack? You can’t even fight for yourself.”
She didn’t give me a chance to answer. With an expert twist of her body she was up and standing over my prone form. I willed my limbs to move, but the shock of the attack was pushing useless energy through them. I was left with chattering teeth and pounding heart as I tried to get enough breath in my lungs.
“As strong as her partner, what a joke.” Her lips curled up in distaste. “Everyone knows the Primarch is meant to be even stronger than the Primogen. It is she who handles the home. We have to trust that she will be the shield which stands between our children and our enemies. You can’t even shield yourself.”
Silver flashed as she drew her daggers from behind her back. My stomach lurched as my mind worked desperately, since my body was stuck squarely in holy-crap-we-are-going-to-die mode. Nothing came to me, nothing was there. If I were able to tap into Aldrich’s power more readily, I could move like her. I could be as a wolf, strong and quick. As it was, all I had was me. No one would be coming to my rescue. If I wanted to prove I could do this, I would have to do it on my own. Because it looked like my only other option was to die like a dog—well, a human.
I pushed through the pain and gritted my teeth. Magic, she’d said, something within me, making me strong. I pulled hard on the light I had always thought was Aldrich’s power. Shield.
Adawolfa’s blades came down and hit a force field of weak light. The surface wavered, attacking her even as she withdrew and I rolled to shaky legs. The light shimmered like silver fireflies around her burning her everywhere it landed. I gasped when smoke filled the air around her, the same kind of wispy spirals I’d seen when Aldrich was shot with silver ammunition. Her scream shattered the night and even though she’d been attacking me, I tried to call it back, to stop hurting her.
Amazingly, the light obeyed my command, dispersing in the atmosphere like harmless dust settling back into a resting position.
My heart slammed in my chest while Adawolfa gasped for breath. Her skin was ugly and charred in places. The burns weren’t healing as other wounds would and when I took a step closer to her, she backed away. Along with the rest of the wolves. Even the Elders on the stage shifted uncomfortably under my gaze.
“Do you see,” she panted. “You are a menace. Magic burns the Wolf. It will burn any of us. You can’t control it.”
“I have before. When I needed strength and swiftness, I used it to channel my Wolf. That is how I was able to confront the Splitter.”
Adawolfa cupped her elbow where a particularly nasty burn continued to wind its way up her arm. “That was while you had the Blut-kette. It probably allows you to mix the two without endangering all of us, but you can’t summon it anymore.”
My teeth gnashed together painfully. “Stop repeating yourself. We all know I don’t have the hood.”
“You burned Al. Nor do you have control of your magic.”
I tilted my chin up, straightening my spine. A couple of days ago, I wouldn’t have believed I had magic of my own at all. Things change. “I guess I’ll have to figure it out, then.”
“Before the Primarch is named?”
Her tone clearly said she didn’t believe I could do it. I didn’t bother answering her. I had better things to do. If I couldn’t ask Aldrich, there was still one person I could trust in this damn place.
I headed to the library before tracking down my true goal.
They’d moved the bear prisoners down to the dungeon, a place I understood was rarely used. In most cases, the only occupants were released after the end of the Pig War. The cells were only used when captives were dangerous these days, like the rogue Alpha every couple centuries or destructive humans with magic.
I flinched and stumbled down the stony steps after passing through a half a dozen of the most depressing hallways I’d seen in the normally clean and airy stronghold. The deeper I moved into the belly of the humongous building, the more I missed the open sky. Brown clay walls took the place of gleaming marble. The floor beneath me wasn’t the warm, shiny stones usually found in the wolf city, but dirt compacted under the sorrows of the captives that were dragged through it. Cobwebs and dust choked my every breath and I would have welcomed something other than the heavy scent of musk and urine in my lungs.
I finally made it through the final heavy door, using the skeleton key Aldrich had given me on my first night in my new “home.” I gritted my teeth at the word but shook off the lingering feelings of frustration and anger. I’d spent enough time wallowing in my misery. Now it was time to do something about it.
Finally, I heard the soft dripping of water and knew I was getting closer. A spider the size of my fist skittered across the hallway and I’m very proud to say that I only squealed a little bit before peeling off in the other direction as fast as my feet could carry me. Unfortunately, that rather frantic motion was done with my eyes closed so I didn’t know to stop before barreling into a wide chest.
Strong arms caught me before I could go tumbling down, losing any points I’d gained from my somewhat valiant run-in with the King of Arachnids. “You’re not supposed to be down here.”
My first reaction was one of honest happiness, only to be melted away by the acid I heard in his tone. I stepped back with a quick shove against Ulrich’s chest. “And you’re not supposed to be such a dick, but I guess we both do what we must.”
I should have wanted to snatch the words back, but they felt good. Better than keeping my silence and bearing his abuse quietly, that’s for sure. I raised my chin, refusing to look away when he continued to watch me with his disapproving stare. For a moment, something in his eyes shifted, bringing back the warmth and affection I had grown used to over the years, but it was gone so quickly I’m sure I imagined it. “What do you want?”
“What I want is for you to move out of my way so I can talk to the bears.”
He folded his arms across his chest, taking up more space than I thought was possible with such a simple movement. “You don’t have permission to do that. Adawolfa left explicit instructions for you to be kept away.”
I laughed and for the first time in what felt like forever, it was a genuine sound of amusement. “You obviously weren’t at the meeting. Adawolfa isn’t the one in charge here. Last time I checked it was the Primarch who sees to prisoners. Since Aldrich is Primogen, what do you think that makes me?”
Even with his hands hidden by his crossed arms, I could see him clenching his fists but I wasn’t afraid. Even if he’d changed so much he hated me now—for whatever reason—Ulric wouldn’t lay a hand on me. “You aren’t marked yet, Roux.”
“Even if what you say is true, brother, I am his mate. Or would you like to question that as well?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw and I smiled. He’d questioned my position with Aldrich once before. I’m sure even with wolf healing he remembered the beating well. “I’m still not going to let you pass. I’ve been given my orders.”
It was my turn to grit my teeth. I needed Mina’s help and time was running out. I only had a day before the Primarch was announced and if I couldn’t manage to do as I boasted I would lose any chance I had at keeping Aldrich. Losing was not an option. “Get out of my way, Rick. I’m giving you one chance because you weren’t there to see me kick Adawolfa’s pretty little butt, but I won’t hesitate to do the same to you.”
Shock—why was everyone so sure I couldn’t do anything?—registered on his face and his ar
ms unfolded, settling on the weapon at his belt. It was a thin but powerful razor wire that wrapped around his waist but I knew if he had need of it, the thing would unfold as if it had a mind of its own and cut through the air with a flick of his wrist. “You took down Adawolfa?”
I shrugged, hoping my tone was more nonchalant than I felt. I didn’t want to fight Ulric. I loved him like the family it didn’t look like I was ever going to get. “They say every creature gets a way to protect itself. A gift that puts it on par with the rest of the higher species in the world. Do you know what Humans get?”
He recited the answer as if it was something taught in school, the same way I had done. “Mankind gets technology and magic… ” his eyes widened in alarm.
“You’re damn right. And I’m feeling a little sparkly tonight, so you might want to just move before I roast your ass.”
I knew he was even less used to me using crude language than I was, but I kept a straight face, willing him to see I was serious. Because I was. I would do whatever I had to in order to make this work. Aldrich was mine.
He slid to the side, a tremor working through him. Again, I thought I saw something else in his expression but it was dead and gone even quicker this time. I shrugged, absolutely sure it was wishful thinking this time, because I saw what I wanted to see most of all: pride.
The door he was guarding was around a corner so I lost sight of him pretty quickly. The barriers were made of thick, solid wood and many of them were soundproof. My tour of this place had been quick and basic. I couldn’t remember which was which, so I simply pushed open the one closest to me first.
I stepped inside without a moment of thought, shutting the door quickly behind me. I stopped short.
The dungeon was a lot like the hut from before. Small furnishings, a bucket in the corner, dirt floor, my best friend straddling the man who had held me hostage, her head thrown back, her expression a mask of ecstasy. You know, the usual.
“Minawhatthehelldoyouthinkyouaredoing?”
Both of them jerked in surprise and Mina shot across the room like an arrow, standing in the corner as if the shadows could possibly hide the fact that she was stark naked! The bear grabbed what was left of my friend’s dress and covered his—oh, my—impressive package.
“Roux! What are you doing here? And what did you just say?”
I barked a humorless little laugh. “You’re asking me what I’m doing here?!”
In all the years I’d known her, I’d never seen Mina blush. The fact that she did now had my jaw dropping. The fact that the big, hulking bear pushed himself to a standing position and blocked my view of her with his still barely covered—oh, my—groin had me picking said jaw off the floor.
“It’s okay, Evrard, she’s a friend.”
The bear didn’t move and he watched me oddly for several seconds as if sizing me up and deciding whether or not I was a threat. I must have passed inspection because he finally dragged himself away from her and moved to the other side of the room before presenting us with his back. Of course, I got a good look at his muscular buttocks before I managed to jerk my attention back to Mina.
But I didn’t turn away before she noticed. “Hey, eyes off. You have a mate.”
I choked on another laugh. “Are you for real? I’m mated, not dead.”
Mina ran her hands through her hair and cast me a sly little half smile. “That’s true. He is a nice little morsel to look at.”
“A morsel? The man is a full out feast.”
We both laughed, easing the tension in the room even as the bear growled. “I can hear you both, y’know.”
That only made us laugh harder and I doubled over with the unexpected mirth. It took a few minutes but at last, we settled on the ground, facing one another. Mina grinned once more before her expression turned serious. “You can’t tell anyone. A bear and a wolf would never be accepted.”
I dropped my gaze, not wanting to tell her what had happened at the meeting she’d obviously skipped for a better time. “Acceptance is the least of your worries. They’re talking about going to war with the bears. Everyone is convinced they’re behind the attacks.”
That got Evrard’s attention. He swung around, a furious expression on his face. “We dinna attack you!”
I held my hands up, fending off his anger. “I believe you, pal. It’s the others we have to worry about.”
He immediately calmed while Mina leaned over and put her hand on top of mine. Tears swam in her eyes. “You mean it? You don’t think the bears were behind the attacks?”
I shook my head, trying to organize my thoughts. “This is the way I see it. First off, there is no reason for the bears to want to fight us. From what I understand of our history, they’ve remained neutral through almost all of the conflicts between Races. Besides that, their strengths appear to lie in physical combat. I did some digging around and the only nonphysical ability I could find was the kind of hypnosis Deryk used on me, but there’s little information on it. Still, based just on my interactions with him I think it might not work on animals, so what happened with the Alten had to be something else.”
Mina looked up at Evrard and I knew something passed between them I couldn’t hear. After a moment he nodded, consenting to whatever she’d silently asked him. “I’ll tell you the story, but you have to swear you will reveal it to no one else.” When I hesitated, she pushed forward, her eyes wide and pleading. “Please. I’m asking you, begging you. For me.”
I shifted slightly. “I will not keep secrets from Aldrich. Beyond him, though, I will tell no one.”
After a moment, I saw Evrard nod out of the corner of my eye. Mina relaxed her shoulders. “The Hibernation spell that Deryk used is rare. You’re right about it not working on animals. It’s only supposed to be used on other bears, but it can also be effective on humans.”
I tapped my chin, absorbing this knowledge. Even with this answer, it formed another question. “If the attack isn’t coming from the bears, which, of course, it’s not,” I added when she started to protest, “then who would know enough about them to know the spell existed, but not enough to know it wouldn’t work on animals?”
The question stumped them both so I moved on to my next. “All right. Can you tell me what Deryk was doing so close to the site, then?”
Again, Mina flushed and I made a mental note to tease her for it later. Two in one sitting? She was so getting it. “He was taking messages between Evrard and me. I met him while we were pilgrimaging to the other Packs.”
I blinked, clearly not understanding. Evrard continued. “The neutrality of the bear clan gives us the unique ability to house and protect those who are traveling between their sects, be they boar, wolf, or rabbit.”
I nodded. “And you guys met while she was staying with your family … or something like that.”
The bear nodded. “Something like that.”
“How is Deryk doing, by the way?”
“Thanks to you, he’s completely healed. He’s also eager to get home.”
I sat back, letting the information process in my mind. I wasn’t one for mysteries, not really. Still, I was probably the most qualified to get to the bottom of what was happening. If I couldn’t find the true culprits of the attacks I knew that come Aldrich’s crowning, they would pressure him into going to war. As unstable as he was, I didn’t know if I could talk him out of it.
“I think I will go to the Elders. If I tell them my suspicions maybe they’ll listen to me. Even without explaining why Deryk was around, there are holes in this situation that should be filled before any loss of life. I might be able to convince them to at least hold off—”
Mina shook her head. “I don’t think it will work. I love you, Roux, but you’re not marked yet. You have no standing with the Council.”
“I just might have more standing than you think.” I quickly told her what happened in the meeting. Though I kept my tone as guarded as possible, the wariness I felt was all but palpable. If Mina turned
on me, I would have nowhere else to go.
I never should have doubted.
“Are you for real!?” Mina launched herself at me and I laughed, falling under her still naked body. She was never shy. “You burned her and I missed it? It’s about time someone took her down a peg. She has no respect for boundaries.”
“Get off of me, you naked hussy. Everyone in this place has a super sensitive nose and I don’t want to smell like whatever you’ve got smeared all over you.”
She grinned, pulling back shamelessly and punched me in the shoulder. “I knew you had it in you. I thought I was going to have to step in and show her a lesson, but every time I was just about to, I would stop myself and think, ‘No, this is fine. Roux’s got this, just give her a minute to get her feet on the floor.’ And that’s just what you did.”
I laughed again, pleased by the vote of confidence as well as her indifference at the mention of magic. “You’re the best, Mina. I’m glad someone is on my side.”
She shrugged one shoulder. “You should know better by now. Rick and I are in your corner. All day, every day.”
I flinched again, but carefully hid it this time. There was no way I wanted to tell Mina how her brother had been treating me. After all of this was cleared up, I wanted to have a talk with him. Maybe if I figured out what I’d done to offend him, we could work on it. I stood up, feeling more confident than when I entered.
“Uhh, Roux? Could you do me a favor before you leave?”
“Of course.”
“Evrie kind of ripped my clothes to shreds…”
I rolled my eyes even as fear speared through me. “I don’t know, Mina. I could accidently hurt you.”
She shrugged. “You need to practice, don’t you?”
I chewed on my bottom lip. I’d planned to go to Aldrich after speaking to the Elders. No one would stop me after my show of strength and if they did, I would just have to get around them. I needed his advice but she was right. More than that, I needed the practice.
The Big Cry Wolf Page 9