Taurus (Guardians of the Stars Book 1)

by Kim Faulks

  The Echo pack would hunt us down. The dragons would fight, and my own pack too. Some would survive, some would die—it was our way—but I couldn’t let them die because of me. “I can’t go with you.”

  His snarl ripped through the hut, sending a shiver along my skin. The spark of betrayal flared in his gaze, before the dragon lunged, grasping my wrists. “What do you mean, you can’t come? I risked my life to save you… I risked my brother’s life.”

  “I never asked you to. I never asked you to do any of this. I’m not weak, Marcus. I don’t need saving. You look at me as though I’m some damsel in distress—maybe you picked the wrong woman.”

  He flinched as though slapped. “I never thought you were weak. I only want to help, to see you safe.”

  A fist around my heart squeezed. I’d hurt him. “You don’t know Sol. He’ll hunt us down. Look at what he did to her? He almost… almost….”

  “He almost what?” The snarl that slipped from Marcus’ lips filled me with dread.

  “He almost did that to me.”

  Those cold calloused words turned dangerous. “Sick. Filthy. Son of a bastard. I’m going to kill him. I’m going to tear him apart!”

  A wheeze from Rowen trapped me. I dropped my head to follow the bloody smear along her thigh. “He’ll come for her. He’ll come for me. He owns us now.”

  “Owns you?” His eyes widened, anger flashed mercilessly. Spittle hit my face as he hissed. “I see the way he treats what he owns. You don’t want to come with me? Fine. But don’t give this fucking cockroach what he wants.”

  I shifted my gaze to the doorway. My heart galloped. I felt quartered and strung, pulled in both directions, stay and make sure Rowen was safe, or run with her and pray we all survived.

  “I don’t understand why you’d rather stay here, than come with me. Am I that repulsive to you?”

  I cringed. “No. Never.”

  He crossed the floor to take my hands in his. “Then come with me. Give me a chance to fight—not for you—but with you. Just one chance, that’s all I’m asking. It’s the least you can do after dumping your pack and running.”

  “I didn’t dump anyone.”

  Rowen whimpered. Her foot twitched, smacking my leg. Those pathetic sounds left me in the biggest ocean on the smallest boat. I rocked and rolled, at the mercy of this cruel sea. I’d never felt so alone.

  “Let me watch your back. Let me be the one who cares for you.”

  I dragged my head upwards. He needed to know what he was getting into. “She’s not just a wolf.”

  He dropped his gaze to the floor at my feet, pausing for a second before asking. “What is she?”

  “A mage.”

  “Is she dangerous?”

  I swallowed hard. “Yes, she’s dangerous, and after all she’s been through she’s tormented. That’s why I can’t ask you to sacrifice your family to save mine.”

  His arms slid over my shoulders, then pulled me against him. “Safety, shelter. We can give you that. I’ve seen the future. I’ve seen what waits for us. It’s already written in the stars—you, me, and everything else. Just let it happen.”

  The wolves bayed, sounding closer. My heart sped. Written in the stars… did he really believe that? His shirt warmed under my breath as my mind raced—then stilled. “Okay. Okay.”

  Marcus stepped backwards, then thrust out his hand with my shirt. “So let’s get out of here.”

  I grabbed the shirt from his hand and dropped to my knees. “Drag my pack over. Find me some pants.”

  I worked quickly spearing her head through the neckline and feeding her arms through like a child. Her underwear would have to wait until we were safe. I slipped her foot through the leg of the pants, followed by the other. “She’s ready.”

  “Good. Let’s go.”

  Two shadows became one as Marcus heaved her from the floor. Heat flooded my body at the sight. I’d once mistaken him for sick, or weak—now I knew he was neither. His steps were sure as he walked through the door and turned right. I grasped my bag, hoisting it to my hips as I ran to catch up.

  With each step the stormy sea inside me calmed. I dug my boots into the dirt, climbing from one tree to the other on the steep incline of the mountain. Marcus never said a word, never complained, never slowed and for once in my life I didn’t know what to think.

  I caught a whiff of smoke and turned to see the cabin near the barn in flames. An ache in the back of my throat spread to my chest. The human woman would die—God willing. I knew what waited for her—and death would be a mercy.

  The snap of a branch behind had me faltering. I spun, searching the darkness. A growl vibrated my chest as a voice cracked through the darkness beside me and the tall one, Zadoc, followed. “Keep your fur on wolf. I mean you no harm.”

  The hulking shadow reared through the trees, matching my speed and then striding ahead. We walked in silence, down the ridge, then climbed once more until the bark turned slick with dew.

  Marcus stilled long enough to transfer my sister to the hulking dragon. My nose burned as I sucked in the cold night air. The crunch of leaves grew faint as I fell further behind.

  “Do you want to rest for a while?”

  I jumped at the sound as Marcus stepped out from the tree.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. You look exhausted.”

  My feet pulsed with the ache. Still, I kept walking, afraid that once I stopped, I’d stop for good. “How much further?”

  “Not far, but the rest of the way will be a hard climb. Would it be best if you shifted?”

  Four aching legs instead of two. The shift would render me useless and my sister needed me. I flicked my fingers and felt the ache through my hand. If there’d been any other way…. “I’ll make it. You lead the way and I’ll make it.”

  He matched my steps and I felt a sense of ease I hadn’t felt in a long time. “Then, I’ll walk with you. When we get to the house you tend to your sister. I’ll see that the old woman casts a spell to hide our scent. The Echo pack won’t find us, for a while at least.”

  I glanced to the shadow at my side and whispered. “You said you’ve seen what waits for us, what did you mean?”

  The crunch of leaves answered me for a while until he finally spoke. “I had a vision, an ultimatum of sorts, and for a second I saw the night swallow the sun… I saw a wolf bigger than any I’ve ever seen before. I don’t really understand what I saw.”

  Something lingered underneath those quiet words, something at the base of my being, where the wolf lingered and death patiently waits. The deep well of aching lit up like a signal flare. The red flame spread through my veins, growing stronger with every word he muttered.

  I would’ve walked for a thousand years to hear the lull of his words and feel the warmth of his fire inside me. I would’ve walked until my legs grew numb, but as the light glinted through the dark veil in front of me I felt a tremor.

  Those lights gave birth to more as we broke through the last of the pines. I stared at the ghostly mansion hulking in the shadows and whispered. “We’re here.”

  “Yes, we’re here.”

  I searched the shadowed windows finding nothing more than my weakening courage. “I want to take care of her, clean her wounds. Feed her. Love her….”

  “But you don’t know her.”

  I shook my head, weighed down by my own pathetic fears. “I was six when she was taken from me, along with my mother. She was just a child, barely five years old. All those years. All that torment. Can you imagine? Tell me, how do I slay demons who whisper inside her mind? How do I walk through the gates to Hell to save her when I can’t see the signs?”

  “I can’t answer that. I don’t think anyone but your sister can. All you can do is love her, care for her and hope that given time she might feel the warmth of love your love find her way out of Hell herself.”

  Outside lights came on as I stepped on the gravel drive. White light swallowed everything else. I yanked my
hand up to shield my eyes and stumbled under the glare as stones crunched under the thunder of small boots. I took the blow to the chest. Bony arms wrapped around me and held on tight.

  “I thought I lost you. I thought the darkness won.” Odessa mumbled into my chest. “Don’t ever do that again, Abrial. People pay the price when you leave, do you hear me? The dragon he….”

  The lone wolf stilled as Marcus strode past and heading for the open door. “Go on… the dragon, what?”

  She lifted her head. Her gaze narrowed, following the dragon as he shoved open the front door. Her lips opened and closed, soft mumbles slipped though.

  My body quaked with every slow, heavy thud of my heart. The lone wolf’s voice blurred into one long drone. I licked my lips and forced the words. “Please, Odessa. The dragon what?”

  “The dragon changed.”

  A frigid wind sliced through the haze, yet the branches above never moved. “What did you say?”

  “The. Dragon. Changed. For. You.” Her blue eyes shone with wild delight. She gripped my shirt and clung tight. “The shaman said the wolf sustains him. I didn’t believe her until I saw him face the demon.”

  Her words made no sense. I squeezed her shoulder and smiled. “I’m sorry Odessa. I’m so tired. I’ve got to look after my sister. Did you see where Zadoc took her?”

  She titled her head and the smile died. “No, what sister, Abrial?”

  “The one I thought I’d lost forever.” Movement at the doorway drew my gaze. Maddy smiled, cradling a tiny bundle.

  “We’ll talk soon. After I sleep, okay?”

  “What sister, Abrial?”

  Odessa hunted me every step of the way as I trudged to the house. “Later, Odessa, please.”

  “I’m glad you’re okay. We’ve been worried.” Maddy slid her hand around my neck and yanked me close.

  I inhaled the smell of life, of new hope and love all wrapped up in this tiny baby. I parted the blanket, staring at her precious closed eyes and parted lips. Her hair felt like feathers under my fingers, and the smell of the familiar resonated. I swallowed and tore my gaze away finding Maddy’s. “I’m fine. I’m just tired. Have they been good to you?”

  “Our hosts have, yes. It’s taken some time to get my head around who these people are. I have no idea how you found them, but I’m so damn glad you did.”

  My jaw cracked like shattering stone as I ground my teeth. “It’s more like they found me. You just concentrate on Storm. I’ll talk to the pack tomorrow. I doubt they’ll like what I have to say right now.”

  She gave me one last squeeze, whispering in my ear. “Be careful with Hurron. He’s out of his depth and he’s acting strange.”

  “What? More than normal?”

  She leaned in close. “Yes, so watch your back.”

  I licked my lips and nodded. “The big one, bald head, carrying a woman.”

  “Yes.” Her eyes sparkled. “I think I glimpsed him down there.”

  Her hand swept toward the far end of the house. I took one last glance at the sleeping bundle in her arms, then strode into the house. Marcus hovered just out of ear-shot. His gaze swept my face, then fell to my shoulders. He covered the distance in three strides, laying a heavy hand on my arm.

  The straps of my pack tightened, then lifted free. I stumbled without the weight. “You don’t need to carry this anymore, not with me. I know this is only temporary. But I want you to think of this place as yours. God knows it’s big enough for us all.”

  My lips moved, words tumbled free. “Thank you. I’m sorry I haven’t been... I hope you can understand.”

  “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. She’s your sister, she needs you.”

  I swayed, falling against him.

  If only I could rest.

  I closed my eyes. Just for a moment.

  Just to feel….

  His thick arms wrapped around me, holding me tight, then brushed my hair. The rise and fall of his chest lulling me….

  Safe.

  A stench filled my nose, rotten eggs, rotting meat. I reared back and slapped my hand over my mouth. I’d smelled that vile stink before. My gaze found his. His wide eyes held me. I felt the fall as his hands found my arm and he held me tight.

  “Demon. I smell demon on you… how?”

  People pay the price when you leave, do you hear me? The dragon he… changed. Odessa’s words slipped through my mind.

  I’d never been able to see things, never gifted with the sight—not like Rowen. But I needed none of those things. I saw the truth in his eyes.

  “The demon came after you?”

  Marcus nodded, although his eyes never left mine.

  “They’re everywhere. They’re buying children, wolves, humans. It doesn’t seem to matter. I’d ask the question why, but I’m afraid of the answer.”

  His brows shot high, a slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I’ve been asking myself that same question.”

  “They say once you stare into a demon’s eyes that they mark you for death.”

  His hand swept across my shoulders, pulling me gently against him. “That’s what they say.”

  I melted like butter against him. “And you killed this demon?”

  “Yes.”

  “Saving me?”

  I pressed my head against his chest, listening to the gallop of his heart as he answered. “Yes. I’d do it again, just to have you in my arms.”

  ***

  I stared at the small figure in the shaman’s bed. My sister barely moved. If not for the rise of her chest, I’d be certain she was dead. Her long black hair pooled like an oil slick against the dull grey sheets.

  My damp hair fell like a curtain as I leaned over and brushed wayward strands from her cheek. The scent of soap and lilac filled me as I swept my thick curls aside. The hot water from the shower had lulled me, bring all the aches and pains to the surface. There was one hurt that lingered, one, no amount of hot water would fix.

  The tips of my fingers lingered as I brushed her cheek. Her blackened eye was swollen. The sweet curve of her lip gaped open, raw and red. The fresh split wept. I could still hear her cries. Still hear her beg him to stop, and he did stop.

  Once—to offer a trade—me for her.

  From then on those blows accompanied silence. The only sound the crack of his hand against her beautiful pale skin. I brushed my thumb across her cheek, to her ear… searching for the strawberry mark just inside her hairline and stopped.

  I brushed aside the strands. I knew where the birthmark was. I had one in the exact same place. But her hairline was pure, not a mark, not even a blemish. I leaned backwards. Maybe I was wrong. “She looks different somehow, it’s not the swelling—there’s something else.”

  “How, isn’t she your sister?” The old woman snarled from where she sat on the bed.

  “Yes, she’s my sister.”

  “Then it shouldn’t matter what she looks like.”

  I turned to the old woman, watching dip a brush into a clay pot in her hand. The smell of blood was suffocating as the old woman brushed markings across the walls.

  Would markings be enough? “Is this to hide all of us?”

  The old woman nodded. “It’ll hold for a while, three days at least. The wolves won’t find us.”

  “My sister. Is she safe here?”

  The shaman’s hand stilled mid-air. One drop of blood fell from her brush to splatter against the floor at her feet. “Is anyone?”

  “I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

  “It’s safer here with the dragons than it is out on your own, that’s all anyone can hope for. Right now, you need to worry about yourself. You need to sleep. You need to rest. You need to be with your pack, they need you the most. Go, I’ll take care of your sister.”

  I looked at Rowen’s battered face. I did that. I hurt her.

  “It’s for her own good, no sense in weeping about it. She’ll understand, maybe not now, but in time she’ll forgive you. S
o, go. Shoo. Someone else needs you more than she does.”

  I jerked my head toward the closed door.

  “You know what he did to save you? Not even a dragon takes on a demon and lives—not until this one did anyway.”

  “Okay, find me if she wakes.”

  The shaman nodded. “She won’t wake, not tonight. I put her under a healing spell. The child needs rest and love, one I can give her, the other is up to you.”

  I trailed my hand along Rowen’s arm and stood. All those years, all that suffering—she needed a lot more than love—she needed a family.

  That thought haunted me as I crossed the room and yanked open the door. Marcus leaned against the wall, waiting for me. I eased the door closed and scanned the expansive hall. He was right, this house was big enough for all of us and more. He had a big house, a big family. But did that make him happy?

  He lifted his head. “Is she asleep?”

  “Yes, the old woman’s taking care of her. I think it’s better she keeps an eye on her. Not that I think she’ll do anything stupid.”

  “So, when was the last time you saw her?”

  “I can’t have been more than six. Rowen was barely five. Strange men came in the middle of the night and took her and my mother. I didn’t know, not for a long time….”

  “You didn’t know what?”

  I held his gaze. “I didn’t know it was my father, who sold them.”

  “Oh, God. I’m so sorry, Abrial.”

  I held onto my tears as the truth closed in. “I tried so hard to find her. The packs move around. I didn’t even know it was the Echo pack who took them until a couple of years ago. Got a bead on their direction, they were headed this way. I was the one who suggested the Bloodstone pack move into Nyx County. I was the one who made a deal to get them back.”

  I cast my gaze over my shoulder. “She blames me for our mom’s death. Hell, I blame myself.” I turned back to him as the words sliced my throat like razors. “She said Mom died screaming, because Rowen loved our mom more than she loved him. What kind of monster does that? No wonder she hates me.”

  “I don’t think she hates you, not when she sees how much you’ve done to get her back. Now, your father, on the other hand. She will hate him.”