by JL Madore
I recoiled. "Don't touch me."
The man was unnatural. Evil. An abomination hiding in a pretty package.
He arched an ebony brow. "My gifts don't affect you, but you do feel my power, don't you?"
I reminded myself not to give him any more power over us than he already had and shook off the sensation. "My skin crawls when you touch me if that's what you're asking. But you didn't answer my question. What do you want? Is this about the ring again?"
Abaddon glanced at Bruin pacing madly in the next cage and scowled. "It slipped through my fingers once, and with you at my mercy, I'm finally going to get it. After being forced to watch what we did to his sisters, there's no way he'll watch me do the same to you."
I flinched. He spoke about the murder and rape of Bruin's family without a touch of emotion. Violence exploded inside me and with the speed and power of the Were hormones raging in my blood, I punched him in the jaw. I heard the pop of bone, unsure whether it was his face or my hand that had made the sound.
My cheek exploded as his backhand connected and I hit the ground hard. With bruising force, he yanked me back to my feet and pulled me against his chest. "I smell him on you." His mouth moved down my neck paused over the spot on my shoulder where Bruin bit me a lifetime ago. "You refuse his claim, yet you let him inside you. Wet and willing, I'd bet. Tell me . . . does he fuck like a king?"
Bruin's bear went mad behind us, but I couldn't help him.
Abaddon's tongue flicked over the tiny scars and my goosebumps speared across my body. My legs trembled beneath me. I couldn't pull away.
"What do you think, Bruin? Should I take liberties with your mate?" Abaddon's mouth closed over my skin, his teeth threatening to puncture. After a moment, he released his bite. "Or I could call in a few of my men and we can watch while they all have a go at her."
Bruin was all beast, lost to insanity. He threw his massive body against the bars over and over, the growls and snarls and thundering of impact ringing in my ears.
"You see, Mika, I know the need of a male to protect the females in his life and in a Were that need is compounded. It goes beyond dominance. It's visceral. Primal. Bruin would never get over it. Everyone knows he never got over what happened to his sisters. What do you think it would do to him to know he couldn't protect his mate either? What do you think the other Weres would think of a King who couldn't even keep his female safe?"
The rumble of his laughter against my chest made my stomach roll. Rough hands tightened around my braid and against my back, yanking my face upward. His mouth was hard on mine and tasted of tobacco and whiskey. I fought his kiss, cursing and screaming into his mouth. When he drew back, his eyes were lit with something truly vicious.
I wiped at the rancid taste of him in my mouth and lunged. With all my weight behind me, my knee came up and only his reflexes saved his crotch from my fury. An inch more to the left or a second sooner and I would have connected with something more sensitive than his thigh. He recoiled and I tottered on rubber legs.
A deafening roar vibrated off the floor and echoed from the walls.
Hot, shooting pain sliced across my back and I pitched forward. The force of the strike slammed me head first into the bars of the cage. My cheekbone collided with iron and singed on contact. One instant, the room disappeared behind spotty blotches of grey, the next, it was a blur as he fisted the front of my shirt and hauled me to my feet.
"This could have gone better for you, Ursa." He tossed me across the cell. I toppled over a small wooden cot and the frame buckled and landed on top of me. My leg bent at an awkward angle and another wave of the shakes hit me.
I shook my head, blinking past the pain. Passing out was not an option right now. I planted my hands flat on the stone floor and reached out. "Earth Mother, I need you."
Natural warmth filled my shallow breaths and let me draw oxygen deep into my lungs. I wouldn't call it a second wind, but I rallied a bit. My vision cleared in time to avoid his boot. I rolled clear as his foot slammed down where my ribs would have been.
When he unsheathed a knife, I knew I was dead. He was twenty times stronger than me, and not half dazed. I hated to play the gender card but, he was a hulking man and I was . . . well, me.
Screw it. If I was going down, it would be swinging.
He hauled me off the floor by my hair and raised the knife to my throat. I caught a glimpse of the blade and jerked my head back, connecting with something hard. His chin maybe. I thought so, but couldn't be sure. He grabbed my wrist and twisted it behind my back until I was on my knees in front of him. The snap of bone made my stomach lurch and the world went dark.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Drifting on the wind I let my consciousness float, swept along by the Earth Spirits. The forest surrounding me grew vast, the scent and sounds of nature soothing, calling. I slowed my travel and descended, stepping onto the soft grass below with a grace I'd never possessed in reality. I stood. Breathed in. My lungs filled.
The afternoon light was in the process of changing, the gold of mid-day swirling pink. How long had I been dreaming? Running my hand down the front on my white, doeskin dress, I fingered the fringe and twirled like a girl.
"There you are, Mika." The native man's voice was strong and deep. "Your awakening has been a long time in coming."
On a slow turn the golden-pink haze shifted. Now I stood in a clearing on the edge of a stream. The man who spoke sat perched on the edge of a tall wooden stool and paid little attention to my stare. He wore tan hunting pants, no shirt over his brown skin and bare feet. Long chestnut hair pulled back from his face, bound by a thick leather strap.
Leaning over a debarked, red cedar tree, he focused on the totem he was carving. "Mika is not a proper Aboriginal name. We shall have to find you a more fitting title." His tone held no criticism, simply an assessment of fact. "Then again, my name leaves little to the imagination."
When he looked up, the hair on the back of my neck stiffened. A great surge of power washed through me and I tingled with Earth Mother's magic.
"Do you know who I am, She Who Runs From Bear? He grasped his adze in both hands and drew it toward himself, planing off a curl of wood.
"You are one of the originals," I said, searching the mystical clearing. "Why am I here?"
He reset the adze and pulled again. "I asked you first. Who am I?"
Focusing on his task, he left me to sift through all the Native lore I could remember. How many nights had I sat with Grandfather at the fire circle listening to the elders speak of the original powers. Coyote. Hawk. Wolf. Thunderbird. Sun. Moon. Raven.
"Bear," I said, not sure how I knew it. "You are Bear."
Another long curl of wood hit the clearing floor. "And why do you think I brought you here, Wind Talker With Sharp Tongue?"
"Am I dead?" An icy chill speared through my veins. "Did Abaddon kill me?"
He bent forward, blew bits of sawdust and debris from the left eye of the raven's head he was carving and then flashed me a quick smile. "No. Not yet."
I stepped closer until I stood across from him, on the other side of the tree. "Yet?"
"Abaddon intends to kill you. You and your Bear. It just hasn't happened yet."
The fury that rose inside me shook my whole being. I couldn't let Bruin be hurt. I wouldn't. Not when I'd just found him. "Surely someone saw two Griffons flying across Haven skies. Reign and the Talon must be on the way to rescue us."
"And if they do rescue you, what changes? Bruin will have his mate, yes, but the Weres still won't be united and Abaddon will still plot to enslave them. The danger will remain."
"I don't understand. What needs to happen to make this come out right?"
Bear set down his tool and picked up a chisel. He spoke in that same, calm, you're-gonna-get-this-sooner-or-later tone Grandfather always used when delivering bad news. "If either you or Bruin die now the Weres will be ruined. Not broken . . . ruined. The species—volatile, powerful and head-strong—flounder
ed long before Bruin's father came to be king, but with his leadership they were becoming a united and powerful race. They have been without leadership far too long. They need their King and their King needs his true and proper mate at his side if he is going to lead."
"I don't know anything about being the Queen of Weres. It's beyond my—"
"Do you love him?" Bear asked, interrupting my rant before I got started. "I felt your fury when I spoke of the plans for his death, but compassion is not the same as love."
Why was everyone so interested in my life?
Screw it. "Yes. I love him."
"Good. Now, the bigger question . . . Will you accept him as your mate and your Alpha?"
I considered everything that had passed between Bruin and me, the good, the bad and the growly. He was stubborn, over-protective, possessive and bossy, but also the sweetest, most devoted man I'd ever met, by nature and by choice. I'd never find a love like his again in ten lifetimes and I wouldn't want it if I did. "Yes. I will."
Bear set down his tool and straightened. With his hands on his hips he stretched his back, first one way then the other. "Come, She Who Drives Bear Crazy. We have much to discuss."
We walked along the edge of the stream, sheltered from the afternoon heat by the woven umbrella of the trees above. He bent to the edge of the bank and scooped up a handful of dark, rich soil. "Weres are an amazing race. Not only are they strong and passionate, they also carry the Earth Mother's magic."
I nodded as he let the cool, moist dirt fall into my palm.
"They can dematerialize and rematerialize, and manifest simple objects, but one of their most magical gifts is something you cannot see. Bound mates are connected on a level beyond love. The DNA transfer, from male to female and back again, physically transforms both partners in such a way that they become something other than what they were before their mating. You've noticed heightened senses and strength?"
I nodded. "And appetite. I can't stop eating yet I haven't gained a pound."
"Weres consume huge amounts of food to fuel their powerful bodies. You will never have to diet." Bear smiled and sat on a large flat rock covered in spongy moss. He patted the surface beside him. "Lie back with me, Mika. Close your eyes and breathe deep. What do you feel?"
I did as he asked. Lying still, his energy tingled in my veins. "I feel your power."
He chuckled. "That is not my power, child. That is yours."
"Mine? How?"
Male amusement rang deep in his voice. "Look inside yourself. Envision a connection between you and Bruin. It will be there, somewhere within. It might be a chain or a rope or a ribbon of some sort, but it will be a tangible thing that tethers the two of you together."
I filled my lungs, let my mind drift and followed the energy on its path. Knowing Bruin, and me, it would probably be handcuffs or a skipping rope. I blushed, thankful to have my eyes closed. "I see it. An intricate cord woven from grass, leather, reed and willow . . . but it's slack. It's just lying on the ground."
"Pick it up, Mika. In your mind's eye, pick it up and secure it around you. This is your mating bond. This is what binds you and Bruin as mates and connects your power. Usually the tightening of the bond occurs during the reciting of your acceptance and consummation, but in this case, we're going to cheat a little."
I was amazed at how steady my hands were as I bent and picked up the cord. Every moment that passed I was more certain. Bruin was mine . . . my mate. My destiny.
He probably would've preferred someone more agreeable, but—
"He wants you, Mika. Bears are gruff and growl a lot, but they love deep. And once that love is given, it is eternal. If this is to work, you cannot doubt his devotion."
I secured the cord around my wrist and pushed away my doubts. As my trust in our bond grew, the cord responded, coming to life, twining itself up my arm until it grew taut and glistened with strength. The hold wasn't restrictive as I'd expected. It was grounding.
Bruin's presence built inside me, his scent steadying my nerves, his power lending strength to my injuries. The man was distant, his bear in full ascension. Jade's words came back to me. "It's a constant balance between two entities sharing the same space—the man's soul and the animal's instinct." I finally understood. He really did have two distinct spirits within him.
Two brothers living as one.
"Now," said Bear beside me, "reach out to him, She Who Brings Change. You must complete your bonding so you can go back and finish this. With your connection bound he will hear you, no matter the distance."
Bruin? Bruin?
Bruin's bear bellowed into my mind, his voice hurt and half-crazed. Mika, wake up. You've been still too long. Wake up.
I blinked fast. The bear's emotions were raw and exposed. He was back in that cage staring at my unconscious body and there was no doubt—I was his. The scent of my pain was shredding his control. He needed to protect me. The animal within Bruin coveted my life more fiercely than I imagined. It was visceral.
Brother Bear, I love you too. Yes . . . I am yours. I'm sorry it took me so long to see it. But right now, I need to speak to Bruin."
Inside the construct of Bruin's protective walls, Brother Bear vacillated between his need to protect me and his need to give me what I asked for. He didn't want me upset with him anymore. His pain at being rejected ached in his soul.
I couldn't breathe. I'm sorry, Brother Bear. I won't deny you again. Not ever. I swear.
Bear's relief flooded into me as emotion shifted and Bruin's consciousness came forward. Bruin was much more tentative with his thoughts and emotions, settling himself behind the protection of the walls he'd built a lifetime ago. The fact that he protected himself from me, broke my heart. Mika, are you all right? How are you speaking to me?
Tears spilled down my cheeks. I'm completing our bonding, becoming your Ursa . . . if that's still what you want.
His growl filled my heart to near bursting. What I want? I've never wanted anything more . . . but can you do it? Can you trust my love enough to love me in return?
I took a deep breath and let him in. All my memories, the pain and sorrow of my childhood, my determination to stand alone, my insecurity with relationships, everything I had never meant for anyone to ever see. I opened myself up and let him see.
There was a pause while everything hit and then he opened himself up to me.
The fire burning in my palm washed with the most heavenly winter fresh chill. I gasped and turned it up to watch it transform. What had been blue darkened to an indelible black.
Thick. Solid. Permanent.
And Mika, I love you too.
White-hot pain shot through my shoulder. It yanked me from my dream state and I was back in my cage. Abaddon seemed pissed about something. He shook me by my sore wrist and the bump-and-rattle made me want to throw up.
"Wake up, you stupid bitch," he growled. "This is your fault, Shavandra. She's been in and out of consciousness for hours."
"How was I to know she'd react to my spell? That incantation shouldn't have knocked her for a loop like this. It's because she's a weak little Mundie."
The distant rumble of what sounded like a Harley barreling down the highway vibrated off the cave walls. I smiled, recognizing the low, violent growl of Brother Bear.
Abaddon hesitated as he pulled back to strike the blue bitch and noticed me glaring. "Ah, finally. Good, you're awake. Let's get this done."
After seizing me by the shoulder, Abaddon opened the door to my cell and shoved me at Shavandra. The evil of his touch scrambled my senses like my head got wedged in a centrifuge. My hand had swollen while I was out. Broken by the looks of it.
"Calm yourself, Bruin," he crooned, his seductive command ringing in my ears. He leaned close to the other cell and looked Bruin's bear square in the eyes. "It's time for you to change back to human so we can end this. The ring is here someplace, and you're going to find it."
Through our new connection, I sent Bruin all the help I c
ould to fight the command. The wide heart-shaped head of Bruin's bear canted to the side as if he was considering the request. But then, his form flickered and shifted until Bruin stood vacant-gazed beside us.
I caught the way the blue bitch eyed his naked body and growled. "Clothes, Bruin."
Bruin manifested himself jeans and a plain, black t-shirt.
Abaddon scowled and leaned toward his cell. "You listen to me, not her. Got it?" Bruin nodded and Abaddon's smug smile returned. "Good. Now when I let you out, you're going to help me search this place and figure out where the Were ring has hidden all these years."
CHAPTER FOURTY-TWO
The silver bangles on my arm jingled a soft Gypsy song as the four of us left the holding cells and followed a well-lit stone tunnel to a winding stairwell. Abaddon and Bruin led, shoulder to shoulder, though I wasn't sure how much of Bruin was actually present. Shavandra and I followed close behind, her prodding me forward with a vice-grip on my arm and her wand tip poking into my spine.
The smell of his soldiers hung rife in the air the instant we exited the cells. We passed two Scourge standing at the base of the stairs, dressed in black fatigues and looming large. Man, they really were hideous beyond imagination.
As we climbed, I tried to clear the cobwebs from my brain and reconnect with Bruin. I could feel him, but I couldn't break through the fog of Abaddon's hold. I also couldn't hear his voice in my mind.
"What makes you think Bruin can find the ring?" I asked. "He already told you he doesn't know where it is. And I'm guessing he can't lie while you've got your psycho-whammy on him."
"No, he can't," Abaddon said, "but since he doesn't know where it is, it must be here somewhere. I have no doubts that with the proper incentive, we'll find it."
Here? The air was damp in the dungeon, but grew warmer the further we climbed.
On each of the lantern lighted landings we passed another Scourge standing guard. Abaddon searched the small vignettes which accented the space. Though the furnishings seemed modern, the space felt old and forgotten. By the time we hit the third landing, I had a pretty good idea where we were.