by Marie Harte
Had a non-feral shifter been killed, Fenris wouldn’t have delayed asking for help. But the enemy had wisely killed only those shifters who didn’t belong to the Great Clan. Mostly cats and the odd wolf, bear or fox determined to live alone, where their deaths would mostly go unnoticed.
“I’ll go,” Jericho offered. “You need to stay with Rudra and Petra and protect the clan. Contact Anson and have him take me out there. You know.” He wiggled his fingers, signifying magical means.
Fenris shook his head. “Anson and I already discussed this. He’s aware of the danger, but I thought we’d have it handled by now. Apparently we’re not the only ones with problems. There’s been some unrest in one of the demon kingdoms.”
“Kingdoms?”
“Yeah. The athmae who live out in Germany with Anson are part of the fourth kingdom. There are seven of them. And one of those seven is experiencing the same things we are.”
“No shit.” Every time Jericho learned something more about demonkind, he found himself surprised at how civilized they were. For all that they were demons, they didn’t act very demonic. “So what? They have queens and princes, hunting parties, and a police force?”
Fenris shrugged. “I’m not sure, but Anson seemed to think we’d need him at some point. Especially if the enemy is targeting more than shifters, but athmae too.”
“If it’s the same enemy.” Jericho’s gut said it was. He noticed the intense look in Fenris’ eyes. “What?”
“You have to do this for us.”
“I said I would.”
Fenris continued in a funny voice. “You’re going on a long trip. One you won’t return the same from.”
Jericho shivered inside. He wasn’t the only one who had visions of the future. Fenris had on occasion seen odd happenstances that would later occur. “Fenris?”
“By claw and by blade, you’ll be reborn. Of truth and fear, will your eyes be opened. And only then will the Bear come home.”
“Shit. I hate this destiny crap.” He growled low, his chest vibrating with tension. “I’ll go wherever the hell I want to go,” he yelled out at the spirits, despite knowing the folly of such a declaration. His father hadn’t heeded what he’d foreseen, and the bears had been routed from the Great Forest for decades. Now a prophecy spoke about Jericho’s future. A smarter man would have embraced the telling.
Then again, Jericho wasn’t a man. He was a bear.
As if the Bear in the Cave heard him, a cool breeze nearly knocked him over but didn’t touch Fenris. Like laughter on the wind.
They returned to the clan center with somber news and formed a detail to bury the bodies and hunt down survivors.
Fenris gathered his mate to him and cuddled their baby girl, Petra.
“Good thing she looks more like her mother than you,” Jericho said to lighten the mood.
Rudra smiled.
Fenris snorted. “Don’t give my mate any more of an ego. She’s hard enough to live with as it is.”
Having grown up with her, Jericho knew better than to agree out loud. So when she glanced down at her baby, he nodded and mouthed, “I know.”
“I heard that,” she said without looking up.
“Damn.” He winked at Fenris and tightened the straps on his pack, which held an extra set of clothing and a bone dagger. He’d kill what he needed to eat and drink from what nature provided when in the athmae demesne. Wherever the demon kingdom actually was. “I’ll take care of this, don’t you worry,” he promised his alphas.
Rudra’s eyes filled, the once hard-hearted ruler now a marshmallow when it came to those she loved. “Brother bear, don’t even think of dying, or I’ll cast a spell to wake you right back up.”
“From the Great Sleep? Good luck.” He hugged her tightly, careful of Petra, then set her back next to Fenris. “Take care of your pups.” He nodded to Petra, then Fenris—her much younger mate.
Fenris frowned, but Rudra laughed past her tears.
“I’ll be back. Don’t think I won’t.” When Jericho set his mind to something, nothing stood in his way. Not the spirits, fate or any enemy he might find.
“Take care, and don’t tempt fate, Jer.” Fenris’ smile returned, this time with a sly slant to it. “But feel free to tempt the demons all you want. I hear those males can do things our women only wish they could.”
“Hey.” Rudra glared at him.
“You’re the exception, Red. And I’m not speaking from experience. Something Anson told me.”
Jericho grimaced. “Yeah, well, what works for Anson and his many lovers doesn’t work for me. I’m not into guys.”
“Neither was Anson.” Fenris’ eyes gleamed with mirth. Had the wolf seen something he hadn’t mentioned? “Apparently the incubi are very persuasive.”
“Damn it, Fenris.”
Rudra stared at her mate wide-eyed. “But you said he’d be hunting here. That his partner would be a hunter, not an incubus.” She turned back to Jericho. “Seriously. You need help, you call for me. Out loud. I’m going to cast a spell to enable me to help you if your words float on the wind.” Half wolf, half sorceress, she could probably do anything she put her mind to.
“I’ll let you know.” But he wouldn’t.
“Stay safe, bear.” Fenris nodded and wrapped his arms around Rudra. “Don’t talk to strangers.”
“Funny, smart ass. I mean, yes, my alpha.” He gave a half-hearted bow, pleased to hear his alphas chuckle. Then he stepped forward into the circle made of magic. And disappeared.
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About the Author
Marie Harte is an avid reader who loves all things paranormal and futuristic. Reading romances since she was twelve, she fell in love with books and knew writing was her calling. Twenty-plus years later, after the Marine Corps, a foray through Information Technology, and children, her dream has finally come true. Marie lives in Oregon with her family and is constantly typing away at her keyboard.
Email: [email protected]
Marie loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.pride-publishing.com.
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