by Alicia Wolfe
“Show yourself,” I said, my finger curling around the trigger.
A figured emerged, still half draped in shadow. He was a lean man, sinewy and muscular. I could see this because he only wore a black leather vast and jeans that hung low on his narrow hips. He sported a crooked grin, tangled black hair falling over his eyes. It was too dark to tell for sure, even with my shifter eyesight, but I thought they might be blue.
“Call me Ringo,” he said.
He stepped forward, and suddenly he was too close. I backed up a step. Trees were right behind me, halting my escape.
“Stop there,” I warned.
He stopped and stood there grinning at me. “Yeah, you’re lost, all right. Look, don’t shoot. I’m all right.” His smile widened and he raised his arms out to either side and twirled around, as if to show me he was unarmed. His sudden motion made me tense. My finger tightened on the trigger.
“Stop screwing around,” I said. “Unless you want me shoot you.”
I sniffed. All I could smell was the reek of wolf. It was really clinging to me. Or else Ringo wasn’t entirely human. If he wasn’t, I might need something else to kill him. Something silver, I thought. But I wasn’t sure.
“I’m looking for someone,” I said. “A tall man. Blond.”
Ringo nodded, his eyes drilling into me. “I saw him. He was bleeding and carrying a sword.”
I swallowed. “Where is he?”
“I don’t know, but I know the direction he was going.” He paused. “I could … take you there, if you like.”
“Fuck that.” I tried to remember a spell I’d learned, one that could transmute the material of my arrowhead—turn it silver.
He bowed and gestured to the forest in what I thought was a western direction. I wasn’t sure, though.
“Then I leave you to it, madam.”
He turned and started to leave. I peered in the direction he’d been indicating. The trees looked close and dark, and there was a lot of undergrowth. If Davril was in that direction…
“Shit,” I said under my breath.
I glanced to Ringo’s back. He was just slipping between two trees. In moments, he’d be gone—to spy on and ambush me, possibly. It might be better to have him where I could see him, at least until I could find Davril.
“Wait,” I said.
Smirking, he turned about and cocked an imaginary fedora. “Is there something I can help you with, my lady?”
I hiked my chin at the forest to the west—if that was the west. “I guess I could use your help. For a little while.”
“Excellent!”
He crossed toward me. I backed up, my crossbow pointed at his gut. “Keep your distance. And you go first.”
Shrugging, he slipped past me and plunged into the trees. After a moment, I followed. The undergrowth pressed in thick from all sides and I had to whack limbs out of my way. Ringo didn’t offer to help. He moved fast, branches smacking back at me. Asshole.
“Hey!” I said. “Watch it!” One branch had nearly hit me in the eye.
He laughed. “You’ve got to keep on your toes here, miss. I assume you aren’t from around here?”
I ducked a branch. “No!”
“I didn’t think so.”
He stopped abruptly and whirled to face me. I gasped. Our faces were very close. His eyes blazed, and his face had gone taut. His nostrils quivered.
“You don’t smell local,” he said.
For a moment, our faces hovered very close to each either. My crossbow pressed up against his chest. His lips curled slowly, and something kindled far back in his eyes. I have to admit I felt something spark in me, too, just a little. He was creepy, but somehow he exuded a raw sort of sex appeal. He was wild and dangerous.
Possibly too dangerous.
“Keep going,” I said.
Not seeming at all put out, he turned and resumed the way. We passed through more undergrowth, up a steep ridge and down into a broad valley. After half an hour, I was panting for breath.
“How much further?” I said.
“Not far. Not far. Just over the next rise. Or two, maybe, I don’t remember.”
I tried to remember how much time had passed between the last time I saw Davril and when I met Ringo. Was it enough time for Ringo to have seen Davril and then found me? It didn’t seem like it had been that long, but then again I couldn’t really say for sure. My heart jackhammered and my mind spun. Every creak and rustle of wood made me jump. So did every movement from Ringo.
I watched his back suspiciously, constantly expecting him to leap on me, fangs out and eyes glowing.
“Just a little further,” he said over his shoulder.
Just a little further to Grandmother’s house, I thought. “Yeah, right.”
He chuckled. “Ye of little faith. You must trust in me, miss…? What is your name?”
Lady Jade. I loved that name. “Call me Becky.”
“You don’t look like a Becky.”
“Trust me, I’ve known some badass Beckys.”
“You say so.”
A few minutes later, there was movement in the trees. This is it, I thought. This is the ambush. Whoever his people were, they would attack me now. Instead, I began to make out the figures that moved in spirals and pirouettes through the trunks. I sucked in a breath at their beauty and grace.
“The Shadow Dancers,” Ringo said. “Aren’t they bitchin’?”
“What … are they?”
The shadow men and women danced among the trees, seeming a part of the darkness around them. If I tilted my head just right, I could almost hear the light flute music they twirled to. Or maybe that was just the sighing of the wind.
Ringo whistled. “No one knows what they are, or how they started. At least no one I know.” He chuckled. “Then again, I don’t know everybody.”
I watched his back, the muscles moving beneath the skin of his lanky arms. Was it starting to get hot in here?
“Go faster,” I said. I hoped he didn’t hear the raspiness in my throat.
Maybe he did, because he chortled. His chuckles and laughs were really starting to annoy me. “What’s the hurry?” he said. “I could show you such sights, here in Shadowpark.”
“Is that what you call it?”
“What else?”
I couldn’t see the Shadow Dancers anymore. Either they had faded or we had moved beyond their territory. I couldn’t help wonder what other amazing things this forest had to offer. It was a place of monsters, yes, but I was beginning to see that it might also be a place of wonders.
But just which side did Ringo represent? I was pretty sure I knew. I hoped I was wrong, though. He’s too delish to kill. Don’t make me stick you, dickhead, I added, this time directing the thought to Ringo.
The way opened up ahead. I could see sunlight beaming into a clearing. My heart beat faster, and I could feel my soul aching to be out from under these oppressive trees. They had begun to make me feel closed in and claustrophobic. All around me was the smell of green and loam. And also the smell of wolf.
We entered a wide clearing bathed in sunlight. Ringo strode out into the glade without hesitation, but I paused on the edge, glancing all around, then stepped into it with my back hunched and my crossbow raised.
“Why are we entering a clearing?” I said. “Shouldn’t we be avoiding open spaces?”
“Ah, but we’re here.”
Ringo swiveled to me. Sadness touched his eyes. “I’m sorry, Becky.”
“What are you sorry for?” As I spoke, I raised my crossbow higher.
“This,” he said.
A branch snapped to my left. I whirled. A wolf was emerging from the trees, its teeth bared and drool running down them. A low growl worked up from his throat.
“Oh, you are so dead,” I said, and pivoted to face Ringo. But he was already disappearing between the trees. Appearing from where he’d gone was another wolf. Another entered from the north, then one from the west. Soon I was surrounded by a d
ozen wolves.
“Goddamn it, Ringo.”
I aimed my crossbow at the head of the nearest wolf. Straining my brain, I dredged up the spell that would turn the arrowhead into silver. It would only kill one wolf, of course, but at least I would go down fighting.
Before I could fire, another man emerged from the trees and stepped into the clearing. The wolves parted for him, opening an aisle for him and bowing their heads as he passed through them. He was a huge man, tall and heavily muscled, with black hair flowing to his shoulders and a strong-jawed, stubble-lined face. And he was totally naked. My eyes went immediately to his member, then jerked up to his face.
He only looked highly amused. “You have nothing to fear from us.”
My crossbow jerked toward his naked chest. His huge, deep, naked chest. Shit, I wasn’t even sure my bolt could penetrate that mass of muscle. But I was willing to give it a try.
It was with only a little surprise that I noted the tattoo of a serpent eating its own tail on his shoulder. Damn, I thought. Just how big IS Angela’s reach? Because I now knew, or at least strongly suspected, that he was one of her minions.
“Why not?” I said.
“Because,” he said, drawing closer. “You will become part of us. And if you’re part of the Pack, you have nothing to fear from the Pack.”
The wolves growled as one in all directions, as if confirming this, and hinting at the result if I disagreed.
“You want me to become a wolf shifter?” I said.
The man, who had to be their alpha, nodded. “We observed you in your fight with us, and we were impressed. We—”
“Where is Davril?”
He blinked, not seeming to appreciate the change in subject. “Excuse me?”
“Davril. The man with the sword. Where is he?” Don’t tell me you killed him. Please, anything but that. My heart wrenched at the thought, and time seemed to slow to a crawl while I waited in dread at what the alpha had to say.
Slowly, as if drawing it out, he answered, “The man escaped us, damn him. But not for long. Anyway, my dear, you will be a worthy addition to our ranks. But first, you must receive the Bite. Are you—”
He stopped when I laughed. I laughed and laughed, and his expression soured, becoming a scowl.
“What’s so funny, you bitch?”
“You can’t turn me,” I said. “I’m already turned.”
He studied me. His nostrils quivered, as if scenting me, and his face went blank. “I don’t know your smell,” he said. “No, wait, I believe—”
My fist was actually sailing through the air before I could stop myself. Because I was very curious about what he might have ended up saying. At any rate, my arm was already in motion and before he could finish the sentence I’d punched him in the jaw. I’m not a fighter, but I’m stronger than a human—and a match for any type of shifter. Although some were stronger than others, and I was pretty sure this alpha was no pushover.
He wasn’t expecting it, though, and he staggered backward. Before he could right himself, I spun and shot the wolf to my right through the eyes with my crossbow, saying the transmutation spell as I did. It toppled, dead instantly, and I dove through the gap it created and into the trees. I’d chosen that wolf because the circle jerk was only one shifter deep in that direction. In seconds I was among the limbs and running as fast as I could through the trees. The wolves bayed loudly in fury, the alpha shouted, and then they started after me.
Shit shit shit. And the day had started so well, with omelets and gardens and Davril.
I saw a low limb ahead and jumped for it. In no time, I was scaling the tree. The wolves howled below, sending chills down my spine. They’d treed me. Great.
I cast a spell to deepen the shadows around me, then moved like before to the next tree, then the next. The forest was thick, even overgrown, so this was no problem. The wolves continued to howl and growl, but they lost me soon enough. They spread out and began searching for me.
I moved in the opposite direction. Slowly, the sounds of the wolves lessened. I was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when a voice spoke behind me.
“Well done.”
I pivoted. A tall shape emerged from the darkness. It was Davril, looking proud. I flung myself into his arms, hugging him tight.
“Davril! I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again!”
My heart smashed against my ribs, and something surged inside me. It felt so good to have his strong arms around me. Impulsively, I kissed him, right on the lips.
Chapter 12
His lips were full and warm. He paused for an instant, but then hungrily kissed me back.
My soul soared. I pressed my body tighter against him, feeling his muscled hardness. My tongue darted out, feeling his play against mine. For an eternal moment, we stayed that way, lips locked, bodies almost joined.
Then, with a ragged gasp, he pulled away.
“Jade, we can’t.”
I drew back, too, but his arms were still around me. I couldn’t deny feeling disappointed, but even I knew that being with him like that was impossible. Or at least it would be stupid. I didn’t need to get involved with anyone, let alone my partner. Life was complicated enough.
Right?
I patted his firm chest. “Of course.” My voice was raw.
He let out a breath, and his chest rose and fell under my fingers. I let them stay there a sec, then pulled them back. As I did, I saw the rips and tears in his shirt and jeans. His jacket was gone. And there was blood.
“Davril, you’re bleeding!”
He touched his ribs, where there was the most blood, and grimaced. “I’ll be fine. Fae heal quickly. I was just searching for you when I saw you come this way. Thank the gods you’re safe.”
“Thank this.” I grinned and shook my fist, then dropped it. The adrenaline high from being chased was beginning to fade, leaving me shaken and nauseous. If Davril hadn’t been there, I would have probably thrown up, but I forced the bile down because of him. After our first kiss, that would probably send the wrong message.
Our first kiss? I asked myself. Do you really think there will be a second?
Sadly, probably not.
“Come,” Davril said gently. “Let’s put some distance between us and the pack.”
Reluctantly, somehow wanting this moment to go on, I nodded, and he removed his arms from around me. Instantly I missed them. Despite everything, they made me feel safe. We crossed to another tree, then another, putting more distance between us and Ringo’s pack.
Ringo, I thought, did you have any idea what would happen? For some reason, I wanted to believe he hadn’t tried to lure me to my death, that he’d been thinking he was only luring me to receive my Bite. Then I’d be part of his pack and … well, free to be his mate or whatever wolf shifters did. Get it on with him, anyway. Had that been what he’d wanted? And why was I thinking of that now? Because you’re still stirred up from the kiss, dummy.
Davril and I made good time. Before long we were far away from Ringo and his furry friends. When we put enough distance between them and us to feel marginally better, Davril and I climbed down to the forest floor and proceeded to make our way on foot. By then our hands were scraped raw from tree limbs, and we’d both received some dings and scratches.
“You think that pack is what took out your friends?” I asked, making sure to keep my voice low.
“I doubt it,” he said. He moved ahead of me, cutting through the undergrowth with his sword. He’d dimmed its light so its shine wouldn’t give us away. Unlike Ringo, he made sure the undergrowth didn’t swing back and whack me. “A group of Fae Knights would be more than a match for a pack of wolf shifters.”
“Even if they were ambushed like we were? That was pretty tense.” I grinned. “Pretty hairy.” I poked his shoulder. “Get it?”
“I get it, Jade. Stop poking me.”
“I’m glad to know you have puns in the Fae Lands. Now I’m going to have a lot of fun imagining you talking i
n puns all day long.”
“We do not talk in puns.”
“Says you. I’ll have to verify that with Jessela.”
I thought about the kiss we’d shared. I thought of his full, firm lips on mine. My core turned hot.
“Where are we going, anyway?” I said.
“When I was searching for you, I saw movement this way. I think it makes sense to check it out before we do anything else.”
“Well, that does sound like our only lead.”
The way ahead rose, and we crouched as we climbed. Though daylight blazed overhead in the outside world, darkness filled the corners of the world beneath the trees. At any moment I half expected to hear the growl of wolves again. I pressed closer to Davril, who still led the way. He only had to use his sword sporadically now. I wondered if it could dull or if it was ever-sharp.
“So what happened to you?” I asked. “When you led them away from me? Oh, and thanks for that, by the way.”
“You are most welcome, Lady Jade.”
My cheeks warmed. “Um…”
“At any rate,” he continued graciously, “I led them through the woods until they were too close, then turned to fight them. They drove against me, and I cut them down. They still came at me and forced me back. As I was hacking another of them down, I fell into a chasm.”
“A … chasm?”
“It turned out to be a narrow valley. They had pushed me to its brink, then over. It was filled with creatures best left unspoken of. Eventually, I made my way out of there and went in search of you.”
“I can’t believe there’s a valley in Shadowpark,” I said. “This place is bigger than it should be.”
“Shadowpark?”
“That’s what Ringo called it.”
His voice lowered an octave. “Ringo?”
I smiled. “Yeah. Turned out to be a wolf. Real bad boy type. The old Lady Jade would have gone for him in a moment.”
Davril half turned his head back. “And now?”
My cheeks grew even hotter. “Now Ruby says I’ve developed a thing for good guys.”
“I…” He looked startled, and then visibly swallowed. Cleared his throat. Turning back around, he hacked his sword through a low-lying limb (something we could have ducked under) and led the way forward. Not sure what to think, I followed. He was being awfully quiet.