by CJ England
Kira smiled and wiped her tears.
Lucas watched as Kira and the Vampire King carried on their silent conversation. He wondered if the telepathy was a result of their joining, or if it was a vampire thing. He knew Kira didn't want to use the Words of Death on him. He wondered if she realized Gallegar had set it up to make it possible for him to prove himself this way. It could be why she was so angry with him.
He watched as Gallegar grimaced and shook his head. Lucas grinned to himself. He guessed you could shout telepathically. He watched as Gallegar brought Kira back under control. She was a fiery one all right. It bothered him she was afraid for him. He didn't like the fact he was the cause of her pain. But he knew this needed to be done. If he could pull this off, Elijah just might allow their joining. He found everything inside him wanted to join with Kira, whatever that meant.
Kira turned and stared at the shapeshifters. Her hard golden eyes rested on Elijah. “You force me to do this?"
"He volunteered.” Elijah's voice was smug. He held the cards and he knew it.
"Do not push me too hard, Master Shapeshifter.” Kira's voice was a low purr, and it carried over to Elijah and went through him with a shiver. “Remember who I am and the words I control."
"Then get on with it!” Elijah muttered, trying not to show how her words had affected him. He motioned for Lucas to stand before her.
Lucas did so, standing tall and strong in front of her. Kira looked up at him and after a moment, silver gray eyes met gold. Lucas watched her eyes slowly fill with tears.
"I am sorry,” she whispered. “This ... I never meant to happen."
Lucas felt her pain like a punch in his gut. “Do what needs to be done, honey.” He lifted his hand and brushed away the tear that trailed down her cheek. “I'm ready for you."
Chapter 4
Kira sighed and placed her hand on his thickly muscled chest. Her eyes began to glow with the fire of her power. Everyone in the room felt it when Kira spoke the first words.
"Ohbed ockt no veil
Shabot ner to cavx."
Lucas staggered with the force of the pain that shot through him. It felt like a thousand knives driving themselves underneath his skin. One by one, they slipped agonizingly between muscle and skin, slowly tearing away his flesh. His head clouded and he shook it as if to clear it. Gritting his teeth, he blew out his breath in a loud blast but continued standing.
Kira looked at Elijah. He watched his wolf with a look of horror on his face. Kira wondered if he thought it would be an easy death. If nothing else, this would show the Clan Leader her power. Biting her lip, hating the pain she was causing him, she spoke the words again.
"Ohbed ockt no veil
Shabot ner to cavx."
With the second set of words, Lucas felt as if his body exploded. The knives were gone, but now great, greedy claws scraped his skin from his body. The pain was indescribable. With a harsh growl, Lucas fell to his knees before Kira, panting out his agony. It was only his incredible strength that allowed him to stay conscious.
Kira looked again at Elijah. His face was sickly white as he watched Lucas struggle with the pain.
"If I say the words a third time, Lucas will die.” She waited but Elijah was silent. Furious with him and herself for having to do this, Kira put forth her hand and called all the shapeshifter power in the room to her.
All felt the vacuum as she used their own power against their clan mate.
"Ohbed ockt no veil
Shabot..."
Kira paused and her eyes overflowed with tears. Lucas sagged against her, wrapping his arms around her slim waist.
His howl of pain sent all his clan family scrambling against the wall to get away from him. Writhing from the pain of his skin being shredded inch by inch, Lucas lost full control of his shapeshifting form. The tips of his finger split open to send six inch lethal claws sprouting from his hands.
Gallegar hissed in alarm. He knew if Kira was scratched by those claws she might be poisoned and become a shifter herself. A warning jumped from his mind to hers.
"He can not hurt me, my Heart. I am immune to such things."
Are you immune to being ripped apart?" Gallegar's concern grew as Lucas fought harder against the excruciating pain, his arms tightening, bringing the terrible claws close to Kira's body.
"I will be all right. He will not hurt me. He is Chosen."
Gallegar sensed the truth in her words, but still found it difficult to see her standing there, almost enveloped by Lucas's changing form.
Kira met Elijah's eyes and waited, her eyes shooting golden fire at him.
Elijah knew if he did not release Lucas, his own life could very well be forfeit. He'd seen her power now, and he couldn't count on Gallegar controlling her anger if the man died. It was time to back off. He cleared his throat and shouted over Lucas’ dying cries.
"Enough, Peacekeeper! Let him go!"
Immediately, Kira took Lucas's face in her hands. “Lucas ... hear me,” she whispered, her voice thick with her tears. “It is over. Be at peace."
Lucas gave a gasp, as all the pain left him. It was like diving into an ice-cold pond. The relief so great, it too was painful. His limbs spasmed as his claws slowly withdrew into his fingers. He collapsed into Kira's arms, and Gallegar and Noah were there to help ease him to the floor. His heart was pounding so hard he thought it could be heard across the room. Buckets of sweat poured from his body, as he trembled in reaction.
His blurry eyes met Kira's as she watched him closely, tears running down her face. Her hands stroked his hair. He heard her whispering over and over again.
"I am sorry. I am sorry. I am sorry."
Gallegar watched Lucas as he laying panting, waiting to recover. His own bout with the Words of Death hadn't affected him so hard. He wondered if it was the power-filled blood he had consumed that made the difference.
It was several minutes before Lucas was strong enough to get to his feet, and that was only with Gallegar's help. He stood still, trying to get himself under control. Slowly he moved away from where he was leaning on Gallegar's shoulder and staggered over to his Clan Leader. Elijah's face was still white as he watched Lucas drop slowly to one knee before him.
"Clan Leader.” Lucas paused and took a cleansing breath. He was relieved to feel some of the strength returning to his body.
"I believe this female does know The Words of Death for our people. I was but a breath away, before you saved me."
"And knowing that ... you would still join with this creature?"
Lucas knew how to properly answer that. “If My Lord deems it is the right thing for our clan, I will join."
Elijah's color had returned to his face. He stared down at the man before him. He realized he'd made a great mistake by allowing Lucas to receive the Words of Death. Living through them had given him greater power in the clan. He could not see allowing him to join with a creature who held the power of life or death. Even though Lucas was loyal, some day he may fight for right to be Clan Leader. It would not do to give him more of an advantage.
But how to prevent it without seeming afraid? Suddenly, an idea sprang to his mind. Delightful. He chuckled inwardly. Either way, he would win.
"I will give you permission to join with my wolf."
Thank you, Clan Leader.” Kira could taste the relief. She turned and smiled back at Gallegar.
"Under one condition..."
Kira met his stare with her own. She saw the gloating triumph in his and was suddenly afraid. She felt Gallegar soothing her in her mind, but she waited tensely for Elijah to drop the other shoe.
"I have no Alpha in my clan. Become my Alpha and I will allow you to join with Lucas."
The room went completely still. Then Kira felt Gallegar's anger power over the room. The shapeshifters tensed in readiness and none looked happy.
"I do not understand.” Kira looked toward Lucas who was holding himself very still, as if he too wanted to spring at his Clan Leader. Sh
e went to him, laying a hand on his arm. “What does he mean?"
Lucas levered himself to his feet and turned to her. His eyes were icy in his taut face. “He is saying if you become his mate, we can join together."
Kira's jaw dropped. She turned to Gallegar for affirmation. At the look on his face, she knew Lucas was telling the truth. Gallegar, Noah and Gabriel were standing at the ready. She could tell Gallegar was furious at the thought of her mating with Elijah.
She mind-spoke Gallegar. "That disgusting man wants me to have sex with him?"
The loathing in her voice was apparent and Gallegar couldn't help but relax and give a mental laugh.
Kira narrowed her eyes at him and marched over to him, standing so close her chin was to his chest as she stared up at him.
He felt the strength of her anger as she mind-spoke him a second time, her words slamming into him.
"You think I would even consider..."
"Shhh, A Ghra ... I am sorry. My anger was great as well. I was afraid of what the Power might ask of you."
"Even if I wanted to do such a horrible thing ... which I do not! I could not. You know that. And, if I cannot love with you, I would not even consider doing anything with him!"
Gallegar smiled and pulled her into his arms. "Thank you for that. I feel the same way too." He considered a moment. "Do not tell him you must stay pure, A Ghra ... It could be used against you. We will keep that to ourselves for now."
Kira nodded. From the safety of his arms, she looked at Elijah. “I will not be your Alpha."
The shapeshifters began to mutter amongst themselves. Apparently it was not good form to turn down such an offer. Lucas stood watching her, his face showing nothing of his true feelings.
Elijah waved his hand to where Lucas was standing. “Then you may not join with him."
Kira trembled in anger. Gallegar held her loosely, one hand running up and down her arm soothingly. “You would deny your clan my protection because of this ridiculous condition?"
Elijah's eyes glinted with anger. “Most females would be flattered by such an offer."
"I ... am ... not!” Kira's words were short and rang with sincerity.
Elijah sprang to his feet. “I think you have overstayed your welcome, Peacekeeper. You will not join with my wolf. My clan will have to make due without your help."
"You put your people in danger! Please ... reconsider!"
"Leave us alone. We want nothing to do with you."
Kira just stared at him. She had failed. She looked at Lucas who looked back at her, longing clearly written in his beautiful eyes. He was the one, but she had no way of making it happen. She turned to Gallegar.
"What do we do?” Her stare searched his eyes, as she waited for his counsel.
Gallegar sighed, knowing his answer would disappoint her. “There is nothing we can do, A Ghra ... We can't force him to allow the joining."
"But what about Lucas?” Her voice was a soft wail. “He should not have had to go through that for nothing."
Gallegar shrugged. “Perhaps it wasn't for nothing. It is not over yet, A Ghra...” Gallegar motioned to Gabriel and Noah, who stepped out of the glass room. A thought came to him and he turned back to Lucas.
"If you have your Clan Lord's permission, I would speak to you about coming back from the Words of Death. There is a mind trick you can use to help with the healing."
"Generous of you, King Gallegar.” Elijah smiled chillingly at Kira, who stood, still shaking with anger. “Go with them, Lucas. Learn your mind trick and see them to the door. Let me know when they are gone."
Lucas inclined his head in agreement. It was all he could do, not to leap at his Clan Leader and rip his throat out. His body ached with the knowledge he could not join with Kira. But he somehow sensed it was very important to hide his emotions now. He followed Gallegar and a now silent Kira from the room.
Gabriel and Noah made a path through the crowded room toward the front door. At the entry, Kira whirled back to Lucas and pressed her face into his chest, flinging her arms around him. Automatically his own arms came up and wrapped around her.
"We will find a way,” she said, her voice muffled by his jacket. “We will join."
She looked up at him, and he realized this was even harder for her than it was for him. Her heart stood in her eyes, as she gave him a quick hug. She grabbed her coat off its hook, and then slipped from the club.
"Will she be all right?” Lucas asked hoarsely. His throat was tight and he was consumed with jealousy this vampire had what he could not.
Gallegar gave one of his Gaelic shrugs. “She needs you. The sooner the better."
Lucas laughed bitterly. “That is impossible now. You heard Elijah."
"I heard him say you didn't have his permission to join. But perhaps there are other ways, for your clan and the Peacekeeper's sake."
"What are you suggesting?"
Gallegar looked at Lucas through slightly narrowed eyes. He really didn't want this guy anywhere near Kira, but ... she did need him.
"What I am thinking is it might be good for a clan member to keep his eye on what is happening with The Peacekeeper. That clan member could make himself one of her entourage and find out information valuable to his Clan Lord."
Lucas stiffened. “You want me to spy on Kira for Elijah?"
Gallegar smiled and it wasn't a nice one. “No, my friend. I want you to make him think you are. Maybe then we can find a way to make your joining a reality. I would start with convincing him you are glad to be spared the horror of joining with such a horrible female, and then work on his fear of how dangerous she is."
Lucas smiled back at Gallegar. “I like the way you think, Vampire King. I'll do my best."
Gallegar sketched a short bow, and then turned to the door.
"Gallegar..."
He turned back, his eyebrow raised inquiringly.
"When she spoke the Words over you, what did it feel like?"
Gallegar met the silver eyes with steady green ones. “It felt as if the flesh was burning from my bones. I have never felt such pain."
Lucas looked away, his voice dropping. “I felt as if I were being skinned alive.” He shuddered, and looked at Gallegar again. “Aren't you ... afraid of her?"
This time Gallegar smiled. “Once you are joined, you will understand why there needs to be no fear between you. Joining cleaves your souls together. There is no room for fear, only joy.” The vampire gave a little move of his hands, as he spoke his feelings aloud for the first time.
"Besides that, I am in love with her. I have waited for her for more than a century. Any fear I may have had left the moment I knew she was the one."
Lucas nodded thoughtfully and raised his hand in farewell as Gallegar left the building. He stood for a moment thinking over what Gallegar had said. He did want to join with Kira. But the pain had been so huge, so uncontrollable, the thought of her touching him again scared him. Then Lucas thought of how Kira had gently comforted him and the look in her beautiful eyes as she'd wept over him. She hadn't wanted to hurt him. If Gallegar was right and the fear disappeared, it would be worth whatever it took him to get to that point.
He stopped as he remembered what Gallegar had said. He was in love with her? Lucas frowned. Did that mean she was in love with him? So where would Lucas fit into this mix? He sure as hell felt something for Kira too.
He made his way back to Elijah's office already planning what he would say. When he entered the room, everyone stopped what they were doing and watched him.
"They are gone, Clan Leader."
"Good, they had no place here.” Elijah watched Lucas closely, but Lucas pretended not to notice.
Lucas hitched a hip up on the side of Elijah's desk. “I am thankful you found a way to prevent the joining.” Lucas didn't have to fake the shudder. He just remembered how it felt when the first Word of Power drifted over him.
Elijah went still. “You mean you didn't want to join with the female?"
<
br /> Lucas shook his head. “After feeling the pain she can give, I wouldn't want her to ever touch me again. She is dangerous!"
"Agreed,” stated Elijah, looking more cheerful at the news his second was pleased with his handling of the situation.
"It's just...” Lucas shook his head, and began to toy with a letter opener that had an ebony wolf carved on the end.
"It's just ... what?” Elijah asked, his eyes narrowing on Lucas’ thoughtful face.
"It's just that she is dangerous. She said something was coming after us. And now she is angry. I have felt what happens when she shows her anger. We don't know what her plans are. I don't like not knowing what she is thinking."
Elijah considered this. “It would be easier to defend ourselves if we knew her thoughts. Do you have a suggestion?"
"Put someone on the inside.” Lucas tried one of Gallegar's shrugs. “Even someone who isn't joined with her can tell what she is planning. Then he can come back and inform us.” Lucas was careful not to put himself forward.
Elijah eyed him closely. “It would have to be someone they trusted."
"They don't trust any of us now.” Lucas grimaced. “I wasn't very polite to them as I showed them the door. I came close to throwing them out."
Elijah grinned. “Good. I didn't like the way that bitch talked to me. She obviously didn't understand the honor I was showing her.” He barked out another short laugh. “The look on her face when she realized I wanted to fuck her."
Lucas put a brake on the strong emotions that flowed through him. Elijah talking that way about Kira made him want to rip into his Clan Leader with claws and teeth. He held his face impassive with a will.
"Still,” Elijah continued, after controlling himself. “We should put a man on the inside as you suggested. And unfortunately for you, buddy, you're the best man for the job."
Lucas beat down the thrill of victory that arose in him, and turned to Elijah with a credulous look of dismay on his lean face.
"Me? I just told you I kicked them out of the club. They won't want me anywhere near her."
"But she chose you.” Elijah said it mockingly. “If you go crawling to them with your tail between your legs, they will take you back. They're not clever enough to see we are using them."