Beyond the Black Mist (The Familiar Curse Book 2)

by C. L. Bright

  “I’m almost afraid to see what it will be like when we’re together. It didn’t feel like this the last time.”

  “Hopefully, the intensity will let up once we’re together again,” he replied.

  “If not, we’ll have to figure something out. I really need to go. The shapeshifters with us are glaring at me.”

  “All right,” he agreed. “I’m shutting down our bond for now.”

  “Are you done making that constipated face?” the male asked.

  “Constipated?” I looked at Serena. “Did I really look constipated while I was talking to Dante?”

  “A little,” she admitted. “Is Dante okay?”

  “Yes. I think I’ll be okay to walk without your hand on me now, but grab my arm if you see me acting strange again. Dante is shutting down our bond in the hopes it will ease the intensity.”

  “All right,” she agreed as she released my arm. “Let’s go.”

  “It’s about time,” the male grumbled as he stalked ahead of us.

  “Is it just me, or is he moody?” Serena asked loud enough for the shapeshifters to hear us. “He seemed a lot nicer at first. I don’t think either of them like us, but at least he wasn’t this testy.”

  I bit back my smile. “What? I thought they loved us and wanted to be our new besties. Do you really think they don’t like us?”

  “I can see why you might not have noticed their feelings,” she replied with a grin. “They hide their irritation well.”

  The male stopped and spun to glare at us. “You may think this is a game, but Alaric is one of my closest friends, and I don’t want to lose him. When the Azureans captured him, we were all sure we’d never see him again. I appreciate that you helped save my friend, but I don’t appreciate all the danger you brought to my home. I’m only doing this for Alaric, not to become your friend.”

  “Fair enough,” Serena agreed, not sounding the least bit annoyed. “As long as you don’t betray us, we’ll be fine.”

  “And what if I betray you?” he asked.

  “Then I’ll make what we did to the soul eaters look like a tickle fight,” she replied.

  I laughed. “You don’t do in between, do you, Serena? You went from being afraid all the time to standing up to every threat.”

  “I like this much better,” she replied.

  Before I could respond, the grumpy male spoke. “I can’t picture you being afraid of many things. I’m beginning to understand why Alaric is so fond of you.”

  That was an improvement. He didn’t offer his name or say anything for the remainder of the afternoon, but he seemed less irritated.

  Chapter 28

  We met up with the other shapeshifters four hours later. Alaric didn’t look happy, not that I’d expected him to with the risk to him and his friends.

  “Did you have any problems getting here?” Alaric asked as he approached us.

  “If you don’t count the shapeshifter freaking out and then making us stop so she could have a mental chat with her warlock, then everything went fine,” the grumpy male replied.

  Alaric frowned. “She has a name, Geori.”

  We had a name to go along with the grumpy personality.

  “I know,” Geori replied. “What difference does it make what I call her?”

  “Hopefully, the other shapeshifters with us are less hostile,” Serena stated. “I wouldn’t want to have more like the two of you with us if there’s a fight.”

  “Same here,” I agreed. “It’s never smart to have people who hate you at your back.”

  Alaric let out a frustrated sigh before glaring at Geori. “You and Elena didn’t have to come with us. I told you that if you can’t keep your attitude in check, you should stay behind.”

  “I’m trying,” Geori insisted. “It’s hard to accept that we’re putting ourselves at risk for such a stupid reason. Why should we help them? One is a spellcaster, and the other is basically a willing familiar. Don’t get me wrong. I can see why you like the witch, but I still think it’s a mistake to help her.”

  “Is this really the best you could do?” I asked Alaric. “I believe he’ll have your back, but I don’t trust him to help my people.”

  “Why do the Heathergate Refuge shapeshifters need help?” Geori demanded. “Are they having some sort of disagreement with the spellcasters? Can’t they offer to donate more of their energy or perhaps help the spellcasters trap some of us?”

  “You didn’t tell him what’s really going on?” Serena looked like she was about to smack Alaric.

  He shrugged.

  “That’s not an answer,” I told him.

  “I thought it was a rhetorical question,” he replied.

  “It wasn’t,” Serena snapped. “Why didn’t you tell him everything?”

  “I was wondering the same thing,” Geori added.

  Alaric first responded to Geori. “You didn’t ask me for details, so I didn’t give you any.” His attention shifted to Serena. “I didn’t have a lot of time to explain everything.” Finally, he looked at me. “Since we’re all together, why don’t you tell Geori your reason for needing to return to your old home. I think it will be a bonding experience for both of you. If I didn’t think you could trust him at your back, I wouldn’t have asked him to come with us.”

  He walked away, leaving me with Geori and Serena.

  Geori spoke first. “He does this kind of stuff all the time. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard the bonding experience line. Alaric doesn’t believe I’ll bond with anyone over one of these explanations, but he just loves to give people hope that we’ll become friends.”

  “I take it you don’t get along with others,” I remarked. “Or is it because you really don’t have much in common with those he expects you to bond with?”

  “A little of both, but mostly the first,” he admitted. “So, what’s the deal with this ridiculous mission? I know your stepmother tried killing you, so why go back there? You don’t strike me as someone with a death wish.”

  “My father might be in danger,” I began. “He may even be dead.”

  Geori’s face softened. “I’m sorry. That can’t be easy for you. I lost my father years ago.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” I replied softly.

  He shrugged. “As I said, it was years ago. What do you hope to accomplish by returning to the Heathergate Refuge?”

  “It would probably be best if I tell you the whole story,” I began.

  “All right,” he agreed.

  “My stepmother took my bracelet and dropped me in a familiar trap,” I began. “She wanted to get me out of the way so my younger brother, her son, can be the next leader. That’s how I ended up with my warlock.”

  “That’s messed up,” he replied. “My stepdad isn’t great, but he’d never try killing me.”

  “She didn’t exactly try killing me,” I pointed out.

  “There are a lot of shapeshifters who would consider what she did much worse,” he stated. “I wouldn’t want to live as a slave to the Azureans.”

  “Neither would I,” I admitted.

  “She wanted Juliet to suffer,” Serena remarked angrily.

  “Either that or she’s squeamish,” Geori suggested.

  “Squeamish?” I asked.

  “It would have been smarter to kill you,” he explained. “Even without your bracelet, she still runs the risk of someone at a trading post recognizing you or having heard of your disappearance.”

  “I doubt she expected me to make it to a trading post,” I replied. “Even if I had managed to get there, that was my first time away from the Heathergate Refuge, so none of the spellcasters would have recognized me. I’m certain she did this to be cruel.”

  “She made a big mistake by putting you in a trap in human form,” Geori remarked. “We don’t travel in human form.”

  I nodded. “Even if she knew that, she couldn’t have done anything about it unless I’d chosen to change to a cat. She may have planned to force me
into cat form, but I ran.”

  “I’m assuming you want to return because you’re the rightful ruler,” Geori deduced. “She stole your birthright. You must also want revenge.”

  “It’s not that,” I argued. “To be honest, I never wanted to be the leader. The day my stepmother betrayed me, I’d argued with my father about that. It wasn’t the first time. He’s always told me it’s my responsibility to lead my people, but I didn’t get it before.”

  “I take it that’s changed,” he remarked.

  “Yes, because the people at the Heathergate Refuge are my responsibility. My brother, Ellis, is young, but my father doesn’t believe he has the temperament to lead. Maybe he will when he’s older, but I don’t think that will be the case with my stepmother’s influence. I also don’t know if she’ll kill my father to put Ellis in charge earlier. It’s just a big mess. I have to make sure my people are safe. Likely, I won’t be able to stay, but I can help them get some stability by dealing with my stepmother and those who betrayed me.”

  Geori let out a tired sigh. “I understand why you feel you need to go back, and I might even respect you a little.”

  “Oh, joy,” I said under my breath.

  He let out a startled bark of laughter. “Is that sarcasm I detect?”

  “Was that a genuine laugh?” Serena asked with raised eyebrows.

  “Yes, don’t get used to it,” he told her. “I’m still not sure I like or trust either of you.”

  Something told me he was lying. His tone had already changed.

  “As long as you don’t betray us, I don’t care if you like us,” I stated. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to figure out where my warlock is.”

  Chapter 29

  The closer Dante got to us, the more intense our bond felt, though it was nowhere near as overwhelming as it had been earlier that day. It had remained open since I’d contacted him, so it would be easier to find me.

  Rather than feeling like an unbearable buzzing, it had settled into a warm hum. When we’d reopened the link, I’d felt overwhelmed initially, but Dante had helped ease my rising panic. The more I accepted the sensation, the more natural it felt.

  It would help if I had someone to ask about what was happening, but no one I’d met had heard of a bond like ours.

  Serena waved a hand in front of my face.

  “Sorry,” I told her. “Did you say something?”

  “I was asking if you’re okay,” she replied. “You’ve been staring at the same section of trees for the last ten minutes.”

  I nodded, unable to look away from those trees. “Dante is close.”

  “That’s good since Alaric is getting impatient to start moving. I’m glad Dante made it this far. I was worried.”

  “We won’t have to wait much longer,” I assured her. “Can you tell Alaric that Dante will be here soon? Can you also find out how long we’ll need to travel? I’m sure Dante is even more exhausted than we are.”

  She laughed. “If I tell Alaric that Dante will be here soon one more time, his head might explode. I’m not in the mood to have him snap at me. We can ask him about how much farther we need to go after Dante gets here.”

  I glanced her way and smiled. “Sorry. I hadn’t considered how he’s been reacting to your updates.”

  “It’s all right,” she assured me. “I’m going to eat something before we have to head out again. Should I bring you something?”

  I shook my head. “No, I’m not hungry.”

  “Okay.” She headed back toward the shapeshifters.

  It was another ten minutes before I saw Dante. His dark brown hair was messy, and there was some stubble on his chin. He looked dark, dangerous, and gorgeous.

  I raced toward him and threw myself into his arms. He caught me and held me close.

  Taking a deep breath, I let his scent wrap around me.

  Our bond heated as it swirled around us. I could see it in vibrant shades of blue and green.

  “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” he said in a ragged voice. “Being away from you has been the worst kind of torture.”

  “When I couldn’t reach you for so long, I was terrified you were dead.” I ran my fingers through his hair. “Serena told me it could be a dampening spell affecting our link, but as the days passed, I worried more.”

  He pulled away and looked down at me. “It was a very close call.”

  “Dante!” Serena raced toward us. “You’re here! Even when Juliet said you were close, I worried you wouldn’t find us before the shapeshifters insisted we move on.”

  “You look different,” he remarked as he studied her.

  “She’s no longer clutching a knife,” I pointed out.

  “I miss it,” Serena admitted. “It’s not as easy fighting monsters without the knife. I have a new one in my sheath. It just doesn’t feel as good in my hand.”

  “You did fine fighting monsters without a knife,” I reminded her. “I think you’re even more powerful when you rely on magic.”

  Dante nodded. “For some creatures, like the soul eaters, that’s true. I hear you saved a lot of children, cousin.”

  Serena blushed. “It wasn’t just me. Juliet helped. You also helped with your magic.”

  “Ignore her modesty,” I told Dante. “She was the first to get to the clearing, and she charged right in. Her quick action saved the lives of several children.”

  “I couldn’t save them all,” she replied with a sad smile before her attention shifted to the large dog sitting by Dante’s side. “Is this the demon Juliet told me about?”

  “Yes, this is Sin,” Dante replied as he reached down to stroke the demon’s back. “Sin has been a great help to me. I’m not sure I would have made it this far without her.”

  I felt a mix of gratitude and jealousy toward the demon.

  Of course, I was grateful to her for helping Dante, but I was jealous of the time she’d spent with him and of the obvious bond they shared.

  I needed to shake off my jealousy. We had no time for it.

  “What’s wrong?” Dante asked as he studied me.

  I shrugged. “Where should I start? Both shapeshifters and spellcasters want me dead.”

  “Not all of them,” Serena argued. “Maybe half.”

  “I don’t think that’s helping,” Dante told her. “This close to you, I can feel a lot of what you are, but I can’t interpret all of those feelings.”

  “That’s a good thing,” I told him. “Can you imagine how annoying it would be to have someone always know what you’re feeling?”

  “Yes, but it would be more convenient,” he argued. “Especially when I feel like there’s more bothering you.”

  I wrapped my arms around his waist and leaned into him, allowing his touch to soothe me as he rubbed my back. “A lot is going on, and I’m not sure my feelings make sense. Let me enjoy having you here with me.”

  “Of course,” he agreed as he rested his chin on top of my head. “You feel so good in my arms. I’m never letting you go again.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alaric and Geori stalking toward us.

  “We need to head out now,” Alaric snapped. “I know this joyful reunion may make you think things are going well, but they aren’t.”

  Serena rolled her eyes. “Must you continue acting like a warthog’s backside?”

  “A warthog’s backside?” he sputtered out.

  I heard a snort of laughter from Dante as Geori cleared his throat.

  “Yes,” Serena replied. “I’m tired of this nasty attitude you’ve had since we met up with you. We’re grateful for your help, but you could have sent us on our way if this was going to be such a problem for you.”

  Alaric let out a frustrated growl. “You’re impossible.”

  “And you’re acting moodier than Geori,” she accused. “That’s no easy feat.”

  Geori grinned. “I told you I wasn’t the only one who noticed your foul mood today, Alaric.”

  Alaric gl
ared at Geori. “Why don’t you do something useful?”

  “Why don’t you stop bossing everyone around?” Serena asked Alaric.

  Alaric looked furious, and his jaw ticked as he glared at Serena.

  Dante was looking between the two of them with narrowed eyes. “What is going on between the two of you?”

  “Nothing,” Serena replied with a sweet smile. “Alaric wouldn’t stoop so low as to involve himself with a witch. He’s too good for that, but he’s probably right about us needing to get moving.”

  She turned on her heel and started walking toward the trail with Geori by her side.

  “Why can’t you stop triggering her?” I asked Alaric. “Serena needs to focus on her surroundings so she can watch for any danger. She doesn’t have time to worry about the drama between the two of you. Just stay away from her.”

  Alaric let out a frustrated sigh as he ran his fingers through his messy brown hair. “It’s a little hard to stay away from her when we’re all traveling together, but don’t worry. I’ll leave her alone as soon as I get the two of you someplace safe.”

  He walked in the direction Serena and Geori had gone—stomped actually better described his gait.

  Dante shook his head. “This can’t be good. I can’t believe he thinks he’s too good for her.”

  “I wish it was that simple,” I replied.

  Dante looked at me and then back at the trail where Alaric had headed. “This is a story I need to hear. We should catch up with the others.”

  I caught his hand. “Sorry, we can’t stay here longer. I was hoping you’d get at least a short break.”

  “It’s all right,” he assured me. “Alaric is right about us not staying here. I can walk a little farther.”

  “Maybe your demon can change into a horse and carry you,” I said as I looked down at her.

  Based on her growl, she didn’t appreciate my suggestion.

  Chapter 30

  We walked for a little over two hours before Alaric glanced back at Dante and frowned. He stopped and checked out our surroundings.