by S. D. Grimm
The white lion stopped. Licked a blood-red paw and stained its tongue crimson.
Ryan stared into the creature’s uncaring eyes. “Get out of my head.”
“You’re the one keeping me here.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m asking you to move out.”
The claws pressed harder, and this time it crouched on top of him. Pressing. Purring. Tail thrashing. He needed air.
“As long as your heart is dark, as long as my taint lives within you, I’ll remain.”
“Taint. Again with that word.” He couldn’t help but recall what Anna, the Whisperer, had told him about her friend who had been tainted with black lion venom. A friend Anna was told to kill.
Ryan swallowed.
The claws kneaded. Pricked.
He swung a fist at its face and scraped at its eyes.
The lion growled. “That was a mistake.”
Fire shot through his blood. Scorched his insides. He screamed.
“Ryan.”
This voice wasn’t the lion’s. It was hazy. Distant.
“Ryan?”
He sucked in a breath and opened his eyes. Hands pressed against his chest, but this time the weight was light enough for him to breathe. He slammed his arm into the body and knocked his attacker off of him. Quick to his knees, he crouched over the attacker, hands ready to strike.
“Ryan, it’s me!” Jayden stared at him, eyes wild and round.
He moved away. “Jayden? I’m—I’m sorry.” All the emotions pricked into his skin like his blood was suddenly trying to cool, trying to bring him back to reality. The dark of night still shrouded their camp. Empty trees towered above, lean in the moonlight. His sisters lay sleeping beside a snuffed fire.
No lion. No blood. No claws. Only Jayden, and she shrank away from him.
She rubbed her wrists.
“Did I hurt you?” He reached for her and she pulled back. “I’m sorry.” He winced at his words. Couldn’t he say anything else?
“It’s okay.” She stared at him like a spooked horse.
“It’s not okay.”
“Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
She sighed and touched his arm, soft and tender. “Do you want to tell me about it?”
Not really. He bit the inside of his lip and tried to think of anything that wouldn’t make him sound crazy. Nothing came to mind.
She squeezed his hand. “It might help you to talk about what happened in the palace.”
“A black lion attacked me.” His words sounded flat.
“I know.”
And he’d killed it. With fire from his hands.
After that, the fever dreams from his first encounter with black lion venom had grown stronger. Voices and hallucinations. He hoped it had nothing to do with the fact that a taint pulsed in his heart—taint left there by black lion venom. It all made for pretty poor conversation and even lousier joke fodder. If he could at least crack a joke—make her smile—perhaps she’d think things were heading back toward normalcy.
Oh no. She stared at him with the pity eyes. Not the pity eyes. “Blood was pouring out of your chest, Ryan. I didn’t know they could do that.”
He flashed a smirk. “Cats with hidden talents.”
“Ryan, please. I think this is serious.” Her eyes pleaded with him. She wanted to know what happened. She wanted to know how he was doing because of . . . Ethan. His throat tightened and his heart ached. He’d left his brother to die. Alone. And now she was here with him—the brother she hadn’t fallen for.
What was he supposed to say? That he hated himself for being a coward? That he would cry himself to sleep if his father hadn’t told him crying made him look weak? Admitting all of that out loud wasn’t an option. He’d already told her it was his fault for dragging Ethan into this mess, and she looked so appalled that he—well, he should have taken Ethan’s place.
He sighed and shook his head.
“All right.” She stood to leave. “If you don’t want my help, fine, but talk to someone. Please?”
He opened his mouth. The words “I want to tell you” were so close to coming out, but he stopped them. Because he didn’t want to tell her that evil had fused to a part of his heart. He had to figure out how to solve this on his own. Before he went crazy. Well, crazier.
Before Logan decided to kill him.
Jayden stared at Ryan and opened her talent. His feelings typically flooded into her, but since they’d escaped the palace, his emotions seemed distant. Had she lost his trust?
She held his gaze and probed with her talent. Eye contact was a doorway into someone’s emotions. Some were harder to open, but Ryan’s usually tumbled into her as if they were her own. Blood thundered in her ears as her heartbeat sped to match his. Sorrow caused her chest to ache. Uncertainty squeezed her stomach. Yet he sat there with a lopsided smile.
Why wouldn’t he tell her what was troubling him?
His eyes narrowed and his feelings siphoned out. The imaginary door slammed shut. He averted his gaze and lay back against his bedroll, staring up at the canopy of trees, hands behind his head as if he were carefree.
When did he learn to close me off like that?
She sighed and headed the few steps to her own bedroll, which lay on the other side of a cluster of blankets occupied by a tangle of three red-headed girls and a dog. How Ryan’s sisters had slept through his screaming amazed her. Then again, Jayden hadn’t been sleeping well either.
She smiled at Scout’s furry body curled up among the girls, his fur almost the same shade as their hair. Wren, the youngest, held the dog close as she slept, and Scout twitched his paws in what Jayden hoped was a happy dream. He hadn’t been his usual tail-wagging self since Ethan was gone. The dog’s movement seemed to cause the middle sister, Kinsey, to wake. She sat up as soon as she saw Jayden, carefully removed herself from between Chloe and Wren, and scooted to the edge of the blankets. “How’s my brother?”
Jayden bit her lip. “He seems fine.”
Kinsey patted a vacant part of the blanket beside her and smiled. Something in her eyes resembled a look her mother might’ve used. Then again, Kinsey had a lot of wisdom for a fourteen-year-old girl. “Lying to me? Not a good idea.”
Jayden joined her. “He won’t talk to me.”
“My brother is stubborn, but you can get through to him.”
Only if he let her in.
Kinsey hugged her knees and dusted a dry leaf off the edge of her blanket. “I know you loved Ethan, but you love Ryan too, don’t you?”
Jayden’s breath caught. Did Ryan’s sisters still think of Jayden as his betrothed? Did he? An ache settled in her chest. She’d always love Ryan. He brought a piece of home back to her. He was family. But after she’d met Ethan, she realized there was a different kind of love to be had.
Ryan was like a fire—wild and warm, comfortable in a forge, perfect in a hearth, but never quite tame. Ethan was the wind before a storm. He moved her. Made her feel his power and strength. Pushed her to see things she never would have looked for.
Fire was easy to be near, but difficult to get truly close to, whereas wind . . . consumed her. Tangled her hair. She could feel its touch on her face for hours after it dissipated.
Now Ethan was gone.
Kinsey sniffed, bringing Jayden’s attention back to the conversation. “Our father told Ryan to go and protect you that night the Feravolk razed the town. I kept wondering why. You had four brothers. Why would my father send our only brother to protect you when the whole town was under attack?” She looked into Jayden’s eyes. “Father knew you were a Deliverer. Didn’t he?”
Jayden stared with her mouth open. “I don’t know.”
“I wondered if maybe our family moved to Tareal because he was supposed to protect you. He was always so jumpy about things. It makes sense. You and the other Deliverers were born to save the Feravolk from extinction. Ryan knows this. He’ll protect you
whether you love him or not.”
“But I do love him. I—”
“I know.” Her smile was rueful. “And it’s okay.”
A soft sound caught Jayden’s attention, and she turned to see two wolves approaching. Westwind, the taller of the two, led his mate—Aurora—over to where Jayden sat with Kinsey. He eyed her and cocked his head.
She smiled at his greeting and extended her hand. He brushed against it, turned in a circle, and pressed his warm body against her leg. She fondled his ear. “Must be my watch. Tell Logan I’m already awake.”
His golden eyes seemed to soften in the moonlight, and he opened his mouth in what looked like a smile.
“I see you’re a step ahead of me.”
“How do you know what he’s saying?” Kinsey seemed to want to lean closer to and yet back away from the wolves at the same time.
Jayden shrugged. Westwind was quite capable of making his thoughts known to anyone willing to listen. She glanced at him. “It’s a full moon tonight.”
He tilted his head, and his eyes seemed to squint as he stared at her.
Jayden chuckled. “Should we howl or something?”
His body shook against her leg as he laughed.
Kinsey seemed to like this, and she leaned closer.
As soundlessly as he’d laughed, Westwind rose. His ears swiveled. His body stiffened. Aurora stood, too. Both wolves dipped their heads low and growls rumbled in their throats.
Jayden grabbed her daggers and stood. “Intruder?”
Westwind’s eyes flickered in the moonlight as he nodded. Their combined growls brought Scout to his feet.
Ryan also jumped up. “Does Logan need help?”
Westwind and Aurora tore off into the woods, Scout chasing after them. Ryan glanced at Jayden before he followed.
Kinsey touched Jayden’s arm. “You’re not—”
“I’m not letting Ryan go alone.”
Chapter 3
An Urgent Message
Jayden pressed her back against the tree’s mossy bark and quieted her breathing. Dawn’s first sliver of light peered over the horizon, making it easier to track the intruder and follow the wolves. This intruder’s stealth made her difficult to get close to. The wolves had been able to track her, and Jayden and Ryan had been able to follow Logan and Gavin. Finally, they were close enough to surround and catch her.
Jayden risked a glance around the tree. Had the woman seen her? A Feravolk cloak hid the woman’s face, but the wolves seemed to think she was a threat, and that was enough for Jayden.
She pulled out her dagger. Felt its weight in her hand. Let its power to calm her emotions fill her. At this distance she’d have to back up a pace to get the shot she wanted or wait until the woman moved to the right spot. Just a step or two farther.
One step.
Her heart thundered. Not yet.
Calm.
She breathed deep. Back straight, weapon ready.
Two steps.
She whipped her arm back then forward. Her dagger sailed out of her hand and shot toward the tree. It pinned the woman’s Feravolk cloak to the trunk.
The woman pulled at the camouflaged fabric, but three deep, resounding growls stopped her. Westwind, Aurora, and Scout encircled her.
Jayden moved in, and the wolves and dog moved to let her pass. She stood in front of the prisoner. “For one who wears Feravolk garb, it seems strange that you’d run from wolves.” Jayden clutched the hilt of one of her longer daggers. “They seem to think you’re a threat.” Blade against the woman’s neck, Jayden reached forward and pulled back the woman’s hood.
The woman lifted her blonde head and looked into Jayden’s eyes.
Jayden gasped as a fire lit in her chest. Thea.
The assassin who’d broken her promise and sealed Ethan’s death.
Jayden pressed her weapon harder. “I should kill you now.”
“I have news. Call off your wolves and put your weapon away.”
“What news?” Logan’s voice boomed behind Jayden. His blue eyes pierced deep into Thea.
Westwind bared his teeth.
Gavin and Ryan stepped out from behind trees and brushed back their hoods. Melanie’s mountain lion, Callie, dropped out of the tree Thea stood closest to.
“Don’t you trust me?” A smirk flickered across Thea’s face.
A growl rumbled in Scout’s throat.
“Relax.” Thea raised her hands. “I surrender. I’m on your side, remember?”
“Our side?” The flame in Jayden’s chest could no longer be controlled. She pushed her dagger into skin. Blood dripped out.
“Whoa. Relax, Jayden. She surrendered.” Ryan gripped her arms and tugged her to his chest.
She looked down at her dagger. At the thin line of blood on the blade.
“Well, Softheart.” Thea’s sultry voice scalded Jayden’s insides. “I didn’t expect a warm welcome, but where is this fire coming from? Did killing Queen Idla awaken your thirst for vengeance?”
Jayden lunged for Thea, but Ryan pulled her back. His breath heated her hair. “Whoa, what’s she doing to you?” he whispered.
“Doing?”
“You’re acting strange.”
“She promised to protect us but got us captured anyway. She’s responsible for Ethan’s death.” Every word burned her from the inside out.
“I’m responsible?” Thea’s eyebrows shot up. Her blue-eyed stare cut deep. “You’re the one who trusted me. The one who made an alliance with an assassin. You entrusted Ethan’s life to my sister and me. We got you out. His death isn’t on my hands.”
“How dare you?” Jayden broke free and lunged, her dagger pointed at Thea.
Her arms jolted as her weapon hit steel. Logan’s sword. He stood between her and Thea. When she saw his face, his calm filled her. The hate melted.
Hate?
Thea’s emotion. Jayden’s hands shook. What had she done? “What am I—”
“Jayden.” She registered Ryan’s faint touch on her shoulder. “Look at me.”
She faced him and his worry leaked into her. If other people’s feelings were flooding her unbidden, her talent was out of control. She breathed deep and focused on the dagger’s power to help her tame the emotions. “I don’t know what came over me.”
Ryan touched her cheek to keep her from looking back at Thea. “She’s playing with you. Don’t listen.”
She touched his hand. “I—I didn’t—”
“It’s okay.”
“Oh, Charmer.” Thea chuckled. “Regardless of what Jayden thinks, I kept my end of the bargain. I can’t help it that your little soldier thought he should sacrifice himself for you.”
Ryan dropped his hold on Jayden and fisted his hands. “Don’t you dare.”
Logan pressed a hand on Ryan’s chest. “Gavin, find some rope and get Thea out of here before I kill her myself. She might have information, but she’s stalling.”
Jayden watched as Gavin led Thea away.
Was it true? Did Thea have some power over her? Maybe it was all the guilt eating her from inside, pumping through her heart with every painful pass.
The sun rose fully over the hillside now, such a dark orange that it resembled blood. So much blood.
She had to keep her emotions in check. Losing it like that again
was not an option. Thea might be right, but all she was trying to do was rattle Jayden. It wouldn’t work. She tightened her grip on her weapons and marched after Gavin and Thea.
“Whoa. Where are you going?” Ryan held his hands up in front of her, but it didn’t stop her.
“Thea can’t be trusted. She’s nothing but a liar.” She said it loud enough that Gavin stopped, pulling Thea to a halt with them.
Jayden kept barreling after them. Logan tailed her now. Apparently her little tirade had caused some mistrust.
Thea looked over her shoulder. One corner of her lips curved, and her gaze pierced Jayden’s. “Your soldier’s alive. At least he was
when I left. I imagine Kara’s helping him get out of the palace as we speak.”
Logan drew his sword. In three strides he had reached Thea and grabbed her wrist. He whipped her around until her back smacked against his chest. His sword blade pressed against her neck. “I don’t tolerate lies.”
Her hand gripped his arm, unable to remove the blade from her neck. “It’s not a lie.”
“I saw him myself. General Balton stabbed him.” There was a catch in Logan’s voice.
“He’s alive, but that’s not what I came here to tell you.”
Jayden stormed forward and raised her dagger. “Then tell me, or die.”
Chapter 4
Hidden Intention
Serena clutched the hood of her cloak closed at her throat and peered out of the edge of the forest—the edge of safety. The trees seemed to brush up to an invisible wall outside the city gate. Green, rolling hills led up to the high wooden fence, and a small, red-dirt road wound through the hills like a path of sunset on the hillside. The open, Healers called it. The world where people lived—people who could not know her secret.
Serena breathed deep. That thought always scared her when she reached the edge of the wood. And it was hard to deceive others when by very nature she couldn’t lie. Neither could Dash. She stroked Dash’s opalescent mane. “You still want to come with me?”
The unicorn snorted and dipped his head. “I’m not letting you do this alone. Besides, I don’t think anyone in this city would notice a unicorn even if I didn’t cloak my horn. Unless, of course, I healed someone.”
“Dash, don’t even talk like that.” Healing someone out in the open could lure the wrong eyes. Dangerous eyes. She shuddered. “I don’t think these people are going to be as oblivious as you’ve made them out to be. I’m sure things must have changed in the last hundred years since you visited.”
He snorted again. “Try five hundred.”
“How old are you, friend?”
His sides lifted as he heaved a sigh. “Serena, you know we don’t think of age the way you do.”
“Right. Your impetuousness keeps you feeling young.”
“I am young.”
“For a unicorn.” She patted his neck.