Death Be Shifted (The Terra Vane Series Book 6)

by Katie Epstein

  He ran back into the cabin he’d exited and yelled for me to follow. I did so; the others trailing in behind me.

  “What it is?”

  Cole yanked a leather-bound book off the shelf, flicking through its pages.

  “Cole?” I tried again. “What is it?” I glanced over our surroundings. “And whose cabin is this?”

  “What?” He barely looked up from the pages of the book. “It’s one of the pack’s. One of the shifter’s who lives here. But it’s open door policy.” He raised the book slightly. “Everyone has one of these. It’s the shifter law book.” He flipped the page, his finger sliding down it as he tried to find the words he needed. “Challenge, challenge, challenge,” he muttered. “Here!” He tapped the page. “It says here!”

  “What, Cole?” Mayra hurried to his side so she could read it. She muttered some as Cole read further.

  “Can she do that?” Mayra asked him.

  “Do what?” I demanded.

  Zax ran around to Cole’s other side and read it through.

  “Zax?” I pleaded.

  Zax turned to Cole. “She can do that. She’s well within her rights.”

  “Do what?”

  None of them answered me as they muttered among themselves. “Guys!” I shouted. All three of them looked at me in annoyance. “What does it say?”

  “We may have found a loophole.”

  “A loophole? What kind of loophole?”

  “One that involves you. But you’re going to have to let Kaleb fight.”

  “Wait. What?”

  “What is it?” Bernard said, backing me up.

  “He’s going to need to fight for long enough to seek satisfaction. First blood. Whatever happens in between now and then…”

  “Meaning he could still kill his brother or vice versa?” I snapped.

  Cole nodded. “Yes. But it’s the only choice we have.”

  Squeezing my eyes tight, I nodded, knowing we had little time to debate it any further if the challenge was about to happen, anyway. But the thought of Kaleb getting hurt…

  I swallowed it back. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

  36

  The faces of a hundred wolves or more gathered in a circle, a few rows deep, waited south of the woods. The shade of dawn required the lanterns hanging from poles, trees, swooping ropes, to shed light on the scene about to play out for an eager audience. Anticipation and excitement shimmered through the air.

  Cole had rummaged through the odd cabin to find us coats or hats to hide us among the crowd. He said the longer I stayed out of his father’s way, the better. The wolfsbane powder Mayra had doused us with would hopefully hide our scent from Kaleb.

  I hid beneath the large hooded jacket Cole had given me. We lost ourselves in the crowd blending among them. They were too busy to notice as they waited for the oncoming entertainment, some even bringing seats and refreshments along, of all things. I tried to find Kaleb among the fray.

  Eli jumped around at one side of the circle, laughing with his friends, and punching the air to intimidate the onlookers. Theodulf draped in his silks, sat in a wooden throne of sorts at the northern end of the circle. His meek wife sat next to him, a neutral expression on her face. But when I followed her worried glances, I saw Kaleb.

  Sitting upon a bench carved out of the trunk of a tree, Kaleb’s eyes shone amber, focusing on the fire. With his hands fisted before him, I noticed what he’d hidden from me—what Cole had spoken about.

  His body, his eyes, the whole of him, told a story of quiet rage. Kaleb looked dangerous. Deadly.

  I wanted to run to him and hold him close, to calm the wolf that hovered so near to the surface. But I couldn’t. Not yet.

  Will they fight as wolves? Or as men? My heart lurched.

  As a man, Kaleb would beat Eli hands down. No matter what training he’d tried to do over the years to compete with his brother. But as a wolf…

  Who would be the strongest?

  Both of them were from an Alpha bloodline, and even I’m aware wolves become badass the second they sprout fur. The fear in me grew.

  Tightening my fists, I wandered through the crowd, trying to find a place where I could see the fight and stay hidden at the same time. Mayra hovered close by, a strip of blonde hair peeking out from beneath a hood. Bernard stayed back, hidden beneath his hooded cloak. Out of us all, it would be harder for him to blend in due to his slender frame and tall stature, but he reminded me he would be by my side in a second when needed. Cole didn’t seem happy with that, telling him only to do something if it was necessary. But, somehow, we’d lost Cole and Zax in the melee.

  “We shall begin!” I heard Theodulf roar from his perch, jolting me still. “Come forth challengers. Take your place!”

  I tiptoed up, peeking around people, moving until I caught a view of the makeshift ring they’d created. Mayra followed me every step of the way.

  Eli whooped, high-fiving his friends—two of who’d attacked me. The slimy assholes. No reprimand came for them. And if Kaleb weren’t undertaking this challenge what punishment would Eli have had? Nothing. Damn well nothing—even though he’d taken the weapon of an Enforcer Field Agent and killed another being and also attacked me.

  Why? All because we were out of the city and the rules didn’t apply?

  Well, the last I checked Portiside Law applied to all citizens. I would be well within my rights to flash my badge now and demand this ended. But even as I thought it, I looked around and realized how many wolves surrounded us.

  How many of them would stop us from taking Eli into custody? And for what? With his brother the Enforcer Chief and the so-called influence of Theodulf Cipher, he’d be out within the hour.

  My rage danced through me like a demon in the dark. I took an involuntary step forward. Mayra took my hand in hers and pulled me back.

  “Wait,” she whispered. I did, everything in me screaming against it. But I had to do this right.

  My eyes found Kaleb. He got up from his seat, slow, and calm—unless you knew him, then calm wouldn’t be what he conveyed. He vibrated with anger still, his gaze all for Eli.

  “You have both chosen to fight as both wolves and men!” Theodulf bellowed. He glanced at Kaleb. And if I didn’t know any better, I would say I saw pride in the Alpha’s eyes. “You fight to the death or until one of you concedes!” He stood up and banged the staff he carried on the ground. “Fight well, my sons. Do me proud!”

  A howl echoed through the early dawn, Eli showing off his prowess only moments before he shifted into his wolf.

  The change occurred in the blink of an eye, his wolf not as impressive as Kaleb or Cole, but huge all the same. He snorted, shaking his head before prowling toward my partner.

  Kaleb didn’t flinch. But then I saw him drop his guard. Whatever he’d tethered himself to had gone, and he instantly turned wolf, pouncing at Eli with the loudest roar I’d ever heard.

  Eli whined when Kaleb caught hold of him. But quick and sly, he outmaneuvered Kaleb’s hold.

  They snarled at each other, but Kaleb wasn’t down for playing. He went in for a bite at every opportunity.

  Amidst the fight, Mayra gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. I wanted to step forward, to stop it now. But Cole had said it must be at first blood. So far, though, even on tiptoe, I could see no blood. No one had broken any wolf's skin yet. Goddamn it! Why couldn’t they hurry it up?

  The fight went on and on. Eli’s back leg buckling when Kaleb took a swipe.

  And even though Kaleb dominated at every turn, still no blood.

  Ten minutes passed. Fifteen approached. I found Cole in the crowd, too far from his father to get him to stop this nonsense, and too far from me to make him. Zax stood by his side, the worry clear on his face, but he remained focused on Kaleb.

  I didn’t think my heart could take it any longer; the growls drawing me back to the fight. Eli shifted into his human form, sniggering as he looked upon his brother, but he was breathless. He tired. Anyone c
ould see Eli had realized his wolf was no match for Kaleb’s. To compensate for that, he used his stupid, twisted mouth to try to throw him off instead.

  “Come on, Kaleb.” Eli waggled his fingers to beckon him forth. “Is that all you’ve got, big bad Enforcer Agent? The Gamma of this pack? Is this all you can do?”

  Kaleb stayed as his wolf, slowly, predatory, stalking his prey. Eli didn’t flinch, but I saw the fear. He gulped audibly, trying to cover it up with laughter. He edged toward his friends. But then Kaleb shifted back to human.

  “You dare!” Kaleb roared, storming over to him. “You dare touch her!”

  He threw a punch before Eli could dodge out of the way, and we all heard the crack.

  Eli staggered back again, careful to keep close to his friends, his back toward them.

  “What’s wrong, brother?” Eli cackled. “I can’t help it if you can’t satisfy your bitches and they come to me instead.”

  Kaleb kicked out. Punched. Assailing Eli with one hit after the other, Eli could barely keep up.

  I looked on, fascinated, knowing Kaleb is impressive in a fight. But before I’d only seen him in training or when we fought side by side. To watch him now, every part of him let loose, even my eyes couldn’t keep up. Eli fell back toward his friends, who caught him. And finally, I saw the blood.

  Finally!

  Ready to act, I noticed the glint in Eli’s hand. His friend had passed him something. I didn’t think. I shook my hand free of Mayra’s and pushed through the crowd, trying to shout over the jeers and shouts of encouragement.

  I stepped into the circle at the same time Eli roared and swept his arm at Kaleb’s face with what looked like a knife.

  “Quack!” I roared, not wanting to shout Kaleb’s name should it distract him away from the oncoming blade.

  Everyone around me stopped shouting. And yes, many looked at me like I’d lost my mind screaming such a thing. But Kaleb didn’t. He reacted instinctively, ducking to the ground as he so often did when we shouted that word to one another to throw off our enemies. He knew it meant to duck, and he missed a blade to his face by mere inches.

  I breathed with relief, shaking off the coat.

  Kaleb growled when he saw the knife in Eli’s hand. He grabbed him by the neck and yanked Eli’s wrist so hard the blade fell from his grip. Again a round of gasps came from the crowd.

  Kaleb lifted him by the throat then threw him hard against the ground. He hit him. Again and again. Until the Kaleb I knew almost disappeared.

  “Stop!” I shouted, nearing Kaleb, falling to my knees. Eli stopped moving beneath him. “Kaleb. Please stop!”

  His hand hovered above his brother, his chest heaving, fighting to rein in his anger. Blood covered his fist, his shirt, dripping to the ground. He closed his eyes tight, the rage in him palpable.

  Eli coughed and spluttered blood from beneath him as he came to. Kaleb’s amber eyes focused on his prey once more.

  “Please!” I begged. “Not like this. For me? Please stop. Don’t let him win. You kill him, he wins. Please!”

  Kaleb’s hand shook. Theodulf disentangled himself from his shock and yelled at me, “Get out of the circle! Now! Get her out!”

  “No,” I said, standing up and putting my hands out to the wolves who jumped to the command. “You have no right!”

  “Oh, I have every right!” Theodulf rose from his seat and stomped toward me. “I am Alpha of this pack! And you have intervened in pack business. Leave this place while you’re still able to!”

  “No,” I said again. “I claim satisfaction!”

  “You what?” He laughed, looking around at his audience in exasperation. “You trespass on these lands and yet have the audacity to claim as such?”

  “Yes.” I raised my voice so as many wolves as possible could hear me. “As per pack law code two seven twelve point two, under the code of challenge, it states that the one who has had the challenge made on their behalf can claim satisfaction after first blood! Kaleb offered the challenge on my behalf, and I say that satisfaction is met!”

  “The challenge wasn’t on your behalf, you stupid child. It may be because of you, but it is not on your behalf.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes!”

  “Kaleb?” I turned to where he crouched next to his bleeding brother, his eyes downcast to the floor. “Did you offer the challenge on my behalf or because of me?”

  Please say the first one. Please say the first one.

  If he said nothing, I would have to step back and watch him kill his brother. If he said the latter, I would have to stand by and witness him do something he would soon regret. I pleaded with him as he looked at me, the fury still swirling in his eyes.

  “I’m an Enforcer Field Agent,” I reminded him, my voice as stern, even though it quaked with uncertainty. “I’m the lead agent of the Interside Enforcement Team. I injured four shifters who tried to take me down. Four. And you know I’d take out Eli given the opportunity. This challenge was not because of me. This was for me because I’m not a wolf and I cannot offer a challenge. Is that not right?” My fists clenched as I stared at him.

  It wasn’t about him complying or about him doing something I begged him to do. It was about him taking the out I offered, the one that showed we were bigger and better than his father and brother. We were worthy of a life not cast in shadow. But what door would he choose?

  After a painstaking wait, Kaleb pushed up off the ground and stood next to me. “I took the challenge on behalf of my partner,” he ground out. “I do not concede. But I accept her satisfaction.”

  “You what!” Theodulf bellowed. His eyes were wide with outrage. “My son! Our Gamma! Is a coward?”

  “He’s not a coward,” I fumed. “He has no choice but to step down because I demand it by Pack Law. Check your rule book.”

  “How dare you!” He stepped forth, his hand raised to slap me, but Kaleb stood between us.

  “Lay one finger on her, old man,” he breathed, “and I shall challenge you for your seat.”

  “You would never!” Theodulf took a step back, the veins pulsing across his forehead. “That has never been done! The audacity! The…” He tried to find the words and spluttered some more. But then he found his fire. “It’s this bitch, isn’t it?”

  Kaleb took a step toward him, and I held onto his arm. “Leave it, Kaleb. Come on.”

  “I knew it!” Theodulf roared. “I knew since you were a boy you’d bring me nothing but trouble. You’re no Gamma of this pack, Kaleb Cipher. Do you hear me!”

  Kaleb bit out, “Last time I checked, you weren’t above Pack Law, or any law, for that matter. The Gamma title is mine by right of blood. And if you thought Eli was strong enough to take me out to rid you of your problem child, then I’m happy to prove you wrong on that score!” He looked at me and held out his hand. “Come. It’s time to leave. The challenge is over.”

  “The challenge is not over!” Theodulf held his staff out in front of us. “I aim to speak to the Consilium about this, about you all and your trespass. You will remain here under our custody until they resolve it!”

  Now that did it for me. Human or not. Pain in the ass or not. My temper had finally reached its limit. I felt around for the badge I’d shoved into my pocket earlier. Not sure which one, but either would do it. I pushed his staff away.

  “Theodulf Cipher.” I held up my badge. “Under the laws of Portiside and violation code 7379, I will take your son, Eli Cipher, into custody for the unlawful killing of Torroro of the Dark Hills. I will also charge him with violation code 6534 for his attack on an officer of the PCA.” More gasps from the crowd. “With several witnesses to both events and the seriousness of both charges, I am well within my rights to take him to a cell at the Portiside City Agency and file the paperwork for a request of reform at Portiside Prison. Please stand by.”

  “Apprehend her!” Theodulf bellowed loudly to his wolves. At that, Bernard stepped out from the crowd and shrugged the cloak
free and stood next to me. “Try it,” he seethed.

  “A vampire,” the Alpha sneered. He looked at me. “You dare to bring a dirty vampire to these lands?”

  “A vampire who could wipe out half your pack within a minute,” Bernard hissed. “So, as I said, try it.”

  Mayra rushed forward, standing next to Bernard. “She has a dirty witch on her side, too. Try me.”

  “And me.” Zax stepped forth. “I’ll burn your pack to the ground before the dirty vampire has finished snapping your necks and the dirty witch has cursed you all.”

  Theodulf’s face paled. But his bite didn’t. “You dare,” he said to me, rage and exasperation coating his tones. “You and this pathetic excuse of the IET! You dare to bring such disrespect! Such dishonor in front of me!” He took a step closer. Kaleb stiffened at my side. “I should have you flogged you here and now!”

  My hands shot out on either side of me, one to keep back Bernard, the other to hold Kaleb at bay.

  “Terra!” Cole came rushing forward, pushing himself him between his father and me. “You need to calm this down now.”

  “I’m not doing anything here that I shouldn’t,” I retorted.

  Theodulf looked relieved to set eyes upon him. “See. Cole. Thank goodness! You can sort out this mess out. As Beta to this pack, you will support me in ensuring these people are taking into our custody under Pack Law.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that, father.”

  “You what!”

  “Portiside Law overrides Pack Law. And, Terra is correct to take Eli in on the charges she’s stated.”

  “I don’t believe this.” The Alpha glared at me. “So you’re sleeping with them both. Is that what this is?”

  A chuckle came from beneath us as Eli rolled onto his knees. “Told you, father.”