Caris Roane 4 Embrace the Passion (The Blood Rose)

background image
background image

TableofContents

TitlePage
Copyright
DearReader
Forthelatestreleases...
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
Thankyouforreading...
Don'tforgetto...
AbouttheAuthor

background image

EMBRACETHEPASSION

BloodRoseSeries#4

By

CarisRoane

background image

EmbracethePassion

ByCarisRoane

Copyright©2014TwinBridgesCreationsLLC

Allrightsreserved.NopartofthiseBookmaybereproducedinwholeorinpart,scanned,photocopied,
recorded,distributedinanyprintedorelectronicform,orreproducedinanymannerwhatsoever,orby
anyinformationstorageandretrievalsystemnowknownorhereafterinvented,withoutexpresswritten
permissionofthepublisher,exceptinthecaseofbriefquotationsembodiedincriticalarticlesand
reviews.

Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareproductsoftheauthor'simagination
orareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualevents,locales,orpersonslivingordeadisentirely
coincidental.

FormattingandcoverbyBellaMediaManagement.

background image

DearReader,
WelcometothefourthinstallmentoftheBloodRoseSeries,EMBRACETHEPASSION.Inthis

book,MastyrSethhungersforhisbodyguard,thepowerfulfae-shifter-wraith,Lorelei.Buthowcanhe
trustanywomanwhenhishearthasbeenbetrayed?

Forathousandyears,he’slivedalifeofsolitude…
Sethhassustainedhissolitaryexistenceoutofadeepsenseofsurvival.ButwhenLoreleientershis

realmtoserveashisbodyguard,hefindshimselfdrawntoherinwayshe’sneverbeforeexperienced.He
hungersforher,andherwildshifternaturecallstoapartofhimhe’srepressedforcenturies.Whenhis
cravingsforherbloodandherbodydrivehimintohershifter-den,hemarksherashisown,bitingdown
hard.Discoveringthatshe’salsoabloodroseandhasthepowertoendhisvampireblood-starvation
forever,hisneedforherexplodesintouncontrollablepassion.Yet,howcanhecompletethebloodrose
bondwithawomanwhosecloseconnectiontotheenemyputshisrealminjeopardy?

Enjoy!

background image

Forthelatestreleases,hottestpics,andcoolestcontests,besuretosignupformynewsletter!!!

http://www.carisroane.com/contact-2/

ComingSoon:Book#5,JudeandHannah’sstory:EMBRACETHENIGHT!!!

BesuretocheckouttheBloodRoseTales--TRAPPEDandHUNGER--shorterworksforaquick,

satisfyingread.

background image

ChapterOne

AsthesnowyDecembereveninggavewaytofull-dark,Loreleitookupherbodyguardposition

outsideMastyrSeth’sbackdoor.ShewasaboutasqualifiedtoguardthemastyrofWalvashorrRealmasa
rabbittakingonahawk,butshewasherebyQueenRosamunde’sorders,sohereshe’dstay.

Herrealproblem,however,wentwaybeyondherlackofanyrealbattleskills,sinceshe’ddonethe

unthinkableandactuallyfalleninlovewiththeman.Sethhadalonghistoryofkeepinghisdistancefrom
anythingthatsmackedofarelationshipandhehadabsolutelynoreasontobeinterestedinarealm-person
ofquestionableparentage.

Lorelei’smotherwasthepresentscourgeoftheNineRealmsandthepowerbehindtherecent,deadly

Invictusinsurgence.Noself-respectingmastyrcouldeverinvolvehimselfwiththedaughteroftheancient
fae,Margetta,theoneresponsibleforthedeathsoftensofthousandsofrealm-folk.

Yethope,asalways,refusedtodie.
Shetremblednowasshewaitedforhim,standinginthesnow,herheartthumpingheavilyinherchest.

Shesavoredthisfirstmomentofthenight,anticipatingthelonghoursaheadinSeth’scompany,traversing
therealmbesidehim,huntingtheenemyoftheNineRealms,thedreadedInvictuswraith-pairs.

Sheheardhimmovingthroughthehouse,headinginherdirection.Heknewbynowtoexpectherthe

momentthesunsetfullyinthewest.

Hiswonderfulmossyscentreachedherfirst,aneroticmuskthatrippledalongtheairandteasedher

shiftervibrationfirst,thenheroverworkedfaematingvibration.Fromthefirsttimeshe’dseenhimatthe
queen’scastletwomonthsago,she’dhadtheworstcrushonthevampire.

Amomentlater,hecameintoviewthroughtheglassdoor.
Hearrivedatthekitchenthresholdandpausedtobucklethebeltthatangledacrosshislongleather

Guardsmancoat.Meetinghergazethoughtheglassdoor,hefrowned,hisexpression,asusual,
disapproving.

Heliftedhischin.“Youmightaswellcomein.Ihaveacalltomakeandyou’reshivering.”
Shecouldn’ttellhimthetruth,thatshewasn’tcoldatall,thatsheshookbecauseofhimandnot

becauseofthebelowfreezingmountaintemps.

Sheopenedthedoorandsteppedinside,butherbreathingstalledout.Hersensitiveshifter-based

DNAmighthavebeenabletocatchhisscentwhilestandingoutsidehishome,butnowthatherfurryboots
wereplantedinsidehiskitchen,aredolenceofmossandSethcombinedalmostknockedherover.

Sheswallowedhard,tryingtocontrolthesuddenswellofdesirethatwashedthroughher.“Good

evening,mastyr.I’mheretoserve.”

Heshookhisheadashestraightenedhisbelt.“Oneofthesedaysyou’llrealizehowfoolishthisis.

You’renotbattletrained,Lorelei,sohowthehellcanyouserveasmybodyguard?”

Shesmiled.“We’vebeenoverthishowmanytimes?You’renotgettingridofmesoyoumightaswell

getusedtoit.”

“Stubborn.Verystubborn.”
Hemightbescowling,butLoreleisawthefaintglimmerofamusementinhissoftgray-greeneyesand

thathislipsalmostcurved.Desireoncemorecurledthroughher.Wasitpossiblehewasn’tindifferentto
her?

Hepulledhisphonefromthepocketofhisblackbattleleathersandturnedawayfromherslightlyto

makehiscall.“Hey,Aaron,howarethingsshapingup?IstheGuardonpatrol?”

Hespokewithhissecond-in-command,themaninchargeoftheWalvashorrVampireGuard.She’d

background image

beenbySeth’ssideafullmonthnow,soshecouldrepeatverbatimhowthisconversationwouldgo,that
AaronhadalltheGuardsmenoutonpatrolthroughoutthesouthernhalfofWalvashorrrealm,whichalso
includedthelowerportionoftheShauckMountainRange.Sethwouldaskifthere’dbeenanyfatalities
amonghisrealm-folk,andhewouldscowlifAarontoldhimtherewere.

Noscowlyet,butthenightwasyoung.
BecauseSethhadfocusedhisattentionelsewhereandhadfixedhisgazewellawayfromhers,Lorelei

allowedherselfonedizzyinglookattheMastyrofWalvashorr.

Heworehislong,thickbrownhairpulledbackintheheavywovenclaspthatalltheGuardsmen

wore,allowingheraneasyviewofstraightbrows,strong,angledcheekbones,aslightlyaquilinenose
thatgavehimasexy,hawkishappearance,andafirmjawline.Hewasincrediblyhandsomewitha
seriousdemeanorthatrarelychanged.

Hedidn’thavethelarge,boisterouspersonalityofsomeofthemastyrslikeJudeofKellcasseor

EthanofBergisson.HewasmorelikeGerrodinthatheruledwithastoic,dedicateddrivethat
overshadowedeverythingelseinhislife.

Morethanalltheotherrulingmastyrs,Sethlivedanalmostsolitaryexistence.Herarelyhadanyof

hisGuardsmenovertohishouseforsocialreasons,notevenAaron.Andthoughhehadasmallapartment
inthesouthernplainsofhisrealm,heonlystayedthereifhewascaughtoutpatrollingneardawnand
couldn’tgetbacktohisShauckGorgehome.Andthisdwellingwastensofmilesawayfromthenearest
town.

Hestoodalmostsix-seven,somethingshelovedbecauseshewasjustshyofsixfootherself.She’dbe

verycomfortableinhisarms,hiskissablelipsonlyinchesaway.

Ofcoursethisthoughtbroughtherbacktohersurroundingsbecauseshetriedveryhardtokeepher

personalfantasies,likelongingforSeth’sarms,andyes,hisbed,fromaffectingherprofessional
relationshipwithhim.

Sheclearedherthroatandlookedawayfromhim.Sheclaspedherhandstightlytogetherbehindher

backinhopesthathewouldn’tnoticeherrenewedtrembling.TosayshehadathingforMastyrSethwas
likesayingthemoonwasround.

Hergazedriftedthroughthenorth-facingwindowofthebreakfastnookandlandedonthesnow-

crusted,steelrailingthatranthelengthofthebroad,wrap-aroundporch.Seth’shomewasanamazing
architecturalwonder.He’dhiredoneoftheNineRealms’leadingarchitectstodesignamodernstructure
thatcouldhangoffthesideofthegranite-basedgorge.Theresultwasasingle-story,elegantstructureof
darkwoodandblacksteelsupports,suspendedtwohundredfeetabovetheAthaliaRiver.She’dcometo
lovethedynamichouse,asmucharepresentationoftheownerasitwashispermanentdwelling.

Theshifterpartofherrelationshipwithhimwassimple;sheknewSethasherpackandshedoubted

thatwouldeverchange.Butthefaepartofhersavoredwhatwascomplicatedandhadfallenhopelessly
inlovewithhim.

Seth,however,hadn’texactlytakentoherpresenceandhedefinitelydidn’tappreciateherbeinghis

bodyguardbuthewasright.Shehadnobattleexperiencenorthephysicalstrengthtofightoffanattacker.

ButQueenRosamundehadcommandedLoreleitoserveashisbodyguard,andthatwasenoughfor

her.Andperhapstosomedegree,enoughforSeth,sincehealwayspermittedhertotrackhimthroughthe
night.Hewasamanofthelawandheobeyedthequeen.Atthesametime,hedidn’thidethefactthathe’d
petitionedRosamundetohaveLoreleiremovedfromhisservice.

HergazetraveledbeyondtherailingtotheviewofDefianceFallsinthedistance.Shecouldhearthe

fallsthoughtheywereahalf-mileaway.

Theviewwasexquisite,ofthemountainsandforestblanketedwithsnow.Rosamundemayhavehad

background image

herownreasonsforsendingLoreleitoWalvashorr,butLoreleihadneverbeenhappier.Shelovedthe
forest,thefalls,thefast-movingfrothyriverbelow,andespeciallyhernewlifeservingMastyrSeth.

Shestoodupalittlestraighter,proudthatshewasfinallymakingacontributiontoherworldinstead

oflivingahalf-lifeontherunasshehadforthefirstninetyyearsofherexistence.

MaybeshelackedtraditionalGuardsmancredentials,butherfaeness,alwaysdippingintothefuture,

toldherthatshewouldonedaybeofgreatusetoSeth.

Hehunguphisphoneanddrewclose,searchinghereyes.“YoudounderstandthatIworrylikehell

everynightyoutraipsealongbesideme?”

“Iknow.ButtherealmpartofmeunderstandsthatI’msupposedtobehere.”
“I’mstillpetitioningthequeenbecauseIbelieveyouputyourselfatriskeverytimeweheadout.”
Again,shestraightenedhershoulders.“Foraslongasitlasts,I’llserveasyourbodyguard.”
Shecouldn’tsaytherest—thatshe’dlaydownherlifeforhim,orforthequeenwho’dmadehernew

lifepossible.QueenRosamundehadtaughtherthelayeredenthrallmentskillsthatnowprotectedherfrom
Margetta.

EvenifLoreleihadn’thadadeepattractionandveryrealm-likecommitmenttoMastyrSeth,she

wouldhaveremainedathissidesimplyoutofloyaltyandgratitudetoRosamunde.

Heswitchedsuddenlytotelepathy,asuresignhewasreadytogooutonpatrol.Youintendtoshiftto

wolfanytimesoon?

Didshedetectaslightcurveofthemastyr’slips?WasitpossibleSethwasteasingher?She’dbeen

seeingmoreofthissideofhimoverthepasttwoweeks.Justwaitingonyou,mastyr,butyousureare
chattywithAaronthesedays.

Chatty?You’recallingmechatty?
Shegrinned.Ifthebootfits--
Hepassedbyherandopenedthedoor,holdingitwideforher.Let’sgo,bodyguard.
Loreleinoddedasherheartthrummedwithexcitement.Thefewshortweeksshe’dbeendoingthis

hadgivenheraloveoftheshifter-sideofhergeneticsthatshe’dneverreallyexploredbefore,of
embracingherwolf-sideandrunning.Previously,shelivedinherfaeform,but,SweetGoddess,howshe
lovedtorun.

Inaswiftblurofintentionandmovement,shebecameawolf.Herclotheswereabsorbedaspartof

theincredibleprocesssothatlater,whensheshiftedbacktofullfaeform,she’dbedressedasbefore,in
fullwintergear,furrybootsandall.

ItwasdamncoldintheShauckMountains,sodespitehershiftermetabolism,shewasgratefulshe’d

berunningmostofthenight.

Sheranpasthimandbyhabitboundeduptheinclinetowardthemastyr’sfavoritelaunch-pointatthe

topofthesteepridgebehindhishouse.

*********

Seth’schestachedinthestrangestwayashewatchedLorelei’sstrongwhitewolfformdisappearup

thetrail.Herpresenceinhislifedisturbedhimmorethanhewouldhaveeverbelievedpossible.

Shewasafairlydelicatewomanandwouldn’tbeofmuchuseinahand-to-handcombatsituation

despitethefactthatshecarriedahelluvalotoflatentrealm-power.However,shecouldsniffoutthe
presenceofInvictuswraith-pairsfromseveralmilesaway,soherfrequentwarningshadbeeninvaluable.
Healwaysgavecreditwherecreditwasdue.Buthestilldidn’tknowwhatthequeenhadbeenthinkingto
sendhertohim.

Yetheknewthattherealtroublelaydeeper,becausefromthefirstmomentshe’dshownherselfto

background image

him,agoodmonthago,he’dbeenwaytooattractedtoher.She’dappearedathisfrontdooratfull-dark
wearingaRussianfurhat,ashortjacket,tightpantsandfurryboots,thekindshe’dwornsince.Andfrom
thatmomentuntilnow,she’dprettymuchovertakenhisthoughts,thoughheworkedhardtomakesureshe
didn’tknowit.

Shewasbeautiful,whichdidn’thelp,withlargedoeeyes,softlyarchedbrows,andlayereddark

brownhairthatfloatedaroundhershouldersanddownherback.Avulnerabilityclungtothiswoman,
makinghimwanttodragherintohisarmsandholdherclose,toprotecther,toloveher,totakeherinto
hisbedandkeepherthere.

Morethanonce,hismatingfrequencyhadlitonfirewhenhe’dopenedthebackdoorforherfirstthing

atnight.Hewasdrawntoherinawayhehadn’texperiencedinalongtime.

Averylongtime.
Centuries,infact.
Butsomethingmorethanjustherappearancehadsnaggedhim,maybehersmilebecausesheseemed

tofindalotofpleasureinlife,ananomalygivenherhorrendousbackgroundasthedaughterofMargetta,
thegreateviloftheNineRealms.

HeknewanumberofcriticalthingsaboutLorelei,havingvettedherwhenshe’dfirstshownup.

Basically,she’dbeenkeptasolitaryprisonerduringhergrowingupyearswithoutcompanyofchildren
herownage.Agood-heartedtroll,namedGenevieve,hadraisedherandevenhelpedhertoescape.

LoreleihadspentheradultliferunningfromMargettauntilshe’dcomeunderthequeen’swingand

Rosamundehadtaughthersomeseriousenthrallmentskills.Nowshewasfreefromhermother’sability
tolocatehersothatshecouldlivewherevershewanted.

Andnowshewashere.
Closingthebackdoor,hefollowedafterthewolf,levitatingandflyingjustafootabovethesnow

coveredtrail.Hestuckclosetothegroundtoavoiddetection.

Hefoundherattheuppermostpeakoftheridge,wellabovetheforesttreeline,sothathehada

spectacularviewinalldirectionsoftheShauckMountains.Thevastrangeextendedacrossnearlythe
entirenorthernhalfofhisrealm.

Therecentsnowstormhadeasedupbutstillcloudedthenightsky,blankingoutthestars.Hisvampire

nightvision,however,warmedupthesnow-ladenscene.Themountainshadbeenhishomeforcenturies
andhelovedithere.

Loreleiwaitedafewyardsaway,lookingleanandregalasshesatonherhaunches,nosesniffingthe

airandnevergettingtooclosetohim,somethinghepreferred.Despitethathelikedherandapprovedof
herworkethic,forherownsafetyhewantedherremovedfromhisservice.Hewoulddefertothequeen,
ofcourse,butatthispoint,hefearedLoreleiwouldbecomeahindranceinsomefutureencounterand
she’dgethurt,orworse,die.

Well,hecouldn’tchangethattonight.
Heputahandtohisstomach,crampingalreadyeventhoughoneofhisvampiredoneuseshadcome

andgone.

Allmastyrvampiressufferedashedid.Somethingabouttheincreaseinpowerthatcamewith

reachingmastyrstatuscreatedacorrespondingchronic,andverypainfulbloodstarvation.Hecouldhave
fedfromadonoronthehour,everyhour,buthe’dstillcrampupashedidnow.

HefeltAarontaphistelepathicfrequency.Somethingsosoon,Aaron?We’vejustgottenstarted.
Theworst.Anelvenfamilyslaughteredinthesouth,nearKavelithGorgebuttheInvictuspairgot

away.

Shit.Hetookadeepbreath.I’matShauckGorge.Whichdirectionwasthewraith-pairheading?

background image

North.
Okay.I’lltrytointercept.Headingsouthnow.Keepmeinformed.
Yesmastyr.
Hebrokeoffcommunicationandatthesametime,fromhisperipheral,hesawLorelei’searsdart

forwardandhermuzzlejerktowardthesouth.

Hepathedtoher.Whatdoyousee?
Invictus.
Hetoldherquicklyabouttheelvenfamily.
Loreleididn’tshiftherwolfeyesinhisdirectionassheadded,Iseeawraith-pair,maybethree

milesaway.They’vejustdippeddowntheeastsideofaridge.

He’dgiveLoreleithat;shecouldseefartherthananyotherrealmpersonhe’deverknown.Hastobe

them.

Whentheechoingshriekofawraithrolledthroughthemountains,Sethtooktotheairinpursuit.He

descendedswiftly,flyingasfastashecould.

Bythetimehereachedtheoppositeridge,hecouldseethepairinthedistanceandthatthey’dheaded

downoneofthemostdifficulttrailsintheRealm.

Fromexperience,heknewthatLoreleitrackedwithhim.Theshifterpartofhercouldrunasfastas

themostpowerfulalphamalesofthefourpacksofhisrealm.Sincethetimeshe’dbeenhere,she’dmake
herwaythroughthemountains,usingthenumerousfootbridgesthatcrisscrossedthehundredsofgorgesin
thispartoftherealm.

Heknewthepathswell,havingexploredeverysquaremileofhisrealmfromthetimehe’dlearned

howtofly.Asolitaryprocess,butonehe’dsavored.Orphanedearlyinlife,whenhewaseight,he’dbuilt
aninnerworldforhimselfthatkepthimsatisfiedanddeterminedtodorightbyhismastyrcalling.

TheInvictuspairhefollowedinvolvedawraithandavampire,thelatterjustshyofmastyrstatus,

whichwasalevelofpowerthatSethpossessed.However,thebondingthatonlyawraithcouldperform
withanotherrealmperson,createdatremendoussurgeofpower,sothatafterfifteenmilesofpursuit,they
werestillatleastamileaheadofhim.

Hepickeduphispace,awaretheLoreleitrackedwithhim,racingatfullshifterspeed.
Anotherturninthebendandhesawthewraith-pairinthedistance,racingacrossashallowmeadow

andheadingtowardwhatheknewtobeaboxcanyon,onecalledLoperzafteratrollfamilyofancient
lineagewhoranchedthere.

Hesmiledandwentfasterstill.
Hehadthemnowbecauseiftheydaredriseintotheairabovethemountains,they’dbevisiblefor

milesandhisVampireGuardwasinflight,huntingforthemfromeverypossibledirection.

Heflewthroughthemeadow,thefreezingtemperaturemakinghimgladforhislongGuardsmancoat,

battleleathersandboots.

Fromhisperiphery,hewatchedthewhitewolfracingoverthesnowyground,leapingoverdeadfall,

butalwayskeepingpace.

Heslowedslightlyasheapproachedthenarrowingentrancetothecanyon,risinghigherintheairat

thesametime.Hedidn’twanttobecaughtbyaguerillastrikefromthesurroundingtrees.

Butthewraith-pairremainedtighttothecanyonfloor,streakingthroughascatteringoffirs,the

wraith’sgownofredgauzestripsflyingbehindher,abeaconinthenight.Wraithsstayedwarmnomatter
howcoldthetemperaturedropped.

Hegraduallydescendedtohisoriginalpositionjustabovetheground,flyingswiftly.Thecanyonfloor

spreadahalf-mileacross.

background image

Thewraith-pairhadalsostartedtoslowdownandhethoughtheknewwhy.They’dprobablyjust

discoveredthatthey’dchosenaboxcanyon.Toescapehimnow,theironlyhopewastoriseupandover
themountains,buttheyriskedrevealingtheirpositiontohisVampireGuard.

Thewraith-pairhadjustlosttheadvantageandhesmiledalittlemore.
AnothermileandLoperzCanyonwouldendinawaterfallandasheerrisetotheridgeabove.
HealsohopedtotheGoddessthatthetrollfamilyhadgoneintotownforsupplies.
Helistenedhard,buthedidn’thearanysoundscomingfromthedirectionoftheirramblingloghouse.
HepathedtoAaron,I’matLoperzCanyon.Doyouhaveanyoneinthevicinity?
EveryoneknewtheLoperzplace.ArlenLoperzhadafondnessfortheWalvashorrGuardaswellas

theShifterBrigadeandfedanyathistablewhocamebyduringnightlypatrols.Hebrewedafreshpotof
coffeeeverycoupleofhours.

IcanhavethreeGuardsmenthereintenminutes,butnotsooner.
Sendthemin.TheInvictusarehere.I’mnotseeinganyofthefamily,though.I’mhopingthey’re

eitherinhidingorawayfromthehouse.TellthenearestGuardsmentogetherequickbuttobecareful.
Thisisadangerouspair.

Yougotit.
Heshutthecommunicationdown,slowinghispaceatthesametime.
Theapproachtotheranchhadabroadwind-breakoftrees,atleastadozendeepthatservedasanall-

purposeweatherbarricade.Rightnowthetreesgavehimcoveruntilhecouldassessthesituation.

Anothershrieksoundedoverthecanyon,louderthistime,thewraithgivingfullexpressiontoher

battle-voice.

Whenhereachedtheinsideedgeofthelineoftrees,notevenasmallcolumnofchimneysmokerose

fromthecabin,agoodsignthatthefamilywassafe.

Thewolfgrowled,maybeawarning,hecouldn’tbesure.
Buthefeltitaswell,thatsomethingwasn’tright.
Thewraith-pairhe’dbeenchasinghungintheairnearthewaterfall,talkingquietlytoeachother,well

beyondthecabin’sposition.

Thewholesituationstartedtosmelllikeatrap.
Thedoorofthecabinopened,andasecondwraith-bondedpair,themateapowerfulvampire,strode

outontothefrontdeck.ThevampirefixedhisgazeinSeth’sdirection.

Evenatthatdistance,heknewhewaslookingatamastyrvampire,liketheonesQuinlanhad

encounteredinGrochaireRealmjustalittleovertwomonthsago.WithnoothersignofInvictusaround,
Sethmadeacalculateddecisiontodowhathecouldtotakeoutthevampireontheporch.Slayingone
partofapair,renderedtheotherhalfimmobileandsometimesevendeathfollowed.

Heflewattopspeedtowardthecabin.Thevampiresawhimcoming,butdidn’tmove.Instead,as

Sethflewcloser,aslowsmilecurvedthevampire’slips.

Loreleiletoutasuddenpowerfulhowl,clearlyawarning,butofwhat?
Thenextmoment,apreternaturallychargedfaenetsurroundedSethasthoughcomingoutofnowhere.
HetumbledaroundthenlandedhardagainstseveralbouldersnotfarfromtheLoperz’syard.Theair

gotknockedfromhislungsandhe’dbrokenanarm,afewribs,andshatteredhisknee.

Holyfuck.Hewascompletelyimmobilized.Heslidofftherock,thejutenettingclingingtohimand

burninghisskin,ashelandedinthesnow.

HepathedtoAaron.I’mtrappedinanet.Bonesbroken.Can’tmove.
ThreeGuardsmenaresevenminutesout.Hangtough.
Sethcouldn’ttellhimtherest,thattwowraith-pairsheadedinhisdirection,takingtheirsweettime,

background image

knowingtheyhadhim,andthatatleastoneofthebondedvampireswasatmastyrstatus,theothernotfar
behind.

Heworkedathishealingandbythetimehesawthethickleatherbootsofthevampire,he’dbrought

hisforearmbonesintoalignmentandtheywereknittingtogether.

Butthepainfromhisribskepthimpinnedinplace,andhiskneewasamess.
Despiteallthat,hegatheredhisbattleenergyintobothhands,butatthelastsecondherealizedhe

couldn’tfire.

“Won’tdoyouadamnbitofgood,MastyrSeth.You’llfryyourownassifyouletloosewiththat

charge.”Hissmilebroadened.“Themistresstoldusyou’dfallforthetrapandthatweshouldmakequick
workofyou.ButI’velosttoomanyfriendsbecauseofyouandyourGuard,nottosavorthismomentjust
alittle.”Hegatheredsalivainhismouthandletitfly.

ThespittlelandedonSeth’sface.Ragemovedinhim,andhewantedtoattack,butthenatureoffae-

chargednetsmeantthatanybattleenergyhemightsendoutwardwouldbereflectedbythenetting.The
vampirewasright.He’dkillhimselfifhedischargedaseriousenergyblastfromhishands.

Andrightnow,hehadawhisperoftimeonhissideashestaredupatthebondedvampirewhohad

alreadymadethedecisionnottokillhimimmediately.“Wehavesomeonewhocanseverthewraith-bond.
You’dbefree.HernameisSamantha.She’sboundtoMastyrEthan.IcanbringhertoWalvashorrwith
onephonecall.”

“WhatthehellmakesyouthinkIwanttobefree?Abunchofusmastyrswatchedyouandtheothers

takeoverourrealms,andIpromisedmyselfthatifIeverhadthechance,I’doffasmanyofyouassholes
asIcould.Todayjusthappenstobemyluckyday.MargettahasbigplansandI’llonedayruleinthis
realm,sono,Idon’twantyoutomakeaphonecall,nottoday,notever.”

Ifhecouldkeepthisegomaniactalking,hisGuardmightgettohimintime.“Andwhatexactlywould

youdowithWalvashorrifyouhadthechance?”

“Tryingtobuysometime?”Hechortled.“It’sokay.Afewsecondsmorewon’tmatterandI’llhappily

shareexactlywhatwewilldooncewegainpower.Forstarters,we’llgetridofthelesserfolk,weedout
afewoftheelvenandtrolllines,buildupthewraithandvampirepopulations,limitthenumberofshifter
packstooneperrealm,maybetwo.Icanatleastrespecttheshifter’sbattleethic.”

“You’retalkinggenocide.”
“Whateverittakes.Butenoughofyourstall-tactics,mastyr.Timetopayyourdebttonature.”
Hefeltthevampire’spowerrevvingup.Hiswraith-matejoinedhim,abeautifulfemalewhowrapped

herarmsaroundhisshouldersasshefloatedslightlyabovehim.“Sweetmusictomyears,darling.Now
killtheprick.Doitslow.Iwanttowatchhimsuffer.”

“Anythingforyou,sweetheart.”
Sethknewhewasaboutasclosetodeathashe’deverbeeninhislonglife.HisGuardwastoofar

awaytointerveneandLoreleiwasnomatchforeitheroftheseInvictuspairs.

Butjustasthevampirewouldhavereleasedhisblast,awhiteblurcameatthevampirefromtheside.

Lorelei,stillinherwolfform,clippedhislegshardandknockedhimoff-balance.

Thevampirespun,fallinghardtothesnow-coveredground.
Loreleihadjustsavedhislife.
Whensheleapedtoattackoncemore,however,thewraithleveledahand-blastather,hittingherin

theside.SheyelpedandtwistedmidairtolandnotfarfromSeth.Thatshedidn’tinstantlyspringtoher
feettoldSethshe’dbeenseriouslyinjured.Loreleiwhimperedasshecreptonherbellyinhisdirection.

Sethbreathedhard,hisheartpounding.Hehadtothinkofsomethingfast.Themomentthewraith

woundupherpoweragain,they’dbothdie.

background image

Loreleipathed,You’vegottotouchme,mastyr.Now.
Whatareyousaying?
I’vefeltitforacoupleofweeks,thatwehavepowerbetweenus.Can’texplain.
Hepivotedinherdirection,butthenetpreventedhimfromgettingcloser.Ican’tmoveanyfarther

thanthis.

“Youfuckingbitch.”Thevampirehadgainedhisfeetandoncemorepulledhisenergyintohishand,

drawingthevibrationsfromtheearthitself,fromthesky,fromthemountains,forest,androcks.

ButLoreleikeptcrawlingtowardSeth,leadingwithherfrontpaws,bloodseepingfromthewoundon

herside.Hefeltitnow,thefemaleshifter’sbattlevibration,acoreofreservethatcouldbereleasedif
onlyhecouldmakecontact.Therewouldevenbeenoughpowertodestroythenet.

Thewraithshriekedherdelight.Shecouldhavelongsinceaddedthekillingblowbutitwasclearshe

preferredtowatchthewolfsuffer.

Amomentlater,theoriginalwraith-pairarrived,nodoubthavingdecidedthatitwassafetojoinin

thefun.

Thesecondwraith’sshrillvoicetauntedSeth.“Ithinkthemastyr’sgothimselfsomeshifterlove.Will

youlookatthat,creepingalongwithherribsallbloodyandexposed.Sheprobablywantstokisshim
good-bye.”

Thewraithwho’dblastedLoreleicaughthermate’sarm.“Awhoney,atleastletthemsaytheir

farewellsbeforeyouburnthembothtoacrisp.”

“You’resoromantic.”
Morelaughter.
Seth,I’mgoingtobreachthenetandit’sgoingtohurt.Justtouchme.
Understood.
SethgotascloseashecouldtoLorelei.Shecrawledtowardhim,inchbyinch.
Theclosershegot,Sethfeltherlatentpowervibratingwithinherwolfform.Justaninchmore.Do

it,Lorelei.Icanfeelwhatyou’vegot.

Thevampirecalledout,“Timetodie,MastyrofWalvashorr.”
Sethglancedoverhisshoulderasbothvampireswounduptheirenergythistime.
HefeltthemreleasejustasLoreleishovedherpawthroughthenetandmadecontactwithSeth.
Powerflaredbetweenthem,thenerupted,blowingthenetapart.
Seth’sribsandkneestillhurtlikehell,butnowthathewasfree,hereleasedhisbattleforcethrough

bothhands.Loreleicrouchednexttohim,stayinginphysicalcontactandstreamingherbattleenergyinto
him.He’dneverfeltsomuchpowerbefore.

Evenso,facingtwosuchincrediblypowerfulwraith-pairshadhimbattlingatthefullreachofhis

abilityasstreaksofhisenergyrepulsedthepowerfulredvibrationsthatcameathimfrombothvampires
aswellaslesserpulsesfromtheirwraith-mates.Asweakashewas,hedidn’tknowhowlonghecould
keepitup,especiallysincehecouldfeelLorelei’sbattlevibrationbegintoweaken.

Lorelei,howyoudoing?
I’mdizzy.IthinkI’velosttoomuchblood.
Staywithme.IhaveGuardsmenontheway.They’realmosthere.
Buthefeltherfadeashecontinuedtobattleandsuddenlyherpowerjustwinkedout.She’deither

faintedorworse,droppedintoacomafromlossofbloodwhichmeantshe’dbedeadinafewmore
minutes.

Withoutherpowersupport,hisownbattleenergybegantosubside.Themosthecoulddowasholda

battleshield,butafewgoodstrikesandthesetwopairstogetherwouldtakehimdown.

background image

Whenbothvampires,cheeredonbytheirshriekingwraith-mates,stoppedfiringinordertorevupfor

afinalblow,Sethknewthemomenthadcome.

Whileholdinghisshieldsteady,heturnedtowardLoreleiandreacheddowntoputahandbetween

herears.Lorelei,I’msosorry.

Hisheartfeltheavyashell.Hedidn’treallyevenknowthiswoman,butshe’dbeenhiscompanionfor

thepastmonthandhe’dgottenusedtoherbeinginhislife.Andshesureashelldidn’tdeservetodielike
this.YouhaveoneofthesweetestspiritsI’veeverknown.Thankyouformakingmysolitarylifealittle
lesslonely.

Thevampiresdrewclosetohisshield.Heturnedtomeethisenemysquare,facingdeathwithasmuch

strengthashecouldmuster.

Thenallatonce,dozensofwolvesraninfromeverydirection,fillingthesnowygroundallaroundthe

Loperzcabin.Hecouldn’tbelieveit,butalargeportionofhisShifterBrigadehadjustcometotherescue
andbythelooksofit,notonlyfromonepack,butfromallfour.Unbelievable.

Theytransformedswiftlyfromtheirwolfformstouprightwarriors,clothedintheirShifterBrigade

uniformsofleather,chains,snugblacktees,andheavyblackleatherwork-boots.Eachfiredbluestreams
ofpowerfulenergystraightatbothwraith-pairs.

Thevampiresfoughtwildlyinreturn,theirenergyblastsscatteringallaroundthem,buttheywouldn’t

beabletowithstandsomanyshiftersallatonetime.

SeththrewhimselfoverLorelei,formingaphysicalshieldagainstanystrayhits.Shebreathedinlight

pantsnow,tonguelolling,eyesclosed.

Shewasn’tdead,butshewaswaytooclosetotheedge.
Afewmomentsmoreandthebattlefieldfellsilent.
WhenheliftedupoffofLorelei,hesawthatthetwowraith-pairsweredeadontheground,thestench

ofburnedfleshfillingtheair.

HepickedthewhitewolfupandturnedtoEphyx,oneofthealphamales.“Ican’ttellyouhow

gratefulIamthatyougothere.You’vesavedmylifeandhers.”

Ephyxstoodsix-five,notastallasSeth,butbiggerthroughtheshoulders,chestandarms.
Thepowerfulalphaglancedaround,frowningheavily.Heappearedtobeconfused.“Mastyr,we’re

notsurewhathappened—whatwe’realldoinghere.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”
HeglancedatLorelei.“YourbodyguardcalledtheentirebrigadefromallovertheShauck

Mountains.”

SethrememberedLoreleihowlingjustasthenettrappedhim.Heglanceddownather,frowning

heavily.Whowasthiswoman?“Sheletoutalonghowl.ThatmuchIremember.”

“Yes,shedid.”
“Andyou’resayingthatwhenshehowled,shereachedtheentirebrigade?Allfourpacks?”
“Exactly.”
“SweetGoddess.”Heturnedinacircle.Wolveswerestillarrivingfromeachpointofthecompass.
HeturnedtomeetEphyx’sgazeoncemore.“IhavetogetLoreleitomyShauckGorgehouse.After

you’vedisposedofthewraith-pairsandtendedtoyourwounded,youcanreturntoyourterritories.I’llbe
intouchlater.Continueonyourpatrols.”TheShifterBrigadeworkedtheShauckMountainsallnight
protectingtherealm-folkwholivedinthemountains,inthesamewayhisVampireGuardpatrolledthe
southernpartofhisrealm.

“Yes,mastyr.”
AsSethflewintotheair,hecontactedAaronaswell,lettinghimknowwhathadhappenedandthat

background image

theShifterBrigadewouldtakecareofclean-up.Hethenheadedinthedirectionhe’dcome,backtoward
DefianceFallsandShauckGorge.Atthesametime,hecontactedhisrealm’smostpowerfulfaehealer.
Thewomancouldfly,butevenmovingathertopspeedshecouldn’tcoverthatmanymilesinunderan
hour.

Hetoldhertocomeanywayandhopedtohellhe’dbeabletokeepLoreleialiveuntilshegotthere.
Somewhereinthedepthsofhisrealm-soul,heknewthatheheldthefateofalltheNineRealmsinhis

arms.

Loreleihadtolive.
Whenhearrivedathiscanyonridgehome,however,hefoundhisfrontdoorwideopen.

background image

ChapterTwo

SethstoodonthethresholdwithLoreleiunconsciousinhisarms.Iftheenemywaitedforhiminhis

house,hewasinserioustrouble,whichmeanthecouldn’triskstaying.

Hepreparedtoheadbackintothesky—maybetotakehertooneofhisclosestneighbors—untilhe

feltanunmistakableenergyflowingtowardhim,somethinghe’dfeltinFerrendenPeacetwomonthsago
whenhe’dmetQueenRosamundeforthefirsttime.

Hesteppedinsideandfoundthequeensittingonhiscouch,waitingforhim,thewomanwhoneverleft

herkingdom,whoforthepastthousandyearshadlivedinisolation,justashehad.Inordertoprotect
herselfandherpeoplefromMargetta,she’dcreatedanenthrallmentveilthathadkeptFerrendenPeace
fromtherestoftheNineRealmsforoveramillennium.

Nowshewashere.
HergazefelltoLoreleiandshestretchedoutherarms.“Givehertome,MastyrSeth.”
“Youknewshe’dbeinjured?”
Rosamundesighed,aheavysoundthatwentwayintothepast,ofalifelivedinservitudetoher

calling.“Let’sjustsaythatIhadavisionandnowI’mhere.”

Faevisionswerehighlyrespectedinhisworld.“Wheredoyouwanther?”
Rosamundelookedaround.“Herewilldojustfine.”
SethlaidthewolfonthecouchbesideRosamunde,positioningLorelei’sbackagainstthecushions

andherheadrestingonthequeen’slap.Thispositionleftherwoundedsidefullyexposed.

SheplacedherhandgentlybetweenLorelei’swhitewolfears.Loreleiwhimperedsoftly,hersnout

longandgraceful,herwintercoatcreatingathickwhiteruffaroundherneck.

Rosamundeclosedhereyes.
Sethfeltaprofoundwaveofhealingenergypulsethroughtheroom.Theacheinhiskneeandribs

lessenedbecauseofit.

Lorelei’sbreathinghitched,thenreleased.Shefinallydrewadeepbreathandtheterrible,bloody

woundbegantoknittogetheratlightningspeed.

Hecalledthefaehealerandrescindedhisrequestforhertocometohim.Hedidn’ttrytoexplainwhy

henolongerneededherthoughheassuredherthatLoreleiwashealingmorequicklythanhethought.He
justwasn’tsureRosamundewouldwantitknownthatshe’dleftherkingdom.

HeremainedstandinginfrontofLorelei,hisgazefixedtoher.Instages,herbreathingeasedandshe

nolongerpanted.

Afterseveralminutes,Rosamundelookedupathim.“MastyrSeth,fromthismomentforward,you

mustopenyourselftoLoreleiandtowhatthetwoofyoucanaccomplishtogether.Iknowthatyou’restoic
bynature,notgiventopassionatepursuitsoranythingofaromanticnature,butforyoursakeandforthe
sakeofyourrealm,Iaskyoutobeopentoallthatyou’llsoondiscoverLoreleitobe.”

HisgazefelltoLoreleioncemore.“I’vefeltherpower,whichshesharedwithmewhileconfronting

theInvictustonight.Shesavedusboth.”

“Beopen.”
Hemethergazeandsawintheweightofherexpressionnotonlyhisneedtotakeheradvicetoheart,

butherownsuffering.Hecouldrelate.Inmanyways,heandthequeenwerealike,butevenhedidn’t
carrytheburdenthatRosamundedid.Shewasperhapsthemostpowerfulwomaninhisrealmandhad
keptherthronesafefromMargetta.ItwasbelievedthatwhoeverruledFerrendenPeacecouldalsotake
overtheNineRealms.

background image

WhenSethhadvisitedthecastletwomonthsago,he’dspokenwiththequeenaboutherresponsibility

tokeepFerrendenPeaceoutofthehandsofMargettaoranyotherself-serving,realmpersonwhowanted
toenslavealltherealms.She’dlivedapartfromherpeersinordertopreservethefreedomofall.

Hisownsolitudehadbeenapersonalchoice,whilethequeen’shadbeenanecessityforthesakeof

theirworld.Theleasthecoulddowastakeheradmonitiontoheart.

“I’lldoasyou’vesaid.”
Sheappearedtobreatheadeepsighofrelief.“Good,andthat’sallthatanyonecanaskofyou,Seth,

tojustbeopen.”

*********

Loreleihurtdeepintoherstomachallthewaytoherspine,thenupthroughherribcage.Shewas

certaineveryoneofherinternalorganshadbeendamagedwhenthathorriblewraithhadslungherbattle
energyinherdirection.

She’dneverknownsuchpainandwhilelyingnexttoSethinthesnow,she’dbeenconvincednotonly

thatshewoulddie,butthatSethwouldaswell.Andshewouldhavefailedatthefirstimportanttask
she’deverbeengiveninherlonglife-on-the-run.

Butfromwhereshelay,withawarmhandpressingonherheadandhealingrollingthroughherbody,

sheknewshehadn’tdiedafterall.Foronething,therewasasmallspiderwebinthecornerofthebroad
frontwindownearthegrandpiano.Surely,theNineRealm’sversionofheavenwouldn’thaveallowed
spiders.

Shepushedherpawagainstthehealer’sknee,aformofgratitude,thensigheddeeply.Shewasstillin

wolfform,ashapeshe’dcometotreasuresincecomingtoWalvashorr.

Howlongagoitseemedsinceshe’dmadethetrektoFerrendenPeacewithMastyrQuinlanand

Batya,throughtheCavernsofPickerne,theDeadForestandtheSnowfieldsofRayne,alltogettoQueen
Rosamunde’skingdomandtosafety.

Thequeenhadtaughthersomuch,somanyskillsthatshenowemployedtosuccessfullythwarther

mother’sattemptstogaincontroloverheragain.Sheowedthequeeneverything.

“Canyoushifttoyourfaeform?”
Loreleifrowned.Sherecognizedthehealer’svoice,butitseemedimpossible.Rosamunde?You’re

theonetendingtome?

Yes,I’mhere.
Butyou’reindanger.You’reonlyprotectedinFerrendenPeace?WhatifMargettafindsyouand

whydidyoucomehereinthefirstplace?

Rosamundechuckled.Somanyquestions,child.
Loreleiwasanadult,ninetyyearsintherealmworld.ButRosamunde’sagewasasyetunknown,well

overathousandyears,soLoreleisupposedthequeenhadcausetoaddressherasshewouldachild.In
realm-terms,Loreleiwasstillveryyoung.

Shetriedtoliftherhead,butcouldn’t.Shewassoweakandshestillhurt.
Butshewouldhealsomuchfasterinherfaeform.
She’dalsocreateanewlevelofpainwhenshewentthroughthetransformation,butitcouldn’tbe

helped.Shehadmoretoconsiderherethanherowncomfortlevel.Forone,thequeenwasalwaysin
dangeroncesheleftherkingdom,andforanotherLoreleistillhadajobtodoinprotectingMastyrSeth.

I’llshiftnow.
Good.Justremaininthisposition,recliningonmylap.
Noproblem.

background image

Shesqueezedhereyesshut,accessedhershiftingvibration,andletitflow,focusingonthefaeform

she’dbeenbornwithsomanydecadesago.

Butthepain!
Shecursedmentally,makinguseofeveryfoulwordshe’deverheardinthecourseofherlife.She

hopedshedidn’tpaththemtoRosamunde,butevenifshehad,shewasn’tsureshecared.

Intheend,sheblackedout.
Whenshewokeup,QueenRosamundehadleftandLoreleihadbeenmovedtoadifferentroom

altogether.Shesnuggledbeneathawarmcomforterwithawoodfireblazinginthestonefireplaceacross
fromthefootofthebed.Sheturnedontohersideandglancedoutthewindow.Shecouldseethatnight
hadbecomedayandthesnowhadstartedtofalloncemore.Herinternalclocktoldheritwaslate
afternoon.Shehadsleptalongtime.

Everythingwasquiet,exceptthatsheheardDebussy’sClairdeLunecomingfromthelivingroom.

Shesmiled.Sethwasplayingthepiano,expertly,beautifully.Helivedarichlife,fullof

divergentinterests,andinthiswayheseemedsodifferentfromtheothermastyrs.Helovedmusic,

books,mathematics,andlivinginthemountains.

Sheshiveredsuddenly,asensationthathadnothingtodowithachillintheair,butwithapowerful

memory,somethingshewouldneverforget,ofthefirsttimeshe’deverlaideyesontheMastyrof
Walvashorr.

Twomonthsago,thedayafterMastyrQuinlanandBatyaleftFerrendenPeaceonthequeen’sorders,

LoreleihadbeenwalkingalongthethirdstorycatwalkthatlookeddownintotheQueen’sreceivingroom.

Theupperstoriesofthestonecastleenjoyedaflowofheatfromthelowerfireplacessoshe’dgone

exploring.Shehadn’tknownthatMastyrSethhadstayedoveranextranight.

Butshe’denteredashorthallwithasecrecyscreenthatallowedhertoseeintowhatprovedtobe

MastyrSeth’sbedroom.

Hehadthelargebalconydoorsflungwideopensothatfresh,coldairblewthroughtheroom.Though

nighthadn’tyetfallen,thenorthernlightfloodedtheroomwithoutthedangerousdirectraysthatwould
harmvampiresandtoalesserdegreefaeandotherrealm-folk.

Heworehislong,thickbrownhairintheGuardsman’swovenclasp,butlittleelse.Justblackwork-

outshortsandawhitetanktophangingfromhiswaistband.Heusedtheshirtoccasionallytowipesweat
offhisforehead.

Shewatchedmesmerizedashedroppedlithelytothefloorandonthetipsofhisfingersperformedat

leastahundredquickpush-ups,thenshiftedtohisbuttocksandcrunchedoutatleastasmanysit-ups.He
wasleanerthanQuinlanbyalot,buthismuscleshadaripped,heavierlook.

Desireforhimhadbegunlikeasmallwavethatgotbiggerandbigger,finallyswellingoverheruntil

shefeltdizzy.She’dneverhadsopowerfulareactiontoamanbefore,ofanyspecies,inthewholecourse
ofheradultlife.Theneedtotouchhim,toconnectphysically,becamealmostacompulsion,something
morewolfthanfae.

Hadshebeeninwolfform,shemighthavechargedintotheroomandbumpedhimwithhernose,then

herbody,justtomakecontact.

Butasafaefemale,andexperiencingsexualneedofhim,shecouldonlyremainrootedtothesecret

hallwayfloor,staringathimthroughthescreen,essentiallyspyingonhim.

Hewrappeduphisroutinewithmorestretching,thenmovedtothebalconytostareoutatarolling

vistaoffarmlandsandtheoccasionalislandoftrees.FerrendenPeacewasabeautiful,pastoralcountry,
almostarealmapart.

background image

Whatshedidnext,however,wasunpardonable.UsingthenewskillsRosamundehadonlythat

morningtrainedhertodevelop,shecastalayeredenthrallmentshieldaroundherself,leftthehall,and
stoleintohisroom.

Shehadtoseehimcloseup.
Movingtothebalcony,shetookupaplaceattheendsothatshecouldwatchhim.Hesmelled

heavenly,arichmossyforestscent,likesomethingwooded.Hernostrilsflaredandthewolfpartofher
wantedtohowl,wantedtocryoutsomemessagetotheworldthatshe’dfoundhim,she’dfoundtheone.

Hehadnoideashestoodfivefeetawayfromhim,staringupathisgray-greeneyes,hisstraight

brows,theangled,masculinelineofhischeeks.

Hergazefelltohisneckandshoulders,cordedwithtight,extremelywell-definedmuscle.Hedrank

fromawaterbottle,smallsips,rehydratingashisgazewanderedthedistantvista.

Sheepbleated,ajarringsoundintheserenepasture.Hisgazerose,trackingahawk,hersdidaswell.
Sherealizedthatinallhertravelswhilehidingfromhermother,she’dspentonlyoneyearin

WalvashorrRealmandallduringthattime,she’dneveronceseenMastyrSeth.Wouldshehavehadsuch
anintensereactiontohimallthoseyearsagoifshehad?

Shewantedtotouchhim.Thatwastheworstpart.Itwasonethingtoholdtheshieldtightanddisguise

herpresence,butquiteanothertoputherhandonhim.Shemovedcloser,inchingherfingerstowardhim.
Avibrationigniteddeepwithinherbodyandinstinctivelysheknewwhatitwas,hermatingfrequency,
andthatnoneofherpreviousboyfriendshadeveronceawakenedherinthisway.

Thoughshedidn’tactuallymakecontact,Sethsuddenlygrabbedhisarmandrubbedtheareanearthe

tipsofherfingers.Hemusthavesensedherproximity.

Shedrewherarmback,fearingdiscovery.Stillkeepinghershieldtight,shehurriedfromtheroom,

returningtohercastlebedroom.Shelayonherbedforalongtime,stunnedthatonlyarealmrulerhad
beenabletoarousehermatingfrequency.

Arealmruler.
SethofWalvashorr.
Itwasn’tuntilthenextdaythatshesettledintoherinvestigativeroutine,ferretingouteveryscrapof

informationaboutSeth,makingliberaluseoftheNineRealmsInternet,readingeverycomment,every
blog,everynewspaperarticlethatevensomuchasmentionedhisname.

Fromthatinformation,she’dgraduallyconstructedaportraitofhim,thathelivedanextremely

solitaryexistenceforarealmruler,butthathewasamanofhonor,apowerfulwarrior,andhespent
everywakingmomentservingWalvashorr.

Hehadonlyoneresidenceofanysignificance,hisShauckGorgehouse,whilemostoftheother

mastyrshadthreeorfour.TheapartmentinsouthWalvashorr,inHawgrine,didn’tcountnordidtheodd
treehousehe’dbuiltatRedheartPeakinthenorth.

Hehadnoclosefriends,andinthisonethingespecially,LoreleifeltshecouldreallyrelatetoSeth.

Batya,nowabloodroseandbondedtoMastyrQuinlan,hadbecomeagoodfriend,maybeeventhefirst
realfriendLoreleihadeverhadinthepastseventy-twoyearsofherlife,fromthetimeshe’descapedher
mother’sprison-homewhenshewaseighteen.Buthertransientlifestylehadseverelylimitedthethings
she’dbeenabletosharewithBatya.

Essentially,she’dlivedherlifeapart,likeSeth.
Sosheunderstoodhimandeventhecauseofhischosensolitude.He’dbeenorphanedateightwhen

anInvictuspairhadkilledhisparents.Whileonafamilypicnic,Sethhadbeenexploringdeepinthe
nearbyforestandwhenhe’dcomeback,he’dfoundamassacre.Hisyoungerbrotherandhisparentshad
beendrainedandslaughtered,whileanolderbrotherhaddisappeared.

background image

Anorphanagehadfollowed,aplacewheresurvivalofthefittesthaddefinedday-to-dayexistence.
Almostacenturylater,he’dbeenengagedtoawomannamedKristen,butshe’ddied.Notmuchhad

beenwrittenaboutthosecircumstances,buttheycouldn’thavebeengoodbecausehe’dnevertriedagain.
Hekeptwomenatadistance.

Shortlyafter,he’dbecomeMastyrofWalvashorr.
Asthereveriedriftedaway,Loreleisigheddeeply.Sheliftedthecomfortertohernoseandbreathed

in.ThefabricsmelledofSeth,thatintenselyrich,mossyscentofhis.Sheknewshe’dbeenlefttorecover
inhisbedandsomethingaboutthatafflictedherheartbadly.Herchestfeltstrangelyheavyandweighed
down.SheworriedaboutSethandthoughshe’dbeeninstrumentalinsavinghimatLoperzCanyon,she
couldfeelinherbonesthattherewasmoretocome.

Shetrembled,asthefaepartofherwarmedup.Shehadasenseofthefuture,thatshewouldbecome

muchmorethanSeth’sbodyguard.Yethowcouldtwosuchsolitaryindividualsevertrusteachother
enoughtojourneytogether?

*********

SethplayedDebussy,asuresignhehadaproblemtosolve.Somethingabouttheimpressionistic

music,ormaybejustthesoothingaspectofrunninghisfingersupanddowntheblackandwhitekeys,
helpedhisbraintoprocesswhateverdilemmahadhimtiedup.

Andheneededprocessingrightnow:Rosamunde,Lorelei,herlatentpower,thefutureoftheNine

Realms.Andofcourse,hisbloodstarvation.

Hisstomachcrampedinincreasinglytightwaves.Heshouldhavecalledhisdoneusesooner.Butshe

wouldarriveatfull-darkandhe’dbereadytofacewhateveritwasthatRosamundehadhintedatwhen
she’dtoldhimtobeopentoLorelei.

Inbetweenpieces,hishandsshook,anotherindicationhe’dwaitedtoolongtofeed.
Andthemorehehungered,themorehisthoughtsturnedtoLoreleiasleepinthenextroom.For

reasonshecouldn’texplain,fromthetimehe’dsettledherinhisbed,he’dstartedtocraveher.Helonged
forherbloodandmaybebecauseshelaybeneathhiscovers,hewantedtojoinher,tofeedfromher,and
tomakelovetoher.

Thesethoughts,however,hestrovetosetaside.Nogoodcouldpossiblycomefromsexinguphis

bodyguard.

Butthecravingsremained.
Hisfingerscontinuedtoplythekeys,repeatingClairdeLune.
Hestillhadn’tcompletelyprocessedtheattackhe’djustbarelysurvived.He’dbeenledintoatrap

thatwouldhavekilledhimexceptfortwothings,thatLoreleihadintervenedandthatsomehowshe’d
summonedhisentireShifterBrigadetocometohisrescue.Heowedhislifetoher.

HehadsomanyquestionsincludinghowLoreleihadactuallyreachedhisentirebrigadewithone

longhowl.

WhenhefinishedClairedeLunethesecondtimethrough,herosefromthepianobench.Glancingat

theclockonthewall,hesawthatitwasfour-thirty,notlongnowuntilfull-dark,themonthbeing
Decemberandhisrealmfarthernorththanmost.RosamundehadlefthimstrictorderstoawakenLorelei
atthishour,togivehersomefood,andtotalkwithherabouttherecentbattle.Hewasthentokeepher
closetohissideoverthenextseveraldays.She’demphasizedthelatter,thatcriticaleventswereonthe
horizonforthemboth,mattersthatinvolvedtheirindividualsafetyaswellasthefutureoftheNine
Realms.

Sethsmiledwryly.Butnopressure.

background image

Hewenttothekitchenfirstandpouredacupofsteamingbeefbroth,alsorecommendedby

Rosamunde.TheshifterpartofLoreleiwouldalwaysrespondtoredmeat.Headdedaslabofbuttered
sourdoughbread,thenheadeddownthehall.

Ashewalkedtowardhisbedroom,aseverecramptookholdofhimsothathehadtopauseandwait

forthepaintosubside.Hischeeksdrewinwardandsalivafilledhismouth.Itdidn’thelptobesmelling
thebroth.

AssoonashetookcareofLorelei,he’dcallhisdoneusetomakesureshewasonherwayandtoput

somespeedon.Atthispoint,hewasinbadshape.

Hegenerallyfedtwiceadayandhe’dmissedhisearlymorningfeeding.Maybeitwashisstrict

exerciseregimen,butheseemedtoneedmoredonationsthantheothermastyrsheknew.Rightnowhe
wasmaybethreehoursawayfromfallingintoacoma,withdeathtakingplacenotlongafterthat.

Enteringtheroom,hefoundLoreleistandinginfrontofthesouth-facingwindowwhichhadalong

viewdownthegorgetotheAthaliaRiverandthesnow-coveredforestbankingbothsides.Sheworeone
ofhist-shirts,ablackonethatbaggedoverhershouldersandhungtomid-thigh.

Hisgazedroppedtoherbarelegsandfeet,andlikethered-bloodedvampirehewas,desirerose,but

hesuppresseditimmediately.Shelookedsexyashell,whichwasn’thelpinghiscravingsatall.

Sheseemedintentontheviewoftheriver,twohundredfeetbelowhishome,rollingfast,visible

throughalightfallofsnow.

“Ibroughtyousomethingtoeat.”
Sheturned,hernostrilsflaring.Shesqueezedhereyesshutasthoughinpain.
Concernforherbloomed.“Areyoustillhurting?”
Hesetthefoodonthetabletotherightofthefireplace,neartheeastwindow,thenhurriedovertoher,

movingtostandnexttoher.

“I’mfine.”Sheheldupbothhandsasthoughtowardhimoff.Shewasshaking.
“You’renotfine.Lorelei,what’swrong?”
“Nothing.I’mallhealedup.Really,I’mfine.”Sheturnedashouldertohim,facingthewindowonce

moreandcrossingherarmsoverherchest.

Shewaslovely,eveninprofile,withherhairdrawnbackbehindherrightear.Theshaperosetoa

stunningfaepoint,withthreeamethyststudsleadingtowardthepeak.Exquisite.

Hehadasuddenfantasyoflickingalongthatcurve,teasingthefoldsofherear,thehardedgesofthe

jewelsrubbingoverhistongue.

Timeslowedtoastopashewatchedherstaringatthemountainvistaoncemore.Andthat’swhenhe

caughtafaintscentcomingfromher,somethingverylight.Hebreathedin,lettingtheunusualfragrance
flowthroughhim.Afteramoment,herealizedherscentremindedhimofappleblossomsandonceagain
desiresweptthroughhim,sosuddenandprofoundthathebarelyrepressedagroan.

Imagesspedthroughhismindoftakingfromherneck,thencarryinghertothebedandhavinghisway

withher.

Heneededtogethimselfundercontrol,butherproximityseemedtobetakingasuddenandprofound

toll.

Returningtothetablebythefireplace,hegavehimselfashake.Hedidn’tlikefeelingthisedgyand

hisbloodhungerhadrevvedupagain.

Hetookafewdeepbreathstocalmhisbodydown.Hejustdidn’tunderstandwhyhewasreactingto

herlikethis,withsuchimmediateneedforbothherbodyandherblood?

Afteralongminute,hefeltmoreincontrol,andtookthemugtoher.
“Youneedtoeat.”Hehelditouttoher.

background image

Shetookholdofthehandleandsmiled.“Oh,thankyou.Thissmellslikeheaven.”Hergazeflittedto

him,thenawayasshebroughtthemugtoherlips.

Shewasnervousaroundhimrightnow.Hecouldseethat.
Shetookalongdrinkandhershoulderseaseddown.“Mywolflikesthis.”Sheevensmiledagain.
Hisbreathcaught.Shehadbeautifulteeth,longincisorsthatmadeherlookbothpredatoryand

adorableatthesametime.Whywashesodrawntoher?

Thenhecaughtthescentofherbloodoncemore,onlyricherthistime,likeappleblossomsandwine,

andhelistedonhisfeet.

“Areyouokay?MastyrSeth,what’swrong?”
“I’mfine.”Herightedhimself.Hisdoneusewouldbeherewithinthehour.He’dtankupandbemore

likehimself.

“Iguesswe’llbothbelyingforawhile.”
Hisgazeshottohers.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Well,we’rebothfine,right?”
Atthat,hislipscurved.“Iseeyourpoint.”

*********

LoreleiwatchedSethovertherimofhermug.Hisaromatic,mossyscenthadthickenedintheair

whichmeanthedesiredherandthatmadeherwanthimmorethanever.He’daskedwhatwaswrongbut
shecouldhardlytellhimshewantedhispantsoff.

Heturnedtoleananarmalongthesupportbeamnexttothewindow,hisgazefixedoutsidetothe

oppositetree-linedridge.Heseemedpreoccupied,perhapswithignoringhisinterestinher.Hewould
thinkitinappropriate,partofwhatsheunderstoodtobetrueabouthim,notjustfromherresearchbut
becauseshe’dtrackedhimforweeks.

Sethhadahighlydevelopedsenseofpropriety.
Sheknewaswellthathisbloodhungerhadreachedacriticalpoint,buthowsheknew,shewasn’t

exactlysure.

Shecontinuedtosipherbrothasshewatchedandwonderedexactlywhatwasgoingonwithhim.
Vampiresgaveoffalotofsignalsthattheywantedtotapintoavein,themostpowerfulbeinga

spontaneousappearanceoffangs.YetSethshowednofangs,althoughsheunderstoodwhy.Hewasaman
ofstrictcontrolsohe’dprobablyleavetheroombeforeheletherseehisfangsinasituationlikethis.

Butwhatshefeltemanatingfromhimdifferedfromanythingshe’dknownbefore.Itwasasthoughshe

couldactuallyfeelhishungerlikeasoftvibrationagainstherskinandhewasn’tjusthungry,oreven
blood-starved.Heneededtofeedorhe’ddiewithinacoupleofhours,hewasthatclose.

SweetGoddess,whyhadhelethimselfgetthisfarstrungout?Yetknowinghoworderedhekepthis

life,andthathetookfromhisdoneusestwiceaday,henodoubthadawomanflyinginrightnow.

Butshedidn’twantanotherwomaninhishouse.
Shewantedtofeedhim.
Ifsheoffered,wouldhelether?Woulditevenbewise?
“There’sbread.”Hepushedawayfromthewindow,andreturnedtothesmalltable.Hebroughtback

aplatethatboreathickslabofsourdoughslatheredwithbutter.

“Thatlookswonderful.”Shesetthenowemptymugonthewideshelfjustbelowthewindow,then

tooktheplateinhand.

Thefirstbitewasheaven.“Amazing.”
“Fresh-baked.Myhousekeepercomesineverycoupleofdays.She’sastubborntrollwhobakes

background image

breadfreshformeandkeepsmestockedwithsoups,meats,allkindsofhome-grownfood.”

Loreleitookanotherbiteandhereyesrolledinherhead.“I’vediedandgonetoheaven.”
Hislipscurved.“Herhusbandtellsherthatherbreadcouldbringadeadtrolltolife.”
“Isobelievethat.”Shechuckled,thenputahandbetweenherbreasts.Herheartfeltverystrange

suddenly,almostleaden.She’dbeenfeelingthiswaysinceshe’dawakenedinSeth’sbed,butthe
sensationhadworsened.

“What’swrong?”
“Idon’tknow.Ijustfeelsoheavyhere,inmychest.”
Hisnostrilsflaredandhisgazefelltoherthroat.“Byalltheelflords,Icansmellyourblood.Lorelei,

what’sgoingonwithyou?”Hetremblednow.

Shehadasuddenfae-ishpremonitionthatshewasdestinedtofeedhim.What’smore,onceshe

offeredanddespitehisself-discipline,hewouldn’tbeabletoholdback.

Asshewatchedhiseyesdilateandhisgazeslideupanddownherthroat,sheknewshe’dwantedthis

fromthefirstmomentshe’dseenhim.

Shemadeherdecisionquicklyandsetherplatebesidethemug.Shegatheredupherhairandtwisted

ittoliedownherback,awayfromherneck.Youhungry?

Hiseyeswidenedandforamomenthelookedpanicky.Yousure?
Takewhatyouneed,MastyrSeth.I’mhereforyou.Mybloodisyours.
Hisfangsdescendedandoncemoredesirerippedthroughher.ShewantedSethtodrinkfromher,but

shewantedhisbodyaswell,movingoverhers,intoher,possessingher.

Hisbeautifulgray-greeneyesglazedover,alookshe’dneverseenbefore,blood-lustmaybe.Her

heartbeathardinherchestnowanddesireforhimspreadlikeawaveofheatthroughherabdomen.She
wantedthis.She’ddreamedaboutservicinghiminasmanywaysashe’dletherandnowthetimehad
come.

Shespokealoud,commandinghim.“Takeme,Seth.”Hervoicesoundedhoarse.
Shehadjustenoughtimetoanchorherself,whenhewasonher,pinningheragainstthecoldwindow,

hisfangsburiedinherthroat,piercinghervein.

Hegruntedstrangelyasheretractedhisfangs.
Thenhebegantosuck,deepdrawsthatfeltsogood.
Loreleilostherselfinthesensation,inthewayshe’ddesiredSethfromthemomentshe’dfirstseen

himinRosamunde’scastle,inthedeepmossyscentofhimthatbroughtdesirerisingsharply,inhislean
toughbodypressedagainsthers.Shecouldfeelhisarousal,asolidropeagainstherabdomen.

Caressinghisshouldersandback,sheslidintohisheadoncemore.Yousmellextraordinary,Seth,

andIlovethatyou’redrinkingfromme.Feeduntilyou’resatisfied.Anduseme.Pleaseuseme.

Hegruntedagain,buthishandsmoveddownhersides,thenpulledupthelongt-shirtsheworeuntil

hisfingersdugintoherbarehipsandbuttocks.

Shewhimperedathistouchbecausevibrationscamefromhishands,flowingthroughherskin,

increasingherneedforhim.More.Dothatmore.

Hegrippedherhips,caressingandlettinghisfrequencyflow.Shemoanedagainsthisshoulderand

kissedhisneck,thenusingbothherhands,shepushedinsidewaysalonghishipstothefrontofhisjeans.
Hegruntedhisapproval,givingheraccessashecontinuedtodrink.

Yourblood…anelixir…sweetgoddess,likewine…intoxicating.
Sheworkedswiftly,unbuttoningandunzippinghispants,thentuggingthemdownhiships.
Hesuckedhardernowandgroaned,whichonlymadeherneedhimmore.Hishipsmovedina

promisingrhythm,gettingreadyforher.

background image

Don’tstop,Seth.Whateveryoudo,keeptakingmyblood.
Sheworkedhisjeansuntiltheyfelltothefloorandusingbothhandsshecaressedthehardlengthof

him.Hewasabigmanandtheshifterpartofherhadgrownneedysothatherbodywrithedasherhands
strokedhim.

Suddenly,heleftherneck,hisgreeneyesglowingandwild.Hetookhiscockinhandand,dippinghis

hips,hefoundherentrance.Themomenthepushedinsideher,shemethimwithanansweringgrindsof
herhips.

Sogood.
Feedifyouneedmore.
Hedidn’thesitate,butattackedherneckagain,suckinghardashishipssetupastrongrhythm.
You’resowet.
Andyoufeelsodamngood.
Hegrabbedherbottom,liftingherupjustenough,sothatshecouldwrapherlegsaroundhim.The

anglewasperfectandwitheachrollofhiships,hehitherjustright,allthewhiledrinkingherdown.

Atthesametime,hesentavibrationthroughhiscockandthesensationpushedhertowardtheedge.

Shegroanedheavily,slingingherarmsaroundhisback,clutchinghim.Hishardbodymethersoftcurves
withjusttherightpressure.

Shewouldn’tlastlong.She’dbeenwantingthisfortwofullmonthsnow,wakingupfromerotic

dreamsofSeth,achingforhim,lustingeverytimesheshiftedtoherwolfformandranthroughthe
mountainswithhim.

Seth,I’mready.I’mgoingtocome.
Thosewordsdrewhimoffherneck.Helookeddownather,meetinghergazeandbreathinghard.He

stillhadthatwildlook,almostasthoughhedidn’tknowwherehewas.

Hisgazefelltoherlipsandhecrasheddownonhermouth,kissingherwildly.Sheopenedforhim

andthat’swhenshestartedtocome.Pleasuregrippedherasshetastedherbloodonhistongue,feltthe
vibrationsflowingthroughhiscock,andsavoredtheswiftpumpsofhiships.

Andasecstasyrolledthroughherinpowerfulwaves,desireflowed,tighteningherdeepinsidesothat

thepleasurablepulseskeptwashingthroughher.Passionmovedupthroughherabdomentogildherheart,
drawingairinandoutofherlungsinheavinggasps,forcingherarmsandhandstomoveoverthemuscles
ofhisshouldersandback.Shecriedoutagainandagain.

Justastheorgasmstartedtoeasedown,anotherreplacedit,rushingthroughheragain,takingherto

anotherpeak.Sheleanedawayfromhim,pressedherheadagainstthewindowandscreamed.

Setharchedaswell,thenheroaredashecame,asoundshewouldneverhavebelievedcouldcome

fromthemoststoicofthemastyrvampires,agutturalclaimingsoundthatreachedintothenightsky,
callingeverywildthingdownfromthehills.

Inthedistancewolveshowled.
Andaspleasurecontinuedtopossessherbody,Loreleismiled.

background image

ChapterThree

Withhiseyesclosed,Seth’smindspun.Hedidn’tknowwhy,buthewaslockedintosomekindof

derangedanimalstatethatmadeitimpossibleforhimtorecognizehissurroundingsoreventheidentityof
thewomanhewaswith—hewasthatlost.

Atthesametime,hereveledinthedrugged-out,groggysensationthatpossessedhim.Hehadno

stomachpainandhefeltfree,relaxed,andaboveall,thewoman’sbloodhadsatiatedhimasnever
before.

Butwhichwoman?
Oneofhisdoneuses?
Thewomantrembledinhisarmsandkeptsighing.Hesensedhersatisfactionaswell,asthoughwhat

he’dgivenherhadbeenthefulfillmentofadream.

Withhisarmswrappedaroundherandholdingherclose,hecaressedher.Hefeltt-shirtfabric,

incrediblysoft,beneathhisfingertips.Evenhissenseoftouchwasmoreheightenedandalive.

Alightappleblossomscentreturnedtohim,feedinghisdesireforthewoman.Hishipsflexedslightly

sothathiscockmovedinsideherwarmnestagain,andthat’swhenhebeganthestrangeglidebackto
reality.

He’dhadsexwithoneofhisdonors,somethingheneverdid.Sowhythistime?Hemadeitapractice

tokeephisrelationshipswithhisdoneusesstrictlyprofessional.Sowhathadpromptedhimtocrossthe
line?

Slowly,thecareful,controlledpartofhisbrainbeganfunctioningandhiseyesopened.Hehadaview

ofShauckGorge,snowfallingonfirtrees,frostonthewindowprobablyfromalltheheavybreathing.

Hewasinhishome.He’dneverhadsexinhishomebefore.Hekeptthisdwellingsacred,simple,a

refugefromthedifficultpathhewalkedasMastyrofWalvashorr.

“Seth?”
Lorelei’svoice.Againsthisshoulder.Howwasthatpossible?
Herlegswerewrappedaroundhiswaistandherarmsaroundhisback.Shestrokedthelengthofhis

longhair.

HewasholdingLorelei?
He’dburiedhiscockinsideher?Hisbodyguard,who’dalmostjustdied?
Hedidn’tunderstand.
Thenhismindclearedwithasudden,abruptstart.
Shit,he’djustfuckedLorelei,thefae-shifter-wraith,alsopartvampire,whohadsavedhislife,who

servedashiswolf-guardian,andwho’dalmostdied.He’dfedhersomebrothandbutteredbreadand
somehowthoughthehadarighttoherbody.

“Lorelei,I’msosorry.SweetGoddess,Ihadn’tmeanttodothis.”
“Iknow.”Anothersighfollowed.Shesaidnothingmoreandforthathewasgrateful.
Thereweresomanythingswrongwiththisequationthathehardlyknewwheretobegin.Hedrew

backslowly,easingoutofher,whichcreatedanewproblem.Afterpullinguphisbriefsandjeans,he
tookoffhist-shirtandhandedittoher.

Shenodded,aworriedfrownbetweenherbrowsasshecleanedup.SweetGoddess,he’djusthad

unprotectedsexwithMargetta’sdaughter.

Butforjustamoment,hismindtraveledbackafewminutes,towhatithadfeltlikedrivingintoher,

hisbodysatiatedwiththebloodfromherthroat,theorgasmshootingthroughhimlikeapleasurablefire,

background image

thebestsexofhislife.Bestblood.Heputahandtohisstomachagain.Butthistime,nopain.

Nopain.
Whowasthiswoman?
Hemurmuredanotherapologyandturnedawayfromher,headingtowardhiscloset.Hepulledout

anotherlong-sleevedshirt,navybluethistime,andslidhisarmsintothesleeves,thenpulleditoverhis
head.

Hefeltdizzy.Nauseawouldprobablyfollow,theusualprogressionofthechronicblood-starvation

thathesufferedfromasamastyrvampire.

Stillnopain.
Notasinglecramp.
Nonausea.
Nothing.
Hefelt…normal.Dizzyinaeuphoricway,butnormal.
Unbelievable.
Hehadn’tfeltthiswaysincebeforehe’dbecomeamastyrathousandyearsago.
TurningtolookatLorelei,anewterrifyingsuspicionemerged.“Howdoyoufeelrightnow?”Slowly,

hemadehiswaybacktoher,watchingherintently.

Sheheldherhandswide,hist-shirtbunchedupinonehand.Thelongshirtsheworeonceagainhung

tomid-thigh.“Ifeelreallygood.Infact,Ifeelwonderful.”

Hefrownedashesearchedhereyes.“YoutouchedyourchestbeforeIdrankfromyou.Why?”
Sheshookherheadslowly.“I’mnotsure.Iwasfeelingstrange.Myheartwasbeatinghard.Itfelt

heavy,likeIhad...toomuch…blood.Oh,God,no.”

She’djustdrawnthesamefuckingconclusion.
“That’swhatI’vebeenthinking.”
Shelookedhorror-stricken.“Seth,thiscan’tbehappening.Ican’tbesomanyspeciesandablood

rose.I’mMargetta’sdaughter,fortheGoddess’ssake.Ican’tpossiblybelongtoyouinthisway.”

Shedroppedthet-shirtonthefloorthencoveredherfacewithherhands.
“I’msorry.”Hisvoicesoundeddull.Hedidn’tknowwhatelsetosaytoher.Hecouldonlystand

wherehewasandstareather.Lorelei.Abloodrose.SweetGoddess.

Sheshookherheadbackandforthseveraltimes.“Thiscan’tbehappening.ImeanIknewIlikedyou

asinreallylikedyou,but—”Sheturnedtofacethewindowoncemore.“Thewolveshowled.Didyou
hearthem?”

“Idid.”
Hewantedtotouchher,tooffersomecomfort,butwhatcouldhedoorsay?
Intheend,hedecidedtotellherwhatheknew.“I’vetalkedenoughwithGerrodandEthan,andmore

recentlywithQuinlan,toknowthatyou’rerightaboutbeingabloodrose.Mystarvationisgone,asthough
itneverexisted.ButIshouldn’thaveattackedyoulikethatandafterward,Ididn’tevenknowwhoIhadin
myarms,Iwassoderangedbytheexperience.”

Sheglancedoverhershoulder.“Youdidn’tknowitwasme?”
“IbarelyknewwhereIwasandIdon’tlikebeingthisoutofcontrol.I’mneveroutofcontrol.”
“No,you’renot,sothismustbeashorrifyingtoyouasitistome.”
Sheputherhandtoherthroat.“Rosamundemusthaveknown.Onsomelevel,shemusthaveknown.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“ThatIwasabloodrose.Shemusthaveforeseenthis,maybetheattackinthecanyonaswell,Idon’t

know.”

background image

Hishairhadcomeloosefromhiswovenclaspandheshovedthelongstrandsawayfromhisface.

He’dbeenlikeawildbeastwhenhe’dgoneafterLorelei.

Heturnedtowardher,adifferentkindofconcernsurfacing.“DidIhurtyou?Justnow,whenIdrank

fromyouandusedyourbody,didIhurtyou?”

“No,ofcoursenot.Iwantedit,too.Couldn’tyoutell?”
“Iguessso,butIbarelyrememberwhyIsuddenlyletgoofmyrationalmind,exceptthatIsmelled

yourblood.Yougiveoffthispowerfulscent,likewalkingthroughanappleorchardinearlyspring.”

Shesmiledsuddenly,afamiliarwarmexpressionthatreachedintohisheartandgaveahardsqueeze.

“That’sfunny,becauseyourscentremindsmeofthosemomentswhenI’mrunningthroughanoldpartof
theforest,onefullofrichearthandcoveredinmoss.”Sheclosedhereyesbriefly,hernostrilsflaring.“I
cansmellyouevennow.”

Hewatchedpleasuremoveoverface,herheadtiltedbackslightly.Shehadabeautifulcomplexion,

likecream.Herbrowswerearched,herchinanexquisitefaepoint,andtheamethystswinkedathim,
teasinghimalloveragain.

Butitwasthedelighthesawinherfeaturesthatgottohim,thatwhoevershewasasarealm-woman,

sheknewhowtotakeenjoymentwhereshefoundit.

Heunderstood.Hispathhadbeendifficultforathousandyears,alwaysbattlingandalwaysalone.

Buthe’dlearnedhowtoappreciatetheworldaroundhim,whetheranewpieceofmusic,orasquirrel
thatoftenracedacrossthelongrailsofhisporch,orthemoonrisingthroughthetopsofthedistanttrees.

Caughtashewas,desireforherrosesharplyalloveragain,andhealmostpulledherintohisarms.
Butthepleasureinherexpressiontransformedintosomethingdarkerandhecouldfeelhersudden

anxietylikeavibrationonhisskin.

“Lorelei,whatisit?What’swrong?”

*********

Loreleididn’tunderstandwhySeth’sdesirehadrisensosharply,buthisscentdidn’tlie.Thevery

thingshe’dlongedforhadhappened,butnowthatshe’dhadsexwithSeth,herentirebeingsuddenly
recoiledatwhatwashappeningbetweenthem.

Shedidn’tknowhowtodothis,tobethisintimatelyconnectedtoanyone,andespeciallynottoaman

she’dcravedforthepasttwomonths.Morethananything,shefearedbeingrippedfromherworldagain,
asshehadatleastonceayearforthepastseveraldecades.

SheknewshewasnolongeratriskfromMargettafindingher,butherboneshadn’tyetlearnedthis

truth.

Asthoughherbodyactedinstinctively,sheshiftedtoherwolfformandboltedfromtheroom.She

heardSethcallingafterher,butshequicklywrappedanenthrallmentshieldaroundherselfandraced
throughhishouse,herclawsslidingacoupleoftimesonhispolishedwoodfloors.

Whenshereachedthebackdoor,sheshiftedtofaeonlyaslongasittooktocreatefingersandpullthe

doorwide.

Resumingherwolfshape,sheleapedontothenearbypathandranashardasshecouldupthesteep

mountainside,disappearingintotheforestitself,followinglesseranimaltrailstoavoiddetection.

She’dmadeadenforherselfsoonafterherarrivaltothearea,settingupaseriesofenthrallment

layerstoprotectherselffromotherrealm-folk,especiallyshifters,vampires,andmostimportantly,
Margetta.

Onceinsidetheden,shecurleduponthepadded,furcomforter,tremblingandtryingtocalmherself.

Sheboreathickwintercoatandwascomfortablephysically,butheremotionsswirledinherbody,

background image

tearingthroughhermind,creatinganupheavalshecouldn’tseemtosettle.

Shelickedthetopofherpawsandbreathedhard.She’djusthadsexwiththemanofherdreams.And

ithadrocked.

Shewhimpered,apurewolfishsound,andhuffedasigh.
Shewasabloodrose,butshedidn’twanttobe.She’dwatchedBatyaallthattime,asQuinlanhad

pursuedher,chasedher,thenbroughtherdown.

Hershifternosehadcaughtthescentofsexbetweenthemandthepowerfulfaepartofherhadfeltthe

vibrationsastheyconnected.

She’dneverconnectedwithanyone,butthebloodroseexperiencewasasprofoundasitwas

comprehensive.Theredidn’tseemtobeamiddleground,noplayingatsexandofferingherveinwhenit
suitedher.Thiswouldbeafull-blowncommitmentandshedidn’tknowhowtodothat.

She’dalsoheardthatSethhadalmostsunkhisfangsintoBatya.
Sheroseupswiftly,herfurliftingallalongherback.ShegrowledatthethoughtofSethdrinkingfrom

Batyaoranyotherwoman.

Shepacedinacircle,disgustedandfrightenedbysomanyoverwhelmingandcontradictoryreactions,

asthoughsherejectedabondwithSethwiththesameforcethatshedesiredhim.

Foramoment,whileshemovedbackandforth,adifferentkindofvibrationreachedher,veryfaint,

andhavingmoretodowiththeshiftercommunityinWalvashorrthanwithSethinparticular.

Shepaused,waitingtoseeifshecoulddecipherthemeaningofthisnewvibration.Somethingabout

thefrequencygaveherthesensesheneededtobemoving,buttodowhatshecouldn’tquitefigureout.

Afterafewminutes,thefrequencystoppedandshecurleduponcemoretothefurcomforter,crossing

herfrontpawsandsettlinghermuzzleontopofthemandwonderingwhatMastyrSethmadeofallthat
hadhappened.

*********

Sethstoodatthebackdoorofhishome.Thesunwasalmostgoneanditwouldbefull-darksoon.He

staredupatthesteepridgeandnoticedafaintbutveryrealtrailofsilvery-teallight.

Instinctively,andinaveryrealmway,heknewhewaslookingatLorelei’simprint,somethingonlyhe

couldsee.Thesexhadestablishedaprivatemarker,somethingthathadoccurredwhenhe’dtakenher
blood,createdbecauseofhismastyrvampirestatusandherbloodroseability.

Noneofthebondedmastyrshadmentionedthiskindofphenomenon,butthenLoreleicarriedsomany

specieswithinherthatthesilvery-tealtrailmightbespecificonlytoherorperhapsasaresultofher
shifterDNA.

Partofhim,thesamepartthathadjumpedonherthemomentshe’dsweptherhairbackfromherneck,

wanteddesperatelytofollowthattrail.Hewantedtograbthewolfbythescruffoftheneck,andhaulher
prettyasshome,straightintohisbedroomwhereshebelonged.

Ontheotherhand,thecivilizedpartofhimthatbelievedinself-controlaboveeverythingelse,

rejectedchasingthefemale.

Hewasaman,notabeast.
Yethe’dbeenallbeastwhenhe’dtakenherblood,thencoupledwithher.Hehadn’tevenknownwho

shewas.

Hisconductappalled,yetinturn,excitedhim—onehelluvadichotomy.
Loreleiwasashifter,whichmadehermoreconnectedtotheearthandtheanimalworldthanhe’d

everbe.Helivedapart,physicallyandmentally.Hekepthisbodyleanandfightingtoned,utterly
disciplined.Hismindservedtherealmheruled.

background image

Whatwashesupposedtodowiththisnew,raw,unexpectedturnofevents?Theothermastyrshad

warnedhimtobeready,thathisbloodrosewouldcome.He’dpreparedhimselfforamoreregularsortof
woman,maybeafaelikeBatya,orevenhalf-realm,half-human,likeSamantha.

ButnotLorelei,ananomalyinhisworldknowntohavefourdistinctDNAstrands:wraith,fae,shifter

andevenasmallremnantofvampire.Thoughrealm-folk,whenbirthedfromdifferentspecies,always
landedononesideoranother,Loreleicouldmoveeasilythroughthefirstthreemoredominantforms.He
hadyettoseethewraithpartofher,butQuinlanhad.

OnceQuinlanhadreturnedwithBatyatoresumehisdutiesasMastyrVampireofGrochaireRealm,

Sethhadspokenwithhimseveraltimesonthephone.He’daskedabouttheirmutualenemy,theancient
fae-wraithknownasMargetta,andintheprocesshadlearnedalotaboutLoreleiaswell.

Heknewshe’dbeenontherunforseventy-twoofherninetyyearsandthatagood-heartedtroll,

Genevieve,hadraisedLoreleiandinfusedherwithagenerous,givingattitudetowardlife.Whilehelping
Loreleitoescapeherprisoninoneofthemountainousrealms,GenevievehaddiedatMargetta’shands.

Notlongafter,LoreleihadlivedwiththefamousNineRealmscouple,VojalieandDavido,servingin

theirhouseholdonlytobediscoveredbyMargettathroughalatentmother-daughtertrackingsystem.From
thattimeforward,Loreleihadmovedfromrealm-to-realmandhermostrecenttwo-yearstayhadbeenin
Batya’sfree-clinicinGrochaire’sTennesseeaccesspoint.

AtFerrendenPeace,apparentlythequeenhadtaughtLoreleispecialskillsthatwouldkeepMargetta

fromfindinghereveragain.

YethereSethstood,watchinghersilvery-tealsignaturefinallyfadeaway,wonderingwhatchance

sequenceofeventshadbroughtLoreleitohishome.

Hecouldhavetrackedherrightnowifhe’dwantedto,butherabsencehadgivenhimachanceto

recoverhiswits.

Abloodrose.
Heshookhishead.
Heslippedhisphonefromthepocketofhisjeansandcancelledhisdoneuse.Beyondthat,hedidn’t

knowwhatthehellhewassupposedtodo.

*********

Withfull-darkhavingfinallyarrived,Loreleiemergedfromherden.
Shegaveherselfagoodstretchandanevenbettershake.Thesnowstillfell,thoughgently.Sustaining

herenthrallmentshields,sheliftedherheadtostarethroughthethickfirbranches,allthewaytothedense
snowcloudsabove.

ShewatchedforeventhesmallestsignofMargetta,whooftenpatrolledtheairduringthefirstcouple

ofhoursofthenight.Butforthemostpart,Loreleinolongerfeareddiscoverybyherparent.Rosamunde
hadhelpedbreakthespell,orwhateveritwas,thathadoncegivenMargettaanupperhandoverLorelei.

Keepingherlayeredshieldtight,shelistenedtotheforest.Snowkeptthemountainsincrediblyquiet,

whichmeantshecouldhearsoundsfromalongdistanceaway.Whatsurprisedherwasn’twhatsheheard,
butratherthatnotonesoundcamebacktoher.

Atthistimeofnight,theShifterBrigadepatrolswouldbealloverthemountains,movingatlightning

speedonallfoursasonlywolf-shifterscoulddo.Andshe’dbeabletohearthismovement,however
muffledbyalayeroffreshsnow.

Instead,sheheardnothing,norunning,nomovementofwind,nohowlsasthepatrolscalledtoeach

other.

Herheart-rateincreased.Somethingwaswrong.

background image

WasitSeth?
She’dbeensooverwhelmedbyherrecentexperiencewiththeMastyrofWalvashorrthatshe’d

forgottenthatherfirstjobwastoguardhim.

Shesetherpawsinmotionandwithinsecondsarrivedatthebackdoorofhishouse.Shelistened

intentlyandheardhisphoneringing.

Amomentlater,hisvoicehittheairwaves.“Ephyx.Whereareyourmen?Ihaven’tseenonepatrol

sincefull-dark.”

Loreleishiftedtoherfaeself.She’dchangedinherdenearlier,puttingonafreshpairofjeans,furry

snowboots,along-sleevedt-shirtandathin,butwell-paddedjacket.Sheknocked,thenenteredthe
kitchen.

Sethappearedinthedoorway,aphonetohisear.Hefrownedashemethergaze,butdippedhischin,

thenwavedherforward.

Shefelthisdistress,whichputallhersensesonhighalertasshewalkedswiftlytowardhim.He

turnedinthedirectionhe’dcome,afrownforcinghisbrowslowonhisforehead.

Ashemovedintothelivingroom,shefollowed.
“Ican’tbelievewhatyou’retellingme.”
“Whatisit?”Loreleiaskedquietly.
Hecoveredthephonewithhishand.“TheShifterBrigade.”
“They’regone,aren’tthey?”
Heglancedtowardthewindowasthoughstrainingtohearthemhimself.“Howdidyouknow?”
“Theforestissilent.”
Henodded,uncoveringthephone.“Ephyx,letmecallyourightback.”
Hergazetookhiminasheputhisphoneaway.HeworehisGuardsmanuniform,thelongblack

leather,sleevelesscoatoverathick,blacklong-sleevedwintershirt.Hishipbootsrosetomid-thighand
coveredhisbattleleathers.Asinglelineofsmallsilverstudsrandowntheoutersideofeachboot.He
lookedamazing,especiallywithhishairslickedbackandsecuredbythetypicalwovenclasp.

Hehadanextraordinaryphysiquetobeginwith,butthelayereddesignattheshouldersenhancedwhat

naturehadalreadygivenhim.

Familiarsensationspummeledheroflovinghowhelookedandhowhesmelled.Herhearthadstarted

laboringagain,aheavypullwhichshenowknewmeantshewasabloodrose.Shecouldn’tbelieveshe
wastheuniquekindofdonorthatfromnowonwouldproduceallthenourishmentamastyrvampire
wouldneed.

Knowingshe’drelievedhimofhispainfulblood-starvation,easedsomethinginsideLorelei.She

watchedawarriorvampirewhohadsacrificedforcenturiestoservehisrealm,whowouldgladlydiefor
WalvashorrandtheNineRealms,andshe’dhelpedhim.Forthat,anddespitewhatevermaycomeinthe
nextfewhoursordays,shewasgrateful.

“WhatdidEphyxsay?”
Herubbedtwofingersoverhisforehead.“Idon’tknowwhathappened.Hedoesn’teither.ButI

wantedtotalktoyouaboutLoperzCanyon.Areyouupforthat?”

“Yes,ofcourse.”
“Rememberhowyouhowledbeforeyouattackedthatvampireandknockedhimoverattheknees?”
Shenodded.
“EphyxtoldmethatsomehowyoucalledalltheshiftersofWalvashorrwiththatoneeffort.HeandI

discusseditbriefly,butyouwereinterribleshapesoIleftimmediatelyafterandbroughtyouhere.He
justtoldmethatevenafterIleftwithyou,apparentlytheShifterBrigade,fromallfourpacks,arrivedin

background image

thatcanyon.”

“Theentirebrigade?You’rekidding.”
“Notevenalittle.Youhavesomekindofsuper-connectiontoallfourpacks.”
Sheopenedhermouthtoaskanotherquestion,perhapseventoexpressherincredulity,butatthat

momentthesamefrequencythatshe’dexperiencedearlieratthedenreturned.Thevibrationfeltfullof
chaosevenrage.“Sowherearethepacksnow,ifthey’renotonpatrol?”

“That’sjustit.Ephyxsaidthey’reallatBigTimber.”
“All,asineveryshifterGuardsman?”Sheshookherhead,astonishedyetagain.
Henodded.
“Thenwe’dbettergetoverthere.”
Amomentlater,hisphonerangagain.“Yes,Ephyx.”HemetandheldLorelei’sgaze.“We’reonour

way.”

Sethdidn’thavetotellherwherethey’dbegoingorwhy.Thevibrationshe’dfeltearliernow

coalescedonherskinandthroughherbodylikeasuddenbrushfireandsheknewwithoutthesmallest
doubtthattheshiftercommunitywasabouttoeruptintoafull-blownwar.Shejusthadnoideawhy.

*********

Sethstaredintowarm,browneyes,surprisedbyhowhefelttowardthiswoman,bytherushof

gratitudeandevenaffectionthatflowedthroughhimbecauseofhowreadyshewastoenterthefray.
Knowingthatallfourshifterpackswereclosetotearingeachothertopieces,toldhimshecouldbe
endangeredbygoingtoBigTimber.Yetallshe’dsaidwas,‘Thenwe’dbettergetoverthere.’

“Maybeyoushouldstayhere.You’restillrecovering.”
Shetiltedherheadasthoughthesuggestionconfusedher.“I’mfine.Really.Don’tworryaboutme.

Besides,IcansensethatI’mnecessarytowhat’sgoingonwithyourbrigaderightnow.Myguessisthat
summoningthepacksasIdidhascausedaproblem.NowI’mhopingIcanbepartofthesolution.”

Sethdrewinadeepbreath.Hedidn’tlikethesituationatall.Mostofhisbrigadewasmadeupof

powerfulmalesthatwouldchompatthebittobattleeachother.AndbecauseLoreleiwaspartshifter,she
wouldn’tstayoutofthefightifitcametothat.

Butshewouldn’tremainhereeither.Shemighthaveatender,caringside,butshewasalsotoughand

stubbornashell.Thequeenhadcommandedhertoserveashisbodyguard,andnotoneofhisinitial
shoutingmatcheswithherhaddislodgedherintentiontoremainbyhisside.

“Sowhichwouldyouprefer,runningorflying?”Hedidn’twanttoassumeanythingwithLoreleiand

shemightprefershiftingtoallfours,ratherthanflyingwithhim.Mostwolf-shifterslovedtorunand
couldcrossdozensofmilesinanightandcouldoccasionallysprinttocoveramileaminuteforaquarter
houratatime.

“I’dlovetorun,ofcourse,butitwouldbefasterformetofly,right?”
“Yes,byatleasttenminutes.”
“ThenI’llfly.”Afunnygleamenteredhereye,almosttaunting,asthoughsheknewtheeffecthernext

wordswouldhaveonhim.“Anddon’tworry,IflewwithQuinlanmorethanonce.Inhisarms.Heheld
metight.”

Agrowlformedatthebackofhisthroat,deepandpossessive,somethinghe’dneverdonebefore.

Thatstoic,rationalpartofhimbegantofadeintothebackgroundoncemoreashepulledherintohis
arms.You’renottoflywithothermen,especiallynotmastyrvampires,doyouunderstand?

Isthatthewayyouwantit?
That’sacommand.
Henarrowedhiseyes,willinghertoobeyhim.

background image

Shesmiled,almostwickedly.“ThenIhaveacommandofmyown,SethofWalvashorr.Aslongas

we’retogether,aslongasyou’redrinkingfrommythroat,don’teventhinkaboutusingoneofyour
doneuses.Thisisatwowaystreet,understand?”

Sheleanedupandkissedhimwhichignitedhisneedforheralloveragain.
Withhereyesglinting,sheasked,“Sohowdoyouwantme?”
Heignoredthefirstresponsethatshotintohisbrain,whichwentsomethinglike‘flatonyourback’.
Instead,heorderedhissensesandgavethenecessaryinstructions.“Plantyourfootonmyleftboot.

That’sit.Nowyourarmaroundmyneck.”Hedrewhertightagainsthisside.“Doyoufeelsecure?”

“Very.”
“Good,becausewe’llbemovingfast.”
Helevitatedafootabovethefloorandglidedslowlytothefrontdoor.Onceoutsidewiththedoor

shutsecurely,heshotintotheairandheadednorthtowardBigTimber.

*********

Loreleiexperiencedtwosensationsatonce,thepleasureofbeingheldagainstSeth’sbodyandthe

oddvibrationsthatreachedherfromthenorth,acontinualfierysensationagainstherskin.Bothcalledto
herinwaysunfamiliartoher,thoughsheunderstoodherdesireforSethbetterthanthepack-based
frequencythatkeptpeltingher.

Howfarawayarewe?She’dneverbeentoBigTimberbeforeandshedidn’tknowWalvashorr’s

geographynearlyaswellasSethdid.

Fiveminutes,butyoufeelverytense.What’sgoingon?

Loreleiswallowed,herthroattight.I’mnotsure.Thebrigade’sshifterfrequencyiscrawlingover

myskin,butIdon’tknowwhatitmeans.

Isitpainful?
Almost.
Describeit.
Shehadtothinkforamoment.Fieryandchaotic,that’swhatthisfeelslike.Infact,itfeelslike

morethanonevibration.

Howmany?Evenwithinherhead,Seth’svoicesoundedjustlikehim,amid-rangetimbrewithstrong

resonance.

Ithinktherearefour.
Shefocusedonthevibrations,loweringherchin.Breathinginandout,shebeganseparatingthefour

strands,thesourceofthechaos.Eachfrequencystrandheldastrongemotionalelementthattheshifterpart
ofhertunedinto.

SherelayedtheinformationtoSeth.
Whichemotion?Canyoudefineit?
Shefocusedagain.Turmoiland...rage.Yes.Rage,butit’sfocusedonsomekindofterritorialissue.
Thatwouldn’tbeasurpriseforshifters.Territoryisextremelyimportantasyouprobablyalready

know.Andyousaytherearefourstrands?

Yes,I’mexperiencingfourexactly.
Lorelei,ourshifterpopulationismadeupoffourpacks.Doyouthinkyou’resomehowtappinginto

eachpack’ssignaturefrequency?

Ihavenoidea.Maybe.
Duringthispastmonth,haveyouspentmuchtimewithothershifters?

background image

No,notatall.Rosamundesentmetoguardyou.
Sinceyouarrived,haveyoufeltcompelledtoenterpacklife?Yourshifterheritagefeelsvery

powerfultome,almostaspowerfulasthepartofyouthat’sfae.

Sheneededhimtounderstand.ThetruthisthatIhaven’treallyfounditpossibletobeengagedin

anycommunity.TheclosestIcamewaswhenIlivedinLebanonandservedasBatya’sassistant.
Beforethat,Ineverstayedinoneplacelongerthanayear.

Ican’tevenimaginewhatthatmusthavebeenlikeforyou.I’velivedheremyentirelife.
Yetyou’realone.
Notalone.Ichooseasolitarypathtokeepfocusedonthejob.
So,hethoughtthiswasachoice.ButsheknewthetruthevenifSethdidn’tknowthatthiswasanold

survivalskillhe’dlearnedearlyonandstillemployed,togoitalone,alwaysalone.

Andshewasn’tmuchdifferent.
IsyourVampireGuardnearby?
Outpatrolling.I’vegivenAaronandCharlesafullupdate.They’llbecheckinginsoon.But

whateverisgoingonhere,Ican’ttaketheriskofleavingtherestoftherealmunprotectedbybringing
theGuardhere.

Ofcoursenot.
We’realmostatBigTimber.Howarethefrequencies?
EasiertomanagesinceIseparatedthem.Butthehostilityisunbelievable.
Onemoreridge.
Herosehighintheair,crossingthetallestmountainyet.Theruggedpeakwaswellabovethe

timberlinesothattheypassedoverasmoothwhiteexpanse.

Astheydescendedandthecentral,ancientconferencegroundscameintoview,Loreleidrewinalong

breath.“Howbeautiful.”

BigTimberwasanexpansivecomplexbuiltofavarietyofmodern,logstructures,includingseveral

massiveoutdoorplatformswithenormousburningfirepitsandhugetorchescirclingtheperimeter.Asa
famousrealmconferencecenter,allsortsoforganizationsusedthecomplexthroughouttheyear.

Shesawatonce,however,thatinalargecentralarea,maleshifters,int-shirts,leathers,andheavy

boots,shoutedateachother.

Sethslowedhisflight,easingthemtowardtheearth.I’veneverseenthemlikethis.Whatthehellis

goingon?

Withthepacksallcarefullyalignedwiththeiralphas,Loreleicouldseethatsomethingveryterritorial

innaturehadsetthepacksagainsteachother.Butshecouldn’timaginewhatshecouldpossiblydoto
relievethehorrendoustensionofthesituation.

Someoftheshiftersstrainedtodobattle,heldbackbyothers.Shoutingfilledthespace.
AnddeepwithinhershifterDNA,shewantedtojointhem.

background image

ChapterFour

Sethlandedintheverycenteroftheturmoilknowinghisshifterfightingforcewasahair’sbreadth

awayfromafree-for-all.Centuriesofworkingtounifythepack-loyalbrigadehadalmostcompletely
disintegrated.Themalewarriorsbehavedastheyhadlongago,tempersvolatile,loyaltytothepackset
farabovethewell-beingoftherealm,andthefemaleshiftersnotfarbehind.

Loreleisteppedawayfromhim,turninginacircle.Hefeltherdistress,evenheruncertainty,amirror

ofhisownresponsetothesituation.

Buthehadn’tbeenaleaderofwarriorsforcenturieswithoutknowingwhere,atleast,tobegin.
Inaloudvoice,hecommanded,“Iwantthealphasherewithmerightnow.Therestofyou,fallback

intopackformationsbeyondthecentralcommunalarea.”Hethenassignedwhatappearedtobethe
closestfirepitforeachpack.

Butthealphasdidn’tmoveandeachregimentstuckclosetoitsleader.EvenEphyx,whoalways

obeyed,stayedfrozeninplace,hiseyeswildwithshifter-rage.

Sethrarelyemployedhisrank,buthediditnow,addingapowerfulvibrationtohisvoice,ashe

shouted,“Doit,now!”

Thetensionintheranksaroundhimrosetoasharp,suddenpeakbutalmostasquicklysubsided.The

alphas,respondingtohisauthority,eachgaveasignalandtheirgrumblingforcesretreated.Pack
organizationreliedheavilyonchain-of-command.

AndSethwasatthetopofthatchain.
Someshoulderbumpingwenton,aswellasheavy,bassgrowls.Manyoftheshiftersshowedfuron

theirhands,andsomearoundtheneck,atypicalreactionofstrongemotion.Butforthemostpart,the
retreatrolledoutthewayheneededitto.

Ephyxspokeinaloudvoice.“Territorieswereviolatedduringtheprimecall.”
Sethstaredathimforalongmoment.“Whatdoyoumean,‘primecall’?I’veneverheardthatbefore.”
“Thesummoningcallthatonlyaprimefemalecanissue.”HeloweredhischinandheldSeth’sgaze.

“Thecallyourprimefemaleissued,callingallfourpackstoLoperzCanyon.”

HeglancedatLoreleiasanewlayerofhorrordescendedonhim.
Primefemale?
Hepathedtoher.Isthatyourtakeonthis?Primefemale?Andifshedidholdthisposition,whatdid

thatmakehim?

Lorelei’seyeswentwide.Idon’tknowwhatthatmeans.Remember,I’veneverbeenpartofa

shifterpack,soIdon’tknowalltheranksortheterminology.Itakeityoudon’t,either.

Heshookhishead.No,Idon’t.Atleast,I’veneverheardthistermbefore.
ThealphaCohoetspoke,histoneacerbic.“Shedoesn’tevenknowwhatsheis,orwhatshe’sdoing

here.Thisisfuckingbullshit.”Hisvoiceroseasheleveledhisgazeather.“Youdon’tdeservethisrank,
MistressLorelei.Whothehelldoyouthinkyouare,anyway,enteringWalvashorrwithoutdeferringto
me,ortooneoftheotheralphas?Youshouldhavedonethatfirstbeforechoosingamate.”

SethheldCohoet’sgaze,tryingtograspallthathewassaying.WhatdidhemeanthatLoreleihad

alreadychosenamate?

Glancingather,thehorrifiedexpressioninhereyestoldhimshewasn’tawarethatshe’ddoneany

suchthing.

ThereweresomanyissuesatworkthatSethcouldn’tquiteprocesswhatexactlywasgoingon.Butas

hebegananalyzinganddissectingthesituation,herealizedthatanewproblemhadrisen,oneclosely

background image

associatedwithLorelei’sshifterDNA.Cohoethaddemeanedherandnowolfofcharactercouldletsuch
achallengegounanswered.Hefeltherangerkickintohighgear,matchingthesamelevelofragethat
ruledallofBigTimberrightnow.

Heturnedtowardher,intendingtocalmherdown,butshe’dalreadylaunchedintotheairatCohoet.

Inturn,thealphabracedhimselfwithasmile,readytodobattle,evenwithafemaleinherweakerfae
form.

Actingoninstinct,however,Sethflewtowardher,catchingheraroundthewaistmidair.Heswungher

inacircleandthoughshefoughtagainsthim,hebroughtherbacktothesnow-coveredplatform.

Shepantedhard,hermusclestwitching,assheshovedagainsthimtryingtogetfreeofhishold.She

evenshowedasoftwhiteruffcirclingherthroat,whichsharpenedtheappearanceofhernowruddy
cheeks.Herfurhathadcomeslightlyaskewaswell.

Lorelei,easedown.Heheldhertight.Herbrowneyeswildassheglaredatthealphathathad

challengedher.Ineedyoutocomebacktome.Lookatme!

Thecommandworked.
Loreleiturnedherattentiontohim,blinkingseveraltimesasshementallyshouted,What?
Getholdofyourshifter-selfrightnow.
Sheappearedstartled,maybebythesterntoneofhistelepathicvoice.
Still,sheargued,ButwhothehelldoesCohoetthinkheis,Seth?AndwhatdoeshemeanthatI’m

yourprimefemaleandthatI’vechosenyou?That’sthebullshithere.

Butashestaredintohereyes,ashethoughtabouttherealitythatshewasabloodroseaswellasan

anomalyinhisworldbecauseofherunusualDNA,hewondered.Whatifyouhavechosenme?Whatif
youareaprimefemale?

Shefinallyceasedstrugglingagainsthim,andhelethergo.Thisisinsane.Shetuggedatherhat,

turningitslightly,straighteningitout.Furhadevensproutedonherhands.

Atleasthertemperhadsettleddown,thoughnowshepacedbackandforth.Thewhiteruffaroundher

neckspokeofheremotionsaswellashershifternature.Therandomthoughtstreakedthroughhismind
thathelikedhershowoffuratherwrists,handsandthroat.Helikedthatshehadadominantshifter
temper,earthyandwild.Inthisway,shebalancedhisstoicanalyticalnature.

CohoetaddressedSeth,noddingseveraltimes.“Iapprovethatthemastyrcancontrolhisfemale.This

isagoodthing.”

Sethgroanedhisdismay,thenquicklycaughtLoreleiaroundherwaistassheoncemoreleapedin

Cohoet’sdirection.SethheldhertightagainsthimassheletlooseverballywithherviewsonCohoet’s
attitudesandcharacter.

“Yousexistpig.MastyrSethwasn’tcontrollingme,hewasspeakingsense,butwhatthehellwould

youknowaboutthat?Youtreatyourmenlikeslavesandhaven’tallowedasinglewomantoserveinyour
forces.You’retheleastevolvedshifterI’veevermet.”

Cohoetwastheonlyalphawhorefusedtoallowwomentojoinhisregiment.Therestofthepacks

hadnearlytwentypercentinclusionoffemaleshifterwarriorsintheirranks.ButnotCohoet.

HeheardsomeofthefemalesfromalloverBigTimbershoutingtheirencouragementtoLoreleias

shecontinuedherrant.

“Andletmetellyousomethingelse,whenIthinkofyouasanalpha,Ithinkofanotherwordthat

beginswithAthatfitsalotbetter,andyouknowexactlywhatthatis.”Shecontinuedoninthisveinwith
Cohoetappearingalmostbored,armscrossedoverhismassivechest.Hehadnouseforwomenexceptin
bed,tocookhismeals,ortocleanupafterhim.

Seth,however,nowfoundhimselfinaridiculousquandary.Heneededhertocalmthehelldown,but

background image

herwrithingbodyasshetriedtopullawayfromhim,sentdesireforherrocketingthroughhimoncemore.

Theuncivilizedpartofhimlovedthatshewasout-of-controlandsayingthingstoCohoetthatmostof

themenpresent,andallofthewomen,hadwantedtosaytothebastardatsometimeoranother.

Helethersaywhatshewantedandsettledintoenjoyingthesoftcurvesofherbody.Hesniffedthe

ruffatherneck,savoringtheeroticappleblossomscentasshecontinuedhertirade.

Thebeautifulwhitefuronthebacksofherhandscalledtohimaswell.Hewasprettysureherscent

wouldbestrongthereaswell,andhewantedmoreofit.

Suddenly,Loreleiwhirledabruptlyinhisarms,landingonherfeetandstaringathimwithhorrified

eyesoncemore.Whythehellhaveyougoneallmossyonme?

Hethoughtaboutlyingtoher,buthedidn’tseethepoint.Hisscentclearlyhadgivenhimaway.

BecauseIlikeyoulikethis,allworkedupandshoutingatCohoet.

Hehadn’tplannedonhisarousalbeingthereasonthatherrageburntitselfout,butitwasasgooda

toolasanyandratherfittingforthecircumstances.Ofalltherealmspecies,shiftershadarealwildside
whenitcametosex,likingitearthyandrough.

Andheunderstoodveryclearlythatsomepartofhiscontrolledvampire-selfwantedtothoroughly

explorethissideofLorelei.

Shebreathedhardassheslowlyrecoveredhertemper.
Anotherofthealphas,Valgus,spokeup.“MastyrSeth,IconfessI’veenjoyedlisteningtotheprime

femaleenumeratemyfellowalpha’sconsiderableflaws.”Hepaused,noddingtoCohoet,andachuckle
ranthroughthecrowd.“Buttoreturntotheissueathand,Lorelei’ssummoningofallfourpackshas
createdahugeterritorialconflict.Ourcustomsdemandthatwesettlethedisputebyourusualmethods.”

Intheshifterworld,the‘usualmethods’referredtophysicalcombat.
Partofrulinganentirerealm,withsomanyvariedspecies,involvedallowingindividualspeciesthe

latitudetoself-governaseachsawfit.Battlingmano-a-manoworkedfortheshifterpacks.

ButthecurrentsituationleftallofWalvashorrvulnerable.“Ican’tletyoudothat,Valgus.Theancient

faehasapresenceinWalvashorrrightnowandhasbeenbringingindozensofInvictuswraith-pairsto
harmourfamilies.WhichmeansthatIneedallofyouservingyourterritoriesasyouhavebeenforthe
pastseveraldecades.RightnowmostoftheShauckMountainsisunprotected.”

Alophi,closerinattitudetoCohoetthantheothers,addedhispiece.“Youknowwetakecareofour

ownfirst.That’spacklaw.Anddecisionsmustbemade.”

Sethfrowned.“Whatdecisions?”
Ephyxsteppedforward.“Theprimefemalehasupsetthebalanceamongthepacks.Crossing

territories,asmanyofusdidinordertoanswerhercalltoLoperzCanyon,hasleftscenttrailsandthe
womenofthoseterritoriesarenowfreetopursuethemenofotherpacks.”

Okay,thatwasarealproblem.“Isee.”
EvenLoreleigrewquiet.Shecouldhardlyargueagainstterritorialitywhen,notevenanhourago,

they’dbothestablishedaneedforexclusivity.

Loreleipathed,Seth,Ihavenoideawhattodohere?Idon’tevenknownwhatitmeanstobea

primefemale.

Sethturnedtowardher.Ifyou’retheprimefemaleandyourcallcausedthisproblem,maybeyou

havetheansweraswell.

Thatmightbetrue,butIstilldon’tknowwhatI’mdoing.
Sethoncemoreturnedhisattentiontowardthepacks,acutelyawareofthehostilitythatranthrough

thebrigade.Hetriedtoquicklysizeupwhatneededtobedone,butthetruthwashedidn’thavesufficient
informationtomakeaproperassessment.Weneedanexperthere,someonetohelpusfigurethisout.

background image

I’mthinkingweshouldbringDavidoin.

Davido,ofcourse.Lorelei’seyesbrightened.He’sasoldasthehills.Ifanyonewillhaveanswers

aboutwhat’sgoingon,hewill.

Iagree.
Aloud,headdressedthealphas.“WeneedrealmsupportandI’mcallingDavidotohelpussortthis

out.Anyobjections?”Heglaredashespoke,hischinlowered,lettingthemknowthathewasn’tinthe
moodforargument.

Thealphastookturnsnoddingtheiracquiescence.Whenhehadthefullsupportofeach,hesuggested

ahuntforfreshvenison,whilehecontactedtheoldtroll.Emptystomachswouldnothelpthegeneral
volatilityofthepacks.

Whentheorderswereissued,severalshiftersfromeachpacktransformedintowolvesandtookoffin

fourdifferentdirections.Therestsetuptalltripodsfordressingthemeatandbuiltfirepitsforspit-
roasting.

SethremainedwithLoreleiinthecenteroftheexpansivecompound.
Sheslippedherarmaroundhis,thenpathed,Thatwasbrilliant,sendingthemouttohunt.Shifters

prefertobedoing.

Hemethergaze.SweetGoddess,aprimefemale?
Don’tremindme.I’mfreakingout.
Hedrewhisphonefromthepocketofhisbattleleathers.Timetobringinthebigguns.
JustashepulledupDavido’snumber,thetroll’svoicesoundedfrombehindhim.“Wereyouaboutto

callme,mygoodMastyrSeth?Ihopeso,becausemymostbelovedonesentme,orhaveIcometoo
soon?”

“Davido,”Loreleicried,turningasshespoke.Thistimewhenshelaunched,Sethdidn’tstopher.He

hadnofearofDavido,despitehisfamouscharisma.

DavidoopenedhisarmsandembracedLorelei.ShehadtobendovertoreachhimgivenDavid’s

shortstature,whichgaveSethanimproperviewofherbottomencasedintightjeans.Likethemalehe
was,hetookfulladvantageofthesight.

DavidorubbedLorelei’sbackandclearedhisthroat,finallydrawingSeth’sgazeawayfromher.
Davidowinked.
Sethchuckled.He’dalwayslikedDavido,oneoftheugliesttrolls,andfinestmen,he’deverknown.

HewasmarriedtoperhapsthemostbeautifulwomanintheNineRealms,VojalieofMerhaineRealm,a
verypowerfulfae,theonewhohadsentDavidotoBigTimber.

ThemysteryofDavido’sagepromptedallkindsofcuriosity.Sethhadknownhimhisentirelifewhich

placedhimbeyondeleven-hundredyears,yethisancientbackgroundremainedagreatsecret.Butthe
realm-folklovedthekindandverywise,ancienttrollandhiswife’sadorationsetanexamplefor
everyone.

Healsohadincrediblepowers,wellbeyondeventhemostgiftedintheirworld.Sethstilldidn’t

knowhowheactuallytravelled.Thoughhehadthecapacityforflight,moreoftenthannot,hedidhis
appear-disappearact.

WhenhefinallyreleasedLorelei,heshivered.“Istheresomeplacewarmerwecangototalk?”
Sethglancedaround.Themainlodgewouldwarmupquicklyoncehegotafiregoing.“Followme.”
DavidoimmediatelytookLorelei’shand.“Andhowiseverything,mydear?DidRosamundeteach

youwhatyouneededtoknow?”

Sethwatchedthem,hisgazedroppingmorethanoncetoDavido’shandclaspingLorelei’s.Hisheart

seized.Hewantedtofeelthatateasewithher,thathecouldtakeherhandandholditinhis.

background image

Hefeltasthoughhe’dlivedalifetimewithheroverthepasttwenty-fourhours,carryingherinhis

armswhileshe’dbeeninwolf-form,fearingshewoulddie.He’deventakenfromherthroatandhadsex
withher.Yet,thethoughtofholdingherhandunsettledhim,anothersignthathehardlyknewher.

ShechattedwithDavidoaskingaboutbabyBernice,theirrecentadditiontowhatwasalargefamily.
HeknewLoreleihadworkedinDavido’shouseholdalongtimeagoandthatDavidohadhelped

QuinlanandBatyagetLoreleitoFerrendenPeacejusttwomonthspast.Thetwoofthemhada
connection,somethinghehadn’texperiencedinalongtime.
Centuriesago,he’dcareddeeplyforKristen,awomanhe’dthoughttomarry.Butfromthetimehe’dlost
herthroughherbetrayalandsubsequentdeath,hehadn’tallowedanywomantogetclose.

HemarveledatthebloodrosephenomenonthatkeptmovinginwavesthroughthemastyrsoftheNine

Realms.AndnowLorelei,whohadcomeintohislife,wascapableofcreatinganendlesssupplyof
bloodforhim.

ThroughQuinlan,andsubsequentconversationshe’dhadwithRosamundeduringthemonththequeen

hadtrainedLorelei,SethknewthatLoreleihadbeentheproductofgeneticmanipulation,atest-tubefetus
thathadcarriedallfourstrainsofDNA,eachwiththeabilitytopresentasignificantfacetotheworld,a
completeanomalyinrealmhistory.

She’dalsobeendesignedtobeaweapontobeusedforMargetta’sambitionstoonedayruletheir

world.

ButMargettahadkidnappedthewrongtrolltoraiseLorelei,becauseGenevieve’sexcellentcharacter

hadmadeLoreleiawomanofgreatworth.

AsDavidoandLoreleisteppeduponthebroadporchofthemainlodge,sheglancedathimand

smiled.Shelookedhappy,andwhywouldn’tshebesinceshestillheldDavido’shand?

Jealous?Loreleipiercedhistelepathicfrequency,tauntinghimagain.
Hisbreathcaughtattheteasingsmileonherlips.Thewomanseemedtoenjoybaitinghimand

thereforedeservedtobeansweredinkind.Yes.Iwantmyhandsonyou,shifter-woman.

Whatreturnedtohimwasasuddenrushofappleblossomscent.Desireflowedquicklythroughhis

groininresponse,hardeningwhatshouldn’tbehardrightnow.

Davidoalsolookedbackathimandchuckled.“Thetwoofyoucanflirtlater.Rightnow,weneedto

stopthefourpacksfromgoingtowar.”

*********

LoreleistoodbackasDavidoandSethworkedtobuildafireinthemassive,lodgefireplace.

Becauseofhershifterqualities,shewasperfectlywarmdespitethefrigidairintheroom.Shesatdown
ontheleatherloveseatnearestthefire,restingherelbowonthearm,herchininhand.Shecrossedher
legsatthekneeandwaggledherfurrybootupanddown.

Shefeltedgy,inpartbecauseSeth’smossyscenthadaboutknockedheroverandallshe’ddonewas

teasehimalittle.She’dbeencravingthemanfortwomonthsnowandallthattherecentsexhaddonewas
makeherwantmoreofhim,alotmore.

Davidodirectedtheprocessoffire-building,whichincludedtellingSethtotakeoffhisGuardcoat

andgiveittoLoreleitokeepwarm.Shealmosttoldhimitwasn’tnecessary,butassoonasSethstarted
removinghiscoat,sheclampedherlipsshut.Shewantedtolookathimwithoutallthatleathercovering
uphispowerfulphysique.HisGuardsmanshirtclungtohismusclesinthenicestway.

Hebroughtthecoattoherandlaiditoverherlap,smilingdownather.Hiseyes,however,wereat

half-mast,asuresignhewasstillthinkingthingsheshouldn’t.Whenheturnedaway,sheliftedtheleather
tohernoseandsniffed.Shebarelyrepressedagroanbecausehisscentclungtoeverybitofhide.

background image

Walkingaway,helookeddamnsexyinhisthighbootswithstudsdownthesides.Andbecause

DavidokepttellingSethtohuntthroughthestackoflogstoreachtheexactsizeDavidorequired,Sethdid
alotofbending,whichinturngaveLoreleithebestview.

He’dperformedthistaskseveraltimeswhenDavidoclearedhisthroat.Reluctantly,Loreleishifted

herattentiontotheancienttroll,butfoundhisblueeyessparklingwithamusement.Hewinkedather,
clearlyknowingfullwellshe’dbeenenjoyingtheview.Sherealizedhe’ddonethisforher.Whata
wickedman!Warmthclimbedhercheeksathavingbeencaught,butshecouldn’thelpbutsmile.

WhenDavidoturnedaroundtofacethefireplace,hergazefelloncemoretoSeth’stightbuttocksand

muscularlegs.Shehadthestrangestdesiretobitehim,toshifttoherwolfformandsinkherteethintothe
fleshypartofhisbottom.Hermouthwateredatthethought.

She’dalwayslikedthemalephysique,frombroadshoulderstonarrowwaist.AndSeth,becausehe

workedoutashedid,wasallfirm,hardmuscle.Onemorereasonshewantedherteethonhim.

Shebitherlipandjustasthefiregotgoing,Sethsuddenlystraightenedandstoodupright.Heturnedto

stareatherforalongmoment,thenhelaughedashepunchedDavidolightlyintheshoulder.“Youold
devil,”hesaid.

DavidoshruggedandmovedtojoinLorelei,thoughonthefarendofthefull-sizesofa.Heusedsome

loosethrow-pillowstomakeacomfortableseatforhimself.Hewasshortatfive-three,andgiventhat
mostshiftershitthesix-footmarkandabove,thefurniturehadbeenbuiltwithlargerframesinmind.

Thoughtherewaseightfeetofcouchremaining,Sethchosetositbesideherontheloveseat,muchto

hersurprise.

Heeventookherhandinhis,asmallactionthatcausedherhearttomelt—sillywomanthatshewas.
Davidosmiledatthembothinturn.“So,tellmewhat’sgoingonandhowIcanhelp.”
Sethrubbedhisthumboverhisforehead,afamiliargesture.“ThealphashavecalledLoreleithe

primefemaleandweneedtoknowwhatthatmeans.”Hethengaveabriefrecountingoftheeventsat
LoperzCanyon.

“Andyou’retheregismale,correct?”Davidocrossedhislegsatthekneeandlookedelegantdoingit,

hishandsrestinglooselyonhislap.

Sethshookhishead.“Noneofthealphassaidanythingaboutamaleregis.”
“Theywill.Aprimefemalealwayshasaregis.”
“ButhowcanIbeanythinglikethatwhenI’mavampire?”
“Historically,anytimeashiftermarriesaspeciesoutsidehisown,heorsheautomaticallygainsthe

complementaryposition.WereEphyx,forinstance,totakeatrollwife,shewouldbethealphafemale.”

“Well,thereareacoupleofproblemswiththat,thefirstbeingthatLoreleiandIaren’tmarried.”
Davido’sbrowsrose.“Marriageistheceremonywe’vecreatedovermanythousandsofyearsto

confirmanalreadyestablishedbondandI’mcatchingastrongshifter-bondingscentcomingfromyou,
Seth.Rememberthatintherealmworld,we’reallconnectedonabasicDNAlevel.Therefore,you
wouldalreadyhavewithinyourgeneticsafewshiftermarkersaspartofyourvampirenature.I’dsay
they’vekickedinandthefourpackswillhavenoproblemrecognizingyouastheirregis.”

Loreleishookherhead.“Thisisallsomuchtotakein.ButwhatIreallydon’tgetishowIbecamethe

primefemale?”

“It’sjustsomethingyouare,whichmeansyouhavethecapacitytosummontheentireshifter

communityofallnineRealms.”

“What?”Seth’svoiceboomedaroundtheroom.
Loreleishookherhead,bewildered.“Seriously?Allnine?”
“That’sright.Ifyou’dbeeninanyotherrealm,yoursummonswouldhavebroughttheshiftersinthat

background image

realm,justasitdidhereinWalvashorr.”

“Ican’tbelievethis.”Loreleifeltoutofherdepthinmorewaysthanone.“SweetGoddessandthe

MotherEarthcombined.Howisthispossible?”

“Youhavemorepowerthanyouknow,whichiswhyMargettahastriedsohardthroughtheyearsto

gettoyou.ButhowhappyIam,mychild,thatyou’veescapedher.Justdoingthatmuchhassavedthe
NineRealms,atleastfornow,sinceshewon’tbeabletoemployyouasaweapon.

“Butwhat’shappeningheretonightisonemorelayerofthebattleaheadofus.Vojaliehassenta

messagetoyouboth,thattogetheryoumustfigureouthowtoforgetheshiftersintoasingle,powerful,
fightingunit.Inthecomingyear,theywillbecomeacriticalpartofthefinalbattlethatmusttakeplacein
ordertodefeatMargettaforever.

“However,mywifealsowishesyoutoknowthatworkingtogetherwillnotbesimpleatfirst,that

thereisahugeobstaclebetweenyou,somethingofadeeperrealmnaturethatwillrequiregreatsacrifice
onbothpartstoovercome.”

Lorelei’sheartstartedpounding.“Andhowarewesupposedtodothat?Webarelyknoweachother.”
Davidoshookhishead.“Youmusthavefaithandlearntotrustoneanother.Muchmoreeasilysaid

thandone,Ifear.”

Seth’schestroseashedrewadeepbreath.“Andwhataboutthispresentconundrum?Allfourpacks

areclosetowarbecauseofaterritorialissuethatarosefromLorelei’ssummons.”

“TheonlywordIhaveforyoufrommymostwiseandmostbelovedwifeisthatyoumustdothis

together,joinforces.Canyoudothat?”

LoreleilookedupatSeth.Meetinghergaze,helookedasseriousasshefelt,hisgray-greeneyes

pinched.“Wecantry,”hesaid.

“AndmywiseonehassuggestedsomethingtowhichI’veagreed.Icanholdtheshiftersbackfora

while,foratleastacoupleofhours.Duringthattime,Iwantyoutocommune,talktoeachother,seeif
youcanfigurethisoutandtakethenextstep.”HeheldSeth’sgaze.“IsuggestyoutakeLoreleitothehot
springsatMagnumPeak,butletherrunthedistanceasashifter.”

Sethturnedtoher.“Areyouwilling?”
Shesmiledsuddenly.“AmIwillingtorun?Anydayornightoftheweek.”
“Youknowthat’snotwhatImeant.”
“Iknow.”Andbecausehelookedsoserious,shesqueezedhishandandadded,“Wehavetogo.We

havetodothis,explorewhat’shere,andmakeadecision.”

Henodded.
Davidosmiled.“Bebackintwohours,nolonger.”
“Understood.”
Insteadofgoingoutthefrontdoor,Sethrecommendedtheyleavethroughthebackentrancebecauseif

theyshowedthemselvestothebrigadeatthispoint,theirpresencemightremindtheshiftersoftheir
unresolveddispute.

Asshesteppedintothecoldoncemore,shecouldsmellvenisonalreadycookingonthespits.The

brigadewouldbewellfedbythetimesheandSethreturnedandhopefullythiswouldservetokeepthe
shifterscalmaswell.

Themomentherbootstouchedthesnow,sheshifted,thenlookedupathimthroughherwolf’seyes.

He’dputhiscoatbackon,andeveninherwolfformhelookedsogoodtoher.

HaveyoubeentoMagnumPeak?
Sheshookhermuzzle.
Hesmiled.“It’saquicktenmilejauntduenorth.”

background image

I’lltrackyou.
Withthat,hetooktotheskies.Herconnectiontohimseemedtobegrowingstrongerthemoreshewas

inhiscompany.Sheknewwherehewaswithouthavingtoglanceskyward.

Shealsoknewthemomentheputonhisspeed.
Shechangedgearsandbegantorunfasterthanarealwolfcouldrun,hergazechartingtheterrain

ahead,upandup,pasttreeaftertree.

Shehitagorgeandfoundthenearestfootbridgethenracedacross.ThenorthernhalfofWalvashorr

wasalandofrivers,gorges,andsteepmountains.Becauseofit,everygorgehaddozensoffootbridges
createdforrealm-folkwhocouldn’tfly.

Shestayedwithhim,notingthathealwaysslowednearagorge,givinghertimetocatchup.
She’dcrossedherthirdonewhenhetookhistimeflyingupwhatsheknewhadtobethefinalpeak.

Hisvoiceenteredhermind.Followthepathtotherightofthefootbridge.It’llbesteep.

Piece-a-cake.
Shecouldhearhimlaugheventhoughhehoveredthirtyfeetaboveherandglidedoverthesnow

coveredtreetops.

Shefoundthenarrowrockypathandbegantheclimb,zigzaggingandworkinghermuscleshard.

She’drarelyspenttimeinherwolfformbeforeservingasSeth’sbodyguard,soshehadn’tknownwhat
shewasmissing.Butnow,shedoubtedshecouldgobacktohersimplefaelifeontwolegs.

Sherarelytransformedtoherwraith-shapesinceonlyahandfulofenlightenedrealm-folkwouldbe

abletotolerateherinthatform.HervampireDNAplayedaverysmallpartanddidn’tseemtohavea
roleinherlife,whichwasfinewithher.Threeidentitieswereenoughtomanage.EvenMargettahadtold
herthatherfatherhadalwaysbeendisappointedthathervampireDNAheldanentirelyrecessiveplacein
hermake-up.

Buthershifterabilitieshadexploded.Rosamunde’scommandthatshegotoWalvashorrhadopeneda

newworldtoLorelei,oneshealreadytreasured.

AndnowtherewasSeth,andthepossibilityofbondingwithhimasabloodroseandsomethingmore,

somethingshifter-basedasregisandprimefemale.Shewasn’tsureexactlywhyDavidohadsentthemto
thehotsprings,butshevaluedthetimeshewouldhavewithSethtogettoknowhimbetter.

*********

SethhoveredattheedgeofthecliffwatchingLoreleiworkherwayupahorrendouslysteeppath.If

shestartedtoslide,hefullyintendedtoracestraightdownthroughthetreesandcatchher.Hefelt
intenselyprotectiveofher.Hecouldnolongerdenythatsomuchabouthermadehimcontent,asthough
onadeeplevelherrealmvibrationsoothedhim,likebuildingafirethatwarmedanicyroom.

Thelastfewyardsweretheworstandhewaited,poisedtoflyasshescrambledup,creatingsmall

rockslidesbehindherasbitsandpiecesoftheunstablepathgaveway.

Butshemadeit,tonguelolling,sidesworkinglikebellows.
Shelookedupathimandifwolfscouldsmile,shesmiled.Hecouldfeelhowhappyshewas,that

runningfilledherwitheuphoria.

Heturnedandflewslowly,guidingherinthedirectionofasmall,shallowvalleywheremistcurled

fromadepressioninthesnow.

Whenhereachedthehotspring,heturned,surprisedtofindLoreleihadalreadyshiftedbacktoher

faeform,herfurhatinhand.Theamethystsalongtheridgeofherearglintedinthenight,callingtohim
oncemore.

“Doyoucomehereoften?”Shesmiled,teasinghim.

background image

Helaughedatherjoke,butadded,“NotasoftenasI’dlike.Youinterestedintakingadip?Although

withyourshiftermetabolismitmightbetoowarm.”

“Afterthatrun,Icoulduseabath.”
Movingtotheedge,shereacheddown,andwithherfingers,testedthewater.Hewasgoingtobe

polite,waitafewminutestoseewhethershereallydidwanttojumpintothehotspring.Butthenext
momentshestartedstrippingoffherjacketandbeforehe’dblinkedtwice,she’dlosthershirtandherbra.

She’dalreadyremovedherbootsandwasworkingatherpants,whenhisbrainfinallyfiguredthings

out,thathehadtohurrytocatchup.Buthehadafineviewofhernakedbackandbuttocksbeforeshe
droppedintothesteamingwaterandsankbelowthesurface.

HisGuarduniform,whileperfectforbattlingInvictuswraith-pairs,tooksomeworktodivest.He

easedoutofhisbootsandsnugbattleleathers.Hiscoatandshirtcamenext,thenhisbriefs.Shedidn’t
hideherfrankinterestinhisbody,sohehoveredabovethewaterandsankslowly,lettinghergetagood
look.

“Sorry,”shesaid,blushing.“It’stheshifterpartofme.Iloveyourbody,Seth.You’resoperfectly

muscledandlean,whichleadsmetosaythatbeforewegoanyfurther,Ihaveasmallconfessionto
make.”

background image

ChapterFive

Loreleifloatedinthewarmwater.Steamroseallaroundher,thendisappearedquicklyasthewater

vaporhitthefrigidair.

HerrealmnightvisionwarmedupsothatshesawSethasthoughasoftlightpouredoverhisfeatures.

Hefinallydisappearedbelowthewaterline,thensurfacedquickly,thewaterbeadingandrollingoffhim.
Hehadlongeyelashesandthewatergatheredthemintostar-likeclumps.

Hewassohandsome,shecouldhardlybearit.
Shefeltasshehadthatfirstdayatthecastle,butterfliesteasingherstomach,excitementrolling

throughherveins,heatingupherentirebody.ShewantedSethwitheverydominantfae-shifterfiberofher
being.

Hesmiledruefully.“We’resupposedtotalk.ThatwasDavido’spurposehere.Butifyoukeep

sendingmesuchstrongdriftsofappleblossomscent,Iwon’tanswerforhowwespendthenexttwo
hours.Besides,I’mwaitingtohearyourconfession.”

Shenodded,herheartthumping.Shedrewinadeepbreathasshemovedherhandsthroughthewater

andkeptherselffloating,kneesup.

Finally,shemadetheleap.“Isawyouatthecastle,twomonthsago.”
Hewassotallthatevenstandingonthebedrockofthespring,thewatercameupjustbelowhispecs.

“Youdid?ButIdon’trememberseeingyouthere.”

Shetoldhimtheentireshamefulincident,notsparingasingledetailabouthowshe’dusedher

enthrallmentshieldandspiedonhimwhileheworkedoutandafterwardonthebalcony.

Hewatchedherclosely,hisgazeneverwaveringuntilshefinished.
Puttingahandtohisarm,hefrowned.“Didyoutouchme,hereImean?”Hetappedhisfingersagainst

thedipofhisshoulder.

“Notexactly.Igotclose,butthenIcouldtellyoufeltsomething,soIstopped.”
“Iremember.Itwasastrangesensation,likeazapofelectricity.”
“I’msorry,Seth.Ishouldn’thavedoneit.”
Henarrowedhisgaze,buthislipscurved.“So,youspiedonme.”
“Icouldn’tseemtohelpmyself.Eventhen,IwasdrawntoyoualmostuncontrollablyasIamnow.

ButIdoapologizeforinvadingyourprivacy.”

Heshookhishead,andgentlyslappedatthesurfaceofthewater.“You’reforgiven.”Heevensighed.

“Isuspectthathadthesituationbeenreversed,andknowinghowIfeeljustlookingatyou,Iprobably
wouldhavedonethesamething.”

“Youreallyshouldn’tletmeoffthehooksoeasily.”
“Hey,we’rebothtryingtounderstandwhat’shappeninghere,tomakethebestdecisions.”Heleaned

overandsplashedwateronhisface,thenhuffedasigh.“Let’sgiveDavido’ssuggestionatry.Maybe
knowingeachotherbetterwouldhelp.So,goahead,askmeanythingyou’dliketoknowandI’lldomy
besttoanswerhonestlyandopenly.”

Shepushedawayfromthesideofthespring,floatingtowardhimjustalittle.“Okay.Iknowyou’re

old,buthowold?”

“Eleven-hundred-and-one,tobeexact.”
Sheshookherhead.“Ican’tevenimaginewhatthatwouldbelike,livingthatlong,seeingsomuch.

Canyoutellmeaboutit,especiallyyourearlyyears?”

*********

background image

Sethstaredintolarge,warmbrowneyes,theamethystssparklingalongthecurveofherear.He

wonderedifsheknewthathersympatheticmannerhadchippedawayathisneedtokeepheratbay.

Onsomelevel,hetrustedher.Heunderstoodthatnowasshecontinuedtoholdhisgaze.Shewatched

andwaited,lettinghimmoveathisownpace.

Finally,hebegantospeakabouthisfirstcenturyinWalvashorr.“Ihadtwolivesreally.Thefirst

occurredbeforeIwasmastyrandIdidn’trisetothatlevelforahundredyears.ButwhenIdidgain
mastyrstatus,theSidheCouncilvotedmerulerthesameyear.”

Hedidn’tknowthewhyofit,buthespokefirstabouttheworstmomentinhislife,thatduringafamily

picnic,theInvictushadslaughteredhisparentsandyoungerbrotherwhilehe’dbeeninthewoods
exploring.Inaddition,anun-bondedwraithhadgottenholdofhisolder,sixteen-year-oldbrotherand
hauledhimaway,forgingthehatedInvictusbond.

Yearslater,whenhebeganbattlingInvictuswraith-pairs,hecameacrosshisbrother.He’dbecomea

killingmachine,withoutconscience,andSethhadbeenforcedtodestroyhim.Thedespairhe’dlived
withforyearsafterwardhadaddedanotherlayerofsolitudetohislife.

Bythispointinhisstory,Loreleistoodnexttohim,herhandonhisarm,rubbingbackandforth.“I

understandwhatit’sliketolosesomeoneyoulove,whoyou’velivedwithyourwholelife.”Sheshared
withhimallabouthergoverness,Genevieve,thewomanshewouldalwaysthinkofasherrealmother,
howGenevievehadhelpedherescapeMargetta’sprison-home,butwhointurnhaddiedintheprocess.

“Doyoumissher?”
“Everyday.”
Hesurroundedherwithhisarms,pullingheragainsthim,hernakednessmoreacomfortinthat

momentthananythingelse.He’dneverhadsomeoneclosetohimlikethis,someonehecouldsharehis
pastwith.Andtheirearlyexperienceshadasimilarfeel,lossofafamilyconnection,alotofgriefto
processforyoungminds.

“I’mgladyouhadGenevieve.”
“Me,too.Ican’timaginewhatmylifewouldhavebeenlikeotherwise.Afterward,that’swhenIwent

toworkasaservantinDavido’shome.Ilovedbeingtherebecauseitwasanincrediblypeacefulplace.I
usedtowatchhimwithVojalie.I’veneverseenamandoteonawomanlikethatbefore.Haveyouever
seenthemtogether?”

Hechuckled.“Afewtimes.He’sveryaffectionatewithher.”
“You’veknownhimalongtime,then?”
“Yes.He’swhatI’dcallarealfamilyman.Overthecenturies,he’shaddozensofchildrenandmakes

timeforthemall.Buthe’sveryoldandnoonereallyknowshisage.Isuppose,asfarasthatgoes,we
mightallberelatedtoDavido.”

Shelaughedatthat.“Maybeweare.”Afteramoment,sheleanedbacktolookathim,pullingoutof

hisarmstofloatoncemore.“So,tellmeaboutWalvashorr,abouttherealmyou’veruledforathousand
years.”

Hisheartexpandedashethoughtofhisworld,ofhispeople,howhekneweveryfarm,hamlet,town

andcity,thewayheknewhisownreflectioninthemirror.

Andheopenedupalittlemore,tellingherabouttheterrainitself,theseasideinthesouth,howthe

landroseupanduptothevastShauckMountainRangethatcoveredtheentirenorthernpartoftherealm,
howhelovedthehundredsofdeepgorges,thetallmountainpeaks,theruggednessofthelandandthathe
hadsuchalargeshifterpopulationthatroamedthemountains.

“IhaveaconnectionwiththeshiftersthatI’veneverunderstood,althoughperhapsit’sstartingtomake

moresensenow,especiallywithwhatDavidosaidaboutourbasicDNA.ButIdoseemtounderstand

background image

yourshifterqualitiesbetterthanmostvampires.”Hesmiledashemethergaze.“Okay,yourturn.What
happenedafteryouleftDavido’shome.”

Shesharedhowshe’dlived,movingfromrealm-to-realm.Howharditwas,howlonely.She’dkepta

low-profile,usuallyworkinginrestaurantsorhotelsandleavingthemomentshefeltMargetta’spresence,
knowingthathermotherhadfoundheryetagain.

Butshe’dalsoexploredeveryrealm,mostlyonfootatnight.She’dcometoknowalotofwonderful

people,mostofwhomshe’dhadtoleavebehind.“Soyoucanseewhy,whenQuinlanandBatya
championedme,helpingmegettoFerrendenPeace,thatIcouldn’tbelieveImighthaveachanceata
normallife.”

Hisheartstilled.“Yet,now,insteadofnormal,you’reabloodroseandaprimefemale.”
“Yeah.”
Hefelthersadness,thatthesenewrealitieswouldprobablymakeitimpossibleforhertoeverhavea

simplelife.

“Whatdoyouwantmost?”heasked,headingthesubjectinaslightlydifferentdirection.
Atthat,shechuckled.“I’maprettyboringperson.IjustwantwhatIthinkmostwomenwant:ahome,

afamily,amantolove.”Hergazeskittereduptohisfacethenfellaway.Shepaddledinacircle.

“Yethereyouareinextraordinarycircumstances,thedaughterofanextremelypowerfulcouple.”
Facinghimoncemore,shefrowned.“Seth,forthatreasonalone,becauseofmyparentage,howcould

Ieverhaveanormallife?Won’tIbeblamedfortheirevil?SometimeswhenIthinkofwhotheyareand
allthepeoplewhohavediedbecauseoftheircreationofwraith-pairs,Ifeeloverwhelmedwithguilt.I
mean,howcouldyouevenconsiderbeingconnectedwithme?”

Thequestionsurprisedhim,buthetookhistimeanswering.Finally,hesaid,“BecauseIdon’tthinkof

youasconnectedtoeitherMargettaorGustav.You’vebeenasmuchavictimasanyofthosewhohave
diedandyou’veescapeddeathatyourmother’shandsmorethanonce,I’msureofthat.WhenQuinlanand
BatyatoldmeabouttheirjourneytoFerrendenPeace,IknowMargettareachedapointwhereshe
intendedtodestroyyou.That’strue,isn’tit,thatshetriedtokillyou?”

“That’sexactlywhathappened.IwasconvincedIwasgoingtodie.”
“DidMargettaevershowyoukindnesswhenyouwereachild?”
“Shewasneveraround,notthatIcanrecall.”
Hespokestridently,wantinghertoknowhowmuchhebelievedwhathewouldsaynext.“Asfaras

I’mconcerned,you’rethedaughterofGenevieve,thetroll.Youhavenootherparentsthanher.”

Tearsglistenedinhereyes.“Thankyouforthat.Ilivewithsuchterribleshameaboutwhomymother

is.Butyou’reright.Shewasnevermymother,justmycaptor.”Shenoddedseveraltimesinsuccession.
“Butwhatofyou?Whoisyourfamilynow?”

“Myrealm.”He’dmadethestatementsoquicklythatuntilthismoment,he’dneverunderstoodjust

howmuchhethoughtofhisrealmashisfamily.

“You’velivedakindofenforcedsolitudeoverthecenturies.Butwhatdidyoudoforthatfirst

hundredyears?WereyouaGuardsman?Didyoueverfallinlove?”

Hedebatedhowmuchtotellher,butintheenddecidednottoholdanythingback.“Alongtimeago,

beforeIreachedmastyrstatus,IfellhardforawomannamedKristen.Butitwasn’tuntilI’dalready
givenmyheartthatIfoundoutshe’dbeenworkingforthecurrentMastyrofWalvashorr,avampirebythe
nameofGryffith.Apparently,he’dreceivedanadvancewarningaboutmyforthcomingmastyrpowerand
decidedhewantedmedead.”

“SweetGoddess,whathappened?”
Herefusedtorevealthespecificsofwhathadturnedintoabloodymessofafight.Summoningup,he

background image

said,“Gryffithandacoupleofhisfriendslaidatrapformeandwefought.Butsomehowthesituation
launchedmymastyrcallingandIgottheupperhandoverthemall.TheproblemwasthatKristenshowed
uptowardtheendandinaneffortsaveGryffith,themanshereallyloved,shegotcaughtinthecross-fire
anddied.Itwasaterriblescandalatthetime.IwasexoneratedbeforetheSidheCouncilandmade
MastyrofWalvashorrnotlongafter.”

“WhathappenedtoGryffith?”
“Hediedinprisontwoyearslater.”
Sethhadneverfeltsofreesharinghispast,buthehadtoadmitthatLorelei’sempathyhadmadeit

possible.She’dknownsufferingaswell.

Inmanyways,Lorelei’scurrentsituationfeltsimilartohisownjourney,thatwhileshe’dbeenready

toembraceamorenormallife,she’dbeenthrustintoextraordinarypower,justashehadallthoseyears
ago.Inaddition,hethoughtitlikelythathispresenceinherlifehadignitedherbloodroseability.Butit
wasalsoclearthatifhecontinuedonthispathwithher,hislifewouldchangeaswell.He’dbebondedto
abloodroseandbecomeregistotheshifterpopulationinhisrealm,somethinghe’dneverbelieved
possible.

Butheneededtobehonestwithher.“I’mnotsureI’mcapableoflove.”
Shesearchedhiseyes.“Thatmakessensegivenallthatyou’vebeenthrough,butIstillcan’tbelieve

Kristencouldhavedonethattoyou,ortoanyone.I’mappalled.”

HerealizedsomethingaboutLoreleiinthatmoment.Shetrulydidn’tknowherself.Hesmiled,

thinkingitfeltdamngoodtohaveachampioninhislife.

“Hey,whyareyousmilingsuddenly,becauseIdon’tfindanythingamusingaboutthatwoman’s

betrayal.”

“It’snotthat.I’msmilingbecauseit’sabsurdforyoutobeworryingaboutyourparentage,since

you’vejustprovedGenevieve’sinfluencealloveragain.Ifyou’dhadeventhesmallestpartofMargetta’s
characterlivinginsideyou,IbelieveyouwouldhaveapplaudedKristen’sconduct,insteadofcondemning
it.”

Herlipscurvedandherdarkeyessparkled.“Seth,didyoujustoffermeacompliment?”
“Yes,butletmestateitplainly.You’reagoodwomanandIvaluethatmorethanIcansay.ButI’ve

spentenoughofourtwohourstogethertalkingaboutme,sowhydon’tyoutellmeaboutBatya’sfree
clinicinLebanon.”

Loreleistillfloated,kneesup,asshetoldhimwithmanysmileswhatitwasliketoworkwithsucha

talentedartistandawomanwhogaveherselfsoselflesslytotheentireex-patriotrealmcommunityliving
inTennessee.

Shetalkedaboutthegallery,theclinic,andfinallythenightthatchangedeverythingforherwhen

Quinlanshowedup.

Shegavehimamountainofdetails,especiallywhenheproddedherabouttheuberpowerfulwraith-

pairsthatMargettahadcreatedfromdisenfranchisedmastyrvampires.Whenamastyrvampirebonded
withawraith,andbecameessentiallyanInvictuswraith-pair,theresultingpowerwasbeyondanything
evenheoranyoftheothermastyrscouldbattleeffectively.Margetta’sgrowinguseoftheseextraordinary
wraith-pairsthreatenedalltherealms.Thesecondwraith-pairinLoperzCanyonhadbeenexactlythat
andbothheandLoreleihadnearlydiedbecauseofit.OnlythroughsiphoningLorelei’spowerhadhe
escapedthedeadlynet,andeventhen,thearrivalofthepackshadsavedboththeirlives.

Shetoldhimingreatdetailofthenightoftheattack,ofseeinghermother,andhowBatya’s

enthrallmentshieldhadsavedthemall.

“YoudoknowthatQuinlanalmostdiedduringthatattack.”

background image

Sethnodded.“IsupposeBatyafedhim.”
“Webothdid.”
ThemusclesinSeth’schestandarmstightenedsuddenly.Heplantedhisfeetonthebedrockofthe

springandstoodup,thewaterhittinghimjustbelowhispecs.“Youdidwhat?”DespitethatLoreleihad
helpedsaveQuinlan’slife,awarriorhevalued,Sethcouldn’tbeartheimageinhisheadofQuinlan’s
fangsinLorelei’sthroatanddrinkingfromher.

Sheturnedinthewater,easingtowardhim,hereyesglintingwithpurpose.“Whyareyousomad,

mastyr?Quinlanwasadyingman,andIfedhim,gaveupmybloodforhim.Youhaveaproblemwith
that?”

Herecognizedtheshifter-likegleaminhereye,verychallenging,andsomethingwithinhim,

somethingverymale,responded.Helunged,grabbedherbeneathherarms,andhauledheragainsthim.

“You’renottofeedanyoneelse,gotit?”
“IcanfeedwhoeverIwant,Seth.”Shesmiled,tauntinghim.“You’renotmymaster.”
Theuseoftheword‘master’,andherpush-backattitude,wentstraighttohisgroin.Heslidahand

downherbacktoherwaist,thenlowertofondleherbuttocks.Hepressedhishipsagainsthersothatshe
couldfeelhim,allofhim,andthathewasfullyaroused.

Heshouldn’tbedoingthisrightnow.Davidohadsentthemheretotrytomakeaconnection,notfor

himtosexherup.Butherappleblossomscentnowperfumedthemistyair,soheknewdamnwellshe’d
hadenoughtalking.

Shewassosoftinhisarms,ajuxtapositiontohistoughwarriorbody,theperfectbalance.“You’re

mine,Lorelei.Allmine.”

Hekissedher,slidinghistonguedeep,pummelinghermouthandlettingherknowhewashermaster

whethershelikeditornot.

Heheardasoftgrowlingsound,veryguttural,anddrewawayfromherjustenough.Herlipstrembled

andashelookeddownatherthroat,hesawthatshe’dsproutedherthinwhiteruffoffur.

Heburiedhisnoseinherruff,anddrankinherrichsexualscentthathadhishipsflexingashepushed

againstherabdomen.

Withoutusinghisfangs,hetookherthroatinhismouthandheldon,shakinghergently,amovemore

shifterthanvampire.Hehadasuddenimageoftakingherfrombehindandholdingontothebackofher
neckasheplowedintoher.

He’dbeenwithafewshifterwomenbefore,buthe’dneverfeltthispossessiveanddemanding.Her

fingernailsfoundhimnext,diggingintothemusclesathisshoulders,andscrapingdownwardjustshortof
drawingblood.Thesensationstruckhome,teasinghisballsandsendingshockwavesthelengthofhis
cock.

Hewantedherlikehe’dneverwantedawomaninthecourseofhisentirelife.

*********

Loreleidugshernailsintohisfleshandcouldfeelhowmuchhelikedwhatshewasdoing.For

herself,shelovedthewayhe’dclampedontoherthroat,notinavampirefang-hold,muchmorelikea
shifterclaiming.

Herbodyroaredwithneed.Shewantedtowrapherlegsaroundhiswaistagainandlethimuseall

thestrengthofhisleanpowerfulbodytogiveherwhatshecraved.

Shewasinaheightenedstate,movingalongthecrestofdesire,partbloodroseandpartprime

female,needingherman.Butwasanyofitreal?Orweretheyjusttwochronicallylonelypeoplecaught
upinabizarre,realmexperience?

background image

Whateverthecase,herbodydemandedrelease.
Butjustasshelockedherarmsaroundhisbackpreparingtoliterallyjumphiminordertotakethat

beautifullengthdeepinsideher,afamiliarvibrationhitherskinlikeanelectricshock.

Atfirst,shethoughtperhapsMargettawasnearby.Butthensherecalledthatshe’dfeltthiswayinher

denwhenshe’dfirstexperiencedacommunalcallthroughhershifterfrequency.

ShepushedagainstSeth’sarmsandtwistedfromtheholdhehadonherthroat.
“What’swrong?”Helookedpainedassheclimbedontothespring’sbank.
Sheshiftedtowolfforabriefmoment,givingherselfagoodlongshaketogetridofthewater,then

shiftedbacktoherfaeformalmostcompletelydry.“Ourtime’sup.Thepacksareabouttoimplode.”She
scrambledquicklyintoherclothes.

Sethlevitatedinasuddenboltofmovementstraightupthroughthewaterandhighintotheair.She

watchedhimgo,prettysuresheunderstoodthathisintentionwastodryoff.Shezippedupherjeans,
pulledonherboots,thenputonherfurhat.

Hereturnedamomentlater,completelydryfromairfriction,exceptforsomedampnesstohishair.

Movingswiftly,hedressedaswell.“Andyoucansensethepacks?”

“Allfourofthemwithgreaterclaritythanbefore.Eachpackwantstogotowar.”
Shestartedtoshift,readytorunbacktoBigTimber,buthecaughtherarm.“I’llflyusback.”
Shenodded.“Thatwouldbefaster.”
Hegrewverysolemn,somuchso,thatshequietedhershifterneedtobegoingandmethisgaze.

“Whatisit?”

“Ineedtosaysomething.”Hedrewadeepbreath.“Iwantyouwithme,Lorelei.Idon’tknowhow

thisisgoingtowork,orifitwillwork,youandme,Imean.I’vebeenalonealongtime—”

“SohaveI.”
Henoddedbriskly,afurrowbetweenhisbrows.“ButI’mwillingtodowhatweneedtodohere,

eventhoughIdon’tunderstanditall.Whataboutyou?Canyoutakeariskonme?Canyoustandwithme
asmybloodrose,asmyprimefemale?Morethananything,Iwanttokeeptheshiftercommunityfrom
fallingapart.Whichmeansmymotivesherearemoreforwhat’sbestfortherealmthanwhatmightbe
bestforyou,orevenforme,whichmakesmesoundlikeanasshole.”

Shegrabbedhisarmsandsqueezedhard.“SethofWalvashorr,Ihavemetalotofbrutal,selfishmen

inmytime,butyou’renotoneofthem.DoIhaveconcerns?Yes,ofcourse.Andwe’vebeentogetherfor
justalittlelongerthanonemoonrise,butIamwillingtostartdownthispathifyouare.”

“Iam.”
Shesmiled.“Good.”
Heplantedakissonherlipssothatshefeltbothhisdeterminationandhiscommitment.
Whatshefearedhadmoretodowiththeunknownthanwithherdoubtaboutthemankissingher,

especiallywhattrickshermothermighthaveinstoreforWalvashorr.

Whenhedrewback,heslunghisarmaroundherwaistandshefollowedsuit,balancingherfooton

topofhisandholdingontohisneck.“I’mgoingtomakethisquick,sodon’tletgo.”

Shetightenedhergripandhelaunched,straightup,thenangledsouth.Whenhesaid‘quick’,hemeant

it.TheG’shepulledmadeherstomachturn,especiallyastheforestflewbyinablur.

Shefinallyjustclosedhereyes,andahandfulofsecondslaterhedroppedherbacktothecenterof

theBigTimberconferencegrounds.

Davidowaswaitingforthem,butdespitethechaosofthepacks,hesmiledwhentheytoucheddown.

“Ihavetogo,mysweetlings.MaytheGoddessgiveyouwisdomandprotectyou.”Thenhevanished,one
ofthefew,orperhapstheonlyrealmperson,capableofdisappearingwithathought.

background image

ThoughtheShifterBrigadehaddinedwell,andthescentofroastedvenisonstillpermeatedtheair,all

fourpacksboiledwiththeneedtofight,halfthenumberalreadyinwolfformandhowling.

ShesteppedoffSeth’sfoot,butlookedupathim.Iguesswe’reonourown.
Lookslikeit.
AsSethreleasedher,however,hetookherhand.Allright,primefemale.You’vegot

thedominantshiftergenehere,soIsayhaveatit.

Shenodded,smilingruefully.There’sjustoneproblem.IhavenoideawhatI’mdoing.
Hemethergazeandhisgreeneyeswarmedupashesmiled.Well,don’tlookatme.I’mjusta

vampire.

Yes,butaren’tyoutheregis?
OnlyinthatIsupportmyprimefemale.Youcandothis,Lorelei.Justtrustyourinstincts.
Inthemiddleofwhatpromisedtoturnintoashifterwar,Loreleihadtheoddestthoughtthatshecould

getusedtothis,beingthisclosetoSeth,standingbyhisside,figuringoutimpossiblesituations.

Finally,sheclosedhereyesandletallfourpackfrequencieshither.Shewouldhavefallenatthe

strengthoftheirvibrations,butSethcaughtandsteadiedher.

Whatdoyouneedmetodo?
Hisvoiceinherheadgaveherconfidence.Turnwithme.Iwanttofeeleachpackclearly.Ihave

theirfrequenciesseparatedbutthey’resoclosetodisintegrating.

Yougotit.
Openinghereyes,shemovedinaslowcircle,andmetthegazeofeachalphamalehead-on:Ephyx,

Cohoet,Valgus,Alophi.Fourmassiveshifters,physicallypowerful,eachalmostastallasSethbutnot
nearlysolean.

Theyweremagnificentleaders,eachdifferentfromtheother.Fursproutedonherwristsinlayersto

herfingerstipsaswellasadeepeningoftheruffthatencircledherthroat.

Thechaoticenergyofthepacksresonatedwithinherandherbodywantedtogowolfandwantedit

now.

Butwithoutshifting,sheopenedupherpackfrequency,thatsamevibrationofenergythatshe’d

experiencedbeforeatSeth’shomeandmorerecentlyatthehotspring.Allfourpackvibrationspulsed
heavilynow,batteringher.

Herfirstinstinctwastoshutitalldownbecausethevibrationsoverwhelmedher.Butshesqueezed

Seth’shandhardandhisvoiceenteredherhead.You’redoingfine.Icanfeelthevibrationsaswell
becauseI’mconnectedtoyou.Justletthemflow.I’vegotyou.

Hecouldn’thavespokenwiserwordsrightnow.Formostofherlife,she’dhadonlyherselftorely

onandnowSethstoodwithherinwhatwasprovingaverypainfulprocess.

Thevibrationsbecameagrowingfireinherbody,burningherupfromwithin.Shealsoknewthatif

shedidn’tdosomethingsoon,shewoulddiefromtheonslaught,butwhatwasshesupposedtodo?

Oncemore,Sethpiercedhermind.Icanfeelthatyou’reclosetowhatyouneedtodonext.Just

focus.You’realmostthereandI’mwithyou.

Shesettledherbreathingandclosedhereyes,thenthewordsbeganforminginherheadandlefther

throatinastrong,vibrantvoice,somethingshe’dneverdonebefore,asshecalledout,“Thecommunityof
shiftersinWalvashorrisone,andIamwithyou,toserveyou,foraslongastheGoddesswillsmetodo
so.”Thefirebegantoflowoutofhernowandalongeachfrequency.Butwhatshewassayingfeltmore
faethanshifter,anothersignthatshewasn’tnormal.“Lettheterritoriesandboundariesberestored.”The
lastfewwordscameoutasafiercecommandandshecouldfeelthefourpackterritoriesrealigning.

Buttherewasmorethatneededtobesaid.
“Youareoneinbattlefromthistimeforth,thoughfourseparateunits,andyouwillcontinuetoserve

background image

theMastyrofWalvashorr.Onedayyouwillhearhiscommandswithinyouandseehisvisionstoaidyou
inbattle.Comenowandsubmityourselvestohim.”

Thepowerstreamedsteadilyandshecouldsensethateachalphahadbeguncalmingdown,histroops

withhim.Theexperiencewasveryrealmandmysterious,somethingsheknewtheshiftercommunity
valued,asallrealm-folkdid.Noteverythingcouldbeunderstoodrationally.

Sheopenedhereyes,thefuratherwristsmovinginsoftwavesasthefrequencyfaded.
ThealphascameforwardandeachkneltinfrontofSeth,confirmingoncemoretheirloyaltyand

service,packhierarchyatwork.Thecrisiswasover.Somehow,she’deffectivelyreturnedtheterritorial
boundariesbacktotheiroriginaldemarcationpoints.

LoreleistillheldontoSeth’shand,knowingthattheconnectiontohimhadplayedapartinalteringthe

volatilityofthesituation.Sheheldthefrequenciesopenandaseachmastyrrose,sheknewhissignature
assurelyasthemoonroseandfell.

SheglancedupatSeth.Whatdowedonow?
I’vegotthis.
Hespokealoud,hisresonantvoiceechoingthroughtheconferencegrounds.“Thismarksanewnight

inrealmhistorythatwillsetaprecedentforalltheNineRealms,thatourpackscancometogetherand
functionasone.Yoursisthefirst,theShifterBrigadeofWalvashorr,andwillbeknownastheancestorof
thisnewbeginningforalltime.”

Almostasone,acheerroseupfromthefourpacks.Thealphasacknowledgedeachotherwithstiff

dipsofchins,theneachblurredthroughthetransformationfrommantowolf.Thepacksfollowedsuitthen
ranintotheforestindifferentdirectionsheadingbacktotheirterritories,toguardtheShauckMountain
realmfamiliesfromtheInvictusdepredations.

Withinlessthanaminute,LoreleistoodalonewithSeth,inthemiddleofBigTimber,thesnow

trampledwithhundredsoffootandpawprints,acoldwindblowing.

“Thisfeelssostrange,somuchcolderwithoutthetroops.”
Hesqueezedherhand.“Onemomentsurroundedandnowalone.”
Sheturnedtowardhim.“Icouldn’thavedonethatwithoutyou.Therewasamomentwhenthechaotic

natureofthefrequenciescausedunbearableburning.”

“Iknow,Ifeltit.Whatdidyoudo?Howdidyouovercomewhatwashappening?”
“Withyoursupportmorethananything.”
Henodded.“Youamazeme,Lorelei.”
Shefeltflustered.“Well,thesearejustabilitiesIhave,they’renotsomethingI’vecreated.”
“Iknow,butyouhandleitallwithtremendousgrace.”
Shestaredupathimandfeltherthroatgrowverytight.“Thankyouforthat,MastyrSeth.”
Hissmilegrewcrooked.“Ithinkwithwhatwe’vebeenthrough,youshouldsticktocallingmeSeth.

Anythingelsejustfeelswrong.”

“Isupposeitdoes.”Shesearchedhiseyes.“So,we’reprimefemaleandregis?”
“Iguessweare.”
Loreleistraightenedhershouldersanddrewinadeepbreath.Shebecameawareonabasiclevelthat

she’dnevertrulyacceptedwhoshewasinherworld,especiallysinceshewasaproductofgenetic
manipulation.She’dalwaysfeltlikeafreakandhercurrentroleasprimefemalehadspokentoher
deepestfearsofbeingfoundoutandtreatedexactlylikewhatshebelievedherselftobe.

YetevenBatyaandQuinlanhadshownhergreatkindnessandthedeepestrespectbyhelpingherget

toFerrendenPeace,toaplacewhereshecouldlearntheskillstostayhiddenforeverfromhermother.

Sethreleasedherhandbutheldhisarmouttoher.“Howaboutwegetbacktomyhouseandseeifwe

background image

can’tfigureoutthenextstep.”

“Goodidea.”Shewrappedanarmaroundhisneckatthesametimethatheslippedhisaroundher

waistanddrewherclose.

Hedidn’ttakeoffrightaway,however.Instead,hestaredintohereyes,thenhekissedher,hismoist,

sensuallipsplyinghersuntilsomeofthetensionleftherandshepartedforhim.

Heslidhistongueinsidehermouth,thrustinginandoutandmakingallsortsofpromises.She

shiveredashedrewback.

“Cold?”
Shakingherhead,shesmiled.“HungryforthingsIshouldprobablyignorerightnow.”
“Ibegtodisagree.”
Shecaughthismeaningandkissedhimback.“I’mjustworried.”
“Youworryalot.”
“Ido,butprobablynolessthanyou.”
Henodded.“Andthat’sonemorethingweshareincommon.”
“Onemorething?”
“Webothworry,we’vebothlivedsolitarylives,andweeachknowthattosomedegreethefutureof

theNineRealmsrestsonourshoulders,ondoingwhatwe’vebeenrequiredtodo,orinyourcase,not
gettingtrappedbyMargettaagain.”

“Whenyouputitlikethat,nowIreallyamworried.”
“Letmegetyouhome.Webothneedagoodmeal.”
“Oh,you’reright.Neitherofushavehadfirstmeal,havewe?AndIshouldprobablytellyouthatmy

heartisfeelingprettyladenaboutnow,bloodrosethatIam.”

Histurntoshiverasahintoffangappeared.
Andwiththat,hetookthembothintothenightair,headingsouthtohishomeatShauckGorge.

background image

ChapterSix

Sethfeltknockedoutofstride,butnotnecessarilyinabadway.Hehadneverfactoredsomeonelike

Loreleiintotheequationofhislife.Nowshewashere,awarmthpressedtohissidethathadbeencold
forsolong.

Sheseemedtohavebumpedupmorethanoneaspectofhislifeatthesametimesinceshe’daltered,

maybeforever,hischronicblood-starvation.Hehadasexualneedandadrivetowardherhecouldn’t
explain,andifthatwasn’tenough,herroleasprimefemalehadcreatedanewtypeofunityamonghis
realm’sfour,extremelyvolatileshifterpacks.

Inshort,heheldamiracleinhisarms.
So,hewasn’texactlysurehowtoadjusttoher.
Hereachedhishomeswiftly,landingonthesweepingfrontporchwhichoverlookedthegorge.
Shesteppedoffhimandherhandscaughthiseye.“You’restillsportingaruff.”
Sheliftedbothhands.“Thisisweird.Imean,theyusuallydisappearrightaway.”Shetouchedtheruff

atherneck.“Ididn’texpectittostay.”

Hetookoneofherhandsandashe’ddoneearliertoherneck,henowburiedhisnoseinthesoft

whitefur,flaredhisnostrils,anddrankinherscent.Withthefur,theappleblossomscarriedanearthy
layerthatarousedhim.Usinghisteeth,andwithoutthinking,henibbledatthelayers.

Heheardhergasp.Whenheliftedhishead,sheseemedstartled.“Whatisit?”
“Youhavethatfeelaboutyourightnow,likeyou’regoingtostopthinkinganysecondandgoall

cavemanonme.”Shesmiled,adding,“AndasmuchasI’dlikethat,Ithinkweshouldeatbeforethingsgo
anyfarther.”

“You’reright.”Buthismindfeltmuddled.
Whensheturnedawayfromhimandopenedthefrontdoor,hefollowedbehindasifsheheldhimbya

leash.Withherscentinhisnose,hewantedmore.Hewasalmostbehavingmoreshifter-likethanvampire
—anotherundecipherableinhiscurrentlife.

Hewaspurevampire.Thatmuchheknew,butnotnecessarilyaroundLorelei.Andmaybethat’swhat

Davidohadmeant,thatthefewindiscerniblemarkershecarriedsimplybybeing‘realm’hadbeen
awakenedbyLorelei.Thefactthathewantedtobitethebackofherneckwasproofenoughthathis
thinkinghadmadeajumpinanunexpecteddirection.

Shewentstraighttothekitchenandsimplytookcharge,heatingabowlofhomemadechickennoodle

soupthathishousekeeperhadleftforhiminatureeninthefridge.Sheslicedoffthickslabsofthe
homemadesourdoughbread,butteringeachthoroughly,poppingthemafterwardsintheoventobroil.

Finallyabletoaccesshisrationalbrain,heasked,“Wine?”
“Lovely.”Shesmiledathimoverhershoulder,thefurstillvisibleonherwrists.
Hisjawtrembledforthingshedidn’tunderstand.Heneededtobondwithher.That’swhatshot

throughhishead.Heneededtomarkher,matewithher,bondhertohimanddoitnow.Hiswholebody
calledoutforit,demandedhepullrankandletherknowshebelongedtohim,onlytohim.

Takingseveraldeepbreaths,heforcedhimselftoleavethekitchenandwentdownthestairsintoa

deepcavewherehekepthundredsofbottlesofwine,allatappropriatetemperatures.Hepulledabottle
ofsweetGermanwhitewinefromacoolingfridge.Hewasn’tsurewhy,butmostrealm-folk,and
especiallyhismastyrvampirebrethren,lovedthiswine.

HetookitupstairsandfoundLoreleihadsetthetableandwasalreadyladlingthesoupintobowls.
“Smellswonderful.”She’daddedaplatterofsharpcheddarcheese,grapesandfigs,thefruit

background image

importedfromColumbus,Ohio,hisrealm’searthaccesspoint.“Youworkfast.”

Sheputahandtoherstomach.“That’sbecauseI’mbeyondstarved.”
Shefetchedacoupleofwineglassesasheopenedthebottle,thenbroughtthesoupandbreadtothe

table.Shesatdowntowaitwhilehepouredthewine.

Hetookaseatacrossfromher,andherewasanotherfirst,awomaninhisbreakfastnook,diningwith

him.Hisbrainrefusedtocomputethisnewinformationsohepickeduphisspoonandshejoinedhim.

Sheateslowlyandquietly,hergazemovingasitoftendidtotheviewofDefianceFallstothenorth.

Inthedistance,theShauckRiverfellfromtall,threehundredfootcliffsinadozendifferentplaces.Fir
treesandshrubsgrewuparoundthesamearea,andforsomereasonhestartedtellingheraboutthe
ShauckMountainsandmoreaboutthebridgeshe’dbuilt,andallthehelphe’dhad,especiallyfromthe
trollcommunitywhowereexcellentatexecutingthewoodsuspensionconfigurations.

Sheaskedsimplebutpointedquestionsthatkeptthetopicmovingfrombridgestogorges,tothefarms

thathehadthemostdifficultyprotecting,tohisVampireGuardthathadspenttwoweeksinFerrenden
Peace.

Shesmiled.“Ioftenwentintotownduringthattime,whenyourGuardwasthere,especiallythepubs.

QuinlanandBatyahadalreadyleft,butIwasfreetoroamatwill,neverhavingtoworryaboutMargetta.
Yourmen,aswellasQuinlan’strollbrigade,hadasuperbtime,havingbeengivenpermissiontospread
theirseedatwilltohelpexpandthecity’sgeneticbase.Ihadtokeepmyshifter-sensesshutdownalittle
becausethescentofsexintheairwaseverywhereandyouwereonmymind.”

Heleanedforwardandtookherhand,holdinghergaze.“WishIcouldhavebeentheretotakecareof

you.Iwouldhave,inaheartbeat.”

Shespokesoftly.“Seth.”Andherlightappleblossomscentrushedoverhim.
Heletherhandgoandleanedbackinhischair.Sheneededtoeatespeciallysinceshe’dbefeeding

himsoon,buthelongedtopickherupandcarryhertohisbed.

Hepickeduphisspooninstead,andfocusedoneating.Hekepttheconversationfromthatpoint

focusedonthehistoryofhisrealm.

Whenhewasdonewithhismeal,herosefromhischair.“Pleasetakeyourtimeandeatallyouwant.

RightnowIhavetocallmysecond-in-commandtoseehowthingsareshapinguptonightinthesouth.”

“Ofcourse.”
Hemovedintothelivingroomandpulledhiscellfromthepocketofhisbattleleathers.“Hey,Aaron.

What’stheclimateoutthere?”

“TheInvictusarequiet,maybetooquietformytaste.”Hedetailedhowhe’dapportionedtheVampire

Guardthroughoutthelowerhalfoftherealm,standardprocedure,anarrangementSethhadbuiltthrough
reviewingbattlelogsoverthepastcentury.HisGuardhadoneofthehighestkill-ratesintheNineRealms
becauseofhisattentiontoenemyattackpatterns,andhisanalyticalmind.

AaronaddedthatMastyrJudehadcalledabouthalfanhourago.“Hesaidoneofhismostpowerful

faehadhadavisionthathe’stocometoWalvashorrtohelpoutwithsomekindofevent,buthecouldn’t
saywhat.Ithinkhewantsacallback.DoyouhavesomethingplannedIdon’tknowabout?”

“Thingsarechanging,”hemurmured,hisgazefallingoncemoretothefurstillenhancingLorelei’s

hands.“IfJude’sfaethinksthere’ssomethinghereandthatheneedstobepresent,thenheshouldcome.
Butdon’tworry,I’lltakecareofthis.I’matShauckGorgeandLorelei’swithme.”

“Yourbodyguard.”
Hedrewadeepbreath,oneofmanyinrecenthours.“Yes.Andthere’ssomethingelseyoushould

know.”HetrustedAaronimplicitlynottospreadthewordaround,buthefelthissecond-in-command
shouldhavefullknowledgeofwhatwasgoingon.“She’sabloodrose.”

background image

Longpause,then,“Holyfuck.You’rekidding.So,she’syourwoman.”
Hemadethestatementsosuccinctly,thatSethspokebeforehecouldevenprocesswhatheoughtto

say.“Absolutely,she’smywoman.”

Andthereitwasagain,thatpowerfulneedtolayclaimtoher.Andyet,heknewhowhe’dresponded

toBatyaasabloodrosethemomenthe’dseenhertwomonthsagointhequeen’sreceivingroom.He’d
lostcompletesenseofwherehewas,tookherinhisarms,andwouldhavepiercedherneckwithhis
fangsifQuinlanhadn’tknockedhimflat.

WhichmeantthatifJudewascominganywherenearLorelei,heneededaplaninplaceandtomake

sureoneofthebiggestmastyrsintheNineRealmsknewthatLoreleiwastaken.Returningtothekitchen
doorway,heglancedherdirection.

Shenowstoodbythefarwindownearthetableandstaredoutatthefalls,herglassofwineinhand.

Hecalledtoherquietly,“Onemorephonecall,andI’mallyours.”

Hischoiceofwordssurprisedhim,buttheyweredamnaccurate.Thefactthatsheturnedtowardhim

andsmiled,ablushrisingonhercheeks,gavehimconfidencethattheywereonthesamepage.

HeheadedbacktothelivingroomandcalledJude.
Amomentlater,themastyr’svoicecameontheline.“Seth,youdumbfuck,how’sithanging?”
Sethsmiled.JudewasalotlikeEthan,justreallyoutthere.HemightevenhavebeenSeth’sopposite,

builtasJudewaslikeatank.HehadmoremusclethanQuinlanbutprobablyrangedatsix-six.Andno
doubtwhenheflew,hebruisedtheairthatrushedtowardhim.

“IgotamessagefromAaronthatyou’vehadsomekindoffaerevelation.”
“Yeah.Lookslikeyou’vegotanattackcoming,somethingbig.Rememberwhenwelastspoke,after

youmetQueenRosamundeandyousharedwhatyouknewaboutMargetta?”

“Ofcourse.”
“Well,it’sMargettaagain.Accordingtomyfaesource,Margettaneedstoshutsomethingdownin

yourrealmandifshecandothissuccessfully,she’llgainahugeadvantageinherbidtodominateallthe
realms.”

Seththumbedhisforehead.“Andwhatisitsheneedstoshutdown?”
“Thefaecouldn’tsayexactly,butshekepthavingarecurringimageoflongslenderfemalehands,fae

hands,trimmedwithwhitefur.Whichmadenosensetome.Doesittoyou?”

Andthereitwas,anotherindicationthatheandLoreleiwerecaughtinapowerfulrealmexperience.

“Perfectsense.”Buthedidn’tlikethatLorelei,despiteherintricateenthrallmentshield,wasstillin
danger.

“AndI’msupposedtolendahand.”
Sethscowled.“Whatkindoftimingarewelookingat?”
“Withinthenexttwodays,that’sallIknow.AndIwastobeatyourbidding.I’llcomenowifyou

want.”

“Wasthatpartofthevision?”
“No,onlythatIwassupposedtowaitforyourcallanddowhatyousaid.So,it’suptoyou.Ican

comenoworlater.Wheneveryouwant.”

Seth’sarmsshookwiththethoughtofJudebeinganywherenearLorelei.Hedebatednotsaying

somethingabouthiscurrentpredicament,buthereconsidered.Ifhe’dhadaheads-upaboutBatya,he
wouldeitherhavecontrolledtheimpulsetopullherintohisarms,orhewouldhavemadehimselfscarce
themomentsheshowedupwithoutQuinlanintow.“Jude,Ihaveanothersituationhere.”

“Thoughtyoumight.”
“Theserumorsyou’veheardaboutthebloodroseareundeniablytrue.Notthatyouwouldn’thave

background image

believedGerrodortheothers,butminehasarrivedandit’sLorelei.”

Judewhistled.“Nofuckingshit.”
“I’masshockedasyouare.”
“Butshe’sMargetta’sdaughter.Howisthatgoingtofly?”
HesharedwhatheknewaboutherpastandallthathadhappenedatBigTimber.Judewassilentfora

longmoment.“Don’tbeafoolandwaittobondwithher.I’vetalkedtotheothers,toQuinlanandEthan.
AndofcourseGerrod.Butthey’veeachsaidthesamething,thatifthey’dhadanysensetheywouldhave
justbitthebulletrightaway.”

“Iwishitwasthatsimplebutthewholethingisdamnoverwhelming.”
“I’veheardthat,too.AndIwon’tmakeamovetobeinWalvashorruntilyoucall.”
Hebreathedasighofrelief.“Thankyou.I’dhatetofaceoffwithyou,butthisthing,it’spowerful.”

Hesmiledruefully,adding,“Besides,Iwouldn’twanttoruinthatprettyfaceofyours.”Judecouldwipe
thefloorwithhimoranyoftheothermastyrs.Hewastheonevampireyouwantedinyourcornerwhen
thingsfellapart.

Judelaughedheartily.
“I’llbeintouch.”
Whenhereturnedthephonetohispocket,heheadedbacktothekitchen.Loreleihadalreadycleaned

upandwasdryingherhandswhenhereachedthedoorway.

“JusttalkedtoJude.”
“MastyrJude?”Herbrowneyeslitup.
Hemovedintotheroom,hisfistsclenching.“Youknowhim?Youdidn’ttellmethat.”
“He’soneofthefewmastyrsIdidmeet.Didn’thesayanything?”
“Likethesmartvampireheis,hesaidheintendedtokeepawayfromyou.”
Sheroundedthegranitecounter,arimoffurstillevidentonbothwrists.Butinhereyewasafamiliar

glintandhewasprettysureheknewwhatwouldfollow.“ButIlikeJude.He’sabigman.Ilikehimjust
fine.”

Thereitwas,herpleasureintauntinghim,workinghimup.
“YoustayawayfromJude.”
“I’lldowhateverthehellIplease.”
Insteadofapproachinghim,however,shestartedmovingbackwardtothedoorthatledtothetrailup

themountain.

Hefeltsomethingfromher,somethingrawandveryshifter,anearthyvibrationonhisskin.Hisneed

toclaimhersharpened.

Suddenly,shemovedfast,ablurtothedoor,openingitwithfaefingers.Butassoonascoldair

flowedintothehouse,shetransformed,becomingallwolfandflyingonfourlegsupthemountain.

Heflewafterher,levitatingafootabovetheground.She’dalreadydisappearedintotheforest,buthe

couldfollowhersilvery-tealtrailandhesmiled.

Butwherewasshegoing?Hehadn’tmistakenherdesiresincethesweetsmellofhersexwasstillin

hisnose,appleblossomsandearthcombined.Heknewshewasn’trunningfromhim,justplayingagame
thathisbodyliked…alot.

Upthesteepridgeheflew,glidingthroughthetrees,duckinglowerbranches,slowingdowntoease

hiswaythroughinterlockedforestbrushuntilfinallyhertrailended.

Hestopped,loweringhisbootedfeettotheground.
Hestoodinfrontofalargerockformation,snow-cappedinplaces.Scanningtheentireface,he

droppedhisgazetothepointatwhichthesnowmetthebase.

background image

HeknewLoreleiwasnearbybecausehecouldsmellherandsomethingmore.Hecouldsenseher,

maybebecausehe’dtakenherblood.Herealizedshelivedhere,thathe’dfoundherden.

“Lorelei,”hecalledoutsoftly.“Won’tyouletmein?Iwantin.”Heemphasizedthelastword.
Slowly,herenthrallmentshieldpartedandhesawthecast-offsnowwhereshe’ddugoutherden.
Hewouldbarelyfit,andwouldhavetodosomeseriousbendingandtwisting,butlikehellhewould

refusethisinvitation.Hiswomanhadcreatedahomeforherselfoutofrockandearth,averyfemale
shifterthingtodo.

Usinglevitation,heleanedlowandworkedhiswaythroughthespace,untilonceinside,hecould

stand.Loreleihadfoundacavetoinhabit.

Shekneltonafurrugfacinghim,completelynakedexceptforthewhiteruffsonthebacksofher

handsandaroundherthroat.Herbrownhairhunginlayersaroundhershoulders.Hereyesweredark
withdesire,hernipplespeaked.

Slowly,heremovedhiscoat,workingoffhisbootsandhisshirt,finallyunzippinghisbattleleathers,

peelingthemdownhistoughenedthighs.

Sheleanedforwardslightly,watchinghim,herfingerscurling,nailsdiggingintoherthighs.“Seth.”
Henoddedasheapproachedher,butheremainedstanding.Helovedthatshewasonherknees,a

verysubmissivepositionforwhathehadinmind.Holdinghiscockinhishand,hesaid,“Letmefeed
you.”Heheldhergaze,commandingher.

Sheloweredherhandstothefurrugandcreptforward,herchindownbuthereyesraisedtohim.Yes,

veryshifter.

Henoddedhisapproval.
“Partyourlips,Lorelei,letmeseeyourbeautifulteeth,yourwettongue.”
Sheleanedbackonherheelsandopenedhermouth,rimmingherlipswithhertongue.
Hetookhiscockinhand.Hewasfullyerect,readyforher.
Hisgazedroppedtoherbreasts.Theywerelargeandfirm,weightedatthebottomandslopedatthe

top.Hewantedhismouthonthem,workingherintoafrenzyofneedanddesire.

Hestrokedhimselflightlyashewatchedherchestriseandfallwitheachraggedbreath,herscent

rising.

Hesteppedontothefuranddrewclose.“Doyouwanttobefed?”
Shenodded.
Easinghimselfintoposition,hemovedhishandtothebackofherheadandwatchedasthetipofhis

erectcockslidpastherlips.

Thesightalonemadehimgroan,butthefeelofhermoist,warmmouthashepushedinside,senta

seriesofthrillsdownhisthighs.

*********

LoreleisavoredthefeelofSeth’scockinhermouth,thevelvetytextureofhisskinandthehard

arousalbeneaththatwouldlaterpierceherjustright.

Fromthetimeshe’dseenhiminthecastle,she’dfantasizedaboutthis,aboutbeingonherkneesand

havinghishandatthebackofherhead,controllinganddirectingherasshesuckedhim.

Sherolledhertongueoverhisflesh,drawinghimdeeper,thenreleasedhimjusttotheedgeofher

lips,onlytopullhimbackin.Shelookedupathimassherepeatedtheprocess,hergazeneverwavering
fromgray-greeneyessofullofpassion.ThiswasSeth,MastyrofWalvashorr,oneoftheoldestofthe
mastyrswhohadbeenbattlingtheInvictusforcenturies.

He’dlivedaloneforsuchalongtime,nowshewashere,kneelingandsuckingandinherwayletting

background image

himknowhewasn’taloneanymore.

Sheskatedherfingersuptheinsidesofhisthighsandnudgedhisballswiththebacksofherhands,

driftingherfurruffsupandoverthenbackdown.

“SweetGoddess.”Hisvoicewasbarelyawhisperinherprivateden.
Seth,shepathedhisnamesoftly,mind-to-mind.
Hepulledoutofher,lookingdownintohereyes.Hedroppedtothefurinfrontofherandcaughther

chininhishand.Heleanedcloseandkissedher,drivinghistonguedeep.

Shewhimperedanddriftedthebackofherhanddownhisneckandchestsothathecouldfeelherfur.

Shecouldtellhelovedtheruffs.

Ashekissedher,shepettedhiscock,thenturnedherhandoversohecouldfeelhersoftfurdownthe

hardlength.

Sethwasabigman,andlongerthananymanshe’dbeenwith.Herbodywrithedashistongueentered

hermouthagain.

Sheknewwhatshewantedandwithoutgivinghimwarning,sheflippedaround,turningawayfrom

himandatthesametimeloweringherarmstothefurs.Shewasfullyexposedtohim,swollenandneedy.
Shecouldn’texplainit,buttheshifterpartofherneededhimtotakeherlikethis,frombehind,andshe
wanteditrough.

Fromthetimeshe’dfirstseenSethatthecastle,she’dkeptherselfbare,hopingforthismoment,so

thatnothingwouldbehiddenfromhim.Butjustforfun,shesproutedanewruff,thistimeontheinsidesof
herlegssothatherpassagewassurroundedbyathinlayerofwhitefur.

“Youlookamazing.”Hisvoicewasdeepandhoarse.
ThecavesmelledofSethnow,amossy,richscentfromthedarkestplaceintheforest.
Hisnosefoundherfirst,pushinghiswaythroughthecrownoffurshe’dcreatedjustforhim.Shefelt

hischintremble.

Heusedhistonguefirst,swipingfromside-to-sideashetraveledfromthebottomofheropening,to

thetopofherclitoris.Sheheardhisroughbreathingashetastedher,suckinginturns,thennipping,
sometimesnuzzlingthroughtheruff.

Yousmellsowonderful,Lorelei.Edible.SweetGoddess,soedible.
Shewantedhiminsideherbadlynow,anypartofhim,sothatwhenhedrovehistongueintoher,she

criedout,archingherneckandrisinguponherarmstoallfours.Inthispositionhehadtobendoverto
reachher,butheheldherrighthipwithonehandandsupportedhimselfwiththeotherwhileheworked
her.

Heatelikeastarvedman,teasingherfleshwithhisthrustingtongue,thencomingouttonibbleand

suckonherlips,thendivingbackin.Hemadethemostdelicioussounds,likehewasfeasting.

HowdoItaste?
LikeanorchardandIcan’tgetenough.Icoulddothisforhours.
Herhipsrespondedbypushingbackintohisface.I’msoclose.Seth,you’vetakenmerighttothe

edge.

Thenfallover,letitspilloutofyou.
Andbeforesheknewwhathemeanttodo,histongueheldavibration,averyrealmsensation,andas

hethrustintoher,hesentthevibrationthroughherwell,fillingherwithsomuchpleasurethatshecried
out.

Anorgasmfollowedinarippleofecstasythatstoleherbreathinonemomentthenhadherscreaming

thenext.Thewholetimethesensationflowed,hekeptpushingintoher.Hesentdartsofvibrationuntil
shetrembledandanotherorgasmbarreledthroughher.

background image

“Seth!”Shescreamedhisnameasthepulseskeptflowingthroughher,upintoherabdomen,sothat

sherockedintohimoverandover.

Asthelastofthesweetpleasuredriftedaway,shefellonherface,herbodyfloatingandcontent.“Oh,

Seth.It’sneverbeenlikethis.”

Heslappedherbottom.“Don’trefer,evenobliquely,tootherexperiencesyou’vehad.”
Sherolledslightlytolookathimashepickeduphisshirtandwipedhisface.
Foraveryspecificreason,shesaidtheunthinkabletohim.“I’vehadalotofmeninmylife.Alot.”
Shewatchedhimblinkthenhisnostrilsflared,butnotinpleasure.
Shewantedhimthisway,angrywithher,workedup.
Rubbingahanddownherthigh,shepartedherlegswide,lettinghimseetheruffthathelikedso

much.Shereachedbehindandpettedthecrownoffur.“Thosemenhavebeenrighthere.”

Themusclesofhisarmstightenedintoballsofpuremasculinerageandintent.
Hefellonher,forcingherbackdowntothefurandtheshifterpartofherliftedherhipsonstrong

thighsandpreparedfortheonslaught.

Hegrabbedherwithonearmacrossherlowerpelvisandfoundherentrance.Heshovedhiscock

hard,somethingshewantedmorethanlifeitself,forSethtotakeherlikethisonallfours,liketheanimal
shewantedandneededhimtoberightnow.

Hefuckedher,hisbreathingraspyasheanchoredhimselfwithonehandbalancedonthefurnearher

leftshoulder.Hepumpedintoherwithquicksolidjerksofhiships,hittingherjustright.Shearchedher
neckandhowledasfurspreaddownherchestjustcoveringhernipples.Thesensationtookhertoanew
levelofarousal.

She’dneverexploredherpassionate,shifter-side,herownanimalnature,andhavingSethpummeling

herfrombehindpushedhertowardanotherclimax.

Anchoredashewas,heslidhishandupherabdomen,grabbingherskinandchuffingagainstherneck.

Whenhefoundthefurthatcoveredhernipples,hecriedoutandpunchedintoherharderstill.

Thensuddenly,histeethsankintothebackofherneck,thewayashiftermalewouldclaimhis

woman.

Shescreamedinecstasyalloveragainasanotherorgasmfellonher,rockingherbody,pullingmore

pleasurethanshe’deverknownfromherclitoris,drivingupthroughherwell,filingherwithwavesof
bliss.

Andjustwhenshewassureshecouldn’ttakeanythingmore,heremovedhisholdonthebackofher

neck,butonlylongenoughtobiteintoherneckwithhisfangsandtosuckhard.

Themomentherbloodbeganleavingherbody,herinternalwellbegantopullonhimalloveragain,a

kindofpleasurableagonyshe’dneverknownbefore.Shepantedhardashedrankherdown,gruntingas
hefedonher.

Anewvibrationflowedstraightfromhiscockthistime.
Anotherorgasmpouredthroughherjustasheleftherneck,risingup,thendrivingdeep,holdingher

hipsasheroared,hisvoicelikeapowerfulstorminsidethesmallspace.

Shefelthisreleaseanditspurredyetanotherrisetothepinnacle.Shearchedherneck,howlingand

shovingherbottomintohim,meetingeachthrustofhishipsuntilatlasthebegantoslow,untilhe’dgiven
herallthathehadandherownpleasurefinallydriftedtoastateofsweeteuphoria.

*********

Sethtrembledasthelastofhisorgasmsettleddown.Hiscockjerkedafewmoretimes,makingsure

thateverydropofhisseedwasplanteddeepinsideLorelei.

background image

Hefeltdifferentthanthelasttimehe’dhadsexwithLorelei,atthewindowofhisbedroom

overlookingtheGorge.Atthattime,hehadn’texactlybeenawareofwhathewasdoing.

Thistime,heknewpreciselywhathisintentionwas,tomakeitclearthatshebelongedtohimnow,on

abasicrealmlevel,mantowoman,tonooneelsebuthim.

Andshe’dknownexactlywhatshewasdoingwhenshe’dspokenofothermenhavingbeeninsideher.

She’dwantedhimtolosecontrolanddamnhimforlovingit,thathe’dtakenhersohard,withsuch
effortlessandcompletepassion,thathebarelyrecognizedhimself.

Assheloweredherselftothefuroncemore,hewentwithher.Hewasbigenoughtostayinsideand

hewantedtobethere,tostayconnected.

Easingdownontopofher,shesighedandreachedforhisoutstretchedhand,entwiningherfingers

withhis.

Thesightoftheirjoinedhandsgrippedhisheartasnothingelsehadinalongtime.Evenhisthroat

grewtight.Couldthisbehislife?Hisfuture?

He’dsplitintoadozenpieceswhenhisparentsandyoungerbrotherhaddied,andadozenmorewhen

he’dbeenforcedtokillhiselderbrotherbecausehe’dbecomepartofawraith-pair.Butthatdidn’tstop
himforlongingforthepromisesthatLorelei’spresenceinhisrealmnowmade,thatmaybehecouldhave
apermanentwomaninhislife,maybeevenafamilyofhisown.

Withthesethoughts,hismatingvibrationbegantohumfromdeepwithinhisrealmsoul.Thesensation

wasverydistant,likeafarofftrainwhistle,sofarawaythathewonderedifhe’dreallyhearditatall.

Butintheend,thevibrationfadedandhesighed.
HesethisrationalmindtoexamininghisbizarrerelationshipwithLorelei,tobegincreatingavariety

ofboxesintowhichhestuffedherfaeness,herwildshifterside,herconnectiontothepacksof
Walvashorr,thatshewasabloodrose,thathefeltsopossessiveofher,andthatshewassomethingcalled
theprimefemaleandhetheregisinthevolatileshiftercommunity.

Hisbodycooleddownwithhisthoughts.Ashedrewoutofthewarmcenterofherbodyandstood,

hismindturnedtowardhisdutiesasMastyrofWalvashorr.

Hebegantofeelmorelikehimself,moreincharge,morecentered,andyes,moreshutofffromhis

emotions.

“Hey.”Hersoft,melodiousvoicerippledthroughtheair,forcinghimtoturntowardher.Sherolledon

hersideandsmiled.“You’rethinkingveryhard,Seth.Toohard,maybe.”

Andthatwastherealproblem,thatsheonlyhadtosmileandpartofhimgotlostintheprocess,

especiallyhisabilitytothink.Hewantedtofalldownnexttoherandpullherintohisarms,cradleher,
kissherformaybethenextcentury.

Whatwasherholdonhimthatafteronlyamonthwithher,hecouldbedrawninsoeasily?
Helookedawayplantinghishandsonhishipsandconsideredhisnextmove.Heneededtocleanup

beforeheputhisclothesbackonandfoundafewwashclothesonalowshelfshe’dinstalledinherden.
Whenhehandedheracloth,shepresseditbetweenherlegsandhelovedthesightofit,thatshehadto
useittotakecareoftheseedhe’dfilledherwith.Especiallyintheshiftercommunity,thescentofsexhad
astrongmarkingaspectthathelpedthemalestoknowwhatwaswhat.Itwasalsothecauseofalotof
warringbetweendifferentpackswhenamaleorafemalecrossedtheline.

Andherewashisdichotomyalloveragainthatwhilehewanteddistancehewasgladshe’dcarryhis

scent.

“Soyoucreatedaden.”Heglancedaround.“Andyou’vebeenlivinghereforthepastmonth?”

Somehow,hethoughtshe’drentedahouseormaybejustaroominoneofthenearbyhamlets.Itseemed
oddtohimthathehadn’tthoughttofindout.“SomehowIassumedyouwerestayingwithalocaltroll

background image

family.”

“Ithoughtaboutit.”Shestartedgettingdressed,slippingintoherlowcutbrathatpushedherbreasts

intobeautifulmounds.Heforcedhimselftolookawayasshepulledhershirton.“ButthenIknewthatin
ordertodomyjobright,Ishouldbeasclosetoyouaspossible.Anditservedmewelltoliveinmy
shifterstatemostofthetimebecauseofthenatureofthesemountainswithalltheseincrediblebutdifficult
gorgestonavigate.”

Theproblemofmanagingeventhesefewbelongingsstruckhim.“Buthowdidyougetthisstuffin

here,theshelf,theclothes,thefurblanket?”Hepickeduphisbriefs,slidingintothem,thenintohissnug
battleleathers.Hisbootscamenext,pullingthemuptomid-thigh.

Shestoodupandtossedthewashclothintoasmallbasketbytheshelf.
“Youevenhavealaundryhamper.”Thewholethingstruckhimashighlyresourceful,onemoresign

thatshe’dbeenonherownformostofherlife.Shewasawomanwhoknewhowtomakethebestofa
situation.

Shechuckledandwithoutshowingtoomuchembarrassment,slippedintoherthong.Heavoided

watchingthatpartoftheshowaswellbecause,damnit,helovedthewayshelookednomatterwhatshe
wasdoing.Hewouldhavebeenattractedtoher,bloodroseornot.Shewasabeautifulwomanandhada
senseofhumorthatcounteredhisownirascibility.“So,I’llaskagain,howdidyougetthisstuffhere?”

Assheslidintoherpants,sheasked,“Doyoureallywanttoknow?”
“Yes.”
“Thethingis,Ihaveafeelingyouwon’tlikeit.”
“Tellmeanyway.”Hepickeduphisdarkshirtandpulleditonoverhishead,tuckingthetailsintohis

leathers.

“Well,itwasasimplechoicereally,sinceIdon’thavethepowerinmyfaeformtofly.OnceImade

mypurchases,I’dshifttomywraith-formandflyeverythingin,hiddenbehindmyenthrallmentshieldof
course.Ittookafewtrips.I’mnotverystrongasawraith.”

Herwraithform.
Heshruggedintohissleevelessleatherbattlecoat.
SweetGoddess,he’dalmostforgottenandhequicklycreatedanotherboxinwhichhecrammed

Lorelei’sflyingwraith-form’.

Heseemedtosetthatpartofherrealityasidemostofthetime,thatshewaspartwraithandhadthe

potentialtobindhimtoherandtoformadangerousInvictuswraith-pair.Thenherememberedwhat
Gerrodhadoncetoldhimthatherblood-rosestatuswouldcanceloutthatkindofpairing.Becauseshe
wasabloodrose,despitethefactthatshewasawraith,shecouldneverbindhimintoanInvictuswraith-
pair.

Therealm-folkwhoendedupboundtowraiths,usuallythroughkidnapping,losttheiridentityinthe

processandessentiallybecameslavestotheInvictusimperativeofkillingotherrealm-folkandserving
thewhimsofMargetta.Theancientfae,asshewasknown,hadcreatedtheprocessalongtimeagowith
thehelpofherscientifichusband,Gustav.

“Andyou’resurenoonesawyouinyourwraith-form?”Ifshe’deverbeenseen,shewouldhavebeen

hunteddown.Thoughtherewereinnocentwraithsaround,noonetrustedthem.

“IusedthelayeredenthrallmentthatRosamundetaughtmejusttobesure.”Shelookedawayfrom

him,hereyespinched,afamiliarlookforher.“Youdon’tknowhowmuchmywraith-formfrightensme.”

“DoyoufearbecomingInvictus?”
Shemethisgaze.“Morethananythingintheworld.ButIthinkI’dkillmyselffirstbeforeIeverlet

thathappen.”

background image

Henodded.They’djustmadeloveandnowtheyspokeofthehorrorsoftheirworldandLorelei’s

deepestfears.Hecouldn’tremembereverexperiencingthislevelofsharingwithanotherrealm-woman,
exceptofcoursewithKristen,whohadledhimdeepintobetrayal.

Hefeltuneasyasheturnedtowardtheentrancetotheden.Ascatteringofsnowlinedtheopening.His

coathadprobablydraggeditinwhenhe’deasedthroughinhislevitatedstate.

Butitwastimetogoandhestartedtoshifttolevitatedflight,whenherhandcaughttheinsideofhis

elbow.“Hey,”shesaidsoftly.

Oncemore,heturnedtowardher.Sheleanedupandkissedhimonthelips.“Thankyouforthis.”She

gesturedwithadipofherheadtowardthefurs.“Itwasamazing.”

“Yes,itwas.”Possiblyevenextraordinary,buthecouldn’ttellherthat.Healreadyfeltwaytoomuch.
He’dknownhersuchashorttime,yetitseemedlonger,months,evenyears,longer.
Rememberingthatshe’dfedhimfromherveinaswell,headded,“Thankyouforsharingyourlife-

forcewithme.”

Sheoncemoreputahandbetweenherbreasts,herbrowsrising.“Andthankyou.Honestly,Seth,I

swearIfeelbetterthaneverbecauseyou’vefedfromme.”

Onemorereminderthatshewashisbloodrose.
Atthat,heturnedtowardherfullyandpulledherintohisarms.“Idon’tknowwhatthistimetogether

issupposedtobe,ormean,orhowitwillend,butthisIwillsay,thankyousomuchforalleviating
centuriesofchronicblood-starvation.”

Shenoddedseveraltimes,butlookedseriousalloveragain.“Seth,I’mworried.”
“Inwhatway.”Herubbedherarms,wantingtocomforther.
“Thisisallhappeningsofast,thisthingbetweenus.Itscaresme.Doesitbotheryou?”
“Yes.”Understatement.“I’mafraidyou’llgethurt.I’mnotexactlyboyfriendmaterial.”
“AndIhavealittlebaggageofmyown.”Shehuffedasigh,butherlipscurved.“Ah,well,ifallwe

getoutofthisissomegreatsex,that’sstillalotofplusesifyouaddthemup,giveortakeafewdeadly
encounterswithmymotherandherarmy.”

Hechuckledagain,marvelingoncemorehoweasilyshecouldmakehimlaugh,thenpulledhertight

againsthischestoncemore.“I’lltrynottohurtyou.”

“AndI’lltrynottoexpecttheimpossible.”
Withthat,therewasnothingmoretobesaid.

background image

ChapterSeven

LoreleiheldontoSeth’sneck,nuzzlinghisthroat.Heflewherthroughthedenseforestinwhat

amountedtoaseriesofalmostacrobaticmovesashesqueezedthroughthicketsofbranchesandjumbles
ofsnowcovereddeadfall.

Shewashappy,thatwaswhatsheknewashecarriedherinthedirectionofhishouseoncemore.
Asthechillairsweptoverher,sheheldhimclose,herfreearmslungaroundhisoppositeshoulder.

Shesniffedhisscent,whichsmelledoftheforestheloved.Howwellheseemedsuitedtoherbecausehis
shiftercommunitydominatedtheShauckMountainswherehelived.

Shefeltathomeforperhapsthefirsttimeinherlife,atleastfromthetimeshe’dleftGenevieve

behind.

Sheknewsherodetheperilouscliffsofunrequitedlove.Herheart,maybeshecouldevensayher

bloodroseheart,hadbeengivenfromthemomentshe’dfirstseenSeth,eventhoughsheknewhis
preferenceforgoingitalone.

She’dneverbeenthisclosetoamanandyessheunderstoodthedangersofengagingsexually,that

womenbondedsodamneasilywithmenbecauseofit,butrightnowshedidn’tcare.

ThiswasSeth,andthoughshecouldsensehisuneasinessbecauseofhispast,sheknewhim.She

understoodhismostbasicnature,evenifhedidn’tyetknowhimself.He’dservedtheNineRealmsas
mastyrlongerthananyoftheothersandhadessentiallysetasidehispersonalhappinesstomakesurethat
hisfellowrealm-folkthrivedintheirland.

Aseachmastyrdid,hewatchedoveramillionsouls.Amillionlivesallintentonthesamething,on

earningadecentlivingandraisingahappyfamily,stayingaliveand,inherworld,avoidingthedeadly
Invictuspairs.

Theambitionsoftheaveragefamilydidn’textendmuchbeyondthat,exceptperhapstolimited

communityandreligiousinvolvement.EventheVampireGuardhadmanymarriedwarriorsinitsranks
andtheShifterBrigadewasallaboutpairingupandmakingwolfpups.

Maybethelatterwasthereasonthatshehuggedhimnow,becauseshewaspartshifter.Ormaybeit

wassimpler,andhewasjustagorgeousmanandshegottobewithhimforthisstretchoftime.

She’dneverlivedlongerthantwoyearsinanyoneplace,movingfromcity-to-city,realm-to-realm.In

mostplaces,hermotherhadfoundherwithinthefirsttwelvemonths.Margettahadhuntedforher
relentlessly,yetsomehow,Loreleihadalwaysbeenabletostayjustalittlebitaheadofher.

NowshewashereinWalvashorr,holdingSethasheflewherbacktohishome,safebehindlayersof

enthrallmentthatwouldkeepMargettaatbayforever.

Whentheyarrived,shedroppedtoherfeetjustoutsidethedoorandwalkedin.Shewasalways

surprisedathowmuchSeth’shomesmelledlikehim,whichmadehersmilealloveragain.

“You’resmiling.Why?”
Sheshookherheadandastrongwarmthcreptuphercheeks.“Nothing.It’snothing.”
“What?”Hecaughtherarmandturnedhertofacehim.“Iwanttoknow.Yousmilealot.”
“Seth,I’mhappyhereandwhenwewalkedin,well,youdon’tknowhowmuchyourhomecarries

yourscent.It’salmostlikebeinginyourarms.”

*********

Sethstaredatherforalongmoment,caughtoncemorebythewarmlightinhereye.That’swhathe

lovedthebest,thatshewassuchacaring,selflessperson.Despiteherroughlife,she’dsomehowkept

background image

herselfpureofentangledbitternessandhatred.Sheneverevenspokeofhermotherinharsh,angryterms,
onlywithahopethatshewouldneverbelikeher.

Helovedthatabouther,thatsomethinginnocenthadsurvivedherchildhood,anothertestamenttothe

workofthetroll,Genevieve.

Heleanedclose.Hewantedhislipsonhersagain,despiteanequaldesiretokeephisdistance,that

dichotomyagain,hisrational,boxedupmindandhispassionateneedtobewiththiswoman.

Butatthatmoment,aloudbangingsoundedonhisfrontdoor.
HelevitatedpastLorelei,orderinghertoremainhiddenuntilheknewwhatwasgoingon.Hishome

hadawallofwindowsoverlookingthegorgesohecouldeasilyseethatallfouralphasrangedhisdeck.
Twolookeddownintothegorge.Onepaced,whileEphyxstoodbehindthefront,glassdooritself.

Ephyxscowledashewaited,theunacknowledgedleaderoftheShifterBrigade,theoneSethwould

putinchargeinaheartbeatifitwouldn’tinfuriatetheothers.Intrueironicform,Ephyxprovedhis
leadershiprepeatedly,notbybellowingbutratherbydeferringtoCohoetinanysituationthatdidn’t
involvemultiplepackengagement.Cohoetmightthinkhimselftopdog,buthisself-awarenesshadalways
beenblockedbyhisego.

EphyxwasSeth’sgo-to.
Ofallfourshifters,Valgushadthegreatesteyetohisownpackandheldthereinsmoretightlythan

evenSeththoughtnecessary.Ontheotherhand,nothingcouldgovolatilemorequicklythanoneofthe
packs.

Alophi,morethantheothers,resentedinterferenceofanykindwithhiswarriors,butwasmuchless

strictthanValguswiththeoverallrunningofpackcommunitylife.

Openingthedoor,heletthemin,standingasideaseachmovedintohislivingroom.Herarelyhad

Guardsmenofanykindinhishome,vampireorshifter,becauseofhispreferenceforsolitude,buthe’d
madethespacelargeenoughtoaccommodatetheoccasionalvisit.

Evenso,fourbulkedupshifterstookupalotofroom.
“What’sgoingon?”Heglancedfromonetotheother.
Ephyxscowledalloveragainandaslightshowoffurappearedathisjawline,thendisappeared,a

signofdistress.“Weeachhavesensitivesinourranksthatcancatchbattlevibrationsfromhundredsof
milesaway.Something’sgoingon,RegisSeth,andwethoughtweshouldbringthistoyou.”Theuseofthe
recentlyacquiredtitlesurprisedSeth,exceptthatofallthespecies,shiftershonoredrankandpackorder
obsessively.

“Youmean,allofyouheardfromyoursensitives?”
Themennodded.
Themastyrpartofhim,thevibrationthatlookedtoWalvashorrinterests,pulsedwithinhim.Hecould

feelitnowaswell,thatsomethingwasonthewind.

HewasabouttocallLoreleitothelivingroom,whentheshiftersalmostasoneturnedinthedirection

ofthedoorwaysoheknewshe’dalreadydeterminedshewasneeded.

Whathappenednext,however,stunnedhim,aseachmansniffedtheairthendriftedtoapositionthat

placedSethbetweenLoreleiandtherestofthem.Theairbecamechargedwithavibrationthatfeltlike
respect,ormaybedeference.

Lorelei’svoicewasinhishead.Theysmellthatyou’vemarkedme.
Hestaredatherforalongmoment.
He’dmarkedher.That’swhathe’ddonewhenhe’dbitthebackofherneckhard,thenpiercedher

vein,allwhilemakinglovetoher.Buthearinghersayitwithinhismind,madeitrealandatthesame
timeextraordinary.

background image

Hehadmixedfeelings,though.Asprivateashewas,hedidn’tliketheideaoftheshiftersknowing

he’djusthadsexwithLorelei.Hedidn’twantherviewedinalightthatmightmakeherthebruntof
typicalmalejokes.Atthesametime,knowingtheshiftercommunityashedid,markingwasacritical
factorinkeepingunwantedmaleattentionawayfromawoman,especiallywhenamanhadmadehis
choice.

Hischestpuffedoutalittleashemovedtowardher.
Shemethisgazewiththatfamiliarexpressionofappreciationforhimthathe’dcometorecognize.As

sheglancedattheshifters,shepathed,Whatafinearrayofmaleness.

Heknewherbynowandheglaredplayfullyinreturn.You’regoingtostartwithme?Here?Inthis

room?

Anytime,Mastyr.
Shegottohim,tohissenseofhumor,hisheart,andhisgroinallatthesametime.Whowasthis

womanwhodidn’tseehimasanunconquerablemountainlikemostwomendid,butasherequal?And
maybeshewashisequalbecausehefeltthelatentpowerofher.Shehadabilitiesbeyondwhatevenhe
couldcomprehend,nodoubtthesamereasonthathadcausedMargettatotargetWalvashorrrightnow.

AnewvibrationtookholdofLorelei,butonethathadnothingtodowithsexorherroleasprime

female.Instead,hefeltthedominantfaepartofhersparktolifeashereyeswidened.

Shegrippedhisarm.“Thishasn’thappenedbefore.Seth,IthinkI’mhavingafaevisionandit’s

becauseofyouralphas.”

Heslidhisarmaroundherwaist.“I’vegotyou.”
Atranceslidoverherandtheshifterstensedup,almostasmuchasSethdid.Loreleididn’tblinkfor

thelongesttime,butshetrembled,thenessentiallypassedout.

Hecaughtherinhisarms,scowlingdownather.Somuchhadhappenedoverthepastfewhoursthat

hisheadspun.Whatthehellwasgoingoninhislifeandinhisrealm?

Shefinallygaspedalong,deepbreathandhereyesflutteredopen.“Putmeonmyfeetandgetamap

oftheShauckMountainsnow.”

She’dallbutfainted,yetwhenshecameto,herfirstwordsconstitutedacommand.Butitwasthere

again,herlatentpowervibratinginthebackgroundandheintendedtodoasshewished.

Heeasedherontoherfeet,steadyingher.“There’soneinmylibraryreadytogo.Ialwayskeepit

out.”

Wavingeveryonetothesouthsectionofhishome,hetookLorelei’shand.
Hishomehadtworoomsatthesouthend,oneofthemhisbedroom.Theotherwashislibrarywitha

plateglasswindowthatoverlookedtheeasternportionofthegorgeandtheopposingtree-linedridge.

Alargetableinfrontofthebook-lined,southwallheldamapofWalvashorr.Fourpewterwolves,a

giftfromhishousekeeper,keptthemappinnedinplace.HedrewLoreleitotheotherside,andoncemore
supportedherwithanarmaroundherwaist.Thealphastookupplacesontheoppositesideofthetable
wellawayfromher.

AssoonasLoreleistretchedoutahandtothemap,whichputhertooclosetothealphas,hegrowled

softly.

Theshiftersmethisgazefirstwithachallengeineacheye,thenwithquickdeferencetheybackedup

almostasone.

LoreleimetSeth’sgazeasshepathed,Really?
Yetagaintorn,hewantedtoimpressherwithhowsheneededtokeepawayfromothermen.Atthe

sametime,helovedthatshe’dlightenedthemood.

Hewentwiththelatter.I’lltrytocontrolmyself.

background image

Good,becauseI’vegotsomeseriousshittodiscuss.Shethenspokealoudandlaunchedintoavery

visualdescriptionofanimminentattack.

Hehadn’tseenherlikethisbefore,bentoverthemapsweepingherindexfingerdownseveral

differentgorges,noneofthemfarfromBigTimber.Shetalkedabouttwohundredextremelypowerful
wraith-pairs,intheairandcomingfortheShifterBrigade.

“AreanyoftheVampireGuardintheair?”Sethfeltnervedupnow.Asbattle-worthyastheShifter

Brigadewas,theycouldonlymakespeedaswolves,shift,thenengageonthegroundintheuprightmale
form.Theyweren’tnearlyaseffectiveashisVampireGuardagainsttheInvictus,despitetheirpowerful
andextremelyexactskillswithdaggersandbows-and-arrows.

Sheliftedhergazetohis.“Notaone.”Shefellsilentforamoment.“Thiswillbeabloodbathunless

wedosomething.”

Thefouralphaspacedandcursed.
WhenSethstartedtoliftahandtostopthemforhersake,shecaughthisarmandgaveasqueeze,her

voicesuddenlyinhisheadagain.It’sokay.Letthemwalkitoff.

Heturnedtowardher,staringintohereyes.Shewassuchanunusualwomanthatshedidn’tseemto

mindfourmencursingupashit-storm.Butthenshewaspartshifter.

Youalwayssurpriseme.
Ido?
Herarchedbrowsrose.
Henodded.Yeah,youdo.Hecaughttheundersideofherarmandsqueezedgently.
Whenthealphashadburntthemselvesoutontheirdamn-all-the-elf-lords-to-hell-and-back,each

returnedtothemap,settlinginontheareaclosesttotheBigTimberconferencegrounds.Ofallthe
speciesinhisrealm,theshiftercommunitykneweverycrevice,gully,andfeederstreamoftheShauck
Mountainsalmostasthoroughlyashedid.

Hescannedthemapaswell,tryingtounderstandjustwhyMargettawouldsendaforceintosucha

rocky,gorgeriddledterrain.Hedrewclosertothefour-by-sixtopographicalmap,spreadinghisfingers
toencompassthefourmajorgorgesoverwhichtheattackwouldtakeplace.Hefrownedthenglancedat
Lorelei.“Andyou’resureyousawthebattleshere?”

Loreleinodded.“Yes,absolutely.I’vebeenoverthisterrainmyselfanumberoftimes,trackingyou

morethanonceduringthepastfourweeks,ifyou’llremember.Allofthesegorgesarebetweenthe
Wheeling,Shauck,andAthaliaRivers.Ievenknowtheirnames:Bephotine,Clover,Emberith,and
InwetherGorges.HaveIgotthatright?”

Cohoetleanedin.“Yes,exactly.Thesearesomeofthewidergorgesintheentirerange.Theyopen

occasionallyintonarrowstretchesoflandthatcanbefarmed,andaremaybehalf-a-mileinwidth.We
havedozensofhamletsandfarmsalongalltheselanes,andatleastathousandrealm-folk.”

Valgusadded,“Afewtimes,homesteadershavetriedtoworkthemoreremoteregions,butthe

Invictushavewipedthemout,noexceptions.CloverGorgefallsintomyterritoryandIdon’tallow
homesteadersinthenorthernmostreaches,notsinceMastyrSethenactedthelaw.”

Havingtakenthealphas’adviceoveracenturyago,Sethhadcreatedandsubsequentlyenforceda

non-homesteadingpolicyintheShauckMountains.Theestablishedshiftercommunitieshadadozen
safeguardsinplace,protectingahundredhamletsthatmadeuptheintricatepacknetworks.Solitary
venturesintowilderpartsofthemountainshadbeenbannedforalongtime.

Abalancingforceofgood-naturedtrollfamilies,whoenjoyedmountainlifeaswellastheearthy,

volatilenatureoftheshifterpacks,alsolived,ranched,farmedandworkedinthemorehabitablevalleys
andwell-populatedgorges,especiallyneartheriversandlargerfeederstreams.

ThefourgorgeregionthatLorelei’svisionencompassedrepresentedatleastthirtymilesofterritory.

background image

“HowthehellarewesupposedtoprotectourpeopleagainstamajorInvictusattack?”Valgus’s

cheeksturnedaruddy,angryhueashescowledatSeth.“Thisiscompletebullshit.”

ButEphyxsteppedin.“Notbullshit.It’stheancientfae.Margetta.Whichmeansshe’safter

something.”

Loreleistraightenedhershoulders.“That’swhatIbelieveaswell.Theseareherplansandintentions

becauseforsomereasonshe’sseenthefuture,thatwhathappensatBigTimberwiththeShifterBrigade,
mattersinacriticalwaytoherwarstrategy.ThesenseIhaveisthatifshe’snotturnedbackattheShauck
MountainRange,shewillwinherbidfortotaldominationoftheNineRealmsinthenextfewdays.The
visionalsoindicatedthatshe’sbeenplanningtheserecentattacksoneachindividualrealm,beginning
withMerhaineafewmonthsago,foratleastthepastninehundredyears.”

Themenstaredatherasthoughshe’djustspokeninaforeignlanguage.Sethwatchedherlookaround

asshesaid,“What?DidIsaysomethingwrong?”

Alophileanedforwardslightly.“You’vesaidwhatneededtobesaid,MistressLorelei.You’veput

yourrecentvisionintowordsweget:war,thestakes,thepurposeoftheenemy,andtheneedforstrategy.”

SethknewthatLoreleihadhittherightbuttonandhadrampeduptheenergyintheroominapositive

way.Evenhefeltitnow,theswellingofhisbattlevibration.“Weneedtoestablishourownstrategy,right
here,rightnow.”HepivotedslightlytowardLorelei.“Andwhendoesthisattacktakeplace?Doyou
know?”

“Tomorrow,atmidnight,thefirstwavearrives.”
Henodded.“Good,that’sgood.Wehavetimetoprepare.”
Ephyxcrossedhisarmsoverhisbroad,heavilymuscledchest.Alltheshifterswerebuiltlikethey

couldwrestlebears.“Firstandforemost,weneedtoprotectthecommunities.”

Cohoetnarrowedhisgazeashescannedthemap.“Weshouldeachtakeagorge.”
BothAlophiandValguschimedin.“Agreed.”
Sethknewthatthispartoftheplanwassolidbecauseitkeptthepacksseparate,allowingeachalpha

todirectacompletelydifferentpartofthedefensiveaction.

Oncemore,heslidhisarmaroundLorelei’swaist.Thankyou.

*********

Loreleihadneverhadthisexperienceinherlifebeingpartofagroupwithamission,especiallyone

designedtosavehundredsofrealm-lives.EvenwithQuinlanandBatya,she’dbeentheoutsider,theone
they’dbeenworkingtosave.

Buthere,today,she’dhadherfirstfaevisioneverandwasmakingacontributioninawaythathelped

herfeellikeshewasdoingsomethingimportant.Theresultinghappinesssurprisedher,thoughshewas
prettysureithadsomethingtodowiththeshifterpartofhernature,aneedtobelongtothepackandto
findawaytoservethecommunity.

Astheshiftersstartedbrainstorminghowtogoaboutprotectingthevariousgorgepopulations,she

leanedintoSethandpathed,I’msogratefulforthis.

Forwhat,exactly?
Iknowthisisgoingtosoundodd,butforgettingtohelpout.
IthinkIknowwhatyoumean.It’shardtostandonthesidelineswhenyouwanttobedoingand

contributing.

Painfulattimes,especiallywhenthesourceofallthetroubleisrelatedtoyou.
Don’tgothere.
Buthesmiledandsqueezedherwaist.
Iwon’t.Idon’tintendto,butitwillstillalwaysbeafactor.

background image

Overthenexttwohours,thealphasdiscussedawidevarietyoftoolsforbringingdownanin-flight

enemy,includingluresandnets,bowsandarrows,anddagger-throwing,allofwhichmostshifters
excelledatandwhichtheyoftenusedinbattleagainstwraith-pairs.

Shemadeapotofblackcoffee.Theshiftersdrankdeeplyandtheenergyrampedupanothernotch.

Shesippedacupherself.Sethrefusedanything,butmorethanoncehisgazefelltoherthroatandeach
timeherheartstartedtolabor,gettingthatheavy,bloodrosefeelingagain.

Ofcourse,knowingthatSethwouldneedtofeedagainsoontriggeredothersensations.Whenhe

lookedatheroncemore,andhisnostrilsflared,ablushoncemorecreptuphercheeks.Shedidn’tlike
havinghersexualdesiresunderstoodsoreadily,butbetweenherstrongshifterDNAandSeth’s
overdevelopedvampireabilitiestosmellbloodandotherthings,shecouldhardlypretendnottofeel
whatshewasfeeling.

I’llneedtofeedsoon.
Iknow.Cramping?
Notanymore,butwhatIdon’tgetiswhysosoon?Ijustfed.
Makingupforlosttime,maybe?
Shecouldn’thelpbutsmile.
Hechuckledandthealphasglancedathim.Heshookhishead.“Sorry,men.Justhavingaprivate

conversationwithLorelei.”

Eachacknowledgedhisstatementwithanalmostdismissivegrunt,whichmeanttheyunderstoodhis

attentivenesstohiswoman.Theywentbacktostudyingthemapandconversingwitheachother.
Occasionally,theyusedtheirphonestocontacttheirlieutenantsanddiscussdetailsoftheirplans.

Afteranothertenminutes,Valgusliftedhishead.“Weneedtostartrunningdrillsrightnowandkeep

themgoingthroughtheday.”

Ephyxadded,“MastyrSeth,theentireShifterBrigadehasreassembledatBigTimberandwe’re

readytogo.”

Loreleiwassoimpressed.
Seth’sphonerangandhesteppedawaytoanswerit.Hewasgoneonlyhalf-a-minute,butwhenhe

returnedhelookeddeeplyworried,hisbrowsdrawntogethertightly.

Loreleitiltedherhead,becausethisdidn’tfeelthesameashisconcernaboutMargetta’sattack.What

isit?

Hestraightenedhisshoulders,hisgazesweepingoverthealphas.“Ihavegoodnews,actually.Mastyr

JudewillbeinWalvashorrwithinthehour.He’llmeetupwithusatBigTimber.”

Loreleinowunderstoodwhatwasbotheringhim.Shewasanun-bondedbloodroseandanother

mastyrvampirewouldsoonarrive.SheknewhowSethhadreactedtoBatyabeforeshe’dbondedwith
Quinlan.

Herheartpoundedharder,anotherindicationthatherownbloodroseabilitieswouldn’tdiscriminate

rightnowbetweenthetwomastyrs.ShewouldbeequallydrawntoJudeasshewastoSeth,atleastin
termsofherneedtosatisfyamastyr’schronicblood-starvation.

Shehopedlikehellthatshedidn’trunintoJudealone.

*********

SethflewLoreleislowlyoverMeriwinStreaminEmberithGorge.Theshifterswereontheground,

travelingprimarilyinwolf-forminordertomoveswiftlyfromfarmtohamlet.

Hehadn’tquiterealizedjusthowpreparedtheshiftercommunitywasforwar,buteverywheresnow-

orientedcamouflagenetswentupoverhousesandbarns.Farmanimalswereherdedinsidethelatter,and
familiesmovedtoeithercavernsystemslocatedinthesteep,mountainousridgesofeachgorgeor

background image

extensive,manmadetunnelsthathadbeenbuiltoverthepastcenturyjustforthispurpose.

I’mamazed,Loreleipathed.
Herarmaroundhisnecksoothedhim.Hewasjumpyashell,asmuchfromknowingthatinlessthan

twenty-fourhourshismenwouldbeengagedinbattle,asfromthefactthatJudehadarrivedandwas
workingwithEphyxandhispackatthefarwesternBephotineGorge.

EvenLoreleihadmadeitclearthatherbodywouldfailtodistinguishbetweenthemenandthatshe

knewshe’dbeintroubleifshegotanywherenearJude.

Andheknewdamnwellwhatitwasliketobedrawninstantlytoabloodrose.Memoriesofhaving

attackedBatyagavehimtheshakesalloveragain.

SoSethhadcreateddistancetoensurethatLoreleiandJudedidn’tactuallyseeeachotherduring

theseexercises.

Dawnwouldarrivewithinthenextcoupleofhoursatwhichtimehe’dtakeLoreleibacktohishome

forthedayandgetasmuchsleepashecouldmanage.

Ephyx’svoicebeggedtelepathicadmittance.
Whatisit?
WehaveaproblematBigTimber,aconflictwithCohoet’spackandValgus’s
IsMastyrJudestillatBephotineGorge?
LastIheard,hewas.
I’llheadtoBigTimbernow.
SethshiftedcourseandfleweasttowardBigTimber,explainingtoLoreleithatEphyxneededhimto

resolveaconflictattheconferencegrounds.

Youneedtofeed,Seth.Icanreallyfeelitnow.Myheartispounding.
Soonenough.I’llhavetoheadtoshelterinjustoveranhourasitis.
Andyou’resureyoucanwait?
Yes,absolutely.
Hedroppeddownjustinfrontofthesnow-trampledstairsthatledintothelodge.“Whydon’tyou

waitinsideuntilIsettlethisthing.”

“Thatwouldbegreat,unlessyouthinkI’mneededhereastheprimefemale.”
Heglancedaround,butshookhishead.“ThesenseIhaveisthatyouwouldonlybeneededifallfour

packswereinvolved.Wouldyouagreewiththat?”

“Iwould,actually.”
“Good.Seeyouinafew.”
“Right.”Butsheloweredhervoiceandsmiledupathim.“Youcankissmeifyouwantto.”
“That’sthetrouble,Iwanttowaytoomuch.NotsureIcouldletitstopatakiss,though,whichmeans

we’dendupwithahugeaudience.”Hejerkedhisheadinthedirectionofthecentralplatformandthe
shifterswaitingforhimtoarbitratethelatestdispute.

Thatradiantsmileofhersbroadened.Didsheknowthatsheglowed,thatsomeinternallightalways

seemedtobeshineoutofher,callingtohim?

Whensheenteredthelodgeandclosedthedoor,heturnedaround,headinginthedirectionofabout

fortyshifters.Themenfacedoff,bristlingoneithersideofthenearestcommunalfirepit.

ValgusandAlophihadalreadytakenupdominantpositionsinfrontoftheirmen.
“What’sthenatureoftheissue?”Sethstoodjusttothesideofbothgroupsandcrossedhisarmsover

hischest.Thelastthingheshouldbedoingrightnowwassettlingpacksquabbles,especiallywhenthe
brigadeneededtoberunningdrillsandsecuringthesafetyofallfourgorges.

Thealphaseachturnedtotalktotheirmen.

background image

ValgusaddressedSethfirst.“MytroopswereworkingtheridgebetweenInwetherandEmberith,

exactlyaswe’dalldecidedwhilelayingoutstrategiesinyouroffice,whenAlophi’sGuardsmen
challengedthem.”

SethmetValgus’sincensedstareastheshiftercontinued,“Mytroopshadjurisdictiontwentyyards

pastthecentrallineofdemarcation.Andyouknowthatridgedropsoffsharplytothewest.Weagreedon
that.”

“Yes,wedid.”SethturnedtoAlophi.“Whatsayyou?”
“Valgus’stroopswerewellbeyondthedemarcationpoint.”Darkwolffursproutedalonghisjawline,

thenquicklydisappeared.

IfSethhadn’tbeenasschooledinshifterpoliticsandstructureashewas,hewouldhavelosthis

temperforwhatseemedtobeatrivialmatter.Butthetruthwentdeeper,italwaysdid.

Someonewaslying.
Butuncoveringtheliewouldn’thelpbecausethemastyr,lieornolie,wouldhavetobackhistroops,

nomattertheinfraction.Thiswasonereasoncreatingaunifiedfightingforcehadprovedsodifficult.

“Willyousubmittomydecisionhere?”
Bothmastyrsnodded,ifreluctantly.
Hecouldneveraddressthelieoutright,sohesaid,“Somemistakehasoccurred,thatmuchisclear,

butrightnowIdon’tcarewhoseitis.Iwanteveryonebacktotheirassignedridgesandbacktowork.
Thetwentyyarddemarcationlinestands.”Heslowlydriftedhisgazeovertheassembledshifters,looking
eachintheeye.“Iexpectobediencehere.IfIfindthatoneofyouisstirringuptrouble,I’llhaveyour
landsimpoundedforthenextdecade.”

Nothingstruckfearintotheheartsofshiftersmorequicklythanhavingterritory,includinglandseach

owned,messedwith.

Thealphasnoddedtheiragreementandthetroopsgrumbledtheiracquiescence.BothValgusand

Alophiorderedtheirshifterstoreturntotheirassignedgorges.

JustasSethturnedbacktothelodge,however,anewvibrationwentthroughhim,onethathadnothing

todowithshifters,andwhichcausedhisvampirebraintostartunraveling.Inaddition,hecouldsmell
Lorelei’sarousal,herappleblossomscent,leakingfromthelodgeinheadyquantities.

Oh,shit.
“Where’sJude?”heshouted,turningtowardtheshifters.Severalhadalreadygonewolfandbounded

likelightningintotheforest.“IsMastyrofKellcassehere?AtBigTimber?”

Valgusfrowned.“Yes.He’llbebeddingdownforthedayinthelodge.Itoldhimwherehecouldfind

thewhiskey.”

Sethroared.

*********

LoreleilovedthefeelofJude’smassivebodyashepressedheragainstthewallnearthefireplace.
Themomentshe’denteredthelodge,she’dknownanothermastyrwasnearby,andmostofherability

tothinkhadfled.He’dcomefromthekitchenscarryingabottleofamberliquidandaglass.

Themomentshesawhim,herhearthadstartedpoundingheavilyinherchest.She’dalreadyproduced

anextrasupplyforSethandnowherewasJude,anothermastyrinneedofwhatshecouldgivein
abundance.

Judehadlong,blackcurlyhair,someofwhichhadescapedhiswovenclasp,givinghimawild

dangerousappearance.Hehadgrayeyesandwasincrediblyhandsome.

Heliftedthebottlehigh.“Needsomethingtotakethechilloff?”Butassoonasthewordslefthislips,

background image

hestoppeddeadinhistracks.“Holy,fuck,you’reLorelei.Youshouldn’tbehere.”

Butthathadbeenasfarashe’dgotten.
Shewatchedhisbrainshutdownandhisinstinctstakeoverashislipsparted.Hischinquivered,no

doubtscentingher,andhedroppedboththebottleandthetumbleronthefloor,thesoundofshattering
glassloudintheotherwiseempty,massivemainroomofthelodge.

Hemarchedtowardherandbecauseofherridiculousbloodrosecurse,shecouldn’tmove.Allshe

coulddowaswishforhimtohurryup.

Shesweptherhairawayfromherneck.
Hegruntedandloweredhischin,movingfasterstill,thenlevitatingtocatchherupinhisarmsuntilhe

hadherpressedagainstthewall,whichwashowshe’dendeduphere.

Helickedthelengthofherneckrepeatedly,growlingandgruntingatthesametime,gettingreadyto

strike.

Somewhereinhermind,sheknewthiswaswrongandshewantedSeth,butherbrainwouldn’twork.

Thismastyrneededherhelpandneededhernow.

Theproblemwas,sexwouldfollow.Shecouldfeelitandshedidn’tthinkshecoulddenyhim

becauseshewastoofargone.

Seth.Shecriedouthisnametelepathically,butdearGoddesswhatwouldhappenifhefoundherlike

this?WhatwouldhedotoJudeandworse,whatwouldJude,builtonmassivelines,dotohim?

ThedoorburstopenandSethstoodthereinprofile,notseeingheratfirst.Hisclaspwasgone,his

longhairwrithinginaveryrealmwayabouthishead,hisgreeneyesglowingwithrage.

“Jude!”Hisresonantvoiceblastedtheairinthelodge.“Wherethefuckareyou?”
“Seth,”shecalledouttohim.
Heturnedinherdirectionandthemomenthesawher,hebecameablurofmovementashereached

Jude,grabbedhimbytheshoulders,andflunghimawayfromher.

Judeflewthroughtheair,landinghardinthecenterofthespace,butatthelastmoment,herighted

himself,levitatingattopspeedbacktoSeth.

He,inturn,metJudemidairandthefightwason.Bothmenthrewpunchesandroared.
Atthesametime,acoupleofdozenfight-lovingshifterspouredintotheroomsothatLorelei

remainedintheshadows.

Severaloftheshifterspunchedattheairandshoutedencouragementtobothmen.Thesharedshifter

excitementmovedlikefireoverherskinandjumpstartedherownshifternaturesothatwhitefursprouted
onthebacksofherhandsandwarmedupherthroat.

SethlookedmagnificentasheswunghisfistsandstruckJuderepeatedly.
Sherubbedherthroatandfondledherfurruff.Sheshouldn’tbesoexcited,butshecouldn’thelpit.
Herheartstillpoundedhard,butformorethanonereasonnow.She’dbeenreadytofeedfirstSeth,

thenJude,whichmeantshehadasuper-abundantsupplyandneededtogetridofatleastsomeofit.Atthe
sametime,herinterestinJudehaddisappeared.SheonlyhadeyesforSeth,fulloflustandneedand
desire.Passionroseinaswellofsensationsoprofoundthatherbreathscameinraggedpullsofair.

However,SethstartedtobleedfromcutsthepunchesmadeasdidJudeandneithershowedthe

smallestsignoflettingup.

Shehadtodosomethingorbothvampireswouldendupinabadstatethatwouldtakehourstoheal

andpossiblyputtheircurrentplansinjeopardy.

Shereacheddeepintoherprimefemalepower,andanewintensevibrationflowedthroughher.One

byone,theshiftersinfrontofherbegantosettledown,turninginherdirectionandatthesametime
creatingapathforher.Thoughthebattleragedintheairjustafewfeetabovethefloor,anddespitehow

background image

revveduptheshifterswere,theystillobeyedthedirectiveshesentthroughherfrequency.

Asbothalphasmethergaze,shecriedout,“Breakupthisfightandbringthembothdownnow.Now!”
Thealphassummonedtheirbiggestshifters,threeeach,andamomentlater,themenlaunchedatSeth

andJude,rippingthemfromthedeathgriptheyhadoneachother.

Bothvampireswereinfull-fang,savageashell,andworse,Loreleilovedit.
WhiletheshiftersbroughtthemundercontrolandasbothSethandJuderoaredtheirrage,Lorelei

directedValgus’smentotakeSethoutside.ShewantedJudetostayinthelodge,corralledbytheshifters
untilhe’dcalmeddown.

Sheleftthelodge,followingbehindthethreeshifterswhohauledSethwiththem.Hestruggledand

lashedout,makingliberaluseofhisfangsandcausingthemennearesthimtoyelpinpain.Buttheyheld
tight.

Shemovedinfrontandledthemfortyyardsawaytothenearesttreeline.“Drophiminthesnow.It’s

stillfreshhere,justathincrust.”

Theshiftersthrewhimsothathesankaboutafoot.Thefreezingsnowhadtheeffectoffinallygetting

throughtoSethandhesatupslowly,hisbrowspulledtogetherinatightfrown.

Heglancedaroundasthoughuncertainwherehewasorwhathadputhimthere.Hestruggledtocatch

hisbreath.Hislungsworkedlikebellows,butheremainedsittinginthesnow,recovering.

Evenwithhisclothestorn,hisfacebruised,hislipsbleeding,toLoreleihelookedhotashell.
Shestoodoverhim.“Youdone,Mastyr?”Butshesmiled.
Helookedaround,thengrowledattheshifters,sincemanyofthemhadstartedchuckling,asoundfull

ofmaleappreciationforSeth’spredicament.

Whenhegrowledagain,sheliftedherhand,glancingoverhershoulders.“Leaveus.”
Shefelttheremainingshiftersmeltawayandshewascertainsheheardafewmorechuckles.Shifting

followedandmorewolvesnowdartedintotheforestheadingbacktotheirrespectivegorges.

Seth,ontheotherhand,lookedupather,hisgreeneyesstillhalf-lostinmadness,astateshedecided

veryquicklythatshewantedhimtostayin.

“ThatJudesurehasalotofmuscle.He’sonebigman.”
Sethdidexactlywhatshewantedhimtodo.Heroaredandlevitatedattheexactsametime,then

lungedforher.Catchingherbythearmsandwithoutaskingherpermission,hetookherstraightupintothe
air.OnlythistimeinsteadofheadingsouthtowardhisShauckGorgehome,heflewnorth.

Justwherethehellwashetakinghersoclosetodawn?

background image

ChapterEight

WithLoreleiheldtightinhisarms,Sethflewtowardhisfortified,treetopdwelling,butthewhole

time,aredangryhuecoloredhisvision.Theairgrewcolder,yetdidn’tservetodiminishhisragethat
he’dfoundhiswomanreadytoserviceMastyrJudewithbothherbodyandherblood.Heneededtoget
Loreleibeneathhimasquicklyaspossible,andhedefinitelyrequiredahitofherpowerfulblood.

Hisdestinationwasn’tfar,abouttwelvemiles,sothatwithinafewminutes,hesawthetimberlineof

RedheartPeak.Astronginstincthaddrivenhimnorth,insteadofsouthtohisShauckGorgehome.He
neededtobewithLoreleihere,inasmallbutverycomplextreehousethataclevertrollhadbuiltforhim
abouttwohundredyearsago.

Threefirtrees,theinnerbranchestrimmedclose,anchoredthetwo-storystructure,thatoverlookedat

leastadozenridgesbelow.Atthisdistance,whenheadjustedhisvision,he’dbeabletowatchthe
shifterswhiletheyrandrillsduringthedaylighthours.

Afewsecondslater,helandedonthedeckthattraveledinacompletecirclearoundthehouse.
HishearthadbecomealouddrumpoundinginhischestashecarriedLoreleiinside.Hecouldsmell

theabundanceofherbloodandthatsheneededhimtotakefromher.

Turningherinhisarms,hekissedherfiercely.Whenherlipsparted,hedrovehistonguedeepintoher

mouthwhichbroughtdesirerushingforwardoncemore,hardeninghimalloveragain.He’ddonesome
healingwhileheflewsoalotofthedamageJudehadinflictedwasnowgone,buthewasn’tsureitwould
havemattered.HeneededLoreleiandheneededhernow.

Herbodyarchedandshemoaned,thenhervoicetorethroughhismind.Seth,takemenowbeforeI

breakintoathousandpieces.Ineedyou.

Stillholdinghertight,helevitatedupandovertherailingbetweenfloorssothathedroppedeasily

downtohisbedroombelow.

“Iwantyoutofeedfirst,”shesaid,pullingoutofhisarms.“Myheartislaboringwitheachbeat.”
“Iknow.Icantell.Andwebothneedthis.”Thoughhenolongersufferedwithexcruciatingstomach

cramps,hefeltlight-headed,desperateforherblood.

Herfamiliarsmileappearedasshemovedtothesideofthebed.“Comehereandsitdown.Ihavean

idea.”Shepattedthecomforter.

Helovedtheshifter-likeglintinhereyeandthoughhewasn’tcompletelycertainwhatshehadin

mind,heplantedhisassexactlywhereshetoldhimto.

Shemovedinbetweenhislegsandshovedherhairawayfromthesideofherneck.Hereactedwitha

full-bodyshiver,tookholdofherarms,anddrewheragainsthim.Thoughhesat,hisheightstillmadethe
positionperfectassheangledherheadandexposedherpalethroat.Helickedalineovertheveinandfelt
hershudderaswell.Herdelicatewhiteruffappearedandhisdesireforherroseanothernotch.

Heburiedhisnoseinherfur,kissingalongthelineoftheruff.Hecouldfeelherpulsespeedupasthe

sweetappleblossomscentofhersexroseallaroundhim.

MaybebecauseoftherecentencounterwithJude,butsuddenlyhismatingfrequencyshottolife.
Shegrippedhisshouldersandcriedout.“SweetGoddess!Seth,whatisthat?”
“Mymatingfrequency.Ineedyounow.Clothes.Off.”Hisvoicecarriedweightandresonance.
Hereyeswidened,butashestartedtostripoutofhisleathersinvampirespeed,shefollowedsuit.
AssoonashewasfreeofhisGuardsmanuniform,hesatbackdownonthebed.Hewasveryfirmby

thetimeshestoodnakedinfrontofhim.Hecaressedherbreastsinturn,oncemorenuzzlingherruff.

“More,”shemurmuredagainsthischeek.“Moreofthat.”

background image

Hesavoredthefeelofhertightbudsagainstthepalmsofhishands,addingpressureasheworkedher

breastsincircles.

Shekissedthelineofhischeekallthewaytohisearthenfrenchedhimdeep.Hiscocklovedthefeel

ofhertongueswirlinginsidehisear.Hishipsrockedandhishandsfoundherbottom.Hesqueezedand
fondledher.Heturnedhisheadandfoundherlips,kissingherhard.

Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneckashedrovehistongueintohermouthoncemore.
MountmewhileItakefromyou.Again,hecommandedher.
Yes.That’sexactlywhatIwant.Liftmeup.
Goodidea.
Holdingherbottominhishands,heliftedhersothatshewasabletowrapherlegsaroundhiswaist.

Hewassodamnhard,andthemomenthetouchedherentranceandfelthowwetshewasforhim,how
ready,hegroanedagainsthermouth.

Heguidedherdownasheslidinside,herbodywrithingwithneed.
“Seth.”
Thatshewhisperedhisnameagainsthislipstwistedhisheartagain.Loreleicoulddothingstohim

withthepassionthatvibratedthroughhervoice.

That’swhenhefeltherrealmmatingvibrationcometolife,anechoofhisown.Heheldhisown

frequencysteadyashetiltedhishipsandpushedhimselfintoher.Hewatchedherneckarchandher
mouthopenwithamoan.

“Heaven,”shemurmured,hereyesclosed.“Youfeelsogood.”
HisgazefelltoLorelei’sneckoncemore.Herveinthrobbedandherbloodcalledtohim.
Sheopenedhereyesandheldhisgaze.“Icanfeelyourmatingfrequency.”Sheplantedherhandson

hisshouldersasshearchedherhipsintohim,strokinghimwithherwell,digginghernailsin.

Thewhiteruffatherthroatinvitedhimalloveragaintonuzzle,tobite,tofeed.
Hereachedforherwithhismatingfrequency,avibrationthatlefthischestandtouchedthecenterof

hers.Sheextendedherfrequencyandmadetheconnection.

Pleasureexplodedthroughhisentirebodyandthegroanthatlefthisthroatshooktheangledraftersof

thetreehouse.

Seth,that’samazing.Icanhardlybreathe.Feedfromme,takeallthatyouneed.
Sunkinthepleasureoftheirjoinedfrequenciesandthesoundofherwordsinsidehishead,hedipped

hisnoseoncemoreintotheruffatherthroat.Richstreamsofappleblossomscentdriftedthroughhis
senses.

Hisfangsemerged.
Shebreathedinshortpantsasshetiltedherheadoncemore,herpelvisrockingintohim,strokinghim.

Holdinghertight,hepinnedherchestagainsthiminordertokeepherupperbodyimmobilewhilehe
continuedtothrustintoher.

Aswellofdesireandhungerroseashedrewbackhishead,thenstruckwithhisfangstotheperfect

depth.Hepiercedherveinandherbloodbegantoflow.

Afamiliarelixirlikeappleblossomsandwinehithistonguefirst.Flavorburstinhismouth.
Butasherbloodtraveleddownhisthroatandlandedinhisstomach,thewholeworldtiltedonits

axis.Hisrationalmindwinkedout.Powerfloodedhisbody,desireunleashedashetookdeepdrawsat
herneck.Atthesametime,hedrovefaster,thestrengthofhisleanbodykeepingbothmovements
synchronized.

“Seth,”shecriedout,alongplaintivesound.
Hernailsdugintohisbackandherscentmovedaroundhimlikeawhirlwind.Hermatingvibration

background image

glidedoverhis,touchingandstrokinghisownfrequencysothathetrembledwithlustandneed.

Withhisblood-hungerslaked,hedrewbackandheldontoherhips,movingfasternow.
Thepassiononherfacetookhimtothebrink,buthewantedmore.“Lookatme.”
Shemethisgaze,breathinghard.“Youhavemybloodonyourlips.Oh,Seth,I’mgoingtocome.”She

drewinafinalraggedbreathandhefelthertugonhiminstrongpulls.

Hisballstightenedandatthelastsecond,withhisgazefixedtohers,hesentajoltofvibration

throughhiscock.

Shescreamedherpleasureandhisreleasecame,ahot,fierystreamofmalepowerthatshotinpulses

thelengthofhiscock.Heroarednow,ecstasyignitingthemusclesofhisthighsandbuttocks.Hekept
thrustingandjustasshecamedownfromoneorgasm,hefeltasecondonefiringhisbodyup,theresultof
heramazingblood.

“Youreadyforseconds?”Hewasn’tevensurehowhegotthewordsout.
Butshelaughedandnodded.“Yes.SweetGoddess,yes!”
Hewatchedasanotherorgasmtookholdofheragainandwhenherbodybegantopullonhimonce

more,anotherlightningstrikeofpurepleasurestreakedthroughhim.

Stillheheldhergaze,shoutinghismoansandsavoringtheexpressionsofpassionthatmovedoverher

face,thecriesthatleftherlips.

Ecstasycrestedathirdtimeandheroaredyetagainashismatingvibrationwrappedaroundhersand

tightened,takingtheirjoiningstraighttotheedge,closetoacompletebond.Butheheldbackknowingthis
wasn’tthetime.Soonperhaps,butnotyet.

Atlast,hisbodybegantosettleandhisbreathingeaseddown.
Shekeptchuckling,abeautifuleuphoricsound,herarmsdrapedoverhisshoulders.
“Whyareyoulaughing?”Hesmiledashewrappedhisarmsaroundherback,holdinghertightagainst

him.“Tellme.”

“Itjustallfeelssodamngood.Sexwithyouisaflighttothestars.I’mjustamazed,Seth.Amazedand

weweresoclosetobonding.Couldyoufeelthat,Imeaninthemiddleofeverything?”

Hecaressedherandkissedher.“Wewereveryclose,butIheldback.Ijustdidn’tfeellikethetiming

wasright.”

“Iknowitwouldsolvetheproblem,butIdon’tthinkeitherofusshouldfeelpressured.Justkeepme

awayfromothermastyrsandI’llbefine.DoIwanttobondwithyou?I’ddoitinaheartbeat,butfornow,
I’mcontentlikethis,savoringyourbodyjoinedtomine.”

Hisheartswelledatthesightofhersoft,browneyes,andallhergraceandaffection.Hebrusheda

lockofhairbehindhershoulderandglancedatherthroat.“IthinkIsuckedalittletoohard.I’velefta
bruise.”

Hervoicebecameathroatywhisper.“Youcansuckmethathardanydayoftheweek,mastyr.”
Hechuckledthistimeandhishipsflexedautomatically.Hedidn’talwaysreturntoaflaccidstate

followingsexandoften,withjustalittleencouragement,hecouldbebroughttolifeagain.

HetoldLoreleiasmuchandshesqueezedhimlow.
Hegroaned.“Youaresomykindofwoman.”
“I’mpartshifter.Welikesexalot.Themorephysicalinnaturethebetter.”
“Inoticed.”
Shekissedhimandwithhereyesathalf-mast,shewhispered,“Tapmyveinagainandlet’sgofor

roundtwo.”

Henodded,butthistimedrankfromherwrist.Ashefirmedup,herolledherontoherbackandfor

thenexthourworkedheroutslowlyatfirstandthenwithhisspeedandafewextravibrationsfrom

background image

differentpartsofhisbodyhadherwhimperingandscreamingoncemore.

Later,holdingherinhisarms,hefounditdifficulttofallasleepandapparentlysodidLorelei.
Hehadn’tbeentothetreehouseinoveramonth,thoughhelikedtocomeheretothink,andmaybethat

wasoneofthereasonshe’dbroughtherhere.Hereallyneededtothink.

Hehadavampirecrewthatcameineveryotherweektocleanandrestock,andtotopoffthewater

tank,afeatthatrequiredalotofhardwork.Hepaideveryonereallywellfortheirservices.

Likehishomeatthegorge,histreehousehadplentyofwindows.Butwithdawncoming,hewould

needtolowertheprotectivemetalshades.

Hecaressedherarm.“I’msosorryforallofthis.”
“Seth,afterwhathappenedwithJude,IguessI’mjustworried.”
“Iknow.”
He’dtalkedtoallthreebondedmastyrsandknewthattherewasmorethanonewaytobindhimselfto

Loreleiifthatwaswhathereallywantedtodo.

Quinlan,inparticular,haddefinedtheactmorethananythingasastrongeffortofthewill,ofclear

intention:todecidewastobond.

Hewalkedtheline,however,hoveringjustshyofafinalcommitment.HeknewLoreleiwaswilling,

thatapparentlyshehadlessconcernsthanhedidaboutwhatwouldhappenoncethebondwasforged.

Andhehatedthethoughtofwhatheriskedbynotbondingwithher.Therewasastronglikelihoodthat

he’dendupbattlingforheragain,ifnotJude,thenanothermastyr.

InthemiddleofwrestlingwithJude,he’dfelthowmuchtheexperiencehadbeenafighttothedeath.

Withoutthehelpoftheshifterstohaulthemawayfromeachother,hewasprettysureoneofthemwould
havedied.GivenJude’sbrutestrength,Sethknewhewouldhavefallenontheill-fatedsideofthatcoin
toss.

“Andyouhavenodoubtsthatyouwanttobondwithme?”
Sheturnedinhisarmsslightlytoplaceakissjustbelowhisear.“Ifwewerebonded,I’dneverhave

toworryaboutanothermastyrcomingafterme,temptingme.Besides,youmustknowbynowthatit’syou
Iwant.”

HewantedtobelievethatLorelei’slongingforhimwentbeyondthecallofthebloodrose,buthow

couldhetrustherifshecouldsoeasilyofferherveintoJude?

HealsoknewthatseeingLoreleiwithanothermastyrhadbroughtuptheoldwound,theoneKristen

hadinflictedallthosecenturiesago.She’dcosthimtheonethingheshouldhavebeenabletogivetothe
womanofhischoice,aheartfreetoloveunreservedly.

“Ijustdon’tknowifIcanbelieveanyofthisisreal.Theintimacythatwouldcomefrombondingwith

youwouldbebuiltonair,nothingmore.”

“That’swherewedifferbecauseIbelievewithallmyheartthatwhatwesharebetweenusisvery

real,despitethatthebloodrosepartofmeiswillingtofeedothermastyrs.”

Heknewshewassincereinherbelief,buthecouldn’tagreewithher.“Ican’tdoit,Lorelei,not

underthesecircumstances.”

“Isitthatyoudon’ttrustme?”
Hedidn’tanswerrightaway,becausehewantedtorespondastruthfullyashecould.Finally,hesaid,

“IbelieveinyourcharacterbutIdon’ttrustthesituation.”

Sheleaneduponherelbowtolookdownathim.“It’sokay.Thisisnewtobothofussohowabout

untilJudeleaves,wejuststickclosetogether.Howdoesthatsound?”

“Likeagoodplan.”
Thoughshesmiledsoftly,hecouldn’tmistakethelonginginhereyes.

background image

Hergazedriftedoverhisface.“Youlookalotbetter.ThatfightwithJudehadyouprettybruisedup.”
“Don’tremindme.”Hehuffedasigh,scowling.
“Everythingwillbeallright.”
Hehadn’tlovedanyoneinalongtime,buthewasdamnclosetolovingthiswoman.
Withasigh,hereachedforthebuttonthatcontrolledtheshades,loweringthemjustenoughtoprevent

directsunlightfromenteringthehouse.Theremainderofthepanoramaviewheretained,whichconsisted
ofawintryskyfilledwithsnow-coveredtrees,andtheoccasionalhawkhuntingthroughthequietforest.

Puttinghisheadonthepillow,hedrewLoreleiintohisarms,holdingherclose.“Youcanrestnow.”
Heneededtosleepaswell.Thebrigadehadabigbattlecoming.

*********

OnceSethwassoundasleep,Loreleieasedoutofhisarmssothatherolledonhisback,hislean,

powerfulbodyspreadoutinrelaxeddisarray.She’dspiedonhimmorethanonceduringherweeksashis
bodyguard,butshehadtoadmitthiswasthefirsttimeshe’deverseenhimsoatpeace.

ShehadahardtimedefiningallthatshefelttowardSethofWalvashorr,butaboveallthingsshe

wantedhiswell-being.

Hewasunutterablyhandsomewithstrongcheekbonesdefinedinpartbyhissuper-leanbody.She

marveledatthesculptedshapeofhismusclesbecausehehadsolittlefatonhisbones.

Whenhewouldriseforthenight,wellbeforefulldark,hepumpedironforanhour,exertinghimself

byaddingweightsquickly,workinghisarmsandshoulders,hisbuttocks,thighsandcalves.Then,justas
nightfell,butbeforecallingonhisVampireGuardorhisShifterBrigade,herantenmilesupanddown
theruggedridgesofthegorgeriddledShauckMountains.Heonlylevitatedwhenarockslidethreatened
tothrowhimoffacliff,somethingthathappenedatleastoncearun.

She’dtakentorunningnearhim,thoughatadistance,andsavoredthesetimesofsharedquietand

intenseexercise.

Sherosefromthebedandmovedtothewindows.Inherfaeformshewouldn’tbeabletotoleratethe

sunlightverywell,thoughnotsobadlyasavampire.Avampire’sskinwouldblisterwithanylevelof
light,evenwhenthesunwashiddenbehindathicklayerofclouds.Caughtoutintheopen,herfae
constitutionwouldendureamoregradual,thoughextremelypainful,disintegration.

Pacingtheroom,shemadeaquietcircuitaroundthefootofthebed,uponesidethenbacktotrackup

theother.ShefeltasshealwaysdidaroundSeth,thatRosamundehadbeenright;sheneededtocontinue
toserveashisbodyguard.Hewasindanger,morethanheknew.

Inherfaeform,shewouldneedtosleepsoon,butnotasawraith.Forreasonsshecouldn’texplain,

herwraith-formwasimmunetosunlight,whichmeantshecouldgooutsideandhavealookaround,see
whatwashappening.

WithonelastlookatSeth,shetransformed,takingonthelongthinlegsandarmsofherwraith’s

slightlyopaqueandmuchlighterbody.Herlipsweredarkinthisform,herteethapaleyellow.Shepulled
hermulti-layeredenthrallmentshieldtightaroundherselfandaddedanotheronearoundSeththatshe
couldmanipulateatadistance.

Withhersafeguardsinplace,sheslowlylevitatedtotheupperlevelofthetreehouse.Assheflew,she

tookcarenottobumpintoanyoftheangledceilingbeams,thenleftbythefrontdoor.

Wraithswereadifferentspeciesaltogetherandthoughsheworeonlythefamiliarstripsofgauzy

fabric,sotypicalofherkind,sheadjustedherbodytemperatureconstantly.Sheflewabovethetreeline,
knowingshewasinvisibletoeverycreaturearoundher.

TheweakDecembersunbotheredhereyes,anotherrealmresultofaworldlivedmostlyatnight.But

background image

sheignoredthediscomfortandtrackedabovethetreehouse,goingwellbeyondRedheartPeaktoseeif
theenemywasanywherenear.

Butallshefoundwasanexpanseofsnow-coveredridgesthatcomprisedthecentralpartofthe

ShauckMountains.Theterrainwasalandofruggedpeaksandridgescloakedinaquietblanketofsnow,
oficystreamsandrivers,andofwaterfallsinjustabouteverygorge.

Shespentthenextseveralhoursmovingslowlybackandforth,goingseveralmilesfromeasttowest,

northtosouth,watchingandwaiting,alwaysreturningtocheckonSetheveryfifteenminutesorso,then
headingtheoppositedirectionforanotherpass.

Fromthetimeshe’dmadelovewithSeth,herfaenesshadkickedintohighgearandnowtoldherthat

MargettahadtargetedSeth.Thoughshehadnoideawhy,shefullyintendedtokeepherman,herchosen
shifter-mate,safe.

Asthesunlightfinallybegantowane,astrongvibrationoutofthenorthweststartedtobuild.Andjust

assheturnedtoheadbackinSeth’sdirection,fromapositionnearBephotineGorge,agoldenglowof
lightsuddenlyappearedinthefarwest.

Margetta.
Andshewasmovingfast.
Herhearthammeredinherchestasshepulledherselftoastop,levitatinginplace.Thoughsherarely

accessedhervampireDNA,shedidsonowinordertobecomeverystill,asonlyavampirecould.
Rosamundehadtaughtherthisskill,assuringherthatoncecombinedwithherlayeredenthrallmentshield,
MargettacouldstandafootawayandneverknowLoreleiwasthere.

Andrightnow,thelastthingsheneededwasforMargettatogetafixonher.
Theancientfaearrivedatherposition,pausingforafewsecondsasthoughperhapssensingLorelei’s

presence.Butshedidn’tremainlong.Instead,sheheadedinaswiftstreamofgoldlightalongatrajectory
thatLoreleicouldtellputherinlinewiththetreehouse.

LoreleitestedtheshieldaroundSethandfounditasstrongasherown,whichmeantthatMargetta

wouldn’tbeabletoseehimevenifshefoundthetreehouse.YetLoreleiknewsomethingmoresinister
wasatwork,thattherewasastrongpossibilitythathermotherhadexperiencedafaevisionandnow
knewpreciselywhereSethwas.

Evenwhileinwraithform,thefaepartofLoreleikickedinandforthesecondtimeinherlifeavision

cametoher.ShesawexactlywhatMargettaplannedtodoonceshearrivedatthetreehouse,whichmeant
Loreleihadtoachieveamiraculoussplit-secondtimingifshehadanyhopeofgettingSethoutalive.

ShefollowedatadistancebutmatchedMargetta’sspeedonlybypassingheratthelastmile.She

trackedslightlytothesouthinordertoreachthetreehouseatadifferentangle.

Withanewsetofdeep,layeredshieldsnowsurroundingthetreehouse,shepunchedthedoorwide,

swoopeddowntothesecondfloorandlandedonSeth’schest.Shecoveredhismouthwithherhands,
reachingintohismindatthesametime.I’minmywraith-form.Don’thurtme.Margetta’shere.She’s
goingtotorchthetreehouse.I’vegottogetyououtofhere.

Hisgreeneyeswerewildnodoubtbecauseshe’dawakenedhimfromsleep.Butitcouldn’thelpthat

hestaredatawraith.

Heblinkedtwice,processing,thenglancedtowardthewindows.Shit.I’llfryoutthere.I’mnotsafe

untilfulldark.

“I’vethoughtofthat.We’llheadstraightdownintothedarkestpartoftheforest.You’llbeableto

survivewithminorburnsandI’llcoveryouasmuchasIcan.”

*********

background image

Sethdidn’tquestionLorelei,notevenforasplit-second,despitethatshewasawraithrightnow.
Heleapedfrombedandgrabbedafreshsetofbattleclothesfromthesmallclosetnexttohis

nightstand.Hethencaughtheraroundthewaist,flewhertothesecondlevel,andoutthedoor.

Atthesametime,agoldenlightfilledtheduskyskyandsuddenlytheareathatencompassedthe

treehouseexplodedintoaballofflames.

WithLoreleiinhisarms,theforceoftheblastthrusthimthroughthetreestowardthesnow-covered

groundbelow.HeprotectedLoreleiasbesthecouldfromthebranchesthatstruckthemboth.

Atthesametime,hefeltherstruggletostayinherwraith-formandtoholdherenthrallmentshield

tightaroundthemboth.

Loreleiwasonlyhalf-consciousashefinallylandedinthesnowatthebaseofatree.Asquicklyas

hecould,hepulledhisGuarduniformon,buthewasalreadyblisteringsomethingfierce.Hisspineand
headrockedwithpainfrombeingexposedtothelastraysofsunlight.

HesatdownagainstthetreeanddrewLoreleiintohisarms.Heshooknow,buthewasfullyaware

thatshe’djustsavedhislife.

Asheworkedathealinghisburns,hewatchedMargetta,andthegoldglowofthepowerfulshieldshe

bore,makeseveralpassesoverthetreetops.Hesmelledhisnowburningtreehouse,obliteratedinone
singleattack.Theancientfaehadtremendouspower.

Seth?Areyouokay?Loreleihadcometo.
Helookeddownatworriedbrowneyes.
I’mfine.
Sheliftedherarm.I’mstillinmywraithform.I’llshiftnow.
Probablyagoodidea.
Stillholdingher,shetransformedquickly,anothersignofherlatentpower.
Hewasgratefultohaveherbackinherfaeform.Heknewthatnotallwraithswerebad,or

dangerous,oreveninclinedtotakeontheheinousInvictusbondingofwhichallwraithswerecapable.
Buthebreathedalittleeasierholdingafaeinhisarms.Sheworeherjeansandfurboots,awarmshirt
andcoat.Herhatwaslonggone,probablyleftsomewhereatBigTimber.

Hepettedherheadandkissedher.Howdidyouknowshewascomingforus?
Shemethisgazeandtouchedhischeekwiththebacksofherfingers.Iwasoutpatrollinginmy

wraithform.Idon’tneedsleepasawraith,notsurewhy.Ijustdon’t.

Youmeanallthistime,whileIslept,you’vebeenflyingoverthemountains?
Shenodded.
But,why?
Sheseemedsurprised.Toprotectyou,ofcourse.That’smyjob.That’swhyRosamundesentmeto

you,remember?

Hestareddownatherinamazement.Youtrulyaremybodyguard,becauseI’dbedeadrightnowif

itweren’tforyou.

Yes,youwould.Butshesmiled.
Sethrealizedtherewasahostofreasonswhyshemighthavechosennottoreturntothetreehouse

onceshesawthatMargettahadtargetedtheplace.Instead,she’dgottentohimfirst,riskingherownlife
inordertosavehis.

Hewasastonishedbyheralloveragain,byherloyaltytohimandbyherGuardsman-likesenseof

duty.ShewasasmuchawarriorasanyofthevampiresorshifterswhoservedinhisGuardorinthe
ShifterBrigade.

Sheglancedup.Theancientfaeisstillhere.Inafewminutes,she’llrealizeshe’snotsmelling

background image

burningflesh,soshe’llknowthatwe’renotdeadandshe’llstarthuntingforus.

Ithoughtofthataswell.
Loreleileanedbackandoncemoremethisgaze,butthistimefrowned.Seth,Ithinkshe’sgearingup

herenergytoburntheforestinhopesoffindingusbyaccident.Shedidthistwomonthsago,when
QuinlanandBatyawerehelpingmegettoFerrendenPeace.ThoughMargettacouldn’tseemeorthe
brigadethatprotectedmebecauseofBatya’senthrallmentshield,shetorchedtheforestanyway.Inthe
processsomeofthetrollwarriorsdied.Ithinkweneedtogetoutofhere.Now.

Sethtookheratherword,scoopedherupandheldherclose,thenflewthroughthedenseforest

straightdowntheridge,despitethefactthatthesunhadn’tyetset.

Hefeltthefirstblast,whichmeantMargettacouldtrackthem,nodoubttheresultofhowhisflight

disturbedthesnow-ladenbranchesashewhippedby.Margettawouldbeabletoseetheirpathwithout
everactuallycatchingsightofthem.

Butheracedalonganyway,Loreleiclingingtohimandsilent.Sheheldherlayeredshieldstightashe

workedtostayoutoftheremainingsunlight.

TheblastskeptcomingasMargetta’sbattleenergystrucktreeaftertree.
Seth,we’vegottogetoutoftheforest.She’strackingusbecausewe’redisturbingthebranches.
Iknow.
Arethereanywaterfallsaroundhere,withcavesbehind?Ithinkwemightbesafeinaplacelike

that,atleastforalittlewhile,hopefullylongenoughforthesuntoset.

Heknewexactlywheretheycouldgo.Fuck,yeah,thereare.
Butcanyoumakeitacrossopenterrain?There’llbenothingtoprotectyoufromthesun.
I’llblisterup,andI’llbeinbadshapewhenwearrive,butwecandothis.
Heturnedeast,headingtoSageFallsatthetopofInwetherGorge.Valgusandhisshiftertroops

wouldhavethegorgelockeddownbynow,allthecamouflageinplace,andhistroopsinposition.

HepathedtoValgustolethimknowthathehadMargettaonhisheelsbutthathemeanttofindshelter

withLoreleiatthefalls.

Valgusprotested,Butmastyr,you’llbeintheopenandit’snotfulldark.
Thanksfortheconcern.Can’tbehelped.I’llhealfastenough.ButIwantyoutokeepyourtroops

hidden.Margettawillbehuntingforus,butasyourmastyrandRegis,Iorderyounottoengage.She’s
afterme,notthebrigade.

Heheardthelongpause.AllofhisGuardsmen,nomatterwhichbrigade,wouldfeeltornbythatkind

ofcommand.EachhadaningraineddutytoprotectSethatallcosts.

Finally,Valgussaid,Asyouwish.
Sethcutthecommunication.He’dreachedthelastbitoftreecoverwithblastssettingfiretotheforest

behindhim.

Hetookadeepbreathandmovedintotheopen.Butastheweaksunlighthithim,morepainshotup

hisspineandhealmoststumbledintheair.Butheheldhistrajectory,hisobjectonlyahundredyards
distant.

HefollowedthestreamthatflowedovertheInwetherridgeandcreatedthefalls,butalready

Margetta’sgoldenglowoflightwaseverywhere.

Lorelei’shandcreptuphisfaceandblockedtheburninginhiseyes.Thankyou.Almostthere.
Hethrewhimselfoverthefalls,holdingontighttohiscontrol,thenhoveredneartheedgeofthe

cascadeofwater.

Seth,whyareyouhesitating?
Ifwedisturbthefallinanyway,she’llknowwe’rehere.

background image

I’mgoingtoshifttomywraithform.Shewaschanginginhisarmsbeforeheknewwhathappened,

theneasedawayfromhim.Shefloatednearthewaterandslidbehindthefall.

Thoughblisterednow,hepulledinhiscoatandcarefullyskatedbehindaswell.Buthis

consciousnesshadstartedwinkingout,damnit.

Herhandcaughthimandpulledhimquicklytotheshelfofrock.Hefellbackward,landinghard.
Suddenly,Margetta’sgoldenlightappearedontheothersideofthewaterfall.Ifsheblastednow,

they’dbothbedead.

Sethcouldn’tdoanything,however.Hewasinaphenomenalamountofpain,morethanhe’dknownin

hisentirelife.Hestartedtheself-healingprocess,buthewasdizzybeyondwords,blistershavingformed
overagoodportionofhisbody.

Seth,I’msosorry,butshe’sgearingup.
Iknow,Icanfeelit.Lorelei…Ineedtosaysomething…
Buthismindstoppedfunctioning.
Ashedriftedintounconsciousness,hisfinalthoughtwasthathelovedLorelei,butnowitwastoolate

totellher.

background image

ChapterNine

Havingshiftedbacktoherfaeform,LoreleikneltbesideSeth.Buthergazewasfixedonhermother,

asMargettapacedthroughtheair,flyingbackandforthinfrontofthewaterfall.Shefelthermother’s
powerandtheprofoundvibrationshe’dbegunbuildingthatwoulddestroybothLoreleiandSeth.

Soitwouldendlikethis,Margettawinningthedayifshegotthisshotoff.
Barelyabletobreathe,Loreleiheldahandtohertightthroatandtimeslowedtoastrangecrawlas

sheprocessedherpresentreality.Sherealizedthatshe’dshiftedagaintohervampirestate,anintense
stillformthatonlyvampirescoulddo.Sherarelyaccessedthispartofher,thestrainbeingtheweakest
partofhergenetics.

Slowly,sherosetoherfeet,againmovingasthoughsheownedtimeasMargetta’sbattlefrequency

increasedinstrength.

SheprocessedhersituationinthesamethewaythatSethwouldapproachadilemma,analyzing,

calculating,takingideasinandoutofcarefulboxes.

Thenanideacametoher,onethatmightjustsaveSeth’slife,ifnotherown.
Shemovedclosertotheedgeandpathedtothewomanwho’dgivenherlife.Mother,let’smakea

deal.

ShefeltMargettashiftherintention,nowholdingherbattlefrequencyincheck.I’mlistening.

AlthoughI’msureI’dbewisetojustblastthepairofyoutothenextlife,especiallysincemyown
daughterhasn’tshownmeonedegreeofloyalty.

Loreleiignoredherdesiretotellhermothertogostraighttohellandinsteadaddressedtheissueat

hand.IwantSethtolive.IknowthebattleiscomingandthattheWalvashorrforcesstandlittlechance
ofwinningagainstwhatyouhaveinstoreforthem.ButIwanthimtohaveachance.

Margettachuckled.Sothefaepartofyouhasseensomething,then?
Yes.Butrightnow,I’ddoanythingtosaveSeth’slife.
Sowhatareyouoffering?
Whatyou’vewantedforyears,sinceIleftyourhome.Ifyou’llleaveSethaloneuntilthebattle

begins,I’llcomewithyouandI’llgowhereveryouwantmetogo.

You’llcomewithme,justlikethat?Areyouinloveorsomething?
Youcouldsaythat.
Margettasnorted.Ihavetosay,Lorelei,thatyouweremybiggestdisappointment.Allthispotential,

yetyouranfromme,shunnedme,asthoughyourfatherandIdidn’ttrulyliveinyourbones.Andyou
neverreallyunderstoodthefineworldweintendedtocreateforyouinwhichyoucouldbeawraith
andnotbeashamed,inwhichyoucouldonedayrulealltheNineRealms.

You’reright.Ineverunderstood.Butnowyou’llhaveachancetodojustthatbecauseI’llbe

turningmyselfovertoyou.

Well,tobehonestmydarlingdaughter,I’mnotsureI’minterested.Itriedtobringyoubacktothe

folddozensoftimesandonthelastoccasionyouledmeonalivelyjaunttoFerrendenPeace.I’mnot
sayingitwasn’tfun.Ididenjoykillingthosetrolls.So,you’rewillingtoplaceyourselfinmyhands?

Iam.
AndwhatifIdecideonceIgetyoubacktomybase,thatyou’reofnousetome.Aren’tyouafraid

I’llkillyou?

Iwouldexpectnothingless,butI’mwillingtotakethechance.Whatdoyousay,mother?DoIgo

withyounow?LoreleiknewthiswastheonlywaytosaveSeth,ifsheofferedherselfinthisway.

background image

Thenshefeltit,Margetta’sessentialhunger,thatshewouldn’tbeabletoresisthavingLoreleiunder

hercontrolagain.Shewasn’tsurprisedthatMargetta’sbattleenergybegantofade,bitbybit.

Loreleihadheranswerandstillholdingherlayeredshieldingtight,sheshiftedbacktoherwraith

form,theneasedfrombehindthewaterfalltolevitatehighintheair.

I’maboveyou.
ThegoldenglowbegantofadeasMargettaroseintheairatthesametime.Showyourself.
Loreleistrippedawaylayerafterlayerofherenthrallmentshield,untilshewasatlastvisibleto

Margetta.

Face-to-facewiththewomanwhohadbirthedher,Loreleifeltnothingexceptalevelofdisgustthat

sheworkedtokeephidden.Shehadajobtodo,soshefocusedononlyonething,gettingMargettaaway
fromSeth,themansheloved.

Comebacktomycampwithme.I’llhaveatentmadeupforyouruse.Youwon’tbeabletoleave,

ofcourse.

Asyouwish.
MargettaturnedandflewinanorthwestdirectionandLoreleijoinedher.Shefeltprofoundreliefthat

she’dsucceededinsavingSeth,atleastforthismoment.

Whatshehadn’tsaidtohermotherwasthatassoonasdarkfell,shewoulddoeverythinginher

powertoescapehercaptivity.Ifintheend,shefounditimpossible,thenshe’dfindsomewayto
terminateherownlife.She’dratherdiethancontributetoMargetta’sambitionstoruleandcreateher
versionofaperfectsociety.

*********

WhenSethregainedconsciousness,hewasalonethoughthesoundofrushingwatermadeitdifficult

tohearmuchbeyondtheshallowcave.

Thepaininhisbackhadeasedandhisblisteringhadsubsided.Hewasonhiswaytobeingfully

healed,butwherewasLorelei?

HerecalledMargettahadbeenreadytoburnthembothtoacrisp,thenhe’dblackedout.
So,whatcouldhavehappenedtopreventMargetta’sattack?
HereachedoutforLoreleitelepathicallyandbecameworriedwhennothingreturnedtohim,noteven

ahintofhertelepathicfrequency.

Nothing.
Panicsetin.
Hesatup,awaveofdizzinessbatteringhim.
WherewasLorelei?
Thentheharderquestionrosetopummelhismind:hadMargettakilledher?
Adifferentkindofpainsuddenlyrolledthroughhim,wavesofagonyinhischestthathadnothingto

dowiththeeffectsofsunlight.

Hisgazeslowlydriftedaroundthecold,dampshelf.Asheetoficywaterflowedinfrontofhim,a

perfectrepresentationofhowhisribcagehadcontainedhissolitaryheartforcenturies.

Hewasalone.
Yetforthepastmonth,hehadn’tbeen.
Loreleihadaccompaniedhimeverynight,alwaysguardinghim,thinkingabouthim,puttinghissafety

aboveherown.

Nowshewasgone.
Margettahadintendedtokillthemboth,sowhathadchangedhermind?

background image

Hedrewhiskneesupandrestedhisforearmsoverthetopsofthem.
Heknewthenwhatshe’ddone;Loreleihadmadeabargainwiththeancientfae.Heknewitassurely

asifthewordshadbeenspokenaloudinhiscave-likeprison.

Loreleihadsacrificedherselfandshe’ddoneittosavehislife.Thiswasthetruthofhercharacter.
Anotherpowerfulwaveofemotiongrippedhischest.HowmanytimesdidLoreleihavetoproveher

loyaltyorhercharacterbeforehefoundherworthy?

He’dkepthimselfremovedfromher,eventhoughQueenRosamundeherselfhadsentLoreleitoguard

him.Thataloneshouldhavealertedhimthathecouldtrusther,thathecouldbringherintohislifewithout
fearingshe’dbetrayhim.

Instead,he’dheldbackatacriticalmoment,evenaftershe’dsavedhislifewhenMargettahadfired

awayathistreehouse.

AndnowLoreleiwasgone,caughtinthegripofhermother’sevilhands,andwhatwouldherfuture

be?WouldshebeforcednowtoenterintoanInvictuswraith-pairbonding?Wouldshebeusedforeven
moreexperimentationbyherparents?Wouldshebecometheweaponthatherlatentpowersuggestedshe
couldbecome?

Almostcompletelyhealed,Sethroseslowlytohisfeet.Nighthadalmostcome,justafewminutes

morenowandhecouldleavethesafetyofthewaterfall.

Butheknewonlyonething.HeneededtofindLoreleiandbringherhome.
Thiswasherhome,withhim,besidehim,whetherwolforfaeorevenwraith.Loreleibelongedwith

himandhewithher.

He’dbeenafooltolethispastexperienceswithKristendeterminehisrelationshipwithLorelei.

He’dallowedKristen’sbetrayaltorulehislifeallthistime,neveroncelettinganythingremotelylike
loveoraffectioncomenearhimagain.

Ashewaitedforthelastofthelighttodisappearandglancedaroundthedarkgraystoneshallow

cave,hefinallyadmittedthetruththathe’dbeenavoiding,thathe’dfalleninlovewithLorelei.

Helovedher.
Passionately.
Liftinghischin,hesqueezedhiseyesshutandturnedhishands,palmsup.Hisheartswelledandhis

matingvibrationopenedfully.

Helovedher.Hisentirebeingfeltlitonfireasthoughhecouldflytothestarsandback.Andonsome

levelhe’dfeltthiswayfromthemomenthe’dfirstseenherstandingoutsidehisbackdoorinherfaeform.
She’dhadasoftcurveonherlipsandagleaminhereye,part-challenging,part-amusingandallLorelei.

Withhiseyesstillclosed,hesavoredthetremendousfreeingjoyhefelt,thatlovehadcometohim,

thatforthefirsttimeincenturieshecouldopenhisheartandtrulylovewithoutreservation.

Hefeltpowerfulinthismomentwithhismatingvibrationthrobbing.Andhefeltcertainthatifhe

tried,hecouldreachLoreleithroughtimeandspace.

Again,withoutopeninghiseyes,heletthatvibrationflow,pulsingalongtheairwaves,reachingfor

theonewomanintheNineRealmswhocouldsatisfyhimoneverypossiblelevel.

Whenhehithome,whenhefoundher,heshoutedforjoy.Atthesamemoment,hiseyespoppedopen

andhesawthattheledgewasfullofhersignatureofsilvery-teallight.He’dfoundher.

Lorelei,hepathed.
Seth…Hervoicefadedasquicklyasitcame.
Hetriedagain,buthegotnothing.Hemovedinabriskcircle,reachingforher,shouting,thenfinally

roaring,butnothingcameback.

Forabriefsecond,hemusthavebreachedMargetta’spowerfulshield,buttheancientfaehadshut

background image

himdown.

Hemovedincirclesnow,pacing,waitingforthelastofthesunlighttodisappear,thenhe’dbeonthe

move.Confessingthetruestateofhishearthadgivenhimtheonetoolheneededtolocatehiswoman.
Openinguphismatingvibrationhadmadeitpossibleforhimtoseehertrailevenatwhatheknewtobea
tremendousdistance.

Andinafewmoreminutes,he’dhitthattrail,trackherdown,andpullheroutfromwhateverprison

Margettakeptherin.

Buthedidn’twanttogoalone,anunusualthoughtallbyitself.Andmaybethiswasanewdecision.

Fromthispointforward,hewouldn’tbegoingitaloneeveragain,Goddesswilling.

HecontactedEphyxfirst,lettinghimknowthatMargettahadtakenLorelei,probablyinexchangefor

Seth’slife.

Verycleverofher,butyou’regoingaftertheprimefemale,right?
Damnstraight.ButIwon’tbeabletopromiseI’llbebackbymidnight.
We’vegotthiscovered.Allfourgorgesarewell-protected,ourbestarchersareinhiddencover,

andourpeoplearesafe.

Afterissuinganordertolettheotheralphasknowwhatwashappening,hecontactedJude.Ineed

yourhelp.

What’swrong?What’shappened?Seth,dammit,I’msosorryaboutLoreleiandeverything.
I’msorryforattackingyouaswell,butallthat’sbehindus.
HethentoldJudewhathadhappened.
Willyouhelpmegetherback?
Hell,yeah.Whateveryouneed.
Asthelastraysofthesunslippedbehindthemountainstothewest,Sethglidedbehindthefallof

water.Hedidn’tbotherdealingwiththeelephantintheroom,asinwhatwouldhappenifJudegotto
Loreleifirst.

Yetsomehow,itnolongermattered,asthoughhisownrecentpersonalrevelationabouthislovefor

thewomanwouldresolvethesituationassoonashecouldconnectphysicallywithLorelei.

Hestartedfollowingthesilvery-tealtrail,headinginaclearnorthwestdirectionacrosstheShauck

Mountains.Atthesametime,hedirectedJudetoflynorthalongtheBephotineGorgewhichwouldcause
theirpathstointersect.

Yougotit.
Sethshutdownthetelepathiccommunicationandaddressedthesecondissue,asinhowthehellhe

wassupposedtogetLoreleiawayfromtheancientfae?

*********

Loreleisatinherfae-form,inasun-protectedtent,attheedgeofMargetta’sarmycamp.Nighthad

fallenatlast,whichmeantSethwouldberecoveredfromhiswoundsandabletoleavetheshelfcave
behindthewaterfall.

Andforthebarestsecond,she’dheardhimcalltoher,butallherattemptstofindhimtelepathically

hadfailed.

Shewasn’tsurprised.MargettahadtakeneverypossibleprecautionsothatLoreleicouldn’t

communicateusinghertelepathyormatingvibration.

Bynow,Sethwouldhavefiguredoutthatshe’dabandonedhim,butwouldheunderstandwhyshe’d

gone?Orwouldheconsideritanotherbetrayal?

Shehopednot.
Shehadnoillusionsaboutwhatshewasupagainst.Hermotherhadtremendouspowerandonlynow,

background image

whenshe’dseenthemassivecontrolshewieldedoverherInvictusarmy,didshetrulyunderstandthat
givenenoughtime,MargettawouldprevailagainsttheNineRealms.

Asitstood,LoreleihadonlyaslimchanceofgettingbacktoSethandtotheShifterBrigade.Margetta

usedherenthrallmentalmostexclusivelytomanageherarmy.Shehadahugesupportstaffatherbeck-
and-callaswellandwasinconstantcommunicationwiththeInvictusineverypartoftheNineRealms.

MastyrJudehadalwayshadastrongconvictionabouttheneedforamoreunifiedNineRealms,

whichbegan,inhisopinion,withbettercommunicationsrealm-to-realm.Thoughshehadn’tbeenintouch
withhimforalongtime,sheknewthathewouldhaveapprovedofMastyrQuinlansettingup
communicationcentersineachoftheNineRealm’shumanearthaccesspoints.

Shestoodupfromthecampchairandpacedtheeight-by-eighttent.Apowerfulfaespellkepther

imprisoned.Touchinganyofthecanvaswalls,oreventheentranceflap,burnedinthesamewaythenet
hadwithSethtwonightsago.MargettahadmadeitclearLoreleiwouldstayhereuntilafterthebattle,no
mattertheoutcome.

ThoughshecontinuedherattemptstoreachSeth,nothingcamebacktoher.Despiteherfailure,

however,shekepthertelepathicpathwayswideopenaswellashermatingfrequency.Thelatterbecause
shehadthisnaggingsensationthatwhenSethhadreachedouttoherearlier,he’dusedhismating
frequency.

Shepausedinherpacingandputahandtoherthroat.Shehadafunnyfeelingthatsomethinghad

happenedtoSeth,somethingpowerful.Herheartratespedupandinaveryrealmwaysheknewhewas
headedinherdirection.

*********

SethflewhighinthefrigidairabovethenorthwesternportionoftheShauckMountainsatthefarthest

reachesofWalvashorrRealm.

Lorelei’ssilvery-tealtrailhadbeenabeaconinthedark,snowynight.Judetrackedwithhim,offhis

rightshoulder,andjustalittlebehind.Sethunderstoodwhy.IfforsomereasonLoreleiactuallycameinto
view,Sethneededtogettoherfirst.

Theybothunderstoodthebloodroserealityofthesituation.
Whenhisbattlefrequencylitup,heknewhewasn’tfarfromMargetta’scamp.
Doyoufeelthat?Jude’svoiceinhishead,confirmedwhathefelt.
Suredo.Hesloweddown,droppingclosertotheapproachingridge.TheInvictusarmyisn’tfarfrom

here.

Whatdoyouwanttodo?
Let’slandnearthetopofthisnextridgeandhavealook.We’reatNimbusVale,aperfectplacefor

anarmytosetupcamp.

Hedrewdownbehindthesnow-packedridgeandwishedhehadjustalittleofthefae’sabilityto

createanenthrallmentshield.Especiallydressedinblack,bothheandJudestoodoutlikepillarsagainst
thesnowylandscape.

Inadipnearthesouthernendoftheridge,hefoundafewlonetreesforcovernexttoamassive

twelve-foot-highboulder.Hemovedslowlyfrombehindthetrees,levitatingtogainaviewofthevale
below.

Whathesawwerehundredsoftentsanddozensoffires.Heheardlaughterthroughoutthecamp.

Clearly,theancientfaewasn’tworriedaboutdiscovery.

SweetGoddess.Judestoodnexttohimnow.IwassureMargettawouldhavehiddenherarmy

behindanenthrallmentshield.Iwonderwhyshehasn’t?

background image

Sethhadnoidea.Maybeshe’sthatarrogant,butit’sdamnluckyforus.
Judekepthisvoicelow.Doyouseehowthetentsarelinedup,inpreciseorder?Thisreallyisan

armythatthewomankeepsbuilding.

Iknow.Idon’tthinkIwouldhavebelieveditifIhadn’tseenit.Invictuswraith-pairswerenotorious

forchaotic,impulsivekills,sotohavebroughtthemundercontrollikethiswasyetanotherindicationthat
Margettawasseriousinherintentions.Ontheotherhand,Margettamaybeemployingherenthrallment
skillsonkeepingthewraith-pairssubservienttoher.

CanyousenseLoreleiyet?
Sethshookhishead.Nothing,butthenI’msureMargettaiskeepingherlockeduptight,including

herownbrandofenthrallmentshield.

Howthehellarewegoingtogetdowninthere?
Weneedhelp.
Andheknewexactlywhoheneededtocontact.
Shiftingtelepathicfrequencies,heaimedthisoneatFerrendenPeace.
I’vebeenexpectingyourcall.QueenRosamunde’svoicerattledhishead.Shesoundedurgentand

upset.

Hetoldherexactlywherehewasandwhathadhappenedinasfewwordsaspossible.Ineedyour

help.ThoughIhavenoproof,I’mconvincedLoreleiisinthecampbutIcan’tgetinwithoutyour
assistance.Areyouwilling?

Rosamundegrewveryquiet,thenfinallysaid,Morethanyoucanimagine.
Sethbreathedasighofrelief.Thiswholeoperationcouldstillgosouth,butatleastnowhehada

chanceofgettingLoreleiout.

HewasabouttogiveRosamundedirectionstohisandJude’sposition,whenshewasjustsuddenly

there,standingnexttohim,peeringbetweenthetreesaswell.It’sworsethanIthought.Howcould
Margettahavedonethis?

Judehadn’tmetthequeenbefore,soheofferedatelepathicintroduction.Sheworeafurmuffand

removedherhandfromwithintoshakeJude’s.Heseemedappropriatelystartledashebowedslightly,
andafterreleasingherhand,hetooktwostepsbackward.

Rosamundedidn’tseemtonotice.We’llneedadiversion.
Sethknewshe’dspokentobothJudeandSethatthesametimeandthatshe’dessentiallysetupa

powerfulconferencecallamongthemsothattheycouldcontinueinaquiettelepathicexchange.

Rosamundemeteachgaze.Icanonlyofferyouashieldforabrieftime.ThemomentMargetta

realizessomething’safoot,I’llneedtodisappear.Shecan’tknowI’minvolvedorFerrendenPeacewill
beatrisk.Doyouunderstand?ForthesakeoftheoutcomeofMargetta’swar,FerrendenPeacemust
beprotectedatallcosts.

HenoddedasdidJude.Canyoudiscernherlocation?
Atthat,Rosamundesmiled.She’sinthetentwiththeflag,atthewesternedgeofthecamp.
Heturnedtolookdownattheencampment,andsawthetentshereferredto.Hesmiled.He’dfinally

cutabreak,buthowthehellwashesupposedtogetLoreleioutofthere,oncehereachedher?

RosamundewithdrewherglovedhandfromhermuffandplaceditonSeth’sshoulder.You’llknow

exactlywhattodoonceyou’veseenher.Trustmeinthis.

Hadshereadhismind?Idotrustyou.Implicitly.
She’sagoodwoman,MastyrSeth.Shedeservesyou,evenmorethanyouknow.
HisrecentunderstandingofexactlyhowhefeltaboutLoreleisweptthroughhimoncemoreandhis

throattightened.Iloveher.Theconfessionlefthismindbeforehecouldstopit.Thenherealizedthatat
thispoint,hissoledesirewastoshoutitintotheheavens.

background image

Rosamundeleanedupandkissedhimonthecheek.You’llbewonderfultogether.Hergazeshiftedto

Jude.Asforyou,MastyrJude,stayawayfromLorelei.Isuggestyousetupadiversionattheeastend
ofthecamp,butdon’tleavetheridge.Andassoonasyouseethearmymobilizinginyourdirection,
headbacktoBigTimber.Doyouunderstand?

Yes,myqueen.
Good.
WhensheshiftedhergazebacktoSeth,hefeltherenthrallmentpowerpouringoverhimina

tremendousflowofenergy,sostronginfactthathealmostfellbackward.

Hecaughthimselfatthelastmoment.Wow.Okay.Hethankedheragainbutshefrowned.
Margetta’sonthemove.GogetLoreleinow.Hurry.Jude,startfiringinthenextfewseconds.

Havingissuedherfinalorder,shesimplydisappearedthewayDavidocould.

SethfeltthelayeredshieldthatRosamundehadcreatedaroundhim.JustasheheardJude’senergy

blastsstartstrikingintheeast,helaunchedfullboreandcrestedtheridge,aiminghimselfdirectlyat
Lorelei’stent.

Openinghismatingfrequency,hetelepathicallyshoutedLorelei’sname.
Bythetimehereachedthetent,droppingdowninfrontofthenetteddoor,shewastherewaitingfor

him,eyeswide.Canyouseeme?Heasked.

Shenodded.ButIcan’tgetoutofhere.
Sethfeltthefaepowerofthetent,buthe’dripthedamnthingtoshredswithhisbarehandsifhe

neededto.Hestartedtoreachforthenet,butshestoppedhim.We’llneverbeabletodothis,Seth.The
powermymotherbuiltintothistentistoogreat.

Sethknewshespokeaccuratelybecausehefeltitaswell.Thetentcouldkillthemboth.
Yetherecalledwhathadhappenedwhenhe’dmadecontactwithLorelei,evenwhileinwolfform,

backatLoperzCanyon.

Wehavepowertogether.
Sheshookherheadsadly.Notenough.Notforthis.Youshouldleave,Seth.Saveyourself.
LikehellI’mdoingthat.Infact,Ican’t.
Whythehellnot?
BecauseIloveyou,andI’mnotleavingherewithoutyou.

*********

Loreleidrewasclosetothenetteddoorwayasshedaredandstaredintohiseyes,unabletobelieve

whathe’djustsaidtoher.Youloveme?How?When?

Ithinkfromthefirstmomentyouappearedoutsidemybackdoor.Remember?
Shenoddedandtearsfloodedhereyes.OfcourseIremember.Youscowledatme.
Iwasfeelingwaytoomuchevenbackthen.Ijustdidn’ttrustyouoranywoman.Ihaven’tfora

longtime.

Shereachedforhim,almosttouchingthenet,butpulledbackjustintime.Iknow.Seth,whatarewe

goingtodo?Hergazeshiftedpasthim.Theentirecampwasalivewithmovement,headingtowardthe
eastend.What’sgoingon?

HeexplainedaboutJudeandRosamunde’shelp.
Loreleifeltwildwithpanic.IjustwishIhadasolutionforus,butIdon’tknowwhattodo.
Sethsearchedhereyes.IthinkImight.Hisnextwordsrushedather.Lorelei,willyoubondwith

me?Rightnow,Imean.

Shegasped,stunnedthathewouldsuggesttheverythinghe’drefusedtodonotevenanhourago.Is

thiswhatyouwant?Imean,ofcourseIwill,Iwanttobelongtoyoumorethananything,butareyou

background image

sure?Isthisrightforyou?

Hemovedasclosetothetentashecouldgetsothattheywereonlyinchesawayfromeachother.I’ve

neverwantedanythingmoreinmyentirelife.

Loreleifeltasthoughadooropeneddeepwithinhersoulandawindsweptthroughmaking

everythingnew.Loveflowedandlituphermatingvibration.Shedidn’ttrytoholdback.

Sethdrewinasuddensharpbreathashervibrationreachedhim.You’rebeautifulineverypossible

way,includingyourfrequency.Iloveyou,Lorelei.

Shewantedthemomenttolast,butthetougherquestionhadtobeanswered.Seth,I’mtrappedin

here.HowdoIgetout?

Ihaveanidea.I’vebeentoldthebondisanactofthewillsomaybewedon’tevenneedtotouch.If

wecanengage,likewedidatLoperz,Ithinkitmightbepowerfulenoughtobustyououtofhere.Are
youwillingtotry?

Absolutely.
Sethsmiled.I’vefeltyourfrequency,nowI’mgoingtosendyoumine,sobeprepared,becauseI’m

notholdinganythingback.

Herturntosmile.Doit.I’mready.
Heopeneduphismatingfrequencyfull-bore,sothatithitherinthechestandtookherbreathaway.

Hereyelidsflutteredandthepleasureshefeltwentbeyondanythingshe’dknown.Herloveforhimcame
aliveoncemore,burstingaroundherlikefireworksasherownmatingfrequencyignitedyetagainand
flewoverhis,swirlingandsavoring.

Iloveyou,camefromhismindoncemore.
AndIloveyou,morethanIcansay.Shewantedthissomuchandshecouldfeelthatsomethingin

himhadchanged,thathehadnomorereservationsaboutcompletingthebloodrosebondwithher.

Butshefeltanotherpresenceaswell.Frombehindhisshoulder,shesawthatMargettahad

transformedintoherwraithformandwasflyingfromthesouthdirectlytowardthem.Shemusthave
sensedSeth’spresence.

Margetta!
Forgetabouther.Focusinsteadonme,Lorelei.Bondwithme.Wehavetodothisnow.
LoreleishiftedhergazetoSeth.Hishairhadcomeloosefromtheclaspandnowflewinawildway

aroundhishead.WavesofpowerflowedandsheopenedherarmstoreceiveallthatSethwas.

Powerflaredandexplodedbetweenthem,similarbutgreaterthanattheLoperzplace.Thenetting

disintegrated.

Sethsteppedthrough,caughtherupinhisarmsandsuddenlyshewasinflightheadingupward.She

couldn’tthinkoract,butheldherarmswide,absorbingSeth’scombinedbattleandmatingfrequencies.

Andsuddenlythebondwasjustthere,tightandsure,fixedforeverbetweenthemandstillheflewher

up,headingintothesnowyskyabove.

Seth’svoiceenteredhermind.Lookdown.Youhavetoseethis.
Someofherabilitytothinkreturnedtoher.Sheslidherarmsaroundhisneckandshiftedpositionso

thatshecouldseedowntotheearthbelow.

HerhearingresumedsothatsheheardMargetta’sshrieksbeforeshesawthewomanherself.
Theancientfae,inherwraithform,flewinacircleabovethesmokingruinsoftheprisontent.
SheandSethhaddonetheimpossiblebyescapingMargetta,butthey’ddoneittogether.
She’llwantrevengeandifshecan,she’lltakeitoutonthefourgorges.That’swhatIfeltinthe

originalvision,theoneinyourhousewiththealphaspresent,thatshewasfurious.Weneedtoget
backthere.

background image

Sethnodded,butshefeltsomethinginhim,thingshewantedtosay.
Shekissedhim.Later.Tellmelater.Rightnow,wehaveyourrealmtoprotect.
Theexpressionoftendernessthatenteredhiseyes,nearlyundidher,tearingintoherheartandmaking

mushofwhatwasalreadygiventohim.Thankyou,Lorelei.Thankyou.

HeturnedtheminasoutheasterlydirectionandspedinthedirectionofBigTimber.
Sheunderstoodhim.She’dhonoredhisgreatestlove,hispeopleandhisrealm,andhevaluedthat

morethanwordscouldexpress.

Andshewasbackinhisarms.
Butshefelthermother’sfuryandknewthatMargettawouldholdnothingbackfromtheforthcoming

battle.

WouldtheShifterBrigadebeenoughtoturnbackMargetta’sInvictusarmy?Wouldthealphaswork

wellenoughtogethertobeacohesiveunit?

background image

ChapterTen

Sethflewfasterthanheeverhadbefore.Thatwasthefirstthinghenoticedsincehavingbondedwith

Lorelei.

Andhefeltwhole,asthoughhisprevioussolitarylifehadreflectedonlyaportionofhisrealm

potential.

AndhehadLoreleiinhisarms,thebiggestsurpriseofhislong-livedlife.
Butasheveeredsouth,hefeltapowerful,dangerouswindathisback.
Lorelei’svoiceenteredhispathway.Doyoufeelthat?
Yep.
Mother’smad.
I’msuresheis.
Whereareweheaded?
Sethshiftedherslightlyinhisarms.BephotineGorge.Ephyxisinchargethere.
He’stherightalphatousetosetthestageandyou’reflyingfaster.
Shehuggedhim.
Sethsmiled.It’sbecauseofyou.
Becauseofus.
Yes,you’reright.Becauseofus.
Assoonashereachedthetopofthegorge,hepathedtoEphyx.IhaveLoreleiwithmeandwe’renow

bonded.ButIhaveonefuriousancientfaeonmyassandshehasherarmywithher.Getyourmen
ready.

Weare.Justwaitingforyourorders.
ThereweremomentsinSeth’slifewhentheloyaltyofhismenastonishedhim.He’dbeentherulerof

WalvashorrRealmforaverylongtime,andyeshe’destablishedhimselfasawarriorandasatolerant
ruler,butthathisShifterBrigadewasreadyand‘justwaiting’forhisorders,filledhisheartwith
gratitude.

TheNineRealmssavoredindependenceprobablymorethananythingelse.Yet,thesemenwaitedon

him,andconcededtohisdecisions.

Buttonight,hisordersweresimple.Fireatwill.
Yes,mastyr.
Sethcontactedtherestofthealphasanddeliveredthesameorder.
Loreleipathed,WeneedtobeatBigTimber.
Areyousensingthatbecauseofyourfaevibration?
Yes.
Hedidn’twaitforfurtherexplanation,butshiftedcourseagain.HenolongerfeltMargetta’swind.No

doubtshe’dlosttrackofthem.

ButhowwashesupposedtoknowwhatwasgoingoninanyofthegorgesifhewasatBigTimber?

*********

Loreleifelttheweightofherfaenesslikeaheavycloakaroundhershoulders.Imageskeptspinning

throughhermind,ofthealphas,ofeachoftheirpacks,andofthegorges,oneaftertheother.

BindingherselftoSeththroughhermatingvibrationhadresultedinherabilitytotapintoallthathe

was.Rightnow,sheexperiencedhisconnectiontohisrealmandtohisalphas,bothofwhichignitedthe
shifterpartofherthatcravedasenseofcommunalbelonging.

background image

Ashetoucheddowninthecenterofthesnow-coveredoutdoorgatheringarea,wherefourfirepits

stillburned,Loreleihadneverfeltsoalert,soreadyforanythingthatmightcome,includingMargetta’s
power.

Onceonthesolid,snow-coveredplatform,Sethdidn’tlethergo,butkeptanarmtightaroundher

waist.Shefeltit,too,theneedtostayconnectedphysicallywhileeventsunfolded.

Shehadnoideawhatwouldhappennextbutfromthedirectionofthenorthwest,shesensedthefull

expressionofhermother’srageathavinglostcontrolofLoreleiagain.Bynow,becauseofwhathad
happenedtothetent,MargettamustknowthatSethhadbondedwithherandhadcreatedanewlevelof
powerbetweenthem.

MaybethisunionwaswhatMargettahadfeared,thatherwraith-daughterhadformedabondwitha

vampirethathadInvictuspotential.Ofcourse,LoreleialsoknewfromconversationswithRosamunde
thathavingbloodrosecapacitymadeitimpossibletoforgeatrueInvictusbond,thekindofconnection
thatremovedtheconsciencefrombothwraithandhisorherbondedrealm-person.

Butthepower…
Yes,thepowerwasthere,betweenthem,flowingbackandforth,aheavyrealmvibrationfullofall

kindsofpotential,someofitlethalbecauseoftheirjoinedbattlefrequencies.

Yet,Loreleifeltinherbonesthattheirpowerwouldn’tbeaboutslayingtheInvictuswraith-pairs,but

whatexactlytheycouldaccomplishtogether,shedidn’tknow.

Herheartthrummedwithexcitement.
Sethturnedhertowardhim,searchinghereyes.“Tellmewhatyou’refeelingrightnow.”
Sheplantedherhandsonhisarms.Hisbicepsflexedbeneathhertouch.“Asthoughallthepassion

youfeelforWalvashorrandfortheNineRealmsismovinglikeawhirlwindaroundus,throughus,
betweenus.”

Hesmiledandleanedclose.Hetouchedhislipstohers,agentlekissthatfeltfullofallthathewas.

Shereturnedthekiss,sendinghergratitudeforhiswillingnesstoleavehissolitaryworldandpullherso
completelyoutofherownisolation.

Whenhedrewback,heheldhergazeoncemore.“TellmewhereMargettais,whatyousee,through

yourfaeness?”

Sheclosedhereyes,focusingthewhirlwindonhermother.Iseeherinflight,herentireInvictus

armywithher,twohundredpairsandthattwoofthepairsaretheextremelypowerfulmastyrvampire
wraith-pairs,thekindthatalmostkilledMastyrQuinlan.

Understood.Canyouseewherethey’reheaded?
Shebegantodescribethearraytohim,thattherewerefourcolumns,howfasttheyweremoving,and

howeachsplitoffinadifferentdirection,towardoneofthefourgorges.

WhereisMargetta?
Hoveringdirectlynorthofusthoughseveralmilesaway.She’sorchestrating.
Justaswewill.KeepfeedingmeinformationandI’lltranslatewhatyouseetothealphas.
Seth,it’sthestrangestthing,butit’sasthoughI’vemovedhighintotheairandI’mlookingdown

attheShauckMountains.Icanseeherarmiesadvance.Shesqueezedhisarms.I’mgoingtoshowthis
toyou,oratleasttryto.Ready?Thiswillcomethroughthebattlefrequency.

*********

Sethreceivedtheimageslikesomethinghecouldwatchonhisflatscreen.Heopenedhistelepathyto

Ephyx,butoninstinct,expandedit.Ephyx,areyouseeingthisinyourmind?

Holy,shit,mastyr,I’mwatchingMargetta’sarmyadvancedownthegorge.

background image

Canyoutranslatethisforyourtroops?Canyoucommunicatewithyourlieutenants?
Yes.
Good.ThisisallnewtoLoreleiandme,somethingwe’redoingtogether.I’llkeepsendingyou

theseimages,butIneedtocontacttheothers.IfIcan,I’llstreamthistoeachofyouatthesametime.

ThemomentSethfocusedonallfouralphasatonce,whatcametohimfromLoreleiwasthatshehad

alreadyseparatedouteachfrequencyjustasshehadwhenshe’dconnectedwiththepacksearlier.Butthis
time,hefeltthedifferentvibrationsasveryseparatestreamsofenergy.Holdingallfourinhismind,he
contactedCohoet,Valgus,andAlophilikeaconferencecall.BecauseofhisbondwithLorelei,itturned
outtobeaverysimplethingtodo.

HeexplainedwhathewoulddoandthemomenthelettheimagesstreamtoCohoet,Valgusand

Alophi,allfouralphasgaveashoutoftriumphatwhattheywereseeing.

AslongasLoreleiandIcanstreamtheimages,you’llknowexactlywheretheenemyisandhowto

directyourtroops.

Thebattleunfoldedlikeadream,Margetta’sarmyflowingthrougheachgorge,thealphasdirecting

theirmen,camouflagedandhiddenbehindrocksortrees,lettingarrowsfly.

Assoonaseithermemberofawraith-pairgothit,theotherfalteredandbothfelloutofthesky.

Shifterssentbattle-energytodisablethepairsoneaftertheother.

TheShifterBrigadeespeciallyenjoyedfeigningawoundtodrawtheenemyintoatrap.Orthey’drun

southwithwraithsshriekingoverhead,andanetwouldcatchtheirprey.

Theywerealsoquicktohelptheirwoundedtosafetyinnearbycaves,wheretrollandshifterfamilies

waitedtohelptheinjured.

SurroundedasheandLoreleiwerebyherlayeredenthrallmentshields,hehadnofearofMargetta,

notevenwhenshesawherarmydroppinglikefliesbeforeaShifterBrigadethatappearedand
disappearedlikeghostsbehindtheircamouflage.

Frommilesaway,heheardMargettashriekherrageandfinallycallherarmybacktoher.Heheard

thecheeringfromallfouralphasandashestretchedhishearing,thesoundfromthefourgorgesbecamea
joyousringinginhisears.

Lorelei,keeptrackingMargetta’sarmy.Weneedtoseewheretheygo.
Willdo.
HewatchedMargetta’sretreat.Shetookwhatwasaboutfiftyremainingwraith-pairsintothefar

north,thenveeredwest.ShereturnedtothecampandthroughLorelei’scontinuedvision,hewatchedas
withinminutes,tentaftertentwasstruck.Margettahadahugesupplyline,whicheverygoodgeneral
maintained,andasupportstaffofrealmslaves.Withherarmyinflight,hewashopinghewouldfindthe
ancientfae’slair.

Instead,asshereachedthenorthernmostboundaryofWalvashorr,Margettaandherarmysimply

disappeared,asthoughwalkingintoafog.

Ican’tseethemanymore,Loreleipathed.We’velostthem.
Andthere’snoaccesspointinthatpartofmyrealm.
Loreleishookherhead.Idon’tunderstand.Wheredoyouthinktheywent?
MyguessisthatMargettahasastrongholdhiddenbehindadozendifferentspells.She’sretreated

fornow,butprobablyintendstorebuildandattackanotherrealmatitsmostvulnerablepoint.

Wewon’tbeabletofindher.Lorelei’svoicesoundedsomberwithinhismind.
Sethsighed,knowingthatthewarwouldcontinue.I’lllettheothermastyrsknowwhathappened

hereandwhatyouandIsaw.Beyondthat,we’llhavetowaittoseewhatshedoesnext.

ThevictorycelebrationquieteddownwiththedisappearanceofMargettaandhertroopsfromthe

background image

realm.Foronething,eachpackhadtogetonwiththebusinessofclearingupthedifferentbattlefields,
makingsurethattheinjuredshiftersweretakencareof,anddetermininghowmanymembersofeachpack
haddiedintheattack.

Intheend,therewereonlysixteencasualtiestothethreehundredInvictusthathaddiedduringthe

brief,coordinatedbattle,anextraordinaryoccurrence.ButtheShifterBrigadehadbecomeadisciplined
fightingunitandhadbeenextremelywell-prepared.SethalsoknewthattheimagesheandLoreleihad
streamed,hadgiveneachpacktheinformationneededtodeliveracrushingblowtotheentireenemy
force.

Thedeceasedshifterswerepreparedfortheirreturntofamilymembersandeachwouldreceivethe

highesthonorsfortheirrealmservice.ButtheuninjuredandsurvivingShifterBrigadewarriorsbegan
headingforBigTimber.

Thefirsttoarrivebuiltupthefourenormousbonfirepits,andcaseaftercaseofdarkalemadeitsway

outofthecellarsofthemainlodge.

Inaddition,hundredsofrealm-folksoonstreamedintothearea,andamajorcelebrationwas

underway.

*********

LoreleiheldSeth’shandandhadneverknownsuchjoy.
FromthetimeMargettahadtakentheremnantsofherarmyoutofWalvashorr,Sethhadn’tletgoofher

once,notevenwhenthealphasarrivedreadytodohigh-fivesandcongratulatorychestbumps.

Atfirst,shethoughthewasstillafraidthatthemomentJudeshowedup,she’dbealloverhisfellow

mastyr.

ButwhenJudefinallyarrived,Loreleifeltnothingforhim,noimpulsetogotohimortofeedhim.
Jude’sbrowsroseashesettledhisgazeonher,thenshiftedhisattentiontoSeth.Henodded

knowinglyseveraltimes,asmileonhislips.“You’vebonded,Isee.”

Seth’schestpuffedalittle,somethingthatmadeLoreleismileashesaid,“Wehave.”
Judeclappedhimontheshoulder.“I’mhappyforyou.”
“Thanks.Thewaythisisgoing,you’llhaveyourturnaswell,justbepreparedandtrytobeopen.”
“Easyforyoutosay.”
“It’seasynow,butyou’reright.”HeglancedatLoreleiandsqueezedherhand.“Gettingtothisplace

wasn’tsimple,mostlybecauseIdidn’tbelievemyselfworthy.”

Judesnorted.“You,ofallthemastyrsIknow,deservetohaveawomanlikeLorelei.”
Sethclearedhisthroatacoupleoftimes.“Ithinktheremightbeafewbottlesofalewithyourname

onthem.”

“I’mhearingthecallevennow.”Judewaggledhisbrows.Hethenwishedthembotharealm-fullof

happiness,afterwardheadingtowardthelongtablenowladenwithcasesofbrew.

EvenafterJudeleft,Sethkeptatightclasponherhand.
Asshewalkedbesidehimandupthestepsofthemainlodge,herheartswelled.Thealphaswere

insideandhadcalledforthemboth.

Thedoorsswungwide,andastheycrossedthethreshold,athunderouscheerrangtothethree-story

highrafters.Thespacewaspackedfulloftriumphantwarriors,asmanywithinastherewereoutsidein
thesnow.Eachheldabottleofaleinhand.

Loreleirealizedthatpartofherjoyhadtodowiththemenandwomenbeforeher,allshiftersof

Walvashorr,theplaceshenowbelonged.

Whentheroarquieted,Sethraisedhisbottleofalewithhislefthand.“TothefinestShifterBrigadein

background image

theNineRealms.”

Anotherdeafeningcheerpushedagainsttherafters.Loreleidranktothetoast,andfoundtheheavy,

bitteralethemostwonderfulflavoronhertongue.

Ephyxcalledout,“Toourregisandtheprimefemale.”
Thecheers,shouts,andstampingoffeetthatfollowedbroughtapainfulgrintoLorelei’scheeksand

tearstohereyes.She’dfoundanunlikelyhomeinWalvashorrasthebloodrosetoMastyrSethandthe
primefemaletothefourshifterpacksoftherealm.

Severalmoretoastsfollowed,aseachpackhonoredtheirleadersandlieutenantsandasSethoffered

afinalwordonbehalfoftheseveralmenandonefemaleshifterwho’dgiventheirlivestonightonbehalf
oftheirfellowrealm-folk.Observingalongminuteofsilence,Loreleibowedherheadandblessedtheir
swiftjourneysintothearmsoftheGoddess.Sheaddedanotherblessingforthoseenslavedrealm-folk,
whohadsuccumbedtotheInvictuswraith-bonding.

AndSethstillheldherhand.
Whenthesilenceended,heglancedatherandshesawenormouslonginginhiseyes,somethingshe

almostdidn’trecognize.Whatisit?

You.Hischestroseandfellinadeepbreath.Ineedtobewithyou,Lorelei.Tonight.Now.
Sheglanceddownattheirjoinedfingers.Isthiswhyyou’vebeenstucktomeforthepasthourof

celebration?

Yeah,itis.
Helookedalmostpained.Youhavetounderstand,Ihaven’thadawomaninmylifeforathousand

years.

Whenshefinallyunderstood,hereyeswidenedandmaybeunfortunatelyforSeth,theshifterinher

tookprecedenceoverthemoreorderlyfaepartofhergenetics.

Inaloudvoice,shecalledout,“Hey,fellowshifters,sorrytobeleavingthepartysosoon,butIneed

togetmymantobed.”

Theslowglideofthe‘o-o-o-o-hs’thatthisannouncementfostered,aswellasthegrinsandafewnot-

so-subtlehip-grindinggestures,madeSethturntoherandfrown.Really?

Butshewastoomuchpart-shifter,nottorespondwithanythingelse,except,WouldyouratherIwent

homewithoneofyourmen?Maybeoneofthealphas?

You’regonnastartwithme?Here?
Anywhere,anytime.
Shegotupcloseandslunganarmaroundhisneck.Hedidtheonlyappropriatethingandkissedher.
Anotherglidingsetof‘o-o-o-o-hs’washedoverherears.
Whenhedrewback,hiseyeswereathalf-mast.“Let’sgohome.”
Atthemerementionoftheword,shelostallhertauntingshifter-bravadoandnodded.“Yeah,let’sgo

home.”

*********

Sethhadneverbeenthishappyinhisentirelife.AsheflewLoreleisouthtowardDefianceFallsand

hishomeaboveShauckGorge,hisbodyfeltfloodedwithlove,withtriumph,andaboveallgratitude.

Neverinahundredyearscouldhehavepredictedalltheeventsofthepastfewdays,orperhapsmore

importantly,ofthepastmonthfromthetimethatLoreleihadappearedtohimathisbackdoor.She’dstolen
intohislife,oncommandfromQueenRosamunde,toserveashisbodyguard,andshe’dstayedtobecome
hisconfidant,hisbloodrose,andthewomanhelovedwithallhisheart.

Shewouldprobablyneverknowthechangesshe’dwroughtinhislife,takinghimfromasolitary

background image

mastyr,whorarelysocialized,toashifterpackregisandpartofacommunitythatwouldprobablynever
leavehiminsolitudeagain.

Yethefeltunsettled,asthoughsomethingimportanthadn’tbeenresolvedbetweenhimselfand

Lorelei.Andtheonlyplacehecouldthinktodoit,wasinhishome,withhiswoman,inhisbed.He
neededhertofeelhimashetoldherallthatneededtobesaid,aloud,nothinghidden,orcloakedin
telepathy,butthewordsvibratingbetweenthem,theirbodiesonfire.

DefianceFallscameintoviewfirst.Thegreatriverthatcreatedthefalls,thenbrokeintothreedistinct

rivers,billowedwithmist,thesounddeafening,familiar,andwelcomingashepassedoverhead.

Ilovethatsound.Loreleispokereverently,anotherthinghevaluedabouther.Shehadan

appreciationforthelandaroundher.

Ido,too.Itfeelslikehome.
Afewsecondsmoreandhetoucheddownonhiswrap-aroundporch.Snowcreatedasoftround

appearancetohisflatrailing,asingletrackofsquirrelfootprintstheonlybreach.

Buthedidn’treleaseLoreleiuntilhehadherinsidehishousewiththefrontdoorshutandlocked.He

loweredtheday-blindsaswell,uncertainwhathourthey’dfinallyrisefromhisbed.

Bythetimehe’dsecuredalltheblindsinthehouse,heheardtheshowerrunninginhismasterbath,

whichofcoursemeantthatLoreleiwasnaked.

Shewasinhisshowerandshewasnaked,withhim,forhim,bondedtohim.
Hisfeetweremovingbeforehe’dwrappedupthelastofhisamazedthoughtsthatlovehadfoundhim

andhiswomanwasinhisshower.

“Joinme?”Herfemininevoice,whichalwayscarriedahappytone,reachedhimfromtheopen,

stone-tileddoorwaythatledtotheshower.

“Yes.”Heremovedthewovenclaspfromhishair,thenstrippedvampire-fast,evenworkinghisboots

offquickerthanheeverhadbefore.

Secondslater,hesteppedintothestone-chiseledshower.Loreleifacedhim,herheadbackasshe

rinsedshampoofromherhair.Therowofamethystsalongtherimofherleftearwinkedathim.

Hisheartwasfullofloveforher,hisbodyfullofneed,andhisblood-hungerragingoncemore

becauseofallthathadhappenedinthepastfewhours.Buthedidn’twanttohurrywhatneededtohappen
next.

Hemovedintotheshowerslowly.Hewantedtotakeherinhisarms,butmorethanthat,hewantedto

getclean.

Therewereenoughjetsforhimtoslidebeneathoneandgethisownhairwet.Standingadjacenttoher

nowashewashedhishair,hewatchedher.Shetookabarofsoapinherhandsandafterworkingupa
lather,rubbedbothbreasts,hergazefixedonhim,agleaminhereye.Theruffsofwhitefurappearedon
herwristsandlikeacollararoundherthroat,streamingwaterandsoapaswell.

Hisbodyrespondedandhergazefelltohisstiffeningcock,soshebecamemorevigorous,working

hernipples.Herinsedthelastoftheshampoofromhishairthensoapedhimselfupaswell,finallyusing
onehandtofondlehimself.

Hemetandheldhergazeandshegotthatlookinhereye,theonethatwasmoreshifterthanfae.
Hervoiceheldalowtimbreasshesaid,“ThatEphyxsurehasapowerfulsetofshouldersonhim.”
Hecaughtherarmsinhishands,thenspunheraround,movingherawayfromthesprayofwaterand

pushingherface-firstagainstthestonetiles.Ifhe’dbeeninanydoubtofwhatshewasreallyafter,thefact
thatsheshovedherbottomintohisgroinconfirmedhissuspicionthatshelovedworkinghimup.Shethen
jostledhim,sothathesteppedbackjustenoughtoallowhertobendover,herforearmsplantedagainst
thewall.

background image

Theshifterinherwantedhimtotakeherinthisposition,toasserthisdominance,andhewaswilling.
Heleanedoverandshovedherlongwethairoverherrightshoulder.
Atthesametime,hetookhiscockinhishandandpressedagainstherentrance,thenstartedtopush.
Hewhisperedagainstherleftear,histongueflickingtheamethysts.“YoudaretotalkaboutEphyxto

me?”

Shemoanedashepushed.“Whyshouldn’tI?He’sabigman,apowerfulshifter,agreatwarrior.He

couldtakecareofhiswoman.”

Heroaredathertaunts,thenfellonher,openinghismouthwideandbitingthebackofherneckhard,

throughthethinruffoffur,butholdingbackhisfangs.Shegroanedheavilyandherentirebodyspasmedas
aheavyvibrationrolleddownherspine,somethinghefeltalldownhischestandgroin.

Hebegantothrustinsideher.You’remine,Lorelei,myprimefemale,mybondedbloodrose,noone

else’s.Doyouhearme?

Heplungedhardandfeltherrespondassheshovedherhipsbackathimwitheachthrust.
“Ibelongtoyou,Seth,justyou.I’myours.”Shegroanedlongandloud.
Hismatingvibrationcametolife,reachingforher,flowingthroughher,searchingforhers.Her

answeringmatingcallmethisinasuddentangleofintensesensationthatforcedhishipstogofaster.

Hereleasedherneck,buthisfangsemergedinsuddenneed.Shecriedout,“Doit.Oh,Seth,biteme.

Bitemehard.”

Hestruckswiftly,breachinghervein,andafterretractinghisfangs,hebegantodrinkinheavygulps.

Herbloodtastedofwineandappleblossoms.Hismouthtingledashesucked,thenswallowedherlife-
force.

Whenherbloodhithisstomach,hisbodylitonfire,poweringupmorethaneverbefore.Hismating

frequency,nowpulsingwithhersinperfectunion,alsosentavibrationthroughhisgroinandalongthe
lengthofhiscock.

“Oh,God,Seth,whatareyoudoingtome?”
I’mfuckingyou,Lorelei,makingyoumine,drinkingyoudown,andlettingyoufeelthestrengthof

mycockburieddeepinsideyou.

*********

Loreleigaspedforair,asherbodymovedinrhythmwithSeth,ashetookherblood,asheworkedher

wellwiththevibratinglengthofhiscock.Pleasurebuiltinpowerfulincrements,oneaftertheother,
drivinghertowardecstasy.

Iloveyou,Lorelei.
Hisresonantwordsdeepinsideherheadenflamedherheartanddrovehertothepinnacle.She’d

neverfeltsofullinherlife,hersoulconnectedwithherbody.Shesavoredeachdriveofhiscockwithin,
eachsuckofhislips,eachswallowofhisthroat.

Shefeltsomethinghappeningbetweenthem,greaterthaneventhebloodrosebondingthathadtaken

placeearlier.Oneofhisarmscoveredherbreasts,whilehisotherarmheldherhipsinplacesothathe
stayedconnected.

Doyoufeelthat,Seth?Thisthingbuildingbetweenus?
Yes,dearGoddess,yes.
Hishipsmovedfasterandshecriedout.
Almostthere.
You’resotight,Lorelei,holdingmeasyouare.
Yourvibrationisflowingalongmychannel,andthroughmyabdomentotouchmyheart.Iloveyou,

Seth.

background image

Iloveyou,tooandI’mclose.
Shefelthishipscurlashislipsleftherthroat.Heroseupbehindherandthrustfaster.
Heshoutedinthatwayofhis,asoundLoreleilovedhimtomakeandwhichbroughtecstasystreaming

throughherbody.Sheclenchedhardaspleasuredrocketedthroughher.ShefeltfullofSeth,fulloflove,
fullofsomuchpleasure.

Shescreamedashecontinuedtothrust.
Thenshefelthistonguelickingherleftearwheretheamethyststudsrosetothefaepoint.Hiships

stillworkedherbody,easiernow,butSethwasstillrockhard.Heflickedherearwickedly.

Yougameforanotherride?
Shesmiledagainstthetile,breathinghard,savoringthefeelofhispowerfulwarriorbodystill

pummelingher,workingheruponcemore.ThatAlophi!Hehasmassivearms.

Sethdidexactlywhatshewantedhimtodoasagainhebitdownhardonthebackofherneck,shifter-

style.Thebite,inturn,createdadirectlinetoherlowerabdomenandpleasuregrippedherfiercely.She
chuffedashedroveintoherinpowerfulthrusts.

You’reabadgirlandneedtobepunished.
Doyourworst.
Shereachedbehindherandcaughtthebackofhisneckashecontinuedtopresshis

teethintoherskin,markingher,lettingherfeelthathehadcommandofher.

Pleasurebuiltoncemoreandwhenecstasyrolled,sharperthistime,shescreamedasheoncemore

shoutedhisrelease.

Hetookhertobedafterward,butspentthefirstfewhoursofdaylightsavoringherbody,takingherin

adozendifferentpositions,generoustoafault,andalwaysrespondingtohertauntswithexactlytheright
levelofpossessivenessthathershifternessloved.

Whenatlastshefellasleep,shewasn’tsuresheeverwantedtoleaveSeth’sbed.

*********

FulldarkhadarrivedandSethdrewLoreleioutontohisfrontporchthatoverlookedthegorgebelow

andtheriverrunningbetweenitssnowybanks.Neitherworeclothes,buthe’dwrappedthembothupin
thecomforter.Hekissedherneckandshesigheddeeply.“Thisisthemostmagnificentview.”

“Andit’sasbeautifulinthesummerasitisnow.Thewildlifeisamazing.”
“Icanhardlywaitfortheseasonstopass.”
Andthereitwas,themostwonderfultruthofhisnewlifewithhisbloodrose.Whenafewmonths

rolledby,withLoreleiinhishome,she’dgettoseetheShauckMountainsduringthelushsummerseason
whenthefawnshadgrownandbirdschatteredmadlythroughthetrees.Shewouldbewithhim.Solong
astheybothlived,hewouldn’tbealoneandshewouldneverbeon-the-runagain.

BothhisVampireGuardandhisShifterBrigadewereonpatrol.Hedidn’tusuallygivehimselfanight

off,butheneededthistimewithLorelei,todeepenhisbondwithher,andintheend,justtospendtime
withherandtogettoknowher.

He’dintroducedhertohishousekeeper,who’dlearnedofhismatingfromthegossipytrollsthatlived

intheShauckMountainsside-by-sidewiththeshiftercommunity.She’dbroughtaspicecake,homemade
elderberrywine,athickpotatosoup,moreofherfreshsourdoughbreadandfresh-churnedbutter.Asalad
ofgardengreensandanoliveoildressinghadcompletedwhatfeltlikeamarriagedinnerforhimselfand
Lorelei.

Hishousekeeperhadn’tstayedlongandafterthey’ddined,he’dmadelovetoherinhisbed,teasing

herearashelickedalongtherowofamethysts,delightingintheshifterruffsshesproutedassoonashe
startedkissingher,andfinallysavoringthejoiningoncemoreofhisbodytohers.

background image

Nowheheldherinhisarms,onhisporch,enjoyingthenight.
“Iloveyou,Lorelei,morethanIcouldeversay,everexpress,notinathousandlifetimes.”
Sheturnedinhisarms,andhewrappedherupmoresecurelywiththecomforter.Sheheldhisface

withherhandsandkissedhimrepeatedly.“Iloveyou,too.”

Hekissedherinreturn,andmaybetheirmating-riddledscentfloodedtheairabovethegorge,drifting

totheoppositemountainridge,becauseinthedistancewolveshowled,callingtothenight.

Hewouldrememberthismomentaslongashelived,thetimewhenhissolitudeendedforever.

Loreleiwaswithhim,anintense,passionateshifterwomanwhogothim,whofilledouteveryuneven
edgeofhislife,andwhohadtaughthimthatatlonglasthewasn’talone.

TheEnd

background image

ThankyouforreadingEMBRACETHEPASSION!Inournewdigitalage,authorsrelyonreaders

morethanevertosharetheword.Herearesomethingsyoucandotohelp!

Signupformynewsletter!You’llalwayshavethelatestreleases,hottestpics,andcoolestcontests!

http://www.carisroane.com/contact-2/

Leaveareview!You’veprobablyheardthisalotlatelyandwonderedwhatthefussisabout.But

reviewshelpyourfavoriteauthors--ALOT--tobecomevisibletothedigitalreader.So,anytimeyou
feelmovedbyastory,leaveashortreviewatyourfavoriteonlineretailer.Andyoudon’thavetobea
bloggertodothis,justareaderwholovesbooks!

Entermylatestcontest!Iruncontestsallthetimeandhavebeenknowntomailoutadozenpackages

everymonth.Checkoutmycontestpagetoday!

http://www.carisroane.com/contests/

ComingSoon:Book#5,JudeandHannah’sstory:EMBRACETHENIGHT!!!
BesuretocheckouttheBloodRoseTales--TRAPPEDandHUNGER--shorterworksforaquick,

satisfyingread.

background image
background image

AbouttheAuthor

Hi,Everyone!I'maUSATodayBestsellingAuthorandIwritesuper-sexyparanormalromance

fictiondesignedtobeasmuchanadventureasasoul-satisfyingexperience.Witheverybook,Itrytogive
atasteofreallife,despitethefactthatI'mwritingabouthunkyvampirewarriors.You'llcomeaway
engrossedinthelivesofmyvampiresastheywagewar,astheymakelove,andastheyanswerthetough
questionsoflifeintermsofpurpose,eternity,andhowtoraiseafamily!Ibeganmycareerwith
KensingtonPublishingwritingRegencyRomanceasValerieKing.In2005,RomanticTimesMagazine
honoredmewithacareerachievementawardinRegencyRomance.I'vepublishedsixteenparanormal
storiesto-date,someself-publishedandsomeforSt.Martin'sPress.Tofindoutmoreaboutme,please
visitmywebsite!

www.carisroane.com

Youcanfindmeat:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Newsletter

Authorof:

GuardiansofAscensionSeries

–WarriorsoftheBloodcravethebreh-hedden

DawnofAscensionSeries

–MilitiaWarriorsbattletosaveSecondEarth

BloodRoseSeries

–Onlyabloodrosecanfulfillamastyrvampire’sdeepestneeds

BloodRoseTales

–Mastyrvampireswhohungertobesatisfied

MeninChainsSeries

–Vampiresstrugglingtogetfreeoftheirchainsandsavetheworld

OtherTitles:

EMBRACETHEDARK

EMBRACETHEMAGIC

EMBRACETHEMYSTERY

TRAPPED

HUNGER

THEDARKENING

VAMPIRECOLLECTION

(IncludesBRINKOFETERNITY):

WICKEDNIGHT/DARKNIGHT

(BoxedSet):


background image


Document Outline


Wyszukiwarka

Podobne podstrony:
Caris Roane 8 Embrace the Hunt (The Blood Rose)
Caris Roane 2 Embrace the Magic (The Blood Rose)
Caris Roane 5 Embrace The Night (The Blood Rose)
Caris Roane 1 Embrace the Dark (The Blood Rose)
Caris Roane 6 Embrace the Wild (The Blood Rose)
Caris Roane 3 Embrace the Mystery (The Blood Rose)
Caris Roane 1 Wicked Night (The Amulet)
Interruption of the blood supply of femoral head an experimental study on the pathogenesis of Legg C
Palmer 03 Embrace the Night
The Etherisation of the Blood
Interruption of the blood supply of femoral head an experimental study on the pathogenesis of Legg C
Seinfeld 904 The Blood
Mercedes Lackey The Fire Rose
the red rose
Stephen Lawhead Celtic Crusades 03 The Mystic Rose
Darkwing Chronicles 4 In the Blood
M Ernst The last rose of summer vl(1)
Robert Jordan Prince of the blood
Flora Kidd The Cave of the White Rose [HR 1663, MB 687] (v0 9) (docx) 2

więcej podobnych podstron