Panthers of Brigantia Shifter Box Set

by Lisa Daniels

  Returning the bow, she said, “Phoenix.”

  His eyes lit up, “Oh, now that is an interesting name. Do you know why your parents picked it?”

  “They didn’t.”

  “Then how did you come by something so unique?”

  “It’s what Orion calls me. For a long time, he would pick on me, calling me a little bird. One day, my anger got the better of me, and I really let him have it. When I apologized the next day, really feeling guilty about it, he said I was more like a Phoenix. I explode one day, then come back a new person. The elders liked it more than the name my parents gave me, so it stuck.”

  Caspian looked at her thoughtfully. “So you grew up with my pupil? That must have been rough.”

  “You have no idea.”

  “I probably do. Remember, I spent a considerable amount of time with him and had to knock him down several pegs. Frequently. Until he learned respect. You should have given him a different name if you were upset.”

  She waved, “Revenge is for the weak. Besides, I never said I disliked the name. It made me unique, and I think that was why he did it. Though he would never admit it. Despite everything, I think he always pitied me.”

  “It isn’t pity.” Caspian cut her off before she could continue. His eyes darted to the door as if he thought Orion might appear any moment. “He cares about you very much.”

  “Bullshit,” she muttered. “He always makes me feel so inept. Showing me everything he can do knowing I can’t do anything.”

  Caspian slowly shook his head as she talked. “Um, obviously you don’t understand how males work. He’s showing off for you, not trying to show you up. There is a very big difference. No amount of praise I gave him, or any of the other assassins, has really phased him, but the littlest praise from you, and he won’t shut up about it.”

  Phoenix blinked at the revelation.

  Caspian scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed for having told her so much. Deciding that there was no reason to stop, he kept going, “You just acknowledged that he tried to make you feel better. I’ve never seen him do that for anyone else. It’s a shame, too.”

  Phoenix frowned, “What’s a shame?”

  “I had wanted to ask you to accompany me on a mission sometime. Now that I know who you are, it would be inappropriate to do so.”

  “Why is that? It would be nice to get out of here for any amount of time. It feels like being trapped in a prison here.”

  Caspian laughed, “I can’t agree there, but can understand the sentiment. As for why, I want to get to know you.” He looked at her hand. “But knowing that Orion likes you, I can’t do that to him.”

  “Do what?”

  Caspian sighed and smiled at her, a lopsided grin that expressed something she didn’t understand. “What you don’t know about men is a lot.”

  “I do spend nearly all of my time with women.”

  Caspian looked toward the door. “I will tell you what. If Orion does not make a move within a year, I will take you on a mission and show you what it is like outside. You may be very disappointed, but it is the only way I will have a chance to get to know you.”

  Phoenix could feel her cheeks flush at his words. Though it seemed impossible, she knew that the assassin was being serious. “You have a deal. I will hold you to it.”

  Caspian held up a finger, “Only if Orion doesn't make a move. I leave it up to you to decide if you want to tell him or not. I'm not going to say a word to him.”

  Phoenix giggled, “Do you treat all women like this?”

  “No. Actually, I’ve never been interested in anyone before. I am pleased to see that it doesn’t displease you.”

  “Perhaps you aren’t aware, but you are incredibly good-looking. I would even say handsome. You are well spoken, friendly, and not arrogant. Orion is certainly handsome, but he knows it. In every other way, you seem like his exact opposite.” She stepped toward him. “He sleeps around with anything that moves. Are you like that?”

  Caspian cleared his throat, “I don't think… that isn’t a—”

  “If he cared about me, like you say, why would he be doing that?”

  “I cannot speak for him. That is something you really need to talk about with Orion. I may not be equipped to explain his actions, but I assure you that he cares very deeply for you.”

  Phoenix no longer wanted to talk about Orion. “That’s not the kind of man I want. I want someone I can rely on, someone who will make me feel needed and relevant to their life, not an afterthought after all of the fun is over.”

  Caspian looked at her longingly, “I can understand how you feel, and I believe that you deserve that.”

  Taking another step in his direction, Phoenix returned to their deal. “We don’t need a deal. I am willing to go out with you, no waiting.” She gave him a shy smile.

  Caspian took a step toward her. His hand came up and hesitated near her face, then pulled back. “As tempting as the offer is, I—I know I'm going to regret giving him the chance because missing a year seems like too long. But,” he took a step back, “I would rather live with that regret than hurt him. Why don’t we get to know each other over the next year? There’s no rush. Give him time to come to his senses before closing that door.” His smile was a bit forced.

  Phoenix tilted her head to the side, “If you insist. But you will quickly find that I am quite boring.”

  “I disagree. But there I can help you.” Caspian moved near her again. “You are the first druid I have ever encountered who exudes an aura similar to the assassins. Perhaps that is why no one has been able to teach you. Just as Orion does not have death magic, I don’t think you have life magic.” His eyes watched her.

  At first, Phoenix gave him a look of incredulity. “What are you doing?”

  “Trying to make you see what I see. A beautiful young druid who simply hasn’t tapped into her strengths, so she doesn’t believe she has any.” He held out his hand to her. “I can help you. If you let me.”

  Phoenix looked at his hand, then into his eyes. Extending her own hand, she waited for whatever it was he had to tell her.

  Instead, he flipped her hand over. Gently, he stroked the palm of her hand with the tips of his fingers. “Do you feel that?”

  Phoenix found it hard to say anything so she nodded her head as her heart started to hammer.

  “That’s because you have death magic. Look closely. I'm not actually touching your hand.”

  Her eyes went to her hand and Phoenix saw that Caspian was right. His eyes watched her, a smile gracing his face as her eyes opened wide.

  “You have abilities, but like Orion, none of the people around you can help. And unfortunately for you, assassins aren’t around enough to have noticed.”

  “I grew up with Orion, but he never said anything.”

  “He wouldn’t be able to sense it in you.” Caspian released her hand, to Phoenix’s disappointment. “I’m not going to teach you to kill, but I can help you start to channel some of your abilities.”

  “What can be done with this kind of magic?”

  “A lot of things beyond just taking life. Though to be honest, your abilities are definitely going to be different from my own. So let’s start small.”

  The next few months, Phoenix and Caspian spent more time together. She mastered some of the minor works, but neither was comfortable with her trying more with so much yet unknown about her abilities. Orion had been free to learn on his own because life magic was largely safe, even if his abilities were entirely unique compared to what druids could do. Death magic was far more dangerous. Even the mort statera spent years studying before they were allowed to actually work magic. Phoenix’s abilities were completely uncharted territory. And only she and Caspian knew about it.

  During one of their lessons half a year after their deal, Orion walked in. “Phoenix! You will never believe—” The smile on his face slid away as he looked at the pair holding hands.

  Caspian quickly pulled his
hands away. “It’s not—”

  Orion’s face clouded over as he drew his own conclusions about what was going on. The daggers on his hips quickly transferred into his hands. “I never thought…”

  Caspian held up his hands. “Calm down, Orion. Your impulsiveness will—”

  Before he could finish, Orion lunged at him. Phoenix stood frozen to the spot, her mind completely forgetting about the connection she had with the other plane, leaving it open as she watched in horror.

  For all of his skill and the recognition he had gotten, Orion’s abilities could not match Caspian’s, who had learned to use daggers almost as soon as he had learned to walk. Unlike Orion, he had a very difficult life until he became an assassin, and that had given him more skill with blades than any other assassin.

  Orion was disarmed almost as soon as he was within striking distance of Caspian. The cold look on his friend’s face was far more terrifying than the anger reflected on Orion’s. “Don’t be a fool, Orion.”

  Lunging for his dagger, Orion tried to turn on Caspian again, but the assassin was behind him before Orion could do anything. Again disarmed, Orion charged Caspian. Phoenix screamed and stretched out a hand as she saw Caspian’s daggers disappear as the two shifters collided. A void opened up before her eyes where her hands had been. Her screams changed from fear of the scene unfolding before her into abject terror at the things she saw in front of her. Instinctively, she held up her other hand, creating another opening. Before she could react, Phoenix was dragged into the void. Voices yelled behind her, the urgency very clear.

  Phoenix looked around, and for the first time in her life felt at peace. Her looks, her abilities, her thoughts, they were all irrelevant here. There were no choices, no pain, and no consequences. The dread she felt looking in disappeared nearly as soon as she was through the opening.

  “Phoenix!” A familiar voice seemed to have entered with her. Looking around, she tried to find the source. “I'm right here. Can you not see me? I’m here, Phoenix.”

  She spun around, never seeing the source. “It’s okay, Orion. I think I like it here.”

  “No, Phoenix. No. You cannot stay there. That is not—” Something cut him off.

  “Orion?” Phoenix looked around. “Orion?”

  A small voice spoke into her mind. Balance must be restored. The world is in chaos, but we do not have an agent. You don’t belong to the druids, and the assassins will never accept a nonshifter. We can accept you for who you are.

  Phoenix frowned, not sure how she had thought any of that. “Is someone there?”

  Yes, and we need help. We can help you learn about your abilities, to help you grow beyond a few tricks, if you are willing to help us.

  Time didn’t exist, so there was no way to tell how long she considered the proposal. Finally, she managed to speak into the void, “Will I be able to go back?”

  That is the only way you can restore the balance.

  “Will I get to go anywhere I want?”

  You can go anywhere you want, but you will have to use your time to restore the balance. Once things are repaired, you will need to return here. When you return will be up to you, up to a certain point.

  “Okay. I think I can help you.”

  Suddenly, a hazy image of Orion appeared in front of her. “Orion?” Phoenix looked at him and reached a hand out to see if she could touch him.

  He stretched out a hand to her. “Don’t make any deals. Not there. You are on a plane that is not meant for mortals, so if you… if you agree to anything—”

  “It’s not so bad here. And I already did.”

  Orion’s mouth fell open for a moment. “Oh gods, no. No. I—I will trade with you. Come back and I will take your place there.”

  He cannot because his magic stimulates life. Beings fight to keep their lives. Balance can only be restored when those who aspire too far are brought to justice. You will be bringing about justice like the assassins, but with much greater purpose.

  “They say you can’t. It’s okay, Orion. You don’t have to worry about me anymore. There is no need to comfort me or to try to make me feel better. I—”

  “I love you, Phoenix.”

  The words cut across her thoughts, leaving her speechless.

  He continued, a pleading in his voice she had not heard in a long time. “Please, I can’t imagine not coming back to you. I should have told you so much earlier instead of waiting. I should have told you what you meant to me. Please come back and let me make things right.”

  The deal had already been struck. There was no going back. The last image she saw was of Orion pleading for her to come back.

  More than 50 years passed before Phoenix was required to return. Even after studying the world, she found it nearly impossible to complete what was needed. Another 100 years passed before she returned, this time with only limited success. Nearly another 100 went by before she was asked to return.

  “I don’t want to. There is nothing for me there, and I have no desire.”

  That was not the agreement.

  “I’ve noticed there were many things you did not tell me about this agreement. Things that I don’t remember agreeing to.”

  You cannot go back on the agreement now. If you do, you will cease to exist. You will never have been.

  “Fine. There is nothing for me here. I might as well have never existed.”

  A pause indicated that whatever was in control was considering the options. What if we allowed you an anchor? A contact who could give you a connection?

  “What good is that going to do me now? That place is not my home now.”

  Suddenly a space opened in front of her, and she could see someone moving through shadows. Phoenix moved closer, trying to get a better look. She watched as the figure killed, then stalked away, making no sound. It was more like a machine than a person. Creeping in the shadows, the figure returned to a small place where the cloak he was wearing was removed. She could only see his back, but her eyes were drawn to the two weapons on his hips. They weren’t daggers. She had no idea what they were. Moving closer, she found herself falling out of the void and into the small space. As soon as she looked up, Phoenix found herself looking down one of the blades into a familiar pair of eyes.

  The blade dropped to the floor. “Phoenix?”

  “Orion.” Her voice sounded strange as it echoed around the room. She had spent more time in the other place than on this planet, and it left her feeling uncomfortable. Suddenly, she found herself swept off the floor.

  “You came back.” Arms were wrapped around her, squeezing almost so that she couldn’t breathe. “Oh, thank the gods. I have missed you so much, it was like dying a little every day without the release of death.”

  Guilt swept over her. “I’m sorry, Orion. I didn’t mean to return. I fell through the opening they made.”

  He held her tighter, “Please stay here. I promise to treat you better. Caspian told me how you felt about the way I acted. I had no idea, but I promise I’m not the same now.”

  “I… I don’t control my life now, Orion. I’m sorry. I expect them to pull me back any moment.”

  Orion looked around. “Take me instead. I know that you will find a use for my abilities. I will do whatever you want if you just let her return.”

  A strange sound filled the room, “We cannot take you, but we can use you.”

  “Don’t trust them, Orion.” Phoenix looked around, something telling her that everything had happened as they planned it. “This is a trap. They want to use you.”

  “I will do anything if it protects her. If I cannot bring her back, let me be of some use to her.”

  The room echoed as the voice spoke, “You can be her anchor. When she has need of returning, you can tend to her and ensure that her mission is a success. That is all we can offer.”

  At that moment Phoenix began to understand how Orion had felt so many years ago. “No, you can’t.” She tried to put her hand over his mouth.

&nb
sp; “I agree. Whatever she needs when she returns, I will be that for her. And I accept the responsibility of being her anchor.”

  It was only later that Phoenix came to understand what Orion was agreeing to in that moment. Anchoring someone between planes meant never fully living in any plane. He would not be able to have children, which would have made him undesirable to other shifters. He was giving up all of the dreams that he had for himself to keep her anchored to an existence that she thought she no longer wanted.

  For a long time, Phoenix was angry with Orion for having disregarded her wishes. He never took advantage of her when her mind caught up with the change in planes—the only time her mind remained clear was the one time she was tricked into leaving. As soon as her memories returned, though, Phoenix would be cruel toward Orion. She would go off with other men whom she barely knew just to prove that she didn’t need Orion. By the time the balance was restored, the druid refused to allow the assassin anywhere near her.

  Over time, she began to see him in a new light as he proved to be far more tempered and patient than he had been in his youth. He never once got mad for the way she treated him, never complained about what he had given up for her, and every time she returned, he cherished her as much as he had the first time she came back. His ability to wield magic surpassed anything she had ever heard of during her time with the druids. At first she would comment on what he could do because of shock. Then she started to say it as a compliment because it always made him smile, and then he would downplay it. Phoenix began to watch him when she wasn’t there, and what she learned proved that it wasn’t an act. Orion was not the arrogant shifter he had been when they were young. Eventually, she realized that she had fallen in love with him. That was when everything began to change.

  Somewhere in there was the answer that Phoenix needed.

  Chapter 7

  Acting to Restore Balance

  Phoenix looked around the forest as if the answer to their dilemma were somewhere just out of sight. Still missing much of her mind, she knew that this was not the right time, but time was never on their side. Their love story had played out slowly for millennia, and she had finally reached a breaking point.