by Jami Gray
Shadow’s Moon
Kyn Kronicles Book 3
Jami Gray
Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Ensnared by Shadows
Shadow’s Curse
Glossary
Cast of Kyn
Also by Jami Gray
About the Author
Acknowledgments
No matter how many times I read, “Writing is a solitary thing,” I have to shake my head. Granted, I may sit down and wander the rain-slicked streets with my characters, but there are so many who help ensure the final story is told in all its glory.
This is for them—my editors, who care enough to argue over things that would drive most people insane, my readers, who give endless encouragement, even when they don’t realize it, my critique partners, who have no problem taking the other road (you know the one with all the burnt out street lights), and my family, who never once laughed when I said, “I’m going to be a writer.”
To my mom - who taught me to be strong.
To my Knight - who showed me how to bend without breaking.
To my sons, affectionately known as the Prankster Duo - who uncovered the fluffy inside the steel.
To the other Evil 7 - who dared me to do a love story—CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
Chapter One
“How many deaths will it take?” The distorted voice circled through the well-appointed home office, creating a pervasive menace that curled around the warm woods and plush leather, leaving behind an unsettling chill. “A real alpha protects the pack. Who are you protecting, Vidis?”
Warrick Vidis, the Northwest Kyn’s most powerful shifter and alpha of the Motoki Pack, leaned forward and jabbed the disconnect button on the phone, silencing the taunting voicemail. He quashed the impulse to throw the phone across the room. It would do nothing to alleviate the anger and frustration roiling in his stomach. Instead, he sat back, his movements ruthlessly controlled.
Across the desk his pack’s Second, Ryuu Kern, watched with a frown. “I don’t recognize the voice.”
“Neither do I,” Warrick answered. “I’m assuming they’re using a voice modifier.”
“It’s a threat.” Ryuu tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “Even you can’t deny it this time.”
“It’s a challenge,” Warrick corrected. “Someone wants to let the humans know we’re here.” Restless, he rose to his feet and strode around the large desk to the huge bank of windows.
Oregon’s trademark rain misted the winter-bare branches of the surrounding forest. His home, unlike his office at Taliesin Security, was an oasis of privacy. Something both he and his inner wolf craved, especially now, when someone was threatening their territory.
“Revealing our existence to the masses isn’t a smart move,” Ryuu muttered.
Warrick’s lips tightened at the comment. No, there was no possible scenario where the humans would welcome his kind with open arms. His kept his back to Ryuu as he said, “I think Neil Eilers is tied in somehow.”
“Eilers is a maverick, Vidis. He chose to remain outside of the pack.”
Warrick tilted his head in acknowledgement, never turning from his view. “Yet he said nearly the same thing, word for word, when he threatened me.”
Ryuu snorted. “He’s a barely controlled pup. He challenges you and he might as well dig his own grave.”
Under his skin, Warrick’s wolf agreed, his low, barely suppressed growl rumbling in his chest. “If he was truly working alone, perhaps.”
“You think someone’s using the mavericks to create problems for the pack?” Ryuu wasn’t really asking as he could follow a trail as well as his alpha.
Warrick watched a doe step delicately between the trees lining the edge of the forest. She caught scent of his territory markers, her head jerking before she froze, leaving only her tail to twitch. As the deer bounded back into the foliage, he answered, “I think someone is using any tool they can find to damage us.”
“Including the two Bitten wolves Xander had to kill in the last couple of weeks?”
Warrick was glad his back was to Ryuu, in case some reaction escaped at the mention of her name. Xander Cade. His lover and now reluctant mate. The one woman guaranteed to drive him and his wolf insane. Ever since their return from Arizona a few weeks ago, he found it harder than ever to sit back and let her continue her job as the pack’s Tracker. The position kept her front and center on the firing line, something the man respected, but his wolf had a hell of a time accepting.
“Highly probable.” Warrick pushed his personal issues aside to focus on the immediate threat. “The full moon’s already passed, yet both of them managed a partial shift when confronted.” It was an anomaly that triggered all his warning bells.
“The Bitten aren’t supposed to be capable of holding a partial shift.” Puzzled disbelief sharpened Ryuu’s words. “Hell, for that matter, I’ve never heard of one shifting when it wasn’t a full moon.”
“Neither have I,” Warrick confirmed.
“To mess with a wolf’s ability to shift would require some serious magic.” There was an underlying thread of worry in Ryuu’s voice.
Warrick turned to face his Second, one of the few men he trusted, and shared his growing suspicion. “Or some serious science.”
“You think the humans are behind this?”
“I don’t think we should discount them.” Warrick knew for a fact that humans had managed to alter the very nature of some Kyn. “We need to find out where the threat is coming from, and to do that we need Neil Eilers alive.”
Ryuu stood, his face grim. “I’ll call Xander.”
Ignoring his wolf’s internal howl of protest for putting Xander in danger yet again, Warrick nodded, his movement stiff. “As soon as you have a starting point, call me.”
Something perilously close to sympathy flashed across Ryuu’s face. “I’ll watch over her.” He didn’t wait for Warrick’s answer, but slipped out of the office.
Xander Cade crept through the shadows of the wooden pavilion perched next to the tranquil, lotus-strewn lake. She followed the erratic path of her prey, one Neil Eilers, a dangerously enraged shifter, whose scent wound under the swaying willows. Drawing in a deep breath, she automatically catalogued the smells—wet earth, with a jarring hint of fish, and the spicy bite of moisture-laden fir and pine from the structure next to her. Quivering under it all, like a shy rabbit, was something not quite right.
Between the wispy clouds and the dancing branches, the light of the half-moon played along her skin, calling to the wolf crouched within. She tilted her head back, taking a moment to bask in the ethereal call. The faint tang of copper teased her nose, the familiar scent of spilt blood made her stomach clench, even as her wolf struggled to rise.
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br /> Not yet, she soothed the wild half of her soul. Work now, play later.
Dropping her head, she scanned her night-shrouded surroundings. Portland’s Classical Chinese Gardens were quiet. Much like her natural wolf counterparts, she could detect the smallest nuances in the various shades of gray. A helpful skill as she slipped among the heavy greenery.
Light didn’t stick around long during Northwest winters, which meant the popular tourist attraction closed at five. A small blessing. In a couple more months, spring would take center stage, bringing in meandering crowds, which would’ve made tracking the rogue shifter a nightmare, not to mention offering him an all-he-could-eat-buffet.
The longer it took to track Neil down, the more her hope of stopping him before he killed again whimpered into oblivion. She followed his subtle scent trail, gliding deeper into the forty-thousand-square-foot garden.
Her footsteps were light, nearly silent, as she crept over a small bridge leading into the darkened interior of stone and trees that made up the northwest corner of the Gardens. Bamboo posts connected by thick ropes herded visitors on set paths. Xander ignored them. Skirting small pools of water, she scaled the rocky outcroppings. Working her way around, she stopped just outside three small caverns created by the craggy structures. The muted thunder of falling water from inside help mask her movements.
Large, flat stepping-stones lay in a shallow pool, offering a dry path to the grotto. Her booted foot slid off the first one and water beaded over the cuff of her leather pants with a soft splash. She reached out to steady herself, her fingers brushing against the stone etched with Chinese characters. Yet the crisp combination of moisture from the merrily tumbling mini-waterfall and the dense greenery couldn’t drown out the bitter scent scraping across her senses.
She was close.
Crouching, she traced a visible smudge on one of the stones, the residue transferring to her fingertips, leaving a dark smear behind. She brought it to her nose, inhaling the pungent odor and matched it the sharp stench of shifter blood. Blood that belonged to her prey. Her quarry must be injured.
Perched on the stone, she sank her hand into the icy water, letting it wash away the stain. She straightened, shaking the moisture from her skin, and eyed the three adjoining niches in front of her.
Enie, menie, minie, moe.
Deep shadows wrapped around the left one, making it the perfect place to hide a kill. Anticipation hummed under her skin, setting the fur of her inner wolf on end. Carefully, she made her way closer, until she stood on the last stepping-stone.
She was fairly certain her prey wasn’t waiting to pounce, but in case the dead decided to rise, or Neil was indulging in more than his lust for blood, she tapped into her intrinsic magic. Small pinpricks ran from her wrists to the tips of her fingers as her bones elongated. Fur sprouted on the back of her hands, covering the pale skin. In moments, her hands had shifted into a weird mix of human and wolf. The partial shift left her with instant weapons—thick, sharp claws.
She slipped inside the carved entrance, grateful for her small stature when she discovered the shadows gave the mistaken impression it was deeper than it was. Two steps in, her biker boots skidded against the slick ground, sending her into ankle deep water. She scrambled for purchase as a gasp of surprise escaped before she could call it back. Uttering a soft curse, she gave up trying to stay dry.
Her vision adjusted to the murky interior and snagged on the crumpled form sprawled against the back wall. There was no imminent threat. Neil had struck and left.
Sighing, she released her partial shift. Under the sleeves of her brown biker jacket, her wrists and hands returned to normal. Xander shook away the resulting tingle then tapped the earpiece nestled in her right ear. “Ryuu. You copy?”
There was a brief crackle of static, then a growling, “Yeah. What’s up?”
“Found a body in the Gardens.” She turned it over. The surrounding water made a soft sucking sound as it released its victim. With a careful touch, she pushed damp hair off the ghostly pale face.
“Tell me it’s not the ex-girlfriend.” Faint street noises leached around his demand.
“Nope. It’s a male.” She leaned down and inhaled. The water diluted the coppery stench of blood, leaving behind the familiar odor of raw meat. Crouched within, her wolf perked up. “Human.”
A low string of curses danced in her ear. “Damn it!” Then a sigh. “Wounds?”
She dug into the inside pocket of her jacket, pulled out a small penlight, then played it over the victim. One side of the male’s skull sported a very large dent. The semi-dried blood added a macabre touch to the frozen features. “Heavy bruising, no claw or teeth marks. Looks like Neil bashed the poor guy’s head against the rocks.”
“So he hasn’t shifted yet. I guess we should be grateful for small miracles.”
“Maybe,” she muttered, pity moving through her. The victim had been no more than a boy, maybe mid-twenties. Once upon a time, he’d been attractive. Now, death and fury left him a broken version of who he’d been in life. “From the amount of damage, I’d say Neil was furious.”
“How much you want to bet our vic was flirting with the ex?”
“That’s a sucker’s bet.” From her position, she ran her penlight over the confined space. Dark crimson marks splattered the far wall. “Considering he stashed the body where it wasn’t likely to be found easily, I’d say Neil stalked him first. The chase would’ve appealed to his wolf, but the beating was all man.”
“Since he didn’t dine out, you think the human side is still in control?” Ryuu asked.
“Maybe.” She clicked off the light and stood up. The last two wolves she hunted hadn’t been completely Feral, a condition where the human intellect was devoured by the wolf within. But they had been oh so close, enough to pull an unexpected partial shift. Here, it looked as if the one they chased managed to stay human. That small realization didn’t quiet her internal alarms. Maybe he just hadn’t been pissed enough. Yet. She squashed the nightmarish flash of claws, screams, and blood before it could grab hold. “If he catches up with the girl and she challenges him, his wolf will rise.”
Ryuu sighed. “Sara is human.”
Xander grimaced. “What the hell is the allure of dating a human? They’re way too fragile.”
Ryuu’s snort sounded in her ear. “Variety is the spice of life, Xander.”
“Whatever.” She paused. “Do we know if Neil was Born or Bitten?”
“Bastard’s another Bitten.”
“Lovely.” The Bitten had two forms—human or, under a full moon, completely wolf. If he, or she, followed the rules. Lately, it seemed the rules were on an extended vacation. “It’s a waning moon, so if we’re lucky, he’ll be stuck playing hunter in human skin. Keep your eyes peeled.”
“Do you know how many people are out tonight?” His voice came out perilously close to a whine.
She began making her way out of the cavern. “It’s Saturday night, Ryuu. Most people aren’t running around chasing psychotic furballs.”
“Instead, they’re all trying to get laid,” he groused.
His obvious disgruntlement curled her lips into a small grin. “Jealous?”
“Please,” he scoffed. “Even if I was, I’ve had plenty of offers tonight.”
She didn’t doubt it. Ryuu’s mixed heritage left him with the alluring combination of almond eyes, dark hair and gold tinted skin from his Asian mother, while blessing him with the whipcord physique and height of his Anglo father. Add in his inherent confidence of being the Motoki Pack’s Second, and he was catnip for women.
“The night’s still young, so there’s a chance to take one of your pretties up on her offer,” she teased, quickly retracing her steps through the dark garden. “Maybe it’ll mellow you out.” She made her way to the back fence where the trees stretched over the garden’s walls. “Where are you?”
“Third Avenue. Over by Hobo’s.”
“Where they do the tunnel tou
rs?” She stopped beneath the spreading branches of a tree guarding the stone wall. She made the easy leap to the top of the six-foot wall. Leaning around the overhanging branches of a tree, she checked to see that no one was coming down the sidewalk on the other side.
“Yeah,” Ryuu confirmed. “Sara’s neighbor said she and her friends were hitting some of the bars around here.”
When the sidewalk remained empty, Xander dropped lightly on the other side. The heavy shadows from the dense trees camouflaged her sudden appearance from anyone watching. She brushed loose leaves from her shoulders and strode out to the sidewalk. “Are you working your way north or south?”
“North,” came the answer. “Forget Drucilla’s.”
Xander’s lips twitched. Drucilla’s boasted a raunchy drag-queen show. One in which Ryuu played a prominent role in the week before. She came to the end of the street and made a left on to Third Avenue. “Afraid you’ll be asked to do an encore?” she murmured as she passed an older couple. The male gave her a short nod, his companion tucked lovingly under his arm as they hustled by. Xander ignored the tiny pang at the image they created.
Ryuu’s low growl distracted her. “A purple wig, Xander? I looked like a damn Anime character.”
“Not my fault your team can’t hold onto their football.” Lights from the various clubs and restaurants chased away the cloying darkness. Small clusters of young people wove down the sidewalks, their energy turning the night bright and sparkly. “Besides, I warned you not to bet against me.”
