by Amy Sumida
“You’re doing a fine job, lion,” Fenrir leaned over and pounded Kirill’s shoulder, leaving my poor lion a little shaken… literally.
“Zank you,” he nodded curtly. “I vould prefer to be on guard but my lady insists.”
“Your lady?” Trevor growled.
“Trevor shut up,” I whacked him and his growl turned into a whimper. “Ignore him, Kirill. Tell me, are you originally from Russia?”
“Yes, Tima,” his mouth always softened into a smile when he looked at me. I thought it was a good sign that he was beginning to loosen up and trust. Trevor didn’t share my opinion.
“Commi bastard,” Trevor muttered.
“One more comment out of you, young man,” I began to growl myself, “and you can go to bed without your dinner.”
“Aw, Minn Elska,” he did the puppy dog eyes.
“Don’t even try it,” I shook a finger at him. “Enough. How long has it been since you’ve seen Russia, Kirill?”
“Eighty-four years,” he sounded a little wistful.
“Do you want to go for a visit?” It made my heart ache, the way his eyes filled with guarded hope. “I went to Russia last year when we were chasing Blue but I didn't get to sight-see. I could wear all the coats I never get to wear.”
“Yeah, at the same time,” Trevor snorted. “It’s really fuckin’ cold there.”
I slapped him in the back of his head.
Hey,” he held a hand to the spot.
“Stop being a prick.” I turned back to Kirill. “Do you want to go?”
“I do,” leave it to him to keep it simple.
“Okay great,” I looked at Trevor expectantly.
“What?”
“When can we go?”
“Oh, now you need me,” he smirked.
“I always need you, you jackass,” I smiled softly. “Unless you’d rather me and Kirill go alone. He could trace us there.”
“Fine, I’ll take you to the wasteland,” he sighed.
“Zank you,” Kirill’s voice was regal but filled with a wealth of feeling. It even stopped Trevor’s sarcasm.
“You’re welcome,” my wolf grimaced when he caught me smiling at him.
“It warms my heart to see how broken up you are over misjudging me,” Blue’s voice jerked my head up and silenced the whole top floor. “Couldn’t wait to come apologize to me, could you?”
“Blue,” I stood in horror. How dare he come here after all he'd done? “You have some god damned nerve.”
“You still believe it was me?” His face fell into shocked lines.
“You think I wouldn't believe it was you just because you kept your shiny helmet on?” I growled. “I begged you to help me and you just walked away.”
“It wasn't me, Vervain!”
“No, it was some other guy wearing gold armor who happens to have a connection to the Mexicans and can use the heat of the sun in battle.” I stared at him hard, part of me wishing it was all just a big misunderstanding.
“The heat of the sun?” He frowned.
“Yeah,” I shook my head. “Maybe you should have hung back from the fighting. That bit of magic was pretty damning.”
“I am not the only god of the sun,” he lifted his Aztec nose into the air.
“No, you're not,” I smiled viciously. “Maybe it was Apollo.”
“Apollo's neutral,” Trevor said from beside me. “He rather sunbathe than do anything else.”
“Hmm, not him then,” I frowned thoughtfully.
“You accuse me unjustly and then joke about it?”
“Not unjustly,” I narrowed my eyes on him. “I didn't believe it was you. Not truly. Until you stepped out beside Nyavirezi and called down the sun. Then I couldn't dispute it any longer. That hurt, Blue.”
“Nyavirezi?” Blue looked me over more closely. “You killed the Lion Goddess? That's the difference I sense.”
“Oh cut the shit,” I took a deep breath. “Get out before I violate the rules of Moonshine.”
“The truth will be revealed one day, Vervain,” Blue looked suddenly sad and my heart twinged once in automatic sympathy. “You will be sorry then but it will be too late.” He turned and left.
“I want to go home,” I shook my head, sick to my stomach. Something didn't feel right about this whole mess. Could I be wrong about Blue?
“Alright,” Trevor nodded. “I need to stay here and finish up a few things. I want you to trace home with Kirill and strengthen the wards when you get there.”
“Okay,” I sighed.
“I'll see you soon,” he kissed my forehead and then pulled Kirill aside. They started speaking urgently and quietly.
I made the rounds to say goodbye to everyone, making sure all my lions were safe and able to get home on their own. There were a few drunk ones but the others promised to take care of them. They were a good bunch, my big cats. They’d learned to rely on each other, much the same as soldiers do in battle. You become closer than brothers when you save each others lives on a regular basis.
When I finally made it back to Trevor and Kirill, they both had serious looks on their faces that didn’t bode well for my peace of mind. Trevor tried to give me a half smile but I could feel the tension in his muscles when he folded me in a tight hug.
“I won’t be too long,” his lips brushed my temple. “Wait up for me?”
“Of course,” I smiled and winked but I had a feeling this wasn’t going to be a night for lovemaking.
He handed me over to Kirill with a look a General would envy and for his part, Kirill did all but salute him back. I almost groaned. I had a feeling I was about to place myself under house arrest.
“Come on then,” I pulled Kirill into the Family Room so we could trace home. A final glance over my shoulder as the door closed, showed an anxious expression on my wolf that sent tremors racing through my stomach.
Chapter Fifty-Six
“Trevor!” I woke up screaming. Kirill was instantly beside me in the otherwise empty bed but I couldn't see him. My vision was focused somewhere far away.
Trevor was in pain and my wolf was raging through the confines of my body, trying to get to him. I jumped out of bed, stumbling because my sight was laid over with Trevor's. I dropped to my knees with him, seeing the back of the club laid over the walls of my bedroom, asphalt under his wolfman hands, over my own hands on the carpet. His arms were shaking, about to give out, but something pulled him up and back. He howled in rage and so did I.
“Tima,” Kirill was shaking me. “Vat is it?”
“It's Trevor,” I gasped as I stood, pulled on a dress, and grabbed my kodachi. “Get me to Moonshine.”
I ran to the front door with Kirill close behind. He pulled me close and traced us over to the club. I shot out of the Family Room and down the dark stairs, taking them two at a time. Kirill didn't ask anything more, just followed, and I loved him for it.
I fumbled with the door lock in the dark until Kirill reached around me and opened it. We went spilling out into the street and Kirill immediately lifted his head and scented the air.
“Blood,” he said simply and started running to the parking lot behind the club.
I ran after him, pulling my kodachi as I went. We both came skidding to a halt when we got around the corner. A form in gold armor was holding Trevor down, a gold gauntlet clamped tight in his wolfman pelt, golden greaves digging into his thighs, and golden hair hanging over a dark cape. All that hair shifted as Trevor's assailant turned to regard us smugly.
“Demeter,” I whispered in shock.
She laughed cruelly. “If the Prince here hadn't knocked my helm off, you'd probably still be calling me Blue. Not too bright, are you?”
“Get away from him!” I launched myself at her, casting a quick glance at Trevor, whose face had turned a frightening shade of blue.
She leaped backward, laughing again. “You were so pathetic. 'Blue, stop. Blue, no, don't do this.' Who is this Blue person anyway?”
“Someon
e I was very wrong about,” I clenched my teeth as I faced off with her. Talk about bad timing. Why couldn't this have all come out a few hours earlier? “Give me a few minutes though. I'm about to make things right.”
I swung at her, feeling War rise up to meet the challenge, but she blocked with an armor clad forearm and punched me in the gut. I flew back, hitting the brick wall behind me and falling into an ungraceful heap. I got to my feet, gasping for breath.
“You took someone I loved from me, Godhunter,” she sneered. “So instead of killing you, and believe me this was a hard choice, I've killed your wolf. You will have to learn to live with the pain of loss, just as I have.”
“I didn't kill Persephone, you crazy bitch,” I growled as I stalked closer. I swung my sword up but a whimper from my left distracted me.
Kirill was backed against the wall, staring at Demeter like a toddler stares at the darkness in their open closet. His whole body was shaking, his skin pale. I followed his gaze back to a smug Demeter, eyes shining with fresh glee. Monster and victim faced off, and wouldn't you know it, the monster wasn't the werelion.
“Kirill?” I called to him and broke the spell.
“It's her,” he cleared his throat and spoke louder. “The voman I told you of.”
“It's been a long time, Kirill,” Demeter smiled with a pedophile's sweetness. “How have you been?”
“You disgusting, sadistic, pervert,” I spat when I realized Demeter was the woman who had helped Nyavirezi rape Kirill. “Don't you even fucking look at him,” I threw my sword at her face. It flew in a graceful arch, making her cringe away and break her evil stare with Kirill. “I don't care anymore that you're Sephy's mother. You're dead. I'm going to fucking drain you dry until you die screaming.”
I held out a hand and reached for her magic. It was hot, like a summer's day, and I realized then that she could fight with the seasons themselves. I pulled on that heat and watched her start to tremble. I smiled viciously when she dropped to her knees. Bared my teeth at her when she fell forward.
“Scared yet,” I growled. “You should be. You should be screaming. Why aren't you fucking screaming?”
“Tima,” Kirill was beside Trevor. “Your mate needs you.”
I snarled, looking between Demeter's desperate eyes and Kirill's. My lioness was enraged. She wanted blood and magic. She roared for Demeter's death. But my wolf was crying, pawing at my chest in an effort to reach her mate. Trevor wasn't dead yet but he would be soon.
“Decide!” Kirill shouted. “Revenge or love. Decide now!”
“Fuck!” I screamed and released Demeter to run to wear Trevor was. Kirill had said exactly what I needed to hear. There was no way I'd choose revenge over Trevor.
I heard her mumble something and felt the tingle of her entering the Aether. She was gone but I'd find her again. I'd have another chance for revenge but love couldn't wait. Trevor was cold, his lips blue with little sparkling ice crystals on them. I pulled him into my lap and started briskly rubbing his skin. What the hell had she done to him?
“Trevor,” I placed my lips to his, willing him to respond, but all there was to give me hope was a faint breath.
“Tima,” Kirill squatted beside us. “Reach for him vith link. Give him energy. Heal him like you healed me.”
“That was different,” I watched a tear fall on Trevor's cold face and realized I was crying. “That was emotional. This is physical and I'm not a healer. Teharon!” I looked up at Kirill. “We have to get him to Teharon.”
“Tima,” Kirlill took my shoulder gently. “He vill not make it. You must heal him now. Give him enough to make it to healer.”
“I don't know how,” I wailed.
“Stop,” Kirill slashed the air with a hand. “You are Rouva of Froekn and Tima of Intare. You know how. Now heal!”
I looked down at Trevor and just like that, the link opened between us. I held nothing back. It was like I'd blown a dam. I just went rushing into Trevor, filling him and finding his faltering heart. I sent my will into it and forced it to continue to beat. I informed it calmly that it was mine and would continue to beat for me until I told it otherwise.
Trevor's heartbeat grew stronger and I felt his body take a shuddering breath. I pulled back enough to look up at Kirill and tell him to take us to Fenrir. As I felt Kirill's arms close around us both, I went back in. His blood was sluggish, his tissues too cold, but I filled them with magic. Even as we traveled the Aether, becoming only thoughts, I was still inside him. In fact, the Aether helped me meld further with him, giving me added strength until I felt us leave.
I felt us become physical once more and doubled my efforts. I watched the glow of my magic go gushing through the tiny tubes under Trevor's skin, watched it warm his flesh, watched it like it was on a screen before me. It surged from head to toe till he shone under my hands like he'd swallowed the sun. He warmed, the magic pulsing in time with his heart, but he still didn't revive.
I heard shouting around me but I couldn't lose focus. If I let go for just one second, I knew I'd lose Trevor. So I concentrated on him, on keeping his heart beating, until I felt another power join with mine. Cells multiplied, damaged blood and tissues repairing with the magic. Soon his heart pumped all on its own and Trevor took a few gasping breaths. I pulled away, exhausted, and opened my eyes. He was already looking up at me.
“Minn Elska,” he whispered. “Did you save my life again?”
“No,” I kissed him gently and turned to where I knew I'd find Teharon. “Teharon did. I just kept you going till he could get to you.”
“And he would have died without your quick thinking,” Teharon acknowledged.
“Not mine,” I looked around for Kirill and found him standing next to Fenrir at the forefront of a circle of Froekn. Fenrir had tears running down his face but his expression was relieved. “Kirill told me I could do it, pretty much bullied me into it.”
Fenrir looked sharply at the lion and Kirill glanced at him and then away.
“I'm Ganza,” Kirill shrugged. “Teharon did healing, I only say vords.”
“And traced us both here,” I added, my own relieved tears streaking down my face.
“Thank you,” Fenrir took the hand hanging at Kirill's side and shook it. “You're welcome at my hearth and table always, as a friend and brother.”
“You're velcome, Volf God,” Kirill nodded, “but I did it for Tima. She loves your son.”
“Whatever your reason,” Trevor added. “Thank you. I wasn't ready to die. And thank you, Teharon. I never expected to need your magic.”
“My pleasure, Wolf Prince,” Teharon smiled kindly and stood.
“I can't believe Demeter would try to kill you,” I looked bleakly at my nearly-dead mate and quenched the spark of hatred that flared up for the goddess. This was not the time, better to focus on life for the moment. I looked over at Teharon. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“Of course,” Teharon sighed. “I'm sorry about Demeter.”
“She will die,” Fenrir growled and all the Froekn added to it till the growl was a rumbling, living thing, circulating through the tracing room of Fenrir's Hall.
The Froekn had stayed neutral in the God Wars but it looked like things were about to change. You couldn't try to murder their Prince and get away with it. Demeter was going to have to pay for this and my heart hurt to think on how it would affect Persephone. I would never have thought I'd have to kill the mother of yet another friend of mine, much less want to, but this could not go unpunished. Demeter had gone too far.
She'd helped kidnap me, had me literally thrown to the lions, raped one of said lions, and then tried to murder my lover. I was beyond allowing Sephy's feelings to be a deterrent. Even if I didn't kill her, and believe me, I wanted to do the deed personally, her fate was sealed. She was dead the moment she decided to kill the First-Born of the Froekn.
“Oh, no,” I whispered.
“What is it?” Trevor peered anxiously up at me.
&
nbsp; “It wasn't Blue,” I closed my eyes and shook my head. “All this time, it's been Demeter. Blue is innocent.”
“No wonder he was so pissed,” Trevor grimaced.
“I failed him,” my heart clenched with the hurt I'd caused a friend. “I'm his friend. I should have trusted him.”
“All the evidence was against him,” Fenrir growled.
“All the evidence except what I'd felt inside him,” I took Trevor's hand and kissed it tenderly. “I touched his soul. I knew he was innocent and yet I didn't stand up for him. I need to try and make this right.”
“How?” Kirill asked the ultimate question.
“I wish I knew.”
Chapter Fifty-Seven
“Blue?” I called out into the empty, cold, stone room. I was kind of shocked I'd been able to trace in. I would have thought Blue would have warded his home against me. “Blue?”
I stepped out into the hallway and headed toward his bedroom. I barely made it five paces before the door was thrown open and Blue stalked out to stare at me with a mixture of shock and grim satisfaction. He lost the shock as he strode forward, gaining aloofness and disdain.
“So, you've finally learned the truth.”
“Blue,” I swallowed and started again. “Blue, I'm so sorry. I failed you as a friend.”
“Yes,” the ice cracked for a second before it reformed. “Yes, you did. You turned against me because of what others said. Even though you knew, in your heart, the kind of man I am. I was honest with you. You knew I wouldn't lie to you, yet you humiliated me with asking me to show you my thoughts. You scorned me in front of others and hurt me, Godhunter. How could you have opened me up to emotions and then used that weakness to exploit me? And you called me a monster?”
“I know,” I hung my head. “I've said everything you've just said to myself over and over since I've learned it was really Demeter.” There was a small twinge of satisfaction in his eyes. “You knew it was her.”
“As soon as you mentioned the sun magic,” he nodded.
