Can you see anything?
Onyx concentrated on the darkness surrounding them.
Out of nowhere, Kipp, Martha, Oscar, and Deacon came before them and dropped to the ground on one knee and bowed their heads. Ivan came running out of the brush, with nothing but a pair of half-fastened shorts. He stopped short when she saw the others kneeling. He looked from Cole to Onyx then down at Marie. He nodded and took a few steps to the right of the werecats.
Onyx addressed the werecats, “What are you doing?”
A strong, unfamiliar voice boomed out of the darkness. “This is why magic-makers and wereanimals are not supposed to mix.”
Onyx whipped around trying to place the voice. She brought her hands up to protect herself from harm. “Who the hell—”
Onyx was cut off by an older gentleman she had never seen before stepping out of the shadows. His short, compact body sported a large potbelly. His bright white hair stood out against the inky dark surrounding them.
Her eyes darted to Ivan whose eyes were wide as he turned to face the newcomer and backed away from the group one slow step at a time.
The old man raised one hand and pointed at her chest. “You eliminated two elders. You're their leader now.”
Cole took her hand and edged in front of her, placing himself between her and the stranger.
The man noticed and smirked.
“Calm down, wizard.”
Tension roiled off Cole in thick waves. No, he was not going to relax any time soon.
“You, Lynx,” he called to Ivan. “Stop sneaking around behind me, and come up here where I can see you.”
Ivan shuffled up hands outstretched to show he posed no threat.
Dismissing Cole and Ivan completely, the old man addressed Onyx again.
“These cats are yours to lead now.”
Onyx stepped forward and eyed the stranger. “That's absurd. I don't want to lead. I just want everyone to have the freedom to do what they want with their lives.”
The old man shrugged. “Rule as you see fit. Times have changed. The Elders will have to adjust, but you will lead, young lady. Weres struggle to fit into both the human and supernatural worlds. They need a strong leader to help them balance the two.” He shook his head and lowered his voice, “Boy they're going to love a female leader with a wizard lover.” He snorted then continued in a louder voice. “You've all rejected your clowders and formed your own new one. Every clowder needs a leader. It has always been this way. That will not change. Her connection to the wizard has brought her great power. You will be safe under her protection.”
Deacon looked up. “But her power only comes from her association with Cole.”
The old man turned his stone cold gaze on Deacon. “Are you challenging her new leadership already?”
“No, sir. Just curious.”
“Good because while it's true her power is triggered by the wizard, by their”—he paused and wrinkled his nose—”bond, she is quite powerful in her own right. It just came about sooner because of him.” He flipped his hand loosely in Cole's direction.
Powerful? Me?
“Sir, maybe you have me confused with someone else.”
“I know exactly who you are. Onyx Knight. Catling of Jade and Max Knight of Catcall Falls.”
Onyx clamped her lips shut and looked down at the ground. This guy scared the ever-living crap out of her.
Message delivered, he shifted into a large amber colored cat with black spots and disappeared into the night.
Baffled, Onyx turned and shrugged at Cole. He raised his hand and pointed behind her. Onyx turned her head. Cole stepped back so they were no longer touching. He was telling her to lead them. She couldn't do this. She wasn't a leader. She was a young, clueless woman. A student who was still learning about how to be a cat. How dare she try to lead others.
“Guys, get up. Nothing's changed.”
Kipp raised his head first, but he didn't get off the ground. “I'm so sorry. I never thought Anita was behind any of this.”
Onyx moved bit by bit through the thick grass to stand in front of Kipp. He bowed his head again. She couldn't read his exact thoughts, but she sensed the truth of his words. “Kipp, please get up.”
Still keeping his head bowed, he stood up.
“Look at me.”
He met her gaze. Anguish was written all over his face, from the slight tremble of his bottom lip to his downcast eyes.
“Kipp, I trust you.”
Relief flooded his features.
She looked at the rest of the group. “Guys, please get up.”
One by one they all stood.
She addressed them as a group. “We still have a huge problem. Where is Molly?”
Oscar opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of a car engine roaring to life cut him off. Onyx whirled toward the parking lot.
The one person who might know how to find Molly was getting away.
THE END
I hope you loved Onyx Shadows!
Book #3, Feral Escape will be available November 28, 2016.
Thank you!
Also by Autumn Jones Lake
The Lost Kings MC Series
Slow Burn (Lost Kings MC #1)
Love doesn’t obey the law.
Forced to represent an outlaw biker, a married attorney must come to terms with her feelings for her client while avoiding the danger he brings into her sedate life.
Corrupting Cinderella (Lost Kings MC #2)
Love is the ultimate outlaw.
Although attorney Hope Kendall cares deeply for President of the Lost Kings MC, Rochlan “Rock” North, the truth is they come from completely different worlds. Add to that the fact that they are also both headstrong people, and they have a very rough road ahead of them.
Real love isn't a fairy tale.
For Rock that means introducing Hope to what it really means to be part of his brutal and shady world, where the Lost Kings Motorcycle Club is his main focus. For Hope it means accepting the things she can't change, and understanding that Rock is a man who will do anything to keep her safe.
Love doesn't follow any rules.
As Rock continues to draw Hope deeper into his world, painful misunderstandings, past relationships, and opposition from the members of his club will threaten to drive them apart.
How do a lawyer and a badass biker with a heart of gold keep their love alive while their opposing worlds collide?
Three Kings, One Night (Lost Kings MC #2.5)
A collection of three short holiday stories set in the Lost Kings MC world.
Heidi and Murphy.
Wrath and Trinity.
Z and Lilly.
Strength From Loyalty (Lost Kings MC #3)
As a dark cloud descends over Hope and Rock’s already precarious future, will a long-hidden secret push them both past the point of no return?
Tattered on My Sleeve (Lost Kings MC #4)
I had her first.
I fell in love with her.
Then we fucked everything up.
Warning: Tattered on My Sleeve is not a “typical” romance. It's not even a typical MC Romance.
Lust.
Eight years ago, the Lost Kings, MC was recovering from turmoil within the club Wrath and Trinity met. Their connection was instant and explosive.
Fury.
Wrath and Trinity's story is a heart-breaking, soul-crushing, tear-your-heart-into-pieces story. The way they hurt each other over the years is intense, raw, frustrating and sometimes dark.
Forgiveness.
Can they move past their horrible pasts to become better people and ultimately forgive each other?
Once Wrath learns the dark secret that’s been fueling Trinity all this time, he’ll stop at nothing to prove they’re meant to be together and that she’s worthy of the love she keeps denying.
White Heat (Lost Kings MC #5)
The Queen Always Protects Her King.
For straight-laced attorney, Hope Kendall, lov
ing an outlaw has never been easy. New challenges test her loyalty as she discovers how far she’s willing to go to protect her man.
If You Have Hope, You Have Everything.
MC President, Rochlan “Rock” North finally has everything he’s ever wanted. Hope as his ol’ lady and his MC earning money while staying out of trouble. The only thing left is to make Hope his wife. But as their wedding day nears, an old adversary threatens Rock’s freedom, the wedding, and throws the Lost Kings MC into chaos.
Love Makes the Ride Worthwhile.
While the club waits for Rock's fate to be decided, Wrath has to balance solidifying his new relationship with Trinity and fulfilling his president's orders.
Loyalty gives an Outlaw Strength.
Threats from unexpected places will challenge every member, but in the Lost Kings MC, brotherhood isn’t about the blood you share. It’s about those who are willing to bleed for you.
Between Embers (Lost Kings MC #5.5)
If you were wondering what some of the other LOKI men were up to during Rock and Hope’s wedding…this is your chance to find out.
Between Embers (Lost Kings MC 5.5) is a collection of three short stories, approximately 25,000 words. This is intended to be a companion piece to White Heat (Lost Kings MC #5). If you do not enjoy reading similar scenes from a different character’s point of view, then please skip this.
However, if you were curious about what Teller was doing the morning of the wedding. What Murphy and Heidi talked about when she arrived at the clubhouse, or how Z and Lilly spent the night, I think you’ll enjoy Between Embers.
More Than Miles (Lost Kings MC #6)
Forbidden love is the hardest to forget...
Blake “Murphy” O'Callaghan, Road Captain of the Lost Kings MC, has the world by the balls. Money. Women. The wide-open road. It’s all his, everything he wants…except the one girl he loves, the one girl who’s off limits. His best friend’s little sister, Heidi.
Abandoned by her mother when she was little, Heidi Whelan’s familiar with heartbreak. Especially the heartbreak of falling in love with her big brother’s best friend. When Murphy pushed her away, it broke her heart. Now, on her eighteenth birthday, he claims he loves her? Growing up around the Lost Kings MC, Heidi’s witnessed his manwhoring ways. He’ll never give that up for her. Besides, he’s too late: Heidi’s in love with her high-school boyfriend Axel.
Axel Ryan loves two things—motorcycles and Heidi. He signed up to be a prospect for the Lost Kings MC because it seemed like a fun way to get closer to her. Now that he’s gotten a taste of MC life, he’s not so sure this is where he belongs. He’s confident Heidi shares his dreams for the future, so even if he chooses another road, their relationship will survive the detour.
With more than miles between them, will the deceptions they’ve lived with for so long be too much to overcome? Can Murphy convince Heidi that the hard roads they’ve traveled will lead to the most beautiful destination of all, or is he destined to ride the open road alone?
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