by Ann Gimpel
The beat of wings drew Ilona’s attention aloft. Breath whooshed from her. “Look!” She pointed at the sky and moved out of Jamal’s embrace.
Meara plummeted earthward, wings furled to soften her landing. Somewhere between fifty feet in the air and where they stood, she shifted in a blaze of pure white light.
Her body may have been human, but her eyes radiated feral displeasure. “Why are all of you out here?” Light still pulsed around her shifting form.
“Elliott and I were hunting for my brother.” Ilona squared her shoulders.
“Father and I helped,” Tairin spoke up.
“Before we go back into the camp, I must speak with you privately.” Ilona started toward Meara.
The shifter made a chopping motion with one hand. “I already know. It’s why I was gone last night. Back inside, everyone. So far, you’ve escaped notice, but that will never last.”
“But I promised Stewart.” Ilona tried another tack. “You may not know this particular thing, and—”
“Go!” Meara raised one arm. A talon-tipped finger pointed at the barrier. “Not another word.”
Elliott and Tairin hurried away.
“Come on,” Jamal dropped a hand on Ilona’s shoulder and pushed gently.
“Meet me in the same place we gathered last night,” Meara called after Elliott and Tairin. “Half an hour or so.” She turned her disquieting gaze on Jamal and Ilona. “Goes for you as well.” The air around her shimmered, power crackling. When it cleared, she was gone.
Ilona made a grab for Jamal’s hand and switched to telepathy. “What do you think?”
“We need to trust Meara, which means doing as she says.”
“Could she possibly know about An—?” Ilona stumbled over not saying the first wolf shifter’s name and started over. “The problems with him?”
“I wouldn’t put it past her. She’s very wise.”
Jamal reverted to spoken speech. “How are you feeling about finding Aron?”
Ilona licked dry lips. Events were happening at such breakneck speed it was hard to keep up with them. “Grateful he’s still alive. Worried sick he won’t remain that way.”
“He has youth on his side. And he’s resourceful and very resilient magically.”
“All that’s true,” Ilona agreed. “He’s also bound with iron, which will mute his ability.”
Jamal snorted. “Didn’t mute it that much. He blew right past Elliott’s blood casting which, by the way, was strong enough to anchor an elephant.”
She smiled in spite of herself. “Thanks for trying to make me feel better.”
“No thanks needed. I’m just stating what’s true. We should get moving. It’s not wise for the one who shall remain nameless to see us together. I need him to trust me.”
“I know. Thank you for helping Elliott and me.”
“Ilona.” His liquid gaze captured hers. “I’d lay down my life to keep you from harm.”
In one fluid motion, he angled his head and closed his mouth over hers. She fell headlong into the kiss, savoring the feel of his lips. It brought back memories of their passion from the night before, and her blood heated with wanting him.
He licked the seam between her lips, and she opened her mouth to his tongue, sparring with it. Reaching behind him, she closed her hands over his high, tight ass and pulled him against her. Sandwiched between them, his cock lengthened against her belly, and she squirmed against it.
Jamal tore his mouth from hers. “I’d like nothing better, but there’s no time.”
“Nor can we sneak into a group of shifters, who have noses like bloodhounds, and hope to escape detection.”
“There is that.” He cradled her head in a hand. “We will find a way to make this work. Do you believe that?”
“I want to believe it.” Driven by a need for honesty, she kept talking. “But there’s so much rocky ground between where we are and a future together, I’m taking it slow. If I get in too deep and something bad happens—something that means we can’t ever be together—both of us have to find the will to keep going.”
“You’re wise as well as beautiful, but I’m not letting love escape me a second time. No matter what it takes, I will tackle every single roadblock—and find a way around it.”
She tilted her chin upward. “Because you have to win?”
“No. Because I want you. More than I’ve ever wanted anything, and I won’t rest until we have a life together.”
“What was it you said a while back?”
“Which thing?”
“The one about it being our duty to do everything we can to fight the Nazis.”
He smiled sadly. “I haven’t forgotten, but I’m not putting my feelings for you on hold until this war ends. It will be years. I don’t need scrying ability to know that.”
He leaned close, breathing words near her ear. “This current wrinkle won’t last long. Once we’ve dispatched it, we can go back to attacking the Nazi problem.”
“How can you know the…wrinkle will be short-lived?”
“Because my kind won’t tolerate double-dealing. Even the ones who agreed with his message won’t once they know the truth.” He drew her alongside him and they walked back into the encampment, separating as soon as they came to the corral.
Ilona wanted to stay by his side, but understood the wisdom of not rubbing salt into not-yet-healed wounds. She stopped by Trina’s wagon to check on Marguerite.
“How is she?”
“Better, I think,” Trina whispered back. “Let’s let her sleep. I understand we’re supposed to gather again. I hope they’ll excuse me from anything that takes me away from Mother for longer than a few hours.”
“I’m sure they will. Or they’ll find someone else to watch over her. Want to walk with me?”
Trina joined her, and they made their way to the front of the wagons. Once there, they sat with other Romani, who chatted among themselves. Unlike last night, the fire pit hadn’t been kindled.
Meara strode to the Rom group, stopping near Stewart. “Ready?”
“Never readier.” He moved to her side.
“If you need me, I’m here,” Michael said.
Ilona narrowed her eyes to slits. Something was up. What was it? Last night, Meara had stood with the bear and wolf firsts. The Rom caravan leaders had kept to themselves. Meara’s question presumed she and Stewart had discussed their next moves.
Trina leaned close. “Even I picked up on something. Do you have any idea what’s about to happen?”
Ilona was grateful she didn’t have to lie. “Not a clue. But I bet we’re going to find out.”
Meara raised both hands. “Attention, everyone. We have serious business before us.”
Nivkh ran lightly to her.
Anubis stalked to where she stood. “What’s this about? Why wasn’t I consulted before you called this gathering?”
Nivkh prodded him. “For once in your life, get over yourself.”
Ilona smothered a satisfied smile. Apparently, Anubis had never been well respected among the other first shifters. It was bound to make whatever unfolded next interesting. When Jamal had mentioned the bad blood between Anubis and Meara, she hadn’t thought to ask if it extended to the other first shifters.
When you cut to the heart of things, she had no idea how many firsts there were—or how many varieties of shifters beyond the ones represented here.
Lots of questions. Hope I get a chance to find answers.
“Look.” Trina nudged her.
Ilona’s skin tingled, and her heart beat faster. All the shifters were on their feet, and magic jetted from them forming a whirling vortex.
Chapter 14
Jamal surged to his feet along with the other wolf shifters present. All around the circle, shifters readied themselves—and their magic. A dizzying cascade of power whirled through the air, making it crackle with potential—and risk.
“We must help our first,” a wolf shouted.
“Wh
y?” another yelled. “He’s not under attack.”
“Not what he just told me,” the wolf who’d spoken first countered.
Jamal moved fast, spinning until he faced the forty or so wolf shifters. “Stay back. I outrank all of you by dint of age,” he cried.
“So? Move out of my way,” the wolf who’d announced Anubis needed help said and doubled up a fist. Jamal caught it one-handed before the man landed a punch.
“Calm your bondmate.” Jamal bypassed the man, speaking to his wolf.
“I’m trying. He’s out of control.”
“Remind him we do not attack one another.”
From behind him, Meara’s harsh, strident voice carried. “Look well, shifters and Romani. Anubis is not what he appears.”
A roar rose from the crowd and the swirling energy intensified.
“See,” the wolf who’d tried to hit Jamal screeched. “She maligns our first. It’s just as Anubis said. She’s out to discredit not just him, but every wolf shifter.”
“Not true!” Jamal thundered.
Meara and Stewart joined in a guttural chant that chilled Jamal to his bones. He wanted to watch, but he couldn’t risk turning around and taking his eyes off the wolf shifter who’d challenged him.
A collective gasp pounded his ears, and the other wolves edged forward. Jamal watched the man he’d faced off against. His pupils dilated, and his breathing grew shallow. He fisted both hands but didn’t direct them at Jamal.
“Tell me what you see,” Jamal demanded.
“I— I’m not sure.”
Jamal took a chance and turned his back on his adversary. The other man might jump him, but he was young, untried, and it wouldn’t be much of a contest. Besides, he sounded more stunned than angry.
Shifters ringed Anubis, Meara, Stewart, and Nivkh. Anubis’s form slithered, growing insubstantial around the edges before solidifying again. He raised a fist, punching the air, and shouted in Coptic.
“Respect me! I am the first wolf shifter. Stop trying to force me from my body.”
“Nice try,” Meara retorted in German. A wave of brown and green magic flowed from her and Stewart, washing over Anubis’s robed form. The cowl fell back from his head and his face, already striking, took on the unearthly beauty only vampires possessed.
“We seek your true form.” Nivkh bit off each word, stopping after each one for emphasis. “What you pretend to be affronts not just our natural laws but every shifter who walks the earth.”
A muffled shriek from behind Jamal spun him back around.
“Help us,” the man’s wolf bondmate pleaded.
The wolf shifter was on his knees, gripping the sides of his head and howling in agony. Blood dripped from his eyes and ears. Pity for the young shifter filled Jamal, and he marshaled power to see what he faced. Mesh wound around the other man, magical netting that drew tighter by the minute. Once it was visible, Jamal sliced through the spell wrapped so tightly about the other shifter that it cut off his air.
Jamal knelt next to the man, whose eyes had rolled upward in their sockets showing white all around. He gnashed his teeth, and foamy spittle flew from his clenched jaws.
Gripping his shoulders, Jamal shook him hard enough to get his attention. “Fight back, man. Build a ward.”
“Dark. Everything is dark,” the man moaned.
“I’ve got this,” the man’s wolf cut in. “I’m coming out.”
Jamal didn’t wait. He shot magical darts to clip the remaining strands of the net. The shifter would be vulnerable in between forms. He might die trapped between wolf and man. Time slowed to a crawl as Jamal snipped strands, and the mesh first parted and then fell to the ground.
Clothing ripped and a dark gray wolf emerged, gasping and panting as if it had just run miles. “Thanks,” the wolf nudged Jamal’s hands still settled on its shoulders.
“I broke the spell,” Jamal told it. “You should be fine now.”
“I know. My bondmate was terrified.”
“How’d you shift?” Jamal asked.
The wolf’s jaws lolled. “Told him if we were going to die, we needed my form to fight back. He was so grateful I wasn’t going to abandon him, he summoned shift magic.”
“Quick thinking.” Jamal stroked the wolf’s rough outercoat. “You saved your bondmate.”
“No. You did.” Snarling, the wolf jerked its muzzle toward the press of bodies between them and whatever was playing out in the middle of the circle. “What happened to Anubis? Even though I can’t see through all those people, I sense that he’s not a wolf anymore. He smells wrong, evil.
“What is he?” the wolf persisted.
“Vampire.” Jamal’s wolf spat the word. “We need to get up there.”
“Go,” the other wolf urged. “We’re fine now. We’ll join you very soon.”
Jamal bounded upright and worked his way through the tight press of bodies. Some had shifted, but most were still human. Light flashed from the center of the circle, but he couldn’t see anything. Not yet. Horrified cries pushed him to move faster. He drew magic to force his way past shifters who shouted angrily.
At least he’d called this one right. There might be competition among different types of shifters, but they stuck together when confronted by anything outside their particular brand of magic. That dynamic explained the antagonism between shifters and every other type of magic-wielder. Beyond that, Meara was more than just another first shifter. She was close to a god in their circles. Mother to all the varieties of bird shifter, she may have been the very first of them.
Panting and sweating from effort, Jamal finally broke through to where he could see what was going on.
Stewart, Meara, and Nivkh stood shoulder to shoulder with Meara in the middle. The sand-baked smells of Egyptian earth joined the cool, ocean-washed scent of the northlands. Anubis had dropped any pretense of being the first wolf shifter—or more likely, the others had forced an end to his charade.
What stood in his stead was pure vampire, elongated fangs and all. Jamal sucked in a hasty breath. How could they be so beautiful and brandish such evil?
“I’ll be on my way now.” Anubis—or whatever his name was—sneered. “You haven’t seen the last of me. I was here long enough to know what you plan. I’ll mobilize my brethren. If I were you, I’d think again about attacking one of our nests—or waging war on our Nazi chums.”
“Chums is it?” Nivkh roared. “No wonder you’ve been absent for centuries. Had you spent much time around another first, we’d have seen right through you.”
Anubis shrugged. The motion made his silken robe ripple around his perfect form. “You weren’t all that quick on the uptake, brother.” His dark gaze burned with barely suppressed censure.
Fury battered Jamal. He dug through his jacket pockets and closed his hand around one of the silver stakes from their last vampire skirmish. He’d ended up with it after Elliott’s near brush with death. Luck—or the goddess or something he didn’t have a name for—made certain he hadn’t put it away.
Masking his movements with magic, he stole around behind Anubis. Stewart saw him, and perhaps intuited what he was about, because when Nivkh stopped peppering Anubis with commentary, Stewart picked up the banner, baiting the arrogant creature.
Jamal clutched the spike and judged his distance. He wouldn’t get a second chance. Anubis, or the vampire, or whatever the fuck stood there, possessed more than enough magic to flatten him.
“We can do this,” the wolf spoke up. “Told you he’d make a mistake.”
“His only error so far has been conceit.”
“Let’s see if we can’t change that.”
Jamal focused the entirety of his attention on the vampire’s silk-clad back, judging where to strike. He cut the flow of his magic, not wanting any stray thread of power to alert Anubis to the death stalking him.
The distance between them shortened from fifty feet to thirty to twenty. When he passed the ten-foot mark, Jamal launched himself at An
ubis. The vampire started to turn at the last moment, but he was too late. Jamal buried the silver stake in his back, sliding it through ribs right into his heart. The weight of his body drove the vampire to the ground.
Nivkh raced forward. So did Meara and Stewart. All three laid hands on the writhing vampire and shot pure, clean deathblows into it. They wouldn’t have been enough by themselves, but coupled with Jamal’s silver stake, they hastened the vampire’s death.
Noxious gas joined with black ichor spewing from the ancient creature, stinking of dead things left too long beneath a hot sun.
“Watch it!” Meara pinched a large, black beetle crawling out of the dying mass of protoplasm and ground it between thumb and forefinger.
Jamal rocked back on his heels. After what had happened to Elliott, he recognized those bugs. They were the dying vampire’s last-ditch effort to reestablish itself in another body. He moved back a foot or two. So did the others.
Smoke rose from the remains, and tissue sloughed from the corpse as the thing’s true age asserted itself.
“Nice work.” Meara cast an approving glance Jamal’s way.
Ilona raced out of the throng of people and threw herself into his arms, heedless of the ichor staining his clothing. “Thank the goddess—all of them and the gods too—that you’re unharmed. Once I realized what you were doing, I was frantic to get to you. I threw my magic ahead, urged it to hold your stake in place. But I was scared for you.”
He held her close. “It happened too fast for me to be scared. My wolf said we’d win. Told me Anubis would make a mistake—”
“How did you know about Anubis?” Nivkh rounded on Meara. “And why didn’t you tell me before this morning?”
She angled her head to one side in a typically avian gesture. “I didn’t return until just before we spoke today.”
The bear shifter leveled his ice blue gaze on her. “How did you know?”
“I saw it when Elliott, Ilona, and I were locating vampire nests last night. While my Rom helpers were pinpointing locations, I eavesdropped on vampire conversations.”
“Which would explain why you left right after we got back,” Ilona said.
