by Anna Edwards
“Coming now,” she called and met Zain’s eyes.
“I love you,” he howled and allowed his fangs to descend into his mouth. She should be scared. That’s what common sense told her, but she wasn’t. Her body was on fire with the pleasure only this man could give her, and she was going to give him everything in return.
“Take me,” she growled.
Zain seated himself deep inside her, and she orgasmed on his thick, pulsating cock. His mouth found her shoulder and bit down. The pain radiated through her body and heightened the climax she was experiencing. It was as if she didn’t know where she started and Zain ended. They became one. Mating was definitely more intense than marriage. She’d made the right decision. A decision she’d never regret.
Zain collapsed. His teeth must have shrunk back to that of a human as the feeling of being held by his powerful jaws faded. Her neck stung a little, and she was beyond exhausted, but it didn’t matter. He pulled her into his arms.
“Mine.” He smiled at her.
“Yours,” she cheerfully replied.
“Sleep.”
She shifted in the bed, feeling a stickiness between her thighs. His cum usually felt sticky when it trickled out of her body, but this was different.
“Zain?”
“Yes, baby.”
“Did you put the lid back on the honey?”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Senator Ross surveyed the remainder of his burned buildings. He had nothing left. His entire life’s work destroyed by those wild animals. They’d pay for turning his daughter against him. He already had plans in place. When they least expected it, he’d come for them and destroy them. He’d rid the earth of their disgusting kind. Man, woman, child, he didn’t care. They were all going to suffer. He’d make Isobel watch the death of every last one. She could never be saved now, for her mind was too warped. His baby girl, the only person who’d ever faithfully obeyed him. God knows his wife was worse than useless. Isobel was the type of woman he should’ve married, mild and subservient to his needs. Shame for him she’d been his daughter and that his wife was incapable.
He picked up a stick and prodded at the remains of his computer. Nothing, he had nothing. He could remember bits and pieces and had been writing them down, but nobody took him seriously anymore. He’d lost his position, and the senate seat would follow shortly, so he’d been told. It was time for him to retire and leave the business of national security to those who hadn’t failed. He’d had them in his hands. He could have found the key to ending them, but he’d lost them. Damn that fucking bear. Zain would pay when he next saw him. He wouldn’t take it easy on him this time. He’d lock him away like the animal he was and carry out every test he possibly could on him. He’d get the press involved. The government couldn’t deny his findings if he had it all documented. That would be what he’d do. He felt happier knowing he had a plan and a purpose. It would cost money; his wife wouldn’t like that. She’d have to cut back on the beauty treatments and male escorts she paid for, but then, did he give a fuck? No!
Nobody understood what was at stake but him. He’d rescue the world from these animals. He threw the stick into the still smoldering pile and trudged back to his car. He opened the door and tried to get in, but something prevented him from doing so. He tried again but nothing.
“What the fuck?” He scowled.
“Magic, Mr. Ross.” The deep timbre had him turn around quickly and draw his gun.
“Pathetic humans always pointing guns at the problem. Don’t you know magic is stronger than that.” The gun flew out of his hand, and a shadowy figure stepped out of the darkness. He recognized it as the polar bear shifter, wait, hadn’t he encountered two of them. The one at his home, and the one in the laboratory. They’d had different names.
“Nuka or Kas?” he asked.
“Unfortunately for you, Nuka.”
“Possibly not. I think we have a common goal now. I believe you want to destroy Kas’ pack. After taking all this”—he pointed to his ruined building— “and my daughter, I want them destroyed, too.”
“That could be a plan, but alas, I’m not sure I can trust you after everything. You hate my kind, and I’m not overly fond of yours. We’d forever be looking over our shoulders, waiting for the other to stab us in the back.” The ‘thing’ in front of him ran a finger up and down its corded neck while it spoke. He couldn’t fail to notice the sharp black claws at the end of its fingers as opposed to nails.
“I’m willing to overlook that difference. We work together until we get rid of your brother’s pack, and then each to their own. What do you say?”
“You do realize the majority of people compare me to the devil. Are you certain you want to do a deal with me?”
The thing stepped closer to him, and he held his hands up as a sign of surrender.
“Better the devil you know than the one you don’t, and I think you and I are similar. We both want power. Am I wrong? Or am I right?”
“You have a point, I guess. For now, you’ll do to help me get rid of my brother and his pack. In the future, though, I want it known that as far as I’m concerned, all humans should be slaughtered.”
“And I think your type are savage beasts who need their teeth and claws pulled at birth. That is if, and that’s a big if, you’re allowed to live.” He stepped closer to whatever it was in front of him and held out his hand. The thing took it and shook it.
“I’m glad we have it sorted.” It glanced up into the air, and he looked around but couldn’t see anything. “Ciaran?” the animal called, and he felt his body start to tingle.
“What’s happening?” His eyes opened wide, and he tried to cling hold of something solid as he felt his body floating away.
“You want to get rid of my brother’s pack then I’d better let you in on my plan. Hold tight, it’s a bumpy ride.”
Mr. Ross shut his eyes against the overwhelming sickness washing over him. His mind felt like it was spinning, his body flying, and then nothing. Stillness and a sense of calm. He shivered. It had turned icy, and droplets of rain fell onto his face. He opened his eyes and looked around. He wasn’t at the burned out laboratory any more.
“Where are we?” he asked the creature standing next to him.
“Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway to be precise.”
Mr. Ross looked out across the plethora of basalt columns, which decorated the land into the sea. Waves crashed over them and a breeze whistled around his ears. He huddled into himself to keep warm.
“How?” he asked and looked around.
“Magic, Mr. Ross. It’s a special gift.” A man appeared from behind a group of higher laid rocks. He recognized him as the other man who’d visited his house.
“You’re like her. The woman who travels with his brother.” He pointed at the thing next to him.
“I’m a powerful druid if that’s what you’re saying. Jessica Raven is a witch and a poor imitation of one at that. My abilities far outstrip hers.”
Another man appeared, but he didn’t recognize this one.
“Who are you?” he questioned.
“Samuel,” the new person answered nonchalantly.
“And what are you?” He looked down his nose at the intruder. What would he be presented with this time? A werewolf or a vampire?
“I’m human.”
“Human?” he stuttered. “Yet you side with these savages.”
“I do. Because I’ve learned these savages, as you call them, are going to rule the Earth soon.”
“Never.” He stepped forward on the rocks and almost lost his footing. Nuka, hoisted him back upright.
“Careful. It’s a little slippery.”
“Thank you,” he growled and shook the creature off him. “Why have you brought me here? It’s pretty to look at and all, but we need to find out where the others are and go after them.”
“Oh.” Nuka stepped down the rocks toward the sea. He shifted his hand to that of a polar bear’s paw and allowed it
to dangle in the water. “I know where they are hiding. Thinking they’ve won, for now. I’m about to show them they haven’t, though.”
“I don’t understand?” He was growing frustrated with all the riddles and the lack of information. He wanted to be torturing the bear who’d ravished his daughter, not sitting around sightseeing and chatting.
“You will soon. You see, Ireland is the seat of magic. It was first discovered here long ago. People think these rocks were formed by a giant, but in reality, it was magic.” Nuka nodded at Ciaran who swirled his hand around, creating a new basalt column, which he allowed to drop into a pattern with the others.
“How did he do that?”
“I’m afraid I know as much about that as you. I don’t have such powers; I just shift. But I do know that magic is at it’s strongest in this location, and that’s why this is the best place for the spell.”
“Spell?” he questioned.
“Yes. Samuel, prepare yourself.”
“What are you going to do to him?”
“I’m going to make him more powerful than you can ever imagine.”
The creature pulled a box from out of his pocket and handed it to the other human. He couldn’t quite see what was in it until the polar bear stepped back. It was fragments of dirty, white bones.”
“What are they for?” He cocked his head to get a better look. The rain was coming down harder, now, and his clothes were beginning to soak through to his skin.
“Watch, and you’ll see. Ciaran, you may begin.”
Everyone stood in silence for a few moments, and then, the druid started to chant. The words must have been in Irish, or some ancient language, because he didn’t have a clue what was being said. His breathing slowed as a beam of red light shot out of the ground and encased the other human. He took a few steps back, careful not to slip. The chanting grew louder and louder. Ancient words spilling from the druid’s mouth in a torrent of rhyme,
“Lig Dia duit an t-am atá caite teacht abhaile
Lig na cnámha le chéile arís agus arís eile
A bheith mar chroílár cumhachtach
Chuir tú go mícheart leat ó shin
Lig dó beo agus gabháil leis an Domhan seo
Mar sin, féadfaidh sé é a scriosadh.”
“Devil let the past come home
Let the bones fuse together once more
To form the heart of a powerful man
Wrongly sent to you so long ago
Let him live and return to this Earth
So that he may destroy it.”
The chanting finished, and silence filled the air. His eyes darted around between the druid, the polar bear, and the scorching column of light. Samuel started screaming. His cries sounded like he was being tortured, but nobody made any move to help him. Mr. Ross could feel his heart starting to speed up. This was far from natural. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. It was otherworldly and scared the shit out of him, not literally. The beam of light grew brighter and brighter. He squinted, but it was no use. He had to shut his eyes against the burning in his retinas. All around them was silence, except for Samuel’s screams. Eventually they stopped, and he dared to open his eyes. The light had vanished, and the freezing rain returned. Samuel had also disappeared and was replaced by a man he didn’t recognize. Nuka, who was still standing next to him, stepped forward.
“Grandfather, I can’t believe it’s you.”
The new man before them opened his eyes. They were not human in appearance. They were as black as night.
“You’ve done well,” the stranger said. “I knew you would come for me one day. This is a fine body.” He shook his head and fluttered his eyelids. Gradually his eyes turned human in appearance.
“He’ll continue to serve us well. His position is on the Council. His appearance, especially the ability to appear as Samuel and my grandfather will allow you to rule over everything.”
“Wise my grandson, very wise.”
The man turned his head to face Mr. Ross.
He sniffed. “Human?”
“Indeed,” the polar bear answered.
“A gift?” the man asked with a smirk crossing his face
“Of course.”
“Then the war to end all wars starts here and now. The sacrifice you’ll make will be for the greater good of the magical shifter race.” The newly created being prowled toward him
“What?” he spat out. The word sacrifice didn’t sit well with him. The last thing he wanted was any of that magical crap being carried out on him.
“I’m weak, but I can still smell the evil oozing from his pores. It stinks. A typical human with no compassion for what’s different. You deserve this.”
The man reached him and stretched out a hand to touch his forehead. He tried to move, to fight back, but he couldn’t run. He was transfixed in position. His mind started to jumble, and when he looked up, he saw energy floating from him to the person in front of him.
“What are you...” But no more words came out. He had lost the ability to speak. His hearing disappeared next as all around him fell silent. What the hell was happening? Then his sight went, and he was plunged into darkness. He felt as though everything, which made him who he was, was leaving his body. He felt his heart slowing down, and his organs ceasing to function. He’d made a terrible mistake. He’d trusted a creature and.......his brain shut down, and his heart beat one final time. Isobel and Kingsley’s father was dead.
EPILOGUE
Kingsley sat rooted to his chair. He hadn’t spoken since Selene, Ethern, and Jessica had returned from Ireland, visibly shaken, and informed him that his father was dead. Apparently, a loud magical scream had woken those, who had magical abilities, and led them to the Irish coast where they discovered his father’s skeleton. They weren’t sure how he died, or who did it, but Jessica suspected that a druid called Ciaran was the only one with the ability to do so.
When they had told Isobel, she’d let out a cry so unearthly he thought she may have been broken permanently. Despite her estrangement with their father, his sister was still struggling with the news. He felt no such feelings, though. He was glad he had died, and he hoped he had suffered. After what he’d done to him, he could never have forgiven him, dead or alive.
One of them should probably tell their mother. Mind you, she wouldn’t care. She’d be set up for life, now, because their father was well insured. It wasn’t something he could face doing at the moment.
He looked over at his sister again. She still had tears streaming down her face, and Zain was doing his best to comfort her. The bear loved Kingsley’s sister so much. It was plain to see. He was hurting because she was. He thought to himself it must be nice to have someone who cared about you in that way. He’d never experienced any love from their father. He’d never told Isobel, but the man had beaten him since childhood. It was one of the reasons he’d rebelled against everything his father stood for and left home as soon as he could. His father had never wanted a son and especially one who wouldn’t follow in his footsteps. He wanted the perfect senator’s daughter to marry off, for his own personal gain. Shame she fell in love with a shifter instead.
He needed to get out of here. He couldn’t sit around and pretend to be upset for a man who never showed any compassion for him. He got up, and a few people in the room looked at him, knowingly.
“I’m going to get some more sleep. I’m feeling a bit off,” he stated.
“Do you want me to check on you?” Jessica asked.
“No, I just need more sleep.”
“Ok.” The witch sat back down and resumed worrying a nail, which she had been biting. It occurred to Kingsley, once again, that something truly terrible was happening if the witches were scared. His mind began to wander; magic would be a cool power to have, he thought. Although he also liked the idea of shifting. He wished, as per the old adage, that being bitten meant you developed the abilities to change. If that had been the case, he’d have had one of them chomp down
on him years ago and eaten his father for dinner.
He left the room and started down the corridor but stopped when a voice called out.
“I’m guessing you aren’t exactly mourning his loss too much.” Hunter, the big wolf alpha who’s house they were staying in, leaned casually against the wall.
“Not really. I’m not jumping for joy, but I’m not unhappy he’s dead.”
“I can understand that. He messed you up pretty badly.”
“Yeah, I’m still hoping I can tattoo when it all heals.”
“So am I. I like your designs. I’ve got a particular one the ex-wife made me get that I’d like to get covered up.”
“You should never let a woman choose a design for you. First rules in the tattoo business if you’re a man.”
“Thanks for the advice, after the event.” Hunter pushed off the wall. “You really tired?”
“No, not really. Wide awake, actually. Why?”
“I’ve got a prisoner I need to check on, and I wondered if you wanted to help?”
“Prisoner?”
He nodded.
“Yeah. Bear shifter. The reason for this mess, or so they say.”
“You think differently.”
Hunter started to walk along the corridor, and Kingsley fell in line beside him. The wolf was tall in stature, his brown hair long and pulled back in a bun. It was his bright blue eyes, which looked straight through you, that he’d noticed first, though. He’d never felt uneasy around the other shifters, but there was something about the power Hunter projected that scared him.
They trotted down some stairs at the end of the hallway. On reaching the bottom, there was a door with a scanner outside which Hunter put his hand toward. A light flickered over it, and the door opened.
