A Leopard's Path (Ashwood Falls Book 5)

by Davis, Lia;

  She gripped the creature by the throat as they tumbled to the ground. Kieran’s heart hammered, but he felt Ana’s calm along the bond. How could she be so steady? Kieran ran at them and hit the beast with his shoulder.

  Ana screamed, and a searing pain flooded Kieran’s senses. His leopard growled and rose to the surface. Swinging, he hit the mutant in the jaw. The crack of bone breaking echoed off the trees. The creature went limp. A moment later, a shot fired.

  “Bastards,” Ana growled again as she holstered her gun.

  Glancing at her, he let out his own growl at the gash across her cheek. He reached out, but she kissed him quickly. “There’s no time. We have to get to Tanner and Kirk. I feel a trap brewing.”

  She was right. Linking his fingers with hers, he took off toward the rebel camp. There was no telling how many mutants there were. And Kieran had sent Ashwood’s best sentries in there.

  When they reached the grouping of tents, Kieran froze wide-eyed as Tanner used his telekinesis to move tents and various other objects around in the air. Beside Kieran, Ana lifted her arms in the air and made circular motions. The wind picked up and she directed it into a small cyclone, then moved it to the objects floating in the air.

  A tornado of camp equipment swirled and moved around the area.

  Tanner nodded to her. “Cool. The dumbasses are confused by it.”

  “How many of them?” Kieran asked.

  “About four that we saw. No humans.” Tanner advanced toward them. “Kirk is circling in the trees in cat form.”

  A slightly painful tug along the mating bond drew Kieran’s attention to his mate. She was calling magick, yet it was different than before, more powerful. “Ana?”

  “Everyone needs to leave the area.” When they didn’t move, she growled. “Now.”

  The energy she had raised started to spill over to him, electrifying and hot. He had no idea what she planned to do, but he trusted her enough to listen. “Kirk, let’s go!”

  Once he and Tanner were several yards away from the camp, Kirk jumped out of a nearby tree and shifted. “What the hell is your mate doing?”

  Before Kieran could answer, a bright blue light flashed as a snap of power crackled through the air. The ground shook, throwing them off balance.

  Come on, Ana. Please be okay.

  A few moments passed before she appeared. In two steps, Kieran had grabbed her in a tight hug and buried his nose into her neck. “You scared the shit out of me.”

  “Sorry. I just reacted and didn’t have time to explain.” She pulled back and framed his face. “It’s over. I cleansed the area, too.”

  “Hey, she’s right. I can breathe,” Tanner said. The male stared at Ana for several moments. “What did you do?”

  “I built up power I usually keep a lid on. Doing that caused an electronic wave of energy, like an amped up ball of static, only more powerful.” She glanced between the three of them as if unsure. After a moment, she sagged. “Sable shared her magick, the same power she got from her mother, in order to save my life when I was a teen. She taught me to keep it concealed. Now that I don’t need to, it’s hard to keep it controlled.”

  The last part was something she hadn’t told Kieran. He worked his jaw but didn’t say anything. He’d wait until they were safely at home. “Can you two run clean up?”

  Ana shifted from foot to foot. “Um, there’s nothing to clean up.”

  Tanner threw his head back. “What did you do, blow everything out of existence?”

  She shrugged. “Sort of…”

  Kieran sighed and tugged her into a hug. “I want an explanation later.”

  “Promise me a bubble bath, and I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

  “Deal.” He kissed her, only to break it when Tanner cleared his throat. “Let’s go home. The Alphas are going to want to meet.”

  ****

  Sable eased the cell door open, careful not to alert the mutants standing guard at the end of the hall. Once outside, a wave of power washed through her as if whatever had muted her magick was inside the cell. Extending her hand to hover over the bars, she pressed her lips together. The bars were warded to contain her and her magick.

  Stupid bitch. She’d only known her mother for a few days, and she’d known she hated her within the first few minutes.

  Taking deep, cleansing breaths, Sable didn’t bother to leash her power. No, she’d need it fully online to escape whatever hell-hole her parents were holding her in. She stretched out her senses and was hit with a familiar and painful presence as it brushed against her subconscious. Fuck. Jared.

  She had to get out of there, and fast.

  The dim, dirty stone hallway reeked of rotten meat—the scent the mutants put off since they never showered and hunted for their food. Foul bastards. She made her way down the hall in the opposite direction from the half-human, half-animal creatures.

  The smell of burning wood reached her a moment before an explosion shook the building. What the hell?

  A moment later, booted footsteps came toward her from behind. Glancing over her shoulder, she froze briefly before taking off in the direction she’d been headed. She recognized the male as Hayden Raines, the wolf Marshal of Ashwood Falls.

  “Sable!”

  His voice boomed through the corridor and her heart skipped a beat. Of course, he knew who she was. After all, she was on their most wanted list. Picking up speed, she rounded the corner and ran into a solid wall of muscle. The cinnamon notes filling her senses told her who it was. Her jaguar whimpered and shrank deeper inside her.

  “Let me go, Jared.” Damn it, why did it hurt to speak his name out loud. Steeling her spine and shoving all emotions out of her mind, she jerked back, breaking his hold. Without a thought, she zapped him with a fraction of her power. He growled but stumbled back. She took the small opportunity to make her escape.

  When she reached the door at the end of the hall, she glanced out the small rectangular window. Not seeing or sensing anyone, she pushed it open and eased out into the setting sun. It didn’t take her any time to adjust to the light as she raced across the yard of what she now noticed as a small estate surrounded by cottages. Her cell must have been located in the basement.

  She knew the moment Jared stepped out of the building without turning to look. The damned connection from their mating still existed, only as a whisper. Being this close to him flared a desire she hadn’t felt or been able to sate in the last fifteen years.

  Damn jaguar.

  Not glancing back, she kept running until the group of houses disappeared from sight. Until she no longer felt Jared inside her soul and mind. Only then did she allow herself to stop and drop to the forest floor, letting the tears fall.

  Jared was her heart, her mate. Yet, they could never be mated, ever again.

  ****

  It took Jared several long moments to realize what he’d done. He’d let her go, let her escape from his life. No. She was a fugitive, wanted for crimes against the shifter communities.

  Fuck.

  The moment he had touched her, he was flooded with her memories of the last few years. Nigel growing up and Sable doing all she could to get him, her, and Ana out of the Onyx den. All flashes of pictures and thoughts, but his ability allowed him to piece it together and make a judgment.

  Sable was innocent.

  The acknowledgment slammed into him, gripped his fucking heart, and burned in his veins. He’d been a bastard for believing she was anything like her father.

  Nothing mattered anymore, did it? He’d broken the bond, hurt both of them in the process, and pushed her out of his life. His jaguar paced just under the surface and nudged him to chase her. The man wanted no part of repeating the heartache in case she’d somehow managed to deceive him again.

  The door to the basement he’d exited moments before opened and slammed shut. Hayden stepped up beside him, the male’s scent laced with the sharp notes of anger. “I’m going with the idea that she used her mag
ick on you to escape. Although I don’t see the logic in it.”

  “I will track her down.” Jared started moving, not giving the Marshal any time to respond. Sable was his to hunt and bring in. Besides, he was the only one she’d come to because he had their son.

  Chapter Eighteen

  They didn’t go straight home like Ana would have liked. Instead, they went back to the cabin, both with a sinking feeling that something was off. The dark, heavy power had returned, crawling over her skin like ants.

  “I don’t like this. It feels too much like Savannah,” Kieran growled as they entered the cabin.

  “If it is her, then she set this up from the beginning to lure you in.” Ana fisted her hands. The witch was looking for a fight, and Ana was going to give her one.

  Kieran came up behind her and snaked his arms around her, then pressed his lips to her neck before saying, “We can’t fight her alone.”

  “That’s why I called for backup on the way here.” She twisted in his arms and framed his face. His gold irises glowed with an intensity she’d only seen when they’d fought side-by-side when Ashwood was attacked. “I understand the risks, and I feel your fear. But I’m not going to walk away with a threat hanging over your head or anyone else in my family or Pack.”

  He kissed her, hard and quick. “Then lower the wards around the cabin. There’s not much we can use against her. Bullets would only slow her down.”

  Ana nodded as she stepped out of his embrace. Her mind turned over the information she’d received about Savannah, which wasn’t much. Shit. “Kieran, I don’t like this either. I’m not prepared to face her. I’m not strong enough. She could wipe us all out—”

  In two steps, he stood in front of her, cupping her head. “She would come to the den eventually. I’d rather let her think she’s got us in whatever fucked up trap she’s laid. We have to injure her enough where we can prepare for the next wave in this war.”

  She took a deep breath and released it slowly. He was right. “How much ammo do you have?”

  “I have a few rounds left.”

  Nodding, she absently walked to the door. “It’ll have to do.” When she opened the door, she sagged in relief to see Sable standing against the railing of the porch, staring out into the forest.

  Sable spoke without facing her. “My mother is headed this direction.”

  “We know. Somehow I sense her.”

  “I was counting on that. By sharing my power with you, I shared a small amount of that connection.” Sable turned, tears shone in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  Ana’s chest ached. She drew Sable into a tight hug. “I called for backup. You should leave.”

  Drawing back, Sable smiled weakly and shook her head. “I’m tired of running. Besides, you need my help to fend off the wicked witch.”

  “As an Elder, I can’t speak for you.” Kieran’s soothing voice drew their attention. He held up a hand and continued. “I can only tell them what I witnessed while in Onyx on my assignment.”

  Hope bloomed in Ana’s chest that the sister she’d grown up with might not face the death penalty. Beside her, Sable stiffened. Dread washed over Ana like a hot, heavy blanket, then cooled slightly when she picked up on Jared’s and Haden’s scents.

  Whirling around, Ana descended the steps. “She’s here to help. Savannah is coming.”

  “She’s here.” Sable’s flat tone made Ana freeze for a moment.

  Scanning the woods, Ana stretched her fingers over her gun. Sable stopped beside her and took her free hand, linking their fingers together. Warm, familiar magick traveled from Sable into her and mingled with her own.

  Kieran appeared at Ana’s other side and rolled his neck. “Savannah, show yourself.”

  An evil, humorless laugh echoed around them. Ana’s skin did the creepy-crawly thing again. The witch materialized several yards from them. Her dark hair flowed around her as if it were alive, yet there was no wind blowing. Teal eyes identical to Sable’s glowed with an inner light.

  “Look, dear, I found our girls.” Savannah’s lips lifted in a wicked grin.

  Felix emerged from the trees behind her. “Yes, and their friends.”

  Ana glanced to Sable in question as to why Felix and Savannah spoke like parents about to scold their seven-year-olds. Savannah and Felix were psychotic. Sable didn’t look at Ana, instead, she squeezed her hand and sent her a thought.

  Yes, they are crazy, but use it to your advantage. Use your magick to its full strength, and don’t show them weakness.

  Ana fixed her stare on the witch. No weakness. Can she be killed?

  I’m not sure.

  Twigs snapped and branches cracked. Ana’s heart hammered as she caught the stench of mutants drifting on the air. Damn. They were outnumbered. “Sable.”

  “What do you want, Savannah?” Sable growled.

  The witch flicked her gaze to her daughter. “Revenge on those who imprisoned me and turned my daughter against me. I will get it.”

  Savannah raised her hand, and the mutants charged forward. Ashwood’s sentries appeared out of the trees and other hidden places around them, meeting the creatures halfway. Hayden, Kieran, and Jared joined the cluster of bodies and fists in a battle dance. Gunshots rang out through the forest.

  Sable tightened her grip on Ana’s hand. “Follow my lead.”

  Nodding, Ana focused on Savannah while opening her senses to Sable. White and blue power surrounded them, twining around their bodies. Ana added her own magick to the flow of energy. It strengthened and grew brighter. When she felt Sable push the energy out, Ana did the same.

  Aim it toward Felix.

  Ana didn’t question her sister’s thought. She trusted her.

  Together, they thrust the wall of magick to Felix. The male tried to dart out of the way but he was too slow. The power surrounded him, enclosing him inside a circle.

  “Then there was one,” Sable taunted. Savannah moved to Felix, but Sable stopped her with her words. “I wouldn’t. I could end his life with a thought.”

  Ana held back her surprise. She couldn’t tell if Sable was lying or not. By the way Savannah stopped, Ana wondered if they’d found the witch’s weakness.

  With narrowed eyes, Savannah pointed at Sable. “A mate for a mate.”

  “Who, Jared? Go ahead. You’re smart enough to know that we hate each other.”

  Ana squeezed Sable’s hand, letting her know she felt the lie. She just hoped Savannah didn’t pick up on it, as well.

  “I was talking about Ana’s mate.” Savannah directed her attention to Kieran.

  Ana screamed, broke the connection with Sable and ran to her mate. Kieran met her gaze, glanced at Savannah, then back at Ana. He screamed her name and ran toward her. His face was a mask of terror. Confused, Ana glanced to Savannah and realized her mistake. The witch threw an energy ball at her.

  Kieran grabbed her by the waist and turned her away from the blast. Pain flooded their mating bond. He froze, his eyes round before he went limp in her arms. Ana screamed, “No! Kieran!”

  Tears streamed down her face as she dropped to her knees, holding on to her mate’s lifeless body. Rage replaced fear and fueled her power. Lightning cracked through the sky and the forest grew dark. The wind picked up, and she barely heard Sable yelling at everyone to run.

  Fixing her tear-filled glare on Savannah, Ana sent out a blast of her own, like the one she’d done at the rebel camp earlier. Fire, air, water, and earth collided with the magick in her veins. She gathered it and rolled it into a ball right before thrusting it at Savannah and Felix.

  The blast hit the ground and blew through the forest, wiping out everything in its way. Everything but her targets. The damn coward of a witch teleported her and Felix out of there a split second before the energy field hit where they’d been.

  “This isn’t over, Savannah!” she yelled as she rocked Kieran in her arms.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The ache in her heart numbed to the emptiness in her
soul.

  “I’m so sorry,” Ana whispered as she brushed the hair from Kieran’s forehead. He was alive, barely. Yet, he lay so still on the hospital bed in the Medical Center. It was her fault. If she hadn’t reacted to Savannah’s taunt, he wouldn’t have been hurt. Even in the aftermath of it all, Ana wasn’t sure it had been just a taunt. The witch would have killed them both anyway.

  Dani and Sasha had worked on Kieran for the last few hours with no results. Nothing they tried woke him from the magickally induced sleep.

  “Please, K. Come back to me. I love you.”

  Her vision blurred again, then the tears rolled down her cheeks as the hole in her heart grew. Images of the first time she’d spoken to Kieran filled her mind. It’d been ten years ago as she was setting out on one of her mutant tracking missions.

  “Where are you going, Princess?”

  She rolled her eyes to hide the effect Kieran’s lean, muscular body resting against a tree trunk had on her. His black hair was cut short but still begged for her fingers. “I’m going for a run.”

  He pushed off the tree and advanced toward her. A desire she’d never felt before bloomed deep within her, and she took a step back. Her experience with her father’s soldiers had taught her they couldn’t be trusted. Yet, Kieran seemed different.

  “It isn’t safe to be out alone.”

  She nearly laughed and told him to tell her something she didn’t already know. Instead, she said, “I can take care of myself.”

  When she moved to walk by him, he gripped her arm, pulled her body against his, and kissed her. It wasn’t the hard, lust-hazed kiss she’d expected. No, it was soft and exploratory, like he was savoring her.

  Breaking away out of his hold, she slapped him and ran off.

  More tears fell at the memory. So much time wasted. If only she’d been less naive of Felix’s evil plans. Then what? Would it have mattered?

  The click of boots against the title floor, followed by Sable’s ocean scent, drew Ana’s attention to the door. The sister she’d grown up with, her protector, came to stand next to her seat and peered down at Kieran, an expression of sadness and regret etched into her features.