by India Kells
Violet scoffed. “And now you want to participate?”
“I’ve participated since the beginning. Once more you seem to require my services, witch, so I wouldn’t complain if I were you.”
Violet was about to open her mouth to spew at him some more when Sera lifted her hands.
“Please, Violet. Thank you for your help, Finn. I know you’re sticking your neck out for us as you’re Soren’s friend. I really appreciate it, but I wouldn’t want to jeopardize your friendship.”
The vampire’s expression became more serious. “Don’t worry, Sera. It won’t. I’ll certainly act as a buffer, but remember that you can’t force Soren to do anything he doesn’t want to do.”
Violet laughed. “And that’s a trait Valeria shares with him, alright.”
A piece of bread flew across the table and plopped into Violet’s coffee.
“Oh, very mature, Valeria.”
Sera laughed and shook her head. “Well, too bad Soren doesn’t have Valeria’s sense of humor. Unless it suddenly appeared since the last time I saw him. But after reflection, I think I’ll take up Finn’s offer. You’re barely on talking terms with Soren, Valeria. And there’s a risk that this little visit will turn south quickly.”
“Well, the more reason for me to be there.”
“I don’t agree. I think it should be Finn and me.” Sera hesitated for a second, making Ian’s eyes burn. “And Ian if he wants to come.”
She had been tempted to protect him and ask him to stay back, but Sera suspected the werewolf wouldn’t take it well. What made her hesitate was the fact that Ian was a shifter and subjected strongly to Soren’s power. Finn and she had more latitude. Not that much, but at least enough to escape unscathed.
Instead of answering, Ian looked at her. His eyes scorching. “Do you really think I would stay back? That’s why you’re offering me the choice to opt out?”
Sera swallowed. “We’re going to see, and maybe confront, Soren Racovan who is the representative of all shifters at the High Council and who has power to hurt you. You are a shifter, of course I’m thinking about your safety. What’s wrong with that?”
His answer hissed through his clenched teeth. “I’m going with you. I’m not leaving you and risking something happening to you.”
“Hey! I have powers, give me credit here, wolf! I can protect her.”
Ian turned his glowing amber eyes to the vampire. “And if you decide that your friendship with Racovan is worth more than her life and well-being?”
In an instant, the easy-going vampire was gone. Fangs out, Finn moved so fast, it was like a blur. One fist circled Ian’s neck and almost lifted him off his feet. But Ian snarled and mimicked his posture, his fingers elongating into mean-looking claws around Finn’s neck.
“Boys! Down!” Valeria’s voice snapped in the kitchen as Sera jumped to her feet, followed by Violet. Both men ignored them.
“You think I would sacrifice her for my own interest? Look at you? Seducing her, even if you can’t make her your mate. What kind of life awaits her?”
The sound that came out of Ian’s mouth made Sera freeze in place. They were on the verge of tearing at each other’s throat if nothing was done.
“What’s between Sera and I is none of your business, bloodsucker.”
“It is, because I care about her.”
“You fucking bastard!” Ian leaped forward, crushing the vampire onto the wall, making the house tremble. “You touch one hair of her head...”
“Not like that, you stupid animal! Think without your dick if you’re capable.”
Hormones escalated even more when Finn grabbed Ian and swung him toward the living room. Sera stopped Finn before he advanced. “Finn, please.”
She barely had time to speak before the familiar sound of shifting came from behind her. Cursing herself, Sera should have been smarter than touching Finn. Now Ian’s wolf was out for blood.
Sera didn’t think, just reacted. As the wolf leaped, she raised her hands and magically blocked him. It was as if she suspended his leap in mid-air and then released him onto his feet. Not trusting that he wouldn’t attack again, she placed herself between the vampire and the wolf. Violet increased the barrier by keeping Finn from attacking again. One quick look back confirmed that their tactic worked. As Violet was looking at Finn, a hand on his chest, his fangs receded, his expression still angry, but with a little more control.
Sera turned her attention to the black wolf before her. His teeth were out, but she wasn’t scared. Ian was obviously displeased with how she placed herself between him and his target. Well, it couldn’t be helped.
“Can you please change back so we can have some sort of coherent and intelligent conversation instead of a possible blood bath?”
Ian’s gaze moved to Finn for an instant before he started shifting back into human form. As he changed, Sera summoned clothing for him, so he wouldn’t flash everybody in the kitchen.
Sera put a hand on Ian’s chest as the man took a step in Finn’s direction.
“I swear if you...”
“Get over it, wolf. If I wanted her, I would already have had her.”
Sera rolled her eyes at his cocky statement. “Yeah, right. I have absolutely no say in the matter. Excuse me.”
At her reply, Finn’s humor returned. “You know, I have money, and you’re absolutely the type to go after that.”
Violet slapped him on the chest before cursing under her breath and walking back to the table.
Ian breathed and relaxed under her touch. Stroking a little between his pectorals, she finally removed her hand.
“Please try not to destroy this kitchen or Asher will have a fit when he comes back.” Sera knew Valeria was only half-joking.
And Sera agreed with her friend. “Listen, I would rather get to Soren earlier than not. Will you both be able to behave or do I have to leave you boneheads behind?”
Finn was already reverting to his usual grin. However, it took a few more seconds for Ian to answer in a steadier, more normal voice.
“For your sake, I will.”
It was all she needed to hear. “Well then, I guess it’s my turn to create a portal. And I better not play babysitter. Be warned.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ian tried to keep his stomach steady as he stepped out of the portal Sera had created. This time, it seemed a little bit easier. Or he was trying very hard to convince himself of it. But maybe not as hard as Sera had to work to convince Violet to stay behind. The red-headed witch was very opposed, but he understood why Sera had decided on a small party. Two witches would appear as show of power, and with members of the High Council, that was a big no-no.
When his vision steadied, Ian took account of his surroundings. A cabin in the woods. Large, but rudimentary. They seem to be in the mountains and still in a place covered with snow. However, there was no visible neighbor or town nearby. His nose immediately caught the dragon scent coming from the kitchen area.
There, at the stove, was Soren Racovan, one of the rare weredragons, head of the shifters at the High Council. Every cell in his wolf attuned with him. He was way beyond an Alpha such as Asher; he was the head of all of them, commanding complete and utter respect and obedience. This simple knowledge battled with the one of keeping Sera safe. Would he be able to do both?
Ian inched closer to Sera who exchanged a silent glance with Finn. The vampire shrugged and took a step. “Hey Soren. What’s cooking?”
The weredragon dressed in a red flannel shirt didn’t even turn. “Finn, you have the rare gift of bringing guests when you know specifically that I don’t like having any.”
“Come one, Soren. Last time I brought you your long-lost daughter.”
Soren turned, bringing his fuming skillet with him, placing it on the island between them. His brown hair was tied in a short ponytail and his golden shimmering eyes, so similar to Valeria’s, looked at them. His mouth, partly hidden by a thick beard, was anything but smiling.
“You’re bringing me another long-lost daughter? Because that other one is a male and a werewolf through and through.”
“We are not related, Mr. Racovan.” Sera took a step toward the mighty shifter, and Ian stayed close, ready for anything. “I’m here because I hope you can help me. Don’t be angry at Finn, he only offered me the opportunity to meet you.”
Back at his cooking, Racovan seemed to cut vegetables for a salad. “I always get angry at Finnegan, he has a talent for that, as I’m sure you have noticed, witch. And I’m not in the mood to bestow any favor, so you can leave and continue to breathe.”
Ian knew the threat was real, he could feel it in his bones. However, Sera, as usual, had a mind of her own.
“If I want to continue to breathe, it’s your help that I need. Something is after me, something otherworldly, and in order to defeat it, I need to know what it is.”
Ian didn’t blink at Sera’s half-truth. It was wise not to completely trust Racovan’s intent. He may have heard about the Olympian rule, and having a vengeful weredragon after them was the last thing they needed.
Still the powerful man didn’t even blink. “Do your research.”
“That’s exactly what I did, and still I have no answers. I’ve asked people of knowledge and still nothing. I need access to the High Council library.”
At least that caught Racovan’s attention as he looked up again and dropped his cutting knife on his board. Putting both hands flat on the counter, he seemed to expand before their own eyes. Ian stood his ground when everything in him screamed at him to bow and bare his neck.
“Nobody apart from the High Council can access the library.”
“I know. But I need it. So I’m asking, pleading with you to give me access.”
Pushing himself away, he looked at the three of them and shook his head.
“No.”
This time, Finn spoke. “Soren, it’s important. I swear. You have to help.”
“I don’t have to do anything!” The mighty growl made Sera take a step back. Ian reacted and pushed her behind him as protection. His gesture didn’t go unnoticed.
“Wolf, why would you care about the fate of this witch?”
A fight was now battling inside him, between his natural instinct and his heart.
“I care about her.” The words were an understatement and one he hoped would end the discussion. Unfortunately, the predator in Racovan had awakened.
“I smell her all over you. You know you can’t lie with other species. How dare you defy my rule.”
Ian only had time to push Sera into Finn’s arms before falling to his knees as Racovan came to him.
The sheer power of the weredragon was pulsating in painful waves throughout his body.
“Do you deny it?”
“I don’t deny anything, Alpha.” And he knew his next words would seal his fate. “I love her.”
His body moved before his brain could even register the movement. Sera screamed but he didn’t dare look at her, trying to protect her from the wrath before her at any cost. He was now plastered against an unyielding wooden wall, a deadly fist around his neck. Choking, Ian didn’t think his feet were touching the ground. And still, he was unable to retaliate or defend himself. The head of the shifters had his life in his hand, literally, and he couldn’t do anything but bow to his fate.
“You will abide by the rules, wolf, or your life ends here.”
Sera screamed but Ian forced himself to keep his eyes bowed, praying that Finn would keep her safe.
Racovan loosened his grip enough to allow air to pass, and probably to hear his submission, but in his heart and soul, he couldn’t lie. Even if she could never be his true mate, everything that he was, the wolf and the man, had already surrendered their heart to the witch.
“I see that you are lost to us, wolf. So, for your decision and according to our laws, you must pay the price and accept your fate.”
Again, the fist tightened. Ian saw stars and knew his end was near. He heard Sera’s voice without understanding the words, but he was glad.
And as he thought his life was slipping away, the contact was broken. Slipping to the floor, heaving to catch his breath, it was the light that caught his attention.
At first, he thought of a fire or sunlight, but when he could finally lift his head, Ian blinked at what was before him. Sera.
Sera was standing between him and Racovan, her arms raised as a warrior, emitting a glow similar to sunlight. It was almost blinding. Ian looked to his right, and saw Finn on his knees, trying to shield himself from the light.
Racovan moved back again from her as she advanced. The weredragon was definitely more curious than afraid.
“Don’t you dare hurt him! Ian has been kind, trying to protect me and that’s how you treat him?”
“What are you?” The weredragon looked astonished, trying to figure out what was before him.
At his question, Sera seemed to realize that she had let a part of her show that she shouldn’t have. The light dimmed and completely vanished. Hesitating at first, she looked at her hands, probably trying to figure out what had just come out of her.
Ian pushed himself up, using the wall, and Finn seemed to need a few minutes more. Racovan never looked away from her, maybe waiting for another trick.
Ignoring the weredragon, Sera turned to him. She was shaking badly, but ignored it as she cupped his cheeks with her cold hands. “Are you okay?” Her hand skimmed over his neck, a bruise was probably blossoming there, but he didn’t care. The threat wasn’t completely gone.
“We should go.” His voice sounded like he had a bad cold, deep and raw.
He saw her hesitate, as if the possibility of fleeing this scene, or leaving Racovan behind, was the best option. Her hesitation didn’t last long. Once more she turned and walked to Racovan.
“That’s why I need your help. Because of me. Because of who I am. I’m part witch. It’s the other half that needs help. I’m part... goddess. My father is a god. And some sort of power is after me because my father couldn’t keep it in his pants. Every one of them may think otherwise, but I want to live. I want to find a way to still breathe tomorrow and not be threatened by monsters. I want my friends to be safe too. And one of my dearest friend is your daughter, Valeria. That’s why I need access to the library. I was told that I will find answers there. A loophole that will end all this.”
Racovan’s face was impassive, probably processing everything she had just said. For a long moment, it was like a face off, giving Ian the time to steady himself and come closer to Sera. Finn was doing the same, looking paler than ever, but a fierce look on his face which reassured Ian somehow.
The impassive look of the weredragon turned curious. His head angled. “You are Layla’s niece?”
Sera nodded, not knowing yet if it was something good or bad. “How did you know?”
Soren sighed, racking a hand through his thick brown hair, releasing it from its band. It fell around his face, giving him an even more youthful look. Ian knew that weredragons lived even longer than most shifters, and the rumors made him a couple of centuries old, although he appeared only forty in human years.
“Let’s just say I put two and two together. I may be old but I’m not senile. Damn! On top of everything else, now we have to deal with dumbass Olympians.”
Sera turned to Ian and he could see relief in her pale eyes. At least, the dragon’s temper had cooled a bit.
Finn rubbed his neck. “So you know about Sera? And who her father is?”
Soren arched an eyebrow. “I guess that, if you’re here, it’s because Layla told you everything.”
Sera shook her head. “No, she revealed who my biological father is, and how she helped to protect me. She related that someone helped her gain access to the library, but it was someone else who pushed us in this direction.”
“Who?”
“My aunt.”
“Artemis? Hell. So she knows too. This can’t be g
ood. Did she appear to you?”
“Well, I spoke with her. But as I didn’t regain part of my eyesight until later, I can’t visually describe her. I only heard her voice. And while she was there, only I was aware of her presence.”
Soren nodded. “Very few can completely hide their presence from shifters. Gods are one of them.”
Ian risked himself by asking a question. “Were you also the one saving Sera from the attacker that killed her parents. Layla referred to ‘calling in a favor’, having someone protect Sera as she couldn’t do it herself.”
Soren’s golden gaze burned on him for an instant before settling once more. “Yes. But I arrived too late to save them. I’m sorry, witch. I could only save you.”
Sera swallowed but stayed stoic. “What or who attacked?”
“I can’t be sure, but it was someone who didn’t fear the dragon in me, which means trouble.”
“Only trouble?” Finn’s question had a definite sarcastic undertone.
“It’s difficult to kill a dragon. No, I don’t know because it moved and acted much like a shadow.”
Ian exchanged a glance with Sera and Finn. “Maybe it was the same shadow that pursued us.”
Sera seemed to consider it. “Artemis told me that she had sent one of her handmaidens to protect me too. Aggie, her name was.”
Ian frowned. “And what kind of protection did she offer you? You risked your life along the way. She didn’t even intervene when we were attacked by those icicles!”
Soren laughed derisively. “They are not a selfless bunch. If that handmaiden had been assigned to protect Sera, if she hadn’t been in direct danger, there is no way she would have intervened to help any other collaterals.”
Ian thought of Patricia and it made him even madder as she was still in a coma. “So we can’t count on them.”
Soren didn’t seem convinced. “I wouldn’t put my life in their hands if I were you. But now, if those divine asses are aware of your existence, witch, there’s not much you can do about it.”
Ian clenched his teeth. “So that’s your best answer? Roll away and wait to die?”
