* * * *
Light was coming over the horizon, daylight was upon them and Dji knew he’d need to be prepared. He had people to protect and it was about time he did something other than kill people.
He would never be able to forget what Dmitri had done while in possession of his body. Dji had much to atone for, but right now he had to get his mate out of this situation before the shaman did something stupid. All he could do now was gather what strength he could, so he was ready when the others arrived.
It was the first time in a long time he felt useful. He kept to himself, not expending his energy. Dji would be ready.
He dozed off and on and saw the unbelievable. His brother Baakir was leading Zareb and Joy into the tribe. It looked like they were bound together and the two were led to the poles where he and Ive were tied. This couldn’t be good. How were they caught in the trap? He’d warned Joy this would happen. It couldn’t end like this. Anger welled inside him. He didn’t want to be a puppet any longer.
“I’m going to untie you. Can you stand?” Zareb spoke, but his lips didn’t move.
Dji gave a slight nod that he understood. Zareb worked at the ropes on his hands and soon he was free.
“Joy said that two others from the Masters’ tribe are here somewhere. Be on the lookout for them. Kir is with us.”
“Not possible.”
“It is. How do you think I ended up unbound and able to untie you? We’ve spoken and he is coming back with us. Be prepared because things might go a little crazy in a minute.”
The shaman walked up to them looking entirely too pleased with himself. Kir wasn’t far behind. The shaman spared a glance for Ive and Joy and it seemed as if they were to be untied as well. Things were looking up, but how were they going to escape this mess?
It was his fault. If he’d been more with it after the plane crash he could have prevented their capture.
“What have we here? Kir says he has the Vessel. If that is the case I no longer need any of you—not your souls anyway. Djimon, I’m sure Dmitri is ready to come home now. What do you think?” the shaman taunted.
That was the last straw. The energy burned hot inside him. Dji rose up and up, his feet no longer on the ground, and he snarled. He held his hand in front of him and released lightning into the shaman. He would not allow his body to be possessed again. He was stronger than that now and had a few of Dmitri’s tricks up his sleeve. His soul hadn’t always been dormant when Dmitri was in control. He supposed he could thank the spirit for that at least.
Ive came towards him and so did Zareb. One stood on each side of him. They spoke to him, but he didn’t hear. He released more lightning, rocking the camp with explosions. He wasn’t even aiming anymore.
It finally sunk in that everyone was safe and it was time for him to stop. Zareb and Ive had got through to him. The shaman was destroyed, as was half of the tribe.
“We’re fine. Zareb said the Vessel has been destroyed. It’s over. You’re done now, right?” Ive was stroking his arm. It was soothing in a way nothing had been in a very long time.
Dji dropped to the ground and sobs racked his body. It was a release that he’d needed for a very long time. The possession and the atrocities Dmitri had committed while in his body. The loss of control and the guilt that never seemed to go away. It pressed in tight and the only way to let go was through tears. He’d killed again. He was a monster and deserved to be put down.
He vaguely heard Ive tell Joy the situation was under control as she tried to comfort him. Zareb was still there, too, and he calmed down. He wasn’t going back. There was more talk about the camp, but Dji closed his eyes and focused on getting himself completely under control. The power surge was draining. He didn’t notice when Ive left, but Zareb didn’t leave his side.
“We’re going to take you to the place where we buried the Vessel so you can see for yourself that the evil is so far under no one can get to it. I think it’ll help you feel whole again, brother. And it’s going to be better, Dji, once we get back to America. I promise you.”
Some of the fog he’d been under was lifting. He didn’t fully believe that things would magically be okay once they left Africa, but it might be a start. When he got back he’d have to decide what he wanted to do. It might be best if he left and sequestered himself from people. Maybe he’d live fully as his cat, but he wasn’t making any decisions while he wasn’t yet fully functional.
He began to pace the camp and wondered when they could start moving to the place where the Vessel was buried. They should go now. There was no need to wait. Ive came out of the bush looking fresh and a bit happy. She walked right up to him.
“It’ll be fine, my mate. Let me help and things will be okay.”
She smelt heavenly and he must smell horrid.
“We’re going to bathe. I think we’ll all feel better.” Zareb gestured for Dji to follow him.
Not really having much choice, he went. If he’d known where the site was he’d have started off there and then. He might stink, but it was better to have the evil in a place no one would find it again.
The women had left the soap on a rock by the edge of the water. Dji didn’t spend much time bathing, his mind on other things. Like how it would feel to finally be completely free and live his life. He remembered a time when he’d been happy. He’d been ready to be a protector of his tribe and do the right thing. The song from the Vessel had been too strong and he’d opened it only to lose his life. There was no other way to explain being awake and not able to control your body. To go against everything he’d ever been taught. He’d tried time and again to wrestle control away, but Dmitri had always been too strong. It had taken another shifter’s mate to bring him back to the world of the living. Something he’d never have been able to do for himself.
Zareb brought him out of his thoughts by tapping his shoulder. It was then that Dji noticed the other two men in the water with them. He wondered who they were, but didn’t have time to question them. It was time to be done with the Vessel.
They made a formation with his brother, Kir taking the lead. The two unknowns were in front of him, with Zareb and Joy taking the rear position.
“Ive—who are those two men?” There was time now that the trek had begun.
“The small redhead is my twin, Greycen, and the other is his mate, Peter.”
“Two men?”
“Yes, that isn’t a problem, is it?”
Ive bristled. Dji didn’t think he’d ever seen that before. His mate was usually so calm and in charge.
“No. I’ve just never seen it before.”
He really didn’t care. It was an oddity to him, nothing more. Fate put mates together and, if the Ancients decreed it so, who was he to make judgement? He was weak and he stumbled. Ive came closer to support him. The power he’d used was a little too much for the state he’d been in. He hated feeling weak.
The man Ive had said was her brother fell back to help, supporting his other side. He could see the resemblance now. Peter, Greycen’s mate, kept looking back to check on them. He hoped he could have that with Ive, but he was beginning to think that having a mate was lost to him. He had too much to do to redeem himself.
Chapter Six
Grey was ready for this nightmare of a mission to be over. They were all tired and Pete wasn’t talking to him, again. After they’d woken up, they’d headed in the direction the necklace had indicated. Pete was as surly as ever, like the night before hadn’t happened. It broke Grey’s heart. It was as if they’d taken one step forward, then two back. He was beginning to think he would have to go home to his den. He didn’t want to live with the other foxes. He wanted to stay with the wolves and his mate, but seeing Pete day in and day out without being able to touch him would kill him.
He’d caught Pete looking back at him a few times as if checking on him, but, every time Grey had managed to catch his gaze, Pete would turn back around. Grey couldn’t take it anymore. For now he’d let it drop. He wasn
’t the type to give in easily, but Pete wore him down. They’d worked well together when they’d reached the camp. Then Dji had gone crazy and all hell had broken loose. They hadn’t even been needed so it was a waste of effort on their part. If they’d had more time to work as a team—maybe Pete would be walking beside him, not in front of him.
The only thing they were good for was a ride home. And would he even be going home? He wanted to talk to his sister, but she’d been so preoccupied with her mate she hadn’t even had time to say ‘hi’. He was just relieved to see her alive.
“How’re you doing, Ive?”
“I’m good as I can be, Grey. Thank you for coming.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else. Had to pull your butt out of the fire—again.” Grey managed a small smile.
“This is true.”
Dji moaned between them and stumbled again. He was too weak. That was the only reason the group had forgone shifting to make the journey quicker. Grey hoped it wasn’t much longer. The big guy was heavy, even with Ive supporting some of his weight.
“You weren’t hurt too bad, were you?” He was worried about his sister, but knew not to baby her. She was a strong protector and he was proud of her.
“It’ll take more than a slap or two to bring me down, but I think I should ask how bad you’re hurt.” Ive gave him ‘the look’. The one that said she thought she knew more than she did. He’d hated seeing that growing up.
“I’ll be fine.” Grey spared a glance ahead to see Pete looking back. He gave him a wink and was surprised. Pete actually smiled back at him before the frown returned.
“Sure you will. You’re mated, aren’t you? Yet he still keeps his distance?”
“And you aren’t mated—what’s up with that?” He wanted to shift the conversation away from him.
By now, after their night together he and Pete had, the two of them should be in a better place.
“We have a few issues to get through before Dji and I can get to that.” Ive rolled her eyes.
“I’m sorry, my mate.” Dji injected.
Grey hadn’t realised he was fully conscious. Ive must not have noticed either because she jerked just a little. If someone didn’t know her, they wouldn’t have seen it. She was quick to put her ice mask back in place. The one she showed the world to hide her emotions. Something he’d never developed.
“No need to apologise. We’ll get to that technicality when we get to America and the Master’s compound.” Ive assured Dji and the other shifter went back to his almost catatonic state.
“That’s another thing—we shouldn’t have bonded. Pete and I. We didn’t do the ritual.”
He didn’t know what was worse—feeling Pete’s emotions or never knowing they existed. For all his standoffishness, Pete yearned for him, so now he not only felt his own ache, but Pete’s too. Sometimes life sucked.
Dji spoke up again, “It’s the magic of our native land. When you’re here, you don’t need the words, just a bite between soulmates and you are joined—well, and the sex. If you have those two things—the mating is complete.”
Grey was going to have to watch what he said—obviously Dji was paying more attention than he let on. But that was good to know. Fate hadn’t only given him a mate who didn’t believe he deserved one, but it had also fucked him over by mating them before Pete was ready. Behind that ache, Pete was freaking out something awful. Grey wanted to know more about Pete’s family. They’d royally screwed him over and, if Grey had his way, he’d kill them all for making his fearless mate doubt himself.
“We are here,” Kir announced.
Grey stopped and let go of his sister’s mate. Their talk had made the trek pass faster than he had expected. It was almost time to leave and he couldn’t wait to see that plane, even though it meant another long flight. When he got to the Masters’ pack house he’d sleep for a day—if Pete let him. Hopefully together, in a nice big bed they’d both fit in. A guy could dream.
* * * *
“I think it best if Dji, Kir and I enter the circle together. The rest of you wait here. We’ll only be a moment. Then we can head for the plane.” Zareb came to take Ive’s place at Dji’s side, Kir on the other, both supporting him.
They stopped and allowed Dji to sit right on top of the spot where Joy and Zareb had buried the Vessel. It was stronger than he’d expected it to be.
“I can feel the evil,” Dji said in a defeated tone.
He was tired of being the Vessel’s bitch. Dmitri’s soul was trapped below the Earth in a sealed container. He should’ve been elated, but he could still feel the anger and hatred below.
“You may feel it, but it is contained. I think the only reason you sense it is because it was a part of you for so long. Even now, the vibrations are weaker than they were when Joy and I buried it. The magic we used was strong.” Zareb tried to reassure him.
“Someone will have to come back and check on this spot from time to time to make sure. No one should have to live through what I did.” That was something Dji would insist on.
Being trapped in your own body wasn’t something he’d wish on his worst enemy.
“I agree. I will talk with Russ when we return. I think we all could use some downtime. Kir should settle in and you need time to adjust.”
“I need to—” Dji bowed his head and placed his hands on the ground. He began to chant, using some of his own magic to help seal the spot. It flowed through him.
It was almost too much for his body in its weakened state, but it had to be done. He slumped over, but righted himself. Not needing any help, he stood. For the first time in weeks, Dji began to have some hope.
“It should have been me,” Zareb whispered.
“No, my brother. It was as it was meant to be.” And, in his heart, he knew that it was his destiny. It was horrible, but true.
“You were the serious one—the man whom the tribe looked up to. I was the joker, the one who tempted you into all the trouble.”
Dji put a hand on Zareb’s shoulder to offer a little comfort.
“Do you not see? That’s why we were perfect to be guardians together. It was a balance.”
“How can you forgive me?” Zareb looked more dejected than Dji had ever remembered seeing him. He was not the same carefree man from Dji’s past.
“It wasn’t your fault and you need to forgive yourself. Our paths are once again in line.”
“I see you are feeling more like yourself. It is good to have you back.” Zareb hugged Dji close.
“We should go now. I’m sure the others are getting impatient to leave,” Kir broke in.
“It’s good to be back. I’m ready to get to know who I am again and it seems, along the way, I have acquired a mate.” The fog was all but gone.
He was a bit tired, but this was the him he remembered. The guilt still hovered on the edge of his consciousness, but he put it on the back burner.
Zareb threw back his head and laughed.
“Yes, you have, as have I. Now we have to get Kir squared away and life will be good.”
“That is not nice. I am fine without a mate. I am just happy the evil is buried and gone. Too long have we wallowed in misery.” Kir slapped him on the back.
The three left the clearing and went to join the others. It was almost as if they were in the past again. Brothers in spirit, if not blood. The newness washed over him when they reached the others and he finally got a good look at his mate. She was beautiful. She had long red hair and creamy white skin with the deepest blue eyes he’d ever seen. She was taller than most, and strong. She deserved better than him.
They walked to the plane in the same order as they’d come to the circle. Dji was a little rejuvenated and he was able to walk on his own.
“Ive, are you originally from the Master’s pack?”
They knew so little of each other. Maybe they could chat. Not that it mattered, they were fated to be together. All they had to do was complete the bond. Ive smelt wonderful, like freshly cut
grass on a spring day. He was becoming aroused for the first time in a long time. His mind screamed mate, and his body wanted to act on it.
“No. I’m a fox shifter. I was a protector to the princess of our den and a vision led us both to the Masters pack. Her mate is the alpha, Russ. I knew I had to help you. You needed me and I was there.” Ive shrugged.
Just like that, she’d given up her life to search for him and he’d been an empty shell until now. Things could have gone so differently.
“The fog is just lifting—things have been unclear for such a long time.”
“That’s why I’m here, to help. I am your other half.” Ive winked at him.
“I don’t even know who I am anymore.”
“We’ll figure it out together. We have time. There’s no rush.” Ive squeezed his arm and they continued to walk. “What is the first thing you want to do when we reach the pack house?” Ive wanted to know.
“I—I’ve got no idea. I guess find out if I’m even welcome. I did a lot of bad things as Dmitri.”
“But they know you weren’t yourself. You and Dmitri were never the same person and you helped save Valerie when Dmitri kidnapped her. Do you think she would have escaped if you hadn’t taken over your body? You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. You just didn’t have the need to push Dmitri out.”
She had so much confidence in him. More than he had in himself. They reached the plane before he was ready. He was enjoying talking to Ive and there was still so much to discover. They did have a long flight, but he was tired and needed a nap to help gain his strength. A good meal wouldn’t hurt, either.
He wondered again how much of a welcome he would really receive. He didn’t remember much of his time at the pack house after Dmitri was expelled from his body. His whole life had been one big fog. Now he needed to break out of it.
Redemption Page 4
