She’d wanted to come with them, but he’d persuaded her to stay home and let them take care of this last bit of business.
“Ready, brother?” Killian asked now.
“Let’s get this done,” Stray said. They moved through the crowds until they got close. With Killian erasing memories and planting new ones that didn’t include any knowledge of Weres or Dires or anything remotely supernatural, they were able to walk into the first floor of the facility without issue. Stray read their minds, helping Kill to do what he needed to.
You don’t know why you’re here. You’re a peaceful, loving person who accepts differences in all people, species and races. You want to leave here, go home and get a job helping people. You’ll never come back here again, and you don’t believe in wolves, witches, vampires or anything supernatural.
And the trappers were leaving. Weres too. It wouldn’t completely stop the trappers, but it would foil their larger plans for now.
Kill couldn’t erase memories in the minds of Shimmin, Seb or the demons. He couldn’t do it to the ghosts, and unless he and Stray traveled the country constantly in search of trappers, they couldn’t eradicate them all. But for these trappers, it was perfect. And permanent.
“The politicians are possessed—Seb’s lost control of them,” Stray muttered.
“Not our department,” Kill confirmed as they stood alone in the now-empty facility. “Weres are headed back where they belong. These trappers are done.”
“For now. And there are more of them.”
“One thing at a time. There will always be predators and prey. Mortal enemies. The key is balance—too many of one and the natural order’s gone.”
“You don’t want them eradicated?”
“That’s not natural. That’s not what the supernatural world needs.”
He stared at his brother, wondered if Kill had always been this philosophical.
“Brother, there’s nothing unnatural about us.” Killian spoke with such fierce conviction he saw Stray’s eyes go lupine again. “We can make a difference. I don’t care what the prophecy says—I believe in us, not words.”
Stray swallowed hard. “I do, too.”
“Good wolf. Now, let’s get you back so you can talk to your witch.” Killian put a hand on Stray’s shoulder as he walked out.
*
Kill wished he could believe his own words as easily as he’d spoken them, as an older brother protecting a younger one. No matter how powerful and dangerous Stray was, Kill believed he was good. Always had been.
Kill himself was another story, but he hoped his general proximity to his brother would help. He’d lived alone for too long, and he was scared of the thing he’d become when he’d killed his parents. It had saved many, to be sure, but in the future, who knew what it would do? For now he remained both Dire and skinwalker, since he’d already been immortal. But he had no idea how, in the future, the curse would twist inside of him, punish him for a crime that had needed to be committed.
What’s done is done. If the wolves would have him, he would stay. If they told him to leave for the good of all, he would do that too. He knew how to be alone.
Chapter 52
Rifter and Harm buried Jameson and took the others back to the Dire house, including the dead Weres that Liam was responsible for burying himself.
There weren’t as many as there could’ve been. For that, Jinx was grateful.
He didn’t afford his father the same burial rites as Jameson. He allowed Jez to burn him into oblivion on the ground, which was a disgrace, as warriors from that age were supposed to be lit on fire in the water for their funeral pyre.
Finally, when they were done, Jinx turned to the ancient vampire. “It didn’t close.”
“Did you expect it to?”
“I’d fucking hoped.” He paused. He’d known the Dire ghost army wouldn’t go back into purgatory. Hadn’t expected what escaped to, either. But … “If Seb is gone now … Wait a minute. Just stay there and watch me, okay?”
Jez nodded and Jinx closed his eyes and said the prayer from the old country in the ancient language—because if Seb had used it to open purgatory, now that Seb had abandoned his post, everything would reverse and be put right.
“Whatever you’re doing—it’s working,” Jez said quietly, and Jinx simply repeated it, over and over, refusing to open his eyes.
“It’s done, Jinx. It’s done.”
Jinx opened his eyes and saw … nothing. The yowling hole was gone, replaced by grass that looked as though it had never been touched.
But still, what had escaped was out—and it was never going back in. Jinx would have to send whatever freaks escaped back to hell, no matter how hard it was or how long it took him.
He shuddered at the massive responsibility literally thrown over his shoulders, and Jez put a hand out to steady him.
Jez, who was now was all nervous energy, which was odd to see from a deadhead. “This is going to be hell, no pun intended.”
“None taken,” Jinx muttered. “Mind if I stay with you?”
“I was going to insist, wolf. Need to keep an eye on you.”
“Because I’m evil?”
“Because you’re the farthest thing from it.”
*
There was no party, no celebration for what they’d done. It was less because it was business as usual and more about whom they’d just battled.
The Dires had lost their destiny to the wolves they’d slaughtered tonight, and what could’ve been was weighing on their minds more heavily tonight than it had for centuries.
Centuries.
Kate couldn’t wrap her mind around it, or the decision she was trying to make.
She’d written the prophecy down, stared at it, tried to figure out a way they could stay together. Killian had already mentioned leaving and she didn’t want that for the brothers.
If they don’t turn their wrath on each other …
But they’d already done that, and the world survived around them. She was the most dangerous thing for both of them. She had to find a way to release Stray. She’d been searching the grimoire, the Internet, calling to Lila for help with little luck.
“I know what you’re trying to do, Kate.” Killian’s voice came from behind her, and she turned.
“I’m dangerous with both of you. I can pull Stray and he pulls you. I can’t stay.”
“It doesn’t say that.”
“When we’re together proves it,” she said. “And I don’t want you to have to leave again. You’ve sacrificed too much. You should stay with your family.”
“They’re your family too.”
“I don’t know how accepting of a witch they’ll be. Not after Seb.”
“I know why you’re doing it. You think you’re helping him by letting him go.”
“I don’t want him forced to be with me because he’d bound.”
“He wants to be with you. He chose this.”
“He didn’t,” she insisted, but Kill explained. “I can manipulate his memory, Kate. It would hurt, but I could do it. I could make him forget the familiar bond. But he made me swear a blood oath to never, ever do that. He chose you, and for him, that bond is as good as the mating bond he can’t have.”
“He really … did that? For me?” she asked, heard her voice quaver as Kill nodded. “I know Stray can only mate with a wolf.”
“Only a Dire, in accordance with the old ways,” he agreed. “And we don’t give our hearts away that easily. He gave his to you, and he wants to love you, serve you. Protect. And you’re telling him no.”
“I didn’t mean …” She turned immediately to go find the wolf, but then circled back and hugged Killian first. He stiffened, obviously unused to physical contact. “Thanks, Killian. You were always watching out for him, weren’t you?”
Killian glanced at her as if he wanted to crack some wiseass remark, but ultimately, he bit it back. “I wanted to spare him all of this.”
“I think he k
nows that.”
Killian looked hopeful. “I hope so, Kate. All these years, I stayed alone. Lived alone, all to keep Stray’s secrets and to keep him safe.”
“Secrets are never good,” she muttered.
“I hear you, witch,” he said, but witch was spoken as more of a simple endearment, an acknowledgment of what she was rather than a dig. And then he surprised her by saying, “So why haven’t you told my brother that you love him?”
“I thought you couldn’t read minds.”
“It’s written all over your face,” Kill said before he left the room.
It’s written all over your face.
How to tell him?
Don’t run or else I’ll chase you.
As Stray’s words echoed in her head, Kate smiled. And then she ran, out of the house and toward the woods.
Chapter 53
Stray couldn’t control himself once Kate started running. Brother Wolf surged and he fought the shift, instead took off on two legs at a dead run toward her back.
No matter how powerful, Kate wouldn’t be able to outrun him. When she learned she could mimic a shift with witchcraft, she might be able to keep up with him. Until then, he had the upper hand and he’d take it.
Within minutes, he closed the space between them. Another thirty seconds and he was on her, waiting for her to give in and stop. But she wouldn’t, tried to keep the run going.
He snagged her with a hand around her waist, lifting her up and off her feet. He slowed, pushed her to him, stopping moving when he pushed her against a tree.
“You can’t leave me,” he told her. “I don’t want you to.”
“I’ve caused you a lot of trouble.”
“Ditto. That’s behind us, Kate.”
“I can’t go back to who I used to be. I was never that person, anyway. Not since the accident.”
“I like who you are now. You soothe me, and I think I do the same for you.”
He ran a hand along the brand, the electricity sparking between them. It made him hard and her start against him.
“Suppose it’s just magic?” she asked.
“Then hallefuckingllujah for magic,” he murmured. “Why shouldn’t we let it make us happy? Maybe that’s what it’s been there for all along.”
“I hope so.” She nibbled his neck. “I like magic. And I like when you chase me.”
“Like?”
“Love,” she corrected. “From the start, Stray. I think I knew when you first touched the brand that this was meant to be.”
“Me too.”
“But what about the mating? I’m not a wolf. The Elders …”
“I’ll figure something out,” he promised. “But first you have to come back and not leave me ever again.”
“Never,” she swore. “When I met you, everything in my life clicked together for the first time. And you keep talking about being fated. What if that is what this is? I mean, what’s a familiar? Something that protects me. I protect you, too, so I guess I’m yours too. This isn’t a one-sided thing for me. If it’s that way for you, tell me now.”
She barely caught her breath before he was kissing her like he was claiming her. It was brutal and sensuous all at once and she had her answer.
But when he pulled away, he answered anyway. “You mean everything to me. I don’t care what the Elders say. You are mine. My mate.”
“Stray—Brother Wolf—I’m okay. Really. I’m a little scared. I can’t deny that. But I’m going to help people.” She paused, drew in a shaky breath as her fingers dug into his shoulders, like she was drawing strength from him. “I’m just so sorry. You shouldn’t have to be bound again. Not to me, not after the way you grew up.”
He jerked his head up to stare at her. Brother Wolf’s eyes were Stray’s—they inhabited different forms but they were the same.
Stray was all wolf. Animal. And still, somehow, she knew he was the best man she’d ever known.
“I tried to let you go. I’d do anything to make you happy, especially after everything you’ve done for me. Anything.”
“I don’t want you to get rid of me,” Stray whispered.
She turned, buried her face in his chest. “I know what you did for me—with Kill. He told me about the blood oath.”
He didn’t sound upset when he told her, “Kate, we’re bonded. In a way that’s past being a familiar. In a way the familiar bond can’t touch.”
She looked up at him. “What do you mean?”
“We’ve … you bring out my mating instincts. And I’m only able to mate with another Dire, so I don’t understand it.”
“It’s the magic.” Her face fell.
“There’s no way you could manipulate my mating instincts,” Stray told her. “I can’t be spelled.”
“So what are you saying? This is meant to be?”
Stray swallowed hard. “My king … Rifter … when he felt … fated to Gwen, things happened. Strange things. And if we can’t be mated in the traditional way, I still won’t let you go. Can’t.”
*
First Stray went to his king and brothers and Gwen. Gathered them around the old oak table without Kill or Kate, because he didn’t want to expose her to everything just yet. Not until he figured out some things.
“I think you all know how I feel about Kate, that I love her. She’s my mate. And she’s a witch. I need to make sure you’re okay with that.” Stray looked to Rifter first.
“She fought with us—for us. In my eyes, she’s every bit Dire,” Rifter said.
“Gotta hope the Elders feel the same,” Vice muttered. “I agree with Rifter. I’ll call Jinx, but I think his answer will be the same.”
Around the table, Gwen, Harm, Liam and the twins all nodded their agreement.
“Now, about the Elders,” Stray started.
“It’s not going to be an easy pitch,” Rifter said.
“When we were only exposed to other Dires, it wasn’t a problem. How can we be expected to not fall in love with others?” Stray asked.
“Because we never had before,” Vice said simply. “Thousands of years and we’ve never found anyone to be our fated, our mate. And suddenly it’s going to happen?”
“Maybe it’s because of the Elders?” Rifter suggested.
“Why now?” Vice asked.
“Because they need us. More of us—solidarity to fight to keep humans safe,” Rifter said.
“Are humans really safe from us?” Vice asked.
“She’s technically—”
“Witch.”
“Immortal,” Stray corrected. “And she’s all fucking mine.”
“Yeah, but are you hers?” Vice asked. “What? I like to ask the hard questions.”
“Yes, I am. She’s keeping her powers. We’re staying bonded.”
“But, dude, she’s not a wolf,” the ever-helpful Vice pointed out. “What’s she going to shift to? An orgasmic woman?”
“Don’t care—she’s all mine,” Stray said stubbornly, noting Rifter couldn’t argue with him—how could he, when he’d been in nearly the same position. He wouldn’t have given up Gwen for anything. And if the Elders hadn’t intervened, he would’ve lost her last year.
“And I’d also like my brother to stay as well, despite the prophecy,” Stray added, held his breath as Rifter deliberated.
“I think Killian can stay here. Should stay here. I’d feel better if he was under our watch because of his powers,” Rifter said. “Granted, I feel better when we’re all here under one another’s watch. We all have our foibles, Stray.”
“Thank you, Rifter.”
“Stray, with Kate, ask Eydis, not all the Elders,” Vice said.
“You act like you know her personally. Has she done favors for you or something?” Stray asked.
“Just ask. Go to the oak tree in the middle of the woods that was split by lightning. She favors that tree,” Vice said, got up and left before Stray could ask any other questions. Rifter looked as in the dark as Stray was, but there wasn�
�t time to figure it out.
Vice tended to give good council—Stray wouldn’t waste it.
*
Stray waited until dark, left the house alone and went to the tree Vice told him about. The oak was massive, thousands of years old, split clean down the middle by lightning, and still somehow both pieces stood, healthy and ramrod straight. The tree bloomed every spring and stayed lush and green until winter.
Now it was barren, but the bark was dark and healthy. He stared up at the sky with his hand on the tree.
“Eydis, I implore your help,” he began. “It’s about Kate.”
“Speak, wolf.”
She was behind him. He turned, expecting the imminent shift, or to see the other three Elders with her, but none of that happened. “You need to be in this form to communicate your wishes to me, correct?”
“Yes.” Stray bowed his head out of respect and then continued. “I wanted to come here to ask for something. I love Kate. She is my mate, wolf or no wolf—and I know she feels the same.”
“You want me to allow you to be with her?”
“Yes. But I know, most of all, that she wants to be rid of her power. If there’s a way she can have that, even if she remains human and lives a human lifespan, I would wish that for her instead.”
When he looked up after a long silence, Eydis was watching him closely. “And you think I have this kind of power.”
“Yes.”
“I can’t change a future.”
“You can, but you won’t,” he ground out.
“Watch your tone, wolf, or I’ll shift you,” Eydis’s voice was soft but steely, and he didn’t want Brother Wolf to do this. No, this was Stray’s thing.
“Apologies.”
“The only way something like this works is a life for a life. And you cannot give yours.”
“There must be a way.”
“The way is to accept your destiny.”
He stared at her. “Like the prophecy. If I stay with my brother …”
“If you’d stayed with him,” she intoned. “You changed the course of history. You did this. You cannot outrun it again.”
It was like a gunshot to the chest. He sank to his knees as Brother Wolf took over … and then he ran, away from Eydis, from the fact that seventy-five years ago, he’d set all of this in motion and somehow contributed to Kate being what she was now.
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