Summer Shifter Nights

by Harmony Raines

  My last thought was of the black wolf and his sky blue eyes.

  7

  The blow on my head forced me under. Spikes drove into the back of my neck. Coen’s teeth sank deep into the ruff of fur around my throat. Small rocks cracked like gunfire as his huge paws dug in, and his powerful haunches bunched against my side. He dragged me, inch by inch, up the stone face. My black and white world darkened to nothing.

  There was nothing I could do to help Drake now. I couldn’t even help myself.

  I slumped against the rock. Coen rode the fall as we tumbled together. My back arched. The salty scent of my own blood followed the warm trickle. My face was shoved against the stone, until I could no longer move. Coen filled my vision. He was the granite mountain. The one I was taught to fear. I should’ve listened.

  I should’ve stayed in my cell.

  I tried to stand, ached to take one last bite of this wolf before I finally let go and let what would be, be. But my body was slow to move. My senses fired. Sharp talons tore through my head when I moved. Coen blurred as he dropped his head to sniff. I raised my lip, showing my teeth as a black blur raced toward us. His steps were like thunder. I felt them in the beat of my own heart as Drake leapt. Those sky blue eyes were my salvation, swallowing the mountain. I felt the brunt as they hit, then the air was filled with the sound of hunger.

  End over end, pale fur, then brown rose on top. I shook my head, trying to keep track, and forced myself up onto one paw, and then the other. The ledge wasn’t wide enough. The sheer drop below so close, I cringed in fear.

  But, I crawled forward, standing on trembling legs as they turned on each other, biting, clawing. The sound was so brutal, and the clash of alphas seemed to go on forever. I lay there, listening to the sounds of the wolf, until there was silence.

  Coen slipped from the rock. My breath froze in my chest as Drake scrabbled for purchase, but Coen didn’t let go. Helplessly, I stared at the deep scratches in the rock, moving closer, closer, ever closer to the edge, until Drake’s front paws raked only air.

  Then, I stared at nothing.

  I was alone. Tumbling rocks followed in their wake, the scattered sound breaking the hold over me. I dragged my feet toward the edge, standing on the sharp ledge at the two bodies below.

  I’d been right to fear the mountain.

  It took everything, even without me letting go.

  8

  I limped, shuffling backwards, until I hit the rock wall. The fight happened so fast. There was no way Drake could survive. I edged forward, not wanting to look down. But I had to see. I had to see if he was still alive.

  I gripped the ledge of the rock face and stared at the bottom below. Drake wasn’t moving. I couldn’t even tell if he was breathing. I stared at him until my eyes blurred. My panic tore free in one long howl. The desolate sound echoed through they valley, until even the mountain couldn’t hold it any longer.

  I dragged my left leg toward the ledge, until pain bit deep and I buckled. My claws scratched, finding edges I couldn’t see. Drake filled my vision, so still… please don’t be dead.

  Boulders barred my way, forcing me onto the rocks. I lunged from one to another, three paws were better than one. I whined and nosed my leg. Pain wound my nerves tight. I searched the mountain through my black and white view. I lifted my weak leg and glanced to the bottom. Coen lifted his head to stare at me, then lay back down.

  I gained one rock at time, shoving off with my right hind leg to hit the hard surface with a thud. My nails left white marks against the black stone as I slipped. I scurried for a hold, my pads gripped, then I fell. I hit the boulder below. Hard edges tore into my flank and my head. Then, I was falling, slamming into one boulder after another until I landed hard.

  The sun glared, filling my head with a white light. Everything faded, everything but the harsh sound of my breath in my ears. My pulse thundered, faster… too fast. A tiny voice inside screamed, get up… get up! I lifted my head, waiting for the glare to ease while the steady thump of my pulse savaged my head.

  Got to move. Got to get up. I speared my fingers into the pebbles, fighting for a hold as I heaved myself forward. Coen lifted his head, aiming those dark eyes on me. His gaze followed me as I came closer. White bone jutted from brown fur in the center of his chest. I jerked my gaze to Drake, searching his blonde fur for crimson and white.

  The stain of blood coated his throat. His back leg lay at an awkward angle. Something wasn’t right. Broken bones and severed nerves raced through my mind. My wolf edged closer inside. I turned to her, reaching out, begging. Help me. Help me save him.

  The wolf inside backed away, releasing her hold, taking me under. I gripped the ground as my bones became fluid, molding to another skeleton. Skin replaced fur, bones changed shape, lengthening, thinning. I shuddered as the breeze swept along my skin. The sudden cold stole my thoughts.

  Drake. Drake needs me. My hair stuck to my shoulders, leaving red smears as I moved. I shoved my hands against the ground, staring at my useless leg. There was no discoloration, no broken bones. I reached for the back of my neck and hissed. Torn skin, the slight pressure of my own touch became too much to bear. I whimpered and my hand came away crimson and fresh.

  “Drake, can you hear me?”

  His steady breath was enough. I slid my hand along his fur, my gaze captured by the rise and fall. A whisper of a sound reached my ears. I lowered pressing my ear against his body. “Can you hear me?”

  The whimper came again. His eyes fluttered. Sky blue orbs sent my pulse racing.

  “You’re going to be okay. I’ll take care of you.”

  I lifted his head and stared up at the mountain. I’d make it. I had to. Something warm slid across my hand. I glanced down to see him nuzzle my thigh, dragging his tongue across my skin once more.

  “It’s okay. I understand. You came back for me. That’s all that matters.”

  He closed his eyes. I’d never had anyone fight for me. I’d never had anyone risk their life for me. I lifted his body against mine, hushing him as he whimpered. “It’ll be okay. It will all be okay.”

  My arms strained as I lifted him. I drew my leg up, my screams raced along the valley as I dug into the ground and forced myself up. Drake was all I had. He was my cage and my freedom.

  I focused on the steady thump against my chest. My lip trembled and tears filled my vision, water and mountains were all I saw as I limped forward. We left Coen behind at the base of the granite mountain. I heaved Drake as high as I could, shoving his body on top of the boulders before dragging myself after him. I lost count how many rocks, how many tears until the shadows of the forest sucked us in.

  I walked until I collapsed, holding Drake. Desperation always won out. I screamed into his fur and shuddered against his body as I pushed on, carrying us higher. The sun fought to get through the canopy overhead. Flashes of white came and went as I cradled his body. He slipped from my hold, falling to the ground. I slid after him, unable to lift my arms anymore. I slept, cradled against his body, taking warmth from his fur.

  “Mia, wake up.”

  The harsh whisper in my ear dragged me to the surface.

  Drake stared at me. At first I thought I was dreaming, until he brushed his hand through my hair. “We gotta go. They’ll come after us. They won’t stop, Mia. They won’t ever stop.”

  I was haunted by so many questions. “Who are they and what do they want with us?”

  “I don’t know. I was never told anything, other than if anyone was to escape I had to save them. There’s been other males, some went crazy and killed themselves. But you’re first woman.”

  I nodded. Sasha came to me then, all bloody and broken. “That’s because they don’t survive, not the ones from in there anyway. I’m the only one.”

  “You’re strong, stronger than you realize. But we have to keep moving. I think I can walk now. I might need some help, but yeah, I think I can manage.”

  We stood, naked and bloody. None of tha
t seemed to matter, not when it came to survival. Drake gripped my shoulders, weighing me down. I pulled us higher one tree at a time until we lost sight of the valley below. The sun grew faint, weak splashes here and there, nothing like the vibrant glare.

  We skimmed the mountain, keeping higher along the ridge until we found a hollow, out of the wind and the rain. Drake was getting slower and the sun was low. I gripped his arm and lowered him to the ground. This would have to do for tonight, at least we were high overlooking the valley. I dropped to the ground beside him, my breaths were harsh and jagged. We had no clothes and no food, but we were alive.

  I couldn’t escape from myself no matter how fast I ran, or how many I fought. The battle had always been in me. I was born in a cell and I sensed that part of me would always remain there.

  Drake whimpered. I glanced at his broken body, then smoothed back his hair as the sun lost its hold. A sparkle caught my eye, my hand never stopped moving, wordless whispers were comforting more for myself. I focused on the glint of madness and the few turned into the many.

  Lights grew from the darkness, like shattered glass glinting from the moon. My hand stilled against his cheek as my breath caught.

  “Drake. There’s lights down there.”

  His breathing deepened. I prayed he could hear me. “There’s so many.”

  What happens when you wait, and there’s nothing you can do? You sit and witness the destruction of your world. You attack, you fight. You become more than the flesh and blood you were given.

  You become savage. “I have to hunt, Drake. I have to go find us food.”

  He never made a sound. I eased his head onto the ground and slid out from underneath him. I gripped the ground. The shift took hold, my muscles tightened and lengthened. Bones snapped and melted back together. The pelt warmed me, moving through my skin. I shook off the human part of me and worked my way down to the ground.

  New scents invaded me as I worked my way toward the lights. I ran until the echoes of howls tore through the sky around me. They called for me. I lifted my head and met theirs with my own. The baying of wolves filled the night. They were there, waiting. I stopped, ears pricked as one howl overran the others. He was calling me. He was the alpha. He called himself, Rule.

  I turned back, feet thundering against the earth. Hunt, then get back to Drake. I had much to tell him. I closed in on a rabbit. He moved fast through the brush, but not fast enough. The fur was no match for my teeth. His terrified gaze no match for my bite. I carried the feast back to the cave. Drake lay there, eyes wide, waiting for me.

  I morphed back into human form and gathered his head in my lap. The bleeding had stopped, he was healing, slowly. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the shimmer. “Look down there, Drake. There’s wolves down there. I ran with them. I’ve never felt so alive. They have an alpha, he calls himself Rule. He wants us to come and live with them.”

  He never answered, harsh breaths accompanied the surge of hope inside. “That’s our new home, do you hear me, Drake? Our new home. We can become Kings down there. We can fight and become Kings.”

  A Human, a Hellhound, and an Archangel walk into a bar.

  Sounds like the first line to a joke, right?

  Only it’s no joke…it’s my damned life.

  Witches are running riot.

  Shifters are on the hunt.

  Demons are eating humans.

  There’s a new drug on the street. Sigil is dark and deadly…to the paranormal kind, opening up their second sight, urging them to maim, torture and kill.

  And the bodies are piling up.

  For me it’s an opportunity to get off The Circle’s sh*t list and back in the black, because the Circle’s Paranormal First Response Squad is more than my job, it’s my legacy.

  So here I am scoping out the only known distribution site, a Hellraising bar called Wicked, trying like Hell to keep my eyes off the Archangel who refuses my advances, and the Hellhound who wants me six ways to Sunday…

  He’s happy to share he says…and turns toward the Human, Inspector Titus Banks, and Archangel Gabriel and gives me a wink.

  Oh my damn heart…this is gonna be a long ass night.

  Hell really is a Harem.

  *This is a dark reverse harem series. If you love your stories a little bloody with a whole lotta sass, bad language and hot as hell sex, then this book is for you.

  Turn the page to start reading today.

  1

  “You know. You’ve got to have the foulest mouth I’ve ever heard on anyone. It’s like…like a sawed-off shotgun that sprays obscenities.”

  The demon moved when he spoke…and it wasn’t just a step here, and a step there, but full fucking strides across the width of the salt circle.

  My salt circle.

  “Eat a dick,” I snarled, and fumbled with the pellets. “Now hold the fuck still.”

  “I saw this, you know…saw it all,” he threw his hands in the air, gesturing wildly as he walked and talked, and then stopped dead.

  Harsh yellow lights shone against his bald head as he turned and looked me straight in the eyes. “And I saw you, just as I see you now.”

  Pellets slipped into place, and I yanked the stock, snapping it in place. “You saw me, did you? I wonder if you saw this, as well?” I raised the muzzle and shoved the butt hard against my shoulder.

  Infernal yellow eyes glinted with malice. He took a step, moving closer to the inner side, and lifted his hand to tap the middle of his forehead. “I saw it all. You’ll shoot me…send me back home. It’s okay, I know I deserve it…I’ve been a real bad boy.”

  His lips curled, revealing a row of razor-sharp white teeth. I turned my head, taking in the massacre. Arms and legs littered the room…torsos were missing on all four bodies.

  My stomach tightened. Acid crept into the back of my throat. I tried to keep the revulsion at bay. But their glowing smiles haunted me from the row of pictures on the wall. They looked nice…normal, even if they played house with this…demon. “You ate your hosts.”

  “They deserved it,” the beast hissed, “Putting their feet on the sofa…mixing salad forks with the rest of the cutlery. Always nag…nag…nag. They were pigs, there’s no way around it. I grew tired of our little venture. But Sigil showed me the way. Showed me everything.” His gaze drifted to the massacre and then lifted his finger to tap the space between his brows. “And it was glorious.”

  Rage rose like an inferno, burning through my will not to lash this bastard to the ground with a web of dark magic and inflict a little torture of my own. But I wasn’t here for that. I was a capture-and-send back-to-Hell kinda girl.

  His toes danced at the edge of the salt. It had to have hurt like a bitch, still he smiled that cold, dead smile. “He’s going to be so proud of you.”

  The flinch was a cramp in my heart. I took aim as the sonofabitch smiled, and pulled the trigger.

  The spray hit him dead center and spread out. His head snapped backwards, steps a flurry of movement.

  Smoke drifted from the pellet holes in his chest, and with it came the foul stink of dead flesh. His lips curled, the shit-eating grin seemed to stretch for miles before his knees buckled and he dropped to the floor.

  It was too fast, too easy.

  Too goddamn neat.

  He’s going to be so proud of you? The words rebounded as I took a step. The faint sound of a siren echoed in the distance as the first flame erupted.

  Who the hell was he?

  Fear replaced excitement, widening those black orbs until I saw the reflection of Hell in his eyes. He spun, thrashed, and beat at the flames.

  They all fight at the end. I gripped the shotgun with one hand and lifted the other, twinkling my fingers. “Bye bye.”

  Black flames replaced crimson, swallowing the demon with one sudden whoosh, and burned the bastard all the way to the floor, leaving nothing more than a small pile of ash behind.

  I raised my head and sniffed the air. The bitter stench of su
lphur lingered. That telltale sign was what I needed before I turned from the circle and looked at the damn mess.

  “Jesus…what a damn mess.”

  Arms and legs littered the floor, so from a distance it was hard to tell which was which. I stepped over thick fleshy limbs, gravitating to the long red nails. Four people…reduced to this.

  I knelt and reached out, giving the forearm one hard shove. The limb rolled upwards, and then back into position, with the palm facing the ceiling.

  I lifted my head as sirens drew closer and leaned forward, curling the index and ring finger, followed by the pinky, leaving the middle straight and true.

  The effect was timeless…just a little memento to the assholes in blue.

  Still, the bloodbath wasn’t lost on me…I winced and shoved up from the floor. Demons were sadistic sonsofbitches, and I’d known a few who’d kill.

  But this was something else entirely.

  Sigil showed me the way. Showed me everything. And it was glorious.

  I turned from the blood splatter on the walls and walked deeper into the house. Sigil showed me the way…what the fuck did that even mean? I looked for signs of a witch; markings on the wall, gris-gris, or bottles of spells and castings.

  But there were none…and that spidey sense inside was dead as the demon I just sent to Hell.

  I took a step as red and blue faded lights splashed against the wall, and felt something slip under my boot.

  The shine caught my eye. I bent and snatched the plastic from the floor. It was a baggy, tiny, snapped-lock along the top, but inside was where the magic lay.

  The dissolvable square tab glistened as I tilted the package toward the light and caught the swirl. Car doors echoed with a thud through the night as I stared. It was a diamond, standing on end, and in the middle was the almond shape of an eye…a third eye…