by Jami Gray
“You, Tala, and Gavin are going back on the other side of that door and locking it behind you,” Cheveyo growled.
Gavin tensed.
“Think again, oh mighty one.” For once the sarcastic rejoinder didn’t come from Raine, or even Gavin. Instead, Tala who glared at Cheveyo, hand on her hips, mouth drawn into a deep frown.
Raine shot a look at Gavin, who only shrugged.
Cheveyo crowded Tala, who, unsurprisingly, did not step back. “Excuse me?”
Wow, the arrogance in those two words could make the arctic look like the Caribbean. Tala didn’t flinch. Instead, she moved until her golden image pressed against Cheveyo’s. The resulting light show mesmerized Raine and she almost missed Tala’s response.
“You heard me, you stubborn ass.” Tala faced down Cheveyo. “You are going to hold on to this binding so we can track you down through this little tie you’ve got with the hellcat over there.”
Raine figured hellcat was a nicer description than others, and she couldn’t help her little grin that broke out. It was refreshing to see someone else go toe to toe with Cheveyo.
Cheveyo blinked slowly, obviously picking up on the hint of jealousy in Tala’s voice. When he dragged Tala’s blurry image forward and slammed his mouth down on hers, Raine couldn’t stop her childish snicker as Tala thoroughly enjoyed the moment.
Gavin cleared his throat and Raine’s muttered, “Spoilsport” was lost under his, “Can we focus for a second? Please?”
Cheveyo lifted his head and shot them a dark look. In his arms, Tala’s golden glow took on a hint of rose. “Fine.” Cheveyo’s voice was still rough. “What was the next step in your brilliant plan?”
Gavin cocked an eyebrow. “Originally, we were going to take you and Raine back through the door without the Soul Stealer following.”
“Not an option anymore,” Raine cut in.
Gavin shot her a look. “Why not?”
“Because it would sever my soul from my body.” Cheveyo didn’t react to Tala’s tiny gasp.
Gavin studied the older man for a moment. “We need to keep the ties between you and Raine intact in order to pinpoint your location. I’m assuming if this thing finds it, it’ll use it to drain you both?”
Cheveyo nodded grimly.
“How do we hide it?” Raine wasn’t worried about making it through the door. She was more worried about hiding her magic.
“Illusion,” Gavin stated.
Raine rolled her hand in a gesture for him to expand.
He sighed. “If Cheveyo helps, I can create an illusion that nothing has changed. When the Stealer sees him, Cheveyo will seem weaker than he is.”
She thought back to those ghostly fingers on her throat back at the alpha’s house. “Another one of your new superpowers?”
His expression cooled, arrogance adding a sexy vibe—if you went for that kind of thing. His tone was just as remote. “Thanks to Dr. Lawson’s little psychedelic cocktail, yes it is, kitty cat.”
How the hell did he manage to make that annoying term so sexy? “Fine. You and Cheveyo do the Copperfield thing, and then what? Tala and I slip out the door?”
At his intense regard, heat swam under her skin, but she refused to look away, knowing if she did, he’d take it as a win.
Not missing her challenge, his lips twitched. “You worry about keeping Cheveyo’s thread secure and follow Tala out.”
“And you?” The question escaped before she could censor.
His slow smile stole her breath. Then he traced one finger down the side of her face. “I’ll be right behind you.”
This time she didn’t stand a chance against the blush riding along her cheekbones. His answer triggered a very disturbing mental image and set off a flutter of those damn butterflies currently nesting in her stomach. Gritting her teeth, she dropped her gaze.
A whip of fire scored her chest and she gasped, her hand rising to deflect the unseen blow. “The Stealer’s close.” Too damn close.
Cheveyo’s head snapped up as Gavin’s arm curled around her waist. With no warning, he took her into the roiling magic and dropped her into the clearing before the door.
As the world resettled, Raine staggered upright, catching sight of Cheveyo releasing Tala a little ways away. The fog was denser now, creeping toward the partially open door. Cheveyo pushed Tala to the opening, then moved to Gavin’s side. Tala wisped through the narrow space.
Raine looked back to find the two men merging their magic with incredible speed. Deep in her chest, she could feel the energy working. Caught up, she failed to notice the tendril of fog wrapping around her ankle.
Agony seared as hundreds of sharp teeth sank vicious fangs into her bones. Unable to separate her magic from Gavin and Cheveyo’s, instinct had her nails thickening into curved claws as her leopard joined the fight. Slashing down, she tore the fog to tatters of smoke. Once free, she wasted no time moving to the open doorway.
Keeping one hand on the doorframe, she stepped through, relying on Tala’s golden magic as an anchor. Not really understanding how, Raine used Tala’s power to bind the lightning storm of magic—hers, Gavin’s and Cheveyo’s. Weaving the magics together, she was relieved to see there was no telltale change in its appearance. Point to the home team.
She turned to call Gavin, only to be slammed to the ground with enough force to knock the air from her chest. Razor sharp claws slashed across the arm she threw up to protect her face. Another claw whipped down her thigh. Enraged, Raine freed her leopard.
The burn of shifting bones and muscles was lost in the speed of her transformation. In her animal form, she used her retractable claws to dig deep gashes down the sides of the misty monster trying to pin her down. Her leopard’s scream echoed through the watercolor forest. Twisting her supple spine, she threw her attacker off. Snarling, she let the cat’s instincts take control. She needed this thing back on the other side before Gavin came through, or she and Tala wouldn’t make it.
As with every time she let her leopard out, she felt the blending of her intellect with her cat’s instincts. Her cat lowered its head, and with slow, deliberate steps paced back and forth between Tala and the Soul Stealer. Deep inside, Raine tried to make some recognizable shape out of the writhing tendrils of smoke they faced.
The Stealer wasn’t solid, but the smoke created a moving shadow—vaguely animalistic. There were four legs, the two hind muscled and powerful, while heavy shoulders supported the front legs. It appeared larger than her leopard. Was probably faster than her leopard too.
A twisted combination of images made up the head. From one angle, Raine swore it was a snarling, rabid wolf. Yet, when she turned to pace back, she caught a glimpse of ferociously bared teeth of some mountain cat.
Freezing in front of Tala, she watched the Stealer’s skull change again, tendrils of smoke reshaping until a skeletal head with massive jaws, filled with ragged-edged teeth, sat below the sunken pits of empty eye sockets. The dense coldness emanating from the Stealer ate at Raine. Trying to ignore the spreading numbness, she concentrated on keeping it back from Tala and herding it through the door.
Low growls rumbled as she padded forward. She made it two steps before those empty eye sockets filled with golden flames. The Stealer leapt, claws extended. Relying on her cat’s instincts, she reared back, swiping out at the Stealer’s unprotected belly. Its claws changed into grasping human hands, which passed through Raine’s leopard to the woman inside. They clawed and tore, causing both woman and cat to scream at the agonizing invasion.
The invading hands dug under her ribs, grasping for her magic. Raine fought back, reaching for the bony wrist delineated in gray smoke. She connected and silver sparked against the shadows. The monster screeched. She poured more power into her magic, even as an annoying voice in the back of her mind chanted, ‘Wrong move!’
The Stealer’s raking movements slowed. The smoky wrist seemed to gain substance, sending another wave of icy shards through her torso. Golden flames set de
ep inside the monstrous skull dominated her entire field of vision. Fetid breath misted her face, bringing the smell of rotten meat. Her eyes watered. She couldn’t catch her breath. She could feel her and her leopard’s grip slipping, their struggles slowing.
Suddenly the Soul Stealer ripped its empty hand out of Raine and swung its other arm in her direction even as golden fire began to lick around its smoky edges.
She barely ducked out of the way, her leopard retreating deep inside. Raine crashed to the ground and curled into a ball, her shaking hands covering what felt like a gaping hole under her ribs. Behind her Tala stood burning brightly.
The unearthly shrieks of the Stealer filled the air, almost drowning out Tala’s chants.
Raine pushed her aching body to her knees, her groan lost under the increasing volume of Tala’s voice. Struggling to her feet, Raine stood between the blazing witch and the snarling, mist-shrouded Soul Stealer. Tala’s power forced the monster back, one reluctant step at a time. Behind the Stealer, Raine could just make out the doorway. A few more steps, then she should be able to close the door.
Inside the ghoulish skull, the gold flames flickered, fixing on the two women. Like a series of still pictures, Raine watched Tala’s glow flickered like a candle caught in a wind gust and her chanting faltered. Focused on Raine, the thing crouched, preparing to leap. From behind it, a dark–haired, silver-eyed woman let loose a harsh battle cry.
In stunned disbelief, Raine watched what looked like her twin slash the Stealer with a black-bladed sword. Slicing diagonally, it cut from shoulder through the barrel shaped torso. The creature gave an ear-splitting howl of fury, mixed with pain. It turned to face its newest attacker. Mesmerized by the combative dance, Raine wondered if she somehow manage to split herself by accident.
From under her bruised rib cage, a metaphysical punch shoved reality back to normal speed. Gasping, she dragged her attention away from the battle in front of her as Gavin pulled on her magic. On the other side of the door at the edge stood the faint images of Cheveyo and Gavin. It took her a few precious moments to realize why the two men seemed blurred. Gavin was distracting the Soul Stealer with his illusion of her twin and hiding the doorway.
Strangely, it was working. The monster remained totally focused on the woman it thought real. The Stealer stalked her image, closer and closer to the hidden doorway. Raine kept her inner barriers down and didn’t dare move, worried she would break the link between her and Gavin and shatter the disorienting tableau in front of her.
Without warning, the monster sprang forward, and Raine’s doppelganger stumbled back through the doorway. As both combatants tumbled through, Gavin’s faint form slipped through the entrance. Relief bloomed and she didn’t wait for his mental shout of “Now!” Grabbing the spiked wheel of the door, she shoved it closed, even as Cheveyo pulled from his side.
Before the door snuffed shut, she met his dark gaze. “You hold on. We’re coming.”
His answer was a grim smile.
Chapter Fifteen
Raine blinked at the flickering light of a candle, sitting in a pool of wax, as Tala’s living room came into focus. Breathing in the soothing bite of sage mixed with melted wax, she unfolded her legs. Waves of pins and needles danced through her limbs, causing a soft groan.
That quiet sound deepened into a moan as the aches and pains delivered on the spiritual plain manifested into actual physical suffering. Just once she’d like to regain consciousness without feeling as if she’d been run over by a semi.
The alternate memory of waking in Gavin’s arms at the alpha’s house sent heat spiraling through her bloodstream, adding a frustrating level of arousal to the weariness of battle. Tunneling her hands through her hair, she pulled sharply in an attempt to dull her mental schizophrenia.
The startling brush of fingers against her chin brought her attention to Gavin’s rugged features and strangely intimate study. Shoving her emotional discomfort aside, she put her normal “deal with it later” philosophy to work.
“You okay?” His question was quiet.
Breathing through the combined battering rams of emotional and physical reaction, she unclenched her teeth and nodded.
He held her chin a fraction longer, before letting go and turning away. “Xander?”
The blonde snapped, “Give me a minute.”
Raine turned to see Xander crouched protectively in front of them, facing down a very pissed-off Ash.
“What happened?” Using Gavin’s offered hand, Raine rose to her feet.
Gavin kept his attention on the wolf. “Tala’s unconscious.”
Not good. Raine caught a glimpse of Tala slumped on the other side of the waning candle. She moved toward the witch.
Ash snarled, his canines flashing in warning.
“I’d stay still, Raine,” Xander cautioned.
Heeding her warning, Raine addressed Tala’s protector. “I don’t mean any harm.” Considering his continuous growls, the wolf obviously didn’t believe her.
Raine lifted her hands. “I just want to check on her, make sure she’s okay.”
Moving slowly, she lowered her head. Hanging with shifters gave her some clues in how to appear non-threatening, but taking her eyes from Ash was a test in itself. Here’s hoping he wouldn’t get past Xander.
The threatening growls slowed then stopped. Ash took a stiff step back, staying in front of Tala, but obviously giving permission for Raine to advance.
Gavin and Xander held still. Taking care not to make any sharp movements, Raine approached Tala. Ignoring her protesting aches, she dropped to her knees.
Tala didn’t look good—her dusky skin ashen, but more worrisome was the obvious lack of life. Raine pressed her fingers to Tala’s neck and the minute she touched the witch, Tala’s chest rose in a sharp inhale and her lashes fluttered.
Raine waited while awareness of their surroundings filtered through Tala’s hazy confusion. She stared at Raine, her brow furrowed as she pushed upright and leaned against Ash.
Aware any offer of help would be rejected, Raine sat back on her heels, giving the quietly murmuring witch and her pet a minute. The tension in the room eased as early morning light danced across the window. Startled, Raine realized their little foray had taken hours.
“You still have a hold of Cheveyo?” Tala’s rough question brought Raine’s head around.
Instead of automatically answering, Raine focused inward. Finding Cheveyo’s magic wrapped inside a cocoon of silver and blue, relief hit. His earth tones appeared to be brighter, giving the impression he might be gaining strength. Even her magic seemed stable. Somehow, she and Gavin were enough to keep Cheveyo going. For now at least.
Realizing Tala still waited for her answer, Raine nodded. “We just need to piece together his location.” Easier said than done.
As they cleared Tala’s circle, they discussed their too few clues—the hazy images picked up when she first entered Cheveyo’s body. Rough stone and a fire didn’t equal GPS coordinates.
Exasperated by the seeming dead ends, Raine crouched to sweep up the last of the salt. “What about following his signature?”
Busy wrapping her tools in a velvet cloth, Tala stilled. “Until we’re closer it won’t help.” At Raine’s questioning look, she explained, “It’s like a game of hot and cold. If you’re near him, his magic should burn brighter. Farther away, it fades.”
Gavin shoved the last of the furniture into place. “It’s fairly bright now, so we know he’s in town somewhere.”
Startled, Raine asked, “How do you—”
“I can see it—same as you.” Keeping his back to her, he gave the couch a final nudge. “We’re still bound.”
Comprehension slammed home and the dustpan tumbled from numb fingers. Holy shit, she forgot to ask one very important question about his shadowing her. She rose and he turned to watch her approach. “How long are we tied together?” Nerves made her voice hoarse.
Determination and something else tight
ened his jaw. “As long as we need to be.”
Uncertain if his answer was a threat or promise, her stomach quivered. “How long is that?”
He folded his arms over his chest and held her gaze, letting his silence speak for him. Gavin was clearly staking his claim. A soft growl of feminine frustration escaped as she turned on her heel, snatched up the dustpan, and headed for the kitchen.
Stupid, thick-headed male ass. She banged the dustpan against the side of the garbage can with unnecessary force. Salt and flecks of melted wax drifted into the garbage as she continued to silently fume. He thought he had the upper hand, but he’d soon learn differently. She tossed the dustpan into the utility closet as the shrill summons of someone’s cell phone cut through her internal tirade.
As she came back into the living room, she heard Xander’s hello. Leaning against the wall, she waited. Weariness threatened to pull her under, but there were things to do, monsters to kill.
“Yes, sir. She’s right here.” Xander held her phone out to Raine.
Straightening, Raine reached for the cell phone, knowing the list of people Xander would be so polite to was small. “Hello?”
“McCord, what the hell is going on?”
The irritated voice almost brought a smile to her face. “Hello, Mulcahy. How’s it going?”
His answering snarl made her lips twitch. Tormenting her captain was one of life’s little delights. Knowing where the line was—now, that was trickier.
“I swear I haven’t killed anyone.” She left the yet unspoken.
“That may be,” Mulcahy bit out. “But you’ve sure managed to piss them off.”
“Not on purpose.” She sighed. Really, it wasn’t like she tried. It was just a gift.
A snort of what might have been laughter—or exasperation—sounded down the line. “Tomás Chavez called me this morning.”
“That was fast,” she muttered. Checking the clock, she saw it was barely after six in the morning, which made it just past five in Portland. Anger flared as the pointless, petty politics being played. Static burst over the line, causing her to hold the phone away until it died down. Electronics and her magic never played well together. Keeping her voice and emotions level, she went back to the conversation. “The Southwest Alpha was under the impression our first priority was to find his men’s killer.”
