by Jami Gray
“Lizbeth studied under Rio at one time,” Gavin said. “She approached him about raising a Soul Stealer. Just like Jenny did.”
Tala shook her head, tears swimming in her eyes. “Jenny wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t use black magic.”
“She would if she thought it would bring Brett back,” Raine countered. “Instead, Lizbeth did it first.”
The fingers absently brushing Cheveyo’s hair trembled as Tala dropped her gaze. “She used Jenny to fuel the spell?”
“And the unborn baby.” Raine kept her voice gentle. It was apparent how much the truth was tearing Tala apart. Jenny had been her family. The Chavezes may not have been close friends, but the depth of their betrayal was leaving deep gouges. Only time would tell if the Southwest Kyn would manage to come back from such a vicious division.
“Why would Lizbeth team up with Ransom?” Tala asked before comprehension dawned. “She didn’t know.”
Gavin nodded. “She had no idea Ransom killed Brett. Instead, she jumped at the chance to destroy your House. Jenny belonged to you, Brett belonged to her. Therefore, you had to pay. This way she could get her revenge, but everyone would suspect Ransom.”
“Lizbeth didn’t expect you to call in help,” Raine said.
Tala’s lips twisted into a grimace. “So it’s my fault Cheveyo got hurt.”
“No.” Raine shook her head, strangely wanting to reassure the woman. “That’s solely on Lizbeth.”
“Where’s Lizbeth now?” Tala asked.
“Dead.” Vidis’s answer turned all heads to him.
Tala’s fingers stilled as she studied the man cradling Xander. “And Tomás?”
He shrugged. “Alive.”
Her head tilted. “If his mate is dead, how is he still breathing?”
“They weren’t bonded.”
“Which reminds me,” Raine interrupted. “What does that mean?”
Tala and Vidis continued their strange staring contest for a moment longer. Then Tala gave a short jerk of her head and looked away first. Apparently satisfied, Vidis turned to Raine.
“There are two kinds of joining for shifters,” he explained. “A mating is the most common. It is a connection created by deep emotional ties between two shifters.”
“So what?” Raine asked. “Instead of getting hitched, shifters mate?”
Vidis nodded. “The second is rare, but much more permanent. It’s bonding. It is a connection on the soul level. When a bond manifests, the couple become one.”
“One what?” Bonding sounded suspiciously close to what she and Gavin shared.
“One soul.” Vidis’s too-knowing gaze landed on her. “If one partner should die, the other follows.”
Raine swallowed, trying to ignore the leaden pit in her stomach. “So why weren’t Tomás and Lizbeth bonded?”
Vidis’s smile was all teeth. “You don’t choose to bond, it chooses you.” Xander gave a soft groan, snagging his attention. “I need to finish healing her.”
Tala was suddenly beside him. Magic rose in a ruffling wave and that fast Raine was swept back to the psychic plane. Unprepared, she reached for Gavin on both planes. As her hands wrapped around his, their tie flared to brilliant life and she held on. Huddled on the floor, she felt Gavin gather her into his lap. Letting her head fall against his chest, she focused on his steady heartbeat to help her stay above the magic.
It was tough keeping her mind in both realms at once. Tala’s form became etched in gold as she began to work over Xander’s spirit. The storm-colored magic waxed and waned under the witch’s hands.
Raine could see the holes the Stealer left behind in Xander’s aura. The gaping cavities were closing, but it was too slow. Xander was too weak to help and her grip was slipping. Panic crept in. “Gavin, what can we do?”
“I don’t know.”
Before Raine could react, Tala turned to her and, from the white film over her eyes, Raine knew the multi-tonal chorus was back in the driver’s seat. “Weaver, you must fix the tapestry.”
Fear spiked. Raine didn’t want to mess with Xander’s tapestry. Every time she heeded the creepy chorus, things changed. And not for the better either. “I can’t.” The denial came out choked.
“You will.” The steely strength of Vidis’s command snapped her out of the blind panic. He was still connected to her and Gavin.
“I’m here.” Gavin’s quiet words allowed her to find her metaphysical feet.
Trying not to acknowledge the growing dread that they were fighting a losing battle, she blocked out the creepy chorus along with Vidis’s expectations. Instead, she narrowed her focus to the magic wrapped around Xander’s spirit.
She found Vidis, his unearthly amber fire curling around Xander’s small body. As Xander’s spirit flickered in his arms, he gave a low hair-raising growl. “Not a chance in hell, pixie girl.”
The depth of feeling behind the alpha’s snarled command made Raine hesitate. Distant warning bells pealed, but she ignored them. Clearing her mind, she began repairing the damage in Xander’s energy. Again time lost its meaning as she delicately rewove the magic, closing the holes. As the gaps began to disappear, she noticed the color she used for the repairs was off. Xander’s storm-ravaged purples now held flickering amber flames of lightning.
Her fingers stumbled to a stop. What had she done? Worry hit like a tsunami. She reached for Gavin, needing his reassurance. But before she could find him, a scorching torrent of energy tore through her. It whipped through the bond she and Gavin shared, the strength of the invasion bowing her back into an arch, her head thrown back, her mouth opened in a soundless scream. She was barely aware of Gavin’s frantic struggle to keep her in his arms as his body jerked with the impact.
As power poured through them and down into Xander, a distant part of her knew Vidis was the source of the influx. Using his tie with Gavin and Raine, he directed the heat and fire toward Xander’s spirit. His amber flames encircled Xander’s purple storms. Flashes of lightning sparked then settled. There was a pause, followed by a flash bang of light so bright it left Raine’s vision filled with shadows. Then as suddenly as it hit, the magic quieted.
Blinking her vision clear, Raine made sure her bond to Gavin had survived whatever Vidis had done. It was there, steady and strong. A shaky sigh of relief escaped. She turned to check on Xander and stared, not wanting to believe what she was seeing.
“It’s like a firestorm,” she breathed. “Vidis, what did you do?”
Grim determination settled over his pale features as he cradled Xander closer. “I kept her alive.”
“You’ve triggered a bond.” Tala’s voice was shaky, but solely her own. “Your alpha just bonded your Tracker.”
All Raine could think was, oh, shit. “How upset is Xander going to be?” She didn’t want to sound accusatory, but thought she might have failed.
“I don’t care,” Vidis snarled. “She’s alive and that’s all that matters.”
Gavin’s embrace tightened in warning, so she choked her words down. Xander was a big girl, but damn, she didn’t want to think about what this meant for her friend. Or, she thought as she caught a small flare of panic before Vidis wiped it away, what it meant for the alpha.
“They’ll be okay,” Gavin assured her.
Dear gods, please let him be right.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Forty-six hours into Tomás’s forty-eight-hour deadline, Raine and Gavin were trying hard to avoid the various arguments whirling around them. In the room they shared at Tala’s, Raine was zipping up her suitcase as Gavin finished putting on his jacket. Both tensed as they heard Xander’s door being yanked open.
“Don’t you snarl at me! I’m perfectly capable of carrying my own damn suitcase, you flea bag!” The neighboring door slammed closed causing both of them to flinch as their door rattled in its frame.
“Yeah, they’re going to be just fine,” she drawled sarcastically.
Gavin’s lips twitched as he settled his jacket.
“At least you don’t have to worry that Vidis will walk all over her.”
“Maybe, but now I have to start setting aside bail money.”
“She’s a Wraith, love. She won’t get caught.”
His dry rejoinder made her laugh. Dragging her suitcase to the door, she stopped in front of him. As he looked at her, she rose to her tiptoes, curled an arm around his neck, and indulged. He didn’t need much encouragement. Soon she was lost in the firestorm of their kiss.
As they broke apart, he traced his thumb across her lower lip. “What was that for?”
She nipped his finger and let a wicked smile spread across her face. “Luck.”
She opened the door and his low chuckle trailed behind her. As they stepped out into the hall, Xander’s door opened and an obviously frustrated Vidis stepped out.
“Morning.” Raine’s greeting got only a growl in response.
She tried to smother the snickers tickling her throat. The last few hours had been very revealing. As soon as Xander had regained consciousness and figured out what Vidis had done to the two of them, she’d been nothing but a snapping, snarling bitch.
If Raine hadn’t caught those rare moments when Xander thought Vidis wasn’t paying attention and the woman’s heart-rending emotions flashing across her face under her delicate tattoos, Raine would’ve been more worried. As it was, she agreed with Gavin. It was best to leave the two of them alone to figure it out. For now, it was more entertaining to watch the diminutive shifter drive Vidis insane.
Vidis followed Xander out the front door. Raine and Gavin stepped into the living room. Tala was standing stiff-backed by the fireplace, glaring at Ash, who sat by Cheveyo’s feet. Pale but upright, Cheveyo was slouched in a chair, his expression inscrutable. Raine didn’t want to feel sympathy for Tala, but it still leaked through.
Sometime in the previous evening, Cheveyo had made his way back to the living. There were no discernible differences in his behavior. He was a bit quieter, understandably so. Gavin and Raine had been wary, but as the hours passed and Cheveyo didn’t say anything, they started to relax.
“I still think you should reconsider,” Tala said, her voice stiff.
“There’s nothing to reconsider,” Cheveyo answered, his attention centered on Ash so he apparently missed the flash of hurt sweeping over Tala’s face.
“You go back before you’ve fully recovered, and you’re opening yourself to unnecessary challenges.” The bite of her voice was like the flick of a whip. “I didn’t piece you back together just so you could be ripped apart.”
Her comment got a reaction. Cheveyo’s lips firmed and his eyes narrowed as he pushed out of the chair. It took precious few steps before he invaded Tala’s space.
Raine gave the female witch credit. She didn’t back down an inch. Instead, she leaned forward, chin jutted forward.
“You and I both know what being a Head Magi means, Tala,” he said. “If I thought I couldn’t handle any challenges coming my way, I wouldn’t be going home.”
She laid her hand on Cheveyo’s chest, just above his heart. “I worry.”
He covered her hand with his. “I know, tsu-na-da-da-tlu-gi.” He leaned down and pressed his lips briefly against hers. “We both have to see to our Houses.”
“I will see you soon.” It was nothing less than a command. Tala gently pulled her hand away and stepped back. “Do na do’go hr iyu.”
Cheveyo traced one finger down the side of her face then turned and made his way out of the house. As his tall form disappeared, Tala’s shoulders drooped. Ash trotted over to his mistress, and she tangled her fingers in his fur.
As much as the female witch pissed her off, Raine could relate. It was hard to let someone you loved stand on their own. From her spot at Gavin’s side, she cleared her throat. “We’ll watch out for him.”
A flash of gratitude was there and gone as Tala nodded her head.
“Are you going to be okay?” Raine asked. True concern prompted her question. They were leaving a hell of a mess in Tala’s lap.
Tala straightened and the haughty arrogance from their first meeting fell into place. “I’m Magi for the Southwest. I am always fine.” A bitter smile curled her lips. “You best hurry. Wouldn’t want you to miss your flight. Tomás might get upset.”
With nothing left to say, Raine gave Tala a short, mocking bow, then turned and left the cabin. As she made her way down the steps, a tidal wave of relief washed over her. They were going home. All of them.
“Ready?” Gavin asked down their bond.
“So ready.” She caught a speculative look from Cheveyo who was standing next to the car. The man’s expression sent her pulse racing. “Gavin?”
He stepped close to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. Together they faced the Northwest Magi as a united front. “Together, Raine. We’ll face it together.”
For the first time in a long time, the thought brought her comfort and, strangely enough, hope.
END OF BOOK TWO
Keep reading for an exclusive Kyn short story
Masked In Shadows
A Kyn Short Story
For Gavin and Raine the job is simple, deliver a package to an interested party in New Orleans. Yet even the easiest job can mask unexpected challenges.
Gavin Durand handed the cabbie his fare. “Keep the change.”
The cab driver flashed a smile full of white teeth, and flicked his forehead with a finger before pulling away, uncaring of the meandering tourists.
Gavin stepped back next to the dark haired woman waiting silently on the cobbled sidewalk, never taking his attention off the barreling cab of death making its way through the narrow streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter. “I think we’re better off without a rental car.”
“Ya’ think?” came the muttered reply.
Hefting his duffle bag higher on his shoulder, he gently hip checked her. “Come on, Raine, let’s get you inside before you decide to let your claws out.”
“Too late.”
He didn’t laugh at her grumpy reply, but his lips twitched as he led the way across the tiny street of Dauphine to the wrought iron gate nestled between two cottages, one in gray with gleaming white trim, the other in sunny yellow with deep green shutters. He punched in the security code on the electronic keypad, and when the gate unlocked, held it open for her to pass through. “We’ll go in, drop this stuff off, and head over to Café du Monde for coffee.” He let the gate close behind them.
The muted chaos of raucous laughter and jumbled music drifted over the brick courtyard. The interior was an unexpected oasis of thick foliage. Plants in various sized pots took up nooks and crannies around trees, some decorated with small, white lights, while warmer, yellow lights glowed from beside the widely spaced doors surrounding the space. Tucked into the shadowed corners were chairs and tables, illuminated with flickering candles nestled in hurricane lamps inviting private conversations. In front of him, Raine came to a stop, taking it in. He waited, noting the tension seep out of her stiff spine. She turned to look at him over her shoulder. “Not what I expected.”
He closed the distance between them and settled his hand in the small of her back. “It’s not like Mulcahy would’ve put us in a Motel 6.”
That got a soft snort of disbelief. “I’m surprised he’s not expecting us to pay for this, considering what our last assignment cost him.”
Ah yes, the joys of chasing a soul eating demon and uncovering a psychotic alpha pair of werewolves. “Maybe he’s secretly grateful not to be looking for replacements for his Northwest Alpha and Magi.” He scanned the numbers discreetly carved next to each door. “We’re here at number four.” Another finger dance over an electronic keypad, and they slipped inside their temporary home.
Gavin flicked the switch on the wall, and the lights came up. A compact kitchen with a two stools tucked under a bar took up space on the left, deep cherry hardwood flowed into a living room sans TV. Exposed brick composed the back wall which held a
cushy looking couch, and one of those antique chairs made of floral print and thin, carved wood which he never dared to sit in for fear of imminent collapse. No sense in burning through the security deposit on the first night. A metal, spiral staircase twisted its way up past the dark wooden beams and ceiling fan.
“Cozy.” Raine stood near the staircase, her head canted to the side as she tried to peer up.
“I’m guessing the bedroom’s upstairs.”
She stopped, one boot braced on the metal step and turned to him, a speculative light in her gaze. “Did you book this place, or did Mulcahy?”
He closed the distance between them, trapping her between his body and the stair’s railing. He liked that she didn’t back away or drop her gaze. Maybe she was finally accepting that he wasn’t going to walk away from her. Tracing a finger along her fine boned jaw, he nudged her chin up and captured her lips in a quick, hot kiss. When he lifted his head, her lashes swept up slowly, revealing gray eyes smoky with desire. “Does it matter?”
A tiny smile curved her lips. “Just wondering if we were violating some stupid human resource rule on fraternization.”
He chuckled, dropped a quick kiss on her nose, and stepped back so she could continue up. “So long as the job gets done, I think fraternization is the least of your uncle’s concerns when we’re working together. This close to Mardi Gras, I’m surprised he found a room at all, especially one in the French Quarter.” Then again, knowing his boss, Gavin wouldn’t be surprised if a sudden cancelation coincided with Mulcahy pulling a few strings.
She led the way up the stairs, and he was completely content to follow. It gave him a chance to indulge in his one of his favorite pastimes, watching her ass. Except now he got to watch it for entirely different reasons than keeping her safe. The master bedroom and its adjoining bath were the only things on the second level. She set her bag on the floor by the armoire, then fell back onto the king size bed. “Speaking of getting the job done. What time is our call?”
