He led her up the trail to a little clearing with a large rock slab overlooking the valley. Tierney hopped up onto it. “So, Kyrian. How long have you been here?”
“Six months. Long enough to observe all of you.”
“You know our names,” she said, but it wasn’t really a question.
“Of course.”
“Of course,” she repeated, perturbed she’d never sensed him before. He chuckled and she shook her head. “So why now?”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Well, we had no idea you were here. Which, by the way, I’m kicking myself for—not paying enough attention. So why make contact now?” she asked.
“Ah, yes. Well, I’m aware of who you are,” Kyrian replied.
“What do you mean?” Now it was her turn to ask the question, suddenly uneasy.
“I know you are immortals.”
Tierney climbed off the boulder, even more unsettled, and a little angry. “Well, we don’t like being spied on.” Maybe Sami was right and this was a bad idea.
“I’m sorry. I needed to make sure you were trustworthy.” Kyrian told her.
“Why?” she asked again.
“This is your land. We need a safe place to live, a sanctuary. Our last home was compromised and not all of us survived,” he answered.
“Yeah, I know how that feels,” she mumbled, thinking about her mother.
“What do you mean?”
She shrugged, not about to tell him her sad life story. “So, why now? After six months, none of us had any idea. You could’ve gone on living here, we would never have suspected.”
“Maybe,” he said, distractedly.
Tierney frowned, then realized he had said we. “There are more of you?”
“Yes, my pack.”
“You took a big risk by revealing yourself,” she said.
“I believe it will be worth it.”
Tierney snorted. “Do you show your true selves to strangers often?”
“No.”
“Yet you are willing to risk not only yourself, but your pack as well, all so you can live here?” she said.
“That’s correct.”
Tierney didn’t buy it. There must be places where no one would realize who, or what, they were.
Kyrian sighed. “The Okami are peaceful—we just want to be left alone. But our enemy refuses to leave us alone. Besides, we need your help.”
“You need our help?” She was surprised.
“Sadly, yes. I understand that you find people for a living.”
“Ah, yeah, but how do you know so much?” Again she was leery of how much he knew.
Kyrian hesitated. “I hear others thoughts and emotions, a little like you do. I also get visions, of sorts. I’m not sure how to explain, but often things come to me, like a spiritual being telling me what to do.”
“And you just listen?” Tierney was surprised anyone would blindly listen to a voice in their head. Then she realized she listened to a voice in her head the day before, twice.
“Over the years, I’ve learned that bad things happen if I don’t listen. Now I know better than to disregard what I hear. Last night, I sensed Jax’s pain and saw how to help him,” he explained.
“Wow, yeah, that’s quite a gift!” Wish my gifts worked that way. She couldn’t help but think.
“If only it was. I have no control over what I see and hear, or when,” he said, and Tierney sensed his sadness.
“So, you need my help?” she prompted.
“Yes, we have a young wolf missing. My last communication with him was over a week and a half ago.”
“What?” she interrupted.
“Please, listen, then I will answer any questions,” he said and Tierney waited for him to explain. “Our enemy is persistent, dangerous. They’ve murdered many Okami over the centuries.”
A chill ran through her. “They wouldn’t happen to be the Ilyium?” She dreaded his answer.
“Yes, you are familiar with them?”
She nodded, distracted. “I thought they only went after my kind.”
“No, of course not. They go after anyone supernatural. Why would you assume that?”
Anyone supernatural? What else is out there? She shook her head. “I just assumed, because of our curse.”
“Curse?” Kyrian asked.
Huh, so he doesn’t know everything. She wanted to smile, but was trying to piece everything together. “Yeah, I’ll explain another time. So, centuries, huh? How old are you?”
“I am four hundred and fifteen,” From his tone and underlying sadness, Tierney got the impression that he recently lost someone close to him.
“Wow! Well, you look pretty good for an old guy.” She smirked, trying to cheer him up as she thought about all she’d learned. He really is beautiful.
Kyrian snorted. “Please—stop calling me beautiful!”
She laughed.
“You are immortal, yet you are surprised about my age?” he asked, perplexed.
Tierney shrugged. “Since I was seven the only ones of my kind I’ve been around are Jax, Sami and my dad, who doesn’t seem old to me. Besides, you’re a wolf.”
Kyrian’s gaze swept the valley below. “Our Packs have dwindled. We cannot afford to lose anyone else.”
“So, why us? Surely you and your pack would be better able to track and find one of your wolves?” she asked.
“You don’t understand,” he said, voice laced with worry.
“I guess not.”
Kyrian hesitated, then dropped the bomb on her. “Toren was in human form when he went missing.”
“Whoa—okay.” Things suddenly made much more sense. “So you can shape-shift?”
“Yes, Okami have—”
“Wait!” she said, trying to process everything. “So you’re not Were-wolves, but you can turn into humans and—what? Other animals? Are you shifters?” She loved books and shows about supernatural beings, even if they did get most things wrong.
“No, not shifters. Though they are our cousins too. We, the Okami, can take human form for a short while,” he informed her patiently.
“Uh huh.” She wasn’t trying to be difficult. But this whole conversation seemed surreal, and she needed to understand it all if they were to even attempt to look for this missing wolf, not that they really had the time at the moment. “So not Were-wolves, not ‘just’ wolves, and Shifters are the cousins. So, how are you different from all of them?”
“Shifters and Were-wolves are people who can take animal form, though Shifters can take different animal forms, while Weres take only one animal form,” he said.
“Well, that explains everything.” Tierney rolled her eyes.
“Okami are magic,” he repeated.
“Yeah you said that.” She heard the smile in his voice as he explained.
“We are Wolf first, but we can take human form for short periods of time, some of us longer than others. The difference between Shifters and Were-wolves, is that shifters are born and Weres are bitten. All of us can change form at will, though Were-wolves don’t have a choice during a full moon.”
“Huh. So tell me about this missing wolf, and why you think we can help.”
“Toren is young in wolf years, about twenty-five in human years, and he went to Spokane two weeks ago.”
“Okay. Why?” Tierney wondered why a young wolf would go to the city. Then she grinned. Of course, why wouldn’t a young wolf, a young man, want to experience life in the city … duh!
“No, that’s not why. At least not the whole reason,” he said.
“Okay, so what else would make a young wolf go to the city, then?”
“Sometimes our young wolves want to explore, and even though Toren is no exception, he went after his friend Zeveride, who left a week before him.” Tierney got the impression Kyrian wasn’t telling her something, but what happened in his pack didn’t concern her. “This is Toren’s first venture into the world of humans.” Kyrian huffed. “I forbade
him to go. He didn’t listen, and snuck off anyway.”
“Well that’s your first mistake,” she said, then waved her hand. “So, why do you think something has happened to him?”
“Intuition,” he answered.
“Any ideas of where he might have gone?” she asked.
“Toren went to our Were-cousins in Spokane. He believes that’s where Zeveride went. I wasn’t too worried at first, knowing where he was. But now I am unable to communicate with any of them.”
“Really, there’s a pack of Were-wolves in Spokane,” she said, but it wasn’t a question. Wow, things were crazier than she thought.
“Yes, Justin is their alpha, and a good male.”
“Right,” Tierney sighed. “Look, you need our help, and I don’t have a problem with that, but right now we’re trying to find my dad, he’s also missing.” Although now she couldn’t help wondering if the two cases could be related. “What have you done to find him so far?”
Kyrian was silent for a little too long, making Tierney frown.
“When I last spoke to him, we argued … I thought his silence for the last week and a half was out of anger toward me, but now …” He fell silent again.
“But now something is telling you he’s in trouble?” She felt for him.
“Exactly.”
Tierney mulled this over, wanting to help, but knowing finding her father had to be her first priority.
Chapter Twelve
Spirit Walk
JAX WOLFED DOWN his food, glad his Awakening was over, though he did miss cuddling up to Tierney. It humbled and amazed him, that she could put her fury and hurt aside, and come home to help him. Damn, last night with Serena would haunt him forever. How he’d love to get his hands on her and choke the life out of the bitch for tricking him.
Thinking about what almost happened made him ill, and he thanked the gods Tierney interrupted them. What a major fuck up. Even going through his Awakening didn’t excuse what he’d done. Magic or not, he should’ve been aware. How could I mistake Serena for Tierney? And besides, he would never take Tierney to his car for sex.
Who the hell was Serena anyway? She must be Ilyium. Who else had weak, sick magic? And if so, what had she hoped to accomplish? The Ilyium usually killed all Dracones and Fallen. Jax wondered if they had captured Zander, what could they possibly want with him? Damn. His anger began to rise at the missed opportunity to turn the tables on Serena and question her.
Thinking about how he hurt Tierney, made the darkness surface quicker than ever and he struggled to push it back down. He thought instead about the intense dream he had of them making love last night, and how it had seemed so real. The darkness receded at the thought of her naked body against his. The taste of her lips, his hands on her breasts and him buried deep inside of her. Jax groaned as desire filled him.
He ignored his arousal and glanced at the time on his phone and frowned, surprised then disappointed. As bossy as she normally was, he’d expected Tierney to come and check on him, at least make sure he’d eaten all his food. Jax surveyed the empty tray, set it on the table, and leaned back.
Where is she? I want to see her. I need … need what? He sighed. Tierney’s help the night before, and the dream, were amazing, but he still feared being with her. His dark rage was ever present, and with his dragon awakened, he worried about hurting her. Although honestly, Tierney finding out what happened to him when he was ten, scared the shit out of him just as much. If he saw the same disgust in her eyes that he felt, it would kill him. And the facts didn’t change; he still couldn’t give her children.
Even so, he needed to see her. To be near her again. She made everything right, good. Disgust filled him as he flung the covers back, feeling like a lost puppy. Though weak and shaky, he climbed out of bed and dressed.
“Hey, where’s Tierney?” he asked Sami as he walked into the kitchen. “She’s not in her room.”
Sami set his tablet down on the counter. “Are you sure you should be up? You don’t look so hot,” he said, changing the subject.
“I’m fine. Where is she?” Jax made his way to the coffee pot, poured himself a mug, and raised his eyebrows as he stared at Sami, sticking to the original subject.
Sami sighed “She went to find the wolf.”
“What?” Jax scowled at his brother like he was bat-shit crazy, and Sami realized Tierney hadn’t told him about the wolf.
He smirked. “She went up the mountain to talk to a wolf.”
“What the fuck, Sami?” Jax growled.
“Okay, chill,” Sami chuckled, taking pity on him. “We hiked up the mountain yesterday, and this wolf named Kyrian started to communicate with her.” Sami smirked at Jax’s disbelief. “Swear on our ancestors.”
As Jax scowled waited, Sami’s smile disappeared. “Anyway, Kyrian helped us last night during your Awakening,” he said and the fear on his face as he remembered how scared they’d been made Jax wince.
“We almost lost you. We didn’t know what to do and—” Sami said, then stopped at the flash of anger in Jax’s eyes. Without a word, Jax downed his cup of scalding coffee in seconds.
“That’s gotta burn—” Sami remarked, wide-eyed at his brother’s stupidity.
The mug cracked in Jax’s white-knuckled grip and furious, he dropped the pieces into the trash and pursed his lips, waiting for Sami to continue.
Sami gulped. “He—Kyrian—told her what to do. How to take your pain away.”
“Why?”
“Why what?” Sami didn’t understand the question, or Jax’s anger.
“Why would this wolf help us?” Jax growled.
“I don’t know. Because we needed his help? Because he wanted to? I don’t know, Jax, I didn’t ask. I was too busy worrying about your stupid ass,” Sami said, frustrated.
“Well, I don’t like it. I’m going to find her. I don’t know this wolf, or what his agenda is.” Jax stalked into the mud room and began pulling on his boots and a hoodie.
Sami followed him “Wait—you’re too weak. You shouldn’t be going out—” He caught himself when Jax glared at him. “I didn’t mean you’re weak—you’re not. I meant from the Awakening,” he backtracked.
“I get it.” Jax turned toward the door.
“Shit. Okay. I’m coming with.” Sami pulled on shoes and followed him out.
***
TIERNEY STARTED TO ask Kyrian another question, when Jax’s voice in her head interrupted her. “Tierney!” He sounded frantic. Then she heard Sami’s voice. “Tiern, where are you?”
Her heart began to race, and thinking that Jax might be in pain again, she pushed away from the rock slab. “Jax, are you okay?” she asked, intending to head back to the house but his next words stopped her.
“I’m fine. Where are you?”
She glanced at Kyrian and frowned. “I’m up the main trail, at the large rock.”
“Okay, I’m heading to you.” Jax said.
“You are? Why?” She was surprised.
“We’re almost there. Are you okay?” Jax ignored her question.
Tierney scowled. “Ah, yeah? Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Sami said you’re talking with a wolf,” Jax sounded angry and worried.
Tierney smiled. “Yeah, I am.”
“Jax is worried about your safety,” Sami said.
Tierney snorted as she glanced at Kyrian. “I’m fine. We’re having a conversation.” Thinking an angry Jax may not be in the mood to deal with Kyrian respectfully, she glanced at him.”‘I think it best if I tell them about you and what you need.”
“Yes, if you wish, but please, I’m worried about Toren. Any help would be appreciated,” Kyrian said as he started away.
Tierney barely made it fifty feet before she ran into them.
Jax, white as a ghost, freaked out. “Tierney! What the hell? Why would you come out here alone? What if this wolf hurt you?” he stared past her, up the trail.
Tierney frowned. “He didn’t, and I’m fine. Y
ou should be resting.”
“Resting? I can’t fucking rest when you’re out here with some weird-ass wolf.” Jax’s power started to seep out of him.
“I wouldn’t have come if I thought he’d hurt me. Didn’t Sami tell you Kyrian helped us last night?” Her own anger flared at his lack of trust in her judgement.
“I did—” Sami said at the same time that Jax spoke.
“He told me, but I don’t believe anyone would help for no reason,” Jax growled, eyes searching the area behind her for Kyrian.
“Well, maybe he has a reason,” she muttered, drawing his attention back to her.
“See, I knew it. What does he want?” Jax glared.
“That’s enough, Jax. Kyrian helped save your life, and now he needs our help.” She waited while he struggled to control his anger.
Taking a step back, Jax ran a hand through his short hair. “Shit. I’m sorry, I was just worried.”
Tierney’s anger disappeared, and she gave him a gentle smile. “It’s okay, c’mon, let’s head back and I’ll tell you about the Okami wolves.”
She led them down the trail, telling them about Kyrian and what he wanted. Then her already aching brain started to pound, and she became nauseous. “Oh, agh!” She stopped and clutched her head.
“Tierney?” Jax and Sami shouted in alarm, as Jax steadied her. “What is it, what’s wrong?”
“My head—it hurts,” she groaned.
“Is she going through her Awakening?” Sami stared, wide eyed.
“Don’t know,” Jax answered.
Then a violent shot of pain ripped her apart and doubling over, she would have dropped to her knees if it wasn’t for Jax’s support. “It’s Dad—” she gasped, filled with horror as a dark void pulled at her. It felt like it wanted to swallow her up, and even though she sensed it was futile, she tried to fight the pull.
Then the temperature dropped, leaving the air bitterly cold as the wind started to whip the trees and brush all around them. Vicious, swift-moving clouds covered the sky, turning it dark in a matter of seconds. “What the—?” Jax’s voice sounded far away as the pain intensified. With a cry, she pushed away from Jax and fell to her knees. A booming rumble of thunder set her eardrums to aching. It continued to roll and lightning illuminated the sky in time to the bolts of pain that zinged repeatedly through her head, making bile rise in her throat.
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