The Shifter's Catch

by T. S. Ryder

  They stared at each other for a long moment before Zoelle shifted in her seat, bringing attention back to her. Her face was pale but her expression was determined.

  "I know how to find him."

  Edan tensed. "What else haven't you told us?"

  "It's not like that," Zoelle snapped. "If I knew where he was, then I'd have sent people after him. We need for him to come back. And in order to do that . . . Clint needs to die."

  Chapter Thirteen – Edan

  His fires flickered low in his belly as he stood in the preparation room, waiting to go out to the throne room and formally announce Clint's demise and his own ascension to take over the kingdom. His stomach churned with nerves and his mind kept flickering to his brother and king. He had agreed to the plan, but it was tricky. Isobel thought that the demon would probably be able to sense if Clint was really dead, and so they had killed him.

  Well, administered certain drugs to mimic death. He was already in the catacombs, lying in a coffin. If this didn't work . . .

  "Are you ready?" Isobel asked from his elbow.

  "As ready as I'll ever be. This will bring Brant in, but I'm going to have to fight him. And if you can't get the demon out . . . " He pushed the thought away. "I know it's for the best. I know it's our only chance. This needs to end."

  Isobel threw her arms around his neck and pressed a deep kiss to his mouth. She undulated her body against his, thrusting her tongue into his mouth almost desperately. Edan's eyes widened and he stiffened unconsciously. Isobel sensed his movement and pulled back, her brows pinched.

  "What's wrong?"

  "You kissed me . . . like that."

  She dropped her arms. "Yeah . . . so? We slept together. Why is a kiss like that a surprise to you?"

  He had upset her. He shrugged, struggling to put his feelings into words. "Yeah, we slept together. But nothing really came of it afterward. We haven't kissed that much. We haven't even been sleeping in the same bed. I thought . . . I thought you'd decided to take one for the kingdom and that we were just waiting to see if you got pregnant now."

  "Are . . . Oh, boy." Isobel pinched the bridge of her nose. "It's just been chaos. Everything has been crazy and I thought that you were the one who wanted to put a hold on things. I've been waiting for your go-ahead . . . "

  Despite the situation, Edan's heart lifted. "You were?"

  "Yes." She stepped closer and pressed her hands into his. "I didn't sleep with you because it was best for the kingdom. I haven't stayed around because I wanted your money or the prestige of being a princess. If that was all I was after, I'd have been out of here in a heartbeat as soon as my life was threatened. I'm here because I . . . I love you. And I don't want to see you hurt."

  Love. He hadn't expected her to be the first to say it. He stared at her, uncertain as to what he was actually hearing. "You . . . love me?"

  She put her hands on her hips. "That's what I said, isn't it?"

  He seized her around the waist and pulled her close. He kissed her hard and long, his fires leaping in his belly. They coursed through him and as he ground against Isobel, everything tightened. He teased her mouth open and flicked his tongue in. She replied expertly, causing a moan to erupt from his throat.

  He pulled away briefly to cup her face in his hands. "I love you, too. I just didn't know how you would respond and I didn't want to frighten you off, so I wasn't going to say anything."

  "Makes sense." Isobel groaned as she pressed herself to him again.

  Behind him, Zoelle cleared her throat. "It's time."

  The lovers broke apart. Edan clutched at Isobel for a moment before he nodded. Turning back to the mirror, he quickly straightened himself up. There was a slight tremor in his hands, but that was to be expected. Hopefully, the reporters wouldn't pick up on it.

  If it didn't work . . .

  Zoelle fell in step with him as he exited the room, but Isobel stayed behind. She wasn't officially part of the royal family yet and wasn't in a position to make such announcements.

  On the other side of the door was a raised dais that held the king's throne. Edan's throat closed over briefly as he looked at it, but he pushed the feelings aside. He was a prince and the king's brother. The citizens, his citizens, were not going to see any weakness in him. They were going to see a strong pillar of support in this time of crisis and he was going to get through it.

  Zoelle stood by his side, her expression blank. He could see the tears in her eyes, though. When he touched his hand to hers, she blinked rapidly and pulled away.

  Just beyond a barrier, the reporters were waiting. Usually, the royal family had only one or two people present for these sorts of announcements, liking their privacy. But in this case, they needed the word out as quickly as possible. They all waited with their cameras and voice recorders and he had to swallow hard. Clint always said they were like sharks in the water, but they seemed more like pilot fish – heralds of the danger that was to come. They all watched eagerly as he took his place at the podium.

  "Thank you all for coming here today." Cameras flashed. Edan paused for a moment, collecting himself. "It is under sad circumstances that I've called this meeting. My brother, his Royal Majesty King Clinton II, passed away suddenly last night."

  The reporters gasped. He could see a few straining to stop themselves from asking questions, but he had made it very clear when he called them there that anybody who so much as uttered a word would be immediately escorted out.

  He licked his lips. "His death was caused by latent injuries from the explosive that my brother Prince Brant planted in his car. From this day forward, Brant is cut from the royal line. I will take my place as king and my marriage to the human Isobel Yasmine will take place a week after my coronation."

  The reporters pressed forward. There were a few vocalizations, some of eagerness, some of despair, but no words. No questions. Edan stared out over them for a moment longer, his heart pounding in his chest. Somewhere out there, Brant could be watching the broadcast. What would he be feeling? Anger at Edan for taking the place as king? Sorrow at Clint's death? Nothing at all?

  "I know that this is a difficult time for all of us," he continued. "I will strive to be the king that we need and deserve and protect this kingdom with my body and blood. As for my brother . . . Brant is a traitor and will be brought to justice. I will hunt him down and make sure he pays for what he has done."

  He strode away without another word. Zoelle stepped up to the podium after he was gone and began to take questions. Edan closed the door behind him and sagged against it. Why did such a simple press conference make him feel like he was drowning? He ripped off his tie and undid the first few buttons on his shirt. He hadn't had as much to do with the press as Clint, but he had enough experience.

  Isobel wrapped her arms around him. "It's okay. You did great. I'm sure that Brant believed you."

  "I hope he did," Edan pulled her tight against him. "Because if he didn't . . . "

  "Don't even think that way."

  He kissed her gently. "Now it's just a matter of waiting and watching. If it worked, then Brant will attack before the coronation and wedding. And if he doesn't, then we'll have to pull Clint out of his coma and the game will be up. But for right now . . . " Another kiss. "I love you."

  A faint pink flush rose in her cheeks as she grinned. "I never thought I'd be so happy to hear those words. I always thought I was good enough on my own. I told myself I didn't need anybody. Even after Gran died, I told myself that I was as strong as I could be and that being alone wasn't going to break me."

  "You are strong. I don't think you would have broken."

  "Maybe not. But it was hard. I couldn't trust anybody but myself, and I pushed people away for fear that they would leave me. And then you came along. I didn't want to love you, but you were just so gentle. So kind. And even if you never said it out loud, I could hear your promise every time you spoke to me."

  Edan traced her lip with his thumb. "What promise?" />
  "To stay with me no matter what." She tangled her fingers in his hair. "And I will stay with you. No matter what happens, Edan. I belong to you from now until forever . . . My prince. My love. My mate."

  He brushed his fingers over her cheek. "And I am yours."

  "I am. And all I need is you. You could be the poorest peasant in the kingdom and that would be enough."

  They pressed together once more, arms wrapped right around one another. Edan's fires calmed. Whatever happened, he would have her. And that was enough for him, too.

  Chapter Fourteen – Isobel

  Isobel searched the sky. The balcony felt solid and steady beneath her, but she remembered how easily the ones had broken away during Brant's previous attack. It was almost enough to make her run back inside, but she stayed where she was. The cool mountain air filled her lungs as she watched for any dark spot that might be a dragon.

  "I hoped I could find you."

  Her face twisted into a scowl as she turned to face her father. "I thought we let you at the Phantom's Cave. What are you doing here? Better yet, why haven't you been kicked out yet?"

  Josef held up his hands. "Hear me out. If you want me to leave after I'm done, then I will. Just hear me out."

  As if dealing with him wasn't bad enough, Azalea appeared behind him and snorted. "Hear him out, huh? Are you going to?"

  She ignored the ghost and nodded briefly at Josef. Her father stuffed his hands into his pockets. He was fatter than when she had last seen him, but it looked more like he had been bulking up than anything else. The muscle definition was clear on his shoulders.

  "I wasn't ready to be a father when you were growing up. I did the best I could by giving you to my mother to raise. I knew that she would be able to handle you. I couldn't. I couldn't give you what you needed and earn a living at the same time. And I'm sorry that I didn't spend more time with you—"

  "No." Isobel shook her head. "You're only saying that because I'm special now. Before we went to the caves, you weren't going to 'waste your time' on me, remember? You don't get to be my father just because I've proven that I'm worth something. I should have been worth being your daughter just by being me."

  "If you would just—"

  "No."

  Azalea shook her head. "Maybe you should give him a chance."

  "Shut up, Azalea," Isobel snapped at her. "Nobody asked you."

  Josef paled. "Azalea?"

  "The ghost, Dad. The ghost who has been hanging around me ever since Gran died. Actually, it was just after her funeral. You know, the one where you spent the whole time introducing me as your daughter to people you'd known for years that were all surprised that you had a daughter because you never talked about me." She laughed bitterly. "And you think I should—"

  "Azalea?"

  What was the point of talking to him? He never listened to anything she had to say.

  "Isobel, your ghost . . . is she human? With brown hair, gray eyes, and a dimple in the middle of her lower lip?"

  Isobel glanced at Azalea and back at him. She nodded once.

  Josef sagged against the railing. "Azalea . . . That was what I used to call your mother. We first met when she came to my shop looking for azaleas. She could never keep them alive."

  "No. I killed them on purpose so I had an excuse to keep going back."

  "What?" Isobel felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. She stared at her father and the ghost, her heart in her throat. "You're my mother?"

  Azalea bowed her head and nodded. Her hands twisted and she looked so ashamed that Isobel almost – almost – felt sorry for her. A bitter laugh burst out of her. Great. So the ghost that had been causing her so much trouble was her mother. Of course, her mother wasn't some grand lady forced to give up her illegitimate daughter. She was a self-absorbed, insensitive woman.

  "I know what you're thinking, but I didn't leave because I didn't love you, Isobel. I was messed up. I left after I nearly killed you. I put you in the tub and left you there. When I came back you had turned yourself over and I thought you were dead. When you started crying, I knew I couldn't stay. I left because I wanted to protect you. When I died, I found myself drawn to you. I didn't even remember I had a daughter at first."

  "Stop." Isobel backed away from both of them. "I don't care about your excuses. I can't deal with this right now. There's a dragon out there who has already tried to kill me once, and he's not going to hesitate to try again. So just go away. I'm not your daughter. Neither of you would bother with me until you wanted something from me."

  "That's not true," Azalea started.

  "You have caused me nothing but trouble! You sent me into that cave and then abandoned me there. So, no, you don't get to reveal that you’re my mother and then expect me to believe your sob story. Get out of here. Both of you!"

  Josef reached for her. "Isobel, there is such thing as forgiveness."

  "GET OUT!"

  Even as she shouted, Azalea screamed. A haze appeared in the air and a stream of green fire erupted. It moved as though the world was frozen, shooting towards her. She threw herself to one side, but it was like she was stuck in molasses, unable to move beyond a snail's pace. Her mouth dropped open and her lungs filled with air.

  Josef threw himself in front of her, both hands moving up. A red shield formed in the air before his fingers. The impact of the fire slammed him backward, toppling him into Isobel. She felt the scorching of the flames against her skin, but the magical shield Josef had summoned deflected it to either side so it didn't burn them to a crisp.

  The haze shimmered and became a dragon, crouched on the edge of the balcony. He leaped into the air and surged forward, snapping his jaws at them.

  Edan dropped from the sky, landing on Brant's back. He yanked both of Brant's wings back and they fell from the sky, landing hard on the ground below. Isobel scrambled to her feet and rushed to the edge of the balcony. Below her, the two dragons detangled themselves and circled one another.

  Where were the guards? Isobel leaned over the railing until she realized that she was putting herself into a vulnerable position. She pulled back and ran for the inside. A howl of pain nearly made her turn back. Josef grabbed her arm and dragged her with him as he headed inside, and Isobel let him pull her along. If he wasn't there, she didn't think she could have the strength to leave not knowing what was happening to Edan.

  As soon as she was inside, however, she tore away from him and raced for the main floor. Josef shouted after her and she ignored him. He didn't deserve her attention. Her heart slammed in her chest, the adrenaline surging through her blood. By the time she got back outside, Edan and Brant were in a full-fledged fight. Dozens of the bronze guard stood around, watching.

  "What are you doing?" she screamed. "Help him!"

  "They're fighting to be king." Azalea stepped in front of her. "They think Clint is dead and the younger brother is trying to take the throne. Nobody can interfere in this now."

  "But Clint isn't dead!" Isobel looked around wildly. "Someone, please! Clint isn't dead. We put him in a coma. You have to—"

  A howl of pain cut her off. Brant pinned Edan to the ground, the bulk of his body on Edan's head as he tore as his wings. The thin membrane ripped away like tissue paper and Brant snapped the fragile bones. Howls continued as Edan dug into the ground, fighting to free himself. The image of the dragon flickered, replaced by the demon, laughing.

  "No!" Isobel screamed. Hands grabbed her, and she elbowed the person in the face. "Leave him alone, you coward!"

  The demon's head swiveled towards her and then flickered back to the dragon. Flames flickered between Brant's sharp teeth and his eyes narrowed in on her. He turned, inhaling deeply. Edan threw himself into the air, digging tooth and claw into his brother's side. Brant screamed, his fire shooting straight into the air.

  Isobel didn't let herself think. Edan was injured. Even now, he wasn't fighting to kill, but to subdue. The same couldn't be said of Brant. The demon. She charged forward
, ignoring the shouts that followed her. The dragons both turned, eyes widening as they watched her come at them. Brant's jaw gaped slightly and Edan pounced on him. His jaws clamped over his brother's muzzle and he clawed at Brant's stomach and sides. Scales and blood fountained into the air as they toppled again.

  Her hands were already glowing by the time she reached them. She didn't hesitate as she jumped onto Brant's head and plunged both hands through his skull. She felt the demon, slippery like a snake, and grasped it. Its hold was stronger than the one she pulled from Clint, but she dug in her heels and yanked.

  Chapter Fifteen – Edan

  What looked like a green snake's body twisted in Isobel's hands. Edan struggled to hold Brant still as Isobel struggled with the demon. She gained an inch and it slithered back in, knocking her off her feet. Edan bit into the back of Brant's neck and forced his head down and Isobel threw herself backward.

  The demon slipped out like a baby being born on the final push. Blood sprang into the air as it clawed at Brant's scales.

  A screech filled the air and it launched itself into the air. Claws tore at Isobel and Edan lunged forward. His jaws snapped the air. The demon sped off into the mountains, continually shrieking. Edan whirled back toward Isobel. She sat on the ground, pale but unharmed.

  "Edan . . . " Brant's voice drew his attention.

  His brother melted back to human form, pain on his face. He clutched his chest, panting and collapsed. Edan jumped to him. His own chest barely moved, but when he checked Brant's pulse, it was wild and erratic. The guard was still standing around in a circle. They muttered to each other and stared at the brothers with wide eyes. Edan's flames burst out of his mouth.

  "Help us!"

  One of them moved forward hesitantly. Edan snarled and seized Brant under the shoulders. He hefted him up and Isobel quickly moved to his feet. They managed to get him to the palace steps before the guard came and took over. Edan directed them to the hospital wing. It soon became a flurry of activity – like they knew what was happening.