“He’s right,” Gage agreed. Edith had asked him not to blame himself. She had known him pretty well, even after just a few days. In all the ways that counted he couldn’t help what he was feeling though. He couldn’t help that Jacob was right.
“Bull-fucking-shit!” Ash growled. “There was nothing you could have done.”
“You weren’t there.” Gage’s eyes pricked. “How would you know?”
“I know you and that’s enough. Have you eaten yet?”
Gage snorted. He shook his head. “I’m not hungry.” He felt his eye throb. It was probably going to swell some before it healed.
“Listen and listen good.” His brother got that steely look of determination. “You are going to get your sorry ass out of bed.” Ash narrowed his eyes. “You’re showering, dressing and you’re eating. It’s been two days. You still have those bandages on.” His eyes moved to his hands. “You don’t even need them anymore. Furthermore, you stink.”
Gage didn’t say anything.
Ash turned to Ward. “What are you going to do with him?” His brother tossed a dirty look at Jacob.
"You …" Ward paused, he looked like he felt sorry for the male. Gage wanted to break Jacob's nose, but at the same time, he felt sorry for him too. Ward looked down at his feet and then back at Jacob. "I think it would be best if you worked off some of this energy. A male who sits around inside his own head will get himself into trouble." He glanced at Gage before looking back at Jacob.
“Fine.” Jacob shook his head. “I’m sorry this happened.”
“I think you’re apologizing to the wrong person,” Ward said.
Jacob turned to Gage. “I’m sorry. I cared about her.” His jaw tightened. “I cared a lot.”
“I cared about her too.” Gage’s throat was thick with emotion. “That’s why I’ll accept your apology.”
Ward and Jacob filed out of the room. “You’ll do as I asked?” Ash asked him.
Gage nodded. “Yeah.”
“Ethan wants to see you. He’s been begging. He misses his uncle.”
A smidgen of light in the dark. Like a burning match in a vast underground cavern. Gage couldn't help but smile for a moment. It hurt more than just his face. "I would love to see him."
“I’ll bring him by later.”
Gage nodded. His brother was an asshole. If Ethan was coming, he would be sure to clean up. He had to. Ash knew that he wouldn't want to worry his nephew by looking like shit.
“Good.” Ash smiled. “I’ll see you later.”
17
High slate ceiling. Wooden beams. The room was round and large but she was oh so very comfortable. Very sleepy. In fact, she wanted to close her eyes for a bit more, so she did. Much better! So cozy and warm.
“Human.” A high-pitched, distinctly feminine voice.
Edith sighed, not wanting to listen. Sleep was better. She wanted to turn over, to face the other way but something held her in place.
“Human. It is time to wake up.” The voice again. Irritating!
Go away! It came out as a garbled mumble.
The woman shook her and she opened her eyes again. Edith turned her head towards the irritating woman. She had to look up and up, even though the lady was sitting on the edge of her bed. Wow, but she was tall … with such smooth, olive skin. Boobs. Odd. The woman was topless. She had a short, leather skirt around her waist. It looked soft and tan and reminded her of … of … she looked back up at the woman’s face. Those eyes, a beautiful yellow, golden color.
A griffin woman. Was it possible? Must be. The lady smiled. “How are you feeling?”
“Why?” She frowned.
The griffin lady looked at her funny. “You almost died. Don't you remember?” She narrowed her eyes.
“What? No! I almost died? Not possible.” And yet she knew it was. Edith sucked in a deep breath. She looked down at her chest. It was tightly bandaged, from under her arms to where her ribs ended. Edith rubbed her hands over the crepe bandages, wincing. Not because she felt any pain but because she expected pain to flare up.
So much pain.
So much blood.
Sure, there had been a few deep lacerations from the griffin’s claws, but most of the damage had been on the inside. She’d felt warm and cold. Sweaty and yet at peace. She felt her lungs filling with blood. It had been thick in her throat and on her tongue. So hard to breathe. So hard to stay conscious. “Gage,” she cried. “Where is Gage?”
“Cadon saved your life but there was no time for him to explain things to the bear. As it was, you almost didn’t make it. He had to use three feathers to bring you back from the brink of death.”
Edith had felt her life slipping away. She had spoken with Gage, told him not to blame himself and then, from there, her memory was hazy. “Feathers? I don’t understand.” A memory stirred inside her mind, but it wasn’t strong enough to surface.
“Griffins possess limited magical powers. Those of healing.”
Griffins are magical. Gage really was going to have to roast his nuts over a fire. She longed to see him again. Did he know she was here? Did he know she was alive?
The griffin woman went on. “We have limited reserves and so, we must use our powers wisely.” Her eyes clouded for a moment. “Our powers are infused in our feathers. The more golden our plumes, the more vibrant our power. Griffins with black feathers have exhausted their reserves.”
“Oh!” Edith could hardly believe what she was hearing. “So even though Cadon knew he was using up some of his powers, he still chose to save me?”
“But of course. Cadon is a good male.”
“Probably did it so that he can try to mate me.” It just slipped out. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful, it’s just …”
The griffin smiled. “I am sure that was the last thing on his mind. He has been very worried about you.”
“Has he really?” Sarcasm dripped from every word.
“Our males can be brash and pig-headed. They were idiots in the way they have gone about things, but I assure you that they would never harm anyone. All of those who were taken have been returned, unharmed.”
“That’s good news at least but we’re talking about them abducting women and children and trying to force themselves on us.”
She shook her head, frowning. “Force? No, you must be mistaken. Our males would never force themselves. Like I said, they went about things the wrong way, but their intentions were good. I assure you. Everyone has been very worried about you. Cadon most of all. He is at the base of this tower and refuses to leave.”
“You’re sure it’s not because he wants to try to persuade me to mate with him?”
She folded her hands in her lap. “Quite sure.”
“Okay then, I would like to meet Cadon. Would that be possible?”
“Yes.” The woman nodded once. “He would like that, but first you must eat and drink. You have been asleep for four days.”
Edith’s eyes widened. “What? So long?”
The griffin nodded. “We gave you some sleeping herbs to keep you under. The healing process is a painful one … or so I have been told.” The woman reached for a bowl of something that smelled absolutely delicious.
Suddenly, Edith was ravenous. She propped up her pillows so that she was in more of a sitting position. Although she felt a bit weak, she was fine otherwise. There was no pain at all. “So, you have never needed to be healed yourself?”
The woman got that same faraway look. Edith would say that she seemed really sad. She shook her head. “The power does not seem to work on our kind, if it did, we would not have lost so many of our females.” She brought a spoon of the … it was either thick soup or thin stew … to Edith’s lips.
Edith took a mouthful. She chewed a few times and swallowed. It tasted as good as it smelled. “That makes sense. Your men would’ve healed their mates otherwise.”
“Yes, and they tried anyway.” The woman brought another spoonful to her mouth. “Some exhaust
ed all of their powers. They would not give up even though they knew trying was futile.”
She swallowed. “That’s so sad.” Edith could picture it. Maybe she had misjudged the griffins. “What is your name?”
“Davina … and you are Edith.” The griffin female smiled, her eyes scrunching at the corners.
"Yes," Edith said, taking another bite. They were silent for the next few spoonfuls. It gave her a chance to study Davina. High cheekbones and full lips. She had chestnut colored, shiny hair. Muscular for a woman, with broad shoulders like a swimmer, or someone who could change shape and fly. Her breasts were small and high. Her legs long and athletically built.
The most feminine things about her were her voice and her hair. Everything else was a touch on the masculine side. It didn't matter because Davina was still beautiful in her own way. One of the last remaining griffin women. She had to be one of the infertile females. "Are you mated?"
Davina nodded and smiled. “Yes, Maxum and I have been together for many cycles.” She held out another spoonful, but Edith shook her head.
“I’m full, thank you. It would be great if I could have a sip of water.” She gestured to the jug of water on the table next to her bed.
Davina poured some into the golden goblet and held it out to her. Edith drank deeply.
“Are you feeling better?” the other woman asked.
“Much.” Edith felt more energized after eating. Not nearly as tired as she had been.
“That’s good. You will be able to return home soon then. Shall I call Cadon now?” Davina raised her brows.
“Yes, please.” Home. Funny how the first thing she thought of was the shifter village and of Gage.
“Just so that you know, Cadon is one of the males who lost his mate to the clutch sickness. Our males mate for life. He does not see you as a potential mate. Cadon is one of those destined to be alone for the rest of his days.”
“I didn’t realize. How terrible for him. Are there lots of your kind who will have to be alone?”
Davina nodded. “Alas, yes.” She cocked her head. “You were not to know. I thought knowing might make you feel more comfortable being around him.”
“Thank you.” The griffin lady was right.
Davina turned her head and made a high-pitched noise. A large griffin was at the entrance of the tower in a second. The griffin was brown for the most part, some of his feathers were black. His eyes and great beak seemed more golden. He shifted and true as nuts, it was the guy who had ambushed her in the clearing. For a second, she could just stare at him, reminded of that moment when she saw him. Of the fear that had turned her blood to ice.
She’d screamed. A reaction. One she quickly came to regret. Her scream had alerted Gage and instead of following the plan, he’d rushed to save her. It had both warmed and terrified her. Especially because she was convinced she’d have to watch him die. In the end she couldn’t simply stand by and do nothing. She had to try to help Gage, and it had turned out to be a terrible mistake. They stood there staring at one another. It seemed as if they were both remembering the events that had led them there.
Davina broke the moment. “I will leave you to talk.” She pulled the leather skirt off as she turned, showing off long legs and a really great ass. So athletic. She shifted. Her plumes were a bright golden color. Dazzling. She was smaller than the males of her species. Also, much sleeker built. Davina screeched once and leapt from the ledge.
"I am glad to see that you are in good health." Cadon fastened a loincloth around his middle. "I was told that humans prefer the sexual organs to be covered."
“Yes, that’s true, thank you.”
“Strange.” He paused, fumbling with the tie for a moment. “We still have so much to learn about your species.”
“Yeah, you really do.” She wasn’t going to lie to him.
“I’m glad you asked to see me.” He shifted from foot to foot, looking down at the golden floor before locking eyes with her. “I’m so terribly sorry for what happened. Leukos wished to speak with you. He said that you were interesting to talk to, that you had enlightened him about a good number of things. We would never have interfered if we knew you had already mated that bear. Or if we had known you would be hurt.”
“So, he thought he’d just abduct me again and at any cost?” She couldn’t keep the sneer from her voice.
“I am so sorry I hurt you.”
She huffed out a breath. “This isn’t going as well as I hoped it would. The reason I called you here was to thank you for saving my life. Yet I find myself getting upset with you at the same time. You were going to hurt my friend.”
“I had my orders to bring you in.”
“At any cost?”
Cadon shook his head. “No, not at any cost. I waited and watched. I planned to pick you up while the bear was gone. He wasn’t supposed to make it back as quickly as he did. Also, the animal shifters are far punier than we had anticipated. One small touch and their bodies tear apart.” He shrugged. “The plan was to knock him out, so that I could bring you to my king as instructed. It did not go as planned. I deeply regret almost killing you.”
“You guys really can’t keep going around abducting people and holding them against their will. You can’t go around hurting and almost killing people either.” She sighed. “Having said that, I accept your apology. I’m grateful to you for using up some of your powers to save me.”
“I would have plucked myself bald to save you.” His brow was creased. He had this whole puppy dog look going on.
Edith bit down on her lower lip to stop herself from laughing. Thing was, Cadon was being completely serious. That and completely sincere. It would be rude of her to laugh.
“I deeply regret what happened. My king was most upset. The Feral will no longer abduct females. What happened to you has changed our minds on that note. Believe me.”
“What about children? Do you plan on kidnapping more innocent children?” She raised her brows, looking at him pointedly.
“We will no longer abduct anyone. A task team has been assembled to infiltrate a major human settlement.”
“Okay.” Edith wasn’t sure she liked this idea of theirs. “To what end?” She could guess.
"Their mission will be to learn as much as possible about humans. Especially the females of the species. I am one of the chosen few who was selected." He beamed, looking pleased with himself.
“Congrats! I think. I still worry that someone might end up hurt. Most probably one of the humans you come into contact with.”
Cadon shook his head. “All of the males who were selected are loners, like me. Males who lost their mates. It is purely a fact-finding mission. We need to learn as much as possible about human females but not with the intention of mounting them.”
“So, no serious mingling with the women?”
“No, not in the way you are thinking. You see, we quite literally cannot go down that path. It is impossible.”
She couldn’t help laughing. “Impossible my ass! You are going to meet and talk with human women. It’s not that far-fetched or impossible.”
“Those of us who lost mates are dead to other females. It is impossible. We will find out as much information as possible and take it back to those who are trying to find a mate.”
“Oh. I see! I’m sorry … I guess.”
Cadon bowed his head.
“That sounds like a better plan. I hope that you will take your time?”
“We will mainly observe. Teach what we learn to the males back here at the nesting grounds.” He was actually quite a sweet guy. Edith felt sorry for him, could sense his deep sadness and loss.
“I am sure you would like to freshen up and to change.” He pointed in the direction of the bathroom. “Soren fashioned some clothing for you out of the pelts.”
“That was sweet of him.” She looked at the tiny skirt and what looked like a fur skin bikini top. “I think,” she added when she actually thought of putting them on and
going out in public.
“I will leave you.” Cadon bowed his head for a moment. “Call me when you are ready to leave. I will be at the base of the tower.”
18
Her feet touched the ground and Cadon let go. Two silent flaps later and he was touching down next to her. Within a few seconds, he was in his human form, hand clutched over his junk. Maybe these griffins had a chance at making it work with humans after all.
“Good luck with your mission.” She held out her hand.
Cadon looked at her outstretched arm and frowned.
“It’s a human custom, we shake hands in greeting.”
He gently clasped his fingers over hers. Edith shook once and let go. “That’s it?” he asked.
“Yes, that’s it.” She smiled.
“I’ve already learned something. I am sure that your male will be very happy to see you.”
“Nah,” she snorted, waving her hand. “He’s not mine.”
Cadon cocked his head, it was a gesture that reminded her of a bird. All the griffins did it when they were thinking something through. “You may not think of him as yours, but I think that he thinks of you as his.”
“You think so?” Hope was a terrible thing. She didn’t want to feel it. Gage had been clear but then again, things changed. Didn’t they?
“I do think so, yes. The way he defended you, would die for you, told me otherwise.”
“He was doing his duty.” Not going there. Too dangerous to think along those lines.
“Yes, that also makes sense, although,” he scrunched his forehead up in thought, “I was quite sure. It is what I observed. It’s the little things sometimes, the way one person looks at another, touches another. I guess I was mistaken.”
“How long did you watch us?”
“About an hour.”
Shew, for a second there …
Cadon touched the side of her arm. “I need to go now,” he whispered, almost too softly for her to hear. “All of the best, human.” Then he shifted and was gone. As in, the whole thing happened in about three-seconds flat. Those griffins sure were fast. She didn’t have a chance to ask him to point her in the right direction or tell her how far she was from the village.
Unchained (Shifter Night Book 3) Page 14
