Page 27 of Vow Of A Fox

The sound of cracking bones and rustling feathers among them all should have unsettled me, but instead, it had seemed strangely unified—almost like watching pieces of a puzzle fall into place one by one. These weren’t just people—they were a team, a crew, and each instinctively knew their role tonight.

They were the Misfit Shifters, and I was honored to be in their presence.

Sienna’s fox stayed close to my side as we moved into the woods, following the others. I tightened my grip on the cage and pulled in a steadying breath.

Just as we were about to reach Lucius’s, the air seemed to thicken. It grew heavy with an energy I couldn’t quite describe. There was a palpable presence of darkness lurking here. I scanned the treetops, searching for any sign of him, but saw nothing.

However, the moment we reached the grave, he appeared.

Xander’s raven swooped down in a blur of black feathers, landing on the grave in a swift and graceful motion. Moonlight caught his feathers, making them shimmer like oil on water. Everyone sprang into action, their animal forms moving with a precision that left me awestruck and momentarily stunned.

Dean’s wolf prowled closer to Xander’s raven, his eyes locked on him like prey, while Ellis’s bobcat came in from the side, his steps silent and calculated. Sienna’s fox stiffened, and a deep, threatening growl rumbled low in her throat while Astrid’s ravenreleased a sharp caw that cut through the night. Lyra’s owl circled from above along with Waylen’s eagle, both poised and ready to strike.

It was a coordinated effort unlike anything I’d ever witnessed in the animal kingdom.

Each of them moved instinctively, no words needed, their trust in one another apparent. My heart pounded as I stood at the edge of their formation, my hands gripping the cage like it was the last lifeline I had in this surreal moment.

Then it happened.

Xander’s raven cocked his head, his beady black eyes gleaming with an unnatural intelligence, and a split second later, the energy in the air shifted. I could feel it—the invasive force of his mental attack rippled through the air, charging it with such darkness that was nearly suffocating even to me.

Everyone faltered, but my focus was fixated on Sienna’s fox.

She was thrown off balance by the sudden onslaught. She shook her head, trying to shake off the raven’s grip, but it didn’t seem to be working.

“Sienna,” I breathed.

Every instinct in me screamed to protect her, but I knew better than to charge in recklessly. Still, seeing her like that—fighting something I couldn’t see, couldn’t touch—was unbearable. Even so, I knew my part.

I knew exactly what I needed to do.

My gaze snapped to Rachel. She nodded, letting me know she was ready to make her move. I shifted my weight, steadying myself, knowing it would be my turn next.

Rachel raised her hands, and then suddenly Xander’s raven jerked into the air, high into the sky. His wings flailed as he was yanked down half a second later by an invisible force and slammed into the ground.

The impact was thunderous.

My breath caught at the sheer power Rachel wielded, and for a moment, I was stunned. But then I remembered it was my turn to take this evil down. I sprinted forward, the adrenaline pumping through my veins heavy and thick, drowning out every other thought. As the raven showed signs of recovering, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the syringe. Plunging the needle into the muscle at the base of one of his wings, I released the sedative into his bloodstream. He gave a sharp caw as his body twisted in my grasp, but I held firm.

“Come on,” I muttered, hoping I’d dosed him heavily enough.

When his wings drooped and his head sagged, I exhaled a breath of relief and then placed him inside the cage.

Falling back on my heels, I stared at him. His black eyes fluttered shut, and for the first time since we’d arrived at this section of the woods the air here felt lighter. The trees themselves felt as though they could breathe again.

“He’s asleep,” I said to the others, my voice steadier than I’d expected with adrenaline pumping through me.

The others moved in closer, their animal forms circling the cage as if to confirm the danger was contained for themselves. My gaze focused on Sienna’s fox. Her sharp eyes locked with mine and I swore I saw something that resembled pride flicker through them.

“Not bad for a vet, huh?” I asked, flashing her a crooked grin.

Sienna’s fox nudged my leg gently, and I smoothed a hand over her head.

“You’re incredible, you know that?” I whispered. She let out a noise that I could’ve sworn was her fox’s version of a chuckle.

Dean, in his wolf form still, garnered everyone’s attention with a grumble and then we headed back to our vehicles. I carried the cage with Xander’s raven, staying close to Sienna’s fox as I walked.

When we reached where we’d parked, everyone shifted back into their human forms. I turned away, focusing on the trees and starlit sky while they dressed. Once everyone was decent, Sienna made her way to me.

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