Page 10 of Warrior

“Her name was Dinah,” I said softly, the words catching in my throat.“She died saving my life.”

The thought of her death cut through me like it always had.The memory was vivid, burned into my mind.She had saved me from a pack of hellhounds after I returned from college at the beginning of the war.We had been traveling to find my father when our car ran out of gas, forcing us to walk.The hellhounds attacked, and she was bitten.She yelled at me to run.

Run.

That thought made heat surged through me, and I slammed the door on the memory.If I’d stayed, I would’ve died too.That’s what I told myself.That’s what I had to believe.A military patrol found me and took me to my father.He always said she died so I could live.

I glanced at King and then back to Labyrinth, who seemed suddenly interested in the table, his eyes scanning it as though searching for imperfections.He wouldn’t even chance a glance at me.

King leaned over and whispered, “They’re trying to figure out where you come from and who your mother was.”

“She was Dinah,” I repeated, my voice firmer this time.

“Your non-human family.Who were they?”Beck snapped; his tone sharp enough to cut.

Intense pain in my gut made me gasp.King’s death stare at Beck was also telling.Through the pain, I managed to glance at Axel.His usually compassionate eyes stared daggers at Beck.

“We’re done here,” King snarled at the man causing the trouble.

I placed a hand on King’s arm and stopped him before he rose.I fought against the pain, pushing it away, and somehow spoke somewhat normally.

“I’m in control and can handle the question.”

I turned to Labyrinth and ignored Beck.

“My mother’s family was from California.I only saw my relatives a few times before I began high school.We lived in Washington, D.C., where my father worked.Mom disliked traveling.Her parents came to visit us the few times I saw them.Nothing stands out in my memory other than a conversation I overheard between my mother and grandmother about my parents becoming vegetarian when I was born.I remember my grandmother wasn’t happy about it.At the time, it seemed very strange because, to me, it was how we always ate.I had friends in school who ate meat, and I tried it once, but never really cared for the taste or texture.”

My eyes traveled the room as I said the next part.

“If you’re trying to figure out who I am, it’s easy.I’m an American, the Secretary of Defense for the New Federation, and a liaison between humans and Shadow Warriors.Shifting into one of you does not change that.My mother and her mother do not define me, though they were strong, and if I’m half the woman they were, I’ve done better than I expected.I also carry my father inside me.He was honest and loyal and brave.”

Now I rested my gaze on Beck and stabbed him with the stare of the beast residing within me.

“I am Marinah.”

A low growl rumbled from Beck’s throat, and before I could fully process it, King was on his feet, his own growl shaking the air like a thunderclap.I only caught fragments of what was happening because the red haze descended, taking over completely.There was no fighting it this time.

The table separated King from Beck, but it didn’t separate either of them from me.My legs, more animal than human, coiled with raw power, and I launched myself onto the thick wood, easily dodging the knife hilts.I landed inches from Beck, who remained in human form.

There was nothing human left in me.I was all Warrior.

Moving with deliberate slowness, I slid my massive tongue between my jaws and dragged it along Beck’s cheek in one smooth, grotesque motion.

“Tag, you’re it,” I growled, my voice guttural and alien, before driving my arm upward in a classic uppercut.My fist connected solidly with his jaw, sending Beck flying out of his chair.

Without hesitation, I leapt from the table to the floor, landing between his splayed thighs.My now-bare foot, larger, hairy, clawed, and entirely unfamiliar, lifted as I curled my toes.I placed the top of my foot onto Beck’s crotch, applying just enough pressure to make his eyes widen in alarm.

“Do you have more questions?”I asked, my words thick with drool.The saliva dripped grotesquely from my mouth, but I knew better than to wipe it away; I’d probably end up slashing my throat.

“Marinah,” King’s calm voice came from behind me, cutting through the charged moment.

“Yes,” I replied, my eyes never leaving Beck.

“You’re in control,” King said steadily.

“Of course,” I answered, though a touch of peevishness crept into my tone.

“You’re controlling your beast.”

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