Page 18 of Fallen
I head toward the back of the diner, confused when my gaze falls on Silas. He looks worse than last time—hair mussed, eyes shadowed, his tailored suit replaced by a wrinkled jacket. “Lev,” Silas says, his voice low. “Thanks for coming. I know you don’t trust me.”
“Understatement of the century,” I mutter, crossing my arms. “What’s this lead, Silas? And don’t waste my time.”
He leans forward, his hands clasped on the table. “Elias is holed up in a hidden enclave in the forest preserve, near the old oak grove. I’ve been tracking him since he took you the other night.”
Knowing Silas figured out I was taken and didn’t do anything about it just pisses me off. He’s definitely on my shit list, still. “What’s in it for you?”
Silas hesitates, his eyes flicking to Rowan and Amand. “I want Elias stopped. He’s my brother, but he’s gone too far. And… I owe you, Lev. For college, for everything.”
I scoff, the old hurt bubbling up. “You owe me? That’s rich. Elias stepped in and told me I was nothing, pretending to be you and you never came back to right that wrong. And now your twin’s killing because of me. Spare me the guilt trip.”
Silas flinches, his expression pained. “I know I fucked up. But this is real. The enclave’s dangerous, but you’re the only one who can get close. Your Chameleon magic—it’s perfect for infiltration. I… uh studied it a little bit and it looks like it might work if the legends are true.”
“Fine,” I say, standing. “Give me the coordinates. We’ll check it out.” It could be another trap but I’m going to call a different kind of backup this time. Shifters I’ve worked with personally, which have no ties to Gerald and Essence PI.
Silas slides a folded paper across the table, his fingers lingering. “Be careful, Lev. Elias… he’s not himself anymore.”
I pocket the paper, ignoring his touch. “Yeah, well, neither am I. Stay out of my way, Silas.” He has the decency to look hurt as we head back outside, driving in silence to the edge of the preserve.
Few words are said as we move through the underbrush, careful to stay quiet until we reach what is supposedly the enclave. It feels like we’ve been walking for hours but it’s barely been thirty minutes. After tonight, I demand that the police startclearing out the forest because this is the second case I’ve dealt with deep in the trees, with people believing they don’t have to follow the law.
We slip through the enclave’s barrier with ease—mostly because I assume no one is coming out here by accident. And that’s when I catch the god awful setup of every stereotypical unicorn thing laid out in front of me. Horns, stars, and glittery bullshit are plastered everywhere. I mutter under my breath, “Unicorns need a new interior designer,” and feel Amand’s silent chuckle right behind me.
Unicorn magic coats this entire place, shifters moving through the camp, their eyes glazed, chanting about purity and power. It’s creepy as hell, and I’m hyper-aware of Rowan and Amand’s tension, their beasts ready to strike.
We duck behind a tent, and I peer through a gap, spotting a central altar draped in white cloth, a unicorn horn gleaming on it. I’m about to signal the guys when a hand grazes my back, and I nearly jump. It’s Rowan, his human form pressed close, his hand slipping beneath my shirt to rest on my bare skin.
“You got this, Lev,” he whispers against my ear. “We’re right here.”
Chapter 15
LEVIATHAN
I take a deep breath and focus on my magic, Gerald’s training about to get a real test. I’m going to mimic a unicorn shifter to infiltrate their inner circle. It’s a risky move, but my scent-shifting and appearance-mimicking skills are my best shot at getting close without being spotted.
I close my eyes, picturing the unicorn form I saw Elias take in the stable: shimmering white coat, a single glowing horn, eyes wild with power. My magic surges as my body begins to shift, my skin prickling as it takes on a pearlescent sheen, my hair lengthening into a silvery mane, a horn sprouting from my forehead. It’s awkward, like wearing a costume two sizes too big, and when I try to move, my legs wobble, unused to the equine grace.
Both of my mates slap a hand over their mouths to hide their smiles as I step out from behind the tent, trying to “prance” like I’ve seen in old shifter lore, but it’s more of a stumble. A wiryshifter with a unicorn tattoo on his neck eyes me suspiciously. “Are you drunk?”
I force a laugh, my voice deeper in this form. “Just… new to this,” I say, hoping my fake unicorn scent holds. The shifter narrows his eyes but shrugs, gesturing for me to join the circle around the altar. I had absolutely no idea I could speak in this form so yay me, I guess.
I fall into step, my heart racing as I scan for Rowan and Amand. They’re still behind that one tent and as I draw closer to the altar, I catch a whiff of nearly ancient magic. It feels like it means more than just something to worship, as if it’s what Elias has been using to strengthen his killings. If I can steal it, we might have leverage to stop him.
The chanting grows louder, Elias moving toward the altar, his black suit stark against the rainbow colors worn by the shifters. He’s mumbling about something, about cleansing the city of “impure” shifters, making me feel sick. This isn’t just a killing spree—it’s a crusade, and I’m the prize he’s after, thanks to Silas’s stories about me.
I edge closer to the altar, my unicorn form feeling more natural now, though I’m still clumsy. I’m not sure how long I stand there, in the midst of other shifters—some in human forms and others not but before I know it, the sky is nearing toward dawn.What the fuck?I move closer, terrified when I catch a glimpse of my mates tied up toward the back.
I hadn’t even felt anything through the bond, something about this place taking away some of my senses. A shifter bumps into me, willing me to shift. I have to act quick, focusing on someone I know to make the transformation easier. Fuck becoming my mates. Gerald is a heck no and Lily…So, Marcus it is…I tell myself, focusing on Marcus’ form. It’s awkward and hurts like hell cramming into his form but I take the cup, pretending to sip it to keep off suspicion. A woman beside me gently squeezes myarms, a wide smile on her face. “The cleansing begins tonight. Elias will lead us, with the Chameleon at his side.”
I nod, my stomach twisting. “Yeah, sounds… epic,” I say, keeping my voice light. I’m close to the altar now, the horn within reach, but Elias’s eyes lock onto me, and I freeze. My magic flickers beneath his gaze and I force myself to focus.
“You,” he says, his voice cutting through the chant. “Step forward.”
I swallow, my heart pounding, and step up, trying to channel unicorn arrogance. “What’s up?” I say, hoping my fake scent holds. “Ready to serve the cause.” However, I have only ever metoneunicorn and well, he’s kind of crazy.
His lips curl up into a deviant smile, but there’s suspicion in his eyes. “You smell… familiar,” he says, stepping closer. My magic strains, and I know I’m seconds from being exposed. I need a distraction, and I need it now.
I stumble and shift back into my unicorn form, deliberately tripping over my own hooves, and crash into the altar, knocking the chalice over. Everyone gasps, Elias snarling at my display, but I grab the horn, and tuck it under my mane as I fade, my Chameleon magic kicking in. The camp erupts in chaos, everyone shouting as I bolt toward Rowan and Amand, my unicorn form dissolving as I run.
