Page 13 of Magic & Secrets
Was this the female from my dreams? Had she found me on purpose, or did fate bring us together? Was the delicate beauty my ally or foe? Mostly, I found myself curious about her name. I had imagined dozens of possibilities.
I soon realized I wasn’t alone in this insane need. The warrior’s fear quickly faded from her alluring gaze. A joyful smile warmed her face, leaving me wondering what horrifically tempting magic I had stumbled upon in this new world.
Calla
MY BEVY ARRIVED OUTSIDEa medium-sized settlement called Opal Outpost. After leaving our horses at the local stables, we followed the Lion Shifters’ scent into the woodlands.
The wind danced around us, bringing a particular odor with it. My sisters and I froze. We knew Bane Shifters were already in the mix, but I was surprised to find their scent so strong.
I glanced at my sisters, silently asking if we should back off. Mina closed her eyes and sensed the Bane Shifters’ location. Enya’s gaze flashed toward where the Lion Shifters made camp. We could hear them bragging over their kills.
“The Bane Shifters are very close,” Mina whispered. “They are downwind and in human form. I don’t think the Lion Shifters know they’re being watched.”
“Should we back off like Gregory instructed?” Enya asked.
Solme Divige’s magic surged, answering our question. I shuddered at her unspoken demand. Mina and Enya also looked shaken by the ancient one’s insistence. Gregory’s orders were immediately forgotten.
We lifted our hoods over our heads and moved toward the Lion Shifters. Mina conjured a lie about warrants. I heard the unease in her voice. We knew the Bane Shifters were watching. All our lives, we were taught that the worst fate for a New Armgard warrior would be to stand before our mortal enemies. Now, we chose to reveal ourselves.
Each Lion Shifter was over six feet tall, leanly muscled, and completely nude. The adolescent males viewed us as a meal rather than the harbinger of their doom. I wanted to feel thesame confidence as I did against the Chauve Vampyres. Except I felt Roque’s icy gaze on me. My mind swam until the moment blood was drawn.
Warriors at our core, my bevy battled the larger beasts. Some transformed completely into lions. Others partially morphed with human stances and clawed hands.
I moved with ease through the shifting creatures, dodging their claws and maneuvering around their changing sizes. These were healthy young Lion Shifters. Each of them could kill a dozen humans within several heartbeats. However, I sensed they weren’t seasoned fighters.
Like many unruly adolescents, they lacked a plan and coordination. None of them could have managed a successful strike if I weren’t distracted by the appearance of the Bane Shifters exiting the brush in all their naked glory.
Magic sizzled around them, like remnants of their vanquished foes. Their power was unnatural and intensely masculine.
I was immediately dumbstruck by the sight of Roque. At least seven feet tall, his body was covered in golden skin and rippling muscles. His chestnut hair and thick beard were damp, possibly from a quick swim. Roque’s icy gaze flashed silver as he watched the battle. I was lost in its power.
Once his sweet scent reached me, I became intoxicated by a painful need. I instantly forgot every bit of my training. His beautiful gaze seared through my thoughts, leaving me as helpless as in my dreams.
The Lion Shifter’s blow barely registered in my stunned mind. I sailed upward before dropping into Roque's powerful arms. I saw nothing more than Roque’s ice blue eyes holding mine.
His dominating scent filled the air, inspiring thoughts of a time of ancient beasts and eternal darkness. I felt my magicstruggling to break free. I wanted to show Roque everything inside me.
Snapping to my senses, I avoided using my magic and bringing doom to my sisters. I considered behaving submissively toward the Bane Shifter. He wasn’t a mindless beast. His kind followed a code. If I seemed harmless, Roque wouldn’t end my life. This creature had six hundred confirmed kills. He knew how to enter an outpost, wipe out his enemy, and leave innocents unharmed. I had nothing to fear from him if I acted benignly.
Yet, instead of embracing submission, I stared straight into Roque’s marvelous blue eyes and refused to look away.
Roque cocked an eyebrow and offered me a question. “Did you forget you were in battle?”
When faced with such a beautiful and commanding creature, I could only speak the truth. “Yes, in fact, I did.”
The other two Bane Shifters rushed into battle. Past the dizzying magic flooding my senses, I felt a gnawing worry over my sisters’ safety. Who were the Bane Shifters battling now—the Lion Shifters or my bevy?
Despite my worries, I couldn’t look away from Roque long enough to survey the battle taking place nearby.
“What are you?” Roque asked as he gently set me on my feet.
“Elven half-breed,” I mumbled, and my throat went dry as my body rebelled against lying to this creature.
The Bane Shifter stood over me. His blue eyes were difficult to read. Specks of silver sparkled as his magic flared. Was he unconvinced of my answer? Would he shift into a form no Armgard could defeat?
“Calla,” Mina hissed, finally breaking the Bane Shifter’s spell over me. “Get over here.”
As I stumbled away from Roque, a lazy smile formed on his handsome face. The Bane Shifters were designed to be physicallyattractive. Beauty was a wonderful distraction for a hunter.Did his smile mean I was his prey?
