Page 107 of Sapphire Flame
All heads bobbed.
Before she began, she reached out to Grant.I’m invoking the spell now. Your team is in place. I understand the signal is ‘Bring it’.
It is.
All for now.
She broke the connection and rose into the air. Aloud she said, “Begin and include.” She moved quickly around the perimeter and by the time she returned to her point of origin, the circle closed. All six wolves, Ryan included, glanced around and started talking about the glow.
“You can still be heard,” she offered quickly.
The wolves fell silent.
They were an extraordinary group of men, all built as hell like Grant. If she allowed herself, she could easily be overwhelmed by their presence.
Instead, she invoked her wolf which came alive with almost the blink of an eye. She settled herself beside Natalie. She appeared tense and alert like the rest of the wolves, each waiting for the battle to begin.
She reached out to Ryan.Can we get closer to the sand?
You’re sure we can’t be seen?
Check with each of your wolves, but they all appear to me as though they’re inside the spell.
Will do.
She waited as Ryan contacted each wolf telepathically, made eye-contact and got an affirmative to no doubt a query about what the wolf saw.
When all the wolves had agreed they believed themselves inside the spell, Ryan offered a hand single. He raised his arm, turned it in a circle and point the direction to move. He made a second motion, pumping up and down once, probably indicating levitation.
They had to fly above the sand or their footprints would draw attention.
The wolves each took up a side of the net. Ryan led the way. Natalie followed behind with her iridescent wolf. More than one of the wolves eyed the specter as though stunned. Maybe she should have warned them she was part wolf, but it was too late now.
As Ryan turned the corner, he disappeared from view until the entire group made its way to the edge of the sand. She understood the design and layout of the pit now.
But as she came into full view, there was Grant in the very center of the sandpit, standing with his side to their part of the small arena. His gaze moved over the crowd in the seats which began twenty feet above the pit.
Her cheeks became instantly flushed because all he wore was a dark leather loin cloth. His bare hips and thighs showed every sinewy muscle. His thick braid hung to his waist. He stood upright, shoulders well back, and looked more like a warrior than ever before.
As Ryan drew the team to a halt, she understood what Grant was doing. He made it a point to meet the gaze of every wolf now seated in the arena. Slowly, he lifted his arms.
When they were upright, he threw his head back and howled. Fur appeared on different parts of his body.
The pack returned his greeting.
When he ceased, the pack ceased. He dropped his arms only to begin slowly lifting them again. Once more, with his fingers pointing toward the ceiling, he howled.
The wolves responded, louder than before.
Again, he dropped his arms to his sides. He repeated the sequence and howled once more. The wolves joined him. Only this time, he didn’t stop. The wolves got louder and louder.
She was in awe and completely overcome. She wished the wolves of her team couldn’t see her. She felt exposed by how much she was feeling. She realized each was trembling, including Ryan, at having to restrain themselves when their pack was howling as one.
Her iridescent wolf leaped up and down and also trembled for holding back her howls.
The din shook the rafters and her wolf within, now part of her spirit, loved every second of it.
Slowly, Grant stopped and pivoted so that his back was to her. His gaze became fixed to the entrance above, at the north side of the spectator gallery. All the wolves fell silent and turned as one to stare at the same location.
