Her skin was cool but damp to his touch as Paenther stroked the short hair off her forehead.
Are you wearing the shackles, Skye?
I dont need them anymore. Hes taking them off.
Repeat the spell, Skye. Repeat the spell Birik used to remove your shackles.
Softly, almost too softly to hear, she began to chant in ancient Mage in the voice of the girl shed once been. The Shaman took her free hand and curled it around one of Paenthers manacles.
Magic began to dance at his wrists and ankles, a prickly, uncomfortable sensation that slowly began to burn. The metal shackles turned to gold, then bronze in a shimmer of light, the air filling with the smell of heated metal and burning flesh. His flesh.
With a sudden, blinding burst of light, pain roared through his body. He stumbled back against the wall, his vision turning black as the fire from the shackles spread, racing up his arms and legs to consume his entire body in a white-hot rush of agony.
Get her out of here! Lyons human voice roared through the prison block.
No! Paenther reached blindly for Skye, feeling her strong, slender arms wrap around him as if she could keep him from stumbling. He locked her against him as he felt the strong hands of one of his brothers.
Easy, B.P., Tighe said.
Skyes small hand stroked his back. You need to sit down.
His voice cracked with pain. What did you do to me?
Nothing. Skyes voice sounded small. Injured. The shackles are gone.
Gone? He reached for his opposite wrist and foundnothing. Ill be damned.
Karas going to give you radiance, B.P. Lyons voice reached out to him from a small distance. You have to let go of the witch.
Not the witch. Skye. He was finally starting to see through the white-hot pain. Lyon was back in his human form, standing in the doorway of the cell, sans clothes. He met his friends amber gaze. You hurt her, Roar, and Ill kill you.
We wont hurt her.
Skye slipped out of his hold as Kara stepped into his slowly widening field of sight. Kara came to him, her blond hair in its usual ponytail, her eyes worried as she curled her slender fingers around his wrist.
Ready, Paenther? she asked softly.
Do it.
Kara closed her eyes. Within seconds, her hand began to warm on his wrist. With a flash, her skin erupted in an iridescent radiant glow. But instead of the warm surge of energy he usually felt, a bolt of power shot into his wrist, ramming through his body, knocking him back against the stone wall.
The last words he heard as he lost consciousness were Karas.
Lyon, look at his eye! His Feral mark is fading.
CHAPTER 16
Paenther hit the wall. He felt Tighe grab him as the radiance burst within him, sending warm energy shooting through his body and into his limbs, raking over the pain that lived within his flesh. With a surge of renewed strength he pushed himself upright again, swallowing a grimace.
You okay? Tighe asked worriedly.
He shook his head fast and hard, clearing it. That was a mean kick of power.
His gaze sought and found Skye watching him with wide, worried eyes from the other side of the cell. He held out his hand to her, and she flew into his arms. Pulling her tight helped ease the turmoil inside him, if only a little. It was enough.
He met Lyons gaze. The shackles are off. Im ready to find that cavern.
Skye made a sound of dismay.
Lyon acted as if he hadnt heard him. Shift.
Paenther growled. You think I cant shift?
Your feral mark is fading, B.P. I dont know what in the hell that means, but unless you can shift, you cant go near the Mage.
Fine. He thought about stripping so he didnt ruin his clothes, but a quick glance down told him that ship had already sailed. Even his leather pants were half-shredded from the teeth and claws of his brothers. Im not shifting in this cell.
With a gentle squeeze, he released Skye. Lyon stepped back as he brushed by him to stand on the stone floor in the middle of the cell block. Stealing himself for the rush of pain that always accompanied his shift, he pulled on the power of his animal, the power that had been as natural a part of him as breathing for nearly three hundred years. And nothing happened.
Dammit.
B.P.?
Paenther shot Lyon a glare. Give me a minute. He had to be able to shift! Raking his hair back with both hands, he pulled, visualizing his beast, straining to reach that rush of pain and strength until his neck and back were damp with sweat.
Paenther? Skyes soft voice had him looking at her through the bars of the cell. Let me touch you.
Why? Lyon demanded.
Skye met his chiefs hard gaze and answered without hesitation. His animal responds to me. I believe Paenther and his animal spirit have always had a disconnect, but the shackles have wrenched them apart to the point they can barely function as one anymore. I might be able to bridge that gap.
Lyons gaze swung to the Shaman. Is that possible?
The Shaman nodded. Ive always sensed a trauma within Paenthers Feral magic, and theres no denying its gotten worse as evidenced by his fading Feral marks. Whether or not the witch can help him, I dont know.
Paenther held his hand out to her. Then well find out.
The others stood back to let Skye go to him. She met his gaze, uncertainty in her blue-and-copper eyes.
Try, Beauty.
She dipped her head and took his hand. I need to touch you. Let me touch your chest.
Paenther ripped the shredded silk shirt off with a single tug, popping the last remaining buttons. Skye lifted her hands and pressed her warm palms against his chest. Almost at once, he felt a calming.
He covered her hands with his. If this workswhen you see the lights, jump back, or youll wind up under me.
Her mouth kicked up at one corner, a small, intriguing gleam entering her eyes. I rather like being under you, she said softly.
Unfortunately, Feral hearing was all too sharp. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a knowing smirk flicker across Tighes face.
Paenther held Skyes gaze. All right, lets give this a try. Once more he pulled on the power of his beast, but like before, nothing happened. The fury he kept carefully contained rose, boiling beneath his skin until he feared he would lose control. He was about to push Skye to safety when he felt it. The power rising from deep inside him. A trickle at first, then stronger, building until the shift came on him in a familiar rush of pain and savage, primal pleasure.
Lights sparkled around him as Skye jumped back, and he shifted at last. Being in his animal had always hurt, but it was worse this time. Shifting had never been right for him.
In his panthers body, he stretched and shook, then lifted his head with a roar, feeling an odd pleasure tug on him through the aching pain.
He swung his panthers head to the source. Skye stood beside him like a beacon of light and warmth, a light radiating outward from deep inside her chest, and he understood on a primal level why the creatures of the Earth flocked to her. A nature spirit, the Shaman had called her.
And he knew it was true.
His muscles twitched, his body begging for a good run through the woods, but not only was there was too much at stake to steal that kind of time for himself right now, he could never leave his Mage witch with his brothers.
She wasnt safe at Feral House.
Can you shift back? Lyon asked.
Paenther growled. That was the question of the hour. Closing his eyes, he willed himself into his human body. Again, nothing happened. Dammit to hell.
I need your help, Beauty.
Without hesitation, Skye knelt in front of him, her hands sliding over his panthers neck, easing the pain and filling him with an odd, intense pleasure. There was nothing sexual about his reaction to her, not in this form, yet her touch flowed through his body, into his soul, washing away the darkness, sending light into those deepest recesses, warming, cleansing. A purifying in its most fundamental form.
He understood now why the creatures sought her touch.
Try again, she said softly.
And he did. This time, with Skyes hands on him, the power came when he called, and he managed to shift back into a man.
He faced his chief. I can shift as long as Skyes with me. Well leave immediately.
Lyons expression turned to granite. No way in hell.
Roar
Look, B.P., I understand all too well your need to reach Vhyper and to stop Birik. And I fully support it. But Im not sending you out there like this. If you come upon the Mage and get separated from your witch, youll be right back under their spell. Unless you can shift into your animal, theyll just enchant you again. And thats unacceptable.
The fury escaped his careful control. He leaped at his chief, hard in his face. And whats the alternative, Roar? Im the only one who can possibly find that mountain. We leave now.
No.
RoarLyonIm losing my connection with my animal. Right now Im still of some use. Let me do my job while I still can, dammit.
Lyons expression turned hard, but in his eyes, Paenther saw a fierce caring. No, B.P. Sending you out there like this is sending you to your death. I wont do it.
Then youre giving up any chance of saving Vhyper. Im not going to heal. My connection with my animal is not going to get any better.
Maybe it will. The Shamans tone, behind him, was thoughtful.
Paenther swung around to glare at the smaller man in his white ruffled shirt.
You think hell heal? Lyon asked, surprised.
Not on his own, no. But after watching the enchantress, I think she may be able to help him. With the right training.
Paenther scowled. Training?
Hear me out, warrior, the Shaman said. I know someone who might be able to help, if hes willing. A single night may be all it takes. Hes an old Mage. Ezekiel. Ive known him for a long, long time.
You have a Mage friend? Tighe asked incredulously.
Hes no friend, but I trust him. Theres never been any darkness in his heart. He never had much power, and what little he had is mostly gone. His mate was an enchantress. If anyone can teach your witch to call the good energies instead of the dark, its Ezekiel. If he will. After his mates death, he turned his back on his own race as well as all others. He sees no one anymore.
Paenther scowled. Then why do you think hell see us?
Because your Skye is an enchantress. Theyre exceedingly rare, warrior. Shell remind him of his lost mate. He turned those old eyes to Skye. Call the animals, witch. Not the gulls. Anyone with a slice of old bread can call the gulls, foolish birds. But if you call anything else, hell respond.
Where is he? Paenther asked.
He has a house in Corolla on the Outer Banks, but only a Mage can see through the warding. You wont find it without your witch.
I can fly them down there, Tighe said. Its a good five-hour drive.
Lyon shook his head. I dont want you near her that long. If you start shifting when youre in the air
Tighe grunted but didnt argue. The thought of a fifteen-foot Bengal tiger in the cockpit was enough to put them all off flying.
The Shaman tossed Paenther a key. I own a safe house a short drive south of there, right on the beach. Stay there tonight while I see if I can make any headway clearing your witchs magic from these Ferals.
Paenther palmed the key, flexing his hand until the metal bit into his flesh. He needed to get out to that mountain, dammit. He needed to find Vhyper.
Roar
Fuck! Jag disappeared in a flash of light, shifting into his jaguar.
Thats an order, B.P. Lyons gaze shot daggers at Skye. Get her out of here and get yourself healed.
Paenther pushed Skye behind him as his gaze went from his chief to the spotted jaguar hissing at Skye, his ears flat to his head.
Were going.
A short while later, they were on the road. Skye ran nervous fingers over the jeans now covering her legs, a fabric she hadnt worn since she was a child. Before they left Feral House, Delaney had insisted on finding her some clothes. The jeans were a little big for her, but a belt and soft sweater hid that fact. Her feet, it turned out, were the same size as Karas, and the woman had loaned her a pair of running shoes. She wasnt used to wearing shoes and socks, but these were surprisingly comfortable.
She plucked at the jeans, her pulse far from calm. What if this whole trip was for nothing? What if Ezekiel wouldnt see her?
Paenthers hand reached over and covered hers, giving her a reassuring squeeze. Hell see you. Maybe hell even help us.
She turned, studying his strong profile. Are you reading my mind now?
Something resembling a smile softened his face for one brief moment. You havent stopped playing with your jeans since you got in the car.
What if Inirs already gotten to him? What if hes lost his soul?
He hasnt. The Shaman may not call this Mage a friend, but he wouldnt send us down there if he werent sure of him. He squeezed her hand again.
Skye covered his hand with her other. Im sorry I hurt you when I said the spell to release your shackles.
It wasnt your fault. Im sure the blame goes back to Ancreta and what she did to me all those years ago.
Whats going to happen if you completely lose your connection with the animal spirit, Paenther? The thought of it scared her.
I dont know. Maybe hell be free to mark someone else.
Could he mark you again?
I dont think so.
So youll go back to being Therian? She rubbed her hand over the back of his, sliding her fingers between his.
She waited for him to answer. And waited.
Finally, she looked at him, at the hard line of his jaw. Paenther?
Being marked by an animal spirit changes you. His voice was clipped. Controlled. Too controlled. Being unmarked doesnt change you back. He turned his hand and grasped hers, palm to palm, intertwining their fingers. But he didnt say anything more.
He didnt have to. She understood. If he lost the connection with his animal, he was going to die.
Skye thrashed against her bindings, turning her face against the crushing blows of the sharp rocks being flung at her magically by a dozen Mage. The rocks pummeled her, cutting her cheek, cracking her ribs, tearing gashes into the flesh of her naked body until she was struggling to breathe against the brutal pain of the assault.
Even as the stones continued to fly at her, Biriks face swam in front of her eyes, his own sharp with fury.
Return to me, Skye, or youll suffer worse. Every time you sleep, youll live the tortures I have planned for you, until youre afraid to close your eyes. Until you cease being able to tell the real world from the nightmares. Until your mind collapses beneath the weight of the terror.
Return to me, now. Youll never escape me, foolish girl. Never!
Skye.
She came awake with a start, jerking away from the car window, her body aching, her breaths pained and short, hurting as if shed suffered the attack for real.
Paenthers warm hand curved over her shoulder. Your hearts thundering. Was that a nightmare, or something more?
More, I think. It was Birik threatening me if I didnt come back.
He can reach you over this distance?
I dont know. She pressed her shaking hand to her damp forehead, trying to clear her mind of the nightmare. He was wearing a green tunic I havent seen him in for years. And he was taller. Much taller.
Or you were smaller. Could he have inserted that nightmare into your cantric when you were a girl?
Yes. I think thats what he did.
Will you tell me about it?
She glanced at him, at the worried look in his eyes as he met her gaze. I was being stoned. He said the nightmares will get worse if I dont come back, until I cant tell dream from reality.
Paenther growled low in his throat. That Mage is going to die. His fingers caressed her shoulder. No ones going to hurt you again. I wont allow it.
His touch was firm and warm, but not even Paenther could protect her from the living hell Birik would make her life if she didnt return to him. Yet she couldnt go back there, not when she knew the use he would make of her power.
Like a wraith, she floated between one world and the other, unable to live in either without misery. If she stayed away from Birik, her misery would be of the mind and flesh. If she went back and helped him free more of those Daemons, the anguish would be to her soul.
And neither choice gave her the only thing she wanted in life. The only one.
Paenther.
CHAPTER 17
Hours later, they reached the small town of Corolla on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The sun was setting, the sky a brilliant pink and orange silhouetting the row of beach houses on their high stilts. The tourists had yet to begin their annual migration to the beaches and the houses stood dark and empty amid the sand and wild grasses of this narrow, windswept barrier island.
Lyon had called a short while ago to tell him Hawke and Kougar had found no sign of the Mage whod called him through his shackles. It was possible Biriks control over him extended much farther than theyd believed. Lyon had urged him to be careful.
Paenther glanced at Skye, who watched out her window, her fingers laced with his. He still held her hand. For reasons he wasnt entirely sure of, touching her calmed him. Grounded him. And seemed to do the same for her.
Were here, Beauty.
Finally releasing her hand, he handed her the map printout hed pulled from the computer before he left. An aerial map upon which the Shaman had drawn a star in what appeared to be an empty lot a block from the beach. This ones up to you. If the Shamans right, I wont be able to see it.
He drove down the road, per the Shamans directions.
Skye pointed. There.
All he saw was a plot of sand between two large, dark beach houses set high on stilts. Ill take your word for it. He parked the car at the edge of the road and climbed out.
As he helped Skye out, she looked up, meeting his gaze, a worried look in her eyes. The Shaman told me to call the animals, but the last time I did that, I forced the Ferals to shift, and they couldnt shift back right away. What if it does something bad to you, too?
Paenther shrugged and ran his fingers through her hair. Dont call so hard this time.
A small smile lifted her mouth. Okay.
As she closed her eyes, it was all he could do not to lean forward and kiss her. But her magic was already unpredictable enough. Better to let her do this on her own.
Within a few minutes, three feral cats and two red foxes ran up to her. As she knelt and greeted each one with a stroke of her hand and a soft word, doves and crows and a dozen seagulls gathered around her, several landing on her shoulders and head. She only smiled and reached up to stroke them, too.
A bemused smile on her face, she stood and looked at him. Ready? She turned and opened a gate in a fence he couldnt see.
As Paenther followed her through the sea oats, a man suddenly appeared a dozen yards in front of them, fury on his face. Old, the Shaman had said, but like all immortals, he appeared to be no more than thirty. Except for his clothing. He was dressed much as humans must have been in the early days of civilization, in a simple brown belted robe that fell to his ankles. Worn sandals covered the soles of his feet. His brown hair was long and stringy, a short beard covering his jaw and upper lip.
Paenther snagged Skye around the waist and pulled her behind him, birds and all.
Who do you think you are? the Mage demanded.
Paenther growled low in his throat. The Shaman told us where to find you, Ezekiel.
Little Therian bastard. With a dismissive wave of his hand, the Mage turned away.
Skyes an enchantress and needs some guidance.
Ezekiel paused, then turned back slowly, eyeing the creatures on her shoulders and at her feet. Then his gaze rose and widened, looking beyond them. Well, Ill be.
At the sound of a low whinny, Paenther turned and stared at the two horses. Skyes face lit. As she went to them, Paenther turned a wary gaze back to Ezekiel. Mustangs?
Aye. Only a powerful enchantress could call them like that.
He looked back to where Skye stood stroking their sleek brown necks. Mustangs ran wild on the island, the descendants of horses brought ashore by Spanish explorers around the time he himself was born.
Skye sent the horses away and came back to join him. We need your help, Ezekiel. Her voice was firm and strong even as her hand slid into his. Since I was a child, the archsorcerer, Birik, has used my gift to raise dark power. Now hes trying to open the Daemon blade. We have to stop him.
The Mage grunted. Theres nothing I can do. But he didnt turn away this time.
Skyes cool fingers squeezed his hand. The Ferals will stop him. But thanks to a couple of Mage attacks, this warrior is in danger of losing his animal. The Shaman thinks I might be able to help him if I learn to pull the good energies. I need you to teach me.
And what is it to me?
She released Paenthers hand and started to step forward, but he barred her way with his arm. She glanced at him, but didnt fight him.
Do you know what Inirs doing? she asked the Mage instead.
He grunted. Stealing souls.
Yes.
He hasnt stolen mine, and hes not going to because no one knows Im here! Or they didnt, he added with a grumble.
The Shaman said theres no darkness in your heart, Skye said softly. I can see that in your eyes. Its been a long time since Ive seen Mage eyes with a soul.
Ezekiel frowned, peering at her. Why are you with a Feral?
He rescued me from Birik. I was the only one in that stronghold who hadnt been turned.
Birik will be after you, then.
Hes after both of us. He used us to free three wraith Daemons from the blade. Ive seen what they do.
The Mage muttered something unintelligible under his breath as he turned away. Suddenly, the run-down lot disappeared. In its place stood a small frame structure, far older than its neighbors. Unlike the other homes, it sat only a few feet off the ground as if only grudgingly acknowledging the nearby ocean. Quaint, with two dormer windows attesting to a small second story, it appeared freshly painted and surprisingly well maintained.
Come in, then, he said with a motion of his hand, and turned to start up the front steps.
Paenther met Skyes gaze. You did it.
She gave him a smile that was part triumph and part wary uncertainty. Shed gotten them a pass into the Mages house. What came next, neither could know.
Paenther kept a tight grip on Skyes hand as they followed the Mage up the steps and into the house, but his knife hand remained free and ready.
The old hermit led them through a spare, dated living room and into a kitchen that looked like it hadnt been updated in half a century. Sit, he said as he picked up the teakettle and carried it to the sink. Tea?
Yes, please, Skye said, sitting at the rough-hewn dining table.
No. Paenthers reply was brusque, but he didnt care. He was taking nothing in this place. The Shaman might trust him, but Paenther trusted no Mage.
As Ezekiel pulled down two large coffee mugs and placed a tea bag in each, Paenther studied the man, noting the way his hair hung in stringy hanks around his shoulders. Though he carried no scent of body odor, his grooming habits were far from impeccable. One of the hazards of living alone, Paenther supposed.
Ezekiel glanced at him, his eyes sharp and curious. How did Birik come by the Daemon blade, Feral?
Feral House was infiltrated by a Mage witch several months ago. A witch capable of hiding her eyes from us. One of our own was cut by the blade and turned.
The Mage filled the mugs with boiling water, then carried them to the table and set one before Skye, along with a small saucer and spoon for the teabag.
Thank you, Skye said softly.
Hes lost his soul, the Mage said, meeting Paenthers gaze.
No, Vhypers soul is still there. I talked to him in Biriks cavern after Skye captured me.
Ezekiel looked between them with interest. She captured you? I thought you rescued her.
Paenther scowled at him. We rescued one another. As I was saying, theres humanity in Vhyper. Its hidden, forced down, but its still there. I know what I saw.
That may be. Ezekiel pushed a large platter of cookies toward Skye, then took one for himself. Terrible sweet tooth, he admitted, before biting into the treat.
As Skye reached quickly for a cookie, he remembered with a pang that she still hadnt eaten. Hed make it up to her. As soon as they left here, hed buy her a feast.
Ive been studying this soulless plague on and off for centuries.
Centuries? Paenther asks.
Ezekiel nodded. Whenever a Mage gets infected with dark spirit, the cycle begins all over again.
What do you mean? Skye asked.
When Satanan was captured and incarcerated in the Daemon blade, he left behind wisps of dark spirit around the Earth, hidden in cracks and crevices, in caves and within the ground. Over the many millennia since Satanans capture, most of these wisps have found their way into beings of one kind or another, generally subjugating the soul that inhabited the body and turning it pure evil. Most of these creatures have been human. They cause tremendous suffering while they live, but humans dont live long, and when they die, the dark spirit dies with them. Lamentable, but not a huge problem. The far greater problem comes when the dark spirit infects one of the immortal races.
Its largely believed that the demise of the Ilina race over a thousand years ago resulted from dark spirits infecting their queen, a woman of prodigious power who may have understood what was happening and made the ultimate sacrifice in order to keep the darkness from spreading.
Unfortunately, the Mage have always had a weakness for the dark power. There have been numerous instances of dark spirit infecting Mage over the millennia, with unfortunate results. The worst, though, is Inir, the current Elemental. He was a dark and dangerous soul before he was infected. And I, for one, believe the spirit that infected him possessed more than a trace of Satanans consciousness. The dark spirit alone merely turns the individual to evil. But Inir has come into possession of vast stores of knowledge that should have been lost eons ago. I believe Satanan is working through Inir to free himself and his horde from the blade.
When Skye grabbed yet another cookie, Ezekiel frowned at her. Does no one feed you?
Paenther grunted. I tried this morning and failed. Birik served her only the flesh of the animals she calls.
Ezekiel stared at her, then scowled. Biriks a stupid, soulless bastard. He rose from the table and removed the cookies. Spaghetti with tomato sauce, a large salad, and garlic bread. He peered at her. Will that do?
The smile that spread across her face was so pure, so beautiful, Paenther felt his heart seize.
That sounds wonderful. Thank you.
A small smile breached the Mages face for a split second before he nodded and grabbed a pot from one of the cabinets.
Paenther forced himself to focus on the mans words. How is Inir infecting others if dark spirit cant be shared in that way?
Hes not. Not exactly. Ezekiel turned on the tap and filled the pan with water. At least not in the same way. Im still trying to figure it out myself. Its my belief that the stronger souls hes turned will survive the attack of darkness. That in those individuals the darkness is reversible. The question is, how to free them.
Ezekiel set the pot of water on the stove, then pulled a head of lettuce out of the refrigerator and began making a salad. So Biriks had you raising dark power for him, Skye?
He has.
Moon rituals with sacrifices?
Yes. Every night.
For how long?
Decades.
Have you ever performed the ritual without the sacrifices? The way it was meant to be done?
No. I didnt know there was another way until the Shaman suggested you might know.
Ezekiel nodded. I do. And you may well be able to heal your Feral friend here.