Page 39

“Aren’t you concerned about the seraphs reporting you to Alaric?” Eliza asked.

“Let me worry about that,” Nuri replied, stepping back further into the shadows of the surrounding trees. “And do tell Scarlett to get on with things already.”

Then she was gone, disappearing into the vegetation. A tense silence settled over their company. Eliza looked up, trying to see if there were any seraphs lingering, but the dense canopy of trees only offered glimpses of the sky.

“Siofra then?” Rayner said, hoisting Tula up so she sat on his shoulders. She looped her little arms around his neck, resting her cheek against his ebony hair.

“That does seem like where they may be. The Witches would be a last resort,” Azrael agreed. He lifted a hand and a swirling sand portal appeared.

“So much for this being a fast mission,” Eliza grumbled under her breath, sheathing her sword down her back.

“We have only been here a few hours. We will still be back within a day,” Razik countered as they watched Rayner, Tula, and Callan go through the portal first.

“You have clearly never met the Shifter siblings,” Eliza replied before she followed the others through.

She stepped through the portal, unbuttoning her cloak as she went. The heat would be oppressive in Siofra. The House of Water was warm as well, but not like Siofra. The Shifter capital was more in line with the Earth Court climate. Arid and hot during the day, cool and comfortable during the nights. Since the sun was only just starting to set, however, stifling heat it was.

Eliza looped the cloak over her arm. “You couldn’t get us a portal inside?” she accused Azrael.

“Some of us do not have the rapport Aditya has with the Beta,” he returned.

“You have been offered that rapport many times, Azrael Luan,” came a sultry voice. They all turned to find Arianna Renatus, Beta of the Shifters sauntering down the dusty path that led from the palace gates to a receiving chamber. Her tight braids hung down her back, the gold beads tinkling lightly as she moved. Her gown was lightweight and sheer across her stomach. The sleeves were just as transparent, and the slit up the sides of the dress showed off her dark skin with every step of her gold sandaled feet. A large tiger padded along beside her.

“Look, Rayner!” Tula squealed excitedly from where she was perched, pointing at the feline. “A tiger!” She was squirming, trying to climb down his back.

“That is Jamahl,” Rayner answered, his hands clamping down on her legs to keep her seated. “A tiger is his other form, Tula.”

“Oh,” she sighed, disappointment ringing in her tone.

“Do you have a love child I am unaware of, Rayner?” Arianna asked in amusement, her olive eyes roving over the Ash Rider.

“No, Beta,” he answered, reaching up and lifting the still squirming Tula from his shoulders. “This is Tula. She was an orphan in the Black Syndicate.”

“And now?”

“And now she stays with me.”

The Beta’s head tilted to the side. “Even though she belongs with us? She is a Shifter. A powerful one. I can smell it on her.”

“She belongs with me,” Rayner replied, his voice low and carrying a promise of death as ashes flitted around him.

“What is her other form?” Arianna asked, ignoring the icy change in Rayner.

This was why Rayner had kept it such a closely guarded secret that Tula had shifted. None of them would attempt to use her, but he was right. Power shifters were rare. Any kingdom would do nefarious things to have one serve in their court. The Shifter siblings would want her to remain here, to live among her own kind. They would see it as their duty to protect her, to ensure she was not being used for her gifts.

“It does not matter,” Rayner answered, gently tucking Tula behind him. “She stays with me.”

“Are Briar and Sawyer here, Arianna?” Eliza cut in. Rayner had been on the edge of losing control since they got here, and the Beta’s keen stare on Tula wasn’t helping matters.

It took a moment, but Arianna tore her eyes from Tula and settled her attention on Eliza…and then Razik, where her gaze remained fixed as she spoke. “They are with Stellan, along with the Rydeon king and princess. I was sent to see who was at our gates. I will take you to them in a moment. Who is this?”

Eliza felt it then. The possessive nature of the bond that she was so adamantly trying to shove down. She rolled her shoulders, trying to shake it off as she cleared her throat. “This is Razik Greybane. He is the Hand-to-the-Avonleyan King.”

Arianna’s nostrils flared as she clearly scented him. “He is a Shifter.”

Eliza folded her arms across her chest. “Yes,” she gritted out.

“He is also powerful,” Arianna continued, and Eliza could feel all eyes on her. Razik’s eyes. Rayner’s. Everyone except the Beta, who was fixated on Razik.