Page 7

Lanie/Lamia

R anson was critical. His heartbeat was fading, and his chances were slim. The sirens wailed as she curled into a corner and let the paramedics work on him. Mac was following in a car behind as there’d not been enough room for his huge bulk. She’d demanded he call Fisher as Mac was clearly torn who to go with. Hopefully Fisher would be at the hospital as they arrived, and Mac could see to his cousin.

They slammed to a stop outside the ER and Ranson was rushed past her.

Another paramedic came with a wheelchair and helped her inside. Right now, with all the attention, Lanie was prepared to worship at Lilith, Maeve, and Pandora’s feet for their spell, making them fully human. Her Lamia’s green blood would be hard to explain.

Mac appeared, and Lanie waved. “Did you get Fisher?” she asked.

“He should be here within minutes.”

“Then go to Ranson. He needs you more,” Lanie urged.

“My job is to protect you,” Mac argued.

“And how can you when your mind is distracted? Go to him, that’s an order!” Lanie stated firmly.

Mac clearly argued with himself a little but nodded and headed out of her bay to find Ranson. A nurse bustled in to take her stats.

Lanie had maybe five minutes alone and then Fisher arrived.

“Fisher, find me someone in command, please,” Lanie said.

She lay back against the pillows as Fisher nodded.

‘I’ve been shot, and it will no doubt be on the news. I’m okay, just a mere shoulder wound. Nobody come. Alainen is close!’ Lanie informed her siblings. Her siblings bombarded her for a few moments until a wail silenced them all.

‘Mum!’ Callidora cried.

‘I am fine. Honest. Head to the castle, sweet girl. I shall arrive there shortly,’ Lanie reassured her.

‘We need to hunt him down. Enough is enough! ’ Callidora hissed in everyone’s mind.

‘I thought I had the Sin of Bloodlust,’ Vladimir teased Callidora.

‘Alainen needs putting down like the rabid animal he is,’ Callidora exclaimed.

‘I don’t disagree, but now is not the time. I shall come to the castle soon. But this is about to become a media circus,’ Lanie said.

Noone disagreed. Lanie’s human persona was huge, and no doubt her shooting would already be hitting the news.

‘Just, everyone, keep calm. And nobody rush here. That would give Alainen another target,’ Lanie continued, and reluctant agreements came back at her.

Her curtain moved in her bay, and a man in a suit entered with Fisher behind him.

‘I need to go, the doctors are here,’ Lanie's mind spoke one last time and shut them all out.

“I am Sidney Cate, the manager here. Can I help you?” he asked.

“My name is Lanie Cross, and your hospital might find the media camped outside—”

“They have already arrived. We have security at the entrances, but we are slightly overwhelmed,” Mr Cate replied.

“Fisher, call for support,” Lanie offered.

“That would be most helpful,” Mr Cate agreed.

“My guard. Mr Ranson, I want him to have the best. Money is no problem. Ensure he receives the very best care possible,” Lanie said.

“And for yourself?” Mr Cate asked.

“I’ll wait. Ensure Ranson is the priority. Should I find otherwise…” Lanie let the threat hang in the air.

Mr Cate held her gaze. “Mr Ranson shall receive the best we provide,” he assured her.

Lanie nodded, leaned back, and closed her eyes. Ranson’s life was in his hands and Gods… If Ranson had the will to survive, that would go a long way. For Mac’s sake, Lanie hoped he had the fight in him.

◆◆◆

Five hours later, Lanie had been plastered all over the media and tv stations along with the camera footage from those who’d filmed it. Simon had been called insane, amongst other definitions of crazy. The hospital had released a statement Laura had devised alongside the HR department.

Lanie had received surgery to remove the bullet, and although she could have pushed it out herself, she had to remain humanlike.

Mac had returned twice to check on her and Fisher before heading back to a private waiting area. All Lanie knew was Ranson was barely alive and critical and was being operated on.

Lanie was relaxing in her room with two security guards from her own team on the door when Mac entered. He looked tired and pale, and resignation and grief hung on him.

Lanie felt her stomach clench. “Ranson?” she whispered.

Mac ran a hand over his face. “He is alive but critical. He has a ten per cent chance of making it. The hospital can’t believe he’s held on this long, but they’ve said he could go at any time.”

“I’m so terribly sorry.” Lanie gasped. And she was. She’d liked Ranson, and he didn’t deserve this.

“It’s not your fault,” Mac replied.

Lanie disagreed; it was. But she could fix it. “I’d like to see him,” Lanie asked.

“Aren’t you recovering from surgery?” Mac demanded.

“Mac, please don’t argue,” Lanie replied.

“I’ll get a nurse and a wheelchair.”

Mac returned with a doctor and a nurse, who both agreed that as long as Lanie stayed in the wheelchair, she could visit Ranson. There were guards on his door, too, Lanie noted as they approached.

“Reporters tried to get in to see him,” Mac said.

“Leeches,” Lanie hissed, and a ghost of a smile crossed Mac’s lips. They entered Ranson’s room.

“Please pull the blinds. This is personal, and I don’t want people watching,” Lanie asked as Mac wheeled her to the bed.

“Yeah. I’ll wait outside and give you a few minutes to say your goodbyes,” Mac muttered and left the room. In the dim light, Lanie studied Ranson.

“Somehow, bud, you got under my skin,” Lanie said and leaned forward and grasped his hand.

Their Sins killed. They took life and feasted on the Sin residing in a human body. Anger needed to feed on Anger to keep strong.

But what nobody discussed was… on rare occasions, their Sin would heal. If the host could bend it to their will.

Lanie already felt Anger bucking against her idea, and she silently started wrestling it for control. She struggled and bit her lip, making it bleed, but she was determined.

Five minutes later, her hands glowed a soft blue, and she placed them on Ranson. Anger gave one last attempt at breaking from her will and then began to heal Ranson.

Lanie fed the energy slowly into him. She didn’t want him to suddenly jump up and dance around. She sought the worst injuries that would lead to his death and healed them to the point they’d finish healing on their own. By her reckoning, Ranson now had a fifty-fifty chance of surviving.

Lanie left little healing bombs inside his body and timed them to go off over the next forty-eight hours. Should Ranson start to fade again, those bursts would stop his decline. And if he stayed stable, then they would just leak over time and speed his healing up.

Lanie looked up tiredly, and she blew the hair from her face.

Mac stood inside the door, watching her. His eyes were focused on her hands, which still glowed blue. Lanie put them out and held his gaze.

“I’ll take you to your room, Miss Cross. Thank you for caring for Ranson,” he said.

That was it? Lanie wondered, aghast that he’d seen her. No questions, no explanation demands. Mac would wheel her back to bed?

Shockingly, Mac did that. He called a nurse to help get Lanie comfortable and kissed her forehead before walking out.

Lanie stared at the door and pondered what the hell just happened. Had Mac missed her glowing blue hands?

McIntyre

That had been a shock. He’d no idea Lanie’s kind could heal. But he was intensely grateful to her. Somehow, Mac knew his cousin would survive now. When he arrived back, he was unsurprised to see doctors and a nurse inside with Ranson.

“Is everything okay?” Mac asked.

“Your cousin is doing better than we expected, Mr McIntyre. His vitals are not only stable, but they have increased. I won’t lie. I didn’t expect Mr Ranson to live this long. He’s not out of danger yet, but I’d give him a fifty-fifty chance now,” a doctor said.

“That is great news. I have been told it’s okay if I stay with him?”

“Yes, that’s not an issue. I believe a nurse is bringing you a cot to put up. They’re not very comfortable, but it is all we can do,” the doctor continued.

“A cot is fine. I’ve slept on far worse. I’m ex-navy,” Mac explained.

“Thank you for your service,” the doctor said and shook his hand.

“Thank you for my cousin,” Mac replied and settled down in an armchair next to Ranson’s bed.

His mind wandered to Lanie as everyone left. For all his knowledge of Lanie’s kind, healing had not been something he had come across. None of the verbal legends handed down had mentioned healing. Saving someone, yes, not healing. Why Lanie had exposed herself, he did not know. It had seemed an out-of-character thing for her.

Lanie didn’t show a different side to herself at all. He’d been surprised when she bled red as he knew she bled green usually. It’s why he had been so panicked to keep her behind him. And then he realised. The entire world had seen her shot and hurt. It would put any Hunters off chasing her.

And even better, with Simon screaming she should be bleeding green, not only had it made him look crazy, but it would cast doubts on her being what she was. Her blood had definitely been red.

Mac wondered what she would do next. Would Lanie confront him about what he’d witnessed, or would she act ignorant? Lanie was a conundrum—and one he wanted to figure out. And in time, he would. Mac was damn sure of that.

Lanie/Lamia

She was released the following day, and Fisher accompanied her home. On the way out, she’d stopped and seen Ranson and was relieved to see her healing had worked. Mac had held her gaze and was silent during her visit.

Lanie was more confused than ever. Didn’t he want to know what she had done? Weren’t there questions burning deep in him? However, she needed to get to the castle.

After healing Ranson, Anger was hungry and clawed at her for a meal.

As soon as she was in her bedroom at home, she entered the mirror portal and discovered Mary on the other side.

“Let us heal you,” Mary demanded.

“Nice to see you too, sister. And no. For once, this must be done the human way,” Lanie replied.

“I do not like it,” Mary growled.

“You don’t have to. But I need to wound and scar for now. When it is time to disappear, then we can heal the scar. People will expect to see it if I wear an off-the-shoulder dress. This is one time being human works against us.” Lanie shifted into Lamia. “That’s better. Like this, I do not feel the pain,” Lamia stated and smiled.

“You know, it is no wonder Medusa hates you,” Mary said, and Lamia grinned.

“Not my fault she’s all ugly and hissy,” Lamia responded. “Anger needs a big meal today. I forced it to heal, and he’s ravenous.” “Lamia! You healed?”

“My guard, Ranson. I’ve no idea why I did, but I had to. It was inexplicable,” Lamia replied.

Her tail swished.

“Go and reassure everyone you are fine. I’ll find Anger its food,” Mary replied.

Lamia noted how her gaze had already turned to the mirror portals as she began searching. Touching her sister on her shoulder to say thanks, Lamia slithered through the castle.

“Bitch!” Lorelai shouted from somewhere, and Lamia hissed her laughter. While similar, they were very different. Medusa had snakes in her hair, and Lamia had none. Both retained human-like faces, but Medusa’s thinner and gaunter, while Lamia remained beautiful.

Their tails were different, too. Lamia’s was covered in iridescent scales, while Medusa’s was browner, more like a snakes.

“Jealous cow!” Lamia called back, and Lorelai laughed.

“I can turn a man to stone, something you can’t, sister,” Lorelai said as she rounded a corner.

“Hateful woman,” Lamia replied as they embraced.

“How is Lanie’s shoulder wound?” Lorelai asked.

“Painful, hence my shift.”

“The media is in a frenzy over your shooting. You’re not exactly keeping a low profile,” Lorelai stated.

“Believe me, that wasn’t my choice. I’m mortified by it. However, it might make some Hunters reconsider Lanie as Lamia,” Lamia replied.

“Do you think the Hunters are clocking onto our shifted forms?” Lorelai questioned.

“Yes. Social media is everywhere now. There are facial recognition programmes and other things that can track our identity down,” Lamia mused.

“What do we do?” Lorelai asked.

“That’s for the board to resolve. Either we must change looks every fifty/sixty years, or we withdraw from society altogether,” Lamia stated.

“The original spell laid Lilith, Maeve, and Pandora out for weeks. Asking them to cast it every half a century is unfair,” Lorelai considered.

“Maybe they enact it once a century and we spend half a century living in society and the other half isolated. I don’t have an answer, Lorelai, but is it getting more dangerous for us,” Lamia replied.

“Or we become the hunters and wipe them out. Instead of tackling them on our own, we take them out in force,” Luke suggested, passing by.

“Luke has a point,” Killian added as he approached. “I’ll be hunting with you later,” he said to Lamia.

She looked surprised. Phantom rarely hunted with anyone, and now Killian was saying he’d go with her. Lamia’s eyes narrowed.

“I can hunt fine on my own,” she snapped.

“I don’t doubt it. But tonight, Phantom will be going with you. Do not bother arguing,” Killian retorted, dropping a kiss on her head and chasing after Luke.

“I hate our brothers sometimes,” Lamia complained, and Lorelai laughed.

“Especially those on the board,” she agreed.

That night, Anger sated itself into a stupefied coma. Lamia knew she’d not have to hunt for at least a week. Callidora was coming soon, and Lamia had no intention of giving up her time with her daughter.

After shifting back to Lanie, she walked through the mirror to her home and froze on the spot.

McIntyre

Lanie’s bedroom was off-limits. It was the one rule they’d never broken. Yet he sat on her bed, knowing she’d entered here but now wasn’t here. Somehow, Lanie was leaving the house without their knowledge. He had been sitting here six hours, ever since he’d arrived at one a.m. He reckoned Lanie would return pretty soon because of the cover she kept.

Mac was surprised when the mirror rippled and Lanie stepped through it. Her eyes met his, and her mouth dropped.

“I’m going to have to kill you now,” Lanie said with sorrow in her voice.

“Because I know you are a Legendary Shifter, that your Lamia, or because you use mirrors to travel?” Mac asked, and Lanie’s jaw dropped open in shock.

“Oh, let’s add, I know you carry the Sin of Anger, and I also have the previously unknown knowledge that you can heal.”

“Who are you?” Lanie hissed as she shifted.

Mac stared at her, his eyes wide. “You’re stunning,” he murmured. “Far more beautiful than I ever believed.”

“McIntyre, answer me,” Lamia demanded.

“I’m a member of a family you once knew as Galanis. Mine and Ranson’s mothers were daughters of the Galanis family,” McIntyre explained.

“From Ancient Greece?” Lamia asked, puzzled.

“Yes. My family saved you and your daughter several times throughout the millennia. For four thousand years, my family has watched over you and Callidora, providing aid when needed. We’ve stepped up and helped other Legendary Shifters,” Mac said calmly.

“You’re a Saviour family!” Lamia exclaimed.

“Is that what you call us?”

“Yes. The Galanis family supported me several times.”

“Ranson and I are all that’s left of them. Hunters took out the rest of our line years ago. Including our mothers. Our fathers hid us and brought us up to fight. They, too, were remnants of a Saviour family.”

“What do you mean?” Lamia asked, puzzled.

“Hunters have turned their attention to the families that helped your kind in the past. They’ve been wiping them out. A hundred years ago, my family had several hundred members. Now there is only Ranson, and I left. My father’s family was decimated by Hunters, as was Ranson’s father’s family. If the Hunters can’t find you, they’re coming after us,” Mac explained.

“Shit. We’d no idea.”

“You weren’t meant to have,” Mac said. “Our priority is protecting you. Not vice versa.”

“But you’re dying. How many more have the Hunters killed?” Lamia demanded.

“Thousands of us have fallen. There is a mere handful left,” Mac admitted.

“The board needs to be told. We need to tell them what is happening,” Lamia insisted.

“The Saviour families, as you call them, have banded together. We have hidden from the real world and are being protected while we continue our missions,” Mac said.

“How?” Lamia demanded.

“Magic,” Mac answered. He held her gaze.

“Humans do not have magic,” Lamia hissed.

“No, we don’t.”

“Who do you have?” Lamia retorted suspiciously.

“Tisiphone.”

“One of the Erinyes?”

“There’s only one Tisiphone,” Mac replied.

“Is she captive?” Lamia asked.

“The hell she is!” Max exclaimed.

“I want to see her.”

“I’ll have to contact my people. Tisi saved us, they won’t allow someone to waltz in, even if it’s another shifter,” Mac said.

“Why not? She is shifter to me!” Lamia shrieked, and Mac shook his head sadly.

“You honestly don’t know.”

“What?”

“A shifter betrayed you all and is working with the Hunters.”

Lamia reared back at Mac’s bombshell.

“Liar!” she hissed, snatched him to her, and fled through the portal.