Page 12

Chapter 12

Evie

M iracle of miracles, Ward didn’t immediately toss me into the street. In fact, he gently brushed my hair away from my face and woke me up with soft kisses, which I returned. And with my sleepy nod, he shattered me one more time with his hand.

I reveled in my post-orgasm haze, amazed Ward slouched perfectly relaxed against me despite his raging hard-on poking me in the belly. That was the most incredible night of my life and I hadn't even seen said dick. My body kind of did what I told it to do. The things he said. The noises I made. I didn’t really have a frame of reference for what happened. For once I wasn’t completely hopeless at interacting with another human being, shifter, whatever.

I was seriously considering fulfilling Maggie’s order to get him inside me when Noora knocked on the door. I leaned against Ward as we talked to her in the doorway. There was no room in the closet. Desperation made her frighteningly efficient at getting us a chain that thankfully didn’t resemble flesh.

Ward still eyed it like it was going to bite him, but I wiggled extra close as I put the collar on and looped the rune-decorated chain around my wrist.

I patted his rippling shoulder in what I hoped was consolation. “Think of it like an enormous wedding ring.”

The groaning sound it made when the collar closed was more ominous than a wedding ring, but the comparison settled his fur and we headed out.

I looked back, expecting Noora to be waving at us from the Clam’s porch. Instead, I ran straight into her back. I took in her serviceable clothing, sturdy shoes, and her bag. She was suspiciously ready to travel.

“Don't even try to talk me out of coming with you. If you find Brightpaw, we're leaving this place together.” Noora’s mouth compressed into a mutinous line.

Eyeing Ward and scanning our horses, I asked, “You got everything, right? Purse, keys, magic talismans?”

“Viper?” He unconsciously pulled at the chain even though it sizzled against his flesh. I couldn't blame him for being uncomfortable. I was uncomfortable holding it, especially after our chat last night.

“If she's coming with us, I don't think we're going back to the Clam. That madame didn't strike me as the type to wait for a detailed explanation of how we didn't run off with one of her girls.”

“We only left behind your orgasms.” He smirked, and I pressed forward to hide my blush. Not well enough to prevent Noora from giggling.

Those citizens out on the street parted for Noora and startled at Ward. By the third block, my shoulders drooped, and I realized our brief interlude was over and we were still on this quest. Ward grumpily followed behind, grumbling to himself, but the thing he wasn’t doing was staring at me in horror. Or immediately falling into my sister's arms. Which, granted, would be hard in Vinguard. I was unconvinced he would last through actual sex, but some broken pieces fused together in my chest. Just maybe, I deserved what I got last night and if I could get this relic, maybe I would believe it. The day was really looking up! Now I just had to find and destroy a Goddess' relic. Again.

The temple squatted as unfriendly as ever. Not helped by the ominous, growing clouds darkening the sky.

“After you,” Ward said, a bit of sarcasm in his voice.

“Before we get up there, I have a relevant question. If the relic really is in the temple, how are the cat ladies not losing their minds?”

Ward looked up at the women who appeared at the lip of the stairs. “The brides only have one form so they cannot shift. That should make them immune to Veretis’ call.”

“Just checking. We're good now. Let's go quest shit up.” I turned to Noora, who should have been looking at me like she had second thoughts. If she was any kind of sane. “This is your last chance. We haven’t exactly had a tranquil time questing so far.”

“I’m either going to find him or die trying,” Noora said.

I sighed. That was unnecessarily intense, even for a Mate. I looked over at Ward and had the sinking feeling I would say something dumb like that next. “Up we go then.”

The stairs must have been endless. My breath came in big gusts, my legs shaking as I tried to lift my foot up to the next step. We had to be close to the top. Staring at the line of people we passed, I dredged up some motivation. I didn't dare glance up. I had to anyway. We only made it a quarter of the way up the staircase. I really should have eaten breakfast this morning.

“Viper?”

It was embarrassing enough I couldn't make it up the stairs. I wouldn’t admit it.

Ward’s voice went low behind me. “Are you being stubborn again?”

“I can—” Ward didn't let me finish before he lifted me off my feet by the back of my pants so we could maintain the illusion I was doing it on my own. The somewhat undignified yelp I let out was only slightly less embarrassing than the completely undignified wedge he made of my underclothes and pants. At least he paid me the courtesy of letting me step up the last few on my own. I don't know if I would ever get used to his sheer strength.

Facing the cat women was anticlimactic once they saw the collar and chain around Ward's neck. Not even a menacing step in our direction. We strolled into the front of the Temple and an acolyte unlike any I'd ever seen met us at the portico. His fresh, boyish face was almost feminine. His bright-white curls cascaded down his neck in a graceful line. He bowed to me and Noora, acknowledged the chain, and led us further into the temple.

For a temple of flesh, it was decidedly cold—barely a tapestry or pillow in sight. The halls were clean but barren; the stone was intimidating as the ceiling towered over us. I would have called it eerie if our sylph-like guide wasn’t with us.

“Slow… sacrifice day?” I asked him.

“Oh, it’s been a bit more depressing than usual with all the shifters being offered. None of them come here particularly sane, or in the mood.”

Is the Flesh part of her title a euphemism for what I think it is?

My bear kept his pace steady. You should describe what you think it is and I can tell you if you’re right. Ward’s sexy, sly tone tried its best to distract me.

So that was a ‘yes’.

We stepped into the throne room. Apparently, every yard of fabric in the place draped this space from ceiling to floor. Color blended together as the sheer hangings drifted in the breeze. My eyes darted everywhere—the throne, the pillows as big as I was, and then finally all the others in the room.

No one said the Queen of Flesh came with her very own harem. A guy harem but a harem nonetheless, and they did not believe in covering up perfect bodies. I didn’t know where to put my eyes. This wasn’t a shifter’s unconscious nakedness from changing form—this harem wore just enough to direct your eye to some very visible bits. Straps, drapes of fabric, even tattoos made Noora blush, and she saw it for a living.

Sweat collected under my arms. Ward’s gaze bored a hole in the back of my head—I refused to turn it to take in any more man body than I had to. I never believed I was a prudish person, but I really tried to will the wall of man flesh into background noise because the woman before me looked as deadly as they came. From her wicked black nails down to her cherry-red lips, she screamed, Queen.

Long black hair shifted like a living thing around her, framing blazing green eyes. Her green corset and skirt showed more than they hid. If I was ‘fluffy’ she was a plus-sized Goddess with acres and acres of flesh that moved in hypnotic ways even while she sat. Delicate finger bones, bound by pulsing, wet, warm red magic, formed the crown atop her head. I looked around for anything that might resemble a relic and found nothing but yards of silks and satins. Guess I was going to have to play this through.

“Hey there! Goddess, Queen, ma’am. I’m here…”

My throat closed in on itself as she stood from her throne and stepped down to the floor. The whispering of her dude court grew louder. Did I have something on my face? Sweat beaded on my forehead.

“I supplicate myself to your carnal majesty.” Noora whispered as she curtsied.

“I supplicate myself to your carnal majesty, which is looking pretty fresh,” I repeated, bowing. Bowing seemed more appropriate in pants.

The Queen didn’t so much smile as bare her teeth. “I see you have a gift for me.”

“Yep. Prime man meat right here. Top grade. Good for lifting, reaching things on top shelves and…” I couldn't think of a third thing to really sell my joke.

“Linguistics,” Ward said under his breath.

My core clenched at the memory of his tongue running through it. I was blushing as hard as some of the harem, who didn't miss Ward's grumbled addition.

The Queen licked her lips. “I will be pleased, if his boot size is any sign.”

Noora chuckled. And I should have, too, but a spurt of jealousy rose instead. I wasn't handing over Ward for real. Thank Godds. It was fine when I made the joke, but no one else got to claim him. I promised. I tugged his chain and drew him a little closer. His big hand found the back of my neck and the tension eased again. A scratching cough sounded in my mind. Was Ward laughing? It took him a moment, but he pulled himself together and went silent again.

The Queen of Flesh circled Ward like a bird of prey. “Thank the Godds, a real sacrifice.”

Noora and I looked at each other. Maybe we should have planned past getting in the door. What were we supposed to do with the relic not in plain sight?

A snarl ripped through the air. We all turned, but I did a double take at the biggest, fluffiest dog I had ever seen. Every one of the harem pressed into the corners of the room.

“Puppy!” I shrieked.

That’s a wolf, Ward warned me.

But he looked like a giant dog to me. The sight of the Chain of Flesh around his neck sent fear straight into my heart. The black floofball might have had his long teeth bared at the Brother of Zophiel yanking at him, but he was still adorable. It didn’t matter that he appeared to be a barbarian mer-dog—heavy-boned and shaggy, with webbed feet and a snuffly snout. Fluffier than any wolf I had ever seen, the rippling fur in his eyes begged to be petted endlessly.

“You’ll not bite me again, you mangy shifter.” He kicked the wolf, who let out a wail that drove into my heart. “We’ll guard our own cemetery.”

The wolf whipped around with frightening strength, yanking the brother with him.

The Queen of Flesh gave them a harried frown. “We don’t need any more. The pen is full. They should empty it tomorrow. Come back then. I’m in the middle of a genuine sacrifice.”

With a mighty yowl, the wolf slipped through the collar and savaged the man in the robe. The tearing of flesh and crunch of bone made most of the harem go pale. Blood spurted everywhere before any of us could react. The Brother of Zophiel’s screams died quickly enough, and the wolf turned to us next.

Terrified outcries ripped through the audience hall, mainly coming from the harem, so I didn't think we were going to get any help from that corner. The Queen of Flesh looked annoyed as hells, and my new doggy friend stalked toward us with lethal intent.

“You're going to have to bite him, Evie,” Ward said, placing himself in front of us. “Just like the Wolf of Acerni.”

I released his chain, so he was free to fight. Better him than me. “That was a onetime deal, teddy bear. You were in danger, and I acted out of instinct. I have no idea how I did that.”

“If you haven't noticed, viper, we're in danger right now. That wolf will tear everything and everyone apart, monster or not.”

Why couldn't the wolf just be a cute fluffy squish dog? I didn’t want to fight a wolf-shifter. Even one bunching all his muscles to pounce.

“Now! Evie, now.” Ward shifted and his gigantic fuzzy butt was suddenly in my face.

“No more shifters!” I heard the Queen of Flesh cry out behind us. “Take them to the pens.”

I didn't want to be stuck in any sort of pen with a monster who wanted to tear us apart. So I reluctantly shifted and wiggled side to side in indecision as the wolf dove for Ward. I could do this. I just wrapped my arms—or body, I guess—around him like a big hug! Ward held him still enough that I coached myself into giving him a love bite that delicately injected my venom into his shoulder. And when he didn't immediately turn any soulful puppy eyes on me, I bit him again for good measure.

It didn't help that he shifted into a little curly-haired King just as the cat women dragged us away because he wasn’t in any shape to walk. They would not get Ward to move, but they latched on to the man-snake assemblage and Ward had to follow. I wasn't too difficult to drag along as a tube. I did my best to end up around the strange man's chest and away from any potentially lower naked bits. Not that in his groggy state was he going to try anything as they dragged us across the beautiful temple floors, deeper and deeper, into what looked like unused parts of the building.

Noora's protests mingled with Ward’s growls, echoing through the tall hallways. The temple guards dragged us all the way through to the other side where it looked like they kept various broken furniture, dented vessels, ripped linens and cloths, and even a few neglected sets of swords and armor. The call of the relic pounded hard in my head. It had to be in there. Nothing looked obviously relic-y other than a gleaming set of armor amongst the shoddy pile.

The dragging didn't stop when I noticed a few silver boxes in there as well. They looked suspiciously like that thing behind the relic in the first temple. They glowed in the same way, but they were bigger, apple-box size, and they stood straight amongst a pile of haphazardly thrown things. Were they related to those mysterious people ready to “pick us up”?

“What's happening?” the wolf said, his adorable, dark bangs falling into his eyes. It was a good thing I had no hands to brush them back with. I don’t know if I could have kept them to myself.

What was happening was, instead of one shifter tearing us apart, an entire basket full was about to. The pen they dragged us to had shifters piled on top of one another. Some in shifted form, some human and fighting the call. Most maimed each other indiscriminately.

Don't panic. I said it as much for myself as for the wolf. We have a plan.

The wolf’s eyes widened as the cat women tossed us into the filthy holding area, slamming the bars shut. A thousand glowing eyes turned in our direction. Ward unwound me with his teeth from the wolf I was suddenly terrified to let go of, setting me behind him.

I can't bite them all! I yelled at him.

This time, he didn’t flinch at my volume. I will protect you.

I appreciated the sentiment, but his bear wouldn't last against all these shifters, and neither would his magic.

We have to get out of here. I really hoped it came out authoritative rather than panicked.

Ward glanced back at the bars behind us, tensing. I will break the door down.

Maybe he saw something I didn’t. Not to be a downer, but it looks pretty sturdy.

I will not let this stand! We are not animals to be kept in cages. Ward reached his limit.

Ward roared as a wild cat burst from the crowd. We all backed up a step. My teddy bear bristled for a fight. The cat tackled Noora to the ground but instead of bloodletting, it cuddled against her, butting its triangle head under her chin.

“Brightpaw!”

The mate bond works, Ward said, catching my eye.

We can argue about it later. We need to get out of here unless we're going to mate or bite all these shifters. I refused to start shaking.

Mate. He turned halfway, his broad side blocking my view.

That's what I said. Shifter mates seem to be more of a one-on-one thing.

No, mate. Look down.

The flagstones beneath my scales belonged outside the holding pen. Looking through the bars, I stuck my head in and went through easily. Guess they didn’t build the pen for snakes, even giant ones.

I’ll just take care of the relic real quick. I slithered back.

You're not going without me , Ward warned as he shifted to human and reached for me.

It looked like I was, because even in his human form, Ward was too big to fit through the bars. I left my lock picking skills at The Clamouring Clam.

I felt it back at the temple exit. Let me find it, destroy it, I told him.

A doggie yelp and a cat scream spurred me into action. Ward’s bear slammed his considerable bulk against the bars of the pen.

Fake it till you make it, I yelled as I slid as fast as my scales would take me, working my way back toward the temple. The guards raced down the stairs, and I flattened myself in the shadows as they ran past. I wasn’t so lucky with the next wave of cat women and had to shift.

The lead one stopped, taking in my kaftan. “What are you doing out of the throne room?”

“Just looking at the animals.” I waved them forward, flattered they thought I belonged there. “But I think the shifters are trying to escape.”

The guards growled and left me behind. I shifted back to snake and buried myself in the pile of junk they had sitting around at the top of the stairs, searching, feeling. The relic was close. I could taste the Goddess on the back of my tongue. A cacophony of animal fighting sounds would not deter me. Hunting through the various boxes and overwhelming number of mead cups, I finally slithered up to a full suit of armor that made my head pound.

Or that could have been Ward charging up the steps. His foot falls shook the ground as he skidded to a stop in front of me. The chaos behind him at least had the guards distracted, as all the shifters poured out of the hole Ward left in the pen.

This. It has to be this thing. I nudged the armor out of the heap with my head and Ward snatched it up like it had insulted his mother.

With Ward savaging the hapless piece of metal, it was safe enough to shift, panting in the pile of junk. Ward truly was magnificent in his fury. With teeth bared and claws doing damage, I knew we would have the Goddess’ call silenced soon. This wasn't too bad. No one got killed and Ward seemed to have no second thoughts about keeping me around.

Glancing down, I saw an offering tray that only looked a day old. A few drying apples and perfectly fine nuts made my stomach rumble. Smack in the middle was a miraculous bit of cake. How a piece of cake survived this junk heap was beyond me, but I really needed something to eat after not having breakfast. Oh, and all this nonsense. I deserved a treat.

Munching happily, I watched as all the shifters calmed down and shook their heads as the call dissipated. A few still snapped and snarled, but we were getting there.

Ward jogged back up to me, gloriously naked. I think a bit of cake fell out of my mouth.

“Are you okay? Did anyone touch you? Are you hurt?”

I showed him the bruise on my hip where one of the cat guards bumped into me.

Ward swelled bigger, on the verge of shifting. “They will regret touching you. Every tuft of fur they own is forfeit.” He paused. “What are you eating, viper?”

“I was hungry, and you were doing your thing, so I wasn’t sure how long you’d be. I needed some breakfast. Do you want some?”

He stood unnaturally still. “Don't freak out.”

I immediately freaked out. Who said things like that? “Just say it.”

He put out his hands like he was settling a spooked horse. “That's not cake. That's a dragon scale.”

I held it up, turning it over. “No. Come on. Look at it! Soft, squishy, it tastes delicious.”

“That thing is ancient. I destroyed the armor and none of the shifters changed yet. But you are halfway done with that cake and they have calmed down. You are going to have to finish it.”

I looked down, my stomach doing flips. The last thing I wanted to do was throw up a relic. “No. I can't.”

You have to, I'm afraid, The Goddess said. What an unhelpful wench. Just two more after this.

Well, that was something to look forward to.

Ward sat down in the pile with me, his big hand coming to rub my back. “You can. I'm right here. You can finish.”

I hiccuped, took a deep breath, and kept eating. One small bite at a time until the cake—I was totally going to remember it as cake for the rest of my life—was gone.

Every single shifter popped back into their human form. The guards were so surprised, all the fighting immediately ceased.

“I need to stop eating holy relics, Ward.”

He smiled. “You're a problem solver, mate.” But he was looking down at our linked hands. And to be fair, they were glowing. Not the love struck kind of glowing but absolute-Goddess-power-type glowing.

“Shift, mate, and then we're going to tear apart those pens brick by brick. Those cages will never hold a shifter again.”

Yeah, that seems like the right thing to do. Ward bounded off to wreak havoc, leaving me to follow.

The Goddess' voice washed over me. Yes. Make them pay for touching my children. Use my gifts well.

I felt fearsome for the first time ever. I reached deep inside for the new pool of power sitting at the center of me and unfurled it over my body. Rising up and up from the pile of junk, I swelled with might and purpose until I crashed back down to the ground on four stumpy snake legs.

Fuck.