Page 41

LYRA GUARDIAN WITCH

I move through the market at a fast clip, clutching my change purse close beneath my robe. I’m surrounded by thieves and murderers, but they won’t touch me. Or at least, they don’t often. Occasionally one gets brave and tries to approach.

Drakon removed two fingers from the last man who dared touch me. I reach up to stroke his feathered head and he nuzzles my neck with his beak.

He found me within days of my being sentenced to the penal realm. I don’t know where he came from or why he came to me, but he’s saved my life countless times since I arrived in the desolate realm that has been my home for the past 200 years.

I approach the booth that brought me to market and place two coins on the wood countertop. “One packet of sage, one rosemary, and an eye of newt.”

I glance around as the elder witch gathers my supplies.

The market is quite busy today, putting me on edge. The penal realm is a vast and isolated place. Each inmate has their own piece of hell and we don’t often come across each other unless we come to Abaddon; the city of darkness.

“Here you are,” the crone hands me three packets and I stuff them in the sack hidden beneath my cloak.

It’s time to go home.

Before I can leave the market though, Drakon nips my ear hard enough to get my attention.

“Ouch!” I rub the tender spot and turn my head to glare at him.

He bobs his beak in the direction of the cheese vendor.

“You can’t bully me into doing your bidding,” I tell him sternly. He clacks his beak at me and tugs on my ear. “Rude,” I mutter, but dutifully approach the street vendor.

As I haggle over a piece of aged cheddar, something tickles at my mind. Something I haven’t felt in a very long time.

I stand very still as a trickle of fear snakes its way down my spine. Turning slowly, I search the area for whatever has disturbed me. I see nothing and turn back to the vendor, coins in hand. Before I can hand them over, a single word whispers through my mind.

Mate.

Oh goddess. There’s only one man who would dare to claim me as his mate. But it’s impossible. How could he possibly find me?

I whirl around, searching for him.

A massive black wolf steps through the crowd, his gleaming eyes fixed on me.

“Fallon!” I gasp, dropping my sack.

A howl erupts from his throat and he lunges, scattering everyone around him as he cuts a path toward me, his eyes glowing with rage. I’m helpless, standing in the path of the rampaging wolf shifter.

My mate has come for his revenge.