Page 22 of Shifter’s Promise (Devourer of Magic)

Chapter

Eighteen

T he next day we gathered at the growing rebellion. We arrived separately, hoping we’d be more conspicuous in smaller groups. The last thing we needed was the city guard finding this place.

“You have a plan?” Lifal echoed back. He raised a stern eyebrow over keen crimson eyes. His gaze flitted between us.

The triplets stood on my left, Leona at my back. Willow hovered near her boss, forehead wrinkled with uncertainty. I could tell she felt awkward being between us. The loyalty of fellow slaves ran deep. Maybe deeper than whatever bond Willow had forged with Lifal.

“We do,” Taka confirmed. He tapped his fist over his heart, a beastkin sign that meant ‘trust me’ or ‘I’ll give it my whole heart’.

“We’re going to lure Jeremiah to the beach near the northern cliffs in jaguar territory,” Aya continued, glancing at me. He dipped his chin for me to explain .

I gave Lifal and Willow the rundown of what we’d discussed last night.

If all went well, Jeremiah should be dead in two days.

We’d figure out the territory dispute once the triplets decided how Jaguar Clan would run in Jeremiah’s absence.

I had faith in them, and was sure Father would assist as well.

“This entire plan hinges on Jeremiah not knowing why you’re leading him to this spot,” Lifal said. Elbows propped on the table and fingers folded beneath his chin, he regarded us shrewdly. “What if he discovers your ploy?”

I swallowed thickly. He had a point.

“Then we prepare for the worst case scenario,” Leona surmised. Her fingers brushed my hip, grounding me.

“How so?” Willow spoke up, curiosity dancing in her wide yellow eyes.

“Even if Jeremiah finds out, we can prepare additional warriors to take him and his people down,” Leona explained. “With the help of Leopard Clan and the Rebellion, I can’t see Jeremiah’s men outnumbering us even if he suspects his sons of treason.”

My lips twitched into a smile. Goddess bless me, my mate was brilliant.

Lifal hummed in thought, gaze distant for a long, tense moment.

“Is there ample coverage near this beach?”

Yes, he’s definitely going to agree! I grinned.

“Yes,” Raxa said. “It’s off the jungle, so there will be plenty of ground cover.”

Lifal nodded. “And what will you do in exchange for our warriors?” He leaned forward, elbows on the makeshift table, a darker colored door atop the crates today. His fingers steepled as he glared.

My gut twisted. It couldn’t be that easy, huh? Luckily, we’d come prepared.

“We’ll join your rebellion,” I said simply. We’d already agreed this morning.

“How many warriors do you need?”

My shoulders slumped with relief. “As many as you can spare, just in case.”

“We’ll have to call back Ghost Squadron.” Lifal looked at Willow. She nodded vehemently, my inner excitement reflected in her eyes.

“I’ll send a messenger right now.” Willow disappeared out the entrance to Lifal’s cavern office.

“Ghost Squadron?” Aya’s voice rose with amusement.

“Yes.” Lifal’s gaze hardened in challenge. “Is there a problem?”

“Not at all!” Taka elbowed his brother, an oomph of air confirming the hit.

“Why ‘Ghost Squadron’?” I asked, curious. I wasn’t judging the name.

Lifal regarded me for a long moment, perhaps weighing his options. “They’re a group of snow leopard shifters from the northern mountains. They’re a squad of silent killers, mercenaries who happen to have a bone to pick with the slave trade.”

“Mercenaries?” Leona’s grip on my hip tightened.

My eyes widened. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

Lifal chuckled, some of the tension finally leaving his broad shoulders. “They were the first team to join us.” His telling gaze told me we counted as the second team. “They’re a little… rough around the edges, but they’re loyal and capable.”

“How many are there?” Taka asked.

“Five.”

Willow returned with a swoosh of long black hair. “Shannon sent a messenger. He said they should be back by end of day tomorrow.”

Lifal nodded. “Good. You’ll take Shannon with you on the day of the ambush.”

Willow blinked in surprise. “Really?”

“He offered last time these scamps showed up.” His gaze returned to us, brow twitching. Is he annoyed?

“We need all the help we can get,” I said. I didn’t want him to withdraw the offer just because one of his men wanted to help us. With no idea why Shannon would offer to help, I could only speculate.

Lifal sighed, his exhale so strong a few pages flew off the table.

“I’ll have them all meet you before dawn on the second day.”

“Send them to the Leopard Clan house.” My fingers fisted with determination. With six more warriors we’d need more loyal members of our clan to step up. But it was doable, especially if these mercenaries were skilled.

“All right,” Lifal said. The rebel leader paused, gaze lingering as he looked between us. I wasn’t sure if he was measuring us up, or trying to decide if it was worth his time to get involved. Staring at the triplets, he stood .

“You’re sure you can go through with this?” A fair question.

The three stiffened in my periphery.

“Yes.” Raxa didn’t hesitate.

Taka and Aya on the other hand waited a beat before nodding.

“He’s been enslaving our people,” Aya said.

“Even our own mother,” Taka added.

“He deserves to die.” Raxa’s words were final, sealing their commitment.

“Well then.” Lifal held out a hand. “Welcome aboard.”

“Can you go on ahead for a minute?” Leona asked.

My brows furrowed. Squinting into the light of day now that we’d emerged from the rebel base, we huddled on the patio out back. Looking between the triplets and Leona, all I got were shrugs from the jaguars. They had no idea what was going on either.

“We won’t go far,” Raxa promised.

A moment later, they were gone.

Confusion turned my stomach. It wasn’t that I was wary of my mate’s intentions, but from the crease in her forehead, I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like whatever she would say.

“Twinlin.” Her voice softened as she took my hands in hers.

Sunlight flared overhead, sending leaf-patterned dapples across Leona’s skin and hair. The golden flecks went so well with her amber gaze, I could have gotten lost if it weren’t for the tension steeling my spine.

“I think you should stay back the day of the ambush.”

My eyes flew wide in disbelief. “What?”

“It’ll be dangerous, Twin. If something happened to you…” She trailed off, squeezing my fingers as if asking me to understand.

But I didn’t—couldn’t understand.

“No.” I pulled my hands free, taking a step back. “How can you even ask me that?”

Leona sighed, but didn’t crowd me or try to touch me again. She gave me the space I needed while my mind raced and my heart pounded.

“Twin, you’re strong.” She paused, capturing my gaze before she went on. “You’re so strong for enduring everything you have. Most beastkin would be a shadow of their former selves if they went through half of what I can only imagine happened to you.”

A growl rose in my throat, frustration building. “If I’m so strong, why are you trying to sideline me?”

She closed her eyes in an attempt to gather herself.

“Because I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I’ve already been hurt, Leona,” I snapped. “Time and time again. Thanks to that… that piece of shit excuse of a shifter!”

My leopard prowled back and forth in our shared mind, agreeing with a chuff, though I could sense her discomfort. She didn’t want to disagree with our mate anymore than I did. But I would not be pushed aside. I would get what I was owed—Jeremiah’s blood in the sand.

“I know,” she murmured. “And you are strong, so please don’t take offense to this… You’re strong mentally , Twin, but not physically.”

I exhaled sharply, hurt lancing through my chest as if she’d stabbed me. “That’s what you really think?”

“That’s what I know.”

She sounded so resolute. So certain, it made me doubt myself.

I had been through ten years of slavery; vicious beatings, horrible torture and endless drudgery. But I’d gotten through it. I’d escaped and come home and?—

Cold washed over me at the realization.

I hadn’t escaped myself. I’d been freed. Unable to defend myself on the street, I’d needed Leona and the triplets to rescue me from being taken again. Though I’d fought and clawed to stay alive, I’d never been trained—never had the time or opportunity.

“Am I really that weak?”

Leona stepped forward, taking my arms in her large hands. “You aren’t weak, Twinlin. Not at all.”

Determination flared in that orange gaze. Her brow set over her eyes, her jaw hardening with certainty.

“You can become stronger physically,” Leona went on with a reassuring squeeze. “I can help you, train you even. You will be as strong as me one day, but right now, you’re still recovering from being tortured .”

Tears burned the back of my eyes, but I refused to shed them and make myself look any weaker. She was right. I was weak, at least compared to her. Compared to my father, and even the triplets.

But just because I wasn’t as strong as them, didn’t mean I couldn’t fight. Didn’t mean I couldn’t be there and see Jeremiah’s demise with my own eyes.

“You still want to go,” Leona said, gaze softening. Her smile dried up my tears. She was so breathtaking, little dimples forming in her cheeks.

“I will go,” I said firmly.

Sighing, Leona shook her head. “I can’t stop you.”

“No, you can’t.”

She chuckled and pulled me into her arms. My heart leapt with her sudden closeness, but as if we’d been hugging for years, I melted against her.

“I’ll protect you at all costs,” Leona said. “Do not stray from me and the others that day. Stay by my side.”

I smiled, gripping her shirt in an effort to bring her closer.

“I’ll stay by your side, Leona. Now and forever.”