Page 24 of Shifter’s Promise (Devourer of Magic)

Chapter

Twenty

“ Y ou promise not to stand on the front line?” Father narrowed his eyes at me, not for the first time this morning. Though the sun had yet to rise, our home was already full of beastkin.

I sighed. “I promise.”

I’d already vowed the same to Leona. Might as well ease my father's worry as well. Kara would be concerned enough today. Though she still slept soundly upstairs in my bed—the result of a late night impromptu sleepover—the second her eyes opened, her worry would rival his.

“I should go along with you,” he said.

I shook my head. We’d already been over this. “No. The clan needs you.”

A growl rumbled in his chest, but he quickly squashed it. “My daughter needs me too.”

I smiled. “I have Leona, the triplets and a myriad of other warriors. I’ll be fine.”

Still, he narrowed his eyes, disagreeing. I had a feeling he wouldn’t be reassured unless he protected me himself. We couldn’t have that, though. On the rare chance that something did happen to me, the clan would go on. But if my father died…

My heart lurched, not wanting to consider that. Leopard Clan would fall apart in his absence. Maybe one day our clan would prosper once more. But it wouldn’t happen without him.

Footsteps beneath us had me descending the stairs in moments.

“Twin,” Father said, exasperated.

“Everything will be fine,” I called over my shoulder.

Leona and the triplets stood in the foyer, their expressions grim. I couldn’t blame them. Jeremiah had been a mentor of sorts to Leona, and a father—even if a shitty one—to his sons. And today he would die.

“Morning,” I said. I still had a handful of steps to go, and yet Leona plucked me from them, giving me a quick kiss before setting me on the foyer floor.

My cheeks blazed, eyes wide. I hadn’t been expecting that.

“Good morning, mate,” Leona whispered next to my ear. Her small smirk told me she’d meant to do that.

This cheeky woman.

“Has our backup arrived yet?” Raxa asked, surprising me. He was rarely the first to speak. A quick glance told me his brothers were taking this much harder than he.

“Not yet,” I said. “Our clan members are in the living room, but Lifal’s men haven’t shown up. ”

Leona glanced out the windows lining either side of the front door. “They should be here soon.”

Nerves skittered up my spine. I barely suppressed a shiver. If they didn’t show, I wasn’t sure what we’d do. With only six leopards on standby, we needed the six rebels to flesh out our team. If we wanted to have any chance against Jeremiah that is.

I had a feeling this wouldn’t go down as expected.

“When is your father expecting you?” I asked. Though we’d all agreed to meet before dawn and go over the plan with our recruits, the triplets would have to return to their clan house at some point.

“Not for a few hours yet,” Taka said.

“He’d still be shaking the house with his snores,” Aya deadpanned.

I snorted. “How do you get any sleep?”

“We don’t,” Raxa sighed.

Well that was unfortunate. It must be quite the snore to keep them up all night.

“Why don’t we join the others?” Leona said, nodding at the living room door.

The triplets had barely passed through the door frame when a knock sounded.

I froze, gaze flicking to my mate. Her hand had already wrapped around the hilt of her greatsword. Though how she planned to use it in the small foyer, I wasn’t sure.

“I’m sure it’s them,” I assured, giving her a light pat on the arm as I passed.

Rough fingers wrapped around my wrist, pulling me back.

“Allow me,” Leona said. Her brow furrowed in concentration. She pulled a dagger from within her armor, making me blink in surprise. I had no idea she carried more weapons.

Leona went to the door first, dagger slanted behind her thigh to hide its blade.

“It’s us.” Shannon’s voice.

I sighed in relief, but Leona’s tense shoulders had yet to relax.

She opened the door, her large frame blocking our recruits from sight.

“This is Ghost Squadron,” Shannon introduced. Yet, I still couldn’t see around Leona’s armored back.

“Let them in,” I bade her.

Leona darted a glance back at me before finally relenting. My mate stepped to the side, allowing a cloaked Shannon in first, followed by five more cloaked figures of various heights. Black masks covered their mouths and noses.

“Welcome,” I said. “Thanks for coming. We’re indebted to you.”

Shannon arched his brow. “No need for debt. We’re simply collecting what’s owed.”

I smirked. “I like the way you think.”

His lips twitched but a smile never formed. Instead, he slipped further into the foyer, allowing his comrades in behind him. Once the door was shut, the small entry had no more space to move.

“Why don’t we join the others and do introductions then?” I offered, extending a hand toward the living room door .

Shannon nodded, going in first. With shadows cloaking the rest of the squadron, I couldn’t make out much aside from the glow of feline eyes. Ah, right. Snow leopards .

Once we all piled inside, there wasn’t much space to move. With six leopards, not including myself, three jaguars, five snow leopards, a snake and my lioness, I didn’t think we’d ever had so much company in one room. Still, seeing them all together, hope surged through the lingering doubt.

With this many, we would be victorious.

“Welcome,” I greeted once again. “Thank you to everyone for coming.”

I quickly introduced the triplets, Leona, and my own clan members, followed by Shannon. At that point, I gave Shannon the reins to introduce Ghost Squadron, who’d remained as silent as their moniker.

“This is Xen, Ballet, Rashen, Alysia and Liam.” Shannon motioned at each of them in turn. I had a feeling I’d be mixing them up. Cloaked in shadow, the only thing I could discern behind their face masks were glowing cat-like eyes in shades of grey and blue.

“Thank you for your help,” I said.

The ghosts exchanged glances before nodding one by one.

“Not the talkative type, huh?” Taka joked halfheartedly.

My chest squeezed at the discomfort on Taka and Aya’s faces. They seemed resolute, and yet it was clear they were still suffering .

“They talk once they get to know you,” Shannon explained.

“Ah.” Taka nodded. “I see.”

“Make yourselves comfortable. Sorry the room isn’t the best for this.” I’d already drawn the curtains the night before, shielding us from the outside. Not that many pedestrians would be strolling by before dawn.

“Let’s go over the plan,” Leona said, taking over.

I nodded, grateful to have her take the lead. She quickly explained our mission and everyone’s part in it. Shannon interjected with the occasional question.

Raxa detailed the area, the beach and the surrounding jungle, giving us an idea of what would soon become a battlefield.

It took nearly an hour for Shannon and Leona to agree on positions for each of us.

The one thing they’d agreed on was keeping me away from the jungle’s edge.

Despite my desire to insist I could be more helpful than that, I didn’t argue.

Leona was right. I wasn’t the strongest physically. Not like the rest of the warriors surrounding me. Then again… they hadn’t been in slavery for ten years. The muscles I’d once had would take time to return. Time and training.

“Are we in agreement?” Leona asked, her gaze sliding over our comrades.

With nods and murmurs of agreement, it was time.

“Let’s head out then,” I said.

“Remember to hide your presence,” Shannon added. “I’ll cast a cloaking spell once we’re all hidden. It’ll hide our scents.”

My eyes widened. “A cloaking spell? ”

“You’re a mage?” Raxa leaned forward, a sparkle in his wide eyes. I had never seen him so interested.

A muffled female laugh came from within the cloaked snow leopards. Alysia, I was fairly certain.

“You haven’t told them much, have you Shan?”

Shannon glared, while Alysia’s eyes sparkled with mirth.

“No.”

“What a pity.” She chuckled.

“We should get going,” Aya said. He stood from where he’d perched on the sofa’s arm. “Father will be awake soon.”

With a quick peek into the foyer through the windows, I caught a sliver of pink on the horizon.

“Yes, it’s time to move,” I agreed.

“See you soon.” Leona cupped my cheek and kissed my forehead, sending a blaze of warmth through my entire being. “Be careful.”

I nodded mutely, not trusting myself to speak. It wasn’t until my mate disappeared out the front door with her charges that I could breathe again.

“Let’s get going too,” I said. With determination settling my pounding heart, my fingers settled over the dagger at my hip—my first gift from Leona.