Howl of the Wolf

Hades' Carnival 4

by

N.J. Walters

Dedication

For my amazing husband. Thank you for everything.

Spell of the Lady of the Beasts

Lion, wolf, tiger and bear,

Be of stout heart and show no despair.

Phoenix, jaguar and serpent, all brave,

Be not afraid, though thy destiny is grave.

Warriors brave deserve a much better fate.

You shall not pass beyond Hades’ gates.

My powers I give thee to protect and to keep

From death and torture in the dark and the deep.

When Olympians’ power is turned into dust

The time will come for the righteous and just.

A chance to escape from a prison of Hell.

Listen closely to all that I tell.

Feminine power will come to your aid.

You will come to life as the curse starts to fade.

The sands of time will begin to slip by

And you will have but one day’s turning to tie.

While the demons from Hell tempt and deceive,

A life must be given, a heart received.

One step from the path and all will be lost.

Your souls will be forfeit. That is the cost.

If honor and courage win the fight,

The curse will be broken, the debt made right.

Free you will be from harm and from strife

Able to live your immortal life.

Prologue

Hades wasn’t happy. And when he wasn’t happy, every demon and cursed soul in his realm held its breath, hoping to evade his notice. When he wasn’t happy, people died.

Two enormous demons stood guard by his door. Both were twice his size, but he could end their miserable lives with a wave of his hand, and they both knew it. He could smell their fear, taste it on his tongue. It was better than the finest wine.

“Leave me.” In their haste to escape his presence they almost tripped over one another. At any other time it would have amused him greatly. But not today.

Hades stared at the gilded mirror, his window into this or any other world, and brooded. The Lady of the Beasts, the goddess he’d held captive for more than five thousand years, had managed to escape his realm. He could see her in the mirror as clearly as if she were standing right in front of him. Totally naked with her hands raised in the air, she stood in a mountain glade filled with wildflowers and birds. He could hear the birds singing and the Lady humming a jaunty tune. It was sickening really.

He turned his head away from the mirror as the picture winked out of existence and he tapped his fingers against the finely carved arm of his massive wooden chair. It was more of a throne, carved hundreds of years ago by a master craftsman. He deserved no less. Usually he found pleasure in his private rooms with their red silk walls and the plush hand-woven rug that covered every square inch of the floor. Rare gemstones winked in the candlelight, spilling out of bowls onto the shelves that housed them. Exquisite paintings adorned the walls. Today’s artists were Jackson Pollock and Van Gogh, but Hades had hundreds more by the greatest painters the world had ever known, maybe thousands.

An enormous bed awaited his pleasure, silk sheets in midnight black stretched across the down-filled mattress. He could snap his fingers and have any number of delectable female demons ready to fulfill his every sexual desire.

But today he wasn’t happy, and that bitch goddess was to blame. He had everything he could want, except the one thing he truly craved—ultimate power.

His brothers and the rest of the Greek gods and goddesses were idiots, content to fade into the mists of time, relegated to the annals of history. But not him. The world was ripe for the taking and he planned to claim it all for himself.

His only problem was he needed some help. He couldn’t exactly explode into the earthly realm with his demons in tow. No, his siblings and the others would certainly notice the surge of power and investigate. They might be weak, but if Zeus and Poseidon combined their powers with the others, they could defeat him.

Hades would not stand for defeat. Not now when he was so close to attaining his heart’s desire.

His plan was really quite brilliant in its simplicity. Years ago, the Greek gods had attacked the Lady of the Beasts, wanting what power she held. But they hadn’t killed her. First off, it wasn’t easy to kill a god or goddess, even one drained of almost all their power. Secondly, it was unthinkable for a god to kill another. That would set a very dangerous precedent indeed. If one god was killed then none of them were safe. Instead, Hades had imprisoned her in his realm.

In a surprisingly unselfish move, the Lady of the Beasts had used the last of her waning power to protect her loyal shapeshifting warriors. “Some protection,” he muttered as he surged out of his chair and walked over to a small gold cabinet. He lifted the heavy lead-crystal decanter and poured himself a shot of the finest whiskey in existence. The liquor burned on the way to his belly and he embraced the fire before slamming the glass back down. The fragile piece shattered, sending shards of crystals flying. Some of the glass nicked his skin, raising several beads of blood.

Hades raised his hand and licked the blood away, savoring the sharp tang against his tongue.

For more than five thousand years, those warriors had remained locked in their animal forms, unable to be brought into his realm. All his plans hinged on those warriors. For even though they had been trapped and powerless, their existence was present there, like a never-ending hum of energy. The other gods were accustomed to the power of the warriors existing in the human world and paid it no heed. Hades knew if he could free the immortal warriors and convince them to join him, he could easily stage his takeover of the world before his brothers took notice. It would be a done deal and he’d then have the power to destroy anyone who stood in his way.

He stalked back to the mirror and waved his hand. Immediately, a dusty back room of a junk shop filled his vision. The last remaining warrior—the wolf—sat there, a discarded animal from a carousel ride from a carnival that no longer existed.

The rest of the warriors had been released from their captivity. Mordecai had come first and been Hades’ greatest success. It hadn’t taken any convincing at all on his part to get the serpent to kill the woman who’d freed him and take his place at Hades’ side. But the next two—Stavros the jaguar and Phoenix the great fiery bird—had chosen death for themselves and their women.

Hades waved his hand again and the image in the mirror faded. He had to use this power sparingly as it was limited. The mirror allowed him to see outside his realm for the equivalent of one hour in the span of a day. If he used up his time he had to wait until the proper amount of time had passed, and he hated waiting.

He hadn’t been too discouraged, but it had taken long years before Roric, the white tiger, had been set free. But unlike the others, Roric had managed to remain alive for twenty-four hours, thus negating the curse. Neither Hades nor any of his minions could touch Roric or his woman now, or he’d face death. He’d made a bargain with The Lady and had agreed to her terms without thinking things through, or so he now realized.

Anger burned in his gut. He, who was the greatest wheeler and dealer in history, had come out on the short end of this bargain. The Lady had told him how to release her warriors in exchange for her freedom. Unfortunately, Hades couldn’t be the one to set them free. Oh no, only one particular woman could release one particular warrior. It was maddening.

But he’d had the last laugh.

A cruel smile curved his lips. He’d freed her from her prison, but not from his realm. She’d wandered Hell for decades, so close to the outside world, but yet so far. It had been lovely to watch.

His smile slowly faded as he thought about his latest glimpse of the Lady. It should have been impossible, yet somehow she’d managed to escape from Hell all on her own.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Marko and Leander, the bear and the lion, had slipped through his fingers, leaving only the wolf remaining. He needed the allegiance of the wolf if his plan for world domination was going to work without difficulty. Of course, his plan would go ahead no matter what happened, but it would be easier with the wolf’s assistance. And Hades liked anything easy, disliked having to unnecessarily exert himself.

The door to his chamber opened and Mordecai strode in like he owned the place. The insolent creature inclined his head, but barely. The warrior’s arrogance set Hades nerves on edge. Mordecai was the only creature in his realm who didn’t walk in fear of him. But he would, he surely would before Hades was done with him. He couldn’t wait until he no longer needed the immortal warrior. He planned to kill the serpent very slowly once his plan was successful.

“You sent for me.” Mordecai stood with his feet braced apart and his arms loosely crossed over his chest. As always, he was wearing khaki pants, an olive drab T-shirt and combat books. Really, after spending so many years seeing Hades as an example, you’d think the warrior would invest in some decent clothing.

Hades took his time and sat in his chair, making the warrior wait. It was a small power play and gave him some satisfaction, but not nearly enough. Mordecai didn’t appear the least bit concerned about being called into his presence, nor the least bit perturbed about being made to wait. Hades’ blood boiled, but outwardly he showed none of his anger.

“The Lady is a problem.”

Mordecai frowned. “But she’s beyond your reach now. She escaped from Hell, and according to the agreement you made with her, you can’t touch her without reprisal.”

The reminder of his failure didn’t sit well with Hades. “No, I can’t touch her. Neither can my demons.” He waited for the warrior to grasp his meaning. That was the one thing he did like about the warrior, he didn’t have to explain himself. The serpent was as devious as he was, maybe even more so. That thought gave him a moment’s pause, but he shook off his unease. He was, after all, Hades, Lord of the Underworld.

“You want me to kill her.” The coldness in his tone took even Hades aback. You’d never say that Mordecai had served the goddess from the beginning of time until his imprisonment. It was a good thing he planned to do away with the warrior when this was over. He wasn’t someone Hades wanted at his back for eternity.

“I don’t like to lose.” He really could care less about the Lady. She was free but basically powerless in a world that no longer remembered her. But he hated losing.

“Consider it done.” Mordecai unfolded his arms and motioned his head toward the mirror. “What about New Orleans?”

Hades rested his elbows on the arms of his chair and steepled his fingers against his chin. “Leave New Orleans and the woman to me. I plan on handling this one personally.” He pointed an accusing finger at Mordecai. “You fucked up last time.”

“The warriors and the women are unpredictable.”

Hades’ blood was practically bubbling in his veins he was so angry, but he controlled his rage, letting none of it show outwardly. “There will be no female demons sent to befriend the woman. Either the wolf accepts my offer or he and the woman die.” Hades had had enough of failure. This time he wanted results.

There would be no more offers of bargains, no more sending emissaries first. That hadn’t worked the last three times he’d tried it. It was time to go back to basics. If the wolf wouldn’t join him, Hades would kill him and the woman who freed him.

He glared at the warrior. “Why are you still here?”

Mordecai cocked his head to one side. “It would be quicker if you simply opened up a portal for me. Otherwise it will take me longer to get to the Lady.”

Yes, it would be quicker and easier, but he wasn’t in the mood to make the arrogant immortal warrior’s life easier. “Go.”

The corners of Mordecai’s mouth tilted upward in a semblance of a mocking smile. “As you command.” He gave a quick nod, turned and stalked out of the room, a beast already on the hunt.

A shiver of dread raced down Hades’ spine. He had to deal with Mordecai and soon.

In the meantime, he had some humans to visit. It was so easy to stir up discord among them. Humans did love to kill one another and make war. Their hatred and greed strengthened Hades, and he did so enjoy watching as the silly humans succumbed to temptation, arrogance and avarice.

A few words in the right ears and the world would be on the brink of another world war before any of them realized it, which was exactly what he wanted. His plan for world domination would be so much easier if they were already perched on the edge of destruction, just waiting for him to give them one final push.

He rose from the chair, checked his appearance in the mirror and smiled.

Sabrina Wolfe twisted and turned on the tangled sheets. The cool air from the open window drifted over her bare arms and legs but did little to cool the sweat from her body. A gust blew the curtains, making them flutter like a flag in the wind and sending the fresh scent of lavender from the flower box on the fire escape wafting into the room.

Wrinkles creased her brow and her lips parted on a sigh of pleasure.

Sabrina was lost in the arms of her dream lover. As always, his face was hidden in shadows, but she didn’t care. She knew him, in her heart and soul where it mattered the most. She gripped his broad shoulders before sliding her fingers down his massive biceps. He was strong, her lover.

He flipped her onto her back with ease, captured her hands in his and raised them over her head, exerting his dominance over her. She struggled, but he held her easily, subduing her attempt to evade him.

Shaggy hair fell around his shoulders, but she caught a brief glimpse of his partially covered his face. His jaw appeared to have been carved from granite, his lips were thin and slightly turned up at the corners in a smile of masculine pleasure.

Her breasts were plastered against his heavily muscled chest, the puckered nipples stabbing at him. Her pussy was wet and ached for him. She wanted his thick cock buried deep inside her.

She arched her hips and rubbed against him, using his hard shaft to stimulate her clit. A moan of pleasure escaped her and his smile grew. “Like that, do you?” His voice vibrated through every cell in her body, making her yearn to get even closer. She wanted to crawl inside her lover and stay there where it was safe.

That made her stop. Safe? Why would she even use such a word?

He gave a low growl that raised the short hairs on the back of her neck it was so lifelike. Then he kissed her. No, that wasn’t accurate. He consumed her. He ate at her lips and sucked on her tongue, leaving no part of her mouth unexplored.

Sabrina lost herself in her lover, giving herself over to him, trusting him to give her the pleasure he tempted her with.

“Come to me.” She slipped her hands free of his grip, dug her nails into his firm ass and urged him closer.

He laughed and the light-hearted sound made her heart flutter. “I will give you what you want.”

The broad head of his cock pressed against her opening and she spread her legs wider, desperately wanting him inside her. “Yes,” she hissed under her breath. She couldn’t wait for him to claim her, to feel the heat of his cock pulsing against the walls of her vagina.

She tilted her hips toward him but he seemed to be getting farther away, not closer. “No,” she cried. Sabrina reached for him, but he slid through her fingers like a ghost, an insubstantial apparition. “No,” she cried again when her hands clutched nothing but air.

She was alone.

She bit back a sob, feeling totally bereft. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she wrapped her arms around them and held on tight. The cool air encircled her, making her shiver.

No, it was more than the night air. Something else was here with her.

Laughter filled the room, male and mocking and…evil. That was the word she was searching for. Something about the voice made her gut clench and her heart race. She grabbed the cotton sheet and pulled it around her, needing even its meager protection.

“No need to hide your body. I’m not interested in that.”

“What do you want?” she demanded. She needed a weapon but didn’t own a gun. She had a chef’s knife in the kitchen but instinctively knew she wouldn’t make it to the bedroom door before he stopped her.

The slight scuff of footsteps off to her left made her jolt. Whoever he was, he was between her and the door. The window was her only option for escape.

She started to slide out of bed and was horrified to discover she couldn’t move. Completely panicked, she began to fight whatever invisible bonds were holding her. She could feel nothing, but she couldn’t budge an inch no matter how hard she tried.

Several beads of sweat rolled down her forehead and into her eyes, making them sting. “Who are you?” Her heart was galloping as though she’d run for two miles straight. It hurt so badly she wondered if she weren’t having a heart attack even though she was a healthy twenty-eight-year-old woman.

“What do I want?” The voice was cultured and smooth, but Sabrina much preferred the rough voice of her lover. And what had happened to him? Had this man done something to him?

The stranger continued in his even tone. “I want many things, my dear. But from you, I want only one thing.” The room seethed with an evil that was alive, a creature all its own. “I want your immortal soul.”

Something touched her leg and she shrieked.

“Who am I?” He laughed. “Are you sure you want to know the answer to that?”

Concentrating all her strength on moving, she was shocked when she managed to roll. She flung herself to the left, rolled out of bed and hit the floor with a heavy thud.

Heart pounding, she flung herself toward the window, sobbing and gasping for breath as she crawled the final distance. The fire escape was her only hope.

When she reached the open window she froze. The sun was peeking over the horizon and the early dawn light began to fill her room. It wasn’t the middle of the night. It was morning.

She looked down to find her nightgown plastered to her skin. She wasn’t wrapped up in a sheet at all.

Sabrina’s gaze tracked around the room. Nothing had changed since last night. Her bright-blue chest of drawers still sat against one wall, her bookshelf with all her books, candles and mementoes was against another. No one was in the room with her. She was alone.

She dragged herself to her feet, stumbled to the bed and sat on the edge. “A dream. It was nothing but a dream.” She covered her face with her hands and choked back a sob. She’d been having a lot of dreams ever since she returned from her trip to North Dakota. The past two weeks, the dreams had alternated between the pleasures of erotic fantasies to frightening nightmares of unseen horrors.

Sabrina scrubbed her hands over her face, drying both sweat and tears. The cheerful yellow walls and green curtains did little to lift her mood. The colorful artwork on the walls didn’t bring a smile to her face as it usually did. Not even the soothing scent of the lavender plants outside her window could calm her.

She had to do something about the dreams. This couldn’t go on any longer. She wasn’t sleeping well and it was beginning to affect her ability to read the tarot cards. And her talent of reading the cards was an integral part of her, not to mention a portion of her livelihood. As for her painting…well, the images she was painting lately bordered on disturbing, not her usual upbeat colorful city scenes that the tourists liked to purchase.

She pushed off the bed, making certain her shaky legs could hold her before she staggered out of the room and across the hall to the tiny bathroom. She’d shower, dress and go to Café Ledet for some nice hot coffee and a beignet or two. Luckily, it was just around the corner from the tiny apartment she rented. She needed help and she knew just the women to talk to.

Chapter One

Café Ledet was located in a hole in the wall on Chartres Street within easy walking distance of Jackson Square, and was owned by Mathilda Ledet. Sabrina and Tilly had been friends since they were children and their bond had only grown stronger over the years. Even at this early hour of the morning, business was brisk as people on their way to work stopped for their early shot of java and one of the delectable pastries and treats the café offered for sale.

Local artwork, some of it Sabrina’s, covered the colorful walls. The floor was filled with round tables and chairs painted every color of the rainbow, while jazzy music flowed from the sound system filling the air around her.

The patter of voices, the musical combination of English and French—a reminder of the city’s heritage—was a normal part of her day. She loved it here, loved to watch the sheer variety of people who came and went, sometimes using them as inspiration for her painting. She also did tarot card readings here two evenings a week and worked behind the counter another two, all to help supplement her earnings from her art.

Tilly was behind the counter chatting with a customer, her head slightly tilted to one side so her long black hair flowed over one shoulder. Her lips were parted on a smile, exposing straight white teeth. Her skin was smooth and the color of light toffee, a gift from her mixed heritage. Her laughter rang out across the room, making Sabrina smile. Tilly could charm the clouds from the sky and was a big reason for her coffee shop’s success. People came for the extraordinary baked goods and superior coffee but returned because Tilly made them feel so welcome.

Sabrina sat at a small corner table with her hands wrapped around a cup of extra-dark roast coffee. Usually she drank herbal tea, but this morning she needed the caffeine kick if she was going to make it through the day.

Her gaze went to the large picture window and the street beyond. She loved this city. It was colorful in every way possible, filled with life and sound and beauty. Sure it had a dark side—every large city did—but none of the rest of them were New Orleans. New Orleans had a beauty and dignity all her own.

“Another bad night?”

She glanced at the chair across from her as a woman plopped onto it, letting her oversized purse hit the table with a heavy thunk. Sabrina barely had time to grab her coffee to keep it from toppling. Jessica Miller was as different from Tilly as night and day, but they were both her best friends.

Jessica was tiny, her skin as pale as snow, her hair so light it was almost white in color. With her short stature and petite build, she looked like a magical sprite out of some child’s book of fairytales. Originally from Kansas, the solitary witch had transplanted herself to New Orleans three years ago. They’d met in Jackson Square when Jessica had set up her table, selling the amazing jewelry she made, and the two of them had quickly become friends.

Sabrina rubbed her forehead and took a sip of her coffee before carefully setting the cup back on the table. “You could say that.”

Jessica frowned. “You’ve been having a lot of bad dreams lately.” She reached across the table, giving Sabrina’s arm a brief comforting rub.

“Ever since I got back from that gig up in North Dakota.”

“Move your purse, Jess.” The deep, throaty voice was the kind that could have made a small fortune selling phone sex. Jessica dropped her purse onto the floor, making room for Tilly to set a large café mocha in front of Jessica and a plate with three cherry-cheese Danishes in the center of the table. Tilly settled into her seat, sipped the peppermint tea she always drank in the morning and sighed. “What brings you here this early? More dreams?”

Sabrina could see the worry in both her friends’ eyes and hated it, hated that she thought they had reason to be concerned. “Yeah.”

“Was it the same as the last one?” Jessica snagged one of the pastries and took a big bite. She might be little, but she could pack away the food.

Was it the same? “Sort of, but different.” Deciding a Danish was just what she needed this morning, Sabrina helped herself to one and took a bite. The pastry was light and flaky, the filling the right combination of sweet and tart. Delicious. In the light of day, eating such a tasty treat and drinking strong, black coffee, it would be easy to dismiss her dream as the product of nothing more than an overactive imagination. But that would be like burying her head in the sand, and she was too smart to do that.

Her Granny Esmeralda had raised her better than that. She, of all people, knew that there was more in the world than what could be understood with the five senses. Just as she knew that truth, she knew her dreams were more than simply dreams.

Tilly glanced over at the counter, but her morning staff had the crowd well under control. “What do you mean?”

Sabrina let herself drift back into her dream, letting the memory flow over her. “The first part was very…erotic.”

Jessica scooted to the edge of her chair. “He was back?”

She’d told both women about her mystery dream lover. “Yes.” This was her third dream featuring him.

“Did you get a better look at him?” That was the difference between her two friends. Jessica was the romantic, while Tilly was down-to-earth practical.

“Yes, but I still didn’t see his entire face. His hair is shaggy and I think dark. And he has a strong jawline.” She didn’t mention his thin but extremely kissable lips.

“Hmm.” Tilly sipped her tea and stared into space, which really meant she was thinking. A split second later, her gaze refocused and her eyes narrowed. “Then what happened?”

Heat skated up Sabrina’s legs and down her arms to pool at her breasts and between her thighs. She shrugged, all the while hoping her nipples weren’t visible from beneath the sleeveless cotton tunic she wore, even though she suspected they were. “He touched me, but before things went too far, the dream changed.” She shivered in spite of the early morning heat.

Jessica popped the last bite of her treat into her mouth, chewed and swallowed. “Then what?” Sabrina saw her friend eyeing the half pastry she had left and pushed it toward her. Jessica nodded her thanks and helped herself.

Sabrina wrapped her arms around herself, wishing she’d worn a light sweater. In spite of the warmth of the morning, she felt cold to the bone. “Then it got scary. I heard the voice again.” That’s how she referred to it. The voice. It was smooth, sophisticated and made her skin crawl.

“This all started when you went away to that conference in North Dakota. I knew you shouldn’t have gone.” Tilly scowled and shook her head. “Bad vibes. I told you that.”

Yes, she had. Sabrina had felt uneasy about it too, but the pay had been too good to pass up. “If it seems too good to be true,” she muttered beneath her breath, but both women heard her.

“It usually is,” Tilly finished.

She took a sip of coffee and tried to order her thoughts. They might be distracting her sleep, but ultimately they were only dreams. They didn’t hurt her and couldn’t. “I’m probably overreacting.” It was easy in the dead of the night to believe there was more to her dreams than her imagination taking flight.

“No, you’re not.” Jessica finished off the last of Sabrina’s cherry-cheese Danish and wiped her mouth with the corner of her napkin. “Never discount your instincts. If you feel threatened, you need to take some precautions.”

“I agree with Jessica.” Tilly pushed her chair back and rose. “I have to get back to work, but we should really do something about this. Maybe see Granny Ledet about a protection amulet or spell or something.” Tilly’s grandmother was a practitioner of voodoo and well respected in her community, but Sabrina didn’t want to drag anyone else into her problems. She had a really bad feeling that something nasty was going to happen, and soon.

“No, leave your Granny out of this. The fewer who are involved the better.”

Tilly’s gaze sharpened like a razor. “What are you feeling?”

Sabrina loved the fact that both of her friends accepted that she had feelings or premonitions. It hadn’t always been the case. Her own parents hadn’t believed her. Only Granny Esmeralda had. Her mother’s mother had raised her after her parents had been killed in a car accident when Sabrina was only ten, an accident she’d warned them about. But they’d ignored her warning and gone on the trip anyway. A semi had veered into their lane, hitting them dead on and killing them both instantly.

“Evil.” It was the first word that popped out of her mouth and it wasn’t quite accurate. “But not just evil. There’s good too. Strength.” She rubbed her forehead, wishing she understood what was happening to her.

“Hey. It will all work itself out.” Jessica offered an encouraging smile. “But right now, we have to get to work.” She stood and waited as Sabrina pushed out of her chair.

“I’ll call my granny later today and ask if there is anything we can do. Drop back later for lunch if you can. I’ve got both chicken and rice and vegetable soup on the menu.” Tilly gave them each a quick hug before heading back behind the counter to help with the increasing crowd.

“Let’s get out of here.” Sabrina suddenly needed to be away from the crowd and outside where she could breathe more easily, needed to feel the warmth of the sun on her face and arms. She strode toward the main entrance, her calf-length skirt flowing around her legs, the bangles on her arm jingling. She stopped long enough to collect her large portfolio bag, easel and stool from behind the counter and waited while Jessica collected her oversized tote and a folding stool.

With a quick wave to Tilly, they were both out the door and on their way to Jackson Square.

“There are things you can do to protect yourself.” Jessica’s purse and tote looked too big for her, but she handled both easily.

“Like what?” Her friend was Wiccan, and Sabrina knew she cast spells on a regular basis. All the jewelry she made was blessed as well and served various purposes, such as to help bring prosperity, health, love or whatever else the person buying it might be interested in.

The dark-blue dress Jessica was wearing left a lot of leg showing and was attracting attention from male passersby. Not that her friend noticed. Jessica seemed oblivious when it came to men. Sabrina often wondered if there was a man back in Kansas who’d broken Jessica’s heart. She’d never mentioned it and Sabrina had never asked, sensing her friend didn’t want to talk about her past. It struck her suddenly how little she actually knew about Jessica.

“You okay?”

Sabrina realized Jessica had been talking to her. “Yeah. Sorry. What were you saying?” She hefted her portfolio over her shoulder, wishing she’d had another coffee. It was going to be a long day.

“You need to cleanse your space by burning sage. Then you can sprinkle some blessed salt around the perimeter of the rooms to keep evil out.”

“Will that actually work?” Sabrina had grown up around voodoo and superstitions, even had a few encounters herself with what some might consider the paranormal, but she’d never experienced anything like the dreams she’d been having.

“Couldn’t hurt.”

They reached their spot in the Square and began to set up. Sabrina unhooked her folding stool from her portfolio bag. Her lightweight easel was next. She’d modified the bag years ago to make it easier for her to carry everything she needed for the day.

Without having to think about it, Sabrina set up her space, turning her easel so she could catch the best light to draw by. Her sketchpad was next, followed by her pencils and charcoals. Once her workspace was set up, she set out a dozen finished pieces that were for sale and stood back critically studying them.

“Wow, those are really different.”

Jessica had assembled a small table and covered it with a black velvet cloth embroidered with various symbols. Displayed on the cloth were several dozen necklaces, half a dozen bracelets and a few anklets. A stand with three-dozen pairs of earrings was situated at the back edge. Her friend had abandoned her own table and was staring at the paintings.

Sabrina released a pent-up breath, wondering what her friend would think. “Yeah. My style has changed lately.”

“Ever since you got back from your trip up north.” It wasn’t a question. Both Jessica and Tilly knew she hadn’t been the same since then. “They’re darker, more emotional.”

Sabrina made herself really scrutinize the paintings. Technically, they were probably the best work she’d ever done. It was the subject matter that was the most bothersome. She’d always painted city scenes and people, loving to depict the vibrancy of New Orleans. It was a bonus that they sold well to tourists.

But these paintings were different. The dark, mysterious bayou filled with shadows that hid some unseen terror, a hint of a wolf in one, a flash of something else in another. What it was, even she wasn’t quite certain. An enormous serpent-like creature slithered through one painting, while a tall man in a suit stood at the edge of another, his face lost in the deepening shadows of early evening.

She reached into her bag and pulled out the final painting, knowing she wouldn’t sell it no matter the offered price. Beside her, Jessica sucked in a breath. “Wow.” There was no mistaking her friend’s reverent tone. “That’s incredible.”

He was incredible. She rested the painting against the low concrete wall behind her and admired the wolf that dominated the scene. He was enormous, his sharp fangs exposed, his head raised. It seemed as though he’d step off the canvas any moment and prowl through the streets of the city in search of prey. Fierce and magnificent, he was primal power at its most basic.

“Thanks.” It probably wasn’t a coincidence that the wolf in the painting resembled the one tattooed on her back. The skin on her back tingled and she reached behind and touched the area through her tunic.

Since she was a teenager and dreamed of the wolf, she’d considered him her guardian, her spirit guide. Maybe it was because her last name was Wolfe and it seemed only right that the wolf belong to her. Either way, she knew the painting belonged to her, but she couldn’t resist displaying it.

Jessica sank down onto her stool and glanced around. It was still too early for the tourists to be out and about, but there were a few locals checking out what was available for sale on their way to work. “I think I should come over to your place this evening and we can do a protection spell.”

Sabrina didn’t want to make a bigger deal out of her dreams than they already were, but she couldn’t help but worry. She’d never had dreams this vivid in her life, nor had she had ones that frightened her so badly. The man in her dreams, not her fantasy lover, but the man with the voice, scared the crap out of her. She didn’t think she ever wanted to meet the speaker in person.

Decision made, she felt a little better. “Okay. I’m doing readings at the café until nine, but after that.”

“Works for me. I can always have a brownie and a latte while I’m waiting for you.” For such a tiny person, Jessica had an enormous appetite and sweet tooth. Her friend rummaged around in her large tote and pulled out a four-foot strand of semi-precious stones, beads and metal charms, which were spaced about two-inches apart for the length of the cord to create a lariat-style necklace that could be worn in various ways. “Here, take this. It’s been blessed for warding off evil.”

Sabrina shook her head. “It’s beautiful, Jess, but that necklace is one of your most expensive, and I can’t spare sixty bucks right now.” The stones glittered in the morning sunlight, their sheer beauty driving back her shadowy thoughts of the night before.

Jessica shook her head. “It’s a gift. The purple stones are amethyst, the pink ones rose quartz. There’s regular quartz and agate as well. All of them are good for warding off negativity and evil.” She stood in front of Sabrina and wrapped the length of cord once around her neck before loosely tying the dangling ends. “The beads and charms have been chosen because they’re protective. I blessed it too just last night. Didn’t know why I did, but I do now. It was meant to be yours.”

“Jessica,” she began, but her friend shook her head.

“No, do this for me. I can’t stop the dreams from coming, but this is one small way I can help.” She smiled. “That and by cleansing your apartment later and doing a protection spell.”

Tears pricked Sabrina’s eyes. Her friends were the best in the world. Other people might laugh at her or dismiss her dreams, but not Jessica or Tilly. They not only believed her, they wanted to help her.

She hugged Jessica, wrapping her arms around the much smaller woman. The scent of Jessica’s vanilla perfume made her think of cookies and home. It was the smell of comfort and protection, of all things good in the world, and she inhaled deeply before releasing her friend. “Thanks. You’re the best.”

“I know.” Her dry reply made them both laugh.

Sabrina picked up the long strands of gemstones and beads and admired the necklace. It really was a work of art, and she’d cherish it forever because of the sentiment behind it.

“You can wear it as a bracelet too if you want. Just wrap it around your wrist and tie the end.” Jessica picked up another long strand and showed her what she meant.

“I think I’ll leave it as is for now.” She felt better having the stones and beads wrapped around her neck. Right or wrong, she felt more protected and less vulnerable than she had when she left her apartment this morning.

A group of four women, obviously professionals from the way they were dressed, stopped in front of her paintings. While three of them studied the various canvases, one of them pointed at her necklace. “Your necklace is absolutely gorgeous. Where did you get it? I’ve got to have one.”

“Funny you should ask.” Sabrina smiled and pointed toward Jessica’s table and the display of jewelry. “This is the wonderful woman who crafted it.”

The women shifted their attention to Jessica’s table and Sabrina watched as her friend sold all four women jewelry, including two of the lariat-style necklaces. Jessica caught her eye and winked at her while she continued to chat with the women. Her friend was a natural saleswoman, never pressuring a customer to buy, yet most of the folks who stopped at her table purchased something. She simply had a special touch.

Luckily, she often got the overflow from Jessica’s table and vice versa. It was only one of the many reasons they liked setting up next to one another. They also watched each other’s wares when one of them went to get something to eat or drink or to take a bathroom break. She’d often sold jewelry for her friend and there were times she’d come back with a fresh cup of coffee only to find several of her paintings had sold. When things were quiet they chatted as they worked on new pieces for sale. It worked out well for both of them.

Sabrina touched her necklace one final time as she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Slightly more relaxed, she picked up a charcoal pencil and began to sketch her friend in action. No more dark drawings for her. At least not today.

Chapter Two

Sabrina loved working at Café Ledet, both behind the counter and when she did card readings. The crowd was always eclectic and never failed to entertain and inspire her. It was a welcome supplement to her art career, which was growing nicely. She’d had a good day in the Square and had sold five larger paintings as well as two-dozen art cards that she’d had printed of some of her more popular pieces.

Days like today always made her feel good, but a late buyer had left her running slightly behind schedule. Not that she was complaining, as the guy had laid out three hundred dollars for one of her new canvases. She’d managed a quick trip home to drop off her gear, change her top and grab a salad before hurrying back to the café for her night job.

Tilly had left to run an errand but had promised to be back by the time the café closed at nine. As promised, Jessica was sitting in a corner reading a book while she ate a brownie and sipped not a latte, but an iced coffee. Sabrina checked her watch. It was half past eight. Only thirty minutes until she was done for the evening.

She’d had three readings tonight, which wasn’t bad for a Wednesday evening. There was always a bigger crowd on Friday and Saturday nights, but she preferred to work the weekday nights for those who didn’t like to come downtown on the busier weekend evenings. Tilly let her set up and do readings in a corner table, not charging her for the space or asking for part of her fee. To Tilly’s way of thinking, if folks came in for a reading, they would always buy something to eat or drink before or after their reading. And ninety percent of the time they dragged a friend or two with them and they bought something as well.

The arrangement worked out great for both of them. Café Ledet was well known for having a tarot reader there six nights a week, so she wasn’t the only professional working there in the evenings. There were two other women who came in two nights a week to do readings as well. Sunday evenings were reserved for live music, usually a solo performer with a guitar.

The art on the wall was available for sale and Tilly got a commission for whatever she sold. That was more than fair to Sabrina’s way of thinking. She studied the paintings as she absently shuffled her tarot deck. Tilly had two of her pieces left, but it was probably time to swap them out. After a while, the regulars stopped noticing the canvases if they weren’t changed. She’d do that tomorrow when she stopped by for her morning coffee.

The low hum of the music and conversation soothed her as she continued to shuffle the cards. The long, warm day in the Square coupled with her restless night had left her drowsy. She yawned and glanced at her watch again. Twenty-five minutes left.

The café closed at nine on weeknights and eleven on the weekend. Tilly would be back soon and then the three of them would head around the corner to her apartment. She hoped whatever Jessica had in mind would work. She could use a night without dreams.

Her eyes were heavy and she closed them to rest a moment. She swayed to the jazzy music drifting out from the stereo speakers, letting the music soothe her soul. Her surroundings melted away. Shadows filled her mind but quickly parted to reveal the bayou. Some folks found it scary out there, but she loved it, always had.

The cypress trees were heavily laden with Spanish moss, giving the entire area a ghostly appearance at night. Marshy grasses sprang up under her feet. The world was alive with the music of the bayou as the sun sank in the distance, bathing the land in its dying colors. The grasshoppers chirped, insects buzzed and the bullfrogs sang their nocturnal song. Something flew overhead, probably an owl or a bat, and in the distance she heard a splash as something entered the water.

The pathway before her was familiar, one she’d walked most of her young life. Her grandmother was gone, but the little house and the land on the edge of the bayou were still there, still called to her when she needed to get away from the noise and business of the city. Now they belonged to her.

She heard a low hiss and froze in her tracks. There in the grass three feet in front of her was a snake that stretched about four feet in length. She couldn’t tell if it was poisonous or not, but it was always better to err on the side of caution and let it pass. She curled her toes into the warm dirt beneath her bare feet and stood still as the snake slithered over some moss and through the grass. It paused for a moment and seemed to study her. She held her breath, releasing it slowly as the creature eventually moved on.

Sabrina continued walking but paused to pick up a sturdy stick from the ground. It would work to flick away a snake if she came across another one. The air was thick with moisture and the atmosphere seemed to close in around her, the scent of water and slightly rotting vegetation mixed with the sweeter perfume of the irises and other wildflowers that edged the path.

Why was it taking so long to reach her grandmother’s?

Frowning, she stopped and turned in a complete circle to get her bearings. There was no doubt she was on the right track, but she didn’t seem to be getting any closer to her destination.

The frogs and insects suddenly went quiet and the night seemed to hold its breath in anticipation. The animals that populated the swamp went silent, neither moving nor vocalizing. Something had disturbed them. Was it a cougar? They were rare in this area, but they did make their presence known from time to time.

The air in front of her seemed to coalesce and she could make out a shape in the near distance. She increased her grip on the stick, ready for anything. It wasn’t an alligator as it was too high off the ground.

A low growl made the short hairs on her arms and the back of her neck stand on end. Whatever it was, it was big. She took a small step back but paused when the growling got louder and closer. She couldn’t run. To an animal, anything running was prey to be hunted. All she could do was stand her ground, pray and wait for her opportunity to escape.

The necklace warmed against her skin and the tattoo on her back began to itch. It felt as though it was trying to shift position on her skin, which was impossible. She’d experienced the sensation several times before in her life, always at times when she was either in great danger or a life-changing event was about to occur. Either way, it left her even more unsettled.

A bead of sweat trickled down her back and, in spite of the moist heat making her clothing stick to her skin, chill bumps covered her arms. Two eyes glowed in the thickening darkness, the overhead canopy of dense branches and vines making it harder for the dying rays of the sun to peek through. She swallowed past the lump of fear in her throat. “Who’s there?” Not that she expected an animal to answer her, but hearing her own voice gave her courage.

She held the stick out in front of her, pointing one end toward the animal. “Go on now. I don’t want any trouble.”

The low growl was more menacing than anything she’d ever heard, and she had to force herself not to turn tail and run. Whatever it was, she couldn’t outrun it. The house wasn’t close enough for her to reach before whatever was out there would be on her.

It moved and caused the dry grass to crackle beneath its feet. The heavy panting got louder. It was coming toward her. The shadows shifted like a curtain opening to reveal the creature. Oh, it was magnificent and terrifying all at once. It was the largest wolf she’d ever seen, too large to be real.

Loup Garou. The words drifted through her brain, chilling her to her very core. Was it a werewolf, a man in the guise of a wolf? She’d grown up on such tales and half-believed them. She’d lived in the bayou too long not to believe. There were things that happened here that defied rational thought and explanation.

“I’ll leave. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” She took one step back but stopped when the beast threw back his head and howled, exposing razor-sharp teeth. The mournful sound pierced her heart and brought tears to her eyes. The beast sounded lonely.

Great. Now she was losing her ever-loving mind, thinking she could understand a wolf by the way it howled. The creature lowered its head and sniffed the air, prowling ever closer. Her skin prickled and every instinct she possessed was screaming at her to run even though she knew that would be a fatal mistake. She held her ground and tightened her grip on her makeshift weapon.

The enormous creature stopped three feet in front of her and she could make out the animal’s markings and coloring. The wolf’s thick coat was a mixture of gray and black, making it blend easily with the environment. Eyes dark as midnight stared back at her. The beast was thick through the shoulders with long, sturdy legs and massive paws. She’d never seen anything like him in her life. The urge to reach out and touch him was almost overwhelming, but common sense and self-preservation kept her from following through with the act.

The wolf was studying her as closely as she was studying it. They stared at one another and she felt a connection to the great beast, which would be totally insane for most people, but not for her.

She’d only been a child when a wolf much like this one, only not nearly as large, had appeared before her in the swamp, rescuing her from the attack of an alligator. When she’d told her granny what had happened, the old woman had stared deeply into her eyes, nodded and declared that the wolf was her spirit guide, her protector. For an orphaned child, the wolf had been the strong guardian she’d needed to keep the bad thoughts and feelings of abandonment at bay. It also gave her a connection to her dead parents through the last name they’d shared with her.

But she was an adult now and hadn’t seen any sign of the wolf in a very long time. The creature suddenly snarled, flashing sharp teeth that could easily rip through flesh and bone. Sabrina’s hands trembled. Indeed her entire body was shaking with fear. She locked her knees to keep from stumbling.

“Nice wolf.” She kept her voice low and, she hoped, unthreatening. “Don’t eat me.”

The massive beast suddenly whirled around and stared deep into the shadowy trees. His fierce growl sent icy rivers of fear snaking down her spine. She sensed something else had joined them, something evil that seemed to expand, growing larger and larger with each passing second until Sabrina wanted to scream.

The wolf kept its back to her, facing whatever was coming their way, its attention fixed. She flexed her fingers around the stick, wishing it were bigger and sturdier. Hell, she’d love a hunting rifle right about now, maybe even something more powerful.

The wolf snarled again, and whatever was in front of them seemed to pause for a moment before slowly backing away. Neither she nor the wolf moved for long, agonizing minutes. Finally, the insects began to hum and the frogs began to croak, and she knew the evil had passed them by.

Whatever had been there was gone.

She heaved a sigh of relief, ignoring the racing of her heart and the sweat covering her skin. She was safe.

Then the wolf whirled back around to face her once again. Oh shit, she’d almost forgotten the beast was wild and not some tame pet or her protector. Black eyes bored into her very soul, as if weighing her worth as a person. It was disconcerting to say the least.

The large black and gray head tipped back and a mournful howl ripped through the air. The wolf suddenly turned and slid between two large trees and was swallowed up by the swamp.

Sabrina’s knees gave out and she dropped her stick, sank down onto the path and lowered her head. She couldn’t help but feel as though she’d dodged a bullet, escaped a rather ominous fate. She took several deep breaths before her head stopped spinning and her heart slowed down to a fast gallop.

The sound of half-rotting leaves scuffing in the dirt brought her head up quickly. She grabbed the stick, which was thankfully within reach, and pushed herself to her feet, ready to face whatever new threat awaited.

She had to get out of here, get to her granny’s house where it was safe. Why she thought she’d be any safer there, she didn’t know. It was instinct and she’d always trusted her intuition. It had never led her wrong.

The Spanish moss parted a few feet off to her left and a man stepped out onto the path. And what a man he was. He stood around six feet with broad shoulders and a wide chest. He was shirtless, which allowed her to see his muscled pecs and washboard abs. The guy was wearing only a pair of supple leather pants that clung to his strong thighs. He was barefoot too, not seeming to notice or care about the branches, rocks and insects beneath his feet.

But it was his face that held her spellbound. Even though dusk had closed in around them, she could see the hard line of his powerful jaw, his thin lips, his straight nose and broad forehead. His cheekbones were prominent, giving his face a sense of uncompromising strength. His eyebrows were dark slashes above deep-set eyes as black as midnight. Thick lashes added to the overall impression of darkness.

“Why are you here?” The deep rumble of his voice vibrated through her, plucking at her insides, leaving her feeling unsettled.

“Why are you here?” she countered, taking the offensive. She was a tall woman at five-ten, but this guy was massively built with an air of masculine confidence and power surrounding him.

He frowned and she had a feeling it was his normal expression. “You will answer me, woman.”

Her hackles went up and she cocked one eyebrow at him. “Will I?” Maybe it was dangerous to bait him, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. Something about him disturbed her in a way no other man ever had. She’d known plenty of good-looking, confident, sexy alpha-type males in her life—after all, this was the South. Heck, she’d even dated a few. But none of them had left her feeling so aware of herself as a female as this man did.

She couldn’t blame her pebbled nipples on the cool night air, as it was actually quite warm, the air close and heavy with moisture. And she was doing her best to ignore the throbbing ache between her thighs.

His frown deepened, if that was even possible, and he studied her, his gaze flowing over her body from the top of her head all the way to her bare feet. He moved toward her, his gait flowing and smooth, like an animal on the prowl. He circled her slowly and she moved with him, always keeping him in front of her.

“What’s wrong?” His low, deep voice melted into her bones, making her weak. “You don’t trust me?” She stiffened her knees and tightened her grip on her makeshift weapon.

“I don’t know you.” He was closer now. So close that she caught a whiff of warm masculine flesh and a pleasant woodsy scent. She wanted to bury her nose against his neck and inhale.

There was something familiar about him that made her feel as though she’d met him before, but she couldn’t place where. Had she seen him on the street somewhere or at a coffee shop or some restaurant? Had she sold him a painting? No, she immediately discarded that idea. If she’d sold him a painting she’d have remembered him. Heck, he would have had a starring role in her dreams.

Everything inside her stopped for a moment, suspended by sheer disbelief. That was it. He was just like the man from her dreams, except she’d never seen her fantasy man’s face before. But the build, the way he carried himself and the line of his jaw were identical.

“Who are you?” It was suddenly imperative that she find out his name and where he came from. She didn’t want him to disappear and have no way of finding him again, which was crazy, all things considered. “And why are you out in the middle of the bayou?”

“I could ask you the same questions.” He crossed his arms over his chest, making his biceps swell and ripple. The guy was built like a brick wall, hard and thick all over.

A blast of heat settled low in her belly as she imagined another part of his anatomy being hard and thick. Her pussy clenched and she barely bit back a low moan.

The stranger sniffed the air and his frowned eased, the corners of his mouth turning slightly upward. It wasn’t quite a smile, but she knew he was pleased by something. He didn’t keep her in suspense long.

“You want me.” It wasn’t a question.

Sabrina took a step back. “What?” Her voice was more of a loud squeaking sound then the authoritative tone she was going for. Whatever she’d expected him to say, it wasn’t that.

He took a step closer and sniffed again. “I can smell your desire, your heat.”

He couldn’t. Could he? No, it was impossible. He was just messing with her. “Tell yourself whatever you want. I’m out of here.” She needed to get to Granny’s house. The urge to go there was getting stronger and more compelling. She couldn’t shake the idea she needed to be there to be safe.

But safe from what? The stranger or whatever else was out here lurking in the woods. She wished the wolf was still here to protect her, but she was on her own.

The man was behind her before she sensed him moving. Damn, he was fast. He swept his arms around her, locking her arms by her sides and her back against his broad chest. He buried his face against her hair and inhaled.

Embarrassment warred with fear as she struggled to get free. Sweat had her clothing plastered to her body and she knew she didn’t smell the freshest. Which should be a good thing, as it would discourage him from holding her for long.

“Let me go.” She wasn’t fighting him, not yet, which didn’t make any sense at all. For some stupid reason she didn’t feel physically threatened by him.

“No.” He said nothing else, but he began to move his hands against her stomach, drifting upward to cup her breasts. A low moan of pleasure escaped her as he brushed his thumbs over her nipples through the fabric of her top and bra. “You are lying to yourself and to me. You want me.”

“Yeah, so what. I don’t have sex with every guy I’m attracted to.” Although she’d never been quite as drawn to any man like she was to this stranger.

He tightened his hands around the soft mounds and his entire body stiffened. Oh, he hadn’t liked her last statement at all.

“I am not just any man.” His breath tickled her ear as he whispered the words in them.

“Who are you?” she asked again, desperately needing to know.

“Arand.” He traced his tongue over the delicate whorl of her ear. Her skin tingled and her pussy clenched with growing need.

“I’m Sabrina,” she offered.

“Sabrina,” he repeated. Her name sounded different when he said it, more exotic. His hand left her breast to trail down her ribcage, over her stomach to the notch between her thighs. She sucked in a breath, knowing she shouldn’t let him do this, knowing it was a mistake, but doing it anyway.

“We have to stop.” There, she’d said it. Now if she could only make her actions suit her words. Instead, she found herself leaning into his touch, wanting more of it. Something hard and thick pressed against her lower back, and she knew he was more than a little aroused.

“No.” Arand was turning out to be a man of few words, more a man of action.

Gathering all her strength, she pulled away and was partly disappointed when he let her go. She turned and studied him, but his expression gave away nothing. She couldn’t tell if he was disappointed she’d made him stop or if he truly didn’t care. She glanced lower. His erection was still prominent. Whatever else he was thinking, he definitely wanted her.

He cocked his head to one side and the corners of his mouth turned down.

“What is it?” she asked. His tension was palpable and she feared whatever the wolf had chased off was coming back.

“Something…” As his voice trailed off, he turned away from her to study the thick trees and vegetation.

Sabrina gasped when she caught her first glimpse of his back. It wasn’t bare like his chest but covered in a colorful tattoo. A tattoo that was more than a little familiar. It was incredibly similar to the one that was centered in the middle of her back, except her tattoo wasn’t quite as primal and ferocious as his. The large black and gray wolf snarled back at her, his back haunches low as he readied himself to attack.

Arand whirled around at the first sound she made, swiveling his head from side-to-side. He raised his head and sniffed the air, his actions reminding her of the wolf she’d encountered earlier. The wolf that looked eerily similar to his tattoo.

She stiffened. What the hell was going on?

“What is it?” he demanded.

She heard it then, a voice demanding attention. It distracted her, and the bayou and the man began to fade. A wolf howled and in the far distance something else growled, something dark and menacing. A blast of fear struck her hard and fast.

“Sabrina.”

She jerked her eyes open and found Jessica staring at her, worry in her eyes. “You fell asleep. The café is closing.”

“Yeah. Thanks.” Sabrina rubbed her hand over her face, giving herself time to try to get her bearings. Had she fallen asleep? She wasn’t sure. It had felt so real. A woodsy, masculine scent clung to her skin, making her frown. It was a dream. It had to be. There was no way it could be real. A cool breezed skated over her skin and she shivered.

“You okay?” Jessica asked. “You look pale.” She bit her bottom lip, pausing for a moment before adding. “And scared. You had another dream, didn’t you?”

Tilly joined them and pointed at the card that had fallen out of the tarot deck and onto the table. Sabrina hadn’t realized she was still clutching the cards tight in her hands. She set the deck aside and stared at the one card facing up. It was the devil. Usually, the card meant the person she was reading for was facing major decisions, having to face whatever devils they had plaguing them emotionally. But this time she didn’t think the card was meant figuratively but literally.

She’d feared to name the dark entity that had been stalking her dreams since her trip to Fargo, but she could no longer put her head in the sand and deny what she knew in her heart. She picked up the card and held it in front of her, staring at the image. Raising her head, she stared at her friends, reading the concern in their faces. “I’m in big trouble.”

Tilly swore. “This is bad. Very bad.”

Jessica was more practical. “We have a lot of work to do. Let’s get our stuff and get going.” She rubbed a comforting hand over Sabrina’s shoulders. “Everything will be okay,” she assured her, even though Sabrina knew her friend couldn’t make such promises.

Muttering under her breath about demons and protection, Tilly shooed the last of her staff out the door and finished closing down the café. Sabrina gathered her cards, stuffed them into her oversized purse and slung the bag over her shoulder. Jessica was waiting with a large bag in her arms, filled with whatever she thought they’d need for the night.

“Whatever happens, I want you both to know how much I appreciate what you’re doing for me and how much I value your friendship.” Her throat tightening with emotion, she faced both her friends. “I love you guys.”

Jessica gave her a watery smile and a hug.

Tilly frowned at her. “Nothing bad will happen to you. We will not allow it to happen.” Her friend spoke with such authority that for a brief second, Sabrina almost believed her.

Then she thought about her latest vision and the devil card. Was her wolf warning her? And who was the stranger? Did he really exist or was he nothing more than a figment of her imagination. Was Arand there to help her or was he part of the threat that was coming for her?

“Let’s go.” Only time would tell, and she had a feeling that whatever was coming for her would make its appearance soon. She only hoped she was ready for it when it finally arrived.

Chapter Three

They didn’t talk as they made their way down the busy sidewalk and around the corner to Sabrina’s apartment, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Sabrina was still trying to come to grips with the vivid daydream she’d experienced back at the café. It was the first time her dreams had followed her out of sleep and into her waking life, and it scared her. If she started having visions at all hours of the day and night she was in big trouble.

Her street was surprisingly quiet considering it was only a little past nine in the evening. It gave the night an eerie feeling that she couldn’t quite shake. Of course, anyone would be a little shaken after the waking dream she’d had. Heck, her panties were still damp and she could still taste the thick flavor of fear on her tongue—eroticism and fear, a heck of a potent combination.

The wind was light, tugging at her skirt and top, drying the light sheen of perspiration on her arms and neck as the trio made their way up the stairs to her apartment.

Sabrina unlocked the door and pushed her way inside. “You want anything to drink? I’ve got sweet tea and orange juice.”

“Not for me.” Jessica kicked off her shoes and dropped her tote bag onto the bright yellow sofa that dominated the small living space. She’d gotten the sofa for a steal because the color was too vivid for most people. She loved it and the colorful jewel-toned throw pillows that were tossed on top of it.

“Me either.” Tilly wandered over to the living room window and glanced out as though searching for something.

“What is it?” Sabrina asked. She set her bag on the round table that served as her dining table.

“I don’t know.” Tilly rubbed her hands over her arms. “I felt as though something was following us.”

“Something?” Shivers raced down Sabrina’s back. She was really beginning to get freaked out.

Tilly yanked the leaf-green drapes shut and turned away from the window. She glanced toward Jessica. “You almost ready?”

Jessica nodded. “Take off your shoes and get comfortable.” Sabrina removed her sandals and padded across the hardwood floor to stand by her friend. Jessica had a variety of items spread across the coffee table—various stones, what looked to be a feather from a wild turkey, a seashell, a bundle of herbs, candles and a few other items.

“What do you want me to do?” she asked. Sabrina was glad to be doing something proactive rather than simply reacting to whatever was causing the dreams.

“First, we need to move the sofa so we can cast a circle.”

Sabrina and Tilly each grabbed an end and moved the sofa against the wall making a space large enough for the three women to sit easily. Sabrina wiped her hands over her skirt. “What’s next?”

“The candles,” Tilly replied before Jessica could. Jessica nodded and Tilly started setting the candles up so they formed an equidistant cross pattern.

“The candles represent the four elements,” Jessica explained as Tilly put them in place. “Green goes to the north to signify the earth, the blue to the east for water, the red to the south for fire and the yellow to the west for the element of air.”

Sabrina had seen rituals done before, but she’d never actually been a part of one. It was exciting and scary all at once.

“The white candle goes in the center to represent purity and protection.” Jessica placed the final candle in the proper position. “Before I cast the circle I’m going to purify the space.” She lifted the small bundle of herbs to her nose and sniffed them before offering it to Sabrina to smell.

The scent was slightly sweet and somehow comforting. Sabrina liked it a lot.

“This is a combination of sage and sweet grass. It’s very good for clearing negativity out of a space.” Jessica opened a box, struck a match to the side and used the flame to ignite the tip of the bundle. The flame flared briefly and then Jessica blew softly until the fire went out leaving embers smoldering. Whitish smoke rose from the bundle as she set it carefully in the large shell. Then she picked up the large white-and-black-striped feather. “Come with me,” her friend instructed.

The three of them walked the perimeter of the apartment, including the bedroom, tiny kitchen and bathroom. Jessica even opened closet doors and gently waved the feather through the smoke so it dispersed inside. Every corner, every nook was gently bathed in the fragrant smoke until the entire apartment was perfumed with its scent.

Jessica returned to the center of the circle and carefully placed the shell with the still-smoldering bundle on the coffee table. “The salt is next.” She opened a small wooden container. “It’s been blessed already.”

Sabrina followed her friend, curious as to what she would do with it. Jessica went to the living room window and started there. She laid a thin line of salt across the windowsill. “The salt will provide a protective barrier, keeping out evil.”

Sabrina wasn’t so sure about that, but she’d take any help she could get. Her friend did the same thing at each window and finished by adding a line across the threshold. “Be sure not to smudge or scuff the line when you come and go,” she instructed.

Sabrina nodded even as she wondered how long the protection would last or if it would even work at all, but she didn’t voice her concerns aloud.

Tilly went to her bag and brought out a small leather pouch. Sabrina immediately knew what it was, had seen her grandmother make them—a voodoo gris-gris bag. “You need something personal from me to make that.” A few strands of hair or a piece of clothing was the preferred item.

Totally unrepentant, Tilly placed the gris-gris on the table. “You wore your sweater to the café when you last worked. There were three stray hairs on it that I took. I knew the dreams were getting worse.” She stood, hands on hips, dominating the room with her sheer height and presence. In another time, Tilly could have been the high priestess for some ancient religion. “I took them to my granny and asked for her help.”

Sabrina knew Granny Ledet. She’d been a close friend of her own granny, the two women spending much of their time together, their friendship going back to childhood, much like her and Tilly’s friendship. Sabrina respected Granny Ledet’s power and was more than willing to accept any help she could get. “I’ll call her tomorrow and thank her.”

Tilly shook her head. “You know she doesn’t want any thanks. But maybe you could bake her some of your cherry tarts on the weekend. She likes those.”

“We should begin.” Jessica shifted the gris-gris so it was sitting next to the still-smoldering bundle of sage and sweet grass. “Stand inside the circle and, whatever you do, don’t leave it until I tell you.”

The tension was rising with each passing second, as was a sense of anticipation. Sabrina wasn’t certain how much of it was real and how much was simply generated by her own fears. Not that it really mattered. The fear she felt was real enough.

Jessica began at the green candle, raised her arms and invoked the element of earth to join them and to protect them. She went around the circle in a clockwise direction, stopping at each candle and invoking the particular element to join them. Sabrina’s skin tingled and she could feel the power rising in the room. The short hairs on her arms rose and her body felt as though it was humming. She’d always known her friend was a witch, but she’d always thought it more a personal belief system than an actual, tangible power.

The circle closed and she felt it all the way to her bones like a resounding thud even though the only sound was Jessica’s voice as she lifted the white candle in the center of the circle and invoked the protection of the goddess.

“Lady, with your light so bright, lend your power, lend your might. Banish darkness with your light and protect your daughter through the day and night.” Jessica walked around Sabrina as she chanted. Sabrina felt a gentle warmth envelop her like a cloak. It was such a comforting sensation it brought tears to her eyes.

Tilly picked up the gris-gris bag, which was suspended on a long leather thong, and slipped it over Sabrina’s neck. Real or imagined, Sabrina wasn’t sure, but she felt another layer of protection settle over her. Her granny had often told her that intention was everything and her friends’ intention was obviously to protect her.

Something dark and deadly crept across her consciousness. Beside her, Tilly and Jessica both sucked in a breath. “Whatever happens, stay inside the circle,” Jessica warned.

Tilly began to chant, a mixture of Cajun and English, speaking so fast Sabrina couldn’t make out all of it, but she understood enough to know it was definitely a spell to drive back evil.

Sabrina could feel the evil creeping up on her, pressing against the windows and walls of the apartment as though trying to get in. She could sense its anger when it was repelled. “What the hell is that?” she whispered.

Jessica’s head whipped around. “Whatever you do, don’t name it aloud. That only gives it power.” She turned back to the white candle and began to invoke the goddess, banishing darkness, pushing it back.

She might not name it aloud, but in her heart Sabrina feared she knew what was out there in the darkness. The devil card from her tarot deck had only solidified what she’d already expected. For some unknown reason, she’d attracted the attention of Satan himself. Some folks might scoff at the notion, but not her. Evil was as real as goodness, and the devil personified it.

Sabrina.

She whipped her head around when she heard her name being called. Her friends continued to chant and pray as though they’d heard nothing.

Sabrina.

The dark, cultured voice echoing in her head was the same one from her dreams. A huge lump formed in her throat, making it almost impossible for her to swallow.

Step out of the circle. Come to me.

She’d never been a very religious person, but she began to pray, begging God to help her, to save her from whatever was out there.

Male laughter exploded around her and she clapped her hands over her ears to try to block it out. It did no good. The laughter was all around her, inside her.

Like poison, she felt it trying to seep into her very pores. “No,” she whispered. Closing her eyes, she pictured her wolf, the one from her dreams, the one tattooed on her back, asking, no pleading, for protection.

Once again, male laughter split her skull. He will not protect you.

A long, low howl far in the distance filled her with hope and a burst of strength. You’re not welcome here. She shoved with all her mental might, hoping to kick whatever or whoever it was out of her brain.

It retaliated swiftly. Sabrina’s eyes jerked open and she fell to her knees, clutching her throat as her air was cut off. It was as though someone was choking her.

She heard Tilly’s yell of concern. Jessica said something to her, but she couldn’t understand it. Her skin was clammy and her heart pounded, lungs strained as she struggled to breathe. Someone hit her hard on the back, jolting her. She sucked in a small amount of air but then it was cut off once again.

Her vision grew dark around the edges. She was going to die.

A woman’s voice sifted into her consciousness. No, you won’t die. Sabrina clung to the promise and the comfort in the unknown voice. Another wolf’s howl echoed inside her, this one closer, louder.

The darkness retreated as swiftly as it had come, jerking away from her so suddenly she would have toppled to the side if Tilly hadn’t caught her.

“Are you okay?” Tilly shook her slightly. “Talk to me.”

“I’m okay.” Her voice was little more than a croak, as though she had a bad cold. Her throat was actually sore and she rubbed her neck.

Tilly’s gaze shot to Jessica. “What the hell was that?”

Jessica shook her head, picked up the candle and began to go around the circle, this time in reverse. Once the elements were all thanked and dismissed and the circle opened, Jessica picked up the dried-herb bundle, relit it and started around the room again.

“Help me to the sofa.” The floor seemed harder with each passing second. Her entire body was exhausted, her skin tender.

Tilly helped her stand and led her to the sofa. Sabrina collapsed against the cushions, breathing a sigh of relief. Breathing had never felt quite this good before.

“I’m going to make you some hot tea.” Tilly was started toward the kitchen when Jessica called out to her.

“Use the tea leaves in the outside pocket of my bag. It will help.”

Tilly backtracked and dug out the bag of tea leaves before heading to the kitchen. Sabrina closed her eyes and soaked in the sounds of her friends. Jessica’s voice was low and powerful as she made her way through the apartment again, cleansing and blessing it. She could hear Tilly rummaging around the kitchen, which her friend knew as well as her own, digging out mugs, the teapot and diffuser.

Her heart slowed and her breathing finally went back to normal. Her clothing clung to her body and she longed for a shower but, for the first time in her life, was afraid to take one, afraid to leave herself naked and vulnerable to whatever was stalking her. She shivered, grabbed one of the throw pillows and clutched it to her chest. How had this happened to her?

She sensed Jessica standing next to her and opened her eyes. Her friend stared down at her, concern etched on her delicate features as she waved the bundle of sage and sweet grass around her. The aromatic smoke wafted over her and made her feel a little stronger. When she was done, Jessica went back to the table and set the smudge stick carefully inside the seashell.

Tilly carried a tray from the kitchen and set it on the floor in front of the sofa. “I figured we could all use some of this tea, and I found some oatmeal cookies in your stash.” Sabrina almost always had treats of some kind in her kitchen and she was glad for it now.

Jessica pulled a pillow from the sofa, dropped it onto the floor and gracefully sank down on it, legs crossed tailor style. “Well, that was a bit more intense than I was expecting.” Jessica took the mug Tilly offered her.

Sabrina was about to take a sip of tea but paused. “A bit more?” Really, her friend was the master of understatement.

Tilly drank down half her tea in one swallow before reaching for a cookie. “What exactly was that?”

Jessica shook her head. “It’s really better not to name it, but we all know what we think it was.” She turned to Sabrina. “You haven’t been fooling around with black magic or voodoo or anything like that, have you? Maybe opened a portal for something nasty to come through?”

Sabrina shook her head and shoved a lock of hair out of her face, ignoring how lank and damp it was. “You know I’ve had the occasional psychic vision and have excellent intuition, but beyond that, I read the tarot cards, that’s it.” She’d always had an affinity for the cards. Her granny had always said the touch of psychic awareness she had made her a natural with them. “I don’t fool around with anything dark. Granny taught me better than that.”

“I figured, but I had to ask.” Jessica took another sip of tea and grabbed a cookie. Sabrina wanted one, but her throat was still sore so she settled for drinking the tea, which seemed to be a predominantly lemon with a few other things she couldn’t quite place. Rosehips maybe. Whatever was in the tea, it was good and was soothing her abused throat.

Tilly pointed at Sabrina. “For whatever reason, this…thing is attracted to you. The question remains, what do we do about it?” She finished her tea and set her mug aside. “The gris-gris and the smudging and salt didn’t seem to do much good.”

“I don’t know about that.” Jessica took a bite of her cookie, chewed and swallowed. “I think it might have been worse if we hadn’t done that.”

“Maybe we just pissed it off.” That was the sense that she’d gotten. Whatever had been haunting her dreams had been angry at her attempts to keep it out.

“I need to do some more research,” Jessica announced. “I’ll check my grandmother’s diary.” Sabrina knew Jessica’s grandmother had also been a witch who’d died a few years ago. Jessica’s mother had done her best to deny any part of her heritage, actively discouraging Jessica from pursuing it, which is why she’d finally left home and come to New Orleans.

“You want one of us to stay with you tonight?” Tilly asked.

Sabrina wanted to say yes, but didn’t want to put her friends in harm’s way. “Could you stay while I get a shower?”

Tilly’s dark brown eyes softened. “Of course we’ll stay.”

Jessica rose and went back to her seemingly bottomless bag and pulled out a cake of homemade soap. “I was going to give this to you. It’s lavender. It will help relax you and cleanse away any negativity.”

Sabrina took the soap and held it to her nose, letting the light, delicate scent fill her. She loved lavender. “Thanks.” Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them back. “I won’t be long.”

“Take your time.” Tilly waved away her concern. “We’ll clean up out here while you shower.”

She pushed herself off the sofa and reached out to Tilly. She pulled her friend into her arms and hugged her. “Thank you for being there for me.” Tilly rubbed her hand over Sabrina’s back, offering silent comfort. When they stepped back, both of them gave a watery laugh. Tilly rubbed her eyes and started gathering the tea mugs.

Jessica waited like a silent woodland sprite. Sabrina hadn’t known her nearly as long as she’d known Tilly, but she felt the same way about her. “Thank you,” she whispered. Jessica slid her arms around Sabrina’s waist and hugged her tight, her grip strong and sure.

“We’ll figure this out,” her friend promised.

Sabrina nodded and hurried out of the room, stopping in her bedroom long enough to gather a clean pair of panties and a nightgown. She went into the bathroom, shut the door and stared at herself in the mirror.

Long streaks of red covered her neck and, the more she stared at them, the more they resembled fingers. It looked as though someone or something had grabbed her by the neck. Maybe she’d done it herself when she was choking and had clutched at her throat. It was entirely possible.

The necklace and gris-gris bag hung there, symbols of protection that she wasn’t certain had worked at all. Or maybe things would have gone worse for her if she hadn’t been wearing them. There was no way to know.

She slowly removed both, setting them carefully on the vanity. Her neck was blotchy, but her face was deathly pale, making her eyes seem even greener.

She turned away from her reflection and turned on the water, making sure it was just barely warm. She set the lavender soap in the dish and tugged off her clothing, stuffing it all into the laundry hamper before stepping under the spray.

Tilting her head upward, she let the water wash over her. It felt so good against her sticky skin, cleansing and renewing. Grabbing the soap, she worked it between her hands until she’d built up a thick lather and then rubbed it gently over her skin. Normally, she’d use a cloth or a loofah sponge, but her skin felt too sensitive, as though all the nerve endings were exposed.

She immediately felt better as the sweat and fear was swept from her skin and the healing scent of the lavender surrounded her. Next came her hair. She grabbed her shampoo and squeezed a dollop into her hand. It was amazing how something as simple as being clean could make a person feel better.

As soon as the shampoo was rinsed from her hair, she turned off the water. She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her head and then reached for another one. She patted her skin dry and took the time to moisturize before donning her panties and a short cotton nightgown.

Then she unwound the towel from her head, sprayed on some leave-in conditioner and quickly blew it dry. The noise from the hairdryer seemed extra loud, but she knew all her senses were heightened from the experience she’d had tonight. When she was done, she brushed out the thick mass and braided it to help keep it out of her way.

It only took her a few minutes to tidy away the bathroom and slip the two amulets around her neck again. Whether they worked or not was irrelevant. Her friends had given them to her and they offered comfort.

There was no putting off the inevitable any longer. Her friends had to go home and she had to face this night alone.

Hades peered out at the legion of demons that stood waiting on his every mood, every whim. Heat and steam surrounded them, making it difficult to breathe. No human, and not many demons, could survive here. They were deep in the bowels of Hell. These were his toughest, most single-minded demons. They were all tall, all thickly muscled and well trained. They would all, to the last demon, die for him, and they were his to command.

When the time came for him to launch his plan to take over the world, there would be no mistakes. Whether or not Arand joined him or ended up dead remained to be seen.

Agmar, the leader of the group, stood off to his right, his red eyes glowing with anticipation. The seven-foot demon was smarter than most, but not a threat to Hades, not like Mordecai was.

“They are ready at your command.” Agmar bowed at the waist.

Hades liked the demon’s tone and posture. It was one of deference. One that assured Hades the demon knew who was the master and who was the servant. “Good. Keep them training. I want them ready at a moment’s notice.”

He turned and walked away.

Agmar yelled at his men. “You heard the Dark Lord. Begin training.”

Metal struck metal. Yells and the occasional scream of pain could be heard in the distance as Hades passed over a thin rock bridge that looked down upon a fiery river afloat with lost, lamenting souls. He paused halfway across to peer down at them. Such lovely souls, and all his. Soon there would be more.

Mordecai was training most of his troops, but Agmar was in charge of Hades’ elite guard. These were the demons he would take with him when the invasion of the world began. He trusted them at his back in a way he could not trust Mordecai. These demons feared him. The serpent did not.

But that would change. And soon.

Satisfied all was as it should be, Hades continued on to his private quarters, reviewing his plans all the way there.

Chapter Four

A renewed sense of hope filled Sabrina as she made her way home late the next afternoon. Although she’d thought she’d never be able to close her eyes after what had happened in her apartment last evening, she’d slept like a baby—once she’d managed to get to sleep. It had taken her several hours after her friends left before she’d even begun to relax. Every noise, from the creaking of the building to the swish of the wind outside her window had her breaking out in a cold sweat.

Maybe the worst was over.

And maybe she had some swampland she could sell to a northern land developer. She was lying to herself and she knew it. She had the sense that whatever was out there was simply biding its time. Waiting. Watching.

“Shake it off,” she muttered. She’d had a great day in the Square, selling several more paintings and art cards, as well as doing several charcoal sketches that had immediately been purchased by the tourists who’d watched her draw them. She’d had an excellent month so far and had sold far more canvases than she’d anticipated. It would soon be time to hit the art shop for more supplies.

Her easel, stool and remaining paintings seemed extra heavy today and she hitched them over her shoulders. She wished she lived a bit closer, or could at least afford a car. Maybe she should look into a rolling cart of some kind. Not a bad idea. She’d made extra money this month and could afford it. A cart would allow her to carry more paintings with her to sell in the Square, and she could write off the cost as a business expense.

Pleased with the idea, she mulled over the possibilities as she continued her journey toward home. Her cell phone rang, interrupting her musings, and she sighed before setting down her belongings and digging through her tote. The phone was in here somewhere. She pulled it out, glanced at the call display and smiled. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself. How are you doing?” It was the fifth time Tilly had called her today, but Sabrina appreciated her friend’s concern.

“Doing good. Had a great day.” She shaded her eyes against the glare of the sun, loving the warmth upon her skin. “Heading home to get cleaned up and changed before I hit the café.” She was doing tarot readings at Café Ledet again tonight. Then her schedule would ease off slightly. All her evenings between Friday and Sunday were left open for serious painting time as well as time with her friends. Her life was full and busy, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Don’t forget to eat something.”

“Yes, Mother,” she replied wryly. Tilly’s deep, full laughter filled her ears.

“Okay,” Tilly responded. “I’ll take the hint and try not to nag, at least not too much.”

Sabrina sobered. “I appreciate your concern and your help. I’ll be at the café in a couple of hours.”

“Why don’t you take the evening off and rest?” Tilly suggested. “You don’t have any booked appointments, just drop-ins. I can call one of the other women to take your place.”

An evening alone at home. Normally, she’d be thrilled with the idea, but after what had happened there last night, not so much. But it would allow her to start work on a new painting, maybe even watch some television or read a book. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d done either of those last two things.

“I think I’ll do that, Tilly.”

“I know I said I wouldn’t nag, but stop somewhere and pick up something to eat.”

“I will,” she promised. “I’ll call you later.” She said goodbye and tucked her phone back into her tote. Gathering her waning strength, she hoisted her belongings onto her shoulder and trudged toward home.

She loved walking Decatur Street. There was always so much to see, to hear and to smell. There were people everywhere, wearing all different kinds of clothing. Folks from all walks of life, from the very poor to the ultra-rich were all drawn to this city. The languages ranged from English to Cajun and everything in-between, various dialects and accents giving the sound a musical quality. And speaking of music, it poured out of the various bars and restaurants she passed, some of it classy and low, while some of it was loud and toe tapping. And the smells. The smells made her mouth water and her stomach growl.

She’d promised Tilly she’d pick up something to eat, but she didn’t have enough arms to carry everything. It would be easier to call in an order to her favorite takeout and have them deliver.

Now that she’d made the decision, she was excited about taking an evening off. Maybe Jessica would come over and join her. They’d spent most of the day together, selling their goods in Jackson Square, but Jessica was usually up for a girl’s night.

And she was putting off being alone. Her smile faded as she began to realize just how frightened she was to go home. And that pissed her off. She was no coward, and no otherworldly entity was going to drive her out of her own home.

She was Esmeralda LeGrande’s granddaughter. She wasn’t one to turn tail and run at the first sign of trouble. That apartment was her home, her sanctuary. Hers.

The pep talk did her good and put a slight skip in her step. She kept her pace as fast as she could. She was already sweating in the heat and was looking forward to a cool bath when she got home. She usually took showers but didn’t think she could close the shower curtain when she was there alone. Still, a bath would be nice. A soak in a tub of tepid water would cool her heated skin and make her feel fresh and invigorated.

She almost made it past her favorite shop, really she did. It wasn’t her fault she stopped, not really. Jules’ Treasures was part-antique store, part-thrift shop, and he always had interesting things for sale. He always placed some of them on the sidewalk out front to tempt her and other unsuspecting passersby.

“You don’t need anything.” Her brain might have been listening, but her feet weren’t. They slowed, gradually coming to a halt in front of an interesting display of old carnival memorabilia.

“Just got them in today.” Jules Montrose leaned against the doorjamb of his shop and smiled at her, his teeth gleaming, his dark skin smooth and unlined in spite of his age. Sabrina really had no idea how old he was, but he was a dear friend of Granny Esmeralda.

She set her belongings down and leaned them against the building. “Tell me about all this stuff.” More than the things themselves, she loved the stories behind them, the lives entwined with the material possessions. And Jules always had a story.

He smoothed a hand down his crisp blue shirt and his smile widened. He knew he had her hooked. “Well, these here signs are from a genuine traveling carnival, the kind that used to travel all over the country, heck all over the world back at the turn of the last century.” His eyes took on a faraway appearance, as though he was lost in the past. “I remember this one myself. Went to it back in the late fifties, or maybe it was the early sixties.” He frowned. “Doesn’t matter much, I suppose. The theme parks pretty much put them out of business by the late seventies, early eighties. Might still be a few small ones going around, but they’re nothing the size the old ones were.”

Sabrina perched on the window ledge beneath the awning. She pointed to a sign about eight feet long and three feet high. “Shade’s Carnival.” She said the name aloud, trying to visualize how the sign would have looked in its prime. The paint was chipped and the light bulbs were missing from most of the sign, but it was easy enough for her to imagine it lit up, drawing folks toward the fair grounds.

Jules nodded. “That’s right.” He pointed to a smaller sign, which listed the prices for the rides—three tickets for a turn on the Ferris wheel and two for a turn in the funhouse. “From the price of a ticket, I’d say this might have been one of the last big shows still touring the country.”

Another sign caught her eye. Like the rest, it was weather worn, the blue, red and gold painting chipped and peeling. This one advertised a man who could eat fire and swallow swords, a knife-thrower, magic tricks, a contortionist and a fortuneteller. Very cool. She wished she could have visited the carnival and seen some of the acts.

Jules cleared his throat, drawing her attention away from the sign. She knew what that meant and it wasn’t going to be good for her wallet. Still, she had to ask. “What else have you got?”

He rubbed his large hands together and motioned her inside. “Got something I set aside for you to see before I put it out on display. Knew you’d be interested.”

Sabrina could feel her bank account shrinking even as she gathered her belongings and trudged into the shop behind Jules. Whenever he said those words it cost her money. Of course, he knew what she liked. She had a respectable collection of framed vintage postcards and prints and some really nice antique tarot decks that Jules had found for her.

The inside of the store was much darker than the outside and she blinked to adjust to the dimmer light. “Just leave your things behind the counter and follow me,” Jules instructed.

Anticipation made her blood hum. Not something small if he wasn’t keeping it tucked behind the counter for her. She dumped her belongings as instructed and wound her way through the warren of items, sidestepping a slightly battered leather trunk that had great potential as a coffee table, swerving around a chair that had to be at least one hundred years old, and squeezing past a rather large mahogany hutch that would take up half her dining area.

“This way,” Jules called. He was already through the door that led to his backroom.

Butterflies lurched in her stomach. The backroom was like the doorway to a magical kingdom, the wardrobe into Narnia, the rabbit hole to Wonderland. She’d only been allowed back here a few times in her life and each time had been an adventure. There was stuff piled everywhere, and only Jules knew what it all was and where it was located. Nothing was listed on a computer. Everything was organized in Jules’ brain. He could put his hands on anything at a moment’s notice and tell you the provenance of the item.

She halted in the doorway, a sudden fear descending on her. Her blood hummed and she knew, she knew without a shadow of a doubt that whatever Jules was about to show her would change her life forever. She tried to shake off the sensation but couldn’t. Her intuition was screaming at her, louder than it ever had.

Sabrina gripped the doorframe. “Well, what is it?”

Jules flicked on a light that illuminated a dark corner of the storage room. The gasp caught in her throat. She blinked, unable to believe her eyes. Her hand fell away from the doorjamb and her feet moved forward. Hand extended, she reached for the wolf.

He was massive, much larger than any real wolf. And she knew in her heart the wolf had to be male. He was much too large to be a female.

The wolf was magnificent. Primal. Elemental. There weren’t any other words that could describe him. His flanks seemed to ripple, as though he was caught in mid-stride. His mouth was open in a silent snarl, exposing razor-sharp fangs. This was no softened version of the wolf, but a depiction of him at his most primitive and powerful.

“Where did you get him?” Sabrina was almost afraid to touch him. Afraid he wouldn’t be real.

“This incredible creature was part of a carousel ride that belonged to the carnival. Guess the ride fell into disrepair over the years and they sold off the rest of the animals. All that was left was this guy.”

Her fingers grazed the wolf’s flanks. She yanked her hand away, surprised at how the tips of her fingers tingled. For a brief second, he’d felt as though he was more flesh and bone than wood and paint.

“Can you turn on another light?” She really wanted to have a better look at him. The dim light and the layer of dust covering him prevented her from seeing him very well.

“This is as good as it gets. Almost all the lights blew this morning. It was the damndest thing.” Jules shrugged. “One of my cousin’s boys is an electrician and he’s coming in tomorrow to check things out.” He shrugged. “Old wiring probably needs replacing.”

Oh well, it didn’t matter how well she could see the wolf, she knew she wanted him. “How much?” Not that it mattered. She had to have him, supposing she lived off rice and beans for the next five years.

She glanced at Jules and found him scratching his head. “Don’t rightly know, Sabrina. Never had anything like him before.”

“When has that ever stopped you?”

Her wry reply made him laugh, and he grinned. “You got that right, little girl. But this time is different.”

A shiver raced down her spine. She glanced at the wolf, unable to deny the wave of longing that went through her. She had to have him. He’d fit perfectly in the corner of her living room and could watch over her and protect her.

The fanciful thought made her smile in spite of the ball of dread curling in her belly. The wolf was her guardian, her protector, and she had a permanent reminder inked on her back. Her tattoo tingled and she resisted the urge to touch it.

“Different how?”

Jules rubbed a hand over his short, graying hair. “I had a dream about your granny last night.”

That caught her attention, and she reluctantly left the wolf and hurried to Jules. “What was it about?”

Jules pulled out an eighteenth century English chair and sat. He motioned to her to do the same. The chair she found was orange hard plastic and obviously dated from the late sixties or early seventies. She pulled the chair close enough so their knees were almost touching.

His face was troubled, the lines around his eyes deeper than usual. “Esme was telling me that the wolf belonged to you. She was also worried about you, girl.”

Sabrina swallowed back emotion. She missed her granny so much and wished she could talk to her. She was also jealous of Jules’ dream. Why couldn’t she dream about her granny instead of mysterious lovers and scary, disembodied voices? “Did she say why she was worried?”

Others might scoff, but she was a big believer in the power of dreams. Some people believed they could carry messages from those who’d passed beyond the earthly plane. Sabrina wasn’t about to discount the possibility.

Jules reached out and took her hands in his. They were big hands, strong from years of hard work. He rubbed his thumbs over her palms. “She didn’t say, or if she did I couldn’t understand her. But I do know I’ve never seen her so worked up over something.” He gave her fingers a squeeze and released them. “All I know is she wanted you to have that there wolf.”

He shook his head. “Maybe I’m just an old man with an active imagination, but my grandson is coming to help me load him up and bring him to your place as soon as I close shop. I already called him.”

Sabrina wanted to jump up and do a fist-pump. The wolf was hers. But another part of her was worried this was another part of whatever madness had entered her life over the past few weeks. Although that concern was tempered by Jules’ dream about her granny. If Granny was in the dream then it was a positive, powerful one and it behooved her to pay attention to it.

If Granny Esmeralda thought the wolf belonged to her then Sabrina wasn’t about to argue, but there was no way she could take the wolf for free. She’d never feel as though he really belonged to her. “I have to give you something for him, Jules.”

The old man shook his head. “I told Esme you’d say that.” He chuckled at her concerned expression. “Oh, I know the difference between dreams and reality, missy.” He pushed out of his chair and extended his hand to help her up. “But I like to believe I’m able to talk to my old friend from time to time.”

“And what did she say?” Sabrina liked the idea of him being able to talk to her granny too. Didn’t matter if it was real or not as long as it made them both feel better.

“She said to charge you three hundred dollars. Any more would be too much. Any less and you’d feel as though you were fleecing an old man.”

Sabrina snorted. “Old man, my foot. You’ll outlive us all.”

Jules’ booming laughter echoed around the dim room. “That’s the plan, missy.”

She glanced over her shoulder and met the dark-eyed stare of the wolf. She really wanted to see him better, to clean off the layer of dust that covered him. “Three hundred?”

Jules nodded and led the way back toward the shop. “And Marcel and I will deliver him in about an hour.”

There really was no decision to be made. Sabrina hurried back to the front of the store, went behind the counter and grabbed her purse. Thanks to the extra sales today she had more than enough in her wallet to pay cash.

Transaction completed, she reluctantly left the shop. If it were anyone else but Jules, she wouldn’t have been able to leave her wolf behind. Her wolf. If anyone else could hear her thoughts, they’d be worried about the state of her mental health. Heck, she was worried too. But there was something about that wolf that called to her.

As she dragged herself and her belongings up the stairs to her apartment, she found herself wondering what other animals had been on the carousel with the wolf. What a wonder it would have been to see the carousel brand new, to maybe even have the opportunity to ride it.

Maybe she’d do some research online. After all, she knew the name of the carnival that had owned the ride. Maybe there were pictures of it out there somewhere.

She unlocked her door and let herself in, happy to be home. She stowed her gear in the closet and kicked off her shoes. Her imagination was already at work, conjuring up the image of the carousel. It would have been magnificent with intricate scrollwork painted in white, red and gold. Unlike some traditional carousels with horses, this one would have exotic animals, all ferocious and proud.

Sabrina stripped off her top and bra on the way to the bathroom. She set the water running before she pulled off her skirt and underwear. Taking care, she removed the beads and the amulet her friends had given her and set them safely on the vanity.

A handful of bath salts perfumed the air around her as she stepped into the tub. She grabbed her sponge and started washing. There was no time to waste. Jules and his grandson would be here in less than an hour with her wolf.

He’d need a name. She’d figure that out once she’d gotten a better look at him. Her mind was filled with images of the carousel ride. A frown creased her brow as a strange thought struck her. She tossed aside her sponge, pulled the plug in the tub and climbed out, reaching for a towel.

She’d started several paintings a few months back and set them aside not knowing how she wanted to finish them. Wrapping the towel around her, she hurried to the front closet where she stored her unfinished work and shoved things aside until she found what she was looking for. There were two canvases, each three feet by two feet. One was of a fairground filled with light, teeming with people and activity. The other one made her shiver. It was a circular carnival ride, but she hadn’t known how to finish it. She’d pictured it with tiny cars or circular cups, something children could sit in and enjoy. But she knew now what it was meant to be—a carousel.

“What the hell is going on?” She propped both paintings up in front of the bookshelves in the living room and studied them. Why had she started working on these in the first place? Had she read about a carnival somewhere? Had someone mentioned something?

Jessica. That’s it. Jessica had mentioned something about old-time traveling carnivals months ago, asking her if she’d ever been to one. Obviously, the conversation had inspired the paintings.

A wave of relief washed over Sabrina. This had nothing to do with the old carnival signs and the carousel animal in Jules’ shop. It was nothing more than coincidence.

Sabrina glanced at the clock and swore under her breath. Jules and Marcel would be here soon and she didn’t want to meet them at the front door wearing nothing more than a towel.

With one final glance over her shoulder at the unfinished paintings, she hurried to her bedroom to dress. Since she was home for the evening and comfort was the goal, she opted for a tank top the color of ripe blueberries and a pair of faded jeans. She thought about braiding her hair but decided to just leave it hanging free.

She took a quick detour back to the bathroom and fastened the amulet Tilly had given her around her neck. Then she took Jessica’s strand of beads and stones and wrapped them around her wrist. Satisfied, she clicked off the bathroom light.

Once Jules and his grandson had come and gone she’d fix some dinner since she hadn’t taken the time to stop and pick something up on the way home and didn’t feel like calling for takeout. Then she planned to spend the rest of the evening enjoying her wolf. He might even serve as inspiration for her to finish the two paintings.

Excited once again, she went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of sweet tea. She’d only had one sip and was still contemplating what to eat when a knock came on the front door. Her wolf was here.

Chapter Five

“Where do you want it?” Marcel asked, but Sabrina had eyes only for her wolf. “Sabrina?” Jules’ grandson prompted, and she forced her gaze away from the magnificent creature that now belonged to her.

“Over there.” The corner of the living room next to her bookshelf was about the only place he would fit. “Let me move the chair.” She hurried forward and dragged the chair to one side and watched with satisfaction as Marcel and Jules carried her new purchase inside.

It was all she could do to keep from jumping up and down and clapping her hands like a kid at Christmas. “Perfect.”

Jules removed a snow-white handkerchief from his back pocket and mopped his forehead. “Wasn’t sure I’d be able to get him up the stairs. He’s heavier than he looks.” He stuffed the handkerchief back into his pocket and then stroked a hand over the flank of the wolf. “No, sir, they don’t make ’em like this anymore. Hand carved from a chunk of wood, not made out of plastic or some other fake material.”

Marcel stood by the door, waiting not quite patiently. “Come on, Grandpa. I got a date tonight.”

Jules grinned. “Never let it be said I stood in the way of true love.” He stopped in front of her long enough to drop a kiss on her cheek. “Drop by on the weekend. I’m expecting a new shipment Friday night from an estate sale I sent Marcel to last week. We’ll see just what kind of an eye the boy has.”

The boy was a twenty-two-year-old college student who went to school full-time, worked a part-time job and also helped his grandpa out when he needed it.

“I got a great eye and you know it. If I don’t, it’s all your fault since you taught me everything you know.”

The old man tipped back his head and laughed. “He’s right, you know.” He kissed her again. “See you on the weekend.”

“See you then. Take care. Thanks, Marcel,” she called as the tall, lanky man practically bolted down the stairs. He raised a hand and waved goodbye over his shoulder. Jules followed at a slightly slower pace.

Sabrina closed the door and locked it before resting against the wood panel. Her wolf was finally here. Didn’t matter that she’d only set eyes on him in the dim back room of Jules’ shop, the wolf was hers. Her hand rested on her chest and she rubbed at the slight ache in the region of her heart. “Must be hunger.”

She really should rummage up something to eat before cleaning up her latest purchase. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t eat until she’d wiped the layer of dust from her wolf and checked him out.

She pushed away from the door and went to the kitchen, digging beneath the sink for some wood cleaner and a few old rags. Carrying her supplies under her arm, she went back into the living room.

The wolf watched her from the corner of the room, his gaze even more penetrating than it had been in the low light of Jules’ store. “Magnificent.” She grabbed one cloth and wiped away the dust and grime that covered most of his body. With each stroke, she revealed vibrant paint and exquisite details.

“Oh, you’re even better than I thought. Even better than Jules must have realized.” She tossed the filthy rag aside, grabbed the can of wood cleaner and a clean cloth and went back to work. She polished his broad paws, each tipped with long, sharp claws. She stroked his muscular legs and flanks, marveling at the intricate detail of the black and gray paint. Each individual hair was painted, giving it a very realistic quality.

The fur on his back was smooth and sleek. “If you were part of a carousel, why don’t you have a seat or a saddle for riding?” It did give her pause. Maybe that was a separate piece that had been lost over time. “No reins either.” She rubbed his large ears and the top of his head, bringing out a shine in the wood. There was no dry rot or wear anywhere on the piece.

She stood in front of him, staring at his snarling mouth and the very sharp teeth that protruded from his gums. “You’re one angry beast, aren’t you?” One of the quirks Sabrina had developed living alone was that she talked to herself. So it was natural for her to start talking to her wolf. She didn’t think he’d mind.

“Or maybe you would,” she murmured. “You don’t strike me as the type to want company. A loner. That’s what you are.” She carefully wiped around his snout and jawline. “I don’t think casual conversation would be your thing, would it?”

Her hand lingered on his brutally beautiful face. “You need a name, my friend. How about Shadow? No, too obvious.” She trailed her fingers over the top of his broad head. “Don’t worry. I’ll come up with something suitable.”

The phone rang and she reluctantly set aside her cleaning rag and rubbed her hands over the worn fabric of her jeans. “Be right back.” Her phone was still in her tote bag, but it only took her a minute to dig it out. “Hello, Jessica.” She wasn’t surprised her friend had called to check on her. She had the best friends in the world.

“Are you okay?” The urgency in Jessica’s voice startled her.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Only home long enough to get cleaned up and change.”

“What took you so long?”

Sabrina frowned at Jessica’s heavy handedness but excused it as a byproduct of last night’s episode. They were all on edge. “I stopped by to visit with Jules.”

Jessica’s tone immediately changed. They all loved Jules. “And did he show you something you just had to have?” They’d all fallen victim to Jules at one time or another. No, scratch that. They usually bought something every time they went to his shop. Jessica had a weakness for Depression glass and vintage Halloween postcards, and with Mathilda it was vintage jewelry.

“You won’t believe what I bought.” Her enthusiasm spilled over, making her friend laugh.

“So, tell me.”

Sabrina meandered back to the other side of the room to stand by her wolf. “Jules had some signs and stuff from an old carnival.”

“Really? That sounds interesting.”

“You might like the signs. They’re faded and chipped but very cool. I should tell Tilly about them. She might like to buy one for the store.”

“Hey, give me my shot first.” Jessica laughed. “Oh, go ahead and tell her. I really shouldn’t buy anything new right now. I’m going to an estate sale on the weekend and they’re supposed to have lots of glassware. But you still haven’t told me what you bought.”

“A wolf.”

“What? A wolf?”

Sabrina laughed. “According to Jules, he was part of a carousel.” She patted his flanks and frowned. The wood seemed warm, almost hot. Probably because she’d been rubbing it. She hoped there wasn’t some chemical reaction between the wood cleaner she used and the old paint. “Wish I could have seen the other animals on the ride. This was the only one he had and now he’s all mine.”

“How big is he?” Jessica asked, all humor gone from her voice.

“Really big.” Sabrina patted her wolf’s head. “He’s currently taking up a huge chunk of my living room, but I don’t care. I’ll get rid of one of my chairs if I have to. I can always sit on him instead.”

“Only you would get rid of a chair in favor of a life-sized wolf from a carnival ride.” Jessica paused, the moment heavy with concern. “Be careful. Promise me.” Jessica’s tone was urgent now, making Sabrina nervous all over again.

“I figure this is a good omen, you know.” Now that she was home, last night’s fears were riding her hard.

“I know.” Jessica’s tone was light, but Sabrina could tell her friend was still concerned about her. “Be sure to check the salt around the doorways and windows. And burn some of that incense I gave you. It’s sage and should help dispel any negativity. And if you have any trouble tonight, you call me.” Jessica hesitated. “You sure you don’t want me to come stay with you tonight?”

Sabrina closed her eyes and leaned against the wolf. Both her friends had offered several times today and she loved them both for it. “No. I need to do this by myself.”

“Hey, maybe we’ll have a girl’s night on the weekend. Maybe Saturday. We can stop off at Jules’ place and do some shopping, go out for dinner and come back to my place for wine and movies.”

No way could she say no after everything her friends had done for her. “Call Tilly and set it up. I’m in.”

“Great. See you tomorrow.” Jessica fell silent for a moment before continuing. “And, Sabrina, please be careful.”

“I will,” she promised. She ended the call and tossed her phone onto the coffee table.

Alone with her wolf once again, she turned to him and smiled. “You know, I’ve got a tattoo a lot like you, except for the snarl and the extra-long fangs and claws. My wolf is a little friendlier than you.” She rubbed his head. “Of course, maybe you have reason to be pissed off. Maybe all those kids and adults riding on your back over the years have you riled up.”

Her stomach growled again, but it seemed louder than usual, almost like an animal growl. “Weird. I better eat something soon.” Still, she didn’t leave the wolf’s side.

“Okay, I gotta climb on your back and see what it feels like.” She went around to his front and stared into his eyes. “You won’t mind, will you?” She felt a little foolish asking the wolf for his permission, but she couldn’t quite make herself climb onto his back until she did.

She waited, but his expression didn’t change. “Of course it didn’t change. What did you expect him to do? Answer you?”

Letting out an exasperated breath, she went around to his side. The wood was still very warm beneath her hands. “Weird.” Maybe he’d been sitting in the sun in the back of the delivery truck for a while.

She lifted her hands and stared at them before slowly putting them back on the wolf. The wood no longer felt quite so smooth beneath her fingertips. It felt rougher, almost like fur.

“Now you’re letting your imagination run away with you,” she scolded. “Just climb on and try him out so you can get something to eat.” Pep talk done, she swung one leg over the creature’s back and pulled herself on. It wasn’t quite as easy as she’d anticipated and she had to dig her fingers into his neck to steady herself. “There had to have been some kind of saddle or something on you years ago.”

Clamping her thighs tight around his flanks, she straightened. “This is so cool.” She laughed and playfully tapped her hand against his hind flanks. “Giddy up.”

Something rippled beneath her right thigh. “What the heck?” She moved her leg and frowned. “Must have been a muscle twitch or something.”

Sabrina settled more firmly onto the wolf’s back and closed her eyes. Meditation was something she’d done since she was a teenager. She found it helped her to tap into her higher self, the kernel of inner wisdom that easily got lost in the hustle and bustle of life. It also helped her focus her talents, both the tarot reading and the painting.

It had been weeks since she’d meditated. Not since she’d returned from her trip to North Dakota, and that just wasn’t like her at all. Well, there was no time like the present. Sabrina focused on the wolf beneath her and the one tattooed on her back. The wolf was her totem animal, her protector.

She took a deep breath and slowly released it. Her heartbeat slowed, and her body felt heavy. She’d never told anyone before, not even her granny, but sometimes when she meditated it felt as though she traveled to other places and dimensions and talked to the most interesting people. They were more vision quests than meditations, and they were both exhilarating and scary at the same time.

Was that why the evil entity had latched onto her? Had she inadvertently encouraged it or attracted it during one of her deep meditation sessions or one of her vision quests? The very idea made her feel slightly nauseous.

More than a little unsettled, she opened her eyes and started to slide from the wolf’s back. Before she’d moved more than an inch or two, the creature seemed to move beneath her, forcing her to grab his neck to keep from taking a tumble. Stretched out over his back, she clung to him using her arms and legs. “What the hell is going on?”

Laughter echoed around her, dark and ominous. She recognized it from her dreams. “Oh, shit.” The wolf raised his massive head, tilted it back and howled, the mournful sound bouncing off the ceiling and walls. Sabrina closed her eyes and buried her face against his neck, feeling the brush of his fur against her cheek.

Impossible. Yet it was happening.

In the background, music began to play. It was tinny and seemed to be coming from far away. It was music with no words, but the kind one immediately associated with carnival rides, especially carousels.

“This isn’t real.” She forced her eyes open and turned her head. Her apartment was spinning around her, or maybe she was the one spinning and not the apartment. “Stop,” she yelled, but there was no one to pay any attention to her.

She was forced to close her eyes as the blur of movement was making her stomach roil. Her temples throbbed and lights seemed to burst from behind her eyelids, making her wonder if she was having some kind of migraine-induced hallucination.

The muscles in her arms and legs trembled as she clung to the wolf. No longer inanimate wood, the creature was all muscle and sinew as it shifted beneath her. His long claws scraped over the wood floor as they spun wildly in place. He howled again, as though he didn’t like what was happening any more than she did.

Her fingers slipped and she yelled, grabbing on extra tight. This had to end soon, didn’t it? Her phone rang. It might as well have been five miles away rather than less than five feet. She couldn’t reach it and call for help.

She began to pray. To God, to her granny, to all the saints she could think of, but nothing made the spinning stop. Sabrina felt herself slip to one side and knew she couldn’t hang on any longer. She prayed she didn’t break any major bones when she hit the floor.

Giving into the inevitable, she forced her eyes open and tried to time her fall to coincide with a turn toward the sofa. Maybe she’d bypass the coffee table and land on the cushions. Or maybe she’d crash into the far wall or the bookcase instead.

She counted to five and let go, flinging herself to the side. The wolf howled as though he was in excruciating pain, but she couldn’t worry about him now. She smashed into the edge of the coffee table before rolling onto the sofa. Her head hit the arm of the sofa and she blinked as the world threatened to go black.

Mordecai prowled through the thick woods of the Cascade Mountains, moving swiftly from tree to tree, using them to mask his movements. He inhaled the fresh scent of damp earth and evergreen even though it stung his lungs and made his eyes burn. Too much time in Hades’ domain was changing him physically as well as mentally. He shrugged off the pain and inhaled again to remind himself of why he was doing what he was doing. He had a plan and nothing could stop him now. Neither Hades nor the Lady.

Each step he took was pure pleasure after spending so many centuries locked in stasis. He welcomed the stretch of his muscles and the crunch of the ground beneath his booted feet.

He’d enjoyed many pleasures since being released decades before. Food, drink, women, he’d had his fill of all of them, enjoying what had been taken from him so long ago. But his enjoyment had been tempered by the fact that his torment wasn’t over and wouldn’t be until the curse was broken for all of them once and for all.

What had the Lady been thinking to curse them as she had? He immediately dismissed the question as irrelevant. All that mattered was here and now.

He wound his way steadily through the woods, ignoring the silence that preceded him. All the animals fled as soon as they scented him, sensing the predator within. The stench of Hell clung to him, permeating his very pores.

A sardonic smile crossed his face. Brimstone and death—he should bottle it and see if it would sell.

He was getting closer to the Lady now. Could sense her presence just up ahead. He wondered why she didn’t flee from him as the animals had. Surely she knew Hades had sent him to destroy her. The Lady might have lost the battle with Hades, but she was anything but stupid. In fact, she was much more intelligent than the Greek god would ever be.

The path opened up before him, the tall redwoods parting to reveal a small glade with a tiny steam running alongside it. She was perched on a rock, staring into the water as it trickled and bubbled its way along. She was clad in a flowing gown of green, her feet bare. Her long hair cascaded down her back and pooled behind her on the rock. The colors were just as vibrant as he remembered—every shade of brown from light tan to rust. Her eyes would be blue, as pale as the sky on a summer’s day. She was the earth personified.

She slowly turned her head and watched him approach.

“Lady.” He gave her a mocking bow.

“Mordecai.” He shuddered at the sound of his name leaving her lips. He never thought he’d hear it again.

“You know why I am here?” Of course, she knew. The Lady was nobody’s fool.

“I know.” Her serene expression never wavered, and that pricked Mordecai’s temper. He manifested his sword from thin air and held it above his head. She glanced at it but otherwise gave no sign she was the least bit concerned. “There is no hurry, is there?”

He slowly lowered the sword back to his side and asked the one question that had tormented him for more than five thousand years. “Why?”

There was no need to explain any further. She knew he wanted to know why she’d cursed her warriors to a living death for all these years.

Sorrow radiated from her like a beacon, making his chest ache. He steeled himself against such emotion. “Ah, Mordecai, you always had such trouble with trust.”

She pushed off the rock and walked toward him, stopping a few feet in front of him. The grass beneath her feet seemed to rise to cushion her soles as they crossed it. The trees bent, their branches shading her from the rays of the setting sun. The wind gently caressed her skin and teased the thick strands of her hair.

He wanted to hate her but could not.

“Why? I could not bear for my loyal warriors to be locked in Hell where Hades’ demons could torment you for eternity.”

“We could have won.” That had always rankled him. She’d given up, not believing they could defeat Hades’ minions.

“Oh, Mordecai. Always so brash with no patience.”

He stiffened. “You were always critical of me. I often wondered why you didn’t destroy me.”

Horror crossed her face. “Destroy you. Never.” The vehemence of her reply hit him hard. “I was never critical of you, my warrior. I see you as you are and know you have such potential for greatness inside you, but you lacked the self-assurance the others had, always feeling the need to have to prove yourself.”

She made him sound like a puny human child seeking his parent’s approval. “I don’t need to prove myself to anyone.”

She nodded her agreement. “No, you don’t.”

“You know why Hades sent me to you?”

“I do.”

“You know what I must do?”

She gifted him with a soft smile. “I know.” She walked toward him, totally fearless and held out her arms to him in total surrender.

Chapter Six

Sabrina forced her eyes open, fighting the darkness that threatened to claim her. Ignoring the throbbing in the back of her skull, she turned her head toward the wolf. He was spinning madly, head tipped back as he howled his displeasure.

What was happening?

The wolf was carved from wood. It wasn’t real. But there was no denying the growl that grew louder with each passing second.

It was making her dizzy to watch him so she closed her eyes and tried to figure out what she should do. Call animal control? They’d think she was out of her mind. Call her friends? She had no idea how dangerous the creature was.

She opened her eyes and made herself look again. What she was thinking was insane. An inanimate object didn’t come to life. That was impossible.

Yet the wolf was still in the corner, moving faster and faster. Suddenly, the creature sank down on his back haunches. Muscles straining, he launched himself into the air straight at her.

She thought she might have screamed, but she couldn’t be sure. There was no time. She thrust her arms out in front of her, but there was no stopping the wolf’s momentum as he flew through the air.

At the last possible second, the wolf twisted in midair, arching his spine as he hit the sofa a few feet away from her.

“Holy shit.”

The wolf scrambled to his feet, faced the now empty corner of the room and displayed his razor sharp fangs. She couldn’t blame him for being upset. She never wanted to go through anything like that ever again.

Her head was still whirling, making her stomach slightly unsettled, but the pounding in the back of her head was down to a dull roar. She didn’t think she had a concussion. At least she hoped she didn’t.

Now that the world had stopped spinning, she was faced with the reality of a massive wolf hunkered down a few feet away from her, watching her intently through eyes as black as midnight. He was much larger than any wolf species she’d ever heard of, and she’d studied them plenty during her teenage obsession with them. He resembled a gigantic timber wolf.

“Nice wolf.” She kept her voice pitched low, not wanting to startle him in any way. His paws were huge and the claws at the end of them were nothing to fool around with. He could kill her with one swipe.

The wolf moved slowly, as though he was trying not to spook her. Muscles flexed and rippled beneath his shiny coat of fur. Sabrina held her breath, hoping, praying he wouldn’t attack.

He climbed down off the sofa and began to explore his surroundings. Maybe he was hungry. Not that she had much to feed him. She didn’t think he’d particularly enjoy vanilla yogurt or peanut butter and crackers, which were her staples. The only meat she had on hand was some two-day-old sweet and sour chicken.

His toenails clicked on the hardwood planks as he wandered into the dining area. She sucked in a breath and slowly moved her hand toward her phone. She’d call Tilly. That woman knew everyone and could call in some men to help her contain the wolf until he could be released back into the wild.

Sensing her movement, the wolf spun around and growled. Her hand fell back to her side.

And common sense came to the fore. What exactly would she tell Mathilda? Oh, the wood carousel animal I bought from Jules came to life and is standing in my living room. Her friend wouldn’t contact animal control. She’d contact the psychiatric ward of the hospital and Sabrina wouldn’t blame her a bit.

She was beginning to wonder if she was losing her mind.

The wolf really was spectacular. Fierce and wild, he made her heart ache just looking at him.

His fur was a combination of black and gray, his eyes dark and fathomless. It was as though he could see into her very soul. She lost herself in those eyes for a few seconds before reluctantly shaking herself out from under his spell. And muscular, that was an understatement. The wolf had muscles on his muscles.

He padded toward her, his big paws making no sound. She held out her hand as fear skated through her. He hadn’t hurt her so far, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t.

Surprisingly, the creature stopped a few feet away from her. He kept his gaze locked on her and his body began to shimmer in front of her. Sabrina sat up straighter. What was happening?

Digging her fingers into one of the throw pillows on the sofa, she watched in awe and fear as the wolf began to change before her. Fur was absorbed into his body to reveal smooth, tanned flesh. Claws retracted and paws became hands and feet. The wolf stood upright, his snout shortening, his jaw retracting.

Sabrina shook her head in disbelief, ignoring the slight twinge of pain at the back of her skull. A man stood before her, naked and perfectly formed—washboard abs, well-defined pecs, thighs like tree trunks. A thatch of dark hair covered his chest and arrowed downward to his groin.

Her breathing was fast and shallow and she made herself take slower breaths. Last thing she wanted to do was hyperventilate. But it wasn’t easy. Sweat popped out on her back and forehead and her heart raced along at a speed much too fast for comfort. She rubbed her chest and tried to calm herself.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat as her gaze slid over his erection. The guy was hard and thick everywhere. His cock twitched under her perusal.

He gave a low growl and she jerked her eyes up to his face, ignoring the heat creeping up her cheeks. She couldn’t believe she was ogling the guy instead of offering him the soft cotton throw lying across the back of her sofa.

His face stopped her breath. She knew that face, the hard line of his powerful jaw, his thin lips, his straight nose and broad forehead. Crap, this was the guy from her daydream.

Maybe she’d hit her head harder than she’d thought. After all, a wolf had just shifted into a man in front of her. Maybe she’d connected the man and the wolf in her subconscious because of her daydream.

Or maybe she was still deep in a meditative state and had only dreamed the wolf was real and that she’d been thrown from his back. Maybe this was nothing more than a vision, one she was supposed to learn something from. That made perfect sense and allowed her to feel as though she wasn’t totally losing it.

“Okay, I can deal with this.” She really didn’t have much choice. Last night’s debacle with whatever evil was trying to invade her life had shown her that much. Hiding her head in the sand wouldn’t help. First thing she had to do was figure out what was real and what was nothing more than imagination or a vision.

“Who are you?”

He rubbed a hand over his chest and she bit her bottom lip to keep from groaning aloud. Really, it wasn’t fair of him to bring attention to all that prime male real estate he was showing off.

Sabrina ignored the heaviness invading her breasts, the way her nipples puckered and rubbed against the cups of her bra. And she really was trying not to notice how damp her panties were growing with each passing second.

What was wrong with her? She’d never become aroused during any other vision quest she’d taken.

“Arand.” The word sounded rusty, as though he wasn’t used to speaking. At least that was consistent with the daydream she’d had in the café. Maybe her mind was simply combining all her thoughts together to help her sort through them. She could deal with that.

“What just happened?” Maybe if she got him talking, the vision would play itself out and she’d find herself back in her living room with her carved wolf sitting in the corner.

That thought made her incredibly sad and she found herself having to blink back tears.

He spread his arms out to his side. The guy was only a few inches taller than her, but he was built like the side of a mountain, wide and unyielding. “You have released me from the curse.”

Okay, that was new. She’d never dreamed that before. Knowing she’d probably regret it, she asked anyway. “What curse?”

He narrowed his gaze and strode toward her. She jumped up from her seat on the sofa and backed away from him. “Stay right there. That’s close enough.”

He frowned and she sensed his displeasure. “You’re afraid of me.”

She was kind of afraid. Any woman would be when faced with a large, naked stranger, even if it was only part of a vision. Still, she wasn’t about to admit it. “Not afraid. Cautious.”

His lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. She found herself wondering what he’d look like if he did smile. He was hotter than any underwear model or actor she’d ever laid eyes on. It was taking all her willpower not to melt into a gooey heap at his feet he was so darn sexy. Of course, he wasn’t real so it was okay to feel that way. Or at least that’s what she kept telling herself.

“You were telling me about the curse.” she reminded him. If she could figure out why her subconscious had conjured him, she could get rid of him.

She nibbled on her bottom lip. And she wanted him gone, didn’t she? Of course she did.

He raked his fingers through his shaggy mane of hair, leaving it tousled and sexy. She curled her hands into fists at her side to keep from reaching out to touch his hair to see if it was as soft as it appeared.

“I am an immortal warrior of the Lady of the Beasts.” There was both pride and affection in his voice.

Okay, that wasn’t what she expected, not at all. She’d never even heard of the Lady of the Beasts. “Go on.”

“I was one of seven, all part-men, part-beast. We lived in peace until the Greek gods came. They wanted power and took it, forcing my Lady to fight.”

She took a small step back. Anger radiated from him as he spoke, and she didn’t want that fury directed her way.

Eyes narrowing, he glared at her. “The battle raged for weeks, months, years. Who knows how long? Time is fluid during such times. There were too many of them—gods and goddesses, warriors and demons.”

She shivered when he mentioned demons and wrapped her arms around herself, feeling a sudden chill. She was afraid the story wasn’t going to have a happy ending. “What happened to the Lady?”

Anguish filled his eyes and his jaw hardened. “We fought and would have continued to fight, but Hades was getting too close.”

“Hades?” She knew who he was. “What happened then, Arand?” His name flowed easily from her lips.

“The Lady knew she couldn’t defeat them, that Hades would capture her.”

“Not kill her?” she interrupted to ask.

He shook his head. “No, a god does not kill another. That is the only rule they all abide by. It would set a bad precedent.”

“Makes sense.” If one god killed another then no one was safe. “Then what did he do to her? And what happened to you?”

He began to pace like a caged animal, striding from one end of the room to the other. Not that he had much space to maneuver, but he was using every square inch of it. The room seemed to shrink with him in it. He exuded such power and energy it filled the area.

“What happened?” He whirled around and pinned her with a glare. “She cursed us, her loyal warriors.” He stalked toward her as she continued to move away until there was nowhere left for her to go. Back against the wall, she faced him.

His breath was almost hot against her cheek as he leaned inward, blocking everything else from her field of vision. “For more than five thousand years, we sat in our animal forms, unable to move, to eat, to talk. The only thing that kept us sane was the ability to absorb the advancements of mankind. As history changed, we learned and waited.”

His anguish made her heart ache, and she reached out to him, touching the hard curve of his jaw. “I’m sure she felt she was doing the right thing.”

His glare let her know he didn’t share her opinion. She dropped her hand back by her side. He was crowding her, but she didn’t really feel afraid of him. Crazy, but true. His nudity was a bit of a problem though. His erection was bumping against her stomach. He seemed oblivious, but she certainly wasn’t.

“Hades could not take us to Hell as he took the Lady, but he could not afford to leave us unattended. For century upon century, Hades’ minions guarded us, at first in damp caves, later in castles and finally warehouses. Then several decades ago, everything changed. His demons built a carousel, placing all of us on the ride. But it was never shown publicly as Hades’ carnival toured the world, searching, forever searching.”

Sabrina was half afraid to ask, but knew she had no other choice. “Searching for what?”

He cupped her face with one large, rough hand, holding her prisoner with his black stare. This man was dangerous, and she was very glad she wasn’t his enemy. “For you.” He gently brushed the pad of his thumb against the side of her cheek. “For special women like you, ones who could release us from captivity.”

Warmth spread from her skin where he touched it and meandered through her entire body. She fought the sensual lethargy threatening to engulf her. “So only a small group of women could break the curse?”

He nodded.

She nibbled on her bottom lip. The whole carnival and carousel idea was obviously an offshoot from the wolf she’d purchased. It all made sense when she broke it down. The curse clearly was a manifestation of her fear of whatever evil seemed to be stalking her.

Sabrina was more convinced than ever that she was having some sort of vision quest designed to help her understand what was happening in her life. Many times what she was shown during her deep meditations was meant to be a metaphor, a symbol for something she needed to know or understand. She’d ask Jessica and Tilly what they thought. In fact, she’d call them as soon as she pulled herself out of this vision. But first, she needed to pay attention to what Arand was telling her.

“Yes. One by one, they found the carnival and the carousel, releasing the first of us decades ago. I am the last.”

“So what happened to them all?”

His scowl deepened and the power of his anger sucked the air from the room, making it hard to catch a breath. “Mordecai, that devious serpent, killed the woman who released him and joined Hades.”

“Killed her?” Her voice squeaked and dread filled her belly. She didn’t like this part of the story at all.

He continued on as though he hadn’t heard her at all. “Phoenix and Stavros disappeared, their women also dead.”

She was trembling now and wanted out of this vision. She’d had more than enough of this place. She put her hands over her ears. “La, la, la, la, la.”

He twined his strong fingers around her wrists and pulled her hands away from her head. “What are you doing?” There was deep concern in his voice.

“What does it look like? I’m trying to pull myself out of this vision I’m having. I’m so deep in my meditative state it’s like a dream I can’t wake up from.”

“You don’t believe me.” His words echoed with sorrow, but she could not allow herself to care.

“I believe you’re a spirit guide, part of the vision I’m having. I’m in a meditative trance, sitting on the back of the carnival wolf I bought. You’re supposed to tell me something about whatever evil is stalking me.”

He froze, every muscle in his body seeming to go on alert. He cocked his head to one side and it took her a moment to realize he was listening. Then he sniffed the air, much like a dog, or a wolf. “We are alone. There is no evil here now.”

She found she believed him, sensed he would know if there was anyone or anything else with them. “What about the other warriors?” She really didn’t want to discuss the evil presence that had been in her apartment last evening. She also knew she needed to listen to whatever Arand had to tell her if she was going to get the most out of this vision quest.

Arand studied her for a long moment before continuing. “Roric, Marco and Leander were all set free.” He sighed and shook his head. “I’m not sure, but I believe they found a way to defeat Hades and free themselves from the curse.”

Now it was her turn to frown. “I thought the curse was broken now that you’re free.” She didn’t think she had anything to do with setting him free, but she was curious about the whole curse thing. Maybe it could help her figure out what evil was stalking her and how to break free from it.

She leaned against the wall, studying Arand’s strong jaw, broad nose and dark eyes. He really was attractive in a rugged, masculine way. And he was certainly at home with his body and sexuality, not bothered at all by the lack of clothing. She wished she were half as confident.

“Hades is coming for me, for us. We have to evade him for twenty-four hours and then we will be free.”

Sabrina snapped to attention. “Whoa, back up. What do you mean Hades is coming for us, for me?” She swallowed hard, fighting of a wave of nausea. She knew something evil was stalking her, but she’d been holding out some small grain of hope that it wasn’t the devil himself.

She silently whispered a small prayer, glad she had Jessica’s beads wrapped around her wrist and Tilly’s amulet around her neck. They weren’t much protection against such a powerful force, but they made her feel better, stronger.

Arand rested his forehead against hers and wrapped his strong hands around her shoulders. “Hades wants me to join him. If I will not, he’ll try to kill me.”

“And me, what about me?” She hated the way her voice trembled.

“You, he will want to kill you and steal your soul.”

Sabrina shook her head. Enough was enough. “Okay, time for you to go. I need to pull myself out of this trance and figure things out.”

Arand frowned. “You still do not believe me?”

She tried to push him aside, but it was like trying to move a slab of granite. “You’re a vision, a part of my meditation. You’re not real.”

But if he wasn’t real, why was he so damn heavy?

Chapter Seven

Arand stared down at the woman who’d freed him and set the remainder of the curse in motion. Sabrina. Her name was strong and feminine, like her. He cupped her face, marveling at her beauty. This woman, this fragile human had released him from five thousand years of torment.

And she smelled divine. His senses were overloaded with the stimuli bombarding him. Lavender and sweat coated her skin, but beneath it was the sensual musk of slightly aroused female. She might be afraid of him, but she wanted him too.

He could smell lemons and some kind of food, which made his stomach grumble. He hadn’t eaten in a very, very long time. But touching her was more important than food, more important than anything.

Her skin was soft and smooth, pale as the moon and warm as a summer’s night. He wanted to strip her naked and touch every inch of her. His cock pulsed in ready agreement. He ached, but it felt good. It meant he was alive, no longer held trapped.

The room was dimly lit, but he could see every inch of it as though it was bathed in the noonday sun. And he could see her too.

Hair as red as the leaves in the autumn fell in loose curls around her shoulders and framed her face. Her nose was straight, her cheekbones defined. Full lips were parted on a sigh and his balls contracted when her tongue slicked over the bottom one.

Vivid green eyes widened as he rubbed his thumbs along her stubborn jaw and tilted her head back so he could get a better view. Her eyelashes were long and thick, her eyebrows slightly arched.

He’d seen more beautiful women during the years he’d walked the earth, certainly he had, but he just couldn’t seem to remember any of them. Sabrina washed away the memory of them all. There was a vibrancy, a pulsing energy of life that surrounded her, and he wanted to bathe in it, in her.

He knew she didn’t believe he was real and was inexplicably saddened by that. It shouldn’t matter. His mission was clear—protect Sabrina, evade Hades, find his fellow warriors, if any of them still lived, and free the Lady. There was no place in his life for a fragile human female.

But she was here, so very close. And he’d been alone for so very long. Arand leaned down and their lips met in the lightest of touches. He drew back and she stared up at him, eyes wide and hands curled around his shoulders.

He kissed her again because he had to. This time he used more pressure, silently asking for her acceptance. Her lips moved beneath his and her warm breath caressed his face. When she tentatively parted her lips for him, he wanted to throw back his head and howl.

His wolf was prowling inside him, growling and snarling. He wanted Arand to position Sabrina on her hands and knees so he could take her from behind, claim her as theirs, and he wanted it now.

Ours, the wolf sent the silent message.

Ours, he agreed. He was more in tune with his animal side, more primal than some of the other warriors. They might fight their basic instincts, but he wouldn’t. He trusted his wolf and knew the animal’s instincts were correct. This woman was his. Period.

It didn’t for a moment enter his head that she wouldn’t feel the same way. She’d set him free and was allowing him to kiss her, to touch her. As far as he was concerned, she was accepting his claim, welcoming it. He was the alpha male and she was the woman he wanted.

He stroked his tongue into her mouth, tasting her for the first time. Warmth and gentleness, things that had been missing in his life for so long, surrounded him. She rubbed her tongue against his and dug her fingers into his shoulders, her nails scoring his bare flesh.

He had to see her, touch her.

He grabbed the hem of her top and shoved it up. An unusual garment covered her breasts. A bra, that’s what it was called. He and his brethren had been held in a state of suspended animation for long, lonely centuries, but for some reason they’d been able to absorb all the knowledge of the world. They probably had the Lady to thank for that.

Either way, it had helped him stay sane over the long wasteland of years, giving him something to concentrate on, something to make the time pass more easily. He loved to learn and the modern world was filled with fascinating inventions and ideas.

Unfortunately, the bra wasn’t one of them. He might know what the garment was, but he didn’t like it. It was blocking him from seeing her breasts. He shoved it upward too and pulled his mouth from hers. “I have to see you.”

He looked down and his heart stopped before it began to race once again. Perfect pale mounds, tipped with puckered pink nipples met his gaze. He groaned, leaned down and captured one, lapping at it with his tongue before carefully sucking it.

Her fingernails scraped against his scalp, sending a shiver of delight down his spine. She tangled her fingers in his hair, holding him to her. His cock jerked and pressed hard against her belly.

Arand had to see more of her. His hands went to the front of the pants she was wearing. Jeans, that’s what they were called. He loved the way the soft material clung to her thighs and hips. The button was easy and the zipper fascinated him. He would examine it further another time.

Sabrina captured one of his hands in hers, stopping him as he lowered the zipper. “Wait.”

“Why?” he countered, shoving his hands inside the open material. He encountered another layer of clothing, this one softer and thinner. Panties. He wanted to see them, but he wanted them off more. He shoved both layers down her hips.

“This is crazy. We don’t even know one another. You’re part of a vision.”

He could hear her confusion and knew he should probably stop. But he was fighting an instinct more powerful than the need to be a gentleman. “You belong to me.” It was as simple as that for him. After so many years held captive, he was relying solely on his instincts, and they were all demanding he claim this woman as his own.

“I belong to myself.”

He growled, not liking what she was saying in the least. He’d take her again and again, bring her so much pleasure she would no longer deny his claim on her. “Mine.”

Arand fell to his knees before her so his face was level with her pussy. He pushed the jeans and panties around her knees, leaned inward and buried his face against her mound. Her pubic hair was a shade darker than the hair on her head but just as soft.

“Oh God.”

“Arand,” he corrected. Inhaling, he took in the sweet scent of her arousal, wishing he could bathe in the lush perfume.

She laughed, but it quickly turned to a moan as he parted her folds with his thumbs and exposed the nub of nerves at the top of her sex. She gripped his hair so tight his scalp stung. It felt good. No, good was much too bland a word for what he was experiencing. There were no words. There was only Sabrina.

He was starving and only the taste of her could sate him. He stroked his tongue over the tiny bud of her arousal, reveling in her groan of pleasure. Spicy and sweet, her cream coated his tongue as he explored further.

He licked at the folds of her sex, first one side and then the other. She undulated her hips against his mouth, directing him to where she wanted him.

A growl escaped him, vibrating through his tongue where he touched her. She gave a low cry and shuddered. He pulled away and looked up at her. “You like that?”

“Yes.” She dragged his head back to her pussy. “It’s like your tongue has a vibrator attached to it.”

For the first time in more than five thousand years, Arand smiled. He was pleased with how his woman responded to his touch. He started to lean in again, but she stopped him, yanking his shoulders back.

“We should stop. This is crazy.”

Displeasure washed away his joy and his smile disappeared. “Why? You want me and I want you.”

“This isn’t real. You’re not real. All this is nothing more than a vision my mind has conjured to help me understand what’s happening to me.” Her voice was getting louder and shriller with each word she spoke. The smell of her unease burned his nostrils. “And we’re strangers.”

“No, we are not. You are mine and I am yours.”

Her laughter was tinged with fear and a touch of sorrow. “I don’t know how you can say that.”

“It is true.”

She tilted her head back until it hit the wall with a small thud. “How is this even happening?”

“You believe it is all a vision, a mirage your mind has conjured?”

She gave him a sad smile and a nod. “There’s no other logical explanation.”

“Then why fight it?” He’d try again later to make her understand that everything he told her was real and true. Right now, he had more pressing needs to attend to. He shoved her clothing down around her ankles and lifted each foot as he pulled it away. He waited for her to demand he stop. It might have killed him to do so, but he would have halted if it was truly what she wished.

He sighed with relief as her sultry feminine essence teased his nostrils. She still wanted him. There was no mistaking the rich scent of her arousal. It reminded him of cinnamon mixed with something sweet. He’d never get enough of it.

“If I’m not real, what does it matter?” he countered.

Sabrina swallowed hard and tried to come up with a logical reply, but it was impossible with his tongue tracing the sensitive folds of her pussy. Her insides felt like freshly made taffy, hot and gooey. She knew she should put an end to this, knew she should move but couldn’t quite work up the willpower to do it.

He slid large hands up the backs of her thighs before cupping her butt and squeezing both globes. “You feel so good.”

Her knees started to give out and she leaned heavily against the wall for support. This was crazy. Insane. And stupid. She needed to use her head. Unfortunately, that part of her anatomy seemed to be somewhat scrambled. And the rest of her wasn’t much better. Her legs trembled, her arms felt weak and her lungs were struggling to catch a breath. Heart racing, skin tingling, she licked her lips and stared down at the mystery man from her visions.

Sabrina knew the madness had to stop. She was clinging to a fantasy, a mirage, to a man who didn’t really exist. But she’d never experienced a vision quite this real before. His skin was tanned and warm, muscles rippling beneath it every time he moved. His shaggy hair brushed against the insides of her thighs, an erotic caress. His breath was hot against her pussy and his fingers—oh Lord, his fingers were pure magic. Everywhere he touched her, the nerve endings jumped to life. She’d never been so aroused in her life.

And how pathetic was that. No real man could ever live up to the fantasy she’d conjured with her mind. She just wanted the madness to stop. She wanted to feel safe in her own home, to get rid of whatever evil seemed to have targeted her and have her life return to normal. Long days in Jackson Square, doing card readings and working behind the counter at Café Ledet, painting and spending time with her friends.

But if the madness stops you’ll never see him again, a voice in the back of her head whispered. Her heart ached for a man who was no more than a figment of her imagination. An immortal warrior, a creature she’d conjured out of her need to feel protected. After all, who better to play the hero than a shapeshifting warrior who could also be a wolf—the animal she’d seen as her own personal protector since childhood.

“Stop thinking,” he ordered. “Feel.”

He ignored the way she tugged on his hair to keep him away from her, and she freely admitted she wasn’t trying very hard. A part of her wanted his touch, wanted to feel his hands and mouth on her.

She’d been so out of sorts these past weeks, scared and angry and confused. She just wanted to feel good for a few minutes, to step outside her life and enjoy the pure physicality of having a sexy, ruggedly handsome man make love to her, even if it was only a figment of her imagination. The feel-good hormones being released into her body and speeding through her veins were real enough. And that’s all that mattered.

His breath was hot, his tongue slightly rough as he licked her slick folds. He gripped her thighs with his large hands, holding them apart so he could gain better access. The wall was hard against her back, her top and bra slightly uncomfortable where they were shoved up over her breasts.

If this was a vision, her vision, why weren’t they in her bed, or at least on the sofa?

Then he snaked his tongue inside her and she ceased to think. Low growls and deep groans of pleasure rang in her ears as he teased and aroused her to a fevered pitch. He sucked on her clit, stroking it with the tip of his tongue while he growled.

She thrust one of her hands in his hair, while she gripped his shoulder for support with the other. Without the wall at her back, she’d long ago have melted into a puddle on the floor.

Arand pulled away and peered up at her, licking his lips, which were wet with her juices. His obvious enjoyment shocked her. She’d never met a man who seemed to gain such pleasure from going down on a woman. Another sure sign this was a figment of her imagination.

He stood and lifted her as though she weighed nothing at all. His strength was astounding. “Wrap your legs around my waist.” She did as he asked and felt the brush of the head of his penis against her opening. “I have waited forever for you.” He flexed his hips and the broad tip forged its way inside, pushing past her body’s initial resistance.

She bit her bottom lip, stifling a cry as his cock sank into her. He was so large, so thick that he stretched every tender inch of her sheath. Her inner muscles contracted and relaxed around him. He didn’t stop, not until every last inch of him was lodged inside her.

It bordered on pain, but it felt so good. Her thighs gripped his flanks tightly, squeezing. He leaned inward, using his body weight to keep her positioned where he wanted her. His cock pulsed hot and hard inside her, like a heartbeat, matching the rapid flight of her own.

She clung to his neck, her breath coming in sharp pants. Heat enveloped her and a bead of sweat rolled between her breasts.

“Mine.” Arand began to move slowly, flexing his hips, moving them up and in and then back and out. He supported her behind with one of his hands, holding her steady. He slid the other between their bodies and found her clit.

“Oh my sweet Lord,” she cried out when he touched her. If he’d jolted her with a blast of electricity, her body couldn’t feel more alive. Her breasts ached so she pulled him closer, rubbing her distended nipples against the fine covering of hair on his chest. She undulated her hips and moved with him, crying out when his cock filled her to overflowing.

“Come for me.” There was no denying his deep command. Her body splintered and stars exploded, obscuring her vision. Her pussy spasmed, clutching his cock tight. He grunted and kept rocking her on his thick shaft.

She cried out his name and wondered how she was going to survive this. She was breaking into pieces and was afraid they’d never all come back together in the same way again. He’d changed her, somehow taking fragments of her that she would never get back.

A lone tear rolled down her cheek and he leaned in, capturing it on his tongue. His expression was one of pure male satisfaction, which surprised her. His cock was still hard inside her. It was obvious he hadn’t found release. “You didn’t come.” She felt slightly miffed and a little insulted that she could experience something so life shattering and he seemed totally unmoved.

“That time was for you.” He slipped out of her and she flinched slightly as the sensitive tissue of her pussy protested his blunt removal. He spun her around so she was facing the wall.

She slapped her hands against the hard surface and turned to glance over her shoulder. His eyes seemed to glow and his features seemed to almost shift from moment to moment, his face overlaid by that of a wolf, as though the two were almost one. But he wasn’t looking at her face. He was staring transfixed at her back.

He traced the design on her back. “You wear my mark on your skin.” She could hear the wonder in his voice.

She shrugged. “I got the tattoo when I was a teenager. Wolfe is my last name. It’s spelled Wolf with an E. I always felt as though the wolf was my spirit guide, my protector.” She didn’t know why she was telling him all this, but it seemed the right thing to do.

“Sabrina Wolfe,” he whispered, her name a prayer on his lips. “You are marked for me. Named for me.”

He moved closer, his wide shoulders and chest making her feel small and fragile in spite of the fact she was tall for a woman. He used one of his feet to nudge her foot, urging it to move. “Open yourself to me.” His sensual command left her breathless. She’d never had a man take her this way before. It seemed more primitive, more dangerous. After all, he’d be in total control and there would be nothing she could do to stop him once he started.

Did she want to stop him?

She opened her legs wider. Hot breath fanned across her skin as he gently lifted her hair to hang over the front of one shoulder, leaving her nape bare. Sharp teeth teased her neck, sending shivers of pleasure through her. Oh, her fantasy lover was sexy and dangerous, a potent combination.

He reached around and cupped her breasts with his large hands and teased her taut nipples with his clever fingers. “You fit my hands perfectly.” He nibbled on the side of her neck and she tilted it to one side to give him better access. He nipped the skin and then soothed the slight wound with his tongue. She wondered if she’d end up with a hickey. She hadn’t had one of those since high school. Then she had to remind herself this was only a vision. None of it was actually happening, no matter how real it felt.

He shifted behind her, bending slightly. His cock nudged her folds and he stood, pushing his shaft into her once again. Although she’d already had him inside her, it was a snug fit. He seemed even larger than before.

“Your pussy was made for my cock.” He pulled out a couple of inches before pushing hard into her again. “You were made for me.”

She gasped and curled her fingers against the wall, wishing she had something to cling to. He was too big, too overwhelming, too everything.

“You’re so tight.” His voice was even rougher than before. “I can wait no longer.” He closed his hands around her breasts and began to thrust hard and fast, hammering his hips against her.

She let her head fall back against his shoulder. He growled and captured her mouth, stealing her breath. He thrust his tongue into her, claiming her, owning her.

A fragment of fear, of self-protection welled up within her, but it was swallowed by the building erotic pleasure. As impossible as it seemed, she was close to coming again. She never before had two orgasms in the same night, let alone during the same lovemaking session.

“I’m close,” she cried, wanting the release now that the promise of it was so near.

“Come then.” He dropped one of his hands between her legs and used his thumb to stroke her clit. “Give me your cream, your heat.”

Her entire body clenched and she screamed as she came. A long, low howl joined her cry, practically deafened her it was so close. No, not close. It was Arand who was howling. Then hot jets of semen filled her as his cock spasmed and pulsed inside her. She cried out again, legs trembling, totally spent.

Sabrina sagged against the wall. “Hell of a vision,” she muttered.

Behind her, Arand stiffened. He pulled out of her and spun her around so she was facing him. “You still believe this is nothing more than a vision?” he demanded.

“Has to be.” The alternative was more than she could handle at the moment. If it was real then she’d had unprotected sex with a stranger, a stranger who could turn into a wolf and was in the midst of a war with the god of the Underworld.

It was too much for her to take in. Exhaustion swamped her and the pain in her head, which had disappeared, was back with a vengeance. She touched the crown of her head and winced slightly.

“You are hurt?” The concern in his voice warmed her.

“Just where I hit my head earlier. I’m okay.”

His hands were gentle as he pulled down her bra and shirt, smoothing them into place. He lifted her into his strong arms and carried her to the sofa. Arand settled her on the sofa and stretched out beside her. It was a tight squeeze and he was lying half on top of her with his feet hanging off the end. “Rest. We will talk later.”

Good advice. Her mind was already on overload and she couldn’t handle anything else. She inhaled, breathing in the unmistakable scent of sex and sweat and the woods. Whatever cologne Arand was wearing, she wanted to bury her face in his hair and stay there forever.

Even if he was nothing more than a vision brought on by deep meditation, she could see herself going to the department store, sniffing all the men’s cologne until she found that particular scent and buying a bottle of it to remind her of him.

Pathetic.

What if he was real? She couldn’t even begin to wrap her brain around that idea.

Her head ached and she closed her eyes. But there was no blocking him out. She could feel his body against hers, one of his hands resting against her belly and one of his legs lying across hers. His deep breath fanned over her skin.

Slowly, her breathing matched his and she relaxed. Whatever reality existed, she’d deal with it later.

Chapter Eight

Sabrina’s eyelids fluttered open. It was still night, the streetlights casting their glow on the room. She was so tired, and her eyelids slowly drifted shut again. The image of what she’d seen made her frown.

Why was she lying on the sofa and not in bed?

She racked her brain, trying to make sense of it. She started to move and groaned as various aches and pains in her body made themselves known. She fell back against the sofa and moaned. What in the name of all the saints had she done last night?

She forced her eyes open and blinked to help clear away the fog in her brain. No sudden movements this time as she assessed her body. She was lying partly on, partly off the sofa, her head resting against the arm, and not on one of the comfy pillows. And she was half naked.

Memory rushed back. The wolf. Arand. Hot sex.

What a crazy, realistic vision her meditation had created. She’d never had one where she’d stripped off most of her clothing before.

She pushed herself up and saw her panties and jeans in a heap by the wall. Cautiously, she padded over, picked up her underwear and slipped them on. She felt sticky between her thighs and her frown deepened. She didn’t bother with her jeans as she planned to get a quick bath and go to bed.

“What a night,” she muttered. She glanced over at the corner of the room and froze. Her wooden wolf was gone.

“How do you feel?”

The male voice so close had her shrieking and swinging around, leading with her right fist. He caught it easily and cocked his eyebrow at her as if to ask, “What next?”

She glanced down and heaved a sigh of relief when she realized he was wearing pants. Granted, they were tight leather pants that clung to his rock-hard thighs and emphasized the impressive bulge in the front, but they were pants.

“I can’t still be having a vision.”

He released her hand and put both of his on his hips, studying her. “No, you’re not. We need to make plans. I don’t think it will be long until we have company.”

Sabrina swallowed hard and forced herself to take deep, slow breaths. Otherwise, there was a danger she’d start hyperventilating. This was no lifelike vision. This was real. All of it—the wild ride on the wolf, the tinny carnival music, the hot sex. She rubbed her forehead. “Crap.”

“Does your head hurt?” He cupped the back of her head in his palm, and she felt a blast of heat seep through her skull and into her brain. The pain disappeared instantly.

She pulled away and stared up at him. “What did you do?” Amazement swept through her. She didn’t know whether she should hug him or run screaming from him. Her heart was racing, her palms were sweaty and she felt a little lightheaded.

He shrugged his massive shoulders, bringing her attention, once again, to his smoking hot torso. She shook herself and brought her gaze back to his face.

“I merely rid you of the pain in your head. My powers have not fully returned, but I can do minor healing.”

“What else can you do?” Sabrina was equal parts terrified and enthralled by Arand. If what he’d told her earlier was true, she was in a heap of trouble. She tried to remember everything he’d told her. None of it was reassuring. In fact, all of it was downright scary.

He put his hands on his hips, sliding his gaze over her bare legs. She held her jeans more securely in front of her. But that was sort of like closing the barn door after the cow got out. He’d already seen her all but naked.

“I can conjure clothes and weapons.”

“Weapons?”

A four-foot-long blade appeared in his hand, the metal gleaming in the light beam from the streetlight. Oh, shit. This was suddenly all too real.

Sabrina swayed on her feet and leaned against the wall for support. “All of this is real, isn’t it? The devil is coming for us.”

Arand slowly inclined his head. “He will come or he will send one of his minions to bargain with us. Or he will send demons to destroy us.”

A blast of anger gave her renewed strength. “What’s with the we stuff. How did I get involved? I didn’t ask for this.” And why had the evil been stalking her before she released Arand? Was it simply fate that she was the woman to release Arand? Was this entire situation something beyond her control?

No, she refused to believe that. The evil or Hades or whatever he wanted to be called might be urging her to do certain things, but she was still in control of her life, still had choices. She couldn’t believe anything else or she’d end up curled in a fetal position in a corner somewhere, too afraid to move.

He tilted his chin up and his jaw tightened. “No, you did not ask for it, but it is a fact nonetheless. You released me from captivity and now your fate is tied to mine.”

“Great. That’s just great.” She stormed past him, or at least tried to. Anger was a much better emotion then fear. He snaked out an arm, catching her as she went by.

“Let me go.” She curled her hands into fists. Honestly, she was ready to pop him one.

No, it wasn’t his fault that she released him from the curse. That was all on her. She’d just had to have the wolf. But he shouldn’t have had sex with her. He’d known that she thought all of it was nothing more than a vision.

“Where are you going? We must stay close.” Even in the dim light she could see the honest concern in his eyes. A little of her anger drained away, leaving her frightened and slightly lost. She had no idea what she should be doing.

“I’m going to get cleaned up and then I’m going to figure out what to do.” She glanced down at his arm where it was wrapped around her and then arched a brow at him. He slowly released her and she stomped off to the bathroom. She could feel his gaze on her all the way and cursed the fact she was only wearing panties and carrying her jeans.

She shut the door solidly behind her and leaned against it. “What are you going to do?” she muttered. She turned on the light and stared at her reflection. Other than her tousled hair and slightly pale complexion, she didn’t look any different from a few hours ago. But everything had changed, including her perception of reality.

She was in the middle of an honest-to-goodness war between a god and a goddess. It was crazy and would be absurdly amusing if it weren’t happening to her.

She desperately wanted to call Tilly or Jessica, but it was too early. Besides, what exactly would she tell them that wouldn’t sound like she was totally off her rocker?

She grabbed her brush from the vanity and attacked the tangles in her hair. When it was smooth, she braided the fiery mass to keep it out of the way. She longed for a shower but had no idea how long Arand would wait before knocking. And then there was the whole Devil and demon thing. If any of them showed up the last place she wanted to be was the shower.

She ran the water in the sink, got a clean cloth from the cabinet and got a quick wash. When she was done, she pulled her jeans on. Shoes, she needed shoes. And information.

Leaving the bathroom, Sabrina hurried back to the living room. It was time to make plans. No way in Hell was she waiting around for some demon to attack her. Okay, maybe she should scratch the word Hell from her vocabulary for the near future. No need to tempt fate.

She didn’t see Arand at first. He was standing in the shadows, looking out through her living-room window. She’d had enough darkness and turned on a standing lamp. A snarling wolf stared back at her, and she gasped.

Arand whirled around so fast he was nothing more than a blur. There was a reddish tinge to his eyes and his mouth was parted on a silent snarl. His gaze snapped around the room before returning to her. “What’s wrong?” He raised his head and sniffed at the air. “Do you sense something?”

She shook her head and walked toward him as if pulled by an invisible cord. “The tattoo on your back.”

He stilled as she got closer, his dark, fathomless eyes tracking her every movement. “You know I am the wolf and he is me. You saw me change.”

Yeah, but she hadn’t believed it was real then. “Your tattoo is a lot like mine.” Both wolves were black and gray in color. Hers was friendlier, more a guardian. His was more primal strength and cunning.

“You belong to the wolf.”

She could tell from the way he said it that he believed it. And she wasn’t sure she could refute him at this point. Everything in her life, every moment, every choice, had led her to this moment.

“Can I see him?” She wanted a better look.

Slowly, Arand turned his back on her.

It went against every instinct he had as a warrior to turn his back on Sabrina, but if he couldn’t trust her he might as well be dead. He kept his hands loose by his sides and tried to relax, but it was impossible with Sabrina standing behind him.

He could smell her, the perfume of the soap she used mixed with the pure essence of the woman herself. And he could still smell himself on her. It was barely there, mostly having been washed away. His wolf snarled within him, wanting to mark her with his scent once again.

Her red hair was pulled away from her face in a braid, emphasizing her large green eyes and high cheekbones. Her lips were full and kissable. He licked his lips, still able to taste her.

Even her ears were beautiful—the seductive curve and the trio of silver hoops in each lobe. Her body was slender, but her breasts were full. A low growl escaped him and he sensed her trepidation.

“Touch my back.” He wanted her hands on him, on his wolf, wanted her to come to depend on him in both his forms. He almost snorted aloud. Fat chance of that happening. He hadn’t known her long, but he sensed a wide streak of independence in Sabrina.

His skin tingled as the air around him was displaced and then her hands were on him. She touched the wolf’s head and he felt her touch on his scalp. Sabrina traced her fingers over the wolf’s flanks and Arand’s skin tingled. His cock was already standing tall, but now his balls ached uncontrollably. Goose bumps rose on his flesh wherever she touched the wolf.

“He’s really incredible.” The wistful tone of her voice made him turn around.

“Would you like to see him again?”

Her eyes widened with wonder. “You’d do that?”

Did she not realize he would do anything for her? She belonged to him, was his to protect and care for. In answer to her question, he took a step away and willed his pants to be gone.

She gasped and he caught a light whiff of her arousal. His shoulders straightened and his cock flexed with pride. She liked what she saw and there was no denying she wanted him.

Sabrina swallowed hard and took a step back. “Ah, you said you were going to shift.”

What he really wanted to do was pounce on her, drag her to the floor and fuck her until she screamed his name as she came over and over. He snarled with anger, knowing he couldn’t do it, not now. But when the curse was done—

Arand embraced his wolf and allowed the shift to overtake him. His wolf, ever eager, jumped to the fore, craving freedom as much as the man did. Both of them had been imprisoned for fifty centuries.

Bones cracked as his limbs reshaped and reformed. Fur pushed through his skin to cover it. His jaw lengthened and his teeth grew. Arand stared at her through the wolf’s eyes, seeing her wonder and excitement, sensing her fear.

“Wow. You’re amazing.”

He padded over to her and sat, hoping to ease some of her trepidation. Even then he could almost look her in the eyes, as he was much larger than any normal wolf.

“Can I touch you?”

He dipped his head in silent assent and she slowly reached, her fingers trembling slightly. She touched his head and pulled back slightly before doing it again. He patiently waited, allowing her to become accustomed to his wolf form.

“You’re so strong, so powerful. You look exactly like the carousel wolf I bought.” She tentatively stroked her hand over his left front flank. “Of course, you look like him. You are him.” She shook her head. “Do you realize how crazy that sounds?”

As much as he enjoyed her touch, time was of the essence. Plus, the more she touched him the more aroused he grew. If she didn’t stop rubbing his neck and back soon, he wasn’t going to be responsible for his actions. After so many years in captivity, he was starved for a gentle touch, her touch.

He was about to shift when there was a disturbance in the air, a more rancid smell slipping into the atmosphere. His wolf scented evil. Arand leapt at the front door, knocking Sabrina to the ground where she would be safer. She cried out, but he ignored it for now, focusing all his attention on the threat. He’d kill whatever came through that door. Nothing and no one would take Sabrina from him. He was alpha male and she belonged to him.

Sabrina scrambled back to her feet and stared at the front door. For a brief second, when he sprang at her, she’d thought she was about to become the wolf’s dinner. It had happened so fast she’d had no chance to defend herself. But she hadn’t needed to. As always, it seemed the wolf was determined to protect her.

If she hadn’t already believed in the paranormal, if she hadn’t been dealing with the dreams and visions and fighting back the evil that threatened her, she might have been calling 911 and checking herself into a psych ward for evaluation.

Her entire life was turned upside down. She had a wolf in her living room, for Heaven’s sake, and not just a wolf, but one that turned into a man. Not quite a Loup Garou, but something even more astonishing—a shapeshifting immortal warrior. If she were a drinking woman, she’d need a big one right about now.

Arand’s dark gaze was fixed on her front door, a menacing growl rumbling up from deep in his chest. Something was coming. Even she could sense it now. She glanced down and noticed the slightly scuffed layer of salt. Marcel and Jules must have disturbed it when they brought her the wolf earlier this evening.

Sabrina sprang for the door, shoving the wolf aside. The large beast grabbed her top and started dragging her backward. “No,” she cried. “I have to fix the salt.”

The wolf released her and she rushed to the entryway, falling on her knees. She frantically swept the salt back into an unbroken line. Something hit the wooden panel. Hard. Sabrina scrambled away, her butt sliding on the floor, but she kept her gaze on the door, terrified of what was waiting outside. She needed help.

Coming to her feet in a flash, she tried to remember where she’d left her phone. She’d tossed it on the coffee table after she’d talked to Jessica. It wasn’t there. It had probably gotten knocked off in all the commotion. Sabrina only hoped it wasn’t broken.

There it was, lying in front of the unfinished paintings in front of the shelf. She dove for it and hit the second button on her speed dial. “Come on. Come on. Answer.”

Arand was still blocking the front door with his massive body. She could hear something moving outside, and then a low growling sound that had all the short hairs on her body standing on end. This was so not good.

“Hello.” The groggy greeting reminded Sabrina that it was really early, or late depending on how you looked at it.

“Jessica. Wake up. I need help.”

There was another growl. This one morphed into a blood-curdling howl.

“Sabrina?” There was a sound of bedclothes rustling and she knew her friend was awake now.

“Yeah. I need help. That carousel wolf I bought is really an immortal shapeshifting warrior. Oh, and I released him from his five-thousand-year-old curse and now we have twenty-four hours to evade the devil or he kills us and gets our souls.” She was sobbing for breath by the time she finished.

Arand glanced over his shoulder and snarled his disapproval. She ignored him. He might not like her contacting someone else for help, but that was his problem. At a time like this, she needed someone she knew was on her side and didn’t have any hidden agenda. She wanted to trust Arand, but he had his own priorities. After all, the guy worked for a goddess. Surely getting to her and his fellow warriors was on the top of his to-do list. Hers was simply staying alive until this nightmare was over.

“Were you dreaming again?” Now Jessica sounded really concerned.

“No, I’m not dreaming or having a vision of any kind.” She held out the phone as a demonic scream ripped through the air. Sabrina had no idea why one of her neighbors hadn’t called the cops to complain about the noise. “You hear that? It’s outside my front door. And a gigantic frigging wolf is in my living room.” She could hear the growing hysteria in her voice and took a deep breath to bring it under control. Losing it wouldn’t help her now. If she lived through this she’d have a nervous breakdown.

“Is the salt still in front of the doorway?” She could hear Jessica moving around her apartment as they talked.

“Yes. It got scuffed, but I fixed it.” Or at least she hoped she had. Sabrina prayed it would keep out whatever was outside the door.

“As soon as whatever is out there goes away you need to get out of town.”

“What?” That was the last thing she expected her friend to tell her.

“You can’t stay in the city. There are too many innocent people who might get hurt. I’m also not sure the wards around your apartment will hold for very long. That’s some powerful evil after you.”

Jessica was right. “I’ll head out to Granny’s place.” The small house on the edge of the bayou was the only place she could think to go.

“I’ll join you there as soon as I can.”

“No.” Sabrina was adamant. “I don’t want you or Tilly there.” It made her blood run cold to think of either of her friends getting hurt by whatever was out there.

“You need help or you won’t make it.” Her friend sounded so certain, but Sabrina still wasn’t taking any chances.

“No. Arand and I will manage.”

“Arand?”

“The name of the warrior.”

“Who does he belong to?” A sense of urgency filled Jessica’s voice.

“The Lady of the Beasts. That’s what he said. Do you recognize the name?” Jessica was more up on the gods and goddesses of various pantheons.

“Yes.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “You need to get out of town fast. Take Tilly’s car.” Of the three of them, only Tilly owned a vehicle, but she was generous with it, loaning it to her friends whenever they needed it. “I’ll call her and tell her you’re coming.”

Before she could respond, the line went dead. “Crap.” She scrambled for the closet and grabbed her tote bag, dumping her phone in the outside pocket. There were probably a dozen things she should take with her, but she couldn’t think of a single one.

Shoes, she needed shoes. She’d forgotten all about them earlier the moment she’d seen Arand’s tattoo. She tugged on a pair of sneakers, figuring if she had to run they were the best things to be wearing. It was going to be cool outside, so she grabbed a brown sweater and slipped it on over her tank top.

The noise outside the door suddenly stopped and the silence was deafening. Sabrina crept over to stand beside Arand. “Are they gone?” she whispered.

He waited several long minutes before his body started to change. She stepped back, watching in total awe as the wolf disappeared and the man reappeared. Fur was replaced by skin, paws by hands and feet. His jaw shortened and his teeth became normal until Arand was frowning down at her.

“Who did you call?”

“A friend.”

“No one should know about what is happening.”

“Tough. I’ve been having dreams for a couple of weeks now and strange things have been happening to me.” An understatement if there was one. Her entire life had been crazy lately.

“What things?” He grabbed her shoulders and lightly shook her. He was also still totally naked, and all that exposed male skin was making it difficult for her to focus.

“Could you put on some pants?”

He gave an exasperated growl and a heartbeat later was covered in the same tight leather pants he wore earlier. Leather moccasins covered his feet, and he wore a vest that left his arms and chest bare. “Answer me.”

“I will, but we have to leave.”

He frowned at her. “Why?”

“Because it’s not safe here, and it’s not fair to my neighbors and friends. They didn’t ask for this.” She couldn’t bear being responsible for anyone being hurt.

“Where will we go?” Arand followed her when she went to the front door but placed his large hand on the wooden panel to keep her from opening it.

She met his gaze and wanted to fall into his bottomless black eyes. She wished they’d met under different circumstances, which was crazy. The man was an immortal warrior, and she was an artist who read tarot cards. Plus, she was human. He was only here until the curse was broken.

“We’re going to my granny’s house. Well, I suppose it’s mine now that she’s gone. It’s on the edge of the bayou and fairly isolated.” The humor of the situation struck her and she laughed. She was taking a wolf to Granny’s house. She didn’t have a red cape, but maybe she should wear her red sweater instead of the brown one.

“What is so funny?” His shaggy hair framed his rugged face. He looked tough and totally hot.

She shook her head. “It’s nothing.” No way was she going to try to explain it. “We need to get going.”

He nodded and unlocked the door, making certain she was behind him. When he determined there was no one there, he allowed her out and kept watch while she locked the door.

“We have to go to my friend’s house to get her car.”

She started to go around him, but Arand stopped her. “Tell me which way to go, but stay behind me.”

Warmth filled her when she realized he was protecting her. He could have easily left her to fend off whatever demon or evil came her way. Instead, he was going with her and was obviously intent on shielding her as best he could. Maybe he was only doing what he saw as his duty. Maybe it was more. Either way, she was happy he was with her when they hit the sidewalk and started toward Tilly’s house.

Hades peered into his mirror into the other realms and watched Arand and Sabrina scurrying down the sidewalk like frightened mice. He liked the analogy. They were also doing exactly what he wanted them to. It would take too much energy to shield their fight from an entire city, and that might attract the attention of his annoying siblings. Once they were in a more isolated area, he could send in more demons and not have to worry about anyone seeing them.

Perfect.

A few growls, a threat or two and his prey were ready to run. He loved it when a plan came together.

The glass in the mirror went dark. He sat back in his chair, sipped a particularly fine brandy from a crystal goblet and contemplated his next move. He didn’t need the serpent’s help at all in order to deal with the wolf and his woman. No, he was much better off doing it on his own. It showed him how little he really needed Mordecai. Once the war was over and he had ultimate power over the Earth and the Olympians, he would destroy the serpent.

He waved his hand in front of the mirror, wanting to see what Mordecai was up to. He didn’t trust the sly creature. They were too much alike.

The immortal warrior stood on the edge of a meadow staring up at the night sky. Hades couldn’t see anyone else around. Had Mordecai destroyed the Lady of the Beasts?

Hades frowned. He hadn’t sensed any great implosion of power, which would happen when a god or goddess was killed. Then he laughed as the obvious answer came to him. Of course he hadn’t felt anything. The goddess had grown weak during her imprisonment in Hell. She’d used all her power to curse her warriors in her effort to save them and had no way to replenish the energy she’d lost. As a result, she had hardly any power left.

He rolled the goblet between his palms, warming the liquor within. That meant the other gods and goddesses would be weak as well. He was the only one who still went among humans, the only one who many of them still worshipped in their way. His power continued to grow daily.

Satisfied his plans were unfolding as he wanted, Hades let the mirror go dark again. Mordecai would make his way to New Orleans, but he would probably be too late to join in the action. Arand would either be turned to Hades’ side or dead by the time the serpent got there.

Hades could get Mordecai there in the blink of an eye if he opened a portal, but he wanted the serpent to have to work to get there. He’d shown the warrior too much favoritism. It was time to remind Mordecai of his place in the hierarchy of Hell.

But the truth of the matter was he’d come to rely heavily on the warrior over the past few decades. It was Mordecai who dealt with the more mundane business that Hades didn’t want to be bothered with, like meeting with investment bankers, powerful businessmen and terrorists. They weren’t all that different in Hades’ mind. They all wanted power and wealth and didn’t care what they had to do to get it.

It was Mordecai who ferried contracts back and forth to the humans Hades had dealings with. And it was Mordecai he sent in to enforce the terms of the agreements if the puny humans tried to default on the deals.

Hades set down his goblet of brandy and stood. Ah well, time to get his hands dirty. He had a quick meeting in the Sudan with a warlord who no longer thought he needed Hades. He’d soon discover the folly of such thoughts. Hades had a nice spot on the sixth level of Hell all picked out for him.

When it was done, he’d come back, check the mirror one more time and make his final plans.

Jessica hung up the phone and tried to think what she needed to do next. She needed to get some of her things gathered before she headed out to Sabrina’s place in the bayou. She prayed she’d told her friend the right thing to do. If she was wrong—

No, she wouldn’t think that way. She’d known this was coming, known the evil stalking her friend would not be deterred. All they could do was meet it head-on and fight it.

She went to the antique cabinet that dominated one wall of her dining area. Opening drawers, she began to pull out everything she thought she might need.

The first thing she removed was a small silver box. She reverently lifted the cover and pulled out the amulet that sat there. It had belonged to her grandmother. Jessica lifted it and slipped it over her neck, knowing she’d need it in the coming fight. It was their ace in the hole, the one chance they had to defeat the devil.

Her grandmother’s journal rested in a place of honor on top of the cabinet. She took it down and held it to her heart, drawing strength and comfort from it. She’d read the words over and over, committing many of them to memory. She’d done the same with her grandmother’s spell book as well. But she was taking them both, just in case.

She hurried to her bedroom to dress. She hit the second number in the contacts list on her phone, waiting impatiently while it rang.

“’Lo.” She’d obviously woken Tilly from a deep sleep.

“Tilly, you need to get up. Sabrina is on her way to your place and she needs your car to get out of town.” She carefully set her grandmother’s journal and spell book on the bedside table.

“What?” There was some scrambling on the other end. “What are you talking about? What’s happened?”

“Hope you’re sitting down.” Jessica took a deep breath and plunged onward in her explanation. “Sabrina has freed an immortal warrior from a curse and now the devil is after her.”

“What have you been drinking?” Tilly’s voice got louder with each word she spoke.

“Listen,” Jessica yelled. “Listen to me. There’s no time.” She kept the explanation as brief as possible, cutting Tilly off each time she tried to interject a word. She put the phone on speaker, yanked off her nightclothes and started to dress. “You’ve only got a few minutes until they get to your place and you’ll see for yourself.”

“This is crazy.” She could hear the brush of fabric in the background and knew Tilly was getting dressed too.

“Crazy or not, we have to help Sabrina.” Jessica grabbed an oversized purse and stuffed both journals inside. The amulet around her neck warmed and began to pulse. She paused, wrapping her fingers around it.

“I’ll get a box of supplies ready to go with her and meet her outside.”

“I’ll get to your place as soon as I can,” Jessica told her friend. “I have some things I have to do before we can join Sabrina and her warrior. But they can’t wait. The quicker they can get out of town the better.”

“I’m going to call my granny.”

Jessica didn’t try to stop Tilly. As far as she was concerned, the more help they had, the better. “See you soon.” She ended the call and tossed her phone into the bag.

Jessica hurried to her desk, opened her laptop and sent out an urgent message to her circle of Wiccan friends. She’d put them all on alert a week ago, letting them know she’d be calling on them for help. They would all focus their power on protecting Sabrina.

That done, Jessica typed Lady of the Beasts into the search engine and pressed enter. Immediately, a page with choices popped up and she hit the top one. The website was devoted to this obscure goddess and included the story of the curse. It also included an email address.

“They’ll either be able to help or think I’m crazy,” she muttered as she began to compose a message. When she was finished, she read I aloud. “Wolf is free in New Orleans.” That was vague enough in case these people had nothing to do with the curse. She also included directions to the cabin.

Jessica rubbed her hands up and down her arms, feeling a distinct chill. “Do it.” She pressed the send button and closed her laptop. It was done. If they could be of any help, they would. And if not, Jessica and her friends were on their own.

She had a few more things to do before she left. She had to center herself and cast a powerful protection spell. This was too dangerous a situation to go into without doing everything she could to protect herself and her friends.

Jessica stopped and looked around her tiny apartment, wondering if she’d ever see it again. There were no guarantees any of them would be coming home.

Straightening her shoulders, she strengthened her resolve. She had to do this. There was no other way.

Chapter Nine

Arand didn’t like this situation, not one bit. Someone was watching them. Or at least they had been. He no longer felt the eyes on them, but he was still on high alert.

He glanced down at Sabrina as she strode down the sidewalk just behind him and to his left. He kept her on that side so his weapon hand was free. He could fight with both hands, but his right was the stronger one.

“How much farther?” His words came out more as a growl than a man’s voice. He hated that he had no idea where they were going, that he was dependent on Sabrina for directions. He was the alpha. It was his job to protect her.

“About ten minutes.” Her gaze darted all around and he could sense her nervousness, smell it. He didn’t like it one bit.

“There are two men in the alleyway to the right and another passed out on back of the house over there.” He pointed to show her. “There is nothing paranormal around us right now.”

She stopped and peered at him. “How do you know that?” She pulled her sweater tighter around her body. Arand wished he was wrapped around her body warming her.

He tapped the side of his nose. “I can smell them.” He could also smell gasoline, exhaust fumes, garbage and the dense river air that pressed down on the city.

“Wow, that’s impressive.”

He stood a little straighter before he realized what he was doing. Irritation filled him. It didn’t matter what she thought of him. His duty was to protect her, evade Hades and find his fellow warriors so they could protect the Lady. There was no place in his life for a woman right now, especially a human one.

But his instincts and his wolf weren’t listening. His wolf gave a menacing growl inside him as if to refute his words. The wolf wanted Sabrina as his own, and so did Arand.

“All my senses are enhanced.” It wasn’t bragging. It was fact. He might not have his full powers, but he was still strong, still more than capable of protecting them.

He pressed his hand against the small of her back and urged her to start walking again. “We must hurry.”

“Of course.” She resumed their trek to her friend’s house.

“Tell me about this friend, the one you spoke with.” He was curious about every aspect of Sabrina’s life, including who she spent her time with.

“That was Jessica. She’s a witch and I trust her with my life.”

Arand growled as a dark emotion filled it. It took him a moment to recognize it—jealousy. He was jealous of the trust she gave her friend. He shook himself and shrugged off the feeling. It didn’t matter if she trusted her friend more than him.

And he was lying to himself.

“You okay?” Sabrina asked, her green eyes filled with concern.

“Fine. Tell me more about her.”

“Jessica came over to my house last night and cleansed it.”

Arand remembered the salt barrier at the door and was impressed. There was real power behind it. Not enough to keep out Hades indefinitely, but more than enough to annoy him and stop some of his lesser demons from entering her home. “She was the one who put down the salt.”

“Yes.” A strand of her red hair escaped her braid and she tucked it behind her ear. He loved her hair, the color full of fire and passion. It suited her.

He looked away, scanning the surrounding area. It was so strange to be outside after all these long years, to feel the cool breeze against his skin, to see the night sky overhead. Not that he could see too many stars with all the city lights giving off their illumination, but he knew they were up there. And he would see them. He would run free in the forest, the joy of simply being alive coursing through his veins. Once he defeated Hades he would give himself this gift.

The world was such a different place now. So many people living in such cramped quarters. The buildings were made from brick and wood and were stacked close together like stalks of grain in a sheaf. But there were still untamed places in the world, places perfect for him and his wolf.

His wolf snarled a warning and Arand whirled around to find the two men from the alleyway following them. They were both tall men and stunk of stale sweat and desperation. One of them pulled a knife. “Give us your purse, lady.”

Arand wrapped one arm around Sabrina and tucked her safely behind him. The second man drew a knife as well, the blade about six inches long. “You heard the man. Give us your money.”

They were both young and he could smell the alcohol and some other taint seeping from their pores. His brain computed the scent—drugs. Some things never changed. Males were often aggressive and stupid for no real reason. But if there was one thing that Arand couldn’t stand, it was when they preyed on those they perceived to be weaker than themselves.

The first man, his long blond hair tied back at his nape, waved his weapon, coming closer. “Don’t make me cut you, man. I will.”

“You are welcome to try.” Arand raised his right hand and his sword appeared.

“What the fuck?” The second man stumbled back, rubbing his eyes with his free hand.

Arand allowed his face to morph until it was more wolf than man.

“Werewolf!” the first man yelled before he turned tail and ran. His friend joined them, both of them stumbling over the curb before they righted themselves and kept going.

Arand lowered his sword and it winked out of sight. His face was morphed back into that of a man by the time he turned to Sabrina to find out if she was all right. If they’d frightened her, he was tempted to track them down and teach them a lesson they wouldn’t soon forget. He had their scent now and would be able to find them no matter where they tried to hide.

Sabrina stared up at him, a half smile on her face. “Guess I don’t need to worry about walking the city streets alone at night with you by my side.”

Her praise pleased him, but he didn’t show it. “We cannot waste any more time.” The night was waning and he wanted to be out of the city before daybreak.

Her smile disappeared and was replaced by worry. “Tilly’s place isn’t much farther.” Sabrina hurried down the sidewalk, turning onto another street.

Arand frowned. “I thought your friend’s name was Jessica?”

“It is. Tilly is another friend. She’s the only one of us with a car.”

“So many people should not know what is going on. They could betray us to Hades.” Most people would tell the god anything when face-to-face with him. He was intimidating and held great power.

“Deal with it.” She made another turn, her gait increasing with each step. “And Jessica and Tilly would never betray me.”

He envied her the innocence and naivety she possessed. Arand too had once assumed none of his friends would betray him, but Mordecai had. It had taken him years to realize it. At first, he’d mourned his fellow warrior as he grieved for the loss of Stavros, the jaguar, and Phoenix. But after a woman released Roric, the white tiger, Arand had learned that Mordecai had joined Hades.

The betrayal was especially bitter for him as he and Mordecai had been close friends. Or, at least he’d thought they’d been close. Obviously not, since Mordecai had gone over to the dark side rather than fight and face an honorable death.

“You okay?” Sabrina reached out and rested her hand on his bare arm. The warmth soaked into his skin, reminding him that she was his priority now. There would be time to mourn his lost friendship when this day was done. Maybe.

“Yes.”

She removed her hand and he wanted to grab it and bring it back. Her touch eased the pain inside him, soothed the harsh betrayal. Still, he didn’t reach for her when they continued their trek.

Instead, he watched as she took the lead. His senses were on alert and he knew they were alone except for a woman waiting down the street. Sabrina began to run when the woman stepped out to stand by the streetlamp. The woman was tall, her skin dark, her hair black as night. A faint whiff of power encircled her. She opened her arms to Sabrina and she hugged her tight.

There was no denying the bond of friendship between them. He was glad she had that kind of closeness in her life. She would need it when this ordeal was over and he was gone.

His chest ached and his steps slowed. He didn’t want to leave her, but what choice did he have? Maybe the Lady would allow him to stay with her for the next forty years or so until Sabrina passed from this realm. He would petition the Lady if they survived Hades for the next twenty-four hours.

He glanced at the sky. Probably twenty hours now. Might as well be a lifetime. It was much too long. “We need to go.”

Sabrina had never been happier to see a familiar face in all her life. With everything that had happened lately, being involved in an attempted mugging on the way here was anticlimactic. She hadn’t even been scared for a second, not with Arand standing next to her. It had almost been comical to watch the two men falling all over themselves trying to get away from him. Hopefully, they’d think twice before they tried to rob someone else.

Tilly held her close. “You okay, sweetie?”

“I’m honestly not sure.” What else could she say? The last few weeks of her life had been crazy, but tonight topped them all put together. And she had the deep sense of dread that this was only the beginning. Things were going to get much worse.

“What did Jessica tell you?” Sabrina cringed at the thought of that conversation. It was a wonder her friends didn’t think she was nuts.

“Enough.” Tilly’s dark eyes found Arand lurking in the shadows beside them.

Sabrina cleared her throat. “This is Arand.”

Tilly released her and stepped back, sizing Arand up from head to toe. “So this is what an immortal warrior looks like. Not bad, girl.”

For some unaccountable reason, Sabrina felt her cheeks growing warmer and prayed it was too dark for Tilly to notice she was blushing. There was no way for Tilly to know she’d had sex with the guy, and even if she did, so what? They were both adults.

Arand’s voice was low and gruff. “We need to go.”

“This is Tilly.” Why she cared if he liked her friends was beyond her, but for some silly reason she wanted Arand to like Tilly.

Her friend held out her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Arand. Jessica’s told me a lot about you.”

Arand started to take Tilly’s hand, but Sabrina didn’t like the look in his eyes and stepped in front of her friend. That didn’t stop Arand. He simply lifted her off her feet and set her aside before facing Tilly. “What do you know about me?”

“Relax, big guy. Jessica did some research online, plus that girl has books on everything paranormal.” Tilly turned to Sabrina. “She found a website online devoted to the Lady of the Beasts and emailed them in case they could help.”

Arand grabbed Tilly’s shoulders. “What website? Who did she contact? No one must know about us.”

“The message was vague enough so that if they didn’t know about you and the curse it wouldn’t make any sense.” She shrugged out of Arand’s grasp. “But if they are your friends, they might be able to help.”

Tilly held out a set of keys to Sabrina. “Take the car. I’ve put a few things in the backseat, just some food and candles and some stuff Jessica said you might need. Jessica is going to come over when she’s ready and we’ll find a way to get to you.”

Sabrina shook her head. “No. You guys stay out of this. You’ve already done enough.” No way did she want to be the cause of her friends getting hurt.

Tilly leaned in to hug her again. “Does he really turn into a wolf like Jessica said, or was that just one of those metaphorical things?”

Sabrina laughed and hugged Tilly tighter. “He really does turn into a wolf, a huge gray and black timber wolf. But he’s all alpha in other ways too.”

Tilly’s throaty laughter eased some of the stress weighing Sabrina down. It was such a comfort to have good friends. “I take it you’ve already tried him out,” she whispered.

“Women, I am standing here and can hear every word you are saying.” A quick glance at Arand confirmed he looked more than a little put upon.

“True?” Tilly whispered.

She nodded. “He’s got enhanced eyesight and hearing and I’m not sure what else. He can also conjure a huge sword.” One look at her friend made her smile broaden. She knew what Tilly was thinking. “I’m talking about a real sword, not his…male attributes.”

“Hey, as long as he can conjure both, he’s a man worth having around. You take care of yourself.” Tilly turned toward Arand, her hands on her hips. “You take care of her, Loup Garou, or I will track you down and skin you alive.” The fierceness of Tilly’s declaration took Sabrina aback and brought tears to her eyes.

Arand studied her friend for a moment and then gave her a slight bow. “You have my word.”

“Good enough. Now get going.” Tilly turned and went back into her house, leaving Sabrina and Arand alone.

“Come on.” Sabrina hurried around to the driver’s seat, unlocked the door and climbed in. Reaching across, she went to unlock Arand’s door, but the lock popped open before she could reach it. She raised an eyebrow in question. “Handy talent.”

Arand lowered himself into the seat and shut the door. “I do have some powers.”

She started the car and yanked on her seatbelt. Safety first, even if Hades himself was after her. She pulled out onto the road and started toward the city limits. A quiet snick broke the silence and she glanced over to see that Arand had fastened his seatbelt too.

“Tell me about your powers.”

“What do you wish to know?”

Sabrina stopped at a red light and drummed her fingers against the steering wheel. “I’m not sure. What can you do? What can’t you do? Where do you come from? Anything and everything?” When the light changed, she accelerated slowly. No way did she want to get pulled over by the cops for speeding.

Arand sighed and peered out the window. She realized that even now he was scanning, watching and searching for any potential danger. He was a true warrior and protector, always on alert.

“The Lady of the Beasts created us.”

“Were you born or did she poof you out of thin air?” Somehow it was impossible to imagine Arand as a small boy.

He gave a short bark of laughter. “I guess she poofed us out of thin air, as you put it. We came into being fully grown male warriors, each of us with certain skills and, of course, paired with an animal.”

Sabrina went over everything he’d told her, trying to get it straight in her head. “There was a jaguar and a phoenix, you said.” The memory of all he’d told her was muddled and she needed to get all her facts straight.

“Yes, there are seven of us. Roric is the white tiger and our unofficial leader. Then there is Marko the bear, Leander the lion, Stavros the jaguar and Phoenix.”

Counting in her head, Sabrina knew that Arand was one short. There was one he hadn’t mentioned. “Who are you leaving out?” There was something he’d told her, something important that she wasn’t remembering.

“Mordecai the serpent.” A low growl punctuated the words. “He has betrayed the rest of us and joined Hades.”

Now she remembered, and her stomach rolled over. “He’s the one who killed the woman who freed him.” It was easy to see why she’d tried to forget him. No way did she want to contemplate such a fate. There was no way she could fight off Arand if he decided to kill her.

The woman who’d freed Mordecai hadn’t had a chance. It was bad enough that the women who’d freed the jaguar and phoenix died, but at least the warriors they’d freed tried to protect them.

Time to put that unsettling thought aside and concentrate on the positive. “But you have powers, right?” That could only be good.

Arand growled in frustration. “My powers are weakened. I can manifest my clothing and weapons and not much else. My senses have always been acute so they are not affected by the long period in stasis. I do not know why my other powers have not returned.”

She could tell that was bothering him a lot. “Maybe you need time to recharge.”

“Time is one thing we do not have.” Arand turned away from her and stared out the window. Their conversation was officially over, for now. She’d give him some time before questioning him again.

Sabrina couldn’t imagine coming awake to a world that no longer remembered you, that was completely different from the one you’d left. Yes, he seemed to have absorbed learning and understanding, but seeing was believing.

She wondered what it was like for him to be sitting in a car watching the world go by. Sure, he’d been in the back of a truck when he was still in the form of the carousel animal. Had he known what was happening to him then?

She wanted to ask him but bit her tongue instead, giving him some time to himself. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel and followed the road out of town. She hit the I-10 and felt herself relax. Not too much longer until she could turn off onto the I-55 toward the Maurepas swamp and her granny’s home.

Jessica willed the taxi to hurry, but she supposed the driver was going as fast as he could. She breathed a sigh of relief when Tilly’s house came into view. “Thank the goddess.”

“You say somethin’, lady?” the driver asked.

“Just talking to myself.” She smiled sweetly at him, although from his startled expression after he glanced at her in the rearview mirror, it had probably looked more like she was baring his teeth at him.

The driver said nothing as he pulled the car to a stop in front of Tilly’s place. She all but threw the money for the fare at him, grabbed her stuff and bolted from the taxi. Tilly was waiting for her, the front door to the shotgun-style house open. Like many older New Orleans’ homes, each room of the small house was directly behind the other, creating a clear view from front to back door so a shotgun blast could go in through the front door and out through the back. Hence the name.

“Did they make it off okay?” Jessica hurried toward Tilly, unable to rid herself of the feeling that time was running out for Sabrina and her warrior.

“They left almost an hour ago and should be there soon.” Tilly waved her into the living room where Jessica dumped her loaded tote bag on the sofa. “You got everything you need in there?” Tilly asked.

“I hope so,” Jessica muttered. She could only pray she wasn’t forgetting anything. “Have you had any luck lining up a ride yet?”

Tilly shook her head. “No. Most folks aren’t real friendly when you wake ’em early in the morning.”

“It’s past dawn now,” Jessica pointed out. The sun was rising over the horizon and the day promised to be a warm one, but a cold shiver raced down Jessica’s spine.

“My Granny Ledet is working on some extra protection for us.”

“You told her about what was going on?”

Tilly nodded. “I figured we could use all the help we could get.”

Jessica couldn’t dispute that. “We have to do something. There are twenty-four-hour rental places or we could spend the money on a cab.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Getting worked up wasn’t going to help anyone.

“We will if it comes to that,” Tilly agreed. “But I think we have enough time to find a ride from someone we know.”

“I’m scared,” Jessica blurted out. The minute the words were out she wished she could call them back. There was no room for doubt. The devil would use such misgivings against them. She had to be strong, to believe they could beat this threat away from their friend and from them.

Tilly bent down and hugged her, wrapping Jessica in her strong embrace. Tilly always smelled exotic, like sandalwood or jasmine or a combination of the two. It gave Jessica a sense of safety and bolstered her courage.

“We can do this thing.” Tilly pulled back and their eyes met. “We have to.”

“I know.” This was their destiny, and there was no outrunning it for any of them. “What about Jules? He’s always at his shop early and he has a truck. He did sell Sabrina the carousel animal that broke this whole thing wide open.” It was still hard to wrap her head around the whole idea of a shapeshifting warrior and a curse, but there was no time to question. There was only time for action.

Tilly nodded. “We can ask him.”

“What will we tell him?” That was the thing, knowing how much to tell anyone. Jessica didn’t want to involve anyone else and possibly draw them into the line of fire, but Jules was already a part of this.

“As little as we have to. I know we both want to get on the road, but it’s better if we give Jules time to wake up before we ask him for his truck. He’ll be in a much better frame of mind.” Tilly glanced at her watch. “Why don’t we go down to the café? That way I can organize staff for the day and we can grab a coffee and something to eat. If I’m going to be gone for a day or two, I need to schedule people in to work.”

Jessica almost protested, but knew Tilly was right. It wouldn’t do to rile Jules up and have him say no. If they didn’t have a car by the time the café opened for business, they could always rent a car. Plan decided on, Jessica was in a hurry to get going. She grabbed her bag and headed to the front door. “Let’s get going. I’ll help you at the café so we’ll be ready to hit Jules up as soon as we figure he’s at his shop.”

Chapter Ten

Arand watched the world speed by outside the glass window. The tension in the vehicle was growing with each passing minute, but he didn’t know how to diffuse it. He hated waiting, not knowing when or how Hades was going to attack them. The only thing he knew for sure was that it was only a matter of time.

The more he thought about it, the more unsettled he was about what happened back at her apartment. Sure, there was a lot of growling and noise outside her apartment door, but no demons had broken through and no demons had attacked them on their way to her friend’s house.

He cursed under his breath.

“What?” Sabrina asked, giving him a quick glance before returning her attention to the road.

“It’s a trap.” It was so obvious he should have seen it sooner.

“What do you mean?” The worry in her voice ripped at his gut. He wanted her somewhere safe from Hades’ grasp.

“We’re being herded out of the city toward a more secluded spot.” He couldn’t believe he hadn’t caught on faster. “Hades will have to expend less energy keeping the fight shielded from others if there is no one else around. We should turn back.”

Sabrina shook her head. “Not happening. No way am I risking any of my friends. They’ve already done enough. I’d rather be isolated and fight Hades on our own than to involve any innocent bystanders.”

Pride swelled in his chest. His Sabrina was loyal and courageous. It didn’t feel strange to refer to her as his. She’d freed him so she belonged to him.

A low growl vibrated in his chest. And if there was one thing he knew how to do it was how to protect what was his. He hadn’t been able to save the Lady or his friends from Hades, but he would not allow Sabrina to fall into the devil’s clutches.

“You okay?” she asked.

Was he okay? No, he wasn’t. If worrying about Hades wasn’t bad enough, being stuck in this small vehicle with Sabrina was becoming torture with each passing mile. He could smell her soap, the slightly musky perfume of her skin. He closed his eyes briefly and inhaled. His cock stirred, more than ready to take her and claim her once again.

He heard the soft brush of material when she moved, her soft breathy sigh as she waited for him to answer. He opened his eyes, swallowed hard and faced forward. No, he wasn’t the least bit fine.

“I’m fine,” he told her.

She snorted under her breath but left him alone, for which he was very grateful. It would be so easy to get her to pull the car over, drag her into his arms and rip away her clothing. It would be a tight fit, as space was limited, but he could manage. He was highly motivated.

A ringing emanated from her purse, breaking the uneasy silence. “Shoot. Will you dig out my phone for me?”

Arand reached into her oversized bag and found the ringing piece of metal and plastic. Phones had changed much over the years, but he’d never actually used one. He handed it to her and she gave him an apologetic shrug. “I usually would never talk on the phone and drive but these are extenuating circumstances.” She clicked on a button. “Hello?”

Arand focused his enhanced hearing so he was privy to both sides of the conversation.

“You almost there?” He recognized her friend Jessica’s voice.

“Yeah, not long now.”

“When you get there, run a circle of salt around the perimeter of the house. It will help keep the evil out.”

“Where am I going to get salt?”

“I had Tilly put some in the box of stuff in the backseat of the car.” Jessica paused. “There’s some incense there too. Burn it.”

“Okay.”

“Tilly and I will be there as soon as we can.”

“No.” Sabrina shook her head even though her friend couldn’t see her. “Stay away. I don’t want either of you involved in this. It’s too dangerous.”

Arand glanced at Sabrina and could sense her growing fear. There was so little they could do against the might of Hades. Right now, it felt as though he was toying with them, leaving them alone so their fears would build.

Sabrina ended the call and tossed the phone on top of her bag. He carefully tucked it inside in case they needed it later. Although, he had no idea what her friends could do, if anything. They were human and no match for a god.

“We’re almost there.” Sabrina turned off and drove on a narrow road before turning off onto a dirt-covered one. “I haven’t been here in a while.”

Arand reached over and took one of her hands in his. “We will get through this together. I will protect you.” He would die to keep her safe, but she did not need to know that. First and foremost, he should be concerned about his duty, about breaking the curse and finding the Lady. But his priorities had changed.

Sabrina was the most important person in his world. She’d given him freedom after years of imprisonment, she was ready to fight side-by-side with him against impossible odds, and she’d shared her body with him, giving him comfort after years of being alone. He would honor that gift, and her, always.

He gave her hand a little squeeze as she wheeled the car between two large cypress trees and cut the engine. “This is it.”

Sabrina didn’t want Arand to let her hand go. Just that minor contact bolstered her courage, and she desperately needed the boost. Her skin was clammy and it felt as though an entire swarm of butterflies had taken up residence in her stomach. Talking to Jessica hadn’t helped. Her friend was obviously worried, and Sabrina knew the precautions she’d suggested were stopgap measures at best and wouldn’t stop the coming storm.

Waiting for Hades to strike was like waiting for a hurricane, never knowing exactly where it would hit or with how much ferocity.

She stared at the little house with the chipping white paint and wondered what Arand saw when he looked at it. Sabrina saw love and safety and happiness. Home. She missed her granny so much. “We should get inside.”

She grabbed her bag, opened the door and climbed out, listening to the sounds of the bayou around her. They enveloped her like a lullaby, adding to her sense of safety. She loved the city with its vibrancy and people. The city gave her a living and the best friends ever. But this little house on the edge of the swamp would always be home.

“Get the box, will you?”

Arand shook his head. “I need to keep my hands free to fight.”

Of course he did. Not looking at him, she opened the back door and yanked out the large box, balancing it on her hip while she shut the door. The path to the house was starting to become overgrown. She really needed to get out here and do some maintenance work or hire someone to do it. The last thing she wanted was the house to fall down due to neglect. And the swamp would claim it quickly if she weren’t diligent.

Sabrina trudged up the two steps to the porch, keeping one eye open for gators. You never knew when one of them might get it in his head to take a nap on the front porch. She was very aware of Arand walking behind her, his gaze constantly moving, searching through the thick growth of trees and the thick vegetation.

She set the box down and dug her keys out of her purse, selecting the right one. The lock turned and the door opened. A closed-up, slightly musty smell hit her nose and she grimaced at the reminder of how long it had been since she’d last been here. Her granny would not be pleased.

Sabrina lugged the box inside and set it on the kitchen table. The floor plan was open with the kitchen, dining area and living room all flowing into one. Off to the left side of the house were two small bedrooms and a tiny bathroom. Everything was just how it had been when her granny had passed. The white starched doily sat in the middle of the table, the pale-green Depression glass bowl sat on top of it, empty now, when it had always been filled with fruit.

The door closed and she turned to face Arand. He was looking around the space with obvious interest. The covering on the sofa was worn, the flowered pattern long faded and a thin layer of dust coated the furniture. “This is where you grew up?”

She nodded. “Yes. After my parents were killed I lived here with Granny LeGrande until I moved into the city to pursue my career as an artist.”

His gaze sharpened. “You are an artist.”

It struck her like a sledgehammer how little they knew about one another. Yes, they’d had sex. Yes, they were on the run together from a vengeful god. But there were fundamental things they had yet to learn about one another. It saddened her that they might not get the chance even though she knew it was silly to feel that way.

“Yes. I paint and sketch.” She pointed to a framed sketch she’d done of the swamp about five years ago. Granny had hung it on the wall with pride.

Arand strode over and stood in front of the small piece, studying it intently.

“I paint in oils now as well, but I still do a lot of sketches. The tourists like to buy those.” And she was beginning to babble.

Arand turned to her, his gaze intense. “You are very good.” He shook his head. “No, you are exceptional. You capture the vibrancy of the place even in a pencil sketch.” His gaze narrowed. “There were two unfinished pieces leaning against the shelf in your living room. Were they yours?”

With everything else that had happened, Sabrina had forgotten all about them. “Yeah.” She wandered around the room, touching a small glass bowl she’d bought for her granny for Christmas one year. “I started them a while back but put them away when I wasn’t quite sure how to finish them.” She paused beside an old-fashioned Victrola and lovingly rubbed the rich wood. “I’d forgotten them until last night.” Was it only last night? It seemed as though weeks had passed since then.

She squared her shoulders and walked away from the living room, away from Arand. “We need to get to work. Jessica said there was a box of blessed salt in here.” She dug though the box and pulled out the salt. “We need to pour a line of this around the house.”

“Sabrina.” Arand was behind her without her even hearing him move. For a big man he was incredibly quiet and stealthy when he moved. He put his hands on her shoulders and tugged her back against his chest. She resisted for a moment before allowing herself to lean on him.

The memories of her granny, coupled with the fear of what was to come, were wearing her down. All she really wanted to do was crawl into bed and cover her head until this was over.

“You said we needed to stay alive for a day. Twenty-four hours, right?”

She felt the brush of Arand’s chin on the side of her head as he nodded. “Yes. From midnight to midnight.”

She glanced at her watch. “Great, it’s not quite eight in the morning. That’s a lot of hours.”

“I know.” His breath whispered against her ear, sending goose bumps rushing across her flesh. Now was not the time to become aroused, not that her body was paying any attention to that directive. No, her traitorous body was tingling, every nerve ending totally alive with anticipation. Maybe it was the fact she knew their lives were on the line that made her want to jump his bones so badly. Or maybe it was simply the man himself.

No, not man, but a shapeshifting warrior of great courage and loyalty.

He moved closer and there was no mistaking the hard thickness that pressed against her butt. Arand was aroused too. Damned if that didn’t send her already aroused libido into overdrive.

“Salt,” she reminded him.

He brushed a kiss against the side of her neck and she almost melted into a puddle on the spot. Her neck was one of her biggest erogenous zones. “I’ll take care of it.” It took her a second to realize he meant he’d take care of putting down the salt and not her sex-starved body.

“Okay. Yeah, that would be good.” She cleared her throat and stepped away. “I’m going to burn some of this incense and fix us something to eat.”

Arand watched her, his big body totally still, like a predator poised to pounce. His dark eyes seemed to penetrate her bravado and, for a brief second, she almost threw herself into his arms. Pride came to her rescue. No sense in learning to depend on a man who wasn’t going to stay. She was on her own, except for her girls, that is. She could always depend on them.

Determined to ignore Arand and the way he made her feel, she pulled out containers filled with muffins and croissants. There were also apples, bananas and a container of melon slices. Looked like Tilly had realized they wouldn’t want to take time to cook but would want fast, easy food. A small block of cheddar, a bottle of juice and several bottles of water rounded out their food stash.

Arand put his long, muscled arm around her and she sucked in a breath, but he was only reaching for the box of salt, not her. She swallowed her disappointment, telling herself she was glad, that this was no time to indulge in hanky-panky.

The door opened and closed, almost silently and she knew he was gone. The air was different and the space emptier without him. “Suck it up and get over it,” she told herself. She grabbed the incense burner and set it on one end of the kitchen table and lit it. The sweet aroma immediately filled the air. Sabrina blew on the end of the incense stick until a bright ember glowed.

She wandered over to the kitchen window and peered out into the encroaching swamp. She caught a glimpse of Arand, the muscles in his back rippling as he moved, pouring a thin line of salt around the house.

As though he felt her gaze on him, he turned and looked straight at her. She couldn’t look away, caught in his potent stare. It was he who looked away first, and he continued his trek around the house, pouring a steady stream of salt as he went.

Flushed and extremely aroused, she turned away from the window and busied herself readying the food. Surely Arand would be hungry when he came inside. The guy hadn’t eaten in more than five thousand years.

Jessica waited impatiently as Tilly gave her staff final instructions. When she was done, Jessica held up her phone. “Can we call Jules now?”

Tilly nodded. “It’s still early, but he should be up by now.”

Jessica dialed the number she’d programmed into her phone an hour ago. “Come on,” she whispered as she waited for it to start ringing. There was one ring. Then a second. Was Jules still in bed? No matter. They couldn’t wait any longer.

“Girl, you’re up early this morning.” Jules gruff voice filled her ear and Jessica had never been so glad to hear it.

“I need a favor. We need a favor. Tilly and me.” Her knees were a bit wobbly so she sat in one of the colorful chairs, wishing she had a coffee. As if by magic, Tilly swooped in and placed a large paper cup in front of her. The rich aroma of coffee was like manna from the gods.

“Calm down, girl. Tell me what you need.” She could hear the clink of a dish and figured Jules was probably getting some breakfast.

“We need to borrow your truck.”

“What’s wrong with Tilly’s car?”

Jessica nibbled on her bottom lip, wondering just how much she could or should tell Jules. “Sabrina has it.”

There was a long pause on Jules’ end and Jessica held her breath, wondering if he’d loan them his truck without more of an explanation. “I’ll be at the store with the keys in about a half hour.”

Jessica released a huge breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Jules.” She hung up and turned to Tilly. “Half an hour.”

Tilly nodded. “We need to stop at Granny Ledet’s on the way out of town. She has some protection amulets for us.”

Jessica nodded, more than willing to take help from any quarter. She sipped her coffee and pulled out her grandmother’s journal from her bag. She opened it and began to read, wanting to make sure she had all the knowledge she might need to help save Sabrina and her friend’s warrior.

Morning had dawned in North Carolina. Aimee Horner stifled a yawn as she started a pot of coffee brewing. It was strange to have a houseful of people after living here alone for so long. Roric, stealthy as the tiger that was part of him, slid behind her and wrapped his strong arms around her. “You snuck out of bed.” His tone let her know he was less than pleased by that discovery.

Aimee laughed and turned in his arms. “I needed coffee.”

Roric grimaced. “I do not understand how you women can drink the stuff.”

She laughed again. It was amusing to her that none of the immortal warriors liked coffee, all of them preferring tea. “Are any of the others up yet?” Marko and Kellsie and Araminta and Leander had elected to stay with them for a week or so. They all had a sense of impending doom, a sense that the final act of the curse was about to play out.

Aimee was incredibly thankful that they were all safe. It was hard to wrap her head around the fact that she and the other women were now immortal, a gift from their warriors. But the Lady of the Beasts was still out there, as was Arand. They had no idea where he was or what was going to happen with him.

They were almost certain they knew the name of the woman who was supposed to release Arand from his animal form and begin the final phase of the curse, but they had no idea when the event would actually happen.

There was no way they could descend upon the woman and tell her what was about to happen. She’d think they were all crazy. And there was always the outside chance if they approached her Hades might kill her outright. With only one warrior left to be set free, and three recent losses, there was no telling what Hades’ state of mind was.

They were all still discussing their options, trying to decide on the best course of action.

Roric’s lips brushed hers, pushing away all negative thoughts. He cupped her ass, pulling her tight against his erection.

“Any coffee? Whoops, maybe I’ll take a rain check on that.” The amused female voice had Aimee jumping away from Roric. Caught red-handed.

The humor of the situation struck her and Aimee started to laugh. “There’s coffee. Come on in, Kellsie.”

Roric growled and stalked out of the room and up the stairs.

“Someone isn’t happy,” Kellsie pointed out. With her lush figure, blonde hair and blue eyes, Kellsie looked good even at this hour of the morning. If she wasn’t such a wonderful friend, Aimee could easily be envious of her.

“He’ll live.” Aimee pulled down two mugs and filled them. Both of them took a sip and gave a sigh. “Roric doesn’t know what he’s missing.”

Kellie grinned. “Neither does Marko. My big ol’ bear can’t stand coffee. He’s very fond of juice, will tolerate tea, but hates coffee.”

“Any coffee?” Araminta, her waist-length hair loose, trudged into the kitchen bleary-eyed and wrapped in her bathrobe.

Aimee and Kellsie looked at her and laughed.

Araminta paused and glanced down at her robe as if to make sure it was still closed. “What?”

“You tell her, Kellsie. I’m going to check my email.” Aimee was expecting an important email from work, and with people working in different time zones and from home, email came in at all hours of the day and night.

She opened the laptop and waited until it was fired up. The muted voices of her friends gave her a sense of pleasure, of belonging. Aimee scrolled through her mail, ignoring the obvious junk mail. Honestly, she really didn’t need anything to enlarge her penis, and Roric certainly didn’t need any help in that department.

One email made her stop. It had come through the website. She clicked on it and the first sentence made her gasp. “Roric.” His name was little more than a whisper. “Roric,” she called again, this time much louder.

A loud roar, like that of a tiger, filled the house, and seconds later Roric was beside her. “What’s wrong?” He glared at the other two women as if accusing them of doing something to upset her.

Two more roars filled the house and before Aimee could blink Marko and Leander were both there, ready to protect their women.

“Look.” Aimee pointed at the email. “Wolf is free in New Orleans. And there are directions too. We suspected the woman who could release Arand lived there. This has to be about Arand.”

Roric stared at the screen for a moment and then turned to his fellow warriors. “This is it, the end is upon us.”

“We go to New Orleans.” It wasn’t really a question. Marko crossed his arms over his massive chest and stared back at Roric.

Roric nodded and glanced toward Leander. Leander’s gold eyes narrowed at the unspoken question. “I’m in.”

“We’re going too.” Aimee knew the other women would want to go as well. “We’re all part of this. We don’t know what Hades has up his sleeve, but we do know he plans to take over the world once he’s dealt with Arand. It’s going to take all of us to defeat him and his army of demons.”

None of the men were happy, but they were smart enough not to try to stop them, knowing the women would simply follow them. Aimee did a quick search of available flights as there was no time to drive. “Okay, if we get our butts in gear there are a number of flights we can get and be in New Orleans early afternoon. We can rent a vehicle when we get there and head out to the coordinates we were sent.”

“But if we get involved in the fight, doesn’t that negate our immunity from Hades’ wrath?” Araminta chewed on her bottom lip with worry. “That’s what Hades told me when he was bargaining with me.”

Leander wrapped his arm around Araminta and pulled her close to his chest. “I will protect you.”

Roric shook his head. “Hades was lying, trying to manipulate you. Neither he nor his demons can touch us. That was the deal, the outcome of our breaking the curse. But there was nothing about us not going after him. I’m not going to leave Arand out there alone if there is something I can do to help him.”

Araminta nodded. “Then we’re all in.”

Aimee dragged her fingers through her short dark hair, saying aloud what the rest of them were thinking. “We’ll need every advantage we can get if Hades unleashes his demons on the world. We might be safe from him, but no one else is.”

Chapter Eleven

Reclining in his enormous mahogany chair, Hades was the picture of relaxation as he entertained his unexpected guests. Inside, he was a seething cauldron of barely restrained fury. The wolf was on the move, the hour of his brilliant plan was at hand, and he was stuck having to chat with his brothers.

“So, Hades, there have been some troubling disturbances in your realm over the past few months.” Zeus sat on the sumptuous leather couch, which Hades reserved for the few guests he did receive. The legs of the couch had been shortened, so whoever was seated on it was close to the floor. Hades preferred to tower above everyone else. Not that Zeus seemed bothered by the obvious power ploy. If anything, his brother seemed amused, which only pissed him off even more.

“Surges of power,” Poseidon pointed out as he wandered around the room examining the various treasures on display. Hades wanted to rip his brother’s hand off and beat him with it. He didn’t like anyone touching his things.

Shrugging, Hades took a sip of the very fine merlot that filled the gold goblet in his hand. “Nothing out of the ordinary. I slipped into the human realm a few times to have some fun. And I sometimes let some of my demons run free for a spell as a reward for tasks they’ve done for me.”

And that was a bald-faced lie. Anyone who knew him at all knew he never gave rewards for anything. He expected his demons to do what he demanded of them simply because he demanded it. Their reward was in serving him.

Hades wanted to look at his magic mirror, wanted to know what was happening with the wolf and Sabrina, but he didn’t dare. Neither Zeus nor Poseidon knew the mirror was special, that it was more than simply a looking glass. That was his secret.

He’d planned on taking Agmar and several more demons and attacking the warrior and his woman as soon as they were out of the city. But the unexpected visit from his siblings put the kibosh on that idea. Now he was forced to play congenial host for who knew how long.

And Mordecai wasn’t around to send in his stead, and he had only himself to blame for that. For once, he wouldn’t mind the serpent hovering in the shadows.

Philosophical about the whole thing, he gave an internal shrug and relaxed. Arand and his woman weren’t going far, and he knew where to find them. He’d deal with them as soon as his brothers returned to their own realms. There were quite a few hours left between now and midnight.

And just the thought of finally having sufficient power to strip his brothers of theirs was enough to give Hades the patience he needed. Soon, Zeus wouldn’t be able to lord anything over him again. Soon, it was Hades they would all bow to.

“More wine, brother?” He waved to the female demon standing in the corner, and the creature hurried toward Zeus, her head lowered as she offered the wine to his guests.

“Don’t mind if I do.” Zeus waited until his goblet was full before continuing. “So there was nothing more to the surge of energy than a few trips to the human realm?”

Hades shook his head, knowing his expression was one of total innocence. It should be. He’d practiced it enough over the years. “If it’s any more than that, I don’t know what it could be.” He rubbed his jaw and gave his brother a thoughtful gaze. “Maybe one of the other gods or goddesses decided to have some fun.”

“No.” Poseidon’s deep voice filled the room. “The energy bears your distinct mark.” He tapped the side of his nose. “I could smell it.”

Hades wanted to grab one of his jeweled mahogany walking sticks and beat his brother until he could no longer smell anything. Poseidon was always the smarter of his brothers. Zeus was more laidback, relying solely on his powers, confident he could defeat any threat.

But that was before. A new order was dawning, one in which Hades would be king. He’d have to lock his brothers away, of course, but that couldn’t be helped. He didn’t like them that much anyway so it wasn’t as though he would miss them. And there were plenty other gods and goddesses to fawn over him once he became their leader.

Hades set his goblet on the thickly carved arm of his chair and spread his arms wide. “I don’t know what to tell you, my brothers. I’ve made a few trips to the human realm and had some fun.” He wiggled his eyebrows, knowing how his brothers, especially Zeus, would interpret the action.

Sure enough, the randy old goat chuckled and grabbed his cock through his silk pants. “Nothing like a good workout with some prime human female.”

Hades would never lower himself to such a thing. It was an abomination to deplete the bloodlines in such a way. Not that Zeus ever cared about such things. All he cared about was having his dick serviced.

Zeus and Poseidon began to chat and Hades relaxed slightly. A few hours at most and his brothers would be gone. The next time he met them would be on the field of battle. He needed Arand on his side. With the wolf and the serpent, he would have a much better chance of reaching his goal of world domination. Once all the humans worshipped him, he would be all-powerful. Then he would turn his attention to his family.

His left eye twitched, the only outward sign of his anger. How he wanted to peer into his mirror and find out what was going on. He also wanted to know where Mordecai was.

Was the serpent on his way to New Orleans? Would he get there in time?

The immortal warrior had tricks up his sleeve. Hades was sure of it. As long as those powers were used to further his goals, Hades had no problem with Mordecai wielding them, at least until the war was won. Once Hades was king—no, supreme ruler—of the world, he would crush the serpent.

He picked up his wine and took another sip of the rich beverage. Maybe he should imprison Mordecai instead of killing him. Yes, that was a better plan. That way he could torture the serpent whenever the mood struck him. He would keep the warrior in the same cell he’d kept the Lady of the Beasts in for all those years.

The irony was lovely. He almost rubbed his hands together with glee until he remembered he had an audience.

Hades rose from his chair and smiled. “Brothers, let us go and tour my realm and I’ll show you the improvements I’ve made since you were last here.”

He knew they were both uncomfortable around his demons and the damned human souls who resided here. It was his small way of retaliating against them for invading his home, his privacy, without invitation.

Zeus rose easily from the low sofa and glanced at Poseidon before motioning to the door. “Lead on. I’m looking forward to it.”

Arand breathed in the fresh air. It was a combination of water, fresh and rotting vegetation and the light perfume of some of the wild flowers that blossomed in spite of the harsh conditions.

In the distance, a gator gave a rumbling bellow to let everyone know he considered the area his territory. Several ducks flew overhead and an owl gave a cry as it flew from one tree to another, disturbed by his presence.

The world was full of life and so was he. Raising his arms in the air, he stretched every muscle in his body. The urge to run was sharp. His blood hummed with a fever to race through the woods and into the swamp. His wolf prowled impatiently within him.

“Soon,” he promised the wolf. “Very soon.” Still, he could take a moment for himself. He was very aware, his senses even keener when he was in his wolf form. He would know if anyone approached or threatened.

He willed his pants and leather boots away, letting the wind caress his naked skin. He felt wild and elemental, exactly the way he should, the way he was created to be.

Arand threw back his head and howled, the primal sound echoing through the trees. He fully embraced his wolf and the change, the ripple of his muscles as they readied themselves for the metamorphosis to come. It was almost impossible to explain to anyone else what the sensation felt like. It wasn’t as though he was changing into something else, but actually becoming more himself. It was like exposing another aspect of his true self.

It was natural and right.

The wolf burst out from inside him, the change almost instantaneous this time. He leapt forward, landing on four paws instead of on hands and feet. His jaw cracked and elongated, his teeth sharpened and fur pushed out from under his skin to cover him.

He threw back his head once again and howled for the sheer joy of being able to do so. The swamp went silent around him as the other animals recognized the predator in their midst. He padded forward, stopping at the edge of the line of salt he’d spread around the house. He had no idea if it would offer any protection to them. He hoped so, but he wasn’t going to depend upon it.

His ears twitched and he easily catalogued the sounds in the immediate area. His sensitive nose trapped all the scents of the area, letting him know what kind of vegetation and animals surrounded them. Except for the regular creatures of the area, they were alone.

Two minutes. He would take two minutes to allow himself to run. Sabrina would be safe for that long and he would remain close by. After more than five thousand years of captivity, surely he deserved such a small thing.

Careful not to smudge the line of salt, he stepped over it. He took one last glance over his shoulder at the house. All was quiet and he could hear Sabrina moving around inside.

He exploded, going from a complete stop to a full-out run. The ground was soft beneath the wide pads of his feet, the wind ruffled his fur and the swamp embraced him. His muscles fluid and strong, his body the perfect running machine, he raced through the trees. Freedom. It was such a sweet thing. He gave a yip of pleasure as the muscles in his hind quarters bunched before he launched himself over a fallen log. Arand flew through the air and landed without a sound on the other side.

Sabrina stood at the window and watched spellbound as Arand went from clothed to naked in a heartbeat. The wolf tattoo on his back seemed to be staring at her and she took a step back, hiding behind the curtain, not wanting to be caught watching him.

Arand was the most elemental man she’d ever known. Maybe it was the animal that was such a fundamental part of him, but he was primal and sure of himself. It was sexy as hell.

Of course, having a body as hot as his didn’t hurt either. The man was built like a god, with long, thick legs, a trim waist, a sculpted back and torso, buns of steel, broad shoulders and bulging biceps. Not to mention his face. It wasn’t a handsome face as much as it was compelling and totally masculine. His black and gray shaggy hair fell around his shoulders and she wished he’d turn around so she could see him.

She gasped when he suddenly launched himself forward. One second he was a man, the next a gigantic wolf. The change was so fast it was a blur, not like the first time she’d seen him shift. She rested her fingers on the pane of glass separating her from the outside. The glass was cool against her skin. How she wished she could touch his fur, to feel the muscles rippling beneath it.

He was her guardian spirit come to life, yet he was not for her. He belonged to a goddess—the Lady of the Beasts—and would have to return to her service. It wasn’t like he could up and quit, and she didn’t think he would anyway. He wasn’t that kind of man.

Arand took his responsibilities seriously and right now, she was a big one.

He took off like a rocket being launched, disappearing into the thick brush. Sabrina hurried to the front door and yanked it open. Did he sense something out there? Was there a threat or was he leaving her?

That was her biggest fear. She knew it was totally unrealistic. Knew Arand couldn’t stay with her indefinitely. They’d only known one another for a matter of few hours. Once his debt to her was paid by keeping her alive until midnight, there would be no reason for him to stay. He’d return to his goddess and friends and live forever while her body aged and eventually died in a few decades.

Now that was depressing. She hoped at least one of those muffins Tilly had packed for them was chocolate. She could use some chocolate right about now.

She stepped out onto the porch and listened to the quiet. It was unnaturally silent, as though the entire swamp was holding its breath. Were all the animals in as much awe of Arand as she was? Of course they were. They’d sense him and realize he was special, powerful, something above and beyond normal.

The wind itself seemed to pause before resuming its path. A lock of her hair had escaped her braid and blew over her eyes. She hooked it behind her ear and kept her eyes on the spot where Arand had disappeared.

She’d always felt at home in the swamp and especially here at her granny’s house, but for the first time in her life, she was lonely. Arand had filled an empty space within her she hadn’t even known existed. She knew deep in her heart she’d feel his loss for years to come. That’s even assuming she survived the rest of the day.

And where was Hades? The longer time went without anything happening, the more nervous she became. Maybe she should call Jessica and Tilly. Maybe they’d learned something that could help her stay alive. There was no telling when or if Arand was coming back.

Sabrina straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. She could do this. All she had to do was stay alive until midnight and she was off the hook. Whatever happened after that was between the gods, goddesses and immortal warriors. She’d go back to her friends, her painting and tarot reading and resume her life. These twenty-four hours would be nothing more than a bump in the road.

There was no sound, but Sabrina suddenly knew she was no longer alone. The short hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she slowly turned. She should have found something to use as a weapon. Granny kept an old shotgun in her bedroom closet to scare off alligators that got too close. She should have dug that out to have on hand.

The enormous black and gray wolf stood about ten feet away, his black eyes watching her.

“So you came back.” Her stomach settled and she’d never admit aloud that she was so damn glad to see him.

The wolf growled in displeasure, but she was past being intimidated.

“What did you expect me to think? You left without a word. Thought I was on my own.”

The pleasure that his short run through the woods had given him was lost. How could she think he would leave her? Because he had. Essentially, he’d left her without a word. What was she supposed to think? It wasn’t as if she knew him that well.

Still, Arand felt insulted. He would never leave her on her own, unprotected to face Hades’ wrath.

He gave thanks to his wolf and embraced the human side of himself once again. His limbs changed, bones cracking and reforming. His jaw broke and shortened. Fur disappeared and was replaced by smooth, tanned skin. Arand pushed himself upright and strode toward Sabrina.

Something of what he was feeling must have shown in his expression because she backed away until her spine hit the door. He didn’t stop until he was in front of her, his naked body crowding hers.

She slapped her hands on his chest. “What are you doing?”

What was he doing? He should clothe himself and start developing a defense strategy. That would be the wise thing, the prudent thing to do.

But he wasn’t feeling particularly wise or prudent. All he could think about was Sabrina’s fear that he’d leave her. Didn’t she understand she belonged to him? He would never leave her.

Both man and animal sides of him were in agreement—he needed to claim her, to mark her with his body so all would know she was his. He might have been caged for five thousand years, but he’d been alive since the dawn of mankind. For the first time in his life, he wanted a female to have expectations of him, to have a claim to his body and his soul.

That’s how he knew what he felt for Sabrina was special. In all the long centuries he’d been alive, he’d never once deviated from his path as warrior of the Lady. But now, now he wanted Sabrina as his own. Surely, if they survived the coming hours, the Lady would grant him the time to spend with Sabrina.

The thought of her dying and leaving him alone in the world pierced his heart. He threw back his head and howled his anger and sorrow. Only moments before, she’d been pushing him away. Now she slid her hands to his shoulders and locked them around his neck.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Her genuine concern humbled him. He should leave her alone. It wasn’t fair to her to get physically and emotionally involved, not before the threat was ended.

But right or wrong, Arand needed Sabrina more than he needed his next breath. “I must have you.” He cupped the back of her neck and dragged her mouth to his. The kiss wasn’t light or playful. It was all-consuming and deep.

Their tongues dueled and teeth clinked as he struggled to get closer. He couldn’t get deep enough. He slanted his face and tilted her head so they fit together better. His breath was hers as they battled for supremacy. Arand wasn’t sure who won, but when they parted, they were both struggling for breath.

“This is insane,” she gasped.

“I know.” He kissed her again. This time he allowed his hands to roam up and down her lithe frame. He caressed her arms, her shoulders and spine. It wasn’t enough, would never be enough.

He gripped the edge of her shirt and shoved it upward, exposing her smooth stomach and her lace-covered breasts. The impediment blocking him from her lush breasts had to go. He willed the nail of one finger to morph into a claw. Using it carefully, he slit the front of her bra open, careful not to damage her skin.

Arand breathed a sigh of relief when the lace parted and he could cup the two mounds of flesh. Her nipples stabbed at his palms. There was no denying the evidence. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

His wolf howled with pleasure as Arand continued to kiss her. He pulled away from her lips and kissed his way down her jaw and up to her ear. Three silver hoops hung from the lobe. Unlike the Loup Garou of legend, he wasn’t the least bit bothered by silver. He nibbled on the lobe, tugging the loops with his teeth. Sabrina moaned, her body struggling to get closer to his.

He would have her, but not here, not out in the open. He wanted to strip her naked and spread her across a bed where she’d be comfortable and he’d have time to taste and touch her everywhere.

“Give yourself to me.” He used his thumbs and forefingers to gently tug on her distended nipples. He inhaled deeply, drawing her spicy scent into his lungs. She was aroused. There was no mistaking the sweet perfume of her cream. He knew if he dragged down her pants and thrust his fingers between her thighs she’d be hot and wet.

He gripped the side of her neck with his mouth, carefully scraping his sharp teeth over the sensitive flesh. She shuddered and gave a soft cry of longing.

“Sabrina?” He could easily take her. Her body was ripe for the claiming. But he wanted more. He wanted her with him emotionally. He wanted her to want him as much as he did her. He wanted more than her body. He wanted her very soul.

Arand wanted her to belong to him in every way a woman could belong to a man. And he wanted to belong to her in the same manner.

How had his fellow warriors felt about the women who’d released them? Was this a product of their being bound together by the curse or was it something more? And why had Hades been so quiet? It was as though he was toying with them, letting them think they were safe.

But Arand knew better. He expected Hades was giving them time to bond so Arand would be more likely to bargain for her life. He could have told the devil it was a waste of time. He’d do anything to save Sabrina, including giving his life for her. But he would not bargain with Hades. That way led to nothing but torture for all times. Hades could not be trusted. Better they both die than end up in his clutches.

She moved her lips over his, using her tongue to tease his. He forgot all about the curse. None of those other things mattered, only Sabrina and what was happening between them.

When he was with her, he felt stronger, more powerful. It was as though she somehow recharged him after years of being starved for companionship and touch.

He released her breasts and gripped her braid in one hand, yanking her head back until she was looking at him. “Tell me you want me,” he commanded. “Tell me I can have you.”

She stared at him for the longest time, her green eyes mysterious and filled with wisdom far beyond her years. “Yes.”

Chapter Twelve

Arand’s dark-black eyes seemed to swallow her whole as she stared at him. He tightened his grip on her hair and he tugged, not to the point of pain, but there was no denying his dominance. His lips were parted slightly, giving her a glimpse of white, sharp teeth. Every muscle in his body was taut with expectation.

Then he swore and slammed his mouth back down on hers. Heat, glorious heat, filled her as he claimed her mouth. She clung to him, scoring her fingernails on his shoulders and back as she struggled to get closer to him. Insanity or not, she had to have him.

She rubbed her bare breasts against his massive chest, her nipples puckering into tight buds of desire. He cupped her ass and pulled her hard against his groin. His hard shaft pulsed and his heat scorched her even through her jeans.

A light breeze wafted over her arms, a reminder they were still outside, exposed, vulnerable. She tore her mouth from his. “Inside.” She panted, desperately trying to catch her breath.

He hoisted her into his arms and she automatically wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. His eyes never left her, but he said nothing as he stepped into the house and kicked the door shut. She heard the sound of the lock catching.

He turned and carried her down the short hallway into her bedroom. It hadn’t changed much since she’d left it to go live in the city. Granny had kept it the same, telling her she always had a home here.

Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them back before they could fall. She missed her granny something awful. Wished she could talk to her about everything she was experiencing and feeling.

Arand stopped beside the bed. “What’s wrong?”

She should have known she couldn’t hide anything from him. Unlike most men, Arand seemed to be very much in tune with her emotional state of mind. She shook her head. “Nothing.” She wanted to forget the sad memories and cling to the hot, mindless pleasure that he gave her.

His heavy sigh ruffled the top of her hair. “You are lying. Have you changed your mind?”

His muscles were like iron around her, but she knew he’d release her if she said yes. But that would be a lie. “I was thinking about my granny and how much I miss her.” She caught Arand’s face between her palms, memorizing every harsh masculine plane of his face. “Never doubt I want you.”

Arand released her and she let her legs slide down his flanks until she was standing in front of him. He grabbed the hem of her shirt and yanked it over her head. Her bra was ruined so it didn’t take her long to be rid of it. Naked from the waist up, she felt his hot gaze on her.

A low growl rumbled from deep in his chest and then he dropped to his knees in front of her. He plucked open the button of her jeans before lowering the zipper. Sabrina shifted impatiently, wanting to be as naked as he was.

Arand was all bronzed flesh and thick, sharply delineated muscle. Every inch of him was perfectly proportioned. Sabrina licked her lips as she glanced down to catch a glimpse of his cock. That too was perfect—long and thick. Her inner muscles clenched hard, demanding she take him into her.

He skimmed his hands inside her jeans, inserting them beneath the silky barrier of her panties. He brushed his callused fingertips over her butt, bringing a moan from deep inside her. “Hurry,” she encouraged.

He gave another growl and shoved both jeans and panties down until they were around her ankles. “Lift.” His voice was guttural and almost unrecognizable. This was no mere man asking her to strip for him. This was an immortal shapeshifting warrior.

Sabrina lifted her foot and allowed him to pull off her shoe, sock and clothing. Then he did the same to the other side. Naked, she stood before him. His face was level with her stomach and he leaned in and sniffed her skin. “You are aroused.”

Heat crept up her face. There was no way to hide that from him. Not that she wanted to, but it was a bit weird to know he could smell whenever she was aroused. She’d never have any secrets around Arand.

And she was doing it again. Thinking long term when all they had was now.

She ran her fingers though his shaggy black and gray hair, loving the softness and how it fell around his shoulders. “Yes, I’m aroused.”

“Spread your legs.”

His command excited her and she widened her stance. He buried his face between her thighs and licked. A broken cry escaped her as her eyes practically rolled back in her head. His tongue lapped at her pussy before delving into her slit. “Arand.” She gripped his hair tighter, feeling totally off-balance.

He growled, sat back and pushed her. She fell, arms pinwheeling as she hit the mattress behind her. Arand grabbed her legs and pulled until her butt was on the edge of the bed and her thighs were draped over his shoulders.

“Mine,” he announced before he used his clever tongue to lap at her clit. The swollen bundle of nerves all but exploded at his touch.

“Yes. God, yes.” She dug her heels into his back as her hips pistoned upward, trying to get closer to him. But he wasn’t done tasting her yet, and traveled his tongue over every inch of her pussy, stroking and teasing until she thought she’d go mad.

She gripped the bedclothes, her fingers tearing at the quilt. Her body arched to meet his touch. He gave a low rumble just as he closed his lips around her clit once again. Light exploded behind her eyelids like the Fourth of July. She cried out, giving herself over to him, trusting him to keep her safe.

Cream seeped from her sheath and he lapped at it with his tongue. Lungs aching, totally spent, she pushed at him. “Enough.” Her body was too sensitive to take any more.

He pulled away, his black eyes boring into her. “It will never be enough.”

He slowly released her legs, letting them slide over the side of the bed until her feet hit the floor. Her legs were sprawled wide open, but she didn’t quite have enough energy to do anything about that yet.

Arand slowly stood, his cock hard, the top of it slick with need. Sabrina licked her lips and he growled. She pushed herself into a seated position and stroked a single finger up his shaft from the base to the tip. His hips bucked and his penis seemed to grow even larger.

Sabrina wrapped her hand around him and stroked, letting her thumb circle the broad head, spreading the moisture that seeped from the tip. Arand threw back his head, parted his lips, the thick chords of his neck straining.

A light sheen of sweat covered his torso and his lungs worked hard to pull air into them. She knew exactly how he felt. She was finding it difficult to breathe too.

Her skin tingled all over and she could already feel the familiar anticipation growing within her. She’d just had an amazing orgasm, but she was aroused again. Arand was so magnificent that she couldn’t help but be affected.

He cupped the back of her neck and pushed her forward. She knew what he wanted, and she wanted it too. She could practically feel the heat coming off his body the closer she got to him. He smelled hot too, musky and male, a combination that sent her libido soaring.

She parted her lips and snaked her tongue over the flared head of his penis, swirling it around. He fisted his hand in her braid again and held her to him. Smiling to herself at his obvious show of possession, she trailed her tongue down his shaft.

A sound much like a snarl filled the room. Sabrina glanced up at him and found him watching her, lips parted, teeth bared.

“Do not tease me any longer.”

Her wolf was at the end of his tether. She could see it in his eyes—dark and wild. His features were taut with sexual desire and need, for her.

She opened her mouth and slowly took the tip of his cock inside. He was larger than any man she’d ever had sex with before and it took her a moment to adjust. He flexed his hips the tiniest bit, pushing another inch into her mouth. There was no way she could take all of him, so she fisted her hand around the base of his shaft while she took what she could.

Using her tongue and teeth, she teased his hot shaft, loving the way it pulsed and bucked beneath her touch. The sounds he made were animalistic and raw and they made her pussy ache and her breasts long for his touch.

Madness. This was utter madness. But she no longer cared.

Moisture leaked from the tip of his cock and she lapped it up. He tasted spicy and salty and she liked it.

His shaft swelled beneath her mouth and hands, the thick vein running up the underside pulsed wildly. She reached between his legs and cupped his heavy sac.

Arand snarled, the sound ferocious and wild. She should have been terrified, but instead she found it a complete turn-on. Lightly, she scored her nails over his testicles. Arand pulled back and he popped out of her mouth. His cock was gleaming, wet from her mouth and his arousal.

He didn’t speak. He simply picked her up and laid her face down on the bed. “On your knees.” He helped her so she was positioned on her hands and knees, then he moved in behind her.

Arand’s vision had contracted until all he could see was Sabrina. He was on sensory overload and knew this was dangerous. Their enemy was still out there somewhere, waiting to attack. He sent out a flash of power from deep within him, psychically commanding the animals of the swamp to warn him if anyone approached.

He should stop, but knew he wouldn’t.

The sweet scent of Sabrina’s arousal teased his nostrils until he knew his cock would explode at any moment. The feel of her warm mouth around his shaft, teasing and touching him had tested the limits of his control and patience. Now it was at an end.

She was kneeling on the bed, her rounded ass up in the air, exposing her hot, wet pussy to him. He couldn’t stop. Not even for the devil himself.

He struggled to control his breathing, taking one deep breath and letting it out slowly. It didn’t help. All it did was fill his lungs with her delectable perfume. His cock flexed impatiently and his wolf howled inside him.

He was blessed and silently thanked the Lady for her role in getting him to this moment. It was the Lady’s curse that had kept him out of Hell and allowed Sabrina to find and free him. Without that, he wouldn’t be here with her now.

And this moment was perfect.

He cupped her ass, marveling at her smooth skin. He leaned in and lightly scraped his teeth over the firm flesh. She gasped and he caught a whiff of fresh arousal. His cock jerked in response. He longed to have the time to explore her properly, to take hours to taste and touch her everywhere.

Later, he promised himself. When this was over, he was taking her to bed for at least a week. Maybe then he wouldn’t feel this gnawing need for her in his gut. Maybe.

He positioned himself inside her spread thighs and guided the head of his cock to her pussy, rubbing it over the slick folds. She cried out when he bumped her clit, her entire body shuddered. He watched as goose bumps raced down her back and a sense of satisfaction filled him. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

He teased her slick folds with his cock until she was panting and calling out his name. Only then did he position himself at her slit and push inside. There was some initial resistance, but he continued to push until the broad head was inside her. Sabrina was panting hard, her body quivering beneath his.

Arand cupped her breasts in his palms, loving their firm weight and the way her tight nipples stabbed against his skin.

“Relax.” He used his voice and hands to try to soothe her as he pushed his cock into her tight sheath. Her vaginal muscles rippled around him, clutching him so hard he could swear he saw stars.

Pulling air into his lungs, he continued to forge his way into her until he was seated to the hilt with her totally surrounding him in her wet heat.

Home. It felt as though he was home.

She gave a small cry and shifted beneath him and his head practically exploded. Need consumed him and he began to pump his hips, flexing them slowly at first and then faster. He fucked her hard and fast, short, quick thrusts that made his blood burn. His testicles pulled up tight against his body, a sign that time was running out.

He slid one hand down her stomach to the notch of her thighs and found her clit with his forefinger. She cried out the second he touched it and her channel tightened around his shaft.

“Come for me.” He couldn’t find his release until he knew she’d found hers. As her male, it was his duty and honor to see to her needs. She had to come for him.

Muscles straining, body burning, Arand pumped in and out of her hot depths. “Sabrina.” He roared her name, felt the telltale spasming of her pussy. She cried out as she came, her inner muscles clamping down hard on his cock.

His balls clenched and his orgasm shot up his shaft, filling her. Hips pistoning, lungs burning, he threw back his head and howled. The base of his shaft swelled, locking him inside her. Arand leaned down and gripped the back of her neck with his teeth, not hard enough to break the skin, but hard enough so she couldn’t get away from him.

Arand wasn’t just pouring himself sexually into Sabrina. He was giving her his heart and soul. His cock jerked and pulsed as he continued to flow into her, his orgasm seemingly unending.

He clamped his sharp teeth down on her neck, keeping her pinned to the mattress. Arand’s large body surrounded her and his cock had her stretched to the limits. Her orgasm was so powerful it was almost painful. She sensed his desperation and some other emotion she couldn’t quite nail down.

She knew she was in deep trouble. She might have only known Arand for a matter of hours, but he already had her heart. Stupid, absolutely, but there was no way to stop it from happening. All she could do was keep it to herself so he wouldn’t feel guilty when he had to leave her. That’s even assuming they survived the day.

Her body spasmed again and she lost herself in the moment, savoring the feeling of belonging, if only for this short space of time. Arand’s cock seemed to swell even larger, which should have been impossible. She panted, letting the sensations pass through her, concentrating on her breathing, one breath at a time.

Finally, Arand groaned and slowly withdrew from her. It wasn’t easy, as he was still hard and her sheath was swollen and very sensitive. The moment he released her, she collapsed onto the bed. She was sweaty and very wet and sticky between her thighs. She needed a shower, but all she could do was lie there.

Strong arms closed around her and she found herself lying on Arand’s chest looking down at him. Neither of them spoke. After all, what was there to say? They were both intelligent people and knew the situation. If they survived the day, he was still immortal and bound to a goddess, and she was human.

She lowered her head and rested it against his shoulder. He closed his arms around her, but she felt cold inside in spite of the heat generated by his body.

Finding strength she didn’t know she had, Sabrina rolled off him and stood beside the bed. “I need to shower and dress.” She walked away without looking back, afraid she’d see regret on his face.

“This can’t be happening.” Jessica stood beside the front tire of the truck and stared. No matter how long she looked at it, it didn’t change. It was as flat as a pancake.

They’d already been delayed by a car accident that had closed the road for over two hours. Now this. It almost seemed as though something was conspiring to keep them away from Sabrina.

“I called a tow truck. He said it might be a while. Everyone in the area is busy because of the accident we saw earlier.” Tilly tucked her phone into her pocket and glanced down the busy road. “We should wait in the truck.”

Jessica kicked the tire and winced when her toes complained at the abuse. “If this was a car I could change that sucker.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Tilly pointed out. “There’s no spare.”

For some reason, there was no spare tire in Jules’ truck. Jessica hoped this wasn’t an omen. “I hope they hurry.” She shaded her eyes and peered in the direction of the bayou. They were still more than a half hour away. She wrapped her hand around the stone amulet she wore, hoping to gain comfort from it. It had belonged to her grandmother and was very special. She’d never worn it before today, saving its power for the right moment.

“We’ll go to the closest garage and tell them it’s an emergency,” Tilly said. “If they’re busy, maybe we can rent a car.”

“I’m beginning to think we should have done just that,” Jessica muttered.

Jessica climbed into the driver’s side and closed the door. She was driving because she had experience with big vehicles. Growing up on a farm in Kansas, she’d been driving trucks and tractors since she could reach the pedals. They both had the windows cranked down as the morning was starting to heat up. “Hurry,” she whispered, very aware the clock was ticking.

Chapter Thirteen

Freshly showered and dressed once again, Sabrina sat at the kitchen table and picked at one of the muffins Tilly had sent along with them. It was chocolate, but even that wasn’t enough to stimulate her appetite. “Where is he?”

Arand prowled around the small living space, stalking from the kitchen to the dining room into the living room and back to the kitchen again. Watching him was making her dizzy. “I don’t know.”

The clock over the sink said it was three o’clock. Sabrina was beginning to worry about her friends, but neither of them was answering her phone. “Do you think something’s happened to Jessica and Tilly?” That was her greatest fear.

Arand shrugged and continued pacing. His seeming lack of concern for her friends ignited the anger simmering just below the surface. She jumped out of her chair. “I know they don’t matter to you in the scheme of things, but they’re important to me.” She crossed the kitchen, heading for the back door, needing some fresh air and some space.

He pressed his big hand on the door above her head before she could open it. He said nothing, but his large body hovered just behind her, not touching.

“Let me go,” she whispered.

“I can’t,” came his tortured reply. She was whipped around and her back hit the door with Arand looming before her. His eyes were as black as night but blazed with passion. Thin lines radiated out from the corners of his eyes and his teeth were bared. “I can’t,” he repeated.

His mouth came down on hers, harsh and fevered. He clamped his hands down on her shoulders and dragged her to him. It was the first time they’d touched since she’d rolled away from him in bed. This was madness. The separation between them was good, necessary. But this was so much better.

Sabrina felt alive when he touched her, every cell in her body humming with profound pleasure at his touch. She clasped his head in her hands and returned his kiss, letting him taste her desperation.

The ticking clock mocked her, marking the passage of time. It was passing way too slow, but yet too fast. She wanted the curse to end, but that would mean her time with Arand was also at an end.

She pulled back, wanting to see his face. His features were harsh, almost cruel, but she felt no fear, only a deep pull. An ache started in her chest and spread to the rest of her body. “This is madness.”

He nodded, but yanked her back into his arms, burying his face in the curve of her neck. “Insanity,” he agreed.

“What are we going to do?” she whispered.

He straightened his shoulders, and when he spoke, his words were a solemn vow. “We will survive.”

She wanted to stay snuggled in his arms but knew that wasn’t smart. They needed to keep their minds on Hades. They’d been lucky as it was not to have literally gotten caught with their pants down. Not that it was such a big deal for Arand. After all, the guy was totally built, plus he could conjure clothing out of thin air. For her, it was a huge deal. No way did she want the devil or his minions catching her in her birthday suit.

“I don’t understand why we haven’t had some contact with anyone.” It was really starting to bother her.

Arand sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know. I expected something before now. A demand, a deal, something.”

Sabrina gazed longingly through the glass in the back door. “Let’s go outside for a minute. We could both use the fresh air.” His sense of smell was probably a hundred times more powerful then hers and all she could smell was his masculine, musky scent. It was making her crazy. She could only imagine how he was faring in the confines of the small house.

She turned the handle and opened the door. Immediately, the familiar scent of the woods, grass and water surrounded her. She could hear the heat—the low buzz of the insects and the almost inaudible hum of heat in the air. The afternoon had really warmed up and her top was clinging to her torso.

But she was used to the heat and embraced it. She walked to the end of the porch and sat on the railing. There used to be a rocking chair there where Granny liked to sit at the end of the day and watch the sun set. The chair was in the living room now. Sabrina didn’t like to leave it outside when she wasn’t here.

If she survived today, she planned on spending a week out here. It was time for a semi-annual cleaning, and she’d see to any repairs that needed doing. No way did she want to let Granny’s house get rundown.

She played with the amulet Tilly had given her and stared at the strand of beads Jessica had gifted her with. The beads were wrapped around her wrist, a bracelet instead of a necklace today. Her worry for her friends increased as she stared out over the encroaching swamp, listening to the birds and small animals flitting from tree to tree. Without someone living out here fulltime, the swamp was starting to reclaim the land.

Arand stood at the top of the two steps that led down to the yard. She could just catch a glimpse of the tattoo on his back and was conscious of the one on her own. It was beyond coincidence that they’d both have a wolf tattoo, hers more guardian and his all feral wolf. Of course, his tattoo was a representation of a very real creature, while hers would never be anything more than ink.

His biceps and forearms were heavily muscled. His pecs and abs were as hard as steel, but he wasn’t muscle-bound and was incredibly quick. The familiar leather pants covered him and fitted leather moccasins protected his feet. A pulsing energy surrounded him, a restlessness just waiting to explode.

Sabrina could only wonder what it would be like to be imprisoned for thousands of years. How did you keep from going crazy?

“Arand?” she began, not quite sure what she wanted to ask him.

He started to turn toward her and stopped, whipping his head around to stare at the corner of the yard. “Go inside.”

A black hole appeared in front of a willow tree, swirling faster and growing larger with each passing second.

“Holy shit.” Sabrina jumped up and ran toward the kitchen door. Arand didn’t even glance in her direction, but her heart skipped a beat as two huge swords appeared in his hands. He was ready to fight.

She raced through the living space and into Granny’s bedroom. The shotgun was on the top shelf where it had always been kept. She grabbed it, went to the nightstand beside the bed and ripped open the top drawer. A box of shells sat there. There were only a few left and Sabrina desperately wished there were more. They would have to do.

Quickly, she loaded the shotgun, all the while cursing herself for not doing it earlier. She stuffed the remaining ammo into her jeans’ pocket. Armed, she hurried out of the room, determined to stand by Arand no matter what.

She yanked her phone out of her back pocket and thumbed her speed dial again, hoping, praying to reach Jessica. Once again, her call went to voice mail. “Listen, you guys stay away. The shit’s about to hit the fan.” She ended the call and shoved her phone into her ass pocket as she burst through the backdoor into a scene straight from hell.

A shiver raced down Mordecai’s spine. The final battle in the curse had begun. He was so attuned to Hades now that he knew the god had opened a portal to this world. Arand, the warrior he’d been closest to, his best friend, was under siege from Hades’ demons.

Mordecai hardened his heart, or what was left of it. No time for regrets or second thoughts. He’d made his decision a long time ago and there was no changing it now.

He straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath. There was no way he’d reach New Orleans in time to fight. Not unless he got some help. His powers were still too weak to teleport.

The trees rustled behind him and he slowly turned.

Arand was relieved when Sabrina hurried inside on his command. It would give him less to worry about while he was fighting. The black hole grew until it blocked one entire side of the yard. He knew there were demons and possibly even Hades himself on the other side. The hilts of his swords fit into his hands like old friends. He hadn’t wielded them in many, many years, but he hadn’t forgotten how.

It felt good to fight rather than to wait. He’d spent far too many years waiting.

The first demon stepped out, quickly followed by a second one. They were both large, about six-four, their dark skin tough as leather. They wore thick armor made from the flesh of other demons and short horns protruded from their foreheads. He was familiar with them. They were more brawn than brain, foot soldiers sent in to tire him before Hades attacked. The god was nothing if not predictable. He never put himself in the direct line of fire.

Still, they were not to be discounted. Their blood and spit was acidic and their sharp teeth could rip the flesh from a man’s body. Thankfully, their muscular bodies, and the armor that covered it, slowed them down.

As he stepped off the back step, the back door burst open. He jerked his head around and fear clenched his heart. Had demons snuck in from the other side? How had he not smelled them? Heard them?

But it was no demon, it was Sabrina, face pale, eyes wide, with what he recognized as a shotgun held in her arms. She raised the barrel of the weapon toward him and fired. He instinctively ducked, but it wasn’t him she was aiming at. A demonic howl echoed all around them.

“Take that, you bastard,” she yelled as she pumped in another shell and fired.

Arand whirled back around, raised his swords and attacked, praying Sabrina wouldn’t get trigger-happy and accidentally shoot him. He’d heard of such weapons, intellectually knew what they were, but even he’d had no idea just how loud or deadly they would be. The stench of spent gunpowder burned his nostrils, but he savored the scent of demon blood that went along with it. The gun couldn’t kill the demons, but it would slow them down.

He should have told Sabrina how to kill the demons, but he hadn’t figured on allowing her close enough to them for it to matter. “Their necks. Shoot at their necks. They have to be beheaded in order to die,” he yelled over the growing din, not sure if she could hear him or not.

There were four demons in the yard now, all of them angry and all carrying swords as long as his, but none were nearly as skilled. He was a warrior of the Lady of the Beasts, a fighter of renown, not a lowly demon.

Arand went in low and hacked at the backs of the demons’ legs, cutting their hamstrings. Two of them toppled and fell, blood spraying all over the ground. The other two danced out of the way at the last second, avoiding his blade.

Arand whirled around, ever conscious of the black hole swirling just off to his left. He didn’t want the portal at his back as he had no idea what would come out of it.

Why hadn’t the line of salt held them off? The portal had opened inside the circle. Maybe an animal had scuffed the salt away, opening a breach in their protective circle. More likely was that Hades was more powerful than Sabrina’s witch friend. Not that Arand was surprised, but he’d hoped the salt boundary would offer Sabrina some protection.

The two upright demons attacked and he met them both at once. Metal clashed and sparks flew as the demons hacked and he countered. The two on the ground were dragging themselves toward him. He growled and went on the offensive, driving the two standing demons backward. They didn’t watch where they were going and fell over their comrades, falling into a tangled heap.

Arand went in for the kill.

“Holy shit. Holy shit,” Sabrina chanted under her breath. There were actual living, breathing demons in her granny’s backyard. Her shoulder ached from the kickback of the shotgun, but she fired again when one of the demons sprawled on the ground started to crawl toward Arand.

The man was a fighting machine. It was like watching an action movie, only this was chillingly real. Arand’s swords were an extension of his hands and he used them with lethal force. He’d cut the backs of two demons’ legs in the blink of an eye, whirling into position to face the remaining two.

Their heads. He’d said they needed to be beheaded. And here she was without an axe or a handy machete. She didn’t think any of Granny’s carving knives would be big enough to do the job either.

Stepping down off the porch, Sabrina cautiously moved toward one of the downed demons. She’d already filled his chest with buckshot but wasn’t sure how much of an effect it had had on him since Arand had slit his hamstrings so soon after. The hideous creature still had a nasty-looking sword in his hands. And the demon’s fingernails were like something out of a horror movie—sharp and long.

Its skin was mottled a dark black and blue color. Not attractive. And those teeth. The creature hissed at her, exposing two rows of sharp, dark teeth. Obviously, there were no dentists in Hell.

“I’m not exactly happy to see you either.” She raised the rifle and aimed at his neck, praying she’d hit him. Before she could fire, Arand pushed the two upright demons toward them and she jumped back just in time to avoid being knocked down. As it was, the two demons Arand had pushed back fell over their comrades.

Arand moved in for the kill.

He slashed with his blades, cutting through the thick demon flesh like a hot knife through butter. Blood sprayed and demon cries pierced her eardrums. She fell back and her butt hit the step.

When the last demon’s head was detached from its body, Arand threw back his head and howled. Sabrina couldn’t look away. Blood-spattered and sweaty, this was the immortal warrior of the Lady of the Beasts. He raised his swords into the air, the blades coated with demon blood and gore.

The grass around the beheaded creatures sizzled and burned and she drew her feet up onto the step. The air grew still and the demons’ bodies began to disintegrate before her very eyes.

Arand lowered his swords and his dark gaze cut toward her. “I told you to go inside.”

Sabrina swallowed hard, reminding herself that Arand wouldn’t hurt her. His fury whipped at her, but she didn’t flinch. “I did go inside. I just didn’t stay there.”

He swore. “By the Lady, Sabrina. This is not a game.”

She pushed herself to her feet, locking her shaky knees to keep them from collapsing beneath her. “I know. But this is my fight as much as it is yours.”

A breeze blew up, lifting the ashy remains of the demons and carrying it toward the swirling black hole. “The devil always claims his own.” Arand’s voice was grim.

Sabrina kept her gaze on what had to be a portal into Hell. “Is that all of them?”

Arand shook his head. “That is only the beginning.”

“I was afraid you were going to say that.” Sabrina peered around the yard, taking in the scorched earth and the smudged line of salt. “Guess the salt didn’t work this time.”

Arand took a deep breath and slowly released it. “No, not this time. Hades is much too powerful to be kept out by nothing more than salt.”

Sabrina could have kicked herself. Jessica had told her to cleanse the area as well and burn incense. The entire ritual had to be done for the salt to have real strength.

She took a good look at Arand and was appalled to see blisters forming on his chest and arms where the demon blood had struck him. “Your skin. It’s burned.”

He raised his arms in the air and began to chant. It wasn’t any language Sabrina recognized, but there was no mistaking the rise of power around them. The short hairs on her arms rose and the air was electrically charged, much like it was before a thunderstorm. A radiant light surrounded Arand, bathing the blood from his body and leaving his skin whole and healthy and his swords gleaming bright once again.

Wow, that was some skill to have. Just another reminder of how different they were.

The swords winked out of existence as Arand stalked toward her. She took a step back before remembering she wasn’t intimidated by him. He glanced over his shoulder at the portal. “I don’t know what is coming out of there next, but you will do as I tell you.”

“Will I?” She knew she should just agree with him. This was no time to pick a fight with him. But it galled her that he would think she would just up and abandon him to battle on his own.

He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. “You will do as I say.” The harsh planes of his face and his tight grip left little doubt that he was more than willing to do whatever it took to get her to agree.

The swirling black circle grew darker, as though it were sucking all the light from the very air around it. Sabrina’s gaze was locked on to the portal, wondering what fresh nightmare would step from its midst.

But it wasn’t a demon that stepped out of the black swirling mass, it was a man. He wore a well-tailored charcoal-gray suit, a black shirt and tie and a shiny pair of leather shoes that looked like they cost a bundle. A diamond earring winked from one ear and a ring with a large black stone sat on his left hand.

“Having trouble with the little woman, wolf?”

Power struck her with the force of a hurricane. No one needed to tell her who this was. She’d recognized him the moment he spoke. He’d spoken to her in her dreams. This was Hades, Lord of the Underworld, god of Hell.

The time of reckoning had arrived.

Chapter Fourteen

“I would have been here sooner, but I was…unavoidably detained.” Hades tugged the cuffs of his shirt down to align with his jacket. “I hope the wait wasn’t too hard on you.”

By the Lady. Arand’s enemy was finally before him and he wished him back to Hell. Anywhere but so close to Sabrina. “Feel free to leave us waiting longer if you wish.” He narrowed his gaze, watching the god carefully. But he kept all his senses open in case any demons tried to sneak up on them.

Sabrina stood on the porch with the shotgun cradled in her arms. The weapon was useless against the god. He willed her to go inside, but she stubbornly stayed where she was.

Hades cocked his head to one side, studying him. “Family came to visit. You know how family is, Arand. You can always depend on them to muck up the best laid plans.”

“Why are you here?”

“So eager to die, wolf.” Hades shook his head in mock sorrow. “So antagonistic. All of you so ready to die.” He paused. “Or at least most of you were.”

Arand didn’t say anything, letting the silence stand between them. He could hear Sabrina’s breathing, light and fast, her heart racing. She had to be scared out of her mind, but she stood her ground. He almost wished she weren’t quite so brave.

Impatience snapped in Hades’ eyes. “I suppose I should make the standard offer. Are you willing to join with me?” Calculation entered the devil’s gaze and the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile. “I’ll even let the woman live.”

Arand was torn. He tightened his fingers around the hilt of the sword that had reappeared in his hand the moment Hades appeared. Would the god honor his promise?

“No, Arand.” Sabrina’s voice was barely a whisper, but he heard it as if it were as loud as a shout. “You can’t bargain with the devil.”

“Silence, woman.” Hades threw his hand out and sparks flew from his fingertips, jumped through the air and slammed into Sabrina’s chest. She fell backward with a pained cry.

“Sabrina.” Arand raced toward her and fell to his knees by her side. Her eyes were closed and her heartbeat was erratic, and Hades had barely put any power behind the strike. Worry tore at him and his wolf howled in anger, demanding vengeance against the wrong done to his woman. She was still alive, but barely. She wouldn’t survive another hit by Hades.

“Make your decision, wolf. If you’re not going to join me then I have to kill you.”

Arand slowly stood and turned toward the god. Raw fury pumped through his veins, feeding his growing power. His senses, already amplified, grew even sharper. He knew there were other people approaching, but all his focus was on Hades.

He snarled at the god in challenge but didn’t attack. He was smarter than that. Hades would not make him lose his cool and attack mindlessly. He would use the best of man and beast to defeat the god and end the curse once and for all.

“Hurry.” Jessica motioned to Tilly to move faster. Even though the mechanic at the garage had been quick, it had seemed to take forever to have their tire changed and get back on the road. The clock was ticking and every minute counted. Jessica had a very bad feeling.

A downed cypress tree blocked the road into Sabrina’s place and they’d been forced to walk the rest of the way. Jessica couldn’t help but feel it was deliberate, just as the car accident and the flat tire had been. It was as though something was trying to keep them from reaching Sabrina to help her, something evil.

Tilly was on the phone to her granny, who was chanting and praying for them. “Granny says to beware.”

Oh yeah, this creepy feeling she had wasn’t simply her imagination. She gripped her amulet tight and said a brief prayer for safety.

Tilly ended the call and hurried to catch up. “What do you think is happening?”

“I think he’s here.” No need to say who he was. Jessica had her circle of witch friends lending their energy of protection to them, but she didn’t know if it would be enough.

A female cry pierced the air and they looked at one another in growing fear. Sabrina. They hurried down the dirt path, trying not to make any noise, but Jessica figured it didn’t matter how much noise they made as they ran. Both Arand and Hades would know they were here.

Arand tried not to look toward the woods to his left, but he wanted to swear aloud. Sabrina’s friends were close and getting closer by the second. They meant well but would only be two more people he had to protect, making it more difficult for him to battle the god.

He spared a quick glance back toward Sabrina. She wasn’t moving but was still breathing. Barely.

Arand needed to end this. Now.

He raised his sword to engage Hades in battle, but the devil didn’t even move. Instead, the god smiled, calculation in his gaze.

“I think I’ll let you fight the captain of my army in my stead.”

Arand didn’t even blink when Mordecai strode from the woods, sword in hand. He looked the same as he had all those years ago. The same black hair and eyes, same lethal air surrounding him. They’d been friends once. Brothers. Now they were mortal enemies.

Behind him, Sabrina stirred. He prayed she played dead until the battle was done.

“Mordecai.” He inclined his head to his former comrade.

“Arand,” Mordecai returned. There was no emotion in the serpent’s eyes, only deadly intent and determination.

So be it.

Arand raised his sword as Mordecai rushed toward him.

Her chest hurt like a sonofabitch, but at least she was alive. Sabrina couldn’t remember a time in her life when she’d felt worse. Her entire body ached and the scent of scorched flesh and cloth surrounded her.

Metal crashed against metal and the sound struck fear into her heart. Who was Arand fighting? She forced her eyes open and blinked to focus her vision. Her wolf was fighting a man she’d never seen before. He had dark, shoulder-length hair, swarthy skin and was dressed in a black T-shirt, khakis and combat boots. This one wasn’t a demon. He was definitely a skilled warrior.

She wondered who he was, and then she heard Arand call his opponent by name. Mordecai. This was the warrior who’d betrayed them all to join Hades.

And speaking of the devil…

Sabrina turned her head slightly and found the god leaning against a tree watching the fight between the two former friends. She pushed herself upright and looked around for the shogun. Thankfully, it was right beside her. She wrapped her fingers around the weapon and cradled it against her aching chest. Maybe it wouldn’t work against Hades, but it might slow down Mordecai. She’d watch for her chance and take it.

Watching the two men fight was like watching master swordsmen battle. Their movements were fluid, almost like a dance as they weaved and bobbed to avoid being struck before countering with another attack. They jumped and whirled, both silent and utterly deadly, their bodies ultimate fighting machines. Sweat beaded on their foreheads, the only real sign of exertion. She had a feeling they could go on like this for hours, maybe even days.

She steadied herself against the railing post and raised the shotgun. Sabrina wasn’t sure Hades had seen her, but she was keeping one eye on him, not wanting to take any chances. She was ready to dive out of the way if he threw another one of those deadly lightning bolts, or whatever they were, at her. Whether she could get out of the way in time to avoid being hit again was the real question. She prayed she could, but she wasn’t hopeful.

The sound of pounding feet made her stomach drop. Were there more demons? No, it was worse than that. It was her friends and they were walking right into the line of fire. “Go back,” she cried, not caring that it would bring Hades’ attention her way. Better directed toward her than her friends.

Both women took in the scene and bolted off in different directions, taking to the cover of the swamp. And just in time as Hades released another one of those deadly lightning bolts. It hit the ground where her friends had been standing only seconds before, scorching the ground and setting the grass on fire.

“Kill him,” Hades ordered Mordecai. “Kill them both now.”

Arand jumped away from his adversary and blocked Mordecai’s view of her. The tattoo on his back stared at her, the wolf’s face solemn. The beast’s expression was one of determination. Her own back itched where her tattoo rested. She would stand by her wolf and fight to the bitter end. She only prayed her friends would survive the coming onslaught. The thought of their deaths being on her was more than she could bear.

“Now!” Hades yelled, his patience obviously at an end.

Mordecai stalked toward them, death on two feet. Sabrina looked at his face and then wished she hadn’t. His eyes were empty. Every muscle in his body tensed for the coming blow.

In front of her, Arand tensed, ready to kill his former friend to protect her. But could he defend them against the might of both Mordecai and Hades? For Sabrina had no doubt the devil would not allow them to live.

She’d thought a lot about that, and it made sense for Hades to kill the warriors if they wouldn’t join him. They were powerful in their own right. Honorable too. Hades couldn’t risk them trying to save mankind, to counter his attempt at taking over the world. If they weren’t on his side, they were powerful enemies, especially considering Hades’ history with the Lady of the Beasts.

A few feet from them, Mordecai raised his sword. He opened his mouth and the battle roar that came out of him was unlike anything she’d ever heard before, somewhere between the cry of a hawk and the roar of a lion.

Heart pounding, she raised her shotgun, ready to defend them against attack. Arand was steady as a rock in front of her, the muscles in his arms and back rippling in preparation.

In a move so fast it was a blur, Mordecai spun and released his sword. The deadly blade flew through the air like an arrow and slammed into Hades’ upper chest, just below his shoulder. The god yelled and threw a deadly bolt of power winging toward where they all stood. Unlike the one that had hit her, which was little more than a spark, this one looked like an actual bolt of lightning.

Mordecai jumped and rolled to the side. Arand did the same, taking her down as he flew through the air. He rolled, protecting her head as he kept them moving until they came up solid against the side of the house.

“Are you okay?” Arand demanded.

She was shaking all over and not quite sure she could stand, but she was alive. “I think so. What just happened?”

“I don’t know.” Arand’s grim pronouncement made her heart race faster. “Stay down.”

He raised his head and she turned hers so she could see between the slats in the porch railing. Mordecai was trying to move toward Hades, but the god shot one of those deadly lightning bolts at Mordecai and he flew twenty feet back through the air, bouncing off a tree before landing hard on the ground. He didn’t move.

“I’ll kill you for that, you treacherous snake.” Hades ripped the sword from his chest and flung the blade aside as if it were no more than a splinter. He ripped open his shirt and swore. Sabrina watched in amazement as the blood stopped flowing and what would have been a mortal wound for her healed before her very eyes. Mordecai hadn’t really hurt Hades at all. He’d just pissed him off.

“You’ll all die,” Hades snarled. “And then you’ll be mine in Hell and you’ll pay for this slight for all eternity. I’ll take control of the world without your help. I don’t need any of you.”

The swirling portal grew larger. “Agmar,” Hades called.

A gigantic demon with a set of six-inch horns protruding from the top of his head stepped into the clearing. He was carrying a very large battleaxe and looked as though he knew how to use it. He was quickly followed by several more. There was an innate intelligence and cunning in the eyes of these demons that had been missing in the ones Arand had defeated earlier. These were true warrior demons.

Bile turned her stomach sour. They were so screwed. There was nothing anyone could do for them now. With Mordecai down, Arand was alone to face a rampaging god and these fierce fighting demons. Sabrina knew she was less than useless to him.

But there was one thing she could do. One thing she could tell him.

She caught Arand’s hand and squeezed it. “No matter what happens, I love you.”

For the first time in his long existence, Arand was unsure what to do. He still couldn’t believe that Mordecai had attacked Hades. He was on the devil’s side, wasn’t he? Seemed that nothing was certain.

Hades was beyond furious, his skin mottled red with his growing anger, and there was nothing more dangerous than a vengeful god on the rampage. There was no way he could protect Sabrina against that kind of fury. Then there was the not insignificant matter of the group of elite warriors currently surrounding Hades. He remembered Agmar from the war with the Lady. Arand had never come across a more vicious and skilled demon.

He and Sabrina were both going to die unless a miracle happened.

He felt her close her hand around his and squeeze it just before he heard her soft whisper. “No matter what happens, I love you.”

Her words struck him like a knife to the heart. Why would she tell him this now? Now, when there was no hope for them.

No, he wouldn’t accept there was no hope. That was Hades’ doing, swamping him with self-doubt and uncertainty. Sabrina loved him. His chest swelled and his wolf howled with pleasure. She’d accepted him as her mate, accepted both parts of him. Arand would not let her down. Her love filled him with a new sense of purpose and determination.

Maybe he was fated to die today. He did not fear his own death. But maybe he could find a way to save Sabrina. Knowing she was alive in the world was worth the cost of dying. He would show her he was worthy of her love.

Stepping forward, he met the devil without fear in his heart.

Arand caught something in his peripheral vision and prayed it wasn’t one of Sabrina’s friends. They were as good as dead if they showed their faces. Hades would not hesitate to strike them down and he would not be able to protect them.

But it wasn’t Jessica or Tilly who stepped out from between the thick trees. It was someone he hadn’t seen in more than five thousand years. She stood there, the ends of her long hair teasing the ground, her blue eyes as clear as a summer’s day. His heart skipped a beat before he automatically went down on one knee and lowered his head. “My Lady.”

“Arand.”

The sound of her voice, so much like music to his ears, filled him with a sense of peace and purpose. Totally stunned, he raised his head and stood. Where had she come from? He’d thought she was still imprisoned in Hell.

“So that’s how the serpent got here so fast.” Hades inclined his head ever so slightly toward the Lady. “I commend you for getting out of my domain, but as you can see, it was all for naught.”

“Was it?” Her soft voice taunted Hades. Arand wasn’t sure how smart that was, but he steadied himself, ready to fight. He glanced toward the porch and found Sabrina with her shotgun leveled at Agmar, ready to fire.

Pride and love threatened to swamp him. Was there ever another woman as courageous and beautiful as his Sabrina? He didn’t think so. Hope gave him newfound energy. Maybe with the Lady’s help, they could defeat Hades and his demons.

Then the black hole began to swirl once again. The stench of sulfur polluted the air and then demons of all shapes and sizes began to pour out of the portal, all armed, all ready to die in the service of Hades.

The war for the world had begun.

Jessica crawled on her hands and knees over the spongy ground, praying there weren’t any snakes or bugs. She hated bugs. She moved slowly, not wanting to bring any unwanted attention her way. It was painstakingly slow, but each movement got her closer to the downed warrior.

She tried to block out the fact that the devil himself was only a few yards away. Thinking about it only made her sick to her stomach and eroded her courage. It would be easy to cut and run, and no one except herself would blame her.

Thankfully, Hades was distracted at the moment and hopefully paying her no attention whatsoever. And what a distraction it was—a real, honest-to-goodness goddess.

She had no idea where Tilly was but prayed her friend was safely hidden in the thick woods. Sabrina was still alive, perched on the back porch with only a shotgun for protection.

Three humans, one immortal warrior and a goddess against Hades and all his minions. Not good odds. But she was hoping to turn the tide a little in their favor.

She peeked through the tall grass and gasped as more hideous demons poured from the ominous black hole. She would have nightmares about this day for the rest of her life.

It was now or never.

Taking a deep breath, she scurried out of her precarious hiding place and fell to her knees beside Mordecai. This was the serpent, and she was here to help him. His shirt was gone, burnt off by the devil’s blast, and he wasn’t moving. He was lying on his stomach, his bare back exposed to her. A fierce dragon stared back at her, its dark eyes watching her every move.

She grabbed his shoulder and tugged, using all her strength. The guy was all muscle and weighed a ton. He landed on his back with a thud. Jessica yanked her grandmother’s amulet over her head and held it in her hands as a brief second of doubt assailed her. Shoring up her courage, she pressed the round pendant on the warrior’s chest just over his heart.

Closing her eyes to block out the bloody scene and the noise before her, Jessica repeated the words written in her grandmother’s journal. She’d read them over and over for years and knew them by heart. “You gave your soul to me to keep. You gave my life to me. I now return your soul to you and pay my debt, my fee.” Her hands began to burn, but she held on, not letting go of the amulet. “By the light of the Lady. By the light of the moon. Two halves are joined, renewed.” The warrior’s entire body jerked and his back arched as though he’d been struck by a live wire.

Black eyes snapped open and he gazed up at her. “Who are you?” His deep voice made her shiver.

“That doesn’t matter. Your friends need help.”

Mordecai rubbed his chest an expression of sheer wonder on his face. “You returned my other half to me.”

Jessica glanced up to find several demons had noticed them and were coming in their direction. She swallowed hard, finding it hard to breathe, let alone talk. “Um, you need to fight now and I really need to hide.” Turning, she climbed to her feet and raced to the woods. She’d climb a tree and hide and watch the battle unfold. She was no coward, but she wasn’t stupid either. Without a weapon, she’d be dead in no time. She’d done what she could. The rest was up to the serpent and the others.

“I paid our family debt, Grandmother,” she whispered. Her grandmother was dead, but the obligation had remained. Now it had been fulfilled.

An unholy roar filled the air as Jessica grabbed a low branch, pulled herself up into a rather large cypress tree and climbed until she found a spot with an unobstructed view.

“Holy crap.” She dug her fingers into the branch and tightened her thighs around it so she didn’t fall. Mordecai had fully shifted. The serpent really was exactly like the winged dragon tattoo on his back. About twenty feet long, he was more than a little intimidating. He opened his mouth and fire whipped out and engulfed several demons, setting them aflame. The demons’ cries pierced her eardrums, but she couldn’t look away from the fight. She pulled up the collar of her shirt and buried her nose in the cotton fabric when the nasty stench of burning demon flesh reached her.

The swamp suddenly came alive. A loud roar ripped through the air, quickly followed by another and another, all of them different. Jessica tried to sort out the sounds. Was one of them a tiger or was it a lion? And she was almost certain she heard a bear.

Hades froze where he stood and his demons ceased to fight. Both Mordecai and Arand looked toward the howls and roars. Sabrina was watching the woods too. The goddess seemed to be giving off a glow, which grew brighter with each passing second. The smile on her face was the most beautiful thing Jessica had ever seen.

It seemed, in that moment, the entire world held its breath and waited.

Chapter Fifteen

Sabrina tensed, her finger tightening on the trigger until she forced herself to relax. The last thing she wanted to do was accidentally fire the shotgun. She didn’t have much ammunition.

What was going on? She’d seen Jessica sneaking out to tend to Mordecai, and moments later the warrior had revived and shifted into a giant dragon straight out of some fantasy novel. And he seemed to be on their side, frying demons with his fiery breath. Very cool.

Arand fought the ugly-looking demon Hades had called Agmar, keeping him away from her. He had a sword in one hand and had morphed his other hand into a paw tipped with long claws, using it to rip at the demon’s vulnerable points.

But it was the Lady of the Beasts who drew her attention. She wasn’t overly tall, but she was stunning with her long brown hair that touched the ground and her clear sky-blue eyes. They were old, those eyes, and filled with the wisdom of the ages. She wore a simple leather sheath and her feet were bare.

Sabrina would never forget the look of sheer love in Arand’s gaze as he’d dropped to one knee and called his goddess by name. Envy was an ugly emotion, but Sabrina felt it. She wanted that look turned toward her. She’d told Arand she loved him and he’d said nothing in return.

That hurt. A lot. But her love for him was what it was and she wouldn’t change it. She’d help him fight Hades and then she’d set him free to return to his Lady. Being alive and knowing she’d played a small part in helping Arand be free and alive was more than enough for her.

It was the adult, the spiritually evolved thing to do.

Who was she trying to kid? She’d hurt and be heartbroken for years to come, but she was tough and would get through it. Somehow.

A demon head bounced onto the porch beside her. The nasty thing sprayed blood across the wood but thankfully didn’t hit her. But it pulled her attention back to the battle at hand. Plenty of time to think things through if she were still alive when this was over.

Right now, Hades and the Lady were simply watching one another, letting their warriors fight for them. Sabrina didn’t think that was really fair. In truth, she thought the god and goddess should fight one another and leave the rest of them out of it. It wasn’t fair to have others fight their battles, but then again, no one ever said life was fair, especially not when it involved the gods.

Several loud roars filled the air, coming from all around them. Hades froze and his demons stopped fighting. Both Arand and Mordecai turned toward the sounds.

The Lady of the Beasts smiled. The sight was so beautiful it almost made Sabrina weep. She looked away, wondering who or what was coming now.

Arand threw back his head and howled. Seconds later, Mordecai joined him, making a raucous roaring sound.

A massive bear, a huge white tiger and an enormous lion stalked into her backyard. These had to be the other warriors, the ones who had been freed. Somehow they’d found out about Arand and come to help.

Her spirits lightened. Maybe there was hope. There were far too many hours left in the day to defeat the curse by allowing the time to just run out. But maybe they could actually defeat Hades himself and drive him back to Hell. If not, maybe they actually could keep the fight going long enough to run the clock out on the curse. It was a long shot, but it was better than nothing.

She shifted her position, ignoring the burning pain in her chest. She wanted to keep an eye on Hades. If he made a move toward Arand, god or no god, she was shooting his designer-clad ass.

A brilliant light flashed in the clearing, practically blinding her. Sabrina blinked, seeing spots dancing before her. “What the hell?” She rubbed her eyes and still wasn’t certain she was seeing what she thought she was. A seven-foot tall reddish bird, its wings tipped with gold, perched beside the Lady.

Sabrina might not know much about mythology, but she knew enough to know this was the mighty Phoenix. Somehow, he’d arisen from the ashes of his death.

On the Lady’s other side, a sleek black jaguar appeared, slinking out of the swamp. Sabrina was stunned by his appearance. This had to be Stavros.

But she’d thought the jaguar and the phoenix were dead. How were they here? Not that it mattered. They were here and they could fight. It was the miracle they needed. All the immoral warriors of the Lady of the Beasts were assembled.

In the blink of an eye, the animals disappeared and they were all men, all tall and strong, all ruggedly handsome. As one, they stepped into formation behind their goddess, as though they’d done it many, many times before. All except for one. Mordecai placed himself in front of the goddess and cocked an eyebrow at Hades.

The god tipped back his head and roared, “Attack!”

Demons continued to stream out of the portal, practically falling on one another in their haste to follow Hades’ order. It seemed the god was holding nothing back this time around.

Sabrina felt her heart sink. There were so many of them. She wiped one sweaty palm on the leg of her jeans and aimed her rifle. Every time one got close to her, she fired. And every time that happened, Arand appeared like magic from the fighting horde and chopped off the demon’s head before disappearing back into the fray.

Sweat beaded on her forehead and made her clothing stick to her body. Roars and growls, howls and screams, grunts of pain and yells of triumph filled the air. Metal clashed and the ground ran red with blood.

Sabrina didn’t know if the fighting lasted for minutes or hours. There were moments when time seemed to slow to a crawl and others when it sped by at the speed of light. The swirling, noxious black hole spit out more demons as soon as the ones fighting were killed. It was a never-ending supply.

A thump sounded next to her and Sabrina whipped her shotgun around, ready to fire. So far she’d been lucky and no demons had gotten onto the porch. She didn’t expect that to last much longer. The warriors were fighting machines, fast and brutal, but the sheer number of demons would eventually wear them down.

But it wasn’t a demon on the porch with her. At least she didn’t think so. The woman was blonde with blue eyes and a ton of curves. She was wearing jeans and a long-sleeved cotton shirt and she was holding a three-foot sword in one hand.

Sabrina blinked, but the woman remained the same. She also looked vaguely familiar, as if Sabrina had seen her somewhere before.

“I’m Kellsie.” The woman glanced toward the fighting and scooted closer.

Sabrina kept her shotgun leveled at the woman, not willing to trust her. Hades could be a tricky SOB.

Kellsie frowned at her. “We got your message.”

She was totally confused. “What message?” Was this some kind of trick?

“That the wolf was running loose in New Orleans. I’m with Marko,” she continued. “The bear.”

Sabrina took a deep breath, trying not to hyperventilate. “You’re one of the women.” Of course she was a woman. She felt stupid but her thoughts were a totally jumble.

Kellsie shot her a grin. “And so are you, I take it.”

Sabrina nodded and turned her attention back to the fight, taking a chance and trusting that Kellsie was who she said she was. Agmar had retreated from his battle with Arand to protect Hades. Her warrior was currently engaging two humongous demons at once. Demon blood flew and hacked limbs littered the ground. She swallowed hard and looked away, praying she didn’t lose the contents of her stomach along with her dignity.

“I don’t know if Arand told you or not, but go for the necks,” Kellsie instructed. “It’s the only way to kill those suckers.” She glanced off to her right. “Araminta and Aimee are around the perimeter and will help where they can.”

Sabrina was no longer listening. For some reason, the demons were doing their best to avoid five of the warriors. They were defending as the warriors attacked, but it didn’t seem as though the demons were actually trying to kill them. It hit her with the same force as Hades’ lightning bolt had earlier. Those were the three warriors who’d evaded Hades for twenty-four hours, the warriors who’d broken the curse. The curse had also expired on the jaguar and Phoenix as well. That meant Hades and his minions couldn’t touch them.

The warriors, on the other hand, were showing no reticence and were hacking their way through the demons as fast as they could. Mordecai and Arand were fair game though and the demons were hitting them hard.

A demon with blue leathery skin, claw-like fingers and two horns protruding from the side of his head jumped onto the porch, his sword held in front of him. Sabrina didn’t hesitate. The sound of her shotgun echoed as the demon clutched his throat and fell backward.

Kellsie was off like a flash. The other woman stood over the downed demon, raised her arms and brought the blade down on the creature’s neck, severing it from the body. Kellsie was back beside her before she could blink. “That’s the way to do it. You incapacitate the suckers and I’ll finish them off.”

Sabrina didn’t have the heart to tell her new ally that she only had a half dozen or so shells left, if that. She’d fight until she was out of ammunition and then use the shotgun like a club.

She sought out Arand once again and her heart jumped into her throat as a huge demon swiped long, sharp claws toward him. Arand jumped back, barely avoiding being gutted. Why wasn’t the goddess doing anything to help? Both god and goddess stood on the perimeter of the fight, watching and waiting. But for what?

As though he could hear her thoughts, Hades suddenly made a move. The god raised his hands and aimed them toward Arand. She was very afraid Hades was going to fling two of those lightning bolts at Arand. She could almost hear the god’s thoughts, feel his anger and determination to destroy the warrior before Arand could break the curse.

Sabrina was off like a shot, feet pounding across the porch. She was down the steps and across the yard in a flash. She heard Kellsie calling her name, saw Arand whip his head around toward her. It all happened so fast, but yet time seemed to slow down and stretch.

Hades released two of those deadly lightning bolts toward Arand, and Sabrina knew she had only one chance. She jumped, extending her body as far as she could, flinging herself in front of him. Arand’s expression turned from one of worry to one of complete horror, and she knew he understood what she was doing.

He might have yelled her name, but she couldn’t be sure, couldn’t hear anything above the thundering of her heart. She was going to make it. Satisfaction filled her. Arand would be safe. She stretched out her hands, willing her body to fly faster though the air.

She didn’t quite make it.

One bolt of Hades’ lightning struck her smack in the middle of her chest, jerking her several feet backward. She slammed into Arand and his arms came around her a split second after the other bolt found its way to him. He flew back, taking her with him.

They landed hard, but Arand kept his arms wrapped around her, cushioning her from the worst of the fall. She could have told him it no longer mattered. She couldn’t feel much anyway.

The sounds around her dimmed. Arand was leaning over her, his mouth moving, but she couldn’t make out what he was saying.

“Love you,” she whispered. She wasn’t afraid to die. She’d much rather prefer to live, but if Arand stayed alive and the world was saved then her death had some meaning.

“Don’t leave me.” His tortured yell penetrated the black fog threatening to swamp her.

She licked her lips and forced the words past the pain in her chest. “You live.” She wanted to say so much more but it felt as though an elephant had taken up residence on top of her. This was so much worse than the first time she’d been hit. She knew now that the god had simply been toying with her earlier.

She blinked, wanting to capture the image of her wolf one final time. Concern filled his dark eyes and his shaggy hair fell around his shoulders. She loved his hair, so soft. As she watched, a lone tear slid from one of his eyes, rolled down his cheek and splattered on her face.

Sabrina wanted to tell him not to cry for her, that she didn’t regret one single moment of their time together or what had happened between them. It was fate. Her fate. She thought she heard a woman chanting in the distance. No, many women, their voices rising together on the wind to protect the small band of warriors and their women.

Keeping her eyes open grew much too difficult and Sabrina closed her eyes and released a long breath. The world faded away until there was nothing at all.

Arand threw back his head and howled. How had it come to this? He was supposed to protect Sabrina, not the other way around. “I love you,” he whispered. “Come back to me.”

She lay there, still and unmoving, his words unheard. He’d been a coward, not telling her he loved her when he’d had the chance. Now it was too late.

But it wasn’t too late to avenge her.

Arand dropped his sword and let the change overtake him. His wolf burst forward, ready to fight. His chest ached, but it would take more than one powerful bolt from Hades to kill him. With the return of the Lady and his fellow warriors, his power had increased tenfold.

He hated to leave Sabrina lying in the dirt surrounded by dead and dying demons. The bushes beside him rustled and he stood over Sabrina’s still form and growled, daring anyone to try to take her body from him. He sniffed, instantly recognizing the scent even over the stench of death and demons.

Tilly crept forward, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Go. I’ll take care of her.” She moved to kneel beside Sabrina’s side and placed her hands on her chest. “Go.”

Arand threw back his head and howled again, the sorrowful sound rising above the grunts of the demons and the battle cries of the warriors. Letting the animal inside him have full rein, he sought out his greatest enemy, the one who’d killed his mate.

Hades saw him coming and snickered. “It’s too late. You can’t stop me now.”

Arand threw himself at the god, not caring that the action would probably result in his death. Without Sabrina to bring him hope and fill his heart, he no longer cared. All he wanted was Hades’ death. And if he couldn’t kill him, he wanted the god to at least hurt.

Hades flung his hands outward and discharged two more bolts. They hit him like lightning and flung him back. They should have killed him, but for some unknown reason, he was still alive. He shook them off and charged again. He knew he couldn’t keep this up for long. One or two more strikes would probably incapacitate him enough for the god to finish him off.

Around him, his friends were still fighting. Would they win this time or would it be like last time? Arand couldn’t bear the thought of his comrades, even the traitorous Mordecai, being imprisoned or worse, tortured by Hades.

The god walked toward him, confidence in his every step. Several members of his elite guard, headed by Agmar, followed him. “When will you warriors learn you can’t beat me? Better if you’d joined me.”

Arand growled. He’d never join Hades.

“Hades.” The Lady’s voice carried easily, the purity of it causing even the Dark Lord to pause. “You can walk away now and still save yourself.”

Hades threw back his head, his sinister laughter spilling around them all. Arand shivered with dread and wondered if he had enough strength left to protect the Lady. He struggled to his feet and loped slowly toward her.

“You are nothing.” Hades faced the Lady, scorn in every word. “Weak.”

She tilted her head to one side. “Am I? Your demons are dying while my warriors all live.” Her entire body was glowing as bright as the sun, making it difficult to look at her. “The world has changed, Hades. Yes, there is greed and dark deeds in the world, but it is also filled with groups of people who want to save the planet and the animals. They have made me strong once again.”

Hades scoffed. “You were never as strong as you thought you were.” He ambled toward Arand. “You imprisoned your own warriors.”

“I protected them,” she countered.

Around them, the fighting continued unabated and some of the demons were getting much too close to Sabrina and Tilly. Arand wanted to run back to Sabrina, was torn between being with her and protecting his goddess. The longer the Lady distracted Hades, the more of Arand’s strength was returning to him as he healed.

“Weak,” Hades mocked. “You should destroy your enemy rather than trying to reason with them.”

The Lady inclined her head. “As you wish.”

Thunder shook the ground with the power of an earthquake. It was quickly followed by a flash as bright and powerful as an atomic bomb. Arand closed his eyes and was still blinded by the light. The fighting stopped as everyone paused to assess the latest threat. What had the Lady done?

When Arand opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Zeus, the King of the gods. He seemed larger than life, standing about six and a half feet tall, as he stepped into the clearing like he owned it.

Zeus was followed by his brother Poseidon and about a dozen more of the Greek gods. Arand shifted back to his human form and stood in front of the Lady. He felt more than saw the other warriors surrounding her. He glanced toward Sabrina and frowned when he saw Tilly pumping Sabrina’s chest with her hands. Did that mean she was still alive?

The urge to run to her was great, but if there was a chance Sabrina was alive, Hades had to be dealt with. Otherwise, he would only attack her again. Arand felt as though he was being torn asunder, pulled apart by his love for Sabrina and his love and duty for his Lady.

“What are you doing here?” Hades blustered, obviously shocked by the appearance of his brothers and the other gods.

Zeus ambled forward, radiating sheer power with each step he took. His fingertips brushed against Hades’ demons as he went, and every creature he touched disintegrated, crumbling to dust. “You’ve been busy.” The King of the gods of Olympus inclined his head toward the Lady and the warriors.

Hades shrugged. “Just a little project to keep myself amused.”

“Hmm.” Zeus continued toward his brother. “Is that what this is?” The god’s tone was conversational, but Arand wasn’t fooled by it. “What is this I hear about a plan to take over the world and steal our power?”

The god might seem like he was calm and in control, but Arand could sense the pulsing anger below the surface. Zeus wasn’t exactly known for his compassion and understanding. The god was brutal and swift when meting out justice.

“Imagine my surprise when the Lady of the Beasts, a goddess I thought to be imprisoned in your realm, came to me with an interesting story.” Zeus touched another demon and it crumbled. All the demons took a step back. Some of them even jumped back through the portal to Hell.

“Lies. All lies.” Hades appeared totally relaxed even though many of his demons were dust at his feet. The black portal suddenly snapped shut, cutting off the supply of his demons and the escape route. Hades frowned. “She’s just a little put out with me because I kept her captive for so many years.”

“Truthfully, I’d forgotten all about her until she showed up on my doorstep.” Zeus stood before his brother now, both of them tall and handsome and strong. “But her words disturbed me. I was further disturbed when I visited you.” He shook his head, causing his mane of white hair to shimmer around his shoulders. “You cannot hide your intentions from me. From us.” Zeus raised his arms to encompass all those who had come with him. “You would destroy all of us and strengthen yourself.”

“Not all of you.” Hades smirked at his brother. “You don’t have enough strength to defeat me. You’ve all withdrawn from the world for several thousand years, letting the humans do as they will. Now they worship me.”

“No.” Poseidon stepped forward. “Alone we cannot defeat you, but together…” He let his threat trail off.

Hades frowned. “I am your brother.”

Zeus nodded. “Yes, you are. For that reason alone we won’t kill you, but we will be taking some of your power.”

He raised his arm until his palm was facing Hades. Hades shot up his hands to deflect his brother’s attempt to take what was his.

Arand could have told Zeus it wouldn’t be that easy. A shower of gold sparks shot twelve feet in the air as the two balls of energy met. The two strained against one another, their power building between them. It was as though two walls of energy had slammed together, neither able to budge the other.

The two gods renewed their efforts, sending another burst of sparks showering over them. The demons closest to Hades, including Agmar, were engulfed in the gold energy. They screamed and burst into flames, the flesh melting from their leathery bodies. It was a horrific sight to behold. Still, the two gods battled for supremacy. The other gods began to grumble, getting restless as Zeus was not able to defeat Hades.

Mordecai sidled up to stand beside him. “Go to your woman.”

Arand risked taking his gaze off the battling gods and stared at his former friend, torn between attacking him and embracing him.

As if he knew what Arand was thinking, Mordecai shook his head. “There is little time left, but you can save your woman. Give her your life force. Share your immortality with her. It’s not too late for you.”

Dare he believe Mordecai?

The serpent sneered at him. “Maybe you don’t want her to live. Maybe she was nothing more than a means to an end, someone to fuck after being held prisoner for so many years.”

Arand snarled and shot his arm out. His fist caught the serpent square in the jaw and Mordecai staggered back several steps. His friend rubbed the side of his face and shrugged. “Up to you.”

Breaking formation, Arand raced toward Sabrina, praying he wasn’t making a mistake. He fell to his knees beside Tilly. “Is she still alive?”

Tilly shook her head. “No, but I’m not giving up.” She continued chest compressions.

Arand’s heart almost shattered, but he took hope from what Mordecai had told him. He was immortal, his body able to repair itself. Could he bring Sabrina back?

“Let me.” He pushed Tilly’s hands aside and placed his own on Sabrina’s chest. He could feel no beat from her heart, no air going into her lungs. He closed his eyes and shut out the rest of the world. The gods could fight among themselves. His only concern now was Sabrina.

She was cold and unresponsive, but that didn’t stop him. He pushed his life force into her, willing her to take it, pleading with her to live.

Sabrina floated just above the clearing, watching the bizarre scene unfold below. She felt light but disoriented. Why was she floating? And why was she no longer in pain?

Zeus and other Greek gods had appeared out of nowhere. The King of the gods and the Lord of the Underworld were currently locked in battle while the other gods and the Lady looked on. Why couldn’t they all go back where they belonged and stop plaguing the world?

She could see everything so clearly from here—the other warriors, all strong and determined, three women she didn’t know. No, that wasn’t quite right. She knew one of them. Kellsie, she’d said her name was Kellsie and that she was with Marko, the bear. She could see Jessica hiding in a tree, peeking through the branches, and gave a snort of laughter. Now her friend really did look like a woodland sprite.

Where was Tilly? As though simply speaking her friend’s name was enough, Sabrina’s awareness was spun around and she could see her friend. Tilly was crying. Bent over Sabrina’s body, she was doing CPR. It was weird to watch her friend work on her unresponsive body.

She was dead. But if she was dead why was she still here? Why was she aware?

Because it’s not your time yet. The soft feminine voice surrounded Sabrina like a warm blanket.

“I don’t understand.”

Your warrior will save you. Will you save him?

As Sabrina watched, Mordecai spoke to Arand. Her wolf punched the other warrior in the jaw and then broke from the crowd and raced toward her, falling on his knees beside her lifeless body.

Will you save him? the voice asked again.

“Yes.” Sabrina spoke aloud even though no one else could hear her. “I’ll save him.”

Arand placed his hands over her chest, just above her heart. What felt like about a thousand volts of energy shot through her, making her entire body jerk. Abruptly, she was yanked from the ether and viciously shoved back into her body. Pain enveloped her and she opened her mouth to scream, but no sound emerged.

Her eyes popped open to see a determined Arand bent over her. “Come back to me,” he commanded.

She heard a male voice yell, “No.” She recognized it as Hades and wondered what was happening. Then something hit Arand hard. His entire body jerked, suspended in midair for what seemed like forever before falling on top of her. Whatever Arand had been doing to her stopped, and Sabrina felt her life draining away from her again.

This wasn’t right, wasn’t fair. Arand deserved to live. She used the last of her strength to wrap her arms around him and hold him to her heart. At least they were together.

“Enough.” The purity and sheer power of the Lady’s voice froze all of them, including the other gods, in their tracks. She raised her hands, palms facing away from her, and aimed them toward Hades. His eyes widened and his lips parted on a silent scream.

Zeus dropped his hands and whirled toward the Lady, arms raised, ready to attack. The warriors moved into position to protect her.

“What are you doing?” the god demanded.

“What you could not.” She slowly lowered her hands. “I have drained much of Hades power. He is still a god, but he is weak. I would not do to him what he did to me. It is up to all of you to keep him contained from now on.”

Zeus squared his shoulders and looked down his nose at her. “You do not tell me what to do.” He looked ready to fight, and all her warriors tensed in anticipation.

“It was merely a suggestion.” The Lady glided forward, flowers and soft grass pushing up through the ground to cushion her every step. “Take your brother and go home, Zeus.”

Poseidon came up behind her, but she ignored him as she continued speaking to the King of the gods. “The world has changed and so have we. There is no need to battle and fight one another.”

Zeus glanced at the warriors and back at the Lady. “You have grown more powerful.” She could see his mind working to find a way to steal her power from her. Would these Greek gods never learn?

“I am no threat to you, as I was no threat to you five thousand years ago. Nature and the animals are my domain, and I am content to be among them. If they die so do the humans and any chance they might worship you again,” she pointed out. Zeus was nothing if not practical. “If Hades had his way, the sons and daughters of man would worship only him until all of you are nothing more than a faint footnote in history, totally defenseless against him.”

Zeus rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “You speak the truth. You are no threat to me. To us.” He raised his arms to encompass his fellow gods and they all inclined their heads in agreement. The Lady didn’t mind. She understood Zeus needed to save face if he was to leave in peace. She inclined her head slightly in deference.

“Come. Let us take our brother home.” Zeus motioned to two of the other gods.

The Lady thought one of them might have been Ares and the other Apollo. It had been so long and she’d never really paid much attention to them. And she should have. Her warriors were right about that, and they’d paid the price of her arrogance.

She watched and waited as Zeus opened a golden portal of light and stepped through it. The two dragging Hades by his arms entered behind Zeus. She could almost pity Hades. Almost. She hoped he learned from this defeat, but she doubted he would. He would regain power and begin plotting once again. But that would be decades, centuries in the future.

As the last of Hades’ power faded from this realm, the last remaining demon body turned to ash and was swept up by the wind. The demon remains formed a cloud and followed the last of the Greeks through the portal. It closed behind them, leaving her alone in the clearing with her warriors, their women and friends.

“Help me.” The woman’s sorrowful cry reminded the Lady there was yet another chore to take care of. Sabrina’s friend was kneeling beside Arand and his woman, tears rolling down her face.

The Lady hurried to the side of her downed warrior. Arand was draped across Sabrina and she had her arms wrapped around him. Even in death their connection was deep.

“Save them. Please save them.” The plea came not from the woman’s friend, but from Mordecai. Her serpent went down on his knees before her. “Take me if you must, but save Arand.”

She placed her hands on Mordecai’s head, letting her fingers sift through his long, black hair. “Do you still doubt me so much, my warrior?”

His entire body shuddered and he lowered his head, speaking no more.

Sighing, she released him and turned to face all her warriors. The three women who had freed her tiger, bear and wolf from the curse stood beside their mates. “Do the rest of you doubt me?”

Silence greeted her. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but there was no blame either, only a sense of anticipation. They were all loyal, her warriors, and she wanted only the best for them.

The Lady moved until she was standing over Arand and Sabrina. She held out her hands and felt immense power shift through her. After so many centuries of being weak, it was an odd but joyous sensation to feel like herself again.

Life-giving energy shifted through her. She was a goddess of creation, able to give life to the animals and the plants. But this was different. She had no dominion in the realm of humans. They had free will. The Lady only prayed that Sabrina would want to come back to be with Arand.

Her wolf stirred. His large body shuddered as the Lady’s life force healed him. He raised his head and stared up at her with tears in his dark eyes. “Save her.”

Although it broke her heart, she shook her head. “I cannot. Only you can save her. Share your life force with her and make her immortal as your brethren have done with their ladies.”

The Lady’s words beat in his brain and fired his heart. “Come back to me, Sabrina,” he whispered. He ruthlessly drove his healing power into her lifeless body. How much could a human body take? He didn’t know and prayed he wasn’t too late. He’d gotten one miracle when she’d revived the first time. Was it too much to expect a second one?

Sabrina had rescued him from his prison, saved him and brought him to life. She’d given freely of her body and her love, standing beside him, protecting him from a vengeful Hades.

She couldn’t be gone. She couldn’t.

Arand howled his sorrow when her body remained unresponsive. It wasn’t working. He was failing her once again.

“Give her a reason to come back,” the Lady instructed.

Arand could sense his fellow warriors around him, encouraging him. He was still shocked by the appearance of Stavros and Phoenix as well as the others. They were a miracle. And Arand needed another.

He leaned down and pressed his lips against Sabrina’s, ignoring how cool they were. He would warm her for the rest of their days if she came back to him. “I love you,” he whispered. Nothing. “I love you.” Louder this time. Still nothing.

Arand grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “I love you,” he yelled. “Come back to me. You must live. I don’t want to live without you.” He choked back the tears that threatened to unman him. “I can’t live without you.”

He heard several women sobbing and felt their despair crushing him. “No. It can’t end like this.” He shook Sabrina again. “I love you.”

Tilly sat across from him, tears streaming down her cheeks. He felt Jessica slide in beside him and gently touch his arm. “It’s too late, Arand. You must let her go.”

He turned on her, bared his teeth and snarled. “Never.”

He lifted Sabrina and held her to his chest, rocking her back and forth. “I need you. You must save me. I am in danger.” He leaned back and her head lolled against his left arm. “Do you hear me,” he yelled. “I am in danger. I need you.” He poured more of his essence into her and felt himself weakening. He didn’t care if it took every last drop of his power to save her.

He threw back his head and howled again, the mournful sound echoed by his fellow warriors as they shared in his grief.

He stilled. Had she moved? He watched her face, willing her to open her eyes and look at him. “You must save me. Wake,” he commanded.

Sabrina stirred in his arms. Excitement coursed through his veins as her eyelids fluttered open.

“What’s all the racket about? I have a splitting headache.”

Arand felt the steady thump of her heart and reined in his power. Her eyelids fluttered open and she glared up at him. He’d never seen a more beautiful sight in his life. He started to laugh, the joy coming from the bottom of his very soul.

She slowly lifted her hand, but it started to falter as though it were too heavy for her. Arand clasped her hand in his and drew it up until it touched his face. She gently patted his cheek, the concern in her eyes threatening to undo him.

“Are you okay?” She frowned and her brow creased. “I thought I heard you calling me.”

Her concern for him touched him deeply. There was nothing more important to him than Sabrina’s happiness and well-being. “I did call you, but I’m fine now. How do you feel?”

Sabrina yawned. “Tired.”

“Rest.” He rocked her lightly. “I’ll take care of you.”

“Okay,” she readily agreed and closed her eyes.

He took a moment to make certain she was only sleeping, and then he stood and faced his goddess. “Thank you.” The two words were totally inadequate to express what he was feeling, but absolutely sincere. This was the greatest gift he’d ever been given.

“It was you who did it,” the Lady told him. “She is worthy of you and you of her.”

Arand looked around at his friends and several women he did not recognize. “My thanks to all of you. There is so much I have to tell you, so much I want to know.” He stared down at Sabrina. “But I must take care of my lady first.”

He realized what he’d called Sabrina and looked to the Lady of the Beasts to see how she reacted. Her gentle smile was filled with understanding. “Go and look to her comfort. We will talk later. There is all the time in the world now.”

All the time in the world. He liked the sound of that.

Leaving the rest of them in the yard, Arand carried his precious cargo up the steps and into the house. He took her into the bedroom, laid her carefully on the mattress and stretched out beside her, pulling her into his embrace. “Sleep,” he whispered in her ear. He rubbed his hand over her hair, filled with the simple wonder of having her in his arms. “I will watch over you.” It was a promise he planned to keep for all time.

Chapter Sixteen

Sabrina peered around the living room of her granny’s house and shook her head in wonder. The small room was currently jammed with immortal shapeshifting warriors, their mates and her two friends. They were all waiting for the Lady—an actual goddess—to arrive.

The warriors were talking, catching up on what had happened to all of them. Well, all but Mordecai. He was standing in the corner of the room, his back to the wall while the other warriors pointedly ignored him. She understood why they didn’t trust him, but she still felt a twinge of sadness for Mordecai. She wasn’t quite sure why he hadn’t been sent back to Hell with Hades, why he was still here.

“How do you feel?” Arand had been asking her the same question every two minutes since she’d woke about an hour ago.

She gave him the same answer she’d given him each time. “I’m fine. Really.” Well, fine for a woman who’d apparently died, not just once, but twice. There was an echo of an ache in her chest, but even that was beginning to fade the longer she was awake.

She glanced at the clock as it struck midnight. The others stopped talking, all of them waiting until the last chime was struck. The curse was truly over. They were all free.

As if that was the signal she’d been waiting for, the front door opened and the Lady of the Beasts stepped into the room. Sabrina blinked at the lovely young woman standing before them. The Lady looked no older than she or Tilly or Jessica, but she was truly ancient. The proof was in her blue-eyed gaze. Her eyes reflected the mysteries and heartaches of the entire history of time.

She was wearing a dark-green dress that fell to her ankles. Her unbound hair skimmed the floor as she walked. There were colorful flowers twined in her locks that were every shade of brown from almost blonde to mahogany. The corners of her mouth were turned up slightly, not quite a smile, but almost.

But it was the light that radiated from her, the sheer energy surrounding her that let everyone around her know she was something special, a woman of great power, a goddess.

As one, all the men rose, thumped their right hands over their hearts and went down on their left knees before her. The Lady smiled, and Sabrina knew she’d never seen a more beautiful woman in her life.

“Rise, my loyal warriors.” They all stood and she walked toward them. One by one, she touched their faces and patted their arms, her actions almost motherly.

And she was their mother, wasn’t she? Their creator. Sabrina watched as Arand lowered his head so the Lady could touch him. The warriors all crowded around her, but Mordecai hung back.

The Lady paused and made some kind of sign with her hand. The warriors parted, leaving her a clear path to the serpent. “Won’t you come forward and greet me?”

Mordecai shook his head. “I am tainted.”

The Lady walked toward him and Sabrina tensed, wondering what the goddess would do to the betraying warrior.

“Why did you join Hades?”

The entire room seemed to hold its breath. It was the question all of them wanted answered.

“Why?” Mordecai squared his shoulders and glared at the other warriors. “Because I knew we needed someone on the inside if we were going to defeat Hades, and I knew none of the others would do it.”

The other warriors erupted, outrage pouring from them. “What did you do to help?” Roric roared. “You tried to kill Aimee.”

Aimee, a slender woman with short black hair, placed her arm on Roric’s arm to retrain him. Sabrina had been introduced to all of them earlier, but her head had still been spinning at the time. If Sabrina was remembering correctly, Aimee was an artist of some kind.

Mordecai sneered. “If I’d wanted to kill her I could have done so several times.”

“You stabbed Araminta.” Leander took a threatening step forward. “And you stabbed me.” Leander wrapped his arm protectively around a woman with long tawny-brown hair and steady gray eyes. Sabrina remembered being told that Araminta was a writer.

“She attacked me and I reacted automatically. I knew you wouldn’t die from your wounds. All you had to do was let the clock run out and you would have both been fine.”

Marko grunted and started to speak, but the Lady raised her hand and all the warriors fell silent. “What happened to you, Mordecai?”

He glared at his fellow warriors and raked a hand through his hair. It amazed Sabrina how good all the warriors looked. They were all dressed in leather leggings, boots and tunics, except for Mordecai, who looked more like a mercenary for hire in his jeans, a new black T-shirt and combat boots.

“Like all of you, I was set free by a woman. We disappeared, but I knew it was only a matter of time until Hades came after us.” He paused, his expression sad. “I was lucky. She was a very smart woman, and a woman of some skill. She took my soul.” He rubbed his chest as though it still pained him.

Took his soul. “How is that even possible?” Sabrina asked.

Mordecai looked at her and shrugged. “As I said, she was very clever and learned, and I was more than willing. She held my animal form, the very essence of my soul, keeping it safe from Hades.”

“But you killed her,” Marko stated.

“Did I?” Mordecai sighed, looking very tired, his shoulders slumping.

“No, he didn’t kill her.” Sabrina was shocked when Jessica stepped forward. Jessica glanced toward the Lady and received her nod of approval before continuing to speak. “That woman who set Mordecai free was my grandmother, and she wrote about the episode in her journal. She was a witch of great power and took Mordecai’s animal essence to protect it.”

“It was in the amulet you wore.” Mordecai went down on one knee before Jessica and lowered his head. “I am in your debt and your grandmother’s debt for returning my other half to me. How does she fare?” Mordecai raised his head to look up at Jessica.

“She’s gone from this world, but after a long, happy life, thanks to you.” Jessica put her hand on Mordecai’s shoulder and urged him to stand. “I owe you my life. Without you saving my grandmother, I would never have been born.”

Sabrina’s head was spinning at this revelation. Jessica had known about the warriors all this time and hadn’t said anything at all.

Jessica turned away from Mordecai to address them all. “Mordecai went to a local cemetery and dug up the body of a recently deceased woman and took that to Hades. The god didn’t bother to check to see if it was the right woman, just as he never checked to see if Mordecai still had his soul. Hades had one of the warriors at his side and that was all he cared about.” Jessica looked at Sabrina as if pleading with her to understand. “I had to repay this debt my family owed. I had to. I promised my grandmother on her deathbed that I would. It was she who told me to come to New Orleans. She told me I’d find my destiny here.”

Sabrina slowly nodded and Jessica immediately looked relieved. Her friend had done everything in her power to help. Sabrina understood she had to keep her word to her grandmother. She’d have done the same if she’d made a promise to her granny.

“Amazing.” It was Kellsie who spoke. “What happened then?”

Mordecai shrugged. “I did what I could.” He turned to Stavros. “When Stavros was released, I pretended to kill him. Instead, I killed a very large jaguar and took that body to Hades. I told him I’d killed the woman who’d freed him too.”

“And he never checked to see if the jaguar really was Stavros.” The Lady’s soft voice calmed some of the rising tension in the room.

“I never knew.” Stavros stared at Mordecai, his dark gaze filled with unspoken thanks. “I wondered why Hades wasn’t searching for me. When the curse was broken, I watched over Melinda until the day she died.” He turned his sad gaze onto the Lady. “I’ve spent almost all the years since I was released in my animal form. I am sorry for that, sorry for not trying to find and help my fellow warriors.”

Sabrina could feel the sense of shame coming from Stavros and wanted to give the tall, dark-haired warrior a hug. The Lady did it for her, walking over to her warrior and wrapping her arms around him. “There is no shame, my brave warrior.”

The Lady stepped back and turned her sharp gaze back to Mordecai. “What about Phoenix?”

One corner of Mordecai’s mouth tipped upward, not quite a grin, but almost. “That bastard went up in flame and smoke and we never saw him again.”

They all looked toward Phoenix, who shrugged. “It was reflex. Unfortunately, I was not able to save the woman who set me free.” Sadness filled his emerald-green gaze. “I was weak, my powers almost nonexistent and it took me decades to regenerate. I’ve only become aware of the world again over the past few years, and I’ve been searching for all of you ever since. When I felt the Lady’s power, I was able to follow the trail and I found her here.”

“Hades never had your soul, never truly had you, Mordecai.” The Lady glided across the room, stopping in front of Mordecai. “If you’d gotten out of Hell during the first twenty-four hours after you were released from the curse, you would have been free. You tricked the devil himself. But you gave up your freedom and stayed in his domain for decades.”

Mordecai nodded but said nothing.

The Lady continued. “You did it to protect your fellow warriors, to help them as much as you could. But you were playing a dangerous game, Mordecai. You had to do enough to keep the devil from realizing he had no real hold over you. But you were residing in his realm. Because you went willingly to him, because you were in Hell when your twenty-four-hour time limit of the curse came and went, he had the power to kill you himself if he chose. You were alone in Hell.”

“It was a chance I was willing to take.”

The Lady placed her hand in the center of his chest. “Your heart is heavy, Mordecai. You are whole once again, your soul returned to you, your animal half joined with your human half once again. Because of that, you are now free from the curse and from Hades for all time.” She shook her head and sighed, sadness filling the very air around her. “But you will never be the warrior you once were.”

Sabrina reached out and took Arand’s hand, wondering what was going to happen to Mordecai.

Arand was stunned, and there were similar expressions on the faces of his fellow warriors. Mordecai had tricked Hades and then willingly gone into his domain to try to help the rest of them. All this time they’d thought he was a traitor he’d been trying to help them.

But the Lady was right. Mordecai was changed by the experience. There had always been a darkness surrounding him, but now it seemed a permanent part of him, clinging to his very skin.

Arand was grateful for Sabrina’s touch. He held her hand, wishing they were alone so he could make love to her. After so many long centuries in captivity, it still stunned him to realize he was free. They all were. And according to his brethren, his Sabrina was now immortal, his forever.

His cock stirred, but he willed it back into submission. Now was not the time for such thoughts, but later, later he had plans for his woman.

The Lady removed her hand from Mordecai’s chest. Power surrounded the goddess, pulsing like a heartbeat. Arand felt the hair on his arms stand on end. He swallowed hard, wondering what the Lady was going to do to his former friend. No, Mordecai was still his friend. He’d tried to help them, putting himself in peril.

Arand gave Sabrina’s hand a squeeze before he released it and stepped away from her. He took the two steps necessary to bring him to Mordecai’s side. “My Lady, I beg you have mercy on my fellow warrior.” He looked at Mordecai, seeing the depth of pain in his eyes. Arand kept Mordecai’s gaze as he added, “My friend.”

He looked toward Sabrina, willing her to understand. She offered him a soft smile and her complete understanding. Arand could see in her eyes that she knew this was something he had to do. He truly was lucky to have her in his life. And he could thank the Lady for that miracle.

It was Stavros who broke ranks next, coming to stand on Mordecai’s other side. “I beg mercy for my brother.”

Mordecai glance at both of them, looking overwhelmed. He swallowed hard and inclined his head at both of them. “I thank you, but I am ready to stand alone in my judgment.”

“But you are no longer alone.” It was Phoenix who joined them next.

Roric heaved a great sigh and stepped up to join them. “You always have to be difficult, don’t you, serpent?”

“It’s a gift.” Mordecai’s quip made Roric smile.

“What the heck.” Marko joined them, leaving only Leander.

The lion glared at Mordecai but grudgingly came forward, the floor buckling slightly beneath his heavy footfalls.

The Lady’s gaze fell on all of them. Arand could sense she was both pleased and disappointed, and she confirmed that with her next words. “You think I would punish one of my warriors for trying to protect his brothers?” She twined a lock of her hair through her fingers. “I have failed you.”

The warriors protested at once, their voices rising in a cacophony of sound. She said nothing until they fell silent once again. “It is true. I did not listen to your warnings about the Greek gods until it was too late. It was because of me you ended up trapped and cursed for five thousand years.”

“You saved us,” Roric protested.

“The Greek gods would have attacked no matter what you did,” Mordecai stated. “They are always power hungry.”

The Lady shook her head. “I failed you so I now offer you compensation. You are free. The women who freed you and lived now share your immortality. You no longer owe me service.”

His fellow warriors protested, but Arand’s gaze went to Sabrina. She appeared to be as shocked as he felt. Free from the Lady. He wanted to be with Sabrina, but it felt wrong to cut ties with his Lady.

Sabrina met his gaze and shook her head. His heart swelled with a love he knew would never fade and die, would only expand and grow richer over the coming centuries.

Arand once again went down on one knee before the Lady of the Beasts. “I thank you for the gift of Sabrina. My heart is full. But I would also serve you as you wish.” He stood and smiled at his goddess. “I can do both.”

“As can I,” Roric added, bowing before the Lady.

Marko and Leander echoed Roric’s vow. Then Phoenix and Stavros renewed their commitment to the Lady. Arand felt bad for them. Neither of them had been lucky enough to find love as he had. He didn’t know how he could have survived if Sabrina had died or lived her life without him. He admired the bravery and fortitude of his friends.

Mordecai was the only one who didn’t pledge himself. They all waited, but he didn’t speak.

“What of you, Mordecai?” the Lady asked.

“I am not worthy.”

The Lady shook her head. “No, my brave warrior. You are very worthy. You are changed by your experience, your soul dark and weary, but you never wavered in your intent. Your courage is great.” She smiled at him. “I would be a very lucky goddess indeed to count you in my service.”

“Then I am yours, my Lady.” Mordecai pledge his life and service to the goddess who had created him.

“That is good.” The Lady smiled and turned toward the door. “We have many years until Hades starts to make trouble again, and then he will be someone else’s problem. I plan to roam the world and visit my favorite places. I suggest you all enjoy your new lives.”

“My Lady?” It was Mordecai who asked the question. “What will I do?”

The goddess glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him. “Rediscover the world and the many wonders it has to offer. Find happiness. Live. You all have your full powers again and can be by my side with but a thought. You have your fellow warriors. You are not alone.” She put her hand on the doorknob but paused. “Mordecai, you and Stavros and Phoenix need not be alone. If someday down the road you find your mate, you may share your immortality with her as the others have done. That is my gift to all of you for your years of imprisonment.”

The Lady left them then, disappearing out the door. Arand felt the moment she was gone from the area, her power taking her to the other side of the country. He smiled, pleased to be able to feel his goddess once again. He concentrated for a moment and felt the connection he had to his fellow warriors as well. It was as it once had been, only better. He now appreciated what he had much more than before and would never take it for granted again.

Arand pulled Sabrina into his arms, holding her close to his heart. “Thank you.” He didn’t have to tell her for what. He knew she understood he was thanking her for her unwavering support of his decision to remain with his goddess.

“She’s part of you.” Sabrina patted his chest and then her own. “Of us.”

Arand knew he couldn’t wait any longer. He scooped Sabrina into his arms. “My woman needs her rest. Feel free to stay. There’s not a lot of food, but you’re welcome to it.”

“Arand.” Sabrina gasped and started to speak, but he cut off her admonishment with a kiss.

Roric snorted. “Thank you for your hospitality, but I think we’ll all head into the city and find a hotel. We’ll meet again in a couple of days.”

“Works for me,” Arand called over his shoulder as he carried Sabrina into the bedroom. Marko’s booming laugh followed them as Arand kicked the door shut behind them.

“How could you do that?” Sabrina wailed. “They’ll all know what we plan to do in here, and it doesn’t involve a nap.”

“Sure it does.” He tossed her onto the bed and pounced on top of her, careful not to crush her with his weight.

“It does?”

He caught the disappointment in her tone and smiled. “Yes, it does. After.”

“After,” she repeated.

He kissed her as he ripped her top open and dragged it off her body. “Much later.”

Sabrina laughed and the sound went through him like a physical caress, making his spine arch with pleasure. He willed his own clothing to disappear, freeing his engorged cock.

Her laughter died as she reached for him. “Much, much later,” she agreed, wrapping her fingers around his erection.

Arand sensed the others leaving the cabin and the swamp. They were finally alone. He yanked off her shoes and the rest of her clothes until she was naked. He paused, as always, taken by her beauty and the way she gave herself to him, holding nothing back.

Humbled, he leaned down and kissed her, the caress gentle and filled with love. Sabrina stroked his heavy erection and the kiss changed, becoming ravenous in a heartbeat. They were both breathless when he pulled back, but he still managed to laugh. Sabrina had changed his life, made him feel alive once again. Happy.

He threw back his head and howled his joy. Then he made love to his mate, again and again and again.

Epilogue

Sabrina started to wipe some powdered sugar from her lips, but Arand beat her to it and licked away the sweetness left behind by the beignet she’d just finished.

“Mmm, tasty.” He licked his lips and sat back in his chair, a roguish grin on his face.

She laughed at him and glanced around the room, half-listening to all the conversations flowing around her. Café Ledet was closed to the public tonight, but there was a private party going on. All of the warriors and their women were here, along with Tilly and Jessica.

She and Arand had returned to the city this morning, and the first thing she’d done was find her friends. They’d had so much to talk about and share. Jessica had apologized profusely for not telling them about her grandmother’s journal, but both she and Tilly had waved it away. They were all friends and understood. Jessica and Tilly had put themselves on the line for her and Arand, and Sabrina would never forget that.

Her only sadness came from the realization that her friends would age and grow old while she wouldn’t. It was weird to think of herself as immortal. She couldn’t quite wrap her head around that one. She guessed she would given time, which was something it seemed she now had plenty of.

Mordecai seemed to be paying particular attention to Jessica. The two of them had been talking all evening. The other warriors were still a bit tentative around him, and Sabrina knew he had to feel still somewhat like an outsider. Jessica would be good for him, plus they had a connection through her grandmother.

Phoenix, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to take his eyes off Tilly. Her friend threw back her head and laughed at something the self-contained warrior said to her, her dark-brown eyes twinkling with pleasure.

Sabrina toyed with the handle of her coffee mug and studied both couples. The more she watched them, the more convinced she was that she might not be alone in her immortality. Not that she really was. All the other women were really nice. Kellsie, Aimee and Araminta had all gone out of their way to speak with her. They all belonged to a very special group—they were all mated to immortal, shapeshifting warriors. And being with an alpha male brought its own set of special problems. They’d already exchanged phone numbers and email addresses.

She liked them all, but she really hoped her friends joined the select group down the road. A girl could only hope.

Then there was Stavros. He seemed content to simply be among them all, and she prayed that he’d find someone to love too. As if he sensed her watching him, Stavros swiveled his head in her direction and his black eyes pierced her, as though he was trying to read her thoughts. And maybe he could, because a second later he smiled before turning back to his conversation with Marko.

All the men were handsome, not always in the traditional sense, but they all possessed an animal magnetism that was undeniable.

“Are you tired?”

Her heart swelled at the concern in Arand’s voice. “I feel fabulous.” She took a sip of her rich, aromatic coffee before continuing. “But what are we all going to do now?” The other conversations around them died and she suddenly found herself the center of attention.

Sabrina shrugged. “I mean, all us women have careers. So do we keep working or not. What do you guys want to do now that you’re free?”

Roric frowned. “It is harder to make a living in this world than I anticipated.”

“I will work in movies, I think.” Marko looked at Kellsie for confirmation.

“I can definitely get him work if he wants it.” Kellsie rubbed Marko’s arm. “My guy is hot and has major fighting skills.”

All the women laughed, while Marko sat straighter in his chair, a chair Sabrina was surprised hadn’t broken under his sheer size. He was the biggest of the bunch.

Mordecai cleared his throat, catching all their attention. “That won’t be necessary.”

Leander frowned. “Why not? We must earn money to live in this modern world.” They all understood they couldn’t do anything that might alert the humans to the fact they were immortal. Sabrina shuddered at the thought of how much trouble that would cause all of them.

“One thing I’ll say for the devil is he knows how to make money. I watched and learned.” Mordecai rubbed one hand over the leg of his jeans and it occurred to Sabrina that he was nervous, not sure how his fellow warriors were going to take what he was about to say. “I also spent much time in this realm brokering his deals for him and handling his business interests.”

It was Jessica who broke the tense silence. “Tell them,” she encouraged, and Sabrina knew that her friend was already aware of what Mordecai was going to say. She wondered how much time they’d spent together the past few days while she’d been holed up at Granny’s house making love to her wild wolf.

“Ah, I’ve been investing for decades now, primarily in oil and minerals.” Mordecai looked at all the other warriors. “We all know where to find such things. It wasn’t hard to start a company—Dragon’s Holdings. You’re all shareholders. There are bank accounts in your names with roughly a few billion dollars each. I also invested in a few startup computer and technology companies back in the eighties and nineties.” He raked his finger through his hair. “So, yeah, you’re all rich.”

The room erupted. The women squealed and Kellsie jumped up, raced over to Mordecai and hugged him. Marko roared and tore her away from the other warrior before grabbing Mordecai himself and thumping him on the back.

When the furor died down, it was Roric, their unofficial leader, who spoke for the rest of them. “Why? Why did you even bother?”

Mordecai shrugged. “Guess I had some hope after all.”

Hope. Was there a word more powerful? Maybe love. Sabrina looked at Arand and her heart filled with it. He caught her gaze and lifted her from her seat and placed her in his lap. “Are you happy?”

“More than I thought possible,” she replied. “You realize you’re stinking rich now, don’t you? All of you are.”

Arand shrugged. “As long as I can give you whatever will make you happy, that is all I need.”

Could he be any more perfect for her? He was loving and giving and completely hot in bed. “All I need is you.”

He grinned. “Then you will always be happy.”

Sabrina laughed and rubbed her nose against his. She knew they’d have disagreements. After all, she was a modern woman and he was an ancient warrior. They were bound to clash on some things. But there would always be love, and that was bigger than any disagreement could be.

“I think I’m ready to go home.” She wanted to make love to her man again. One perk of being immortal was her body healed fast. No matter how many times they made love, she didn’t get sore.

Arand stood abruptly with her cradled in his arms. His chair tipped back and fell to the floor.

“Going so soon?” Kellsie teased.

“I think it is a good idea.” Marko scooped her into his arms and headed for the door.

“I’ll call you,” Kellsie promised. “I think we should discuss buying a large piece of land somewhere for all of us to build homes so we can be together.”

“There’s a couple of houses in a row in the French Quarter for sale,” Tilly told them. “I think both of them have several apartments in them. Enough for everyone.”

Sabrina laughed again as a rush of happiness filled her. “We’ll make an appointment to look at them tomorrow. If no one else wants in, Arand and I could buy them so everyone would have a place to stay when they come to visit.” She stopped when she realized not only was she making a decision without discussing it with Arand, she was also spending his money. Not like she had enough money sitting around to buy it.

She glanced up to find Arand watching her, an indulgent expression on his face. “Whatever makes you happy,” he reminded her.

Roric spoke as he wrapped his arm around Aimee. “We’ll get together and discuss it tomorrow.” He went to Mordecai and held out his hand. “Thank you, my brother.”

Arand set her back in her chair and Marko did the same with Kellsie. Then all the warriors went to Mordecai and they wrapped their arms around one another. It reminded Sabrina of a football huddle. She glanced at the women and shrugged. What the hell. The women stood and came together in a huddle of their own, even Jessica and Tilly.

“Go team,” Sabrina called, and they laughed.

Arand wrapped his strong arm around Sabrina’s waist and pulled her from the pack of hugging women. “Guess this means we’re leaving.” Her friends, old and new, all laughed as Arand hurried her from the café.

The night was cool, but she didn’t mind it much. That was one thing she had noticed over the past few days, she didn’t seem to notice the heat or cold as much as she used to. She was still learning what being immortal meant for her, but so far so good.

Arand scooped her into his arms again, never breaking stride. The man did like to carry her. She knew it was a result of how close they’d both come to death and figured it would ease up in a decade or so.

“I love you.” His deep voice was filled with emotion so intense it brought tears to her eyes.

“I love you too.” She twined her arms around Arand’s neck and buried her face against his throat. He gave a rumbling growl and she knew her wolf was happy.

About the Author

N.J. Walters has always been a voracious reader of romance novels and decided one day that she could write one as well. The contemporary story, Discovering Dani, was the very first novel she wrote while living in a little town much like the one Dani O’Rourke lives in, though all other similarities to Dani’s life pretty much end there. Then she wrote another one that followed up on Dani’s friends and neighbors. But she didn’t consider herself a “real” writer yet.

Just a few years later N. J. had a mid-life crisis at a fairly young age, gave notice after ten years at her job on a Friday and received a tentative acceptance for her first published novel (an erotic romance) from a publisher on the following Sunday.

Happily married to the love of her life, with his encouragement and support she gave up the job of selling books for the more pleasurable job of writing them. She now spends her days writing novels of her own. Werewolves, vampires, time-travelers, seductive handymen and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to do it. And some days she actually feels like a “real” writer.

N.J. enjoys hearing from readers, and she can be reached at njwalters22@yahoo.ca. You can check out her web site at www.njwalters.com.

Look for these titles by N.J. Walters

Now Available:

Jamesville

Discovering Dani

The Way Home

The Return of Patrick O’Rourke

The Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke

A Legal Affair

By the Book

Past Promises

Legacy

Alexandra’s Legacy

Isaiah’s Haven

Legacy Found

Quinn’s Quest

Finding Chrissten

Damek’s Redemption

Spells, Secrets and Seduction

A Touch of Magick

Dreams of Seduction

Love in Flames

Hades’ Carnival

Night of the Tiger

Mark of the Bear

Pride of the Lion

Coming Soon:

Craig’s Heart

Hades’ Carnival, Book 3

Araminta Davenport has arrived. After giving up her librarian job to be a full-time writer, all those lonely nights alone with her cat and her keyboard have paid off. She’s been invited to participate in one of the biggest reader appreciation weekends—as a professional author.

She can’t imagine her life getting any more exciting than that…until she accidentally releases a sexy, shapeshifting, immortal warrior from a five-thousand-year-old curse.

Finally free of his carousel prison, lion shifter Leander is determined not to let Hades lure him to the dark side in a quest for world domination. Nor will he give the delectable Araminta up to the clutches of the dark one. If they can survive twenty-four hours—and somehow resist losing themselves completely in the sexual haze threatening to swallow them up—the curse will be permanently broken.

But the clock is ticking, the heat is rising…and only the ultimate sacrifice will save them both.

Warning: This book contains one shy writer who is learning how to cut loose, and a warrior who’s been cut loose and he’s ready to roar. Stir in enough hot sex to make Hell itself seem like the Arctic, and you have a recipe for one wild ride.

Enjoy the following excerpt for Pride of the Lion:

“This isn’t real.” Araminta sat back on the bed with a heavy thump, her hands twisted in the sheet covering her. She was losing her mind. There was no other logical explanation for what was happening. The lion was massive, much larger than a normal one. He looked as though he could eat her with one gulp.

He prowled toward her and she held out her shaking hand. “Nice kitty.” She should call hotel security. But what would she say? I have a lion in my room. They’d send for the men in white coats. She tried to swallow around the lump in her throat but couldn’t. The lion stopped in front of her, his face level with hers.

She could hear his heavy breathing, feel the warm puff against her skin. His teeth appeared even sharper this close up. His long golden tail with a black tuft on the end swished lazily behind him.

“I must be going crazy.” The words came out in a breathy rush, and she sucked in a lungful of air. Her heart raced and her stomach was in knots.

There was no other explanation for having a sexy stranger in her bed, one who could shift into a lion. “I’ve been doing too much research and writing. Maybe I’ve had a mental breakdown.” The words tripped out, one after another. She always talked to herself when she was nervous, and the fact she was on the verge of being eaten by a large lion was no reason to stop. In a weird way, it calmed and grounded her.

The lion grumbled and caught the edge of her sheet between its teeth. She clung to the thin fabric, refusing to let her only covering go. “Hey, let go. That’s mine.” And why was she arguing with a full-grown male lion? She’d truly lost her mind.

Leander growled again, but this time he sounded as though he meant business. The fabric ripped and she released it, afraid he might decide to chomp on her next if she didn’t. She pushed herself back onto the bed, but he caught her forearm in his powerful jaws. He didn’t hurt her, his teeth touching her skin but not digging in. She froze, afraid to do anything that might upset him further.

Oh God, what was she going to do? Nothing in her past had prepared her for such an event. She wasn’t an adrenaline junkie, a thrill-seeker. She was a homebody, living a staid, quiet life.

When she stopped trying to escape him, he released her and dragged his tongue over her arm as if in silent apology.

“This is unbelievable.”

He growled and shook his head as if to refute her words.

She licked her dry lips and tried to think logically. He hadn’t eaten her, hadn’t even done anything to harm her. That probably meant he wasn’t going to. Or at least that’s what she hoped it meant.

Tentatively, she reached out and touched his head. He gave a low purr of encouragement and she carefully scratched behind one of his ears. His fur was short and bristly and felt a lot like Percy’s.

“Okay, what if I agree that you are a shapeshifter and an ancient immortal warrior?” He gave a rumble of approval and she kept going. “What does that mean? And why am I suddenly living my book?” That was the weirdest thing of all. If he was real, did the people from the two books she’d already written exist? It was all very confusing. Could a dream be this real? She didn’t think so.

He suddenly pulled away from her and began to change again, this time going from animal to man. Skin replaced fur and hands and feet appeared, but the heavy muscle remained constant. The fur around his face receded until only his incredible hair hung to his shoulders. The tail seemed to be absorbed by his body.

She grabbed for the slightly tattered sheet, but he yanked it out of her grasp. Leander leaned over her, his knees on the floor in front of her, his hands pressed against the mattress on either side of her hips, effectively caging her in. He was so tall he was looking in her eyes even though he was kneeling on the floor and she was seated on the bed.

“You are the special woman who has broken my curse. Five of my brethren have been freed already. Mordecai, the serpent, joined Hades without a fight after slaying the woman who freed him. Phoenix and Stavros, the jaguar, disappeared with their women, never to be heard from again.” He paused and she felt his pain like it was a living, breathing entity. “Roric and Marko, the tiger and the bear, have found their freedom, and now it is my turn to do the same.”

Araminta wanted to touch him but was half-afraid to now that she knew he was more than a dream. “I don’t understand. Why did I dream about them? Why am I writing books about them?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe it is a gift from the Lady. Maybe it is part of Hades’ plan.”

The mere thought that Hades might have been in her dreams gave Araminta the heebie-jeebies, and a shiver raced down her spine. If she believed that Leander was the real deal, Hades was also real.

“Please tell me you drugged me.” She was on the verge of hysterical laughter. This couldn’t be happening to her. She was a former librarian turned writer, for heaven’s sake. Not some sexy female adventurer from some movie or video game.

She reached out and grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. “Tell me you drugged me. Tell me none of this is real.”

He shook his head and sadness filled his gaze. “I cannot.”

He offered no more than that, didn’t try to convince her it was real. That’s when she knew he was telling the truth.

“Oh, crap.” She tried to calm her galloping heart and her chaotic thoughts. She knew what the heroines in her books had gone through. She also knew that some of the earlier women, ones she hadn’t written about, hadn’t made it. This was truly a life-or-death situation.

“What do we do? I have to go home. Mary Jo said someone had broken into my house. Percy is okay, but I don’t know what might be missing.” Her mind clicked into gear. “Oh my God, do you think the break-in might have something to do with this?” She motioned to him and back to herself. “You know, the whole thing with Hades?”

Leander growled and leaned in until their noses were touching. “Who is Percy?”

“What? What does that matter?”

He growled again.

“He’s my cat.” The look on Leander’s face made her laugh. Her nerves were strung so tight, once she started laughing, she couldn’t stop. “You’re not my first cat,” she blurted out before going off into peals of laughter again. She really had to stop. The situation wasn’t the least bit funny.

Leander sat back on his heels with a slight frown on his face. He pounced faster than she could see, grabbed her legs and lifted them, causing her to fall back onto the bed. He parted her legs, shoved them over his shoulders and leaned inward. His massive shoulders pushed her thighs farther apart, opening her for him to see.

“What are you doing?” She swatted at his shoulders, but he wouldn’t be deterred. “Stop that.” She tried to close her legs, but it was impossible with his shoulders blocking her. Was it possible to die of embarrassment? Unfortunately, she didn’t think so.

“What am I doing?” he repeated. “I’m claiming what’s mine.”

Legacy, Book 4

Kidnapped and held in a crazy doctor’s underground laboratory, Bethany Morris only manages to escape because Chrissten, one of her fellow abductees, creates an opportunity—by shifting into a werewolf.

Bethany’s desperate for help, but who’ll believe her story? The police? That’ll just buy her a one-way ticket to a padded room—because here’s the kicker: she’s discovered she’s a half-breed werewolf. Her only hope is to find Chrissten’s brother.

Quinn Lawton’s long, grinding search for his missing twin has turned up nothing…until Bethany rekindles his hope. Something else catches flame too—her heat cycle and a searing attraction branded with the word mate. Yet with so much blood on his hands, any future he might offer is already tainted beyond redemption.

Desperate for Quinn’s touch alone, Bethany has no choice but to take Quinn up on his offer to quell her terrifying need, no strings attached. And hope that as the search for Chrissten intensifies, the battle with their personal demons doesn’t destroy their razor-thin chance at forever.

Warning: This book contains heartbreak and love found, a crazy scientist and his werewolf flunky and a tortured werewolf hero. Plus lots and lots of steamy hot sex!

Enjoy the following excerpt for Quinn’s Quest:

The phone rang twice before it occurred to Bethany that the middle of the night might not be the best time to call anyone asking for help, especially not with the crazy story she had to tell. “Damn.” She thought about hanging up but she was committed now. She tightened her hand around the receiver.

“Yeah.” The voice was male and hoarse with sleep.

She cleared her throat. “Is this Quinn Lawton?” She prayed she’d remembered the number right. She didn’t know what she’d do next if this wasn’t Chrissten’s brother.

There was some rustling in the background and the voice was more alert this time. “No.” Bethany’s heart sunk. Maybe she’d dialed the number wrong. Before she could apologize and hang up, the man was speaking again. “Just give me a second and I’ll get him.”

Hope surged inside her. She hadn’t failed. The phone number was the right one. Her knees threatened to buckle so she sank into the chair that Margaret had vacated. Her stomach felt queasy and she was still very weak. She could still hang up the phone and let the police handle this. All she’d have to do is tell them she was kidnapped. No need to tell them about the rest of it. Quinn Lawton would never be able to find her. There was no way to trace the call back to the shelter.

She clutched the receiver in her hand and took a deep breath, knowing she could never do that. She was committed now. No turning back. Footsteps sounded through the receiver and she knew the man who’d answered was taking the phone to Chrissten’s brother, who was a half-breed werewolf just like Chrissten. Just like she was.

Bethany still couldn’t quite wrap her head around that one, but she was trying to understand it. She hoped Quinn had answers for her.

“Yeah.” The voice was low and gruff and masculine. Every cell in Bethany’s body reacted to the sound. The fine hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Her nipples contracted. Her breath caught in her throat.

“Who is this?” The voice was more demanding now, all trace of sleepiness gone.

Bethany forced herself to speak. “Is this Quinn Lawton?”

“Who wants to know?” She almost hung up on him. His impatience and arrogance bled through the phone line. But she’d promised her friend.

“Do you have a sister named Chrissten?”

“Where is she? Who are you? Where are you?”

Bethany was so startled by the angry outburst she dropped the receiver. She could hear Quinn yelling at her through the line. She grabbed the phone and hung up, panting hard for breath. He was one scary man.

She sat there for about thirty seconds before she grabbed the phone and punched in the number again.

“Hello. Are you there?” he demanded.

“I’m here.” This was for Chrissten, she reminded herself. And for yourself, a little voice in the back of her head said. You want to know more about who you are. What you are.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you.” His low tones made her shiver and she wasn’t sure she believed him. Even his apology was short. A voice in the background was urging him to stay calm. She recognized it as the man who’d originally answered the phone. She was beginning to wish she’d talked to him instead.

“Umm, I need to talk to you about your sister.” She had to do this face-to-face. This wasn’t something you talked about over the phone. “Where are you?”

“I’m in Chicago. Where are you?”

Bethany was shocked to find out that help was close at hand. She hadn’t expected that, but would take it as a good sign that maybe her luck was changing. “Where in Chicago? I want to meet you.”

“Tell me about my sister.” His frustration was palpable and she almost blurted out everything she knew. But she had to meet him in person. She’d promised Chrissten she’d get help and that meant more than simply making a phone call. Plus, she was curious about him, about what he was. What she was.

“Where shall I meet you?” Bethany could be just as stubborn as he was.

“There’s a bar in Wicker Park. It’s called Haven. Meet me there.”

“When?” Bethany glanced at the clock over Margaret’s desk. It was half past four in the morning.

“Now. I’ll be waiting for you.”

“I don’t have any money to pay for a cab.” It was demoralizing to admit she needed him to pay for her to get there. She couldn’t walk, as she had no idea where she was going. Even if she wanted to take public transit she still had no idea where to find this particular bar.

“Just get here. I’ll take care of the cab fare.”

She sucked in a breath and said, “Okay,” as she exhaled. The quicker she did this the better for her peace of mind.

“What’s your name?” The urgency in his tone brought home just how desperate he was for news of his sister.

“Bethany. My name is Bethany. As of less than a day ago your sister was alive. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Content

Howl of the Wolf
Hades' Carnival 4
by
N.J. Walters

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

About the Author

Look for these titles by N.J. Walters

Hades’ Carnival, Book 3

Legacy, Book 4