CHAPTER ONE

GALLOPING IN THE DUSTY DESERT, Mendra raced towards the herd of mustangs, corralled and panicking in the hot sun. She heard the shrill cries of the foals calling to their mothers who were in separate pens. If she didn’t get them out soon, the foals would injure themselves and exhaust all of their strength trying to find a way to their mothers. Her hooves flew so quickly, that they barely touched the ground before leaving again, her body sleek and fast, faster than any other equine.

She stopped at the gates to the corrals and used her teeth to work each one open. It would have been faster in her human form, but she couldn’t afford to let the humans see her shift. It was the most sacred of secrets that she had. She was just about to open the last one when a man spotted her.

“Hey!” the man yelled.

The mustangs from the first few pens she had opened were making their way out, but his voice caused them to stampede. She prayed that the foals would be alright and returned to her task. The last piece came free and the gate swung open. The horses bolted out, running back towards the valleys where they lived. One horse lingered, he had a solid black coat and was definitely a stallion, his sleek body showed supple muscle beneath his coat. He huffed in her direction, his nostrils flaring and quivering as he nickered at her. She snapped her teeth at him, threatening him and ordering him to keep his distance. She didn’t feel like fighting tonight, but she wouldn’t let him near her either. The stallion looked at her curiously a moment and then galloped off after the others. She followed a distance behind, not wanting to give the stallion any ideas, but also wanting to make sure the mustangs stayed free. The humans yelled and scrambled, some to get their horses saddled and others to get on their motorbikes. Mendra snapped her teeth at the slower horses, urging them to move faster and not get separated from their herds.

The stallion assisted her, nipping at some horses and then leading them. She was shocked to see him take the stampeding herd down a safer route that they didn’t normally use. How did he know to go that way? Who was he? This was the first time she had seen him and she had been visiting these herds for years. Once they were safely in their hidden valley, and the humans hadn’t followed, she made her retreat, heading back towards the city.

A couple of miles away from the city, she shifted into her human form, glad that her magic allowed her to create clothes, so she wasn’t naked and having to figure out what to do about clothes. She pitied the werewolves and other shifters who had to deal with finding clothes or carrying them with them.

Making her way towards her favorite destination, Smith’s Bar, she couldn’t help but smile. Another night accomplishing her one goal, saving the equines from human stupidity.

The bar was loud and stuffy, too many bodies in one place for the air to circulate properly. Somehow, she lucked out and found an open barstool at the bar top. The lighting was poor and the drinks were cheap, so it made for a perfect spot for her to stop on her way home after visiting the herds. Mendra slid into place and waited for the bartender to come her way. He nodded at her, recognizing her as a frequent customer, and began mixing her usual drink.

The man on the barstool next to Mendra turned and asked, “How often do you come here for him to memorize your order?”

“About three times a week,” she replied honestly.

“I come every other night and he still doesn’t remember me,” he grumbled. He was a middle-aged man, a bit round about his midsection, but not a bad looking man overall.

“Perhaps you need to bat your eyelashes more,” she suggested with a smirk.

He laughed and shook his head. “I think I might get thrown out if I try that.”

The bartender, whose name Mendra never got, set her drink down and held his hand out for her ID to open a tab. She handed it to him and then slid a five-dollar bill across to him as a tip, batting her eyelashes a bit. He smiled and then winked before moving on to the next customer.

“See?” she told the man next to her.

“Well, I’m not nearly as beautiful as you, so I don’t think it will work,” he replied.

The seat on her right side opened and someone new sat down. Mendra didn’t bother looking, instead choosing to continue to talk to the man she had already started talking to.

“What’s a beautiful lady like you, doing here alone all these nights?” he asked. “Problems with your husband?”

Mendra laughed. “No. I’m not married. I’ve yet to find my mate.”

“Mate?” he asked in shock. “You mean soulmate? You believe in that?”

She shrugged. “I want to believe in it,” she admitted. “Though I would be happy with a man who loves me and I love him, even if our souls weren’t destined to be together.”

“How would you even find or know when you find a soulmate?” he asked curiously and rubbed his chin in thought.

“The first time you kiss, there’s an extra beat of your heart,” the man on her right side replied. “Your heart quickens and then as you wrap up in each other’s arms, everything settles into place. Like two puzzle pieces fitting together.”

Mendra turned to look at him and was shocked at how incredibly masculine he was. His eyes were dark brown and almost soft compared to the rest of him, but they didn’t take away from the masculinity of him overall. “So, do you just go up and try to kiss every woman you see to find her?” she asked him curiously.

He chuckled, a deep sound that rumbled deep in her belly. “No. That would cause me to spend way too many nights in jail.”

She smirked and was about to hold her hand out to him when she caught a distinctly equine scent. Her nostrils flared wider, trying to catch it again, but it was gone. Where had it come from?

He looked at her quizzically and held out his hand. “I’m Lysander.”

“Mendra,” she replied and shook his hand. There was that scent again. She turned her head searching for it, but it was gone just as quickly as it had come. Was she just smelling herself?

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he replied and released her hand.

There was something about his eyes. No, his soul. He seemed old. Not a decade older, but a century older. It was the feeling she got around vampires sometimes. She drank from her cup as she studied him. He obviously wasn’t a vampire. He didn’t look like a Sidhe either. He didn’t have the musky smell that werewolves and most other shifters gave off. What was he? It was incredibly rude to just ask someone if they were Other, no matter how curious she was.

“So, Lysander. Have you found your soulmate yet?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Not yet.”

“But you think you have one?”

“We all have one. It’s just a matter of finding them and keeping them.”

“Keeping them?” Mendra asked, confused.

“We still have free will. Just because someone is your soulmate doesn’t mean that they will stay with you.”

That was actually pretty depressing. You might find your soulmate and then they could leave you.

“You don’t seem to like that answer,” he commented.

“It’s just depressing,” Mendra replied. “You could be with your soulmate, but then they decide to leave you and you’re left alone. Your soulmate gone and you know they’re gone.”

Lysander nodded. “I’ve seen several beings fall into deep despair afterwards.”

After taking another long drink, Mendra waved at the bartender who returned her ID and she slid money to him. “Well, I appreciate the lesson, depressing as it was.”

Lysander frowned. “You’re leaving?”

She nodded. “Things to do.” She turned to the first man she had been speaking to. “Hope you get your drinks quickly tonight.”

He smiled and waved as she left. Lysander watched her leave, a scowl on his face, but didn’t try to follow or call out to her. She almost wished he had, so she could ask what he was. He didn’t seem dangerous, no, she was drawn to him. He was masculine and exuded confidence. It was incredibly sexy. The night air was cool and calm, exactly what she needed as she headed home, trying to calm down from the night and prepare to eat and then to go to sleep.

Her house was in the very center of town, giving her easy access to all of the transportation options and various eateries the town had to offer. She was also only two blocks from her day job. Her phone rang and she picked it up without looking at the caller ID. “Mendra.”

“You dropped your ID,” Lysander said.

“Shoot,” she grumbled.

“Do you want me to meet you somewhere?” he asked. She could hear noise in the background, it sounded like he was outside the bar.

“I don’t want you to have to go out of your way,” she replied and chewed on her lip.

“There’s a restaurant on the corner of Marston and Symphony…”

“I know it,” she interrupted.

“Meet me there?” he asked.

“Are you asking me on a date?” she questioned, a smile tugging up the corners of her mouth. It had been a few months since she’d last been on a date.

“Yes,” he replied confidently.

“Okay. I’ll be there in about ten minutes.” They hung up and she instantly regretted not taking a shower after her run in the desert. She turned and headed towards the restaurant he chose, nervous, but also excited. She was incredibly curious about him and this would give her a chance to ask what he was.

The people of the city milled about, going on their ways to various destinations. The world was so large and there were so many people, but sometimes fate led you to someone who was meant to be in your life or who played a vital role. Would Lysander play some role in her life? She didn’t believe he was her soulmate, but could he have an important role to play?

A group of men in their late twenties smiled at her as she walked by, and she returned their smiles. Just behind them, a vampire walked, his eyes glowing slightly in the darkness. She bowed her head respectfully to him and he returned the gesture. Vampires weren’t scary like the books tried to portray. Yes, they could be deadly, but so could humans. She knew way too well the cruelty of humans.

She got to the restaurant and Lysander stood outside, waiting for her. He looked even better in full lighting. His dark hair didn’t really have a style, but still looked good, and the well-groomed beard lined his masculine jaw, making her want to trace it with her fingertips.

“Thank you for meeting me,” she told him and held out her hand for her ID. He set it in her hand and stepped closer to her. She inhaled his scent and knew without a doubt that the equine scent was coming from him. “What are you?” she asked softly, titling her head back to look up at him.

“I’m like you, but not,” he replied. His nostrils flared and he said, “It’s been a very long time since I’ve met another equine.”

“You’re not just a horse shifter,” she replied knowingly. They smelled different.

He smiled and pulled open the door for her. “Will you join me for dinner?”

She nodded and walked in ahead of him. A horse shifter! She’d found another horse shifter! Her mother had been the only one she had ever met and when she had died five years ago, Mendra had felt so lost. Without a herd, she was vulnerable and depressed. Running with the wild horses helped a little bit, but it wasn’t enough to quench her thirst for a herd.

The restaurant was supposed to be fancy, with low lighting and rich interior, but it was a pizza place. They did have the best pizza in town though. They were seated at a booth and she took the opportunity to stare at him. What was he? Could he be like her? No. Mother had said she was the only one here. She’d never met anyone else who was equine.

“Trying to figure out what I am?” he asked knowingly.

She nodded. “Mother said I’m the last of my kind. And, I’ve never met any other equine shifters. You’re not an equine shifter though. You smell different.”

“If you’ve never met one, how do you know what they smell like?” he asked.

“Mother collected hairs for me to smell and to memorize,” she informed him.

“Where is your mother?”

“Dead,” she replied bluntly.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered and reached across the table for her hand.

She desperately wanted touch, but she didn’t want to let him touch her yet. She didn’t want to crave his touch if he would just leave. She pulled her hand back and sat up straight. “What are you?”

He leaned forward and whispered, “I’m the only one of my kind here.”

Could he be like her?

“No, I’m not like you,” he added immediately and then tilted his head sideways. “I’m not certain what you are.”

“You tell me and then I’ll tell you,” she offered with a smirk.

“Do you have a herd?” he asked instead of answering her.

“No,” she replied sadly. “You?”

“No.”

“What can I get you two?” the waitress asked, her white dress was pristine and made Mendra wonder how she kept it so clean in a pizza place.

“I’ll eat anything,” Mendra told Lysander. “You can order.”

“A large combination, please.”

“Drinks?”

“Water,” they both answered at the same time.

The waitress left and Lysander stared at Mendra. “How many forms do you have?” he asked.

“Three. You?”

“Same.”

They both had three. But he wasn’t like her.

“How old are you?” he asked her.

“Twenty-four. You?”

He smirked. “Much older.”

“Centuries?” she asked. It wouldn’t necessarily be a deal breaker, but it was something she would have to take into consideration.

He snorted. “No.”

She waited silently a moment and then probed. “So?”

“Eighty,” he replied.

He did not look eighty, but he felt older than eighty at the same time. “You’re a pureblood then?” she asked.

He nodded. “Yes. You’re not?”

She smiled. “I am.”

“Pureblood what?” he asked her.

“I asked you first,” she reminded him and folded her arms across her chest.

“Your waters,” the waitress announced and set them on the table before leaving them again.

“I can’t exactly show you,” he whispered and motioned at the restaurant.

She chuckled. “That would be interesting. People would get dinner and a show that way.”

He smiled and leaned forward. “How come you aren’t mated?”

She shifted nervously. “I don’t like humans. They don’t understand what I need.”

“What about Others?”

She shrugged, feeling like a kid whose mother was grilling them. “I don’t know. What about you? You’re older than me.”

“I’m waiting for something,” he admitted.

“Something or someone?” she asked.

“Both.”

“You’re waiting for your soulmate,” she realized, recalling their conversation earlier.

He nodded.

“So, then why take me out?”

“You don’t think you’re my soulmate?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Do you think I am?”

He shrugged. “I have no clue. I’d like to get to know you a little bit before finding out.”

“What else?” she asked. “There’s another reason that you contacted me.”

He smiled. “You’re sharp. Yes, I need your help with something.”

“My help? How can I help you?”

“I’m not from here. I was banished from my homeland and my herd.”

She flinched, being banished from your herd was a terrible thing to experience. Her mother had been banished and it nearly drove her insane.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“There’s something here that I need to find. If I find it, I can go home. I can return to my herd.”

“And you think that I can help you find it?” she asked. What made him think that she could help? Or that she wanted to help?

“Yes. I think if we work together, we can find it.”

“What’s in it for me?” she asked, her arms still folded over her chest. “Why should I help you?”

“I’ll take you back with me,” he offered.

She shook her head. “I’m not leaving here. This is my home. The hor…” she stopped talking, not wanting to admit what she had been doing for the wild horses. “I’m protecting some beings here and I can’t abandon them.”

“I can pay you,” he offered.

Now she felt terrible. She didn’t want to take money to help him. Yet, she did need to pay the bills.

“Is this going to take me away from work?” she asked.

He nodded.

“So, you want me to quit my job and travel around to who knows where with a man that I just met?” she asked, letting her distrust show.

He frowned. “I’m not going to hurt you. I need your help. I’m willing to compensate you. This isn’t some ploy to take advantage of you.”

“What are you?” she asked again.

“You’re relentless,” he muttered.

“I have to know what I’m getting into.”

“It’s better if I show you, which I can’t do until we leave here,” he explained.

“Then I will reserve my answer for then.”

He smiled like she had said the right thing. It almost made her want to take it back.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered and leaned forward. “That man at the bar was practically drooling over you. I think you made his day just by talking to him.”

She smiled. “And what about you? Did I make your day by talking to you?”

He chuckled, the deep sound made her wish they were somewhere private. “You’ve made my century,” he replied.

They ate their food in relative silence and then headed outside. Mendra’s nerves were fried as she waited for Lysander’s reveal.