CHAPTER 2
K aelyn placed her hand against the sliding glass door. The cool surface was a welcome balm against the heat radiating from her skin. Through the lake house’s window, the mid-afternoon sun reflected off the patio chairs, gleaming with a brightness that hurt her sensitive eyes.
Birds chirped, and a chipmunk skittered over the deck, stopping to pick up a bread crust hidden under one of the chair legs.
The sudden urge to chase the small animal away, warn it of the danger close by, rippled over her skin. Her inner bear grunted in frustration. She was a shape-shifting Ursus warrior in a horrific war over Earth’s water. Run, little creature, run.
Familiar footsteps tapped across the linoleum floor. The scent of licorice filled her senses. Theron.
He approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her in a close hug. The short sleeves of his dark T-shirt hit mid-bicep, pulling tight over his firm muscles. “Tell me, favorite niece, what ails you?”
For a brief moment, she leaned into him, soaking up his strength and his warmth. He was the only one she allowed such close, intimate contact. Yet even with him, she kept the walls high around her heart.
She turned in his embrace to study him.
Lines formed around his eyes, echoing the pain harbored in their deep brown depths. Her chest constricted for him, anguish and self-loathing filling her to the brim. She couldn’t maintain his gaze or stand to receive his comfort any longer. Instead, she pulled away then padded to the kitchen island, eager for the barrier between them.
He drew his mouth into a frown. “Spit it out, sweet pea.”
“I hate this war.” Spittle flew from her mouth, and she fisted her hand so hard, her nails dug into her palm. “I’d rather fight against the Gossum than with them.”
He strode to the opposite side of the kitchen block and placed his hands on the surface. The muscles in his shoulders stiffened. “I agree, but we don’t have a choice. The game has shifted. We fight for Zedron now.”
Kaelyn’s claws elongated, and she swiped her hand against the pans hanging from the ceiling above them. A loud clatter echoed off the tiled walls and stainless steel appliances. With a long, curved handle, a metal ladle fell and jangled against the countertop’s stone surface before landing on the floor. The lone relic seemed out of place, and a stab of kinship with the utensil hit her in the chest.
“…and Mauree. She’s using you—”
“Kaelyn…” Theron held up his hand. He peered over her shoulder.
“—to get to me. Stop protecting me. I don’t need or want your help.”
“Did I hear my name?” Mauree’s smug voice snaked into the room.
The hair on Kaelyn’s nape rose. She turned to face Mauree, her former enemy, now leader.
Mauree wore a tight-fitting blue tank top over a short mini-skirt. Her long, elegant legs ended in a pair of pink high heeled shoes, a bow gracing the top of each. The sweet adornment was in contrast to her abrasive personality.
“My, my, fancy finding the two of you here. Splendid. That makes my job all the easier.” Mauree smiled, revealing a perfect set of white teeth. With her blonde hair and blue eyes, she was the epitome of beauty, but her aura was pure menace.
Blood pounded at Kaelyn’s temple. Unable to resist the urge to fight, she bolted toward Mauree and grabbed her arm. She slammed the other female against the cold steel fridge. Kaelyn raised her hand, eager to slice one of her sharp nails across the female’s throat.
As if held by an invisible force, her arm seemed frozen in mid-air.
As much as she wanted to kill Mauree, she couldn’t. When Zedron had obtained the Ursus from Alora in the war, he’d programmed them with the inability to harm Mauree. Smart move on his part as taking another opponent’s players in the game could be risky. Loyalty was hard to ensure. His protection was the only thing keeping Mauree alive.
Theron gripped Kaelyn’s shoulders, and he yanked her away from her true enemy. He wrapped his arms around her in a giant bear hug, holding her in place. She strained against his grasp, but he held on to her. Teeth gnashing together, she grunted, the sound turning into a snarl.
Mauree slid her hands down her skirt, straightening out the wrinkles. She patted the sheathed dagger strapped to her thigh. “Tsk, tsk, dear. You know better than that. You can’t hurt me. Besides, I’ve added a little protection, just in case.”
She meandered over to Theron and ran her fingers over his shoulder, stopping at the edge of his T-shirt. With apparent intimacy, she trailed her nail over Theron’s exposed bicep.
Goosebumps visibly formed on his skin. A warning chuff burst from his lips.
Mauree laughed, the sound grating on Kaelyn’s nerves. “You’ll come around. You always do.”
Kaelyn’s bear roared inside, eager to thrash, rip, and shred her nails into the female. “Leave him alone. He doesn’t want you.”
“Kaelyn, enough.” Theron’s breath tickled her skin as he whispered in her ear. “Remember, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”
She struggled against him, but he refused to let her go.
Mauree chuckled. “Oh, I beg to differ. He pretends to resist, but he can’t hide how much he wants me. Enough of that, though,” she waved a hand in the air, “I want to inform you both of a change in plans.”
Theron released Kaelyn.
After backing up, she scooted out of his reach. His constant need to protect Kaelyn burned like a lit coal in her gut.
He crossed his arms over his chest. “We’re listening.”
Mauree tittered. “The battle at Roan’s Rock was a huge success. We took down several of Noeh’s warriors—”
“But he got away.” Kaelyn couldn’t resist the jab, eager to injure Mauree in any way possible.
Mauree’s smile faltered. Her blue eyes flecked with gold. “It’s only a matter of time before he’s dead. But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. Zedron expects results…and soon. We lost a few soldiers in the battle, including Jakar. So, I no longer have a first lieutenant.”
“Oh, how sad.” Kaelyn smiled.
Mauree narrowed her gaze. “Indeed, it was as you shall soon see.”
A smug smile tugged at Mauree’s lips, and she turned to Theron. “You will be Jakar’s replacement, leading both the Gossum and Ursus armies.”
His stoic features paled. He glanced at Kaelyn. “She is the rightful Ursus heir. Arbane and Entrania were her parents. I cannot—” He clamped his lips shut.
Rage, deep and powerful, raced through Kaelyn like lightning. Against her leg, the spiked ball of her mace dangled from her hip in its protective leather case, the weight familiar and welcome. She wrapped her fingers around the handle.
Visions of bashing Mauree’s head with her weapon raced through her mind. The evil female had killed Kaelyn’s parents. Mauree deserved nothing less than death.
“That’s what makes you perfect for the job, Theron. This way, I know both you and Kaelyn will comply. The other Ursus will fall in line.” Mauree chuckled.
Kaelyn blinked. A scream bottled up inside. No… Theron hated this war as much as she did, hated fighting for Mauree. It would turn his soul black to lead her army. Yet, he would do anything Mauree asked to protect Kaelyn.
Kaelyn’s pulse pounded at her temple. She focused her attention on her uncle. “Don’t you dare, Theron. I will never forgive you.”
Over five hundred years ago, her brother, Noden, had sacrificed himself to save her, abandoning her in the process. She wouldn’t lose Theron as well. Bitter and cold, self-loathing coated her insides.
A small flinch flitted over his features, but that was the only indication her words had hit their mark. A tic pulsed to life on his cheek. “I do this for you, sweet pea.”
“Perfect.” Mauree clapped her hands. “Prepare a few troops for a little scouting adventure come nightfall, but first there’s something we need to do.” Mauree trailed a fingernail along Theron’s chin, a seductive smile forming on her lips.
Without a word, he followed her from the room.
A scream burst from Kaelyn’s throat. Her claws elongated, digging into one of the kitchen cabinets. Small shavings drifted to the floor, eerily similar to the tears streaking down her face.