Chapter Two

Iris

 

The sound was so loud that at first, I’d thought it was the wind torn loose from a storm. Only when it echoed off, and I heard the rampage, did I realize it was a growl. Turning my head, I squinted, trying to make out what I was seeing. A white wave? A blizzard?

A bear, I thought. An ice bear all alone. What is he thinking?

“Shit, shit, shit!” Sarrow swore, distracting me. “What is that damn ice bear doing here?” I tried to crawl away, and a big boot landed on my back, pinning me down. My hands were pressing into my sternum so hard, it was like I was giving myself the Heimlich, and my eyes began to water. “Goddamn Northbane half-breeds.”

“Hey!” I burst out, horrified by that slur. “That was gross.”

Sarrow’s hand fisted in the back of my shirt, and he dragged me up to face him. A shudder went over me as he gripped my face in a claw-like hand. The terrifying rumors around Sarrow did not do him justice. His face was lined and scarred, a battleground of hate. But it was the pallor of his skin and the nervous tic in his jaw that unsettled me.

“You know ’im?” he snarled, soft and dangerous.

“Know who?” I asked, trying to jerk away, and Sarrow scowled.

I wished I’d kept my mouth shut. Maybe I wouldn’t be in this situation if I could prevent myself from being impulsive just once.

“Him.” Sarrow turned my face with his other hand.

A gasp escaped me. A giant ice bear was roaring and slamming through the crowd, tearing the black market to shreds. Before, I’d only gotten a glimpse, and I couldn’t be sure of what I was seeing. One shifter, albeit huge, scaring away the rest? How, why? Didn’t they outnumber him?

Now, I understood.

The silver-white wall of muscle slammed down the hill like a tidal wave. The crowd was fleeing left and right. No one, I could tell, was stupid enough to fight him.

Who is he?

“Answer me, you stupid bitch!” Sarrow screamed and yanked my face back to his.

“N-no,” I said and tried to pull back from his fetid breath. “I don’t know any Northbane, I—”

“It’s your fault,” Sarrow said and shoved me away so hard I almost fell off the platform. His eyes were darting around, spittle gathering at the corner of his lips, and his movements almost feral. “Shoulda gutted you when I found you with Orion’s book.” With an ominous thunk, Sarrow dropped it by my head and pulled out a long, bloodstained knife. “Time to rectify that.”

My brain disconnected. Everything in spurts. The pale sky. Falling autumn leaves. Crimson threading Sarrow’s eyes. A knife, winking as it moved from hand to hand.

The chaos to my left dimmed like someone had twisted down the volume. Mouth dry, I went to take a step back. But it was a twelve-foot drop to the ground. And the bear was too far away.

Oddly, all I could think was that Sarrow would kill me, and my blood would probably stain the book. Even my blood wouldn’t be enough to wash away the horror in those pages. One glance had told me that. I had to get it to that Northbane bear.

Yet it also tugged sharply at me. I’d taken the book and run instead of destroying it. I’d wanted to read more, to find out why it felt like there was something in those pages for me. Something buried under the splatters of black ink and nightmares.

Answers that needed to be found.

The Northbane could do that. I’d distract Sarrow and knock it to the ground. The bear was almost halfway here. Looking up, I saw that Sarrow was rubbing a thumb along the blade, and his lips peeled into a terrible smile.

“I’m only sorry this has to be quick,” he murmured. “You have lovely skin.”

Billy the Butcher, they called him. A Rotted in human form.

“You-you’re a monster.” I shuddered, trying to look plaintive and helpless. But my focus was on the book. If I could kick it off the platform, I was sure the bear could get it. “Stay away from me!”

“I’m the only thing normal left in this world,” Sarrow hissed. “Look at you, a disgusting little witch-girl running around and trying to protect shifter secrets, trying to impress the packs so someone takes pity on you and lets you in. Disgusting.”

I jerked back, his words burning like a slap to the face. I almost forgot about the knife as I stared at Sarrow. How did he know that? What the hell—

Sarrow lunged, and I spun away, a clumsy dodge to his right. The blade caught my shirt, and I staggered back as he spun around. Then I darted forward, trying to kick the book and avoid him.

At the same time, Sarrow changed trajectory, and a scream tore from my throat.

This time, he hadn’t missed.

White-hot pain lanced across my hip, up around my back. Blood gushed down my skin, soaking my shirt and pants. I tripped, sprawling on my side and crying out again.

“Did you honestly think you could save those half-breeds?” Sarrow mocked from overhead.

“Yes,” I snarled, fingers grabbing the hefty binding and swinging it over the edge. A horrible throw because of my bound hands, but a throw nonetheless.

Sarrow let out a guttural snarl, and I closed my eyes, curling up.

There was a rush of air, and the entire platform shook. A crack of bone I felt in my gut, an anguished howl, and the thump of a body. A heavy exhalation of air and silence.

When nothing else happened, I cracked open an eye. Sarrow was gone.

Or not gone, but on the ground underneath the platform, slumped and bruised. One arm was twisted at a strange angle, and bile rose up in my throat. Not dead, but not waking up any time soon.

A vicious and savage triumph hammered behind my frantic heart. He’d deserved it.

My eyes slowly went from him to the two huge and muddy paws. Blinking, I lifted my head and dragged my eyes up to the ice bear. He was breathing hard, steam rising from his nose, and hackles slightly raised. I jumped back at the intensity of his gaze and let out a cry of pain.

There was a flurry of movement, and a huge shadow swung itself up onto the stage next to me.

“You’re hurt,” came a deep voice, and my heart pulsed hard in my chest.

A Northbane. Here. Trembles ran through me as he pulled me upright, gently yet impatiently. Because of his cloak, all I could see were shoulders as wide as a mountain and a thick, sinewy forearm. Underneath his hood, a hard jaw covered in a light beard caught the light. Before I could get a better look, a big hand skimmed across my back, and a noticeable tremor went over me.

Immediately, the bear stopped and cursed. “How could I let this happen?”

“Hey, you didn’t stab me,” I tried to offer up valiantly as pain rocked up my back. Spots were swimming in front of my eyes, and I half-wished I could pass out. “It’s okay—get the book, and leave me. I know it’s bad.”

A noncommittal grunt was all I got.

“Um, am I dying?” I blurted out before I could help it. “If so…” I took a deep breath and gasped from the pain. “Being stabbed sucks, holy shit. Listen, Northbane bear, please take the book and go. I know what’s in it, and it’s important. You shouldn’t waste time—”

“Will you be quiet, woman?” The man shoved back his hood and glared at me, ending my ramble. “You’re not dying.”

My head swam, and I clutched at his forearm. Sure about that?

Gray, piercing eyes the color of storm clouds blazed at me. This ice bear was, without a doubt, the most captivating man I’d ever seen. Handsome didn’t begin to cover or comprehend him.

From a hard line of brow and jaw, up to a thick head of wavy blond hair and sharp cheekbones. And down along his impossible, thick body of muscles.

How was he real? I went to pinch myself and then realized I had plenty of pain from being stabbed to reassure me I wasn’t hallucinating.

Yeah, in spite of the blood loss, if I was checking this guy out, I couldn’t be dying. Unless he was some kind of present from the universe before I checked out. Oh, God, what was happening to me? My nerves shattered so hard that they muted the pain for a second.

Those gray eyes narrowed at me. “What the hell are you staring at?”

“Oh,” I breathed, and swayed. “Sorry. You—I…”

I’d always daydreamed of meeting the Northbane and becoming a Riftborn in their ranks. Now I was sliced open on an auction block with the dangerous contraband of a madman, and one of their hot bear shifters had saved me. What could I even say at a moment like this?

“Uh, hi?” I squeaked out. “It’s nice to meet you, you know, a Northbane…”

His face had a solemn, immovable quality, but there was a sheen of hilarity coming over it as he stared back at me, clearly at a loss for words.

“I’m Iris,” I added. “Iris Lisay. Thank you. I’m sorry to—”

To my surprise, the solemnness cracked, and his jaw gritted together. “Will you knock it off? This isn’t the time to be exchanging pleasantries.” His eyes swept across me. “Take your shirt off.”

“Wh-what?” I asked and jerked back, hugging myself. “Take what, why—argh. Dammit.”

“To staunch the wound and—” He stopped short and lifted his head. Distant howls filled the air, and his nostrils flared. “We have to go.”

I followed his gaze and caught sight of the market. My jaw dropped. The entire clearing was empty, and it looked like a tsunami had ripped through it. A laugh escaped me, and I turned back to him, smiling a little.

“I told you to knock it off,” he grumbled. “Now, come on, shirt off. Hurry.”

“But—” I said and swallowed, realizing he was right.

Flushing, I pulled it off, and he helped, then neatly twisted it and pressed it to the wound. Now I was in nothing but a skin-tight tank top and bra. A very low-cut bra. A shiver ran over me as his fingers brushed my shoulder. Then I was being wrapped in his cloak, and before I could say another idiotic thank-you he didn't want, I was in his arms.

This giant, handsome ice bear was carrying me. My brain was almost too dazzled.

“Wait, Orion’s book,” I said. “Did you get it?”

“You knew it was his?” he asked, and his eyes flashed at me. This close, I could see the way his lips swept up in delicious lines and the fine gold bristles on his cheeks. I could also see the white dents around his nose as he gave me another narrowed look. “Will you stop staring?”

“Yes,” I blurted out and forced my eyes away. “He-he was a Bloodfang, a bad guy, and—” I swallowed and shook my head. “It’s a long story.”

“Tell me later,” he said. I was tucked in more tightly, held in one arm, and he hopped down. The big guy had grace as he scooped up the book and dropped it on top of me in one movement. “Hold onto it, will you? And nice throw, although maybe next time worry about the knife.”

“The book was more important.”

He made a funny sound in his throat, and his arms readjusted. “You good?”

“Yes, thank you,” I said softly.

“Don’t thank me yet.” We were off the platform and heading for the woods. His legs ate up the distance at at least twice the rate of mine, I was sure. “Any other prisoners?”

“Prisoners?” I echoed and chanced a look up.

“Yes, you know, people like you getting sold.” His eyes flashed, and his muscles tensed around me. I tried to remain serious, but damn, he was so strong and warm. It was the best distraction from the pain in my back. “I can’t believe this is happening. Then again, I’m never wrong. I knew it was a goddamn black market auction. How could the—” He blinked. “Never mind. Answer the question.”

“It was just me,” I said and quickly dropped my eyes before he could tell me off for staring again. I really liked looking at him. “Me and a bunch of Excris contraband, which I’m sure is gone now. They had shifters guarding it, and they probably took off…”

“So, why are you so special?”

“I’m not,” I said, and the cut burned on my back.

We entered the cool hush of the woods, and I could feel his gaze on me. “This is not the time to be self-deprecating, Miss Iris.”

I almost giggled at the sound of my name in his voice. “Oh, um, of course. Sorry.”

“Hell, don’t apologize, woman.” He let out a huff of air. “And, Kal.”

“Huh?”

“Kal. I’m Kallen Deacon,” he said, suddenly subdued. “Anyway, forget it. Focus on your breathing, and hang on. I'll get you patched up soon.”

Kal, I thought, looking up at him. Kallen Deacon.

Kallen Deacon.

“Oh my God,” I squeaked, and Kallen slowed, glancing down at me. “You’re—b-but you-you’re the Ice Bear Alpha, oh my.” Breathe, Iris. “I mean, you’re so important and a hero, and, and…”

Kallen raised his eyebrows, and he looked away, not commenting. I couldn’t tell if his jaw looked more or less grim, or if he was trying not to laugh. Or both. Hard guy to read.

Meanwhile, I knew I must have looked ridiculous. I mean, I was trying not to hyperventilate. Kallen Deacon was carrying me. Kallen Deacon had saved my life. Kallen Deacon of Winfyre Ridge was here. And he was so damn attractive, I couldn’t think straight.

Still, I tried to sift through what I knew of him and the Northbane. Five Alphas, two settlements and so forth, but all that was common knowledge. The mysterious Xander Bane was in charge of them. But this man was just as mysterious.

Kallen was considered the enforcer of the Northbane. A man willing to do anything to keep Winfyre safe. He was as strong as hell and an incredible fighter. He’d faced down Skrors, Excris, and all kinds of monsters. Rumor was, too, that he’d been there the day Orion of the Bloodfang disappeared.

In fact, a lot of people were as leery of him as they were of Xander Bane.

Didn’t he have some kind of nickname? The Axe? The Dropkick? The Sledge? I snuck a peek at Kallen’s serious face. Probably not a good idea to ask.

He caught me looking, and I dropped my eyes, waiting for him to growl at me. Although, in a weird way, I almost kind of wanted him to.

Iris, you need to get a hold of yourself. This is an Alpha. You are a half-rate Riftborn.

“I apologize if I frightened you,” Kallen said, and my eyes darted right back up. “I let my temper get the better of me when I saw Sarrow mishandling you.”

His deep voice was so nice and rumbly in his chest. If I’d had to get stabbed, at least there were some seriously awesome fringe benefits. But I also felt a stab of guilt. I was probably making some stupid face, and that’s why he thought I was scared.

“Oh, no, I’m not frightened at all.” I swore Kallen rolled his eyes. "I'm-I'm a little flustered, to be honest." I winced internally and tried to tell myself to stop, but my mouth never listened. It kept going. “Not every day you get on the wrong side of Billy Sarrow, wind up almost getting sold to what’s left of the Skrors and the Bloodfang, then get rescued by Kallen Deacon.”

There was a beat of silence, and a hoarse chuckle escaped Kallen. “You’re an odd one.”

“Hah.” I almost wished I were back at the auction. “Yeah.”

Way to make an impression, Iris.

“We’re here,” Kallen said and suddenly deposited me on the ground. A surprised breath escaped me, and I leaned over, holding myself up. My eyes tracked him as he moved away, sure and purposeful, muscles rippling with every step. Shoving aside a branch, he pulled out a bag and came back, rummaging through it. “I need to clean your wound.”

“Oh, okay,” I said and tried to sit up straight, sucking in my stomach as the cloak was unwound from me and the shirt peeled off my back. Suddenly I heard a rip, and there was a cool breeze on my back. “Did you just rip my tank top?”

“Yes,” Kallen said, and his breath brushed my spine. “Relax. I’ll get you another shirt.”

I half-glanced back and saw him unspooling bandages. When his eyes met mine, a fuzzy wave rose up, and I quickly looked away. Peeling off my ripped tank top, I was left in just my bra and pants. From my chest to my forehead went red. A red that became neon as Kallen’s capable hands moved across my bare skin, and the bandages followed.

“You need a healer,” Kallen said. “This is deeper than I thought.” A big hand gripped my shoulder, and I thought I felt a tremble go through him. “Tougher cookie than I thought, too. Don’t move, though.”

“Don’t worry—I don’t have anywhere to be,” I said.

Another short chuckle escaped him, and I heard him rummaging around. This time, I didn’t look back; I focused on my breathing and on trying to calm down. But when he came around, I jumped.

“Here.” Kallen held up a black shirt. “You can put this on while we wait.”

"Oh, thanks," I said and took it, trying to both put it on and hide.

Kallen didn't take the hint and squatted down, actually helping me put it on. If I thought I’d been a jumble of pain and embarrassment and glee before, well. I went to stand, and he stopped me.

“I told you to stay still,” Kallen flashed. “You’re as white as a sheet.”

“Pomona, then,” I said, and he gave me a bewildered look. “She lives in a little cottage at the edge of the Greyclaw territory. Likes to be there to help travelers. Thirty miles away or so.”

“Ah.” Kallen’s face cleared. “Well, we need someone now. And they’re coming.”

“What?” I asked. “How? Are you traveling with someone else?”

I looked around and tried not to wince, even as a jealous pinch went through me. I bet it’s your beautiful girlfriend.

“You’re energetic for someone who was almost sliced in half,” Kallen grumbled.

I went to speak, but a loud pop of air distracted me. Branches overhead rattled, and leaves circled up, a snap of fire licking through the air. I blinked in shock at the sky, trying to figure out what had happened, when a light, female voice called out.

“Hey, Kal.” I turned to see a slim brunette had appeared. “So, this is a first.”