CHAPTER 42
G aetan draped his arm around Nicole’s shoulder and took a step, urging her forward. Savory and sweet, the scent of roast beef and potatoes permeated the Grand Hall. The line for this evening’s repast wound out the door and into the corridor. Good thing they’d arrived early.
The clink of silverware and solemn voices filled the large room. For many in the Keep, elation over winning the war ended as soon as realization set in that they’d soon be sent back to the character board on Lemuria. Gaetan shared that sentiment. His time with Nicole would be brief.
She leaned into him, mirth sparkling in her eyes. “I’m glad we went to our quarters after returning from Roan’s Rock.”
He couldn’t resist, and brought his lips to hers, stealing a brief kiss. A slow groan eased from him.
She placed her hand on his chest, breaking the kiss. “How much longer do you think we have?”
“Who knows. I stopped trying to figure out our goddess long ago.” He took another step forward, his palm tightening around the sunstone in his staff. Although the pain in his leg was gone, he still needed the support.
“Gaaa…taaa.” Anlon grabbed Gaetan’s pant leg and hauled himself to a standing position. He glanced up, his grin lighting up his eyes.
Gaetan laughed and placed his palm on Anlon’s shoulder, giving the babe a gentle pat. “Hello, little prince, you have no idea how happy I am to see you.”
“Anlon!” Melissa strode toward them, a slow smile forming across her features. “I set him down for a minute and he’s halfway across the Grand Hall.” She scooped him up in her arms.
“Gaaa…taaa.” Anlon clapped his hands together, a drop of drool sliding down his chin.
The child’s infectious smile warmed Gaetan’s heart, and he tickled the little guy under the chin.
“I have to meet up with Noeh. We’ll talk more later.” Melissa squeezed his arm and headed toward Noeh. Deep in conversation, he stood in a group with Tanen, Demir, and Saar.
The line moved forward. Gaetan inched toward the plates, hand extended.
“Gaetan!” Ginnia’s voice pierced the air.
Gaetan turned to look.
She bolted toward him from the Grand Hall’s large entryway. Bits of her brown hair blew around her ears.
He gripped Nicole’s wrist and drew her from the line. As he opened his arms, heat radiated through his chest, expanding with each breath.
Ginnia leapt into his embrace, wrapping her hands around his neck, squeezing tight. “You’re back. I’m so happy.”
“Angel, I’m glad to see you, too.” He held her for a long moment then released her.
She peered at him, her eyes twinkling with happiness. “I knew you’d do it. You and Nikki both.”
He blinked a few times. “Do what, Angel?”
She glanced at Nikki then returned her attention to him. “Win the war for us. My visions are never wrong.”
Nicole rubbed her hand down Gaetan’s back. “When I went to see Ginnia in the strong room, she mentioned that you and I would win the war.”
“See! I’m a good seer.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest and nodded. Pride radiated in the glint in her eyes.
“Ah, Ginnia…” He shook his head, the thoughts and memories of long ago were still present, but the guilt was gone.
He wrapped one arm around Ginnia, the other around Nicole, and drew them close. Tears burned his eyes, and he choked on his words. “My two females. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“I love you, my mate.”
“Love you, brother.”
He held on, never wanting to let either of them go ever again.
The temperature in the room dropped. Gaetan’s breath became visible in the cold air.
Oh no…Alora.
A loud blast of air whipped through the room. Tables rattled, chairs flipped over, plates crashed against the stone floor. Grunts and cries filled the Grand Hall.
Gaetan tightened his grip on Nicole and Ginnia and waited out the storm.
Alora materialized into the Keep’s Grand Hall and surveyed the room. Pushed to one side, tables lined the walls. An upended chair, with one of its legs broken, stood near the room’s entrance. Several of her characters, including Noeh and Melissa, Demir and Aramie, Tanen and Sheri with Coop, Saar and Kaelyn, and Gaetan and Nikki, were in attendance. Good. She could get down to business.
Beside her, Veromé squeezed her hand. His support meant the world to her, and she smiled, thankful the war was over and they could be together again.
She smiled and turned her attention to the crowd. “My children. You have done well, winning the war over Earth. Per the rules of the game, all warriors are to return to the character board to wait for war on another planet.”
Quentin and a few of the warriors beamed, their eyes lighting with pride. Many others cast their gazes to the ground. Noeh’s attention drew to Anlon cradled in Melissa’s arms, and his mouth tightened.
Alora held out her hands. “For those that wish to return to Lemuria, you may do so. However, I have an opportunity for those that elect to stay.”
Hushed whispers and the shuffling of feet whisked across the room.
Noeh glanced at Melissa for a long moment as if they had a private conversation. His eyebrows rose, and he twirled the ring on his finger. “There’s an opportunity to remain on Earth?”
Alora smiled. “We need several Lemurians to remain behind to monitor the portal at Roan’s Rock, ensure the hydrogen transports to Lemuria, and dispose of the carbon byproduct. I don’t suppose I have any volunteers here, do I?”
Shouts and cheers bounced off the walls.
Noeh wrapped his arms around Melissa and Anlon.
Gaetan kissed Nikki and Ginnia on the cheek.
After several long moments, the crowd quieted.
Noeh cleared his throat. “You mentioned a carbon byproduct. What’s the disposal method?”
Veromé wrapped his hand around her shoulder. “The process to transport the hydrogen to Lemuria takes carbon from the air and converts it to a solid, like ash. This will need to be buried underground. You have several unused tunnels in the Keep, perfect for storage.”
Gaetan hobbled forward until he stood next to Noeh, his cane tapping against the stone floor. “What of the humans? Are they part of this?”
Alora shook her head. “As I see you learned for yourself, Mitan, another…god…from Lemuria, discovered Earth first. He was from the neutral faction. To honor his wishes, humans will not be involved in the exchange, so the work must be kept secret. The process will help Earth reduce global warming, so it is a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
Saar cleared his throat. “Sounds good, where do I sign up?”
Several chuckles and shouts of agreement filled the room.
Alora held her breath. “In a show of hands, how many, with their own free will, elect to remain on Earth?”
Noeh raised his hand, followed by Melissa and Gaetan, Saar, Sheri, Tanen, and several others. Soon, everyone in the entire room had their hand raised.
A weightlessness lifted Alora’s spirit. She clapped her hands and smiled. “Well done. I’m so very proud of you all. Oh, and before I forget, there’s one other little tidbit I should share. Now that the war is over, you can go out in the sun.”
Cheers and claps erupted from the group. The happiness in the room was like a wave, overtaking Alora in its depth and intensity. Tears misted her eyes. “I’ll stay in touch. Until then, enjoy your newfound freedom.”
She glanced to Veromé and held out her palm. “Let us go, my love.” She still couldn’t believe she’d won the battle and beat Zedron. Her world was complete again.
Veromé clasped her hand and they returned to Lemuria, to their new life together.
Want to know what’s coming next? A new shifter paranormal romance series - Feline Shifter Mates! Keep reading for a sneak peek of book 1, Snaring a Snow Leopard…
Could you find your mate at The Windows?
Snow leopard-shifter Celia’s biological clock is ticking. When the mating mark surfaces on her skin, she must breed or face a long, painful road to madness. The Windows, a swanky establishment in downtown that caters to single females in heat, is the best place to find a suitable volunteer to take care of her calling. Although she’s built walls around her heart, the sexy shifter she meets claws at them with his persistent, irresistible, and charming nature. It will take all her willpower to keep the barricade firmly in place.
Mason, an elite member of the protector squad and snow leopard shifter, longs for a family of his own. He’s had his eye on Celia for quite some time, but has kept his distance from the hardened female until they are thrust together at The Windows. What he desires most is within his grasp if he can break down her defenses and show her the true passion in his heart.
Chapter 1
Seattle, Washington
One year ago…
Mason stepped into the courtroom, and the scent of his enemy burned the fine hairs in his nose. He clenched his teeth, tamping down the urge to growl. One of Mason’s recent captures, Antoine, a lion shifter, sat in the courtroom’s witness box. His long blond hair, straggly at the ends, splayed over his bulging shoulders hidden underneath his three piece suit. He met Mason’s gaze. A cocky grin curled his lip. The suspected Slayer had murdered a young human female and her child.
A tic formed in Mason’s jaw, and he fisted his hand. As a Protector who defended humans, he couldn’t wait to see the asshole pay for his crime.
Packed with humans and shifters, the stifling temperature in the old building only added to his frustration, and a bead of sweat rolled down the back of his neck. He slipped into the back row, sitting next to an elderly man. Creases lined the man’s face, but his eyes were filled with wisdom. He gave Mason a quick nod.
Over the past few decades many shifters had moved from their homes, hidden by ancient magic in the surrounding forests, into the cities. Unbeknownst to the majority of humans, the shifters remained hidden in plain sight, working alongside their human neighbors without issue.
“This knife isn’t yours?” The female prosecutor’s voice echoed across the room.
The determination and animosity in her tone caught Mason’s attention, and he glanced at her.
She faced the podium, her back to him. Dark, silky hair cascaded around her shoulders, covering the top of her blouse. Her slim waist flared at her hips, accentuated by her tight pencil skirt. Long, shapely legs ended in a pair of red high-heeled shoes.
His inner cat roused, and he leaned forward in his seat.
“Nope, not mine.” Antoine smirked, his gaze focused on her.
She slapped her hand against the wooden pew. “Then, tell me, why are your fingerprints on the murder weapon?”
His face tightened. “You better watch your back.”
“That sounds like a threat. Are you one of Kylar’s boys?”
Gasps rose from the crowd.
His snarl was his only reply.
The female turned and Mason glanced upon her features for the first time. He held his breath and couldn’t look away. Her dark hair caressed her chin and accentuated her luscious lips, but her eyes, a beautiful shade of hazel, captured his interest. Self-confidence and spunk radiated from their depths. In the middle of her neck chain was a white stone. She was a snow leopard shifter, just like him. A spark of irritation flashed through her eyes, and she pursed her lips.
“Sit down.” The old man next to him pulled on Mason’s arm. “You can’t interrupt the proceedings like this.”
Mason tore his gaze from the female. Sure enough, he’d stood. The veiled threat had spurned his protective side. As a member of the elite Protector squad, he couldn’t help his natural reaction. The tic in his jaw tightened. He glanced at her once again and returned to his seat.
The proceedings continued, but he didn’t follow the questioning. He couldn’t pull his focus from the female prosecutor. Conviction lined her pursed lips and the fire in her eyes called to him. They had a common goal, a common passion to stop the Slayers from killing the remaining humans who’d survived the super bug immune to antibiotics. Respect for her burned inside.
He turned to the elderly man. “Do you know the prosecuting attorney?”
The old man’s gray eyebrows drew to a point over his eyes. “Sure, everyone knows Celia. She’s the best prosecutor in town.”
Celia, he’d heard of her. She had a reputation all right—cold as ice, strong-willed, and independent. A few of his co-workers had joked about trying to bed her, but they’d failed.
Mason thrust out his chin. Their failure wouldn’t stop him. His inner cat purred in agreement.
The loud bang of the judge’s gavel filled the courtroom, dragging Mason’s attention back to the activity.
“Recess! The court will reconvene in fifteen minutes.” As the old judge stood, he placed his hand on his back. A grimace crossed his grizzled features.
“All rise.” The bailiff’s voice broke through the silence.
Chair legs scraped against the wooden floor, and the sound of shuffling feet echoed around the chamber. All were quiet as the judge shuffled from the courtroom.The door to the judge’s chamber closed, and the spectators headed for the exit.
“Excuse me.” The man next to Mason gave him a quick smile and nudged toward the end of the pew. He was one of the few humans in the room. After the super bug wiped out two-thirds of the human population and the shifters outnumbered their counterparts, many more shifters came in from the wild, eager to live in the open without fear.
Mason stepped into the aisle and let the old man and the rest of the bystanders leave. When the row emptied, his focus returned to Celia.
Her male counterpart whispered in her ear. A tinge of jealousy Mason didn’t quite understand played along his nerves. The male pointed toward him, and Celia glanced his way.
Her penetrating gaze bore into him, and he straightened his spine. With his heightened senses he inhaled, trying to determine her scent among the diminishing crowd. She pushed through the small hinged gate that separated the courtroom from the pews and headed toward him.
“Are you Mason?” Her warm peaches fragrance invaded his senses, lighting up his nerves.
He nodded. “And you are Celia.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“The man next to me mentioned your name.” It’d been a while since he’d found himself attracted to a female. His Protector job kept him busy, leaving little room for much else.
“Jordan, my partner on this case, tells me you’re the one who captured Antoine and brought him in. I wanted to thank you.”
The weight on Mason’s chest lightened, and he gave her a quick smile. “Part of my job. I don’t normally watch the proceedings, but this case…” He fisted his hand.
Mason and those in the Progressive faction wanted to co-exist with the humans while the those in the Partisan faction wanted to relegate humans to slave status. With tension escalating, two radical groups had formed within each faction, Slayers and Protectors. Where the Slayers wanted to wipe out the humans from the face of the planet, the Protectors guarded them, often times with their lives.
The disparate goals had clashed, pushing the conflict to a boiling point, and the feline shifter wars started four years, eleven months, and twelve days ago. Fortunately, the Progressive faction had the upper hand, and Mason would do everything in his power to ensure that remained so. His tense shoulders loosened as he forced himself to relax.
“I’m going to nail that bastard to the wall for slaying that mother and child,” she hissed. Passion and determination radiated from her and rushed over him like a heatwave. His fingers twitched with his sudden desire to touch her, be a part of that passion. He held the urge in check, barely.
“The more Slayers we can pull off the streets, the safer for all of us.” He admired how her hazel eyes sparkled in the light. Her cheeks reddened, and she licked her bottom lip, moistening it.
Mason clamped his teeth together as a sudden rush of blood raced south.
She glanced at the clock on the wall, but not before he’d caught the slight rise at the corner of her mouth. “I have to go over my notes before the defense makes his final speech for the judge. Thank you, again.”
As she turned to go, he gripped her arm, stopping her retreat. Her warm skin lit up the sensitive pads on his fingers. His inner cat howled with delight. “Wait…”
She glanced from his fingers to his face. Tension lines formed around her eyes. “Yes?”
He let her go, and a rock formed in his gut. “Seems we have something in common, our disdain for Slayers. Would you meet up with me later for dinner?”
She blinked, but then her features hardened once again. “Sorry, I don’t think so.”
She turned on the ball of her foot and headed toward the prosecutor’s table. He couldn’t pull his gaze away from her behind swiveling back and forth as she walked. A seductive yet graceful movement. She was tough and ruthless, and lived up to her reputation, the Ice Queen. Indeed, but if he ever got the chance, he’d work on thawing her out.
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