Page 7 of Warrior

Axel nodded, letting me know he had her.With that, I turned and walked forward to face the crowd.Nearly two hundred people, both human and Shadow Warrior, had gathered to say farewell to Boot.A few whispers and murmurs lingered before fading into silence.

“Death is always a tragedy,” I said, raising my voice so everyone could hear.Marinah grimaced slightly at the volume but otherwise held steady.“Boot died saving his young son’s life.”I glanced toward the children clustered together and found Che.“He loved you, Che, and he was proud to call you his son.”

Che’s tears streamed down his face as I continued.“You are the son of Boot, a mighty Shadow Warrior.You are one of us, as is your mother.Look around you at every Shadow Warrior here.We are your family.”

I shifted my focus to the others.“Boot shall be written about in our history books.He died a Warrior’s death and will be remembered for as long as any Shadow Warrior breathes on this planet.”

Maylin wiped tears from her face, and a few women moved closer to offer her comfort.I knew she had likely been scared about her fate.If it weren’t for everything happening with Marinah, I would have visited her sooner to explain that she had nothing to fear.Through her marriage to Boot, she and her son were part of us now.Her coming child would be Shadow Warrior, and that connection was an impossible bond to break.

I stepped to the pyre, placing my hand gently on Boot’s covered leg—a silent goodbye.Turning back to the crowd, I let my voice drop, drawing their attention.“Each day, we fight for our lives.We sacrifice everything for those we love.Forward or Dieis our motto.Tonight, we grieve for one of our own while celebrating Boot’s life.Tomorrow, we move forward.”My gaze swept over the faces before me.“But we never forget.”

I took two steps forward and grabbed a lit torch from the sand.Holding it steady, I placed the flame against the wood beneath Boot’s body.Others stepped forward, picking up torches from the sand, and joined me in lighting the pyre.The heat intensified quickly, forcing us to step back.

Warriors would remain on the beach throughout the night to ensure the fire burned until Boot was reduced to ash.He wouldn’t be alone.

I glanced at Marinah and saw more tears streaking down her face.It was good for her to cry.She was handling herself well, and I exhaled, feeling a small fraction of my tension ease.She needed to be here tonight, even though it had been a lot to ask of her.The only way to have kept her away would’ve been to knock her out, and even then, I wasn’t sure she would have stayed down.

She’d had about half the knockout drugs other Warriors required during their first few days, something that surprised both Axel and me.Maybe when Marinah began reading our history, she’d uncover something about the female Warriors that we didn’t know.Greystone would have had the answers, and the thought of him brought a fresh wave of loss.I missed him more than ever.

Cabel approached, holding his wife’s hand.They’d stayed back until the crowd began to thin.

“Marinah, this is Cabel, one of my guards,” I said.“He’s taking a short break and spending time with his new wife, Mary.”

Marinah extended her hand, and Mary took it briefly, meeting Marinah’s gaze as they exchanged pleasantries.Neither she nor Cabel had any idea what prolonged eye contact could provoke in Marinah.I’d have to speak with Cabel privately tomorrow to explain everything.

An intense wave of heat suddenly radiated from Marinah’s body.Cabel gave me a questioning look, his brow furrowed as he felt it.

“You’re requested at tomorrow’s council meeting,” I told him quickly.Usually, a Warrior was exempt from meetings this soon after mating, but with the hellhounds causing trouble again, he didn’t balk.

“No problem,” he said and pulled Mary closer, gaining her attention.

When I glanced at Marinah, panic filled her eyes, and she looked around for somewhere to run.

“I need the car,” she strangled out.

I glanced at where Axel had been standing a moment before and saw he was already heading for the vehicle.Without a word to Cabel or his wife, I grabbed Marinah’s hand and pulled her with me.She resisted, and I tugged harder.

“Come on, love.Breathe and concentrate.We need to get you out of here.”

“I’m losing it.Really losing it,” she said shakily when we were a few feet away.Her panic was difficult to watch.

“Nothing bad will happen, even if you do shift,” I told her.“Keep walking, concentrate, and we’ll be out of here in a few seconds.”

If she shifted, it would bring on an entirely new set of problems.Beast knew Marinah was my mate.If any man overstepped, this would be a disaster.My Warriors had never seen a female Shadow Warrior, and it would be hard to hold them back.They would never hurt her, but taking in her scent and touching her, would be hard to stop.The last thing I needed was Beast going crazy because of the mating rage.

Marinah’s beast was practically bursting through her skin before we were halfway to the car.I scooped her into my arms and ran the rest of the way.

“I have a shot ready once we get inside.Breathe,” I reminded her when she let out a low growl.Several people looked over.

To hell with it.

I ran full out, opened the back door, tossed her inside, and climbed in behind her.Axel pulled the vehicle away as soon as I swung the door closed.

Marinah curled into herself, trembling as she fought to hold back the shift.

“You promise it isn’t always this bad?”she asked, pain radiating through the words.

“Stop fighting the change,” I told her, keeping calm.“The less you fight, the easier it is.”

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