Page 2 of The Mating Frenzy
Understanding filled him. “Ah. You want him to feel as comfortable as possible. Noproblem.”
But he knew Danu well, and sensed there was something she did not convey. “What’swrong?”
A small smile. “You always were able to read me well.” The goddess glanced at Ciara. “I do not wish to troubleyou.”
Ciara looked at him with such love, he found it took his breath away. He had been so miserable before her, and now he could not live withouther.
“It is no trouble, my lady. We are here because of you, and together thanks to you. Let us know what we can do to help,” Ciara toldher.
Danu’s gaze turned soft. “You make a good mate for Xavier, Ciara. Perhaps I can use your help–later.”
She turned to Xavier. “Kieran must find the first werewolf of the Wyld, and teach her how to use herpowers.”
Interesting. He knew little of the mysterious werewolves of the Wyld, only that they were all female, and had been taken from their parents at birth. They were given to foster families across the United States to live as Skins, as OtherWorlders called humans, until the time came for them to come into their powers?powers that Danu would grant to them, making them nearly invincible and almost as strong as the wizards on the Brehon, the judges and guardians ofOthers.
His jaw dropped. “You mean you’re going to activatethem….”
Danunodded.
Oh, shit. Big problem. He almost wished he didn’t know. Because if Danu was calling upon these werewolves as a kind of all-female pack to fight evil, the Dark Lord was gathering hisforces.
“And Kieran is going to find this werewolf?” He shook his head. “He’s a cat, she’s a wolf, and dogs and cats don’t get alongwell.”
Danu gave a small smile. “They will get along fine. Her name is Ella. She lives in Colorado. She is alibrarian.”
Now Xavier did groan. “A librarian who has no idea she’s a werewolf? Or that she will possess the ability of telekinesis andteleporting?”
“And calling forth mystic energy,” the goddesssaid.
Ciara applauded. “An all-female pack of werewolves who can kick ass?! Yay!” She flushed. “Sorry, mylady.”
“No apology needed, Ciara,” Danu said gently. “Yes, the werewolves of the Wyld are indeed this ‘kick ass,’ as you put it. Once they accept their duties, they will come into their powers. The lives they presently lead must be abandoned, along with their friends and lovedones.”
“Do you need our help to find Ella? Or help her?” Ciara asked, hugging herknees.
“No.” Danu gave a delicate shrug. “Once Ella translates the ancient scrolls and accepts her destiny, she will become a mentor to assist in locating the other werewolves of theWyld.”
He almost feared asking. “What will be their primaryduties?”
Danu’s gaze remained steady. “To live among Skins and protect the weak and the frail of humanity against the growing evil in the world and destroy evil masquerading as good. There is another reason I must activate them as well. There are dark times ahead, my wizard. Your former master will seize power any way hecan.”
When Xavier was still mortal, he’d apprenticed himself to Duncan, a powerful wizard. Duncan tortured Xavier to death. But Xavier had ascended to become the Crystal Wizard after he’d died in his mortal life, while Duncan had died and was banished to live in the hell forOthers.
A hell Duncan now ruled over as the DarkLord.
He stared at his hands. “I wish I had never stated that vow before Duncan. If I had killed him before I became the Crystal Wizard, he never would have become the DarkLord.”
Ruler of the underworld. Worst bastard to ever walk the earth, a being who could reach beyond the afterworld and command Others to do hisbidding.
“Your destiny lay elsewhere, Xavier, as it is Kieran’s destiny to find Ella. It is crucial he gains her trust to begin herteachings.”
“Why? What’s the rush?” heasked.
Danu did not reply, but stretched out her hands and touched the glass. Frost appeared on the panes. She began tracing runes on the icy coating. The runes turned pitchblack.
Pain sliced through him like a whip striking his bare chest. Xavier doubled over, gasping from the burning. He heard Ciara cry out and held out a hand to stop her from clambering out of bed and touchinghim.
He did not want her hurt, and did not dare risk hurting the child shecarried.
