Page 3 of Guardians of the Assassins
Before she could retreat, Kincade came to her side, slipped his hand into hers, and whispered, “Steady.”
Blowing out a harsh breath, she dialed back the magic slightly, feeling it curl around her like a protective shield. When she would’ve demanded answers, the door to the coven opened and Caedmon stood over the threshold.
The elf shifter was dressed as a warrior, his brilliant yellow eyes almost glowing as he strode down the steps toward her, power rolling off him in waves. Loki took that time to launch himself from between the bushes and trot next to him, his head and tail high, his ears forward.
When his bright burnt red eyes landed on the two shifters, murder darkened them until they swirled like lava flowing under the surface. His demeanor shifted, his snout curling up to reveal three-inch fangs.
Caedmon lightly ran his hand down the dog’s back, his palm coming to rest on the top of Loki’s head, and the beast calmed, leaning against him.
Caedmon remained expressionless, ignoring everything else but her as he stopped in front of them. Dark lines and dots swirled down the side of his face, the tattoos only adding to his badass nature, especially since they were a badge of honor few fae ever achieved.
In the last two weeks, his appearance had changed. He was still slim, but he was no longer gaunt. His black hair now had a sheen to it, his pale face only accentuating the exotic look. If it weren’t for the slightly pointed ears, she would assume he was pure wolf in human form.
“My queen.” He bowed slightly when he was only a few feet away, his voice a sexy rasp that was hard to ignore.
Louis and his man stiffened, their wolves practically pressing against the undersides of their skin.
A lot more was being said than she could pick up, and she didn’t like being left in the dark. “Okay, what the hell is happening?” When she struggled to release the bow again and failed, her annoyance broke free. “And how the hell do I get rid of this thing?”
She shook the bow at Caedmon and glared.
He’d been around almost as long as the gods or thereabouts.
If anyone should know, it would be him.
His eyebrows shot up, his eyes widening when he saw the weapon. He released an almost silent huff of laughter. “Why am I not surprised you managed to win favor with the gods?”
She glared in frustration, then turned toward Kincade and pouted. “Make him play nice.”
Kincade smiled down at her, kissing the tip of her nose. “Try smiling at him.”
Morgan cocked her head to the side, giving him a confused look.
Caedmon cleared his throat, and she turned to see him coughing into his fist. Then he put his hands behind his back, nodding to the bow, completely in teacher mode. “The bow reacts to your instincts, much like your blades. You have more control over the metal, but the concept is the same. These two wolves are not a threat to you.”
She glanced at the wolves and shook her head with a shrug. “Yeah, I know they’re not a threat to me, but I don’t like them on my property, trying to tell me how to run my coven and wolves. Trying to take my men.”
Caedmon’s brows rose at her confession, and he frowned. “The only way they can take your wolves is through a challenge. They’re just messengers.”
She glanced down at the bow, ordering her hand to release it, but the stupid thing remained, the damn thing mocking her. She turned and glared at Caedmon, speaking through gritted teeth. “Yeah, it’s not working.”
He tilted his head slightly as he peered down at the bow, then nodded as if to himself before glancing back up at her. “Hold the bow out.”
She cast him a suspicious look but did as ordered.
He held his hand out underneath hers, and she narrowed her gaze, not sure she wanted him touching the bow. She trusted him…somewhat. But the bow itself was something she took from the gods. She was feeling protective of the elf and didn’t want him to get hurt.
Caedmon waited patiently for her to decide, his yellow eyes softening, silently asking for her trust.
Fuck.
She released her grip.
And the bow dropped, vanishing into a swirl of dark smoke before it even touched his palm.
“It worked!” She flashed him a smile, and he returned her grin.
“It’s a reflex.” He retracted his arm, slipping it behind his back once more. “Once you get used to banishing it, you’ll be fine.”
