Page 27 of Mortal Magic (Shadow Shifter)

Riley glanced at the door. “I heard what he was saying, but something was off. He was talking about reaper feeding habits but was more interested in you leading an army against the demons. I can’t figure it out.”

Colton turned to her. “You’re right. He was nervous when talking about the war, but not when he was talking about the clan wanting to feed on the dregs of society.”

Dannika turned towards the door before it opened and Ferguson walked in. “You’re late.”

Ferguson shrugged. “I wasn’t aware I had a curfew, mother.”

Dannika shook her finger at him. “Don’t mother me. You took off, and nobody has heard from you. No one could track you because you are like lightning in the pathways. They lost your trail in seconds. You make me worry again and I will spank you in front of the entire clan.”

Riley slapped her hand her over mouth, while Raine and Colton turned away with a cough.

Ferguson’s eyes softened. “I apologize for making you worry.” He knelt down in front of Dannika’s chair. “You are upset. What happened?”

Raine put his hand on Dannika’s shoulder. “She had to deal with Breck. The reaper clan is tired of consuming animal blood. They want to prey on criminals.”

Ferguson’s eyes flashed with black smoke. “Only a select few have that attitude. Most are happy with the security the wolf clan provides.”

Riley glanced between Colton and Ferguson. “That confirms my suspicion. I don’t think he came here to alter reaper eating habits. I think his true agenda was to ensure Dannika was leading the army against the demons.”

Ferguson growled. “Dannika will not be leaving this cave.”

Raine pursed his lips and looked away, hiding his smile.

Dannika crossed her arms. “Are we having a little identity crisis, Ferguson? I thought I was the one in charge,” she snapped.

“You are, but neither I nor any shadow clan member would let you lead an army against the demons. You’re too important. We are disposable. You’re not.”

Dannika leaned towards Ferguson, putting her hand on his cheek. “You’re not disposable to me. If you get yourself killed, I will chase you to the veil, just to give you crap.”

Ferguson nodded, but the emotion in his eyes was real. He stood, making his way to the door. “I’ll go have a conversation with Breck. If he vexes you again, I’ll break both his legs.”

Dannika’s face brightened. “Promise?”

Riley and Colton laughed as Ferguson left shaking his head.

Raine leaned toward his wife. “You shouldn’t tease Ferguson like that. He’s not used to it.”

Dannika huffed. “Who said I was teasing?”

The laughter in the room faded when Dannika and Riley clutched their chests at the same time. “Did you feel that?” Riley asked.

Dannika’s hand moved from her chest to her throat. “Yes. That was another portal opening.”

Riley blew out a breath. “I thought I was going to be sick for a moment.”

“That’s what it feels like. Ripping through the barriers between worlds makes the descendants of the priestess nauseous. We feel it to varying degrees.”

“What do we do? We didn’t have a vision this time,” Riley said.

Raine went to the door. “I will send Ferguson to investigate. His discussion with Breck can wait.” He left closing the door.

Riley turned back to Dannika. “Why does the portal opening, affect us like this?”

“I’m not sure exactly. Anaisa, the priestess from the Haitian village, said all descendants feel it, but those with power, those with closer blood ties to the original, have stronger reactions. The fact that yours was similar to mine, means that your relation to her is not so distant.”

Riley nibbled her lip. “I can’t see any reason why my parents would lie to me.”

“They probably didn’t lie. Having a Haitian relative may not have seemed important. Maybe one of your grandparents lost touch with their family. It’s hard to say.”

---