Page 44 of Mortal Magic (Shadow Shifter)

Riley glanced at her father. “How are we going to do this? He can’t travel the shadow pathways.”

“Backup is on the way. Ryder and Stern are bringing a vehicle. Do you have power of attorney over your father?” Colton asked.

“Yes, but they won’t just let me take him without proving I have a suitable location to move him too.”

“Steele is setting up the main lodge right now. He will arrive with documentation and pictures of your father’s new facility. Go to the nurses’ station and let them know we are preparing to move him. Tell them and return to the room. We will do the rest.”

Riley opened the door of her father’s private room, then walked down the hallway to the nurse’s station. She was thankful her father’s room was near the end of the corridor. They hadn’t heard the fight between Colton and Breck. A young girl in a blue nursing uniform, and a name tag that read Sarah, was doing paperwork behind the desk. “Excuse me, but I wish to remove my father from this facility.”

Sarah snapped her head up. “You can’t just remove a patient. There is paperwork to be signed. Do you have power of attorney?”

“My name is Riley Simon; my father Daniel was placed here by me. The church is currently funding his placement, and I was expected to make new arrangements. Which I have now done. We will be removing him as soon as his ride arrives. Get his paperwork ready for me to sign.” She turned and walked away, before the nurse could answer.

When she returned to the room, Ferguson was talking to Colton. “Did you find the reaper who killed Dr. Henry?”

Ferguson nodded. “That reaper is no longer with us, but I did get some useful information from him before I relieved him of his life.”

“Why did they kill her?”

“Deruthel is angry you chose a shadow. The Bokor was instructed to ensure you remained a virgin until Deruthel could collect you. Hakim took your blood. It’s what they used to open the small portals. The reaper didn’t know what the repercussions will be for Deruthel now that you have chosen a mate.”

“I didn’t choose a mate, I just...” She stopped when Colton growled.

“You have a mate, and it’s me.”

Ferguson arched an eyebrow as Stern entered the room with another large man. They clustered around Daniel’s bed, with little room to move.

Ryder held out his hand to Riley. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I wish we had met under less stressful circumstances, but we will have plenty of time to catch up once your father is safely under the cougar clan’s protection.”

“I really appreciate it.” She smiled when Stern winked at her.

Riley had never been one to feel an instant connection with people, yet Ryder put her at ease, and Stern was something else completely. She winked back at the large bear clan member.

Colton huffed. “Stern, if you keep flirting with my mate, I’m going to put you in the ring for two days.”

Ryder laughed, but Stern’s smile fell.

“I meant no disrespect Colton, but I feel the need to protect her. It’s just as powerful as it is with Dannika.”

Colton’s eyes narrowed. “Dannika is the Queen, so your attachment to her is understandable.”

Stern shrugged. “I don’t think it’s because she’s queen. I think it’s because she’s my sire. I felt this way before she was queen.”

Riley sucked in a breath, backing away from the men. “Dannika turned you?”

Stern shook his head. “No. A reaper attacked me when I interfered with his quarrel with Dannika. She gave me her blood to give me a better chance of a clean turn. At that time, the clans assumed that the reapers couldn’t be rehabilitated.”

Ryder rubbed his chin. “Since Breck and half the reaper clan defected, the jury is still out on that.”

Ferguson’s eyes narrowed on the bear clan leader. “I beg to differ.”

Ryder regarded the reaper leader with cool eyes. “You, and those that followed your criteria for hunting humans, are having an easier time acclimatizing to animal blood.”

“Dannika’s orders will be followed. Reapers that turn their back on our clan will end up like the one that killed Riley’s psychiatrist,” Ferguson said.

It was the way he said it, that sent a shiver through Riley’s body. “What did you do, Ferguson?”

Ferguson’s eyes softened when they fell on Riley. “I made an example of that traitor. I want it very clear what will happen if you leave the reaper clan. Most of his body was sent back to Breck.”

---