Page 46 of Mortal Magic (Shadow Shifter)

Stern turned to Colton. “Am I the only person who thinks Ferguson is scary as fuck?”

“No.” Ryder and Colton said in unison.

Riley checked on her father, but his slight smile and even breathing eased her fears. “He’s fine. Ferguson didn’t hurt him. I know you fear him, but he is loyal to Dannika.”

Ryder took a seat inside the SUV. “How do you know that?”

Riley went to the third-row seat. “I just do. Don’t ask me to explain it, I can’t. Besides, I would rather focus on getting my dad to the lodge.”

Stern slid into the passenger seat as Colton got in the back with her. They were navigating the streets of Graydon County in minutes.

The stores and shops she had frequented, passed by her window in a blur. The small town she had grown up in, seemed foreign and hostile. Unrecognizable in the wake of recent events. The shops turned to houses, and the properties became larger and larger before they hit the stretch of open land. Daniel groaned before he woke up.

He looked around the vehicle before focusing on the forest in the distance. “Are we going on holiday?”

“This is our new home dad,” Riley said.

His eyes narrowed before he turned to her. “Riley, it isn’t safe.”

She leaned forward in her seat, grabbing his hand. “It is. I promise.”

Daniel’s eyes roamed to each man in the SUV. “It’s too late. They already found you.”

Riley was glad they were on clan property. Even if her father had a meltdown, nobody but the shadow clan would see it. She wasn’t sure if he was lucid, but she needed to know if he had any information about her past. “Who found me?”

Daniel never got a chance to answer. Something hit the side of the SUV, launching it to the side of the road.

Metal crunched as Daniel called out to her. Black mist shrouded the vehicle as screams and shouts echoed around her. One moment she was inside, with the feel of soft leather beneath her, and the next she was slammed against the pavement.

It took her a moment to comprehend what was happening. Colton was fighting a reaper she had never seen before. Metal blades flashed in the air as their shadows coalesced, then disappeared to a new location.

It was Breck’s voice that caught her attention. “It’s nice to see you again, Riley”

Her jaw dropped when she turned to see the reaper traitor, holding her father. His weak struggles did nothing against the reaper that held clawed hands around his throat. “Don’t hurt him.”

Breck’s lips curled over his fangs. “That depends on you. Come with me while the others are busy, and your father won’t be hurt.”

“Stop Ferguson or he dies,” Deruthel said.

Riley turned to the new nightmare. Deruthel held Colton. His claws dug into Colton’s neck and black blood flowed over his gnarled hands. Ferguson growled, poised on the brink of violence, but one wrong move and Colton was dead.

Deruthel’s eyes fell on Riley. “You have a choice.”

CHAPTER27

The wind blew strands of Riley’s hair over her eyes. Growls and shouts echoed in the night but she was frozen. Caught between the two men in her life. The decision wasn’t conscious, just a simple step towards Breck, and her world crumbled.

Deruthel smiled, exposing bloodstained, serrated teeth. Venom dripped from his fangs as his claws ripped Colton’s throat from his esophagus, and the screaming started.

It took Riley a moment to realize she was the source of the high pitched shrill, attracting the attention of the reapers and demons alike. Her shadow warrior burst forth as she stomped towards Deruthel.

The demon dropped Colton to the ground. His body bounced against the earth as crimson liquid sprayed the grass. Deruthel stepped over Colton’s body to approach Riley. “You were warned,” he said.

“By that coward who attacked me? Did you expect me to listen to that pathetic excuse for a human?” she growled.

“The Bokor had his uses. He was instrumental in this invasion. Now, come with me quietly and your father will live,” he said.

Riley glanced back at Breck. Daniel was struggling in his arms, but was no match for the recently fed reaper. Breck winked at her before she returned her attention to Deruthel. She inserted a steel in her voice she didn’t feel. “My father is at the end of his life, but he would never allow me to put my life above his. I may die for him, but I would never disrespect him.” She launched at Deruthel with her claws extended from her knuckles.

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