Page 49 of Mortal Magic (Shadow Shifter)

Breck’s smile fell. “He will die along with the rest of the reaper clan. Only the strong will survive with the demons.”

Colton shrugged. “I’m sure you believe that, but you also know that Ferguson will be one of the last to die, and I guarantee he will get to you first.”

They all turned as wolf and bear clan members exited the shadows. In seconds, they were overrun with shadow warriors. All fighting the demons and the traitorous reapers. Black mist swarmed in the air as warriors dissolved and coalesced in different locations. It was like watching a black swarm of locusts that had lost all sense of direction and purpose.

Riley touched her father’s chest when it appeared to solidify. “Colton, what’s happening?”

Colton glanced down at Daniel, but remained a statue at her side. A guardian. “He’s in the final stage. He’s in our world, and should shift to the shadows if his heart doesn’t explode.” He grabbed her arm, pulling her to his side. “New shadows lash out. You need to stay beside me until we see what happens.”

Riley attempted to pull from Colton’s grasp, but his hold was absolute. “My father would never hurt me.”

“It wouldn’t be his fault, and he would regret his actions. Don’t put him in that position,” Colton said, while keeping his gaze locked on Breck.

Riley took a deep breath. “You’re right.”

Daniel grunted as he stood up and faced his daughter. His form bulked out and turned black before his claws extended, but his eyes remained on the one thing he loved more than anything else. Riley.

“Dad are you okay?” she asked.

His body rippled before he resumed his human form. “I think so.” He held up his hands, flipping them to inspect his palms. “This is unexpected.”

Riley’s eyes narrowed on a father. “You aren’t shocked. Do you know about the shadow clans?”

Daniel pursed his lips. “Not the clans, just one member of their flock.”

Riley hugged him. “I can’t believe this. It’s like a miracle.”

Daniel kissed his daughter’s forehead. “It appears God still has some use for me.”

Deruthel coalesced a few feet from Riley and her father. “This is an unexpected inconvenience. A man of his age should not have survived. I guess a demon’s work is never done,” he said before he swung his claws at Daniel.

Riley pushed her father away, stepping into Deruthel’s swing. She knew he wouldn’t kill her, but he was unable to pull his attack in time. His claws sliced through the flesh of her shoulder, sending a firestorm of venom through her veins. She cried out, clamping with her other hand as acid raced through her blood, and black veins marred the skin surrounding the wound.

“I need you to live,” Deruthel hissed.

Colton sprung at Deruthel before he could move on Daniel again. Black mist swarmed as they attacked one another and claws bit into flesh; black blood sprayed in multiple directions. They moved too fast for the naked eye to track, but the sounds echoed in Riley’s ears. Colton was flung from a massive black shadow. He skidded across the dirt as Deruthel coalesced behind Daniel.

Deruthel’s smile turned to one of horror when Daniel slashed him, and the wound began to bubble and hiss. He screamed, clutching the bubbling black blood, and backed away in disbelief.

Ferguson coalesced between Daniel and Deruthel before Colton joined him.

Deruthel growled before he shifted to the shadows and entered the pathway. His retreat didn’t go unnoticed by his followers. In seconds, all the demons and the traitorous reapers disappeared.

Steele approached them. His body was stained with black blood. It dripped from the blade in his hand. “What just happened?”

Colton shook his head. “I have no idea. Even Dannika’s blood doesn’t have that kind of effect on the demons.”

Ferguson’s eyes were sad when they met Daniel’s. “When I said I hope to see you again, this wasn’t what I meant.”

Daniel smiled. “While I didn’t fully understand what you were, it doesn’t change the fact that you are all God’s children. Perhaps he allowed my transition to offer you some guidance.”

Steele grabbed Ferguson’s arm. “You told a human what we are?”

Riley shook her head. “Even if he did, my father would never have been able to tell anyone else.”

Steele’s eyes narrowed on Daniel. “Your blood was toxic and your transition is nothing like anything we’ve seen before. You are in complete control of your demon soul. It fears you. Tell us about your heritage.”

Ferguson shook his head. “It isn’t his heritage. It’s his profession.”

---