Page 11 of Mortal Guardian (Shadow Shifter)

Dannika nodded. “And Breck’s reapers. Irdane says they want immortality, but I find it hard to believe, since they simply have to feed on humans to achieve that.”

Anaisa took out a small wooden bowl, before placing various herbs inside. She took the lit incense that made the room smell like cinnamon and lavender, and put the smoking end to the herbs inside the bowl. There was a flash and a quick crackling sound before smoky wisps erupted from the container. She returned the incense to its holder before waving the smoke beneath her nose as she closed her eyes. “There is a disturbance in the veil.”

Dannika leaned forward in her chair. “What does that mean?”

Anaisa’s head jerked to the side before her eyes snapped open and she screamed. Everyone stood as an older man dashed into the front room with a blade in his hand. His sleeveless shirt bulged with muscle despite the grey hair, as his eyes darted around the room.

Anaisa held up her hand. “Samuel, I’m fine. It was the sight, not my guests, that scared me.”

Samuel lowered his blade. “Ana, you have not called out from a vision since you were a teenager.”

“I know. I will call you when we are done. I must reveal what I’ve learned.”

Samuel frowned, but left quietly.

They resumed their seats as Anaisa took a deep breath.

“What did you see?” Dannika asked.

“Sometimes the sight is like watching a movie unfold. Very much like your foreshadowing. Other times, when those events are cataclysmic to our future; I feel what I am seeing. This was one of those times,” she said. Her voice was haunted, lacking the confidence it always had.

“That bad?” Dannika asked.

“The worst one since I gained the sight.”

“Shit. I already know we’re going to hate it, so give it to us straight,” Dannika said.

Anaisa rubbed her chest. “I not only witnessed, but felt a woman experiencing a demon transition. She was dying, calling out to her loved one’s while the demons and reapers watched. The pain was...” She glanced at Riley. “You know.”

“Excruciating,” Riley said.

“Yes, but it’s worse for those with death as the outcome. This woman was abducted from her home while her child slept in the next room. While she feared her death, her last thoughts were of her son. She prayed to God, not for her life, but for that of her child.”

Raine growled. “They abducted her from her house? Not some random location?”

Anaisa Shook her head. “She was targeted.”

“How does this work?” Colton asked.

Anaisa touched her lips, as if to still her nausea. “After the woman was taken to their stronghold, Deruthel bit her. Breck administered a syringe full of human blood. Riley’s blood. They have tried adding reaper venom as well. So far, all the experiments have ended in death, but there are more coming. Many innocents will die in the coming week.”

“Where did this happen?” Dannika asked.

Anaisa glanced at the ceiling as if recalling the vision. “This woman was abducted near the shelter, but my contact in the veil said to patrol the mall parking lot.”

Dannika stood. “Thank you, Anaisa. As always, we appreciate your insight. We will leave you to get some rest.” She turned to leave, then paused. “I enjoyed meeting your brother.”

Anaisa’s eyes snapped to Dannika’s. “My brother?”

“Emmanuel. He escorted us to your home.”

Anaisa stood, knocking the bowl to the ground. Her eyes darted around the room.

Dannika stepped toward her. “Anaisa, what is it?”

“Emmanuel died twenty years ago.”

Dannika’s eyes widened. “What? But we saw him.”

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