Page 29 of Mortal Guardian (Shadow Shifter)

Colton pushed the brown curtains aside so he could get a better view of the surrounding area. “Your a target. I think they scent your priestess’ blood. It’s the only explanation I can come up with. They will keep coming after you.”

Leah held up her hand. “I have a life. I’m not leaving it behind, but I will consider staying at the Haitian village. Although I didn’t put much stock into it growing up, I’m aware they ward the area.”

Colton turned to her as his eyes flickered. “No ward will keep out a demon general. Do you really want to bring the village to the Deruthel’s attention?”

Leah nibbled her lip. “You don’t think he knows about it?”

“He does, but things didn’t go so well for the demon he sent the last time. He is wary of Anaisa, and I’m sure he suspects she is a descendant of the priestess. I don’t think it would take much to persuade him to attack the village.”

Leah’s shoulders slumped. “What am I supposed to do?”

Riley tracked a bead of sweat as it rolled down Leah’s temple. “Leah, are you too hot?”

Leah rubbed her temple. “I don’t have the heat on, but it feels like an oven in here.”

Colton turned as Leah’s eyes rolled into the back of her head and she crumpled to the floor. He dashed to her side, scooping her up in his arms and moving her to the bed.

Riley put her hand on Leah’s temple. “She is burning up. What is wrong with her?”

Colton pulled up her shirt, inspecting her perfect skin. “There are no bite marks.”

“Turn her over.” They rolled Leah to her stomach before Riley pulled her shirt up.

The scratch was barely noticeable. A thin line that ran just beneath the band of her pants.

“He scratched her. It was so small it took time for the venom to get into her blood. I should have realized. I should have checked her.”

Riley’s heart thumped in her chest. “What do we do?”

Colton sighed. “There is nothing we can do. She is starting the transition.”

“How do we make things easier for her?” Riley asked.

“Get a cool cloth. I will call the others here.”

Riley went to the small bathroom with a white sink and cream-colored walls. She grabbed a hand towel from the small shelf above the sink before dousing it in cold water. “Who do you need to bring in?”

Colton was already flicking his fingers in the air. The black script floated in a cursive design, only to dissipate when he lowered his hand. “I’ve called Steele and Ferguson.”

Leah groaned, rolling onto her back before grabbing her head. “The last time I felt like this, I had downed two bottles of red wine the night before.”

Riley put the cold cloth on Leah’s forehead. “I wish this was a hangover, but you’re about to go through the transition.”

Leah struggled to swallow. “There’s no antidote?”

“No.”

Colton knelt by the bed. “Since you’re awake, it might be best if we get you to my house.”

Leah put her hand over her mouth. “Honestly, if you move me, I’m going to throw up. I might anyway.”

“That’s perfectly normal. I’ve called some people to help, we can stay here till your transition is complete.”

The room vibrated, a hum in the air before Steele coalesced inside the room. His eyes fell on Leah, his face one of compassion and regret. “Damn. Another one.”

Colton stood to meet his leader. “She’s another descendant. I think the demons can sense the descendants of the original priestess.”

Steele rubbed his chin. “If that’s true, we will need a way to track them as well.”

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