Page 3 of Mortal Guardian (Shadow Shifter)

She let him hold her until her breathing slowed. “I’m sorry I’m still struggling to hunt, but it’s even worse for my dad.”

“I know. Ferguson has taken him out often, but he still refuses to feed unless the animal is in pain.”

She rested her chin on his chest as she looked up at him. “Can we go check on him? I want to see if he’s ready to talk about mom’s past. He still gets upset when I bring it up. I want to give him time to acclimatize to shadow life, but we are running out of time.”

“I agree. Let’s go talk to him.” They had just finished adjusting their clothing when Colton held his hand up.

“What is it?” She whispered.

“Someone just exited a pathway.”

Riley glanced around the forest. “I didn’t hear anything.”

“He barely made a sound when he exited. My guess would be a reaper,” Colton said.

A man Riley didn’t recognize stepped from the trees. His dark hair and pale skin were accented by his red eyes. He approached them slowly, holding out his hands in a show of submission.

“Who is he?”

Colton’s jaw ticked. “His name is Irdane. He is one of the reapers who left with Breck.”

A growl rumbled from her throat. “He’s a traitor.”

CHAPTER2

Colton stepped in front of Riley. He had only met Irdane once before his defection, but the reaper had already proved that he couldn’t be trusted. Dannika had given them a chance at a life with the shadow clans. One of unity and equality, but they had thrown it in her face and sided with the demons. The very creatures that would destroy this world before moving on to the next. Only his concern for Riley's safety, and the fact the reaper had come alone had his alpha waiting to administer the kill.

“What do you want, Irdane? Did you get tired of being Breck’s lapdog?” Colton asked.

Irdane dropped his hands, glancing around as if he were being watched. “I mean you no harm. I simply want to share Intel, in hopes that Dannika will allow me to return to the clan.”

Colton’s alpha detected no lies, but he was still on alert and ready to cut the reaper down if he so much as looked at Riley wrong. “That’s not a deal I can make. Why come here?”

“Hear me out.”

Riley put her hand on Colton’s arm. “I think we should listen to what he has to say.”

Colton’s eyes flickered. “Say your peace.”

Irdane stopped a few feet away from them, but continued to glance around nervously. “I was... undecided when Dannika proposed we adjust our eating habits, so when Breck suggested we form our own clan, it seemed like a reasonable idea. He wasn’t forthcoming about his plans with the demons until it was too late. I decided to gain Intel about their intentions, and return to the shadow clans.”

Colton huffed. “And you think you can just waltz right in and we will accept you back? “

“You have every right to be wary of me. I’m a reaper through and through, but I’m not lying when I tell you the demons scare me. I don’t trust Deruthel and I’ll do whatever is necessary to build trust with the cougar clan again.”

Colton allowed the cool breeze and the sound of rushing water to soothe the tension in his body. His muscles flexed beneath his skin, itching to lash out at the man who had turned his back on the queen. A woman who had risked her life to save them. “This isn’t my decision to make. Dannika will need to decide if she wants to hear you out.”

Irdane nodded. “I understand, but tell her it’s important. This can’t wait.”

Colton moved his fingers in an intricate pattern. The black script scrolled in the air, wafting as the breeze brushed against it. The response was instantaneous. “Dannika needs to hunt. Raine will bring her here, but I’m warning you, Irdane. If you so much as sneeze in Dannika’s direction...”

Irdane waved a hand in the air. “You will kill me, I understand.”

“As appealing as that sounds, I won’t get the chance. Raine is an alpha and mated to the queen. He will massacre you before I have the opportunity to shift.”

Irdane’s face paled as Raine and Dannika exited the pathway with a familiar hum brushing the air. There was no mistaking the queen’s anger. Black smoke rolled off her shoulders as Raine escorted her to Riley’s side. His casual hold on her waist appeared to restrain her rather than protect her from the reaper who was once part of her clan.

“My queen,” Irdane said, bowing slightly.

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