“Just like the people in town. Fear can make people do crazy things.”

  He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in close. “I’m so sorry about your grandmother’s house.”

  “I know. Still, it’s just a house,” she said as she kissed the tip of his finger. “A home is where the people you love reside. As long as I’m by your side, I’ll be happy.”

  Larken kissed the top of her forehead. Sniffing, the scent was getting stronger. There had been more fresh kills, but from what he could discern, only animals to abate the increasing hunger. “We need to be ready. I fear the entire town will try to stop the ceremony.”

  “What are they really afraid of?”

  He sighed and thought about the myriad reasons. “The stories told in passing by their ancestors for one thing, but I honestly believe that they think we’re all going to be slaughtered. Maybe if they watch the ceremony they’ll understand.”

  “And your father?” she asked quietly. “How did he take the news?”

  “Devastated but prepared.” Larken had more that serious doubts anything was going to work, including being able to break the curse. Reverting back to their Primal state had occurred more often than not over the past centuries. Maybe they would live in relative peace for a few decades at least. “He wasn’t told that we have the third book. That’s our secret until the beginning of the ceremony.”

  “What about Hagan?”

  He’d thought of the very question after her call. “I will see my brother again and yes, he will be welcomed back home.”

  She squeezed his arm. “Thank you.”

  Leading his people out of this would take everything he had.

  “Why is Tina here?”

  “The drug that she gave you before was altered. It should give you some ease in transformation,” Larken whispered, the uneasiness creating strings of sweat sliding down his back. He could feel his own beast crawling toward the surface, his own hunger becoming overpowering.

  The Elders advanced, followed by the members of the Vukani Pride.

  Exhaling slowly, he took her hand. “Come to the clearing. The others have gathered.” As he led her into the quiet field, prepared according to the old ways, the others stood silently. Hundreds of men and women, their beasts feared by man for thousands of years were waiting for the call and one that would allow not only life but peace as well. It all came down to one revered night and a destiny of their people.

  They stood silently for a full minute, a quiet reverence spilling across every man and woman’s face.

  Tina approached, a smile on her face. “This should help when you shift. I made this especially for you.”

  Larken kept his eyes on the Elders, watching their every move.

  “And if it doesn’t?” Scarlet asked as she accepted the vial, fingering the clear glass.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll be just fine.” Tina looked longingly at Larken before giving them both a respectful nod.

  “What’s next?” Scarlet asked as she pulled the cork stopper into her fingers.

  “The four of us are blood bonded together and as the soul of our ancestors passes through every man and woman here, giving the approval for transformation. You’ll remain human until the stroke of midnight.”

  “How long will this last?” Swallowing hard, Scarlet’s voice was barely a whisper.

  “For twenty-four hours. After the required period you will become human once again with the ability to turn as necessary. However, you are taking a vow to never take a human life. If you do, you’ll face punishment. Do you understand?” There was prayer laced in his words, a hope filling his soul. Larken was more than just fearful of the outcome.

  “I…”

  Hearing the pause, he glanced into her face. Her eyes were wide open, her mouth slack. “Scarlet. What’s wrong?” It was at that moment he confirmed the identity of the presence hovering in the shadows. Hagan. The lion was waiting to right the terrible wrong, to exact revenge on the monster who’d given him his own dose of poison, sickening his mind, turning him into a killer.

  She tipped her head, locking eyes as her body began to shake. “Larken…”

  He gripped her hand and in the next several seconds, a rush of the images in her mind, hidden memories came flooding into his. Her mother. The visit. A terrible argument.

  And the poison she’d been forced to ingest.

  His beast rose to the surface, forcing Larken to issue a keening growl. “No!” Taking and smashing the vial, he pushed his way through the crowd, ignoring the cries and shouts. He wrapped his hand around Christian’s throat, lifting him off the ground. “You will die for your sins.”

  Christian sputtered, gasping for air.

  Trevor and Bristol flanked his side, pushing the others away. Scarlet inched closer, her arm gripped by Tina.

  “Why?” Scarlet whispered, her face filled with rage as she looked up at Christian. “Why did you kill my mother? She left to keep me protected, even though she wanted me to have nothing to do with this place. She defied you and your orders, your desires. She refused to succumb.”

  “You lied to everyone in this Pride, to every lion. You are not an honorable man.” Larken made certain the entire crowd could hear him. He twisted his hand, using the power of his lion to come within millimeters of snapping the man’s neck.

  “What is happening?” came a shrill cry.

  “This man is a traitor!” Trevor called. “He poisoned Scarlet’s mother in an effort to hide his blasphemous secrets. He replaced the concoction Tina provided with one of his own, a poison that would have killed Scarlet.”

  “He also poisoned and banished the boy Dartan considered to be his firstborn son, making him believe that he was a monster,” Bristol continued.

  A collective hush floated over the Pride as the information settled in.

  Larken released his hold, allowing Christian to drop.

  Christian coughed, gasping for air, throwing his hand up as if anyone would help him.

  “You bastard. You believed you could stop the ceremony. You knew all along that without the third and vital piece to the telling of the Red Moon and its wretched curse that we would fail,” Larken roared. “It’s you who failed miserably. I will lead this Pride and we will survive the Red Moon!”

  The crowd erupted.

  He pointed to Jax and Gunner, knowing they were on his side. “Take Blade into custody. He is the man responsible for killing the humans in our community, as directed by Christian. I’m certain the sheriff will appreciate securing a suspect.”

  “You… don’t… know what…” Christian continued coughing, spitting onto the ground.

  A gasp could be heard as Blade drew his weapon, pointing the gun at Dartan. The single shot echoed a split second before Blade fell to the ground, the man issuing the death blow moving toward Blade’s body, kicking the gun out of the man’s hand. “Over my dead ass body,” Jax huffed. He lifted his head, staring directly at Larken, a slight smile his sign of respect.

  Trevor and Bristol yanked Christian to his feet.

  Larken nodded his approval to Jax before turning his attention to his father, taking the rattled man by the arm. “It’s all right, Father. You can do this.”

  Dartan patted his hand. “Perhaps I always knew, but I didn’t care. I loved him as my own.”

  “Why don’t you tell Hagan that?” Larken pointed toward the trees. He’d never seen his brother, had never been told of the man’s existence, and now he understood why. The terror his mother must have faced, being raped by Christian, a child born, the lies told. And the horrible suffering his brother had been forced to endure.

  All because of a man who’d abused his power.

  Hagan moved through the crowd, taking slow and even steps until he stood only a few feet away from his real father. “I should kill you for what you’ve done, for what you led me to believe, but I’m through with killing.” He turned his back, yet Larken could feel the vibes as his brother began to shift.

  “You were never my son. You couldn’t even follow orders,” Christian chided.

  “No. He’s my son, Christian. Blood and birth might continue our kind, but only love will allow us to continue being human. You may think you destroyed my family, but you’re wrong.” Dartan’s voice rang loud and clear. “Get this asshole out of my sight. My son is getting married and my other son has returned home. It’s time for a celebration.”

  Trevor handed Christian off to Gunner and Jax, snarling as the man was dragged away.

  The applause and cheers were heartfelt, the entire Pride swelling with happiness. Only Larken knew they had more to face. He moved beside Scarlet as Dartan embraced his other son.

  “What’s wrong?” Scarlet whispered.

  “Everything.” He scanned the forest, taking a deep whiff. “We need to move forward.”

  “They’re here?” she asked, tipping her head toward the moon.

  “Yes.” He motioned to the others, leading them toward the prepared ceremony.

  Nodding, she lifted the hood and stood in front of the glowing altar.

  “Are you ready?” Larken asked, beckoning Bristol and Trevor.

  “I am,” Scarlet said defiantly.

  “Let it begin.” Larken whispered as he prepared the sacred dagger, heating it in the flame of forever. He noticed both Dartan and Hagan approaching.

  “Allow me, son. I am very proud of you. Of all of you.” Dartan’s eyes were glowing.

  Larken handed him the dagger, moving beside the others.

  Scarlet studied the altar, her eyes sweeping over the carved stones, the pewter goblet as well as the necklace that she would wear for the rest of her life. Larken had never felt such love for anyone.

  “Da Shante Degor,” a man whispered from the crowd.

  “Da Shante Degor,” a woman repeated as she moved forward.

  “We are the Vusi Pride, Primal and the true descendants. On this sacred night, four will be joined together, lifting us from our terrible curse. We honor not only their sacrifice, but ones that all of you have made. We will be forever more!” Dartan stated, handing the glowing dagger to Larken, bowing his head.

  Larken nodded as he showed the crowd the dagger, the ruby tip gleaning in the luminescent moon. “And the night shall be forever more.”

  The crown began to chant, the words said with passion.

  “Da Shante Degor. Da Shante Degor. Da Shante Degor!”

  “Hold out your wrists,” Larken commanded. He scanned the perimeter hearing the approach of the humans and emitted a high keening growl. The warning should keep them at bay for a little longer. The remaining Elder stood in the shadows, watching over the group.

  Moving closer, Scarlet held out her arm, a look of reverence on her face.

  “Forever,” Larken said as he cut a deep slice into his wrist. Cries came from the forest along with a series of snarls. Somewhere a fight had broken out.

  “Forever,” Bristol breathed, darting a glance toward the forest and mouthing ‘hurry.’

  “Forever.” Trevor’s voice was husky.

  “Forever,” Scarlet whispered, giving Larken a nervous smile. She darted a glance toward the direction of the sound, obviously overwrought from the cries.

  As he cut a slice across each wrist, he held out a solid gold goblet and waited until their combined blood spilled into the cup. “Drink and we will be as one.” He gazed at the moon as a billow of red clouds swirled around in dazzling formations. Midnight approached.

  “Da Shante Degor. Da Shante Degor. Da Shante Degor!” The group moved forward, crowding the altar, their bodies swaying back and forth.

  Larken could tell the outer rim, the one away from town was compromised, humans having found their weakness.

  Bristol drank first then Trevor. As he began shifting, he emitted a deep howl that skated across the night air.

  The entire Pride tilted their heads toward the moon, their sensuous calls floating toward the heavens.

  The call for their maker was filled with joy as well as anguish. As Larken took a sip, tasting the sweet musk of their combined blood, his heart raced. The transformation had begun. Handing the cup to Scarlet, he nodded. The trees seemed to take on a life of their own, crackling in the light breeze. He could hear a series of roars and grunts along with what had to be gunshots. The humans were getting too close.

  “Larken,” Scarlet moaned.

  “You must finish what was started. You must,” Larken encouraged. He gave a knowing look to Trevor. They would have to be prepared to fight.

  Her hands shaking, she lifted the goblet to her lips and drank. Tipping her head back, beads of blood trickled from her mouth.

  Larken turned to his Pride and smiled, raising his arms in an attempt to instill confidence. “It is done. We are as one.” Taking her hand and drawing her close, they stood watching as a powerful wind swept over the entire forest. Keening cries of beast and man intertwined together, as the moon shimmied in the sky. The red hue was vibrant, glowing brightly as the stars seemed to surround the magnificent orb. An electric current jazzed the air and the entire crowd roared.

  Scarlet gasped. “The moon is changing.”

  “Yes. We’ve entered into the time of passing. Enjoy, my queen.” As the others began to turn, allowing their true selves to erupt from the imprisonment of their human forms, Larken breathed in the scent of their kind.

  The baleful sounds grew in intensity as human form was transcended into glorious creatures.

  “They’re beautiful,” Scarlet whispered, eyeing the lions.

  “They’re your family.” Larken kissed her lips softly and stepped away as Bristol and Trevor began the change, their bodies molding into savage beasts, their white coats shining in the glowing light.

  Scarlet nodded. “What now?”

  “The town is here. You must remain here for the change.” His voice barely audible, he growled and closed his eyes. Anguish and rapture combined and for a few moments he was neither beast nor man. As he slowly turned, he kept his eyes on Scarlet. He looked down and seeing sprouting white fur creeping across his human skin, he knew they’d failed. There was no curse, no truth to the story. Pitching his head back, he roared. They could all be dead.

  Hearing the crackling of woods, they both turned and watched as dozens of men scampered over the hillside. Slowly she unfastened the cloak and tugged down the hood.

  “There she is.”

  “What the hell?”

  “They’re everywhere.”

  Larken snarled but could do nothing with Scarlet still in human form. No matter what happened, he was going to protect her or die in the process.

  “Fear not. We’re your neighbors and will be your protectors.” Pushing off the cape, Scarlet stood naked. As she raised her arms to the sky, her entire body began to tremble.

  “What the fuck?”

  “Is she turning into a… let’s get out of here!”

  “Kill them all.”

  The lions turned, ready to fight. Padding in different directions, they tipped back their heads and snarled. Only Dartan and Tomas remained in human form, both standing close, prepared to battle.

  Only half human, Larken moved toward the group of humans, keeping his eyes on the guns firmly planted in their hands. He was trying to buy time. “We mean you no harm.”

  “That’s why you’re killing our sons and daughters.” A man stepped forward and pumped the shotgun, giving Larken a harsh glare.

  “And you killed our kind out of fear,” Larken countered, pointing toward the moon. Sheriff Jefferson wore a murderous grin. “We have lived amongst you for centuries and unfortunately a curse nearly destroyed our kind. As allowed by our Pride, we extinguished the lion responsible for killing those in town. Tonight, the need to feed will pass. We will once again never need to turn.”

  Sheriff Jefferson glanced toward the moon, as if debating. Then he took aim. “I’ve enjoyed killing your kind and I don’t plan on stopping.”

  As fast as Larken could move, Hagan outmaneuvered him, snarling as he lunged toward the sheriff.

  “Die, you fucker!” Sheriff Jefferson, his eyes opening wide as the lion flew through the air.

  “No! Wait! They were protecting their own,” a second man screamed about the roar of the humans.

  Boom!

  “No!” Larken screamed, instantly transforming. He roared as he stood on his hind legs.

  “Hagan!” Scarlet screamed as she raced forward, falling to her knees. “No. No. Get off him.” She pushed hard, managing to roll the human off the lion. “Hagan.”

  “It’s not a kill shot,” Dartan whispered, easing by her side. “I think he can be saved. Oh, please, allow him to be saved.”

  “Hold on, stop now.” Sweeping his arms out, another man pushed his way through the crowd. He knelt beside Scarlet. “Stop. Do not shoot.” He glared at the humans. “Do not shoot. Period.”

  Marcus. He’d listened to Larken’s request for help, but he could tell the sheriff wasn’t going to heed to the mayor’s demand. If so, Larken was prepared to slaughter the fucker.

  “Let me see,” Marcus said gently as he brushed his hand over the lion’s fur, snarling. “Joe, you asshole. We didn’t come here to kill them.”

  “Like hell we didn’t. Look at the lot of them. They’re bloodthirsty monsters, Marcus.” The sheriff remained indignant.

  “Somebody take his gun and get him out of here,” Marcus snapped. “I mean it, now. Give us some room. Sheriff or no sheriff, we aren’t here to kill anyone. You will listen to me, Joe or I’ll relieve you of your duties.”

  “Bullshit!” Sheriff Jefferson snorted.

  “You try it and you come through me,” Marcus said as he shot the sheriff a harsh look.

  Fully turned, Larken padded forward as two other men approached. Sniffing, he sensed no danger. He moved next to Scarlet and purred.

  “He’s hurt. Oh God, he’s hurt,” she wailed.

  Hagan howled in pain, the anguished cry causing a series of roars echoing in the night sky.

  Larken pawed the ground. There were others surrounding them, both humans as well as their kind. This could end in tragedy, a bloody massacre. He roared as he tipped his head, giving his people a clear message to back down.