“Please do. I’m sure Peri will have many interesting words to say about that, and I can’t wait to hear them.” She grinned to herself as she watched Peri shift in her seat. She was holding Nissa’s hand.

  “What are they doing?”

  “Searching for memories.”

  “Will they find them?”

  “What do you think?”

  Galan sighed. “Only when it’s time.”

  Serapha nudged his head with hers. “Yes. Only when it’s time,” she agreed softly. Then she settled in to wait for a signal to let the trio into her realm.

  Peri clenched her eyes shut tightly and sifted through Nissa’s memories. It wasn’t something that fae typically allowed, especially those with memories as vast as these two high fae. They’d seen and done much in their long lives, some of it things neither were proud of. Peri tried to avoid anything too personal. She could tell she was approaching something sensitive when she felt the intensity of Nissa’s emotions increase. When that happened, she’d move past the memory quickly and onto the next. Peri pushed further, going farther back into Nissa’s past. Seeing the world through her long-time comrade’s eyes was interesting. They’d both watched so much in the past thousands of years. They’d seen humans grow and evolve, impressed by their remarkable ingenuity. But they’d also seen the worst of humanity. At times, Peri had wondered if her kind should just wipe the earth clean of them. But that wasn’t their choice. They had their own Creator, who was responsible for His creation just as the Great Luna was responsible for hers.

  As she watched Nissa’s memories of the many battles they’d fought over the ages, she wondered how many times the same thought had crossed the Great Luna’s mind. Had the goddess, too, thought she might be better off wiping the slate clean? They were flawed, as well. Though most supernaturals might not like to compare themselves to humans, they were similar in this respect: all the races were susceptible to succumbing to evil at times.

  She felt Nissa in her mind and also Lucian, who seemed to be irritated at sharing her mind with someone else. Possessive wolf. Peri attempted to keep walls down for Nissa. Peri had so much shame in her most recent memories. She couldn’t remember a time in her existence that she felt so much abhorrence for her own behavior.

  “Give yourself grace, beloved.” Lucian’s voice flowed through her thoughts.

  “Quit distracting me,” she grumbled and continued to work her way through Nissa’s history. After what seemed like hours, Peri finally hit a wall. It was as if her consciousness slammed into an invisible barrier that wouldn’t let her pass. Apparently, Nissa felt it, too.

  Peri’s eyes shot open. “What the hell was that?”

  Nissa’s eyes went wide. “Strange. I never knew that was there.”

  Peri shook her head. “How could that be?” Suddenly, anxiety washed over Peri. What the hell had been done to her? And how had she let it happen without her knowledge? She couldn’t protect herself from something like this happening again if she didn’t know how it happened in the first place.

  Lucian looked at Peri. “Even though you two are powerful, you do have limitations.” She started to argue, but he pressed on. “As much as you hate to admit it.”

  Peri made a sound halfway between a hiss and a growl. “I know that, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Apparently, someone created blocks in our minds, using a kind of magic we couldn’t, and still can’t, perceive. That shouldn’t have been possible.”

  Nissa swiveled in her seat so she was no longer facing Peri and relaxed back into it. “I guess we should just accept that anything is possible in this supernatural world of ours. It has been changing for a few years now.”

  Lucian furrowed his brow. “Do you think there is a purpose behind these changes?”

  Nissa nodded. “There is always a purpose with change. The biggest change we’ve experienced is the cooperation of different supernatural races. We remained separate for so long. Some of the races have suffered because of it.” She looked at Peri. “The warlocks were losing their magic. Did you notice that once Lilly and Cypher mated, his power grew stronger? And his people were stronger.”

  Peri hadn’t even taken the time to think about it. But then, Nissa tended to be a better observer than she was. Probably because she didn’t talk nearly as much as Peri. Maybe I should talk less. No way. That would be like Jen never making a dirty joke again. It just wouldn’t be right.

  “Stopping to have a bit of self-reflection?” Lucian asked, humor lacing his voice.

  Peri narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m glad you find me amusing. Maybe you should stay focused on the issue at hand. It’s kind of serious.”

  “We always have a serious issue to deal with,” he pointed out. “If we never take time to play, even if it’s just verbal sparring, then what’s the point of saving the world?”

  Peri huffed. “I hate it when you’re all rational and crap.”

  “Imagine what kind of stuff you two would stir up if you were both irrational,” Nissa said with a sly smile. Then she sobered and sat up. “We need to identify what type of magic is holding those blocks in place.” She tapped her head. “If we know what kind of magic it is, then we can go to the source and have them remove it. That is, if they’re still alive. If they’re not, then we’ll have to figure something else out.”

  Peri stood up and walked over to the invisible veil that led into the draheim realm. She rested her hands on her hips and fought the urge to stomp her foot. “Serapha,” she called out, “I know you’re over there. Gloating.”

  “How do you know she’s watching?” Nissa stared at the veil. “Can you feel her?”

  “No,” Peri grumbled. “But she wouldn’t dare miss an opportunity to watch me get ticked off because I can’t figure something out. She finds it humorous when I get flustered.”

  “Perizada.” The voice of the draheim in question came through the veil. “While it is quite amusing to watch you stomp about, that is not the reason I am here.”

  “Can’t we do this face to face? I look like an idiot talking at nothing.”

  “It is not time.”

  “You said that already, and time has passed since then. When will it be time?”

  “When the Great Luna says.”

  Peri had grown weary of waiting. Though if she had waited instead of acting impulsively before, innocents would not have died at her hands. But how was waiting important in this situation? What did it matter when she learned about what was being blocked in their minds?

  “Perizada.”

  Peri bowed her head as warmth flowed over her, and all her frustration fled. She turned to face the Great Luna and lowered herself to her knees. “Goddess.” Peri’s voice shook. She had been humbled the last time she acted in haste. She’d been brought down from the lofty platform she’d placed herself on, but the Great Luna had shown her mercy. Peri didn’t deserve it, but grace was still given.

  “Waiting is not something that comes naturally to any created being.” Peri heard no condemnation or harshness in the Great Luna’s voice. “They want everything to come to fruition the moment it pops into their heads. But they don’t realize immediate gratification would rob them of the greater reward. The journey, opportunities, or something even better than what they first thought was best.”

  Peri opened her mouth to speak but then snapped it closed. Who was she to question her Creator?

  “Ask,” the goddess said gently.

  “Why?” Peri finally breathed out. “The information we seek is contained within our own minds. What possible purpose can be served by keeping that hidden?”

  “There is nothing you can do with the information at this time,” the Great Luna explained. “There will come a day when the knowledge will be needed, but until then, it is better for you and Nissa to focus on the trials the world is facing right now.”

  Peri squeezed her eyes tightly closed and tried to gain control of her emotions. She did not do well with the unknown. How could she fix something or solve something if she didn’t have all the answers? “I don’t know how I can focus on other things when I know there is foreign magic hanging out in my head.” Peri felt a hand on her head, and peace filled her. She wanted to sit there in the goddess’ presence and forget the troubles in this life. She was weary of the world and longed for a respite.

  “It is not time for that either,” the Great Luna said.

  “I have served you faithfully.” Peri spoke to the goddess through her thoughts, unable to voice what she felt out loud. “I have made mistakes, and I’ve had many wrongdoings, but in my long life, I have served you. I am tired. How can I save the lives of others when I no longer want to live myself?” Peri had told no one what she’d been feeling, not even her mate. She’d kept those emotions tucked tightly away, but they’d been lurking in the shadow of her mind. Now, she had finally admitted the truth. Yet giving voice to her feelings didn’t bring Peri the relief she thought it would.

  “One day you will join me, and all the pain and suffering you’ve experienced here will be gone. Until then, you must keep fighting for what is right. I am always working for your best interest, even when it hurts. I will be there when you call, though you may not always be happy with my answers. Remember that I can see the entire puzzle, while you can only see a small piece. Have faith in me, as you once did, and put your guilt behind you.”

  A few tears slipped down Peri’s cheeks. Although she still believed in her Creator, she no longer had faith in her own decisions. At one time, Peri was certain of the rectitude of her choices and plans, but now she was racked with doubts.

  “You believe that the key to understanding the present lies in your past,” the goddess explained. “But you must understand that uncovering the truth will change nothing. Moreover, you are not ready to face the truth of what you seek. And you will not be until you accept and move past your guilt. You must stay strong and persevere, no matter how hard the journey seems.”

  The radiant light of the Great Luna enfolded around Peri, bringing her peace and solace as the fae finally released all her emotions. She’d tried so hard to keep her feelings bottled up, running from her own reflection so she wouldn’t have to face who she had become. But now, with the Creator’s light surrounding her, the tears ran freely down her face.

  “Your time is not over, my fierce and loyal warrior. It is only beginning.”

  When the light faded, Peri composed herself and slowly raised her head. She felt raw and exposed, every emotion magnified by the mate bond. A deep breath escaped her lips as Lucian’s fiery gaze burned into her own. He approached her with slow, deliberate steps and gently framed her face with his strong hands. His warmth radiated through her skin. She heard him whisper in her mind, “It seems we have much to discuss, beloved mate.”

  Chapter

  Eleven

  “I’m totally going to kick this guy's butt. Like seriously taking names and all that jazz. Dude is going down.” ~Jen

  “I’m a little kid, Aunt Jen. Taking me down is nothing to brag about.” ~Titus

  “A little kid with a wolf living inside of him that’s just waiting for the right time to pounce on an unsuspecting weakling.” ~Jen

  “Okay, Timbuktu, that’s enough. Drop and give me five hundred pushups. Then we’ll see who the weakling is. I’m totally killing it at this training thing.” ~Jen

  “Duck and roll!” Jen yelled for the tenth time, or maybe it was the fiftieth. She’d lost count. And the little twerp still didn’t duck or roll. Instead, Titus hit the mat on his back with a resounding thud. In his wolf form, Gavril stood over the boy, his lips pulled back in a ridiculous-looking canine grin while his tongue lolled out, reminding Jen of a puppy.

  “He’s too fast.” Titus laughed when Gavril stuck his cold nose against the boy’s neck.

  “No.” Jen shook her head and rested her hands on her hips. “You’re too slow.”

  “Same thing.” Titus huffed.

  Jen swiped a hand through the air. “Completely different things.”

  “How so?” Sally sat in a chair along the edge of the sparring room.

  Jen glanced at her friend. “Nobody asked you, healer. Give me a break. I’m working on a wing and a prayer.”

  “I don’t think that’s how the saying goes.” Titus rolled to his feet. Gavril stepped back and sat down on his haunches. Even sitting, he towered over the boy.

  “I’m not paying you to think,” Jen said.

  “You’re not paying me at all, Aunt Jen. Wait.” Titus tapped his chin. “Can I get paid for this? I mean, I’m training to do a job, right?”

  “Tell you what, Ticktock.” Jen walked over to him and bopped his nose. “You manage to pin me to the ground one time, and I’ll pay you.”

  Titus’s face lit up, and he held out his hand. “You’re on, Aunt Juniper.”

  “Bloody hell,” Jen muttered.

  “Language,” Sally growled.

  “I’m teaching him what not to say.”

  Sally shook her head. “Let’s use positive reinforcement instead and teach him what he should say.”

  Jen stared at her for a moment and then scrunched up her face. “That sounds completely boring, and I don’t want to.”

  Gavril made a sound that was as close to a laugh as a wolf could manage.

  “And you sound super mature. Whose idea was it for you to train my kid?” Sally glanced around as if she was actually looking for someone.

  “Our alpha female,” Jen reminded her. “If you don’t like it, take it up with Red.” She turned her attention back to Titus. “All right, you and me,” Jen shook out her arms and legs and then got down into a crouched position. “Let’s do this.”

  Gavril moved out of the sparring circle and off to the side. Then he flopped down onto his side like a graceless cat and blew out a breath.

  Titus started moving in a slow circle, his short frame even shorter as he, too, crouched into a fighting stance. One foot over the other, he stepped, his eyes constantly moving over Jen’s form.

  “Watch my torso and ignore everything else,” she told him. “Whichever way my belly button moves is the direction my body is going to go.” After several more seconds of circling one another, Jen spun on her heel, turning her back briefly until she made a 180-degree turn and ended up behind her opponent. Just as she went to grab him, he dropped to the ground and rolled backward through her legs. “Oh, now you duck and roll?”

  She turned to look at him, but he was already moving. Titus whipped out one of his own small legs, attempting to take Jen’s feet out from underneath her. Had he been a little bigger and weighed a hundred pounds more, it might have worked. As it was, he would have just left a bruise on her leg. But just before his foot made contact, Jen reached down and clamped a hand on his little ankle. She jerked him up by the leg and started dragging him across the mat on his back. He wiggled and jerked, but Jen’s grip was sure. “What do you do now, Trip? How do you get away?”

  Titus pulled himself around until his body nearly wrapped around Jen’s feet.

  “Ow! Bloody—”

  “Language!” Sally yelled, cutting off Jen’s words.

  Jen looked down to see Titus’s teeth sunk into her ankle. She growled, trying to shake the boy loose. “Your turd-head son has latched himself onto my leg like it’s a drumstick, and you’re worried about me teaching him words he’s heard me say a hundred times?”

  “It’s the principle of the matter.”

  “That’s bullsh—”

  Sally started toward them. “Titus!”

  Jen opened her mouth to snap back at her friend, but only managed to gasp because the teeth embedded in her leg suddenly sank deeper. She looked back down, and her eyes widened. “Mother of pearl.” She stopped shaking her leg and stared down at the small wolf pup, whose sharp fangs were much more painful than the teeth of the human boy he’d replaced. Jen squinted. She’d never had problems with her eyesight before, but she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “Am I high, or is anyone else seeing this?”

  “Are we seeing you getting your butt handed to you by a wolf puppy?” Bethany’s voice came from behind her. “Yes, we are.”

  “No, you sheet-wearing hussy.” Jen hopped in place, again attempting to dislodge the wolf pup. “It’s Titus. He’s gone all furry.”

  “That’s Titus?” Bethany practically shrieked.

  “Who did you think it was?” Jen asked. “Some random wolf puppy we stole from the forest?”

  “It wouldn’t be the craziest thing you’ve ever done.” Jen looked over to see Sally approaching. The healer kneeled down and put her hand on the pup. She wore a smile that nearly split her face in half.

  “Titus.” Sally tapped her hand on the pup’s side. “Let go of the mean blonde lady and let me look at your beautiful fur.”

  The little mongrel growled and shook his head back and forth as if he was killing a bunny. “Dude, that is my freaking leg you’re trying to kill.” Jen reached down and grabbed the scruff of his neck and gave it a good, hard shake. “Let. Go.” She bared her teeth at him and felt her own wolf push forward. The pup immediately released her. Then she kneeled, her hand still gripping the scruff of his neck. She looked him in the eyes, and Titus dropped his bright hazel eyes to the floor. “You’re a hell of a lot cuter as a wolf, Titan.” She smiled.

  Titus whined and then jumped up and licked her across her face. Jen released him and backed up. “I am not okay with that.” She pointed at him and wiped off her face. “You have puppy breath. Ugh!” Jen wasn’t about to admit that she was practically jumping out of her skin because their first child in the pack had phased. She thought about when Thia might have her first phase and how amazing it would be to see her daughter in her wolf form. Jen found she had to swallow a lump in her throat. She wanted to reach out to Dec, but she knew he was in the middle of fighting off some bloodsuckers and didn’t want to distract him.

  “You’re beautiful,” Sally cooed. She fanned her fingers through his grey fur, which was randomly dotted with white patches. Titus apparently didn’t appreciate being called beautiful. He barked at her and narrowed his eyes.