Wolfen Secrets (The Western Werewolf Legend #3) (2 page)

With that, Ty nudged her neck, licking at the
wound in her leg. The attention was enough to rouse Sonja. It was
time to leave. The portal was in sight. She stumbled toward the
light.

***

Being plucked up by the scruff of her neck
tested Sonja’s patience. Having fallen at the Guardian’s feet only
moments before, she bore the results of a dangerous battle. One she
could have easily lost. Her smoky, sooty werewolf’s fur held plenty
of burns and cuts.

“What are you looking at?” Sonja’s mental
voice shot at him. Temper flared in her words. “Do you like what
you see? Spectating is such a difficult job, no?”

Ignoring her jab, the Guardian asked, “Where
is Tyler?”

“He’ll be here soon. He was right behind me.”
Sonja dropped her head. “I couldn’t save the girl.”

“You did your best.”

“Yeah, but it wasn’t enough was it,
Guardian?” The words, spat from a scorched, ash-covered muzzle were
raw with the anguish of loss.

“You can’t save the world, Sonja.” Gently,
the Guardian lowered Sonja back to the ground. She began the shift
back into human form.

There was a loud whoosh. Another smoldering,
four-legged body tumbled hind feet over fore to rest at the talons
of the great, hulking beast.

“Tyler, did you find what you sought?”

Tyler coughed and hacked up ash as he eased
to his side, starting to change. “Ugh…” The transformation took a
minute as he growled, before barking out a loud, “Yes!” before
completing the shift. “You bastard!” With those words, he lunged at
the Guardian, teeth bared.

“I’ll rip you limb from limb, you pompous
ass!”

The Guardian stepped sideways so swiftly, the
move blurred before Sonja’s vision. She leaned on a burned arm,
cradling the other in her lap. True to the shifter’s gift, her arm
started to mend. Glancing back up, she sighed. “Ty, please!” With
her injuries, she could do little more than protest his
outburst.

Having missed his target, Ty skidded to a
halt. The surprise mingled with temper on his face meant he’d not
forgotten the tactics used by the Guardian. Wheeling, he snarled.
“Stand and fight like a warrior, you bastard!”

The Guardian, poised as a wolf god could be,
simply continued to stand much as he had through the whole thing –
patient, yet resolute.

Nothing fueled Ty’s fury more than the
perception he was the butt of someone’s joke. “You’ve taunted me
for the last time, Guardian. I’m calling you out!” Stalking toward
the wolf god, he thrust out a hand, shoving the hulking
seven-foot-tall beast. “You think you will manipulate us like we
were mere puppets?” His voice grew more incredulous with each word.
“No more than pawns in your game? Is
that
it?” He rocked to
one side and back again in agitation as impatience played across
his face. “We are not your play things, Guardian. We’re living
breathing, flesh and blood. We deserve respect!”

The Guardian waited.

Ty bent forward, clamping his hands on his
knees. The surge of temper along with the fury began to ease inside
him. With a deep breath, he reigned in the beastly anger.

“You’re no match for me, Lieutenant.”

Cutting a cool eye at the Guardian, Ty arched
a brow. “Don’t think I’ll forget what you did today. I can’t
stomach anymore of your little ‘tests’! Do you understand?”

The guardian let Ty rant. He chose to watch
the fire they’d battled to save a child burn itself out on the
forest floor. Whether it had been a dream or real, Sonja couldn’t
say. The Wolf god didn’t move nor did he acknowledge either of
them.

Sonja reached out. “Ty, it’s okay. I’m okay.
Come on, let me get something for your burn, okay?”

Throwing up his arm, Ty effectively dislodged
the hand Sonja placed on his arm. “Get away from me, woman.” He
snarled again at the Guardian, clearly missing the disbelief and
hurt in Sonja’s face. Ty stalked off.

With little concern for her modesty, she
approached the wolf god with a blanket wrapped about her naked
body. “No survivors.” Despair filtered through her words. “I didn’t
make it in time.” Wrapping her arms tighter, she hugged the
blanket.

“You sacrificed much to try. No one could
have done more.” He glanced down at her and she swore he smiled.
“There will be other times.”

In the clearing haze, she surveyed the
charred frame of the house. "This didn’t appear an accident. What
do you know?”

Demons don’t fight fair. “This vampire plague
forces us into action when we’re least prepared. Fighting evil
wherever you find it is admirable but leaves little room for error.
Staging an incident like this isn’t past the vampires. You could
have been kidnapped if not for Ty’s search.” He turned to her then,
holding her in both hands. “No one blames you for the loss of even
one life. This could have all been a ploy to catch you unaware. The
culprit responsible for this deed plays games with us. We must
discover his true identity and deal a heavy blow.”

“She was just a child. How could someone,
even a vampire be so cruel?” Slumping to a nearby stump, Sonja
shook her weary head.

“The one responsible has no heart, no soul.
He steals from those he covets using black magic. I have seen his
kind in the smoke.”

The Guardian’s hand rested on her shoulder,
reminding her of the first time he’d done so several months before.
“Black magic?” Sonja glanced up. The Guardian’s eyes were sad.
Perhaps he shared her defeat. She’d not considered her pain might
also be his. “How is that possible? Aren’t warlocks the only ones
who deal in black magic?

“The choice is given to those who seek the
power.”

“What could a warlock want? Surely he doesn’t
want my blood too!” Hating the thread of panic working its way into
her voice, she reached out, taking his long nailed paw in hers.

The Guardian’s gaze grew more forlorn.

Searching for a way to comfort the poor
beast, Sonja reached up, laying her other hand on his greenish-blue
talons. With the long nails the Guardian used as weapons resting
under her fingers, Sonja’s memory of their first encounter came
back to her. Her reaction to contact with the great beast hadn’t
always been so comfortable. He’d proven to be a formidable ally.
Now, his steadfast support was such a comfort. “Thank you,
Guardian.”

“The gods understand, my child. Yours is a
great burden. Were it possible I could take the responsibility from
you, I would.”

She smiled a trembling smile for him. Ty had
said the same thing only a few minutes earlier.

“What will you tell me of those responsible
for this death, Guardian? Are they so evil, they would use children
to lure us into their trap?’’ When he gave no answer except to drop
his head staring hard at the ground, she cocked her head, peering
up at his profile. If he didn’t want to answer, that was all right.
It wouldn’t be the first time she’d managed to figure things out
using what he didn’t say.

She cut her eyes again at the beast. Not a
handsome fellow, still, his nature was good. she’d grown to love
the hairy warrior with all her heart. His tall stature with the
long lanky arms, which practically drug the ground when he walked,
was so familiar to her now. Through a mass of matted, dirt-infused
black hair, he peered from deeply-set black eyes. One could argue
his whole appearance was off-putting, if not alarming. After all,
had anyone ever seen a wolf-god before? She’d be the first to admit
her introduction to the Guardian hadn’t been exactly cordial. His
was definitely a presence, which grew on a person. Smiling to
herself, she considered how fortunate she was to have met the wolf
god. She’d gleaned all he had to share.

It was time to change the subject. “I’m going
on the offensive, Guardian. I’m tired of waiting around until some
wild-eyed vampire decides he wants to bask in the sun and comes
after me. You’ll help or you’ll step back, but I’ve made up my
mind. I’m going to find the bastard responsible for this attack.
His sorry ass is as crispy as a chicken leg before I’m done.
Understand?”

The Guardian raised one bushy brow, giving
her his best summation. Without a word, he pursed his muzzle before
flicking a glance at her stalwart stance. “You’ve come far from the
first day you bore the burden of becoming a werewolf, especially a
wolf with such legend. I’ve taught you many things. The danger is
yours to face. Only you stand and take the blows. With such a
decision, you’ll claim your birthright as leader of your pack.”

“Pack or no pack, my mind is made up,
Guardian. I will take the battle to the enemy.” Fire burned in her
eyes. Steely determination filled her heart.

“You make me proud, Sonja.” From an invisible
pocket in his hair-covered hide, the Guardian pulled her silver
cross. The same one she’d given Ty after he’d announced he was
leaving to go after the vampires who held his men.

“Where’d you find this?” Sentiment laced her
question as her lips trembled with the pleasure the gift
brought.

“When you were at your lowest, I held this
talisman for you. The time has come to give it back. During the
Indian attack, you’d discovered who’d deceived you. The disbelief
of your late husband, Robert’s emergence as the vampire king made
you doubt your abilities. I’m proud you’ve come to terms with the
past. It’s time to move forward. Never doubt your ability to
overcome the obstacles fate hands you.”

Sonja nodded. “I never dreamed I’d see him
again. Never dreamed when I lost him it was because he’d become a
vampire. He supposedly died honorably in the war. It’s all still
hard to grasp.” She lowered her eyes. “Hard to believe all of this,
but the betrayal is most difficult.” Straightening, she scrubbed
her hands down the blanket. The sigh she released was cleansing.
With a short laugh, she flicked a glance in the Guardian’s
direction. “What a colorful tale I’ll have to tell my children,
hey?”

The Guardian’s hand rested again on her
shoulder. “He was dying, much like Ty was dying when you found him.
A witch or warlock took pity on him when he begged for his life.
I’m sure he told the crafter he wanted to see you again. H received
the gift he asked for, the second chance to live, to come home to
you. However, Robert’s intentions, skewed by greed, had him trading
in his gift of life on the chance at immortality. He joined the
vampire coven. He’s the one who killed the vampire king, taking his
place.”

“How do you know this?” Her brow knitted in
curious concern.

“It’s my job to know these things. You see,
up until then, the vampires lived in peace among the living near
your home. They fed on wildlife and those already dying. Robert
wanted more. The vampires became ruthless, bloodsuckers who sought
to destroy all those of warm blood. He craved power and wealth.
What better way to have those things than to take them?”

Sonja’s eyes went dark. “Why haven’t you told
me this before, Guardian?”

“Would you have believed me?” He stepped
toward her again. This time, he peered deep into her eyes before
continuing. “Answers are given with time. All creatures learn at
the pace destined. You’ve come to grips with who you are, an
honorable werewolf protecting your pack. Now, you’ve set your
sights on your destiny – to search out the evil lurking among
mankind – the vampires.” He reached over, gripping her small hand
in his big, blue-green talons. “Take heed, my child, your efforts
will be fraught with hardship – on
that
you can depend.
Trust not those who come to you in the darkness for their
intentions are evil. Protect those you love and keep them close.
You’ve already learned this lesson on the trip here. Nothing has
changed. The vampires still exist. They still crave your blood. Be
vigil least they find a niche in your armor.” The Guardian bowed
his head, speaking quietly. “Rely on Tyler as he will on you. He
still fights the changes shifting brings to his life. He will need
you more than ever once you reach Texas. He carries a great burden
of his own. The lieutenant will no doubt be tried over and over
again. Be patient. He’ll find his way in his own good time. Now, I
must go.”

“Go?” Sonja gazed unblinking into his dark
face. “Go where?”

“Away. The time has come for me to leave.
You’re strong, resilient. You’ll be a good leader. However, in
order to lead, you must discover your own way.” The Guardian
towered over Sonja.

She gazed up at him, hoping she’d
misunderstood. “What are you talking about, you overgrown beast?
You can’t go.” She meant the words to be filled with humor, but
there was no humor in his face. “You can’t just leave us here alone
and…and…alone!” She spread her arms when more reason wouldn’t come.
“What are we supposed to do if you leave? We’ll never explain what
we are to those we meet. They’ll string us up like the bloodsuckers
did the first night I changed. Do you actually expect me to believe
you’d let such a thing happen?” She shut up then, hoping against
hope she wasn’t right.

“Relying on one’s self is what a leader does,
Sonja. This is your destiny. This is your birthright.”

“Bull shit!” The tears pooled, stinging her
eyes. Pulling herself up to all her five foot two, she leaned into
his chest, peering bleary eyed at his expression. The bastard had
the audacity to appear resolved, even composed. A surge of temper
spiked. Her blood began to heat. She wouldn’t allow the tears to
fall in front of him, so she wheeled, walking away. Time, she
needed time to absorb all this. She’d go to Hortence. Yes, that’s
what she’d do. Hortence would make sense out of the mess. “Will you
say good-bye before you leave?”

The hulking shadow of the Guardian rose over
her own, blacking out the light. “Yes, I plan on leaving on the
morrow, so I’ll say my good-byes tonight.”

Sonja nodded. Unable to see clearly, she
stepped further away in hopes he wouldn’t recognize her tears.