A blur of speed and power shot right at me and I popped into my new snake form, legs and all. Goddsdammit! I still couldn’t control my shift.
The fluffy wolf licked all over my scales with wild abandon.A thousand thanks, snake… uh, thing. The Brothers of Zophiel acted worse than the call.
I coiled away from him, and he got an eyeful of me. As disappointing as the relic’s cures seemed to be, they ensured I had a surefire way to end an awkward encounter. I sat up on what I guessed was my butt now that I had limbs, letting my stupid legs dangle off my tube body. The horror on the wolf’s face perversely satisfied my black heart. He inched backward slowly and sat down hard on the steps.
If I had already achieved that level of dread, what would two more relics do? What if I turned into a successively more hideous creature that was never going to be loved again?
What are you?he asked, with more fascination than fear in his voice.
I never envisioned living all my days as a snake, let alone a monster that everyone in my village would absolutely shit a brick over. I couldn’t even claim I was human anymore. I just wasn’t.
I’m his mate,I said, pointing at Ward, who was doing his best imitation of a war machine. That was the most intelligent thing I could come up with? Someone else’s girlfriend? I was more rattled than I thought.
Oh! You have a mate mark?The wolf’s eyes lit up.
Great. There was something else to this mate stuff?Sure.
The wolf walked back into my space and nudged my shoulder with his.Then you might want to grab him. I think that’s an apartment building.
He won’t hurt anyone,I reassured the dog. Wolf. Goddsdammit, he still looked like a cutie puppy to me and my brain wanted to live in fantasyland right now. Ward might have fun tearing down this territory, but he wasn’t murderous. I sensed his wild elation through the bond and briefly wondered what his orgasm felt like.
I don’t think they know that.The wolf’s giant shaggy head nodded to the tiny figures running away from Ward at speed.Maybe you should distract him.
Can you keep this?I slid the box towards him.While I go deal with that?The tip of my tail pointed at Ward.
The wolf shifted, and I wasn’t even interested in looking lower. “Sure thing, bestie.”
I didn’t know if I could handle another friend on top of a mate. Never the most social of creatures, it was hard to turn down those large blue eyes and that floppy puff of black hair. I shifted back as well. It proved easier than ever with this new well of power inside me, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to use it. What if I grew another head next?
“That’s a neat trick! How do you have clothes?” He rubbed my kaftan between his fingers.
“All credit goes to the murder bear over there. He’s not usually quite so angry. I’m not sure my wiles are going to be enough. I’m not exactly an expert at seduction.”
“Try whistling.” The wolf took the metal box and tucked it under his arm.
Like a dog? I almost said. The last thing I wanted to do was offend a new friend. Why not? I shrugged and shifted, shoving my fingers in my mouth like Mags taught me.
The whistle split the air, and the wolf started howling. Sure enough, Ward bounded back to me like a ten ton lapdog. When did his head grow bigger than my whole body?
“Good job destroying. I think you got it.” I patted his nose.
A pile of rubble slid further into the courtyard.
“Yep, got it,” I confirmed.
He lowered his head, scrunching up his body like he might make himself small. The flash of dripping canines the size of my arm ruled out him looking tiny. He absolutely vibrated with excitement. Great. My world was falling apart, and he had the zoomies.
The Queen of Flesh will think twice about trading shifters again. The Goddess’ call has given an excuse for all kinds of evil.He puffed his hot breath all over both of us and my traitor body drenched my thighs. I was supposed to be feeling sorry for myself. Or worried about the fate of the Harrowlands. Not wondering if my mate would scream at the sight of me and never fulfill the promise his tongue made to me the other night.
“I’m not sure it’s just the Goddess’ call doing all this. Wait. Did you get… bigger?”
We can find out,Ward rumbled in reply, his enthusiasm igniting to passion in an instant.
Was his butt wiggling like his stubby tail could wag? Dust shook from him in a cloud.
“I’ll get supplies for the road,” the wolf said and joined the flow of the last of the shifters leaving the temple. Or what remained of the temple.
“You need a bath before we leave. I assume a temple has a place to bathe.” I needed a bath where there was wallowing and the steam took my fears away. Ward shifted.
