“In that case…” She tapped her finger on the square Alder had indicated. “Let’s go find Hetta’s tree.”
CHAPTER 15
Shan’s plan, such as it was, immediately hit a snag.
“Don’t be silly.” Leonie frowned at him, hands on her hips. “Of course I’m coming with you.”
“I do not want you sacrificing your rest.” This was true—though not, of course, the main reason he needed her to stay behind. “Even with Alder’s information, it may take some time to search the area. I can manage on my own.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “Don’t be silly, Shan. We’ll cover the ground faster together. Besides, I know these woods better than you do.”
This was also true. In any other circumstances, he would have welcomed her assistance.
Unfortunately, he would need to hunt in his shift form. And he could hardly wear sunglasses as a tiger.
He groped for another excuse. “I planned to fly. I will get there before you.”
“So? You go on ahead, and I’ll meet you there.”
“There really is no need for you to?—”
“Yes, there is,” she interrupted, tone firm. “This is my home, and I want to know what’s going on.” She flashed agrin, teeth gleaming in the moonlight. “Besides, I want to come. It’s been ages since I had a good hunt. You can’t expect me to sit in my cabin while you have all the fun.”
All his arguments melted. Despite the danger, he couldn’t deny her even the smallest pleasure. He’d just have to be careful.
“Very well,” he said. “We’ll cover the ground most efficiently if I stay in the air, while you search on foot. If you find anything, roar. I will come.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Leonie looked up at the cloudless sky. Her voice softened, turning oddly wistful. “It’s a beautiful night for flying. I wish I could join you.”
Flavor flooded his mouth. Not the clear sweetness he was accustomed to tasting when she spoke, but something richer.
He swallowed, pushing back the sudden hunger. “You would like to fly?”
“Always,” she said softly, eyes on the stars. “When I was a kid, I used to watch my dad and brothers playing in the sky. I imagined I’d be up there too, one day. I couldn’t wait to have my own wings. Back then, there was nothing I wanted more.”
“I could carry you,” he blurted out. Every ounce of common sense screamed that this was aterribleidea, but he couldn’t help himself. “If you wish to fly now.”
“That’s sweet of you.” She shook her head, lowering her gaze. “But it wouldn’t be the same. Come on. Let’s go ghost hunting.”
Lions were not natural long-distance runners. Still, it was nice to get away from the camp, even if only on four paws.
Leonie bounded soundlessly through the forest, enjoying the soft slide of undergrowth across her fur. Her ears swiveled, alert to every sound. To her lioness’s nose, the aircrackled with information, a thousand smells pointing like signposts:deer nearby, old squirrel nest, distant bear.There were no traces of anything out of the ordinary.
And what did you expect?she chided herself as she leaped gracefully across a dry streambed.A fresh trail of ectoplasm, perhaps?
Still, it was a nice night. It didn’t do any harm to take a look around. Especially not in good company.
She paused in a clearing to catch her breath. Glancing up, she glimpsed a shadow sweep across the stars. She’d assumed Shan would go on ahead, but instead he was keeping pace with her, circling high above her head.
The sight of that powerful, broad-winged shape filled her with deep, primal satisfaction. Lionesses hunted in groups, after all. It was silly, but she had to admit it felt good to be stalking prey with a fellow feline.
He is a strong hunter,her lioness agreed.It paused, then added, somewhat condescendingly,For a male.
Leonie laughed under her breath. In animal form, it came out as a kind of low rumble. Even to her own ears, the sound was barely audible, yet an orange shape abruptly streaked out of the sky. She had to leap back as Shan landed practically on her paws. He scanned the surroundings, snarling, his huge wings spread protectively in front of her.
She shifted to human form, pushing his lashing tail away from her face. “Shan! What is it?”
The tiger shimmered, shrinking into the smaller—but no less imposing—shape of Shan himself. He was still half-crouched, as though he expected assassins to erupt out of the woods at any moment. “You called me.”
