Like Nikoli he doesn’t hesitate and sucks on my finger.His eyes flicker as though savoring the taste, and then he straightens.“You have done us all a great service.”
“I believe I am just settling a debt.”
Nikoli nods.“You are the child the wolves kept warm that night.”
“Yes,” I say.
“They knew you were special, that you were a descendant of the High Priestess.They could smell the ancient magic in your veins.”
I study the creases on his face and the way his long bushy eyebrows curl at the ends.
“But there is more...”he says almost in a whisper.“That makes you special.”
“She’s very special,” Branson says with conviction.
“I wonder if she could be special to you,” Nikoli turns his attention to Branson.“In spite of everything.Regardless of what you have been up until now.”
“What I have been?”Branson asks and I hear the note of defensiveness.
Nikoli smiles.“This woman is one of few in the world who can carry shifter babies.”
“What?”My eyes widen.“I don’t understand.”
“Shifters are generally born to female shifters in their animal form, it’s the only way they can go to full term, but your magic, the precious ash in your veins, means you can withstand a child inside you shifting.It is a very rare gift indeed.”
I look at Branson.Would he want me to carry his child?Would Elias?They are questions I can’t even contemplate right now.Me...a mother.A mother of shifters!
“We should go, Elias is waiting,” Branson says holding out my coat.
“I thought he would be,” Aslar says.
“What does that mean?”Branson asks.
“Branson.”Aslar sets his hand on Branson’s shoulder.“I have known for a long time that you share a special bond with Elias.One that was written in the stars.You do not have to hide it from us.Elias is a good man, he was a great leader of the wolves for many years, and I know he makes you happy.”
“He does.”Branson nods, yet I see the tension in his face.This is a difficult and revealing conversation, he likely feels vulnerable and conflicted.
“Elias has become special to me, too,” I say, “I can attest he is a good man.”
Aslar smiles.“So go to him, both of you, the night is bitter even when wearing fur.But...”He shakes his head.“Be careful.There is still a coyote out there with moon fever and he’s rabid with the need for murder and blood.Until he is found and everyone is vaccinated, we must be on high alert.”
“There is one out there?”I ask, feeling somewhat panicked.
“Yes, the coyote clan confessed that two of theirs got sick and disappeared.We have to find this last one as soon as possible.”
