Marked by Death (The Godhunter, Book 4) Read Free Page A

air, even more thunderous than the last, joined with werewolf howls. Fenrir’s hand came to my elbow, helping me sit back down before he took a seat next to Trevor. He winked at me with obvious approval and I flushed with pleasure. Fenrir was a great leader and I tried my best to emulate him. I was so glad he'd brought the Froekn to visit. It was just what my lions needed. We may not have had casualties during the battle but we'd known loss right before it.
    Demeter, mother to one of my best friends, had tortured and killed Al, one of my werelions, simply because she wanted to hurt me. Still recuperating from the horrors Nyavirezi, their last Tima, had put them through, Al's death had been hard on my men. It had been hard on me, subjecting me to a magical severing of the bond I shared with Al as his Tima. We pulled through it though, creating the first Intare ritual ever made, and these new friendships could only help my lions even more.
    “ Nicely put, Daughter,” Fenrir's smile was full of his own pride.
    Trevor kissed me on the cheek. “I love you,” he said simply. “Aren’t you glad you got out of bed now?”
    “Yes,” I laughed and nudged him away so I could start eating. A girl’s gotta have her priorities.
    My shoulder flashed an icy pulse suddenly and I inhaled sharply as my head came up. Directly in front of me, standing right in the center of open grassland, was Anubis. The sun glinted off his sleek hair, bringing out the blue highlights and shining on the gold beads, as the breeze made it dance around his shoulders. His smile was serene as he stared at me and lifted a hand in greeting.
    “No,” I whispered, my breath coming in short gasps.
    Mine , a gentle voice drifted through my head before he disappeared.
    “ Minn Elska,” Trevor’s voice matched his concerned expression. “What is it?”
    “ Oh, nothing,” I laughed, the sound of it sounding a little too forced. “I thought for a second there that I was getting a bad case of heartburn.”
    Laughter, soft and seductive, poured through my mind and I tried desperately to block it out.
    “Here, have some water,” Samantha handed me a glass tumbler.
    “ Thank you,” I gulped the cold liquid down but it only served to remind me of the numbness spreading from my shoulder. What the hell was I going to do?
    There’s nothing you can do , the voice inside me continued. I’ve already told you, Godhunter. I claimed you with my blade, you’re mine.
    “ Shut up,” I whispered under my breath and then smiled at the curious glances around me.
    I too enjoyed your speech , there was a thoughtful pause. Even more interesting is the fact that you meant every word. You care for these creatures immensely.
    “ Excuse me,” I stood up and everyone looked immediately concerned. “Relax, I just need to visit the ladies room.” They all smiled and settled back down as I made my way back to the palace, so I could talk to the voice inside my head without sounding crazy.
    I stalked up the wide steps, across the spacious veranda, and through the corridors of Pride Palace, grateful I could finally find my way on my own and hoping that Anubis would keep quiet just a little longer. I passed the library and the common room, all empty, and then the bedrooms flew by me before I finally came to the master suite situated at the center of the palace. As soon as I closed the door to my bedroom, I rounded on the intimate intruder.
    “Why do you sound so surprised that I care for them?” I hissed viciously. “Are you so evil that you’ve never loved anyone? Also... not creatures. They are Intare and Froekn. Shapeshifters or weres but not creatures.”
    Evil, the voice mused, skimming over the part that didn't interest him. I’ve never thought of myself as such. The very nature of my office demands neutrality. I don’t believe I’m evil.
    “ That’s like an insane person swearing they’re not crazy,” I paced back and forth, frowning at how much I was starting to