Shifter's Lady Read Free

respect your fighting ability and our alliance, but don’t even think about questioning my concern or efforts on behalf of my panthers. Shape-shifter or the single-natured.”
    Bastien inclined his head. “As you say. None can doubt your commitment to the members of your pride or to your panther counterparts.”
    Kat’s eyes narrowed. “Do I have to toss a little of my mojo your way, boys?”
    Both men stepped back from her, lifting their hands insurrender. Kat’s Gift calmed aggression and sent waves of peace flowing through even the most antagonistic predators, and Ethan suspected Bastien didn’t want it used on him any more than Ethan did.
    Ethan wasn’t in the mood for peace. “About my cat?”
    â€œHis injuries were really severe, Ethan,” Kat said. “Dr. Herman is the best, but he said it’s touch and go.” She shook her head. “If you hadn’t gotten there when you did…”
    â€œYeah. I’m a big hero.” Ethan forced the words out through clenched teeth. “Such a big damn hero that I’ve let five of our cats die. Maybe six now. Six out of a total population of Florida panthers of maybe ninety, max. At this rate, they’ll be facing extinction again, like they were back in ’55.”
    â€œWe’ll find him. Or them. Or it. Whatever is doing this, Ethan,” Kat promised.
    â€œI, too, will assist you in your search,” Bastien added. “Until such time as my prince releases me from these political negotiations to join the search for Justice.”
    The fury that burned in Bastien’s eyes at the mention of his friend and fellow warrior reminded Ethan that he was glad to have the Atlanteans on his side. “I understand what you mean about politics. But we have to lock in support among all the Florida shape-shifter coalitions so that they ally with us against the growing vampire threat. Organos proved that the vampire master plan to enthrall the shape-shifters has advanced far beyond what we’d suspected.”
    Bastien’s eyes gleamed. “Organos died for his temerity, and so will any others that oppose us.”
    Ethan started to agree, but Kat cut him off with a loud hissing noise. “Is that…is that it? Is that her?” she whispered, pointing to a spinning sphere of light that had suddenly appeared in front of them.
    Bastien put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him. “So it is. Finally you will meet my sister.”
    The sphere stretched and lengthened into a tall, oval shape, and a fractured kaleidoscope of light shimmered like a starburst in the center of it. Suddenly, near the bottom, one delicately shod foot stepped through the portal and onto the grass, followed closely by the rest of the tall woman in her white dress. Ethan barely got a glimpse of the side of her head, her glossy dark hair bound up in some kind of intricate braid thing, before she hurledherself at her brother. Bastien whooped and yanked her off her feet and swung her around, shouting with joy. But Ethan’s attention snapped back to the portal when a second figure stepped through, this one ominously familiar: Alaric.
    As Ethan nodded his head briefly to the Atlantean god’s high priest, the portal’s light winked out of existence. “Alaric. Be welcome among the pride,” he said in the formal words of greeting.
    â€œI come as an ally and friend,” Alaric said, nodding in return. Ethan supposed after he’d seen the priest a few more times, he might get used to the man’s bizarre glowing green eyes.
    Maybe.
    Alaric suddenly froze, his entire body stiffening as his eyes focused on some faraway sight. Nearly a full minute passed before Bastien, caught up in greeting his sister, noticed.
    â€œAlaric?”
    Bastien finally allowed his sister’s feet to touch the ground again and hugged her, then looked at Alaric over her head. “What