Shadows from the Past - Book 2 of To Be Claimed By Her

Chapter 39

North

The air was foul-smelling as we neared the pack. Carcasses littered the area and huge dog-like creatures milled around. Jace and I had once again embraced our shadows to try and remain unseen along with Morpheus. Owen, however, strode in like he owned the place. His demonic form drew no interest from the creatures. We'd made it to the far reaches of the pack when I halted in my tracks.

Luke

I don't know how, but I could sense him. I moved closer to a den, the others noticing and following my lead. It was dimly lit, but I could make out the shapes of several hellhounds - adult and young. My heart clenched to think he had taken a mate and now had pups. What if we were too late - what if too much time had passed?

A loud growl ripped through the air and before I could react, I was knocked on my ass as a gigantic brown beast caged, me snarling. His teeth were yellowed and jagged as they hovered just inches from my neck. His eyes locked onto mine as he growled again.

"Luke?" I said as calmly as I could. In light of all the crazy experiments the girls and Erebus had done, I had no idea what a bite from him might end up doing to any of us. He tilted his head, then let out a short series of barks. Moments later another large beast came forward. "Nate," I said quietly. Even with all that had happened, the two were still standing with one another. It gave me a sense of hope.

Suddenly they both turned their heads and whined. "What have they done to you," I heard Queen gasp as she fell to her knees.

Eveleen

I'd fallen asleep at some point and yet again Deimos found his way into my dreams.

"Pet you need to help them," he said as I tried to clear my vision.

"Help who?" I mumbled.

He chuckled, "Someone's a grouchy kitten." I felt my thighs clench at the reference and he noticed. "For as much as I'd love to play with you, pet, right now your men need you. You need to go to Luke and Nate before they harm the others."

I bolted up, "What? What happened - wait, how do you know? You said you were in a cell. Is this some kind of new trap you and Erebus have cooked up?" I yelled.

He let out an exasperated sigh, "Yes love, I'm still in a cell, but I'm also a damn demon. If I can manage to project my consciousness to you, don't you think I can manage to peek around my own kingdom? Now, if you don't trust me then speak with your men first, but time is essential, Eveleen. Luke and Nate are too far gone. They don't recognize anyone, but they might recognize you, or at least they did before. Do you remember when I took you to see them?"

"I was under the kitten spell, yes?" He nodded. "I recognized them, and they knew me too, but how?"

Deimos gave a half laugh, "I have no idea, pet. It seems your bonds were far stronger than even I could have imagined. Just look at what has already happened. You've found six of them, seven if you count Morpheus who has been watching over you the entire time you were here. Somehow, you are all tied at a cosmic level and nothing will fully destroy that. They will recognize you, but you need to hurry."

"I can't just stroll back in. Erebus will sense me in a heartbeat, especially now," I grumbled. He stepped closer to me, his hand hovered near my face then he looked down and saw the moving tattoo, he let out a low gasp.

"D...did he give you the shadow magic? Was my blood not strong enough to stop it?" Deimos sounded pained as he asked.

I blinked in confusion. Did he really not know? I pointed to the tattoo, "This. This is from you, well, sort of. When you put your hand there last time, it appeared when I woke up. Gabriel says it's my acceptance of your claim," I lowered my voice on the last sentence, looking away. "As for the shadows, no, those are courtesy of my, um, change in the Void."

His fingertips grazed the rosebud just above my breast and I gasped as it began to bloom. His eyes locked on mine. "I know I have no right to ask this, but you need to trust me right now. Use me to enter my realm. Your body will stay here, but your essence will be there with them. It should be enough to help you reach Luke and Nate in time." His fingers danced across my skin again, "You're already linked to me, Eveleen as well as my realm. All I have is already yours, as am I."

I blinked back the tears that filled my eyes. I wanted to hate him, but I also wanted to believe his words. Why was this happening? I let out a ragged breath, "What do I do?"

"Simple, kiss me and picture your husbands. I'll send you there," he smiled devilishly. I made a choking sound as his grin broadened. "Fine, just close your eyes and picture them. Can't blame a demon for trying, pet." I shot him a glare then did as he said and closed my eyes. I felt his lips ghost across mine, "Be safe, my love." The contact sent tingles through my body and I opened my eyes to see the hellhound den before me.

North was on his back in the dirt with Luke over him and Nate quickly approaching when I gasped, calling out, "What have they done to you?"

Owen

"What in the hell are you doing here?" I demanded as Eveleen came closer.

"Oh hush," she swatted at my hand, "I'm not really here, well, sort-of, never mind, I don't have time to explain or even understand it myself. Deimos warned they weren't listening to you, so here I am."

My eyes blazed red as my lips tightened. She could tell I wanted to say something but was holding back - for now at least. She slowly stepped closer to North as Luke and Nate whined. "Hey guys, please tell me you know who I am, because if not this is going to be really awkward," she said softly.

Nate took a hesitant step toward her and then nosed her hand. "Hello, mo lochlannach. I've missed you," Tesoro said as she inched forward. His tongue grazed over her skin and we waited, hoping he wouldn't bite her. "Please come back to me," she begged. His eyes locked on hers and I held my breath as he placed his snout against her neck and nuzzled. Her chest heaved as a sob broke loose and she slowly wrapped her arms around his neck. Soon a second snout nosed her as Luke pressed into her arms as well. "Milseán," she whispered. He whimpered as he nuzzled her.

Lifting her head slightly, she told me, "Take us home - into my room. I'm still asleep there. They'll need to see me to keep from panicking. Cade is there also." I nodded and my eyes caught a hazy shimmer as Morpheus smiled at me. I smiled back and heard him in my mind, speaking to both of us.

You did well, little star. We will see you soon, then he vanished.

Eveleen

Owen snapped his fingers as I closed my eyes and felt like I was floating. Well done, pet. Now open your eyes, I heard Deimos say and I obeyed.

I was met with chocolate brown eyes, soft green eyes, and vibrant blue ones. They were really here. One by one they pressed against my forehead in unspoken recognition. I still have no idea how to undo the changes in Luke and Nate, but we were together and that was the first step.  

Author's Notes:  Two more rescued...sort of...

I'm home for a few days, then off again on another work trip.  I'll try to post frequently because I cannot post from the trip sadly.

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