Munro (Immortals After Dark #18) by Kresley Cole

            Dorada smiled with encouragement. “Turn it and make a wish.” That smile set his fangs on edge.

            Kereny holstered her blade and grasped his arm with both hands, her nails digging in. “We

            can find another way. Please don’t do this! You don’t know what she’ll want.”

            “Matters naught. I’ll give anything for us to be together.”

            “I’m not saying I’ll never become immortal. But this isn’t the way.”

            He shook his head. “I’m no’ changing a thing about you, love.” Munro would bear all the risk from the ring. As Lothaire had pointed out, an immortal male must change himself. And hadn’t Munro told Kereny that he would be whatever she needed?

            Instead of robbing his mate of her choice, time would come for them both. His beast could no longer hurt her if it didn’t exist. “Jacob set an example of sacrifice that I dinna have the courage to follow before, but I will now.”

            “Munro, what are you saying?”

            “I’ll be turning myself human.”





FIFTY-FOUR





            Ren’s lips parted. “Oh, Munro.”

            She had no defense against this sacrifice. Emotion crashed through her like a thunderclap. In that moment, she knew without a doubt that she possessed a soul—because she could never love him this deeply otherwise. “You’d give up being a wolf and all the things that go with it for me?”

            He straightened his shoulders. “I will do whatever it takes to make you happy. And you’re right—immortality does no’ necessarily make you safer. If you’re fated to die by a Lorean’s hand, then you and I are leaving the Lore. We’ll get new identities and disappear. Hidden away, we might live to a ripe old age together.” When he took her hands in his, she shuddered to feel the magic brimming from that ring.

            “We are going to be together, Munro. But, please, not through Dorada. I swear to you that we’ll find another way.”

            The sorceress sidled closer, her face pinched with anger. “You cannot become mortal, wolf,” she all but hissed. “I have no use for a covenant with a human.” The Wendigos began to advance—

            Lothaire, Kristoff, and Stelian appeared in the room, swords at the ready.

            “How did you find this place, sorceress?” Lothaire demanded.

            She showed no fear of the three imposing vampires. “I followed the wolf’s longing for the ring and entered with ease.”

            Lothaire shot a murderous look at Stelian. “Seems my gatekeeper fell asleep at the gate.”

            Dorada quirked a brow. “I’m stronger than when we last met, can travel between worlds in a shower of gold and breach any protection.”

            “Trespassing in my kingdom brings consequences, even for one like you.” The malice in Lothaire’s tone would have terrified any sane person.

            The sorceress whisked gold dust off her shoulder. “Enemy of Old, the wolf signed my ledger. I will not leave until he’s been granted a suitable wish and our agreement becomes binding.”

            Ren pleaded, “Munro, return the wishgiver. I’m asking you to trust my judgement.”

            “I do, Kereny. Gods know I do.” He faced Dorada and said, “I have no use for this ring.” He removed the band from his finger and held it out.

            The sorceress’s expression grew menacing. “And I have no use for a would-be human!”

            “Then we’re done here.”

            Now all Ren and Munro had to do was get away from a livid sorceress and her Wendigos. The pressure in the room escalated.

            “Make a suitable wish.” Dorada’s appearance deteriorated along with her control. “NOW!”

            “You heard the Lykae,” Lothaire said, squaring off for battle. “He refuses.”

            “Then you will all pay for wasting my time.” Dorada waved her hand, and the ring disappeared from Munro’s palm. She gave another wave, and the Wendigos launched themselves at the vampires.