Vindicated by Bella Klaus
Chapter Fifteen
Asharp breath whistled through my teeth, and I placed a hand on the windowsill to hold myself steady. Even though the late-morning sun shone on my right side, chills skittered across my skin.
When I was in the hospital, neither the Angel King nor Professor Fizzil had mentioned the amount of power it would take to remove the markings Marchosias had placed on my wolf, yet Mum wanted to bring her entire troop of trainee shamans.
Fenrir wrapped an arm around my waist and tucked me into the warmth of his larger body. “Are you sure this requires the power of every Neutral in Lunaris?”
Mum glanced at the holograph of my wolf before replying. “The stronger the demon, the deeper the connection,” she said. “I could do it myself, but if Marchosias realizes what’s happening and decides to fight back from Hell—”
“Say no more.” Fenrir raised a hand.
I shuddered at the thought of that creature trying to fight back. “Okay, let’s call all the Neutrals for backup, then,” I said to Mum. “How soon can you get started?”
“One second.” She opened the manilla folder and leafed through its contents.
“Should we call someone for extra backup?” I whispered to Fenrir.
“Don’t worry.” He pressed a kiss on my forehead. “Sybil held the wards steady during your heat when Lunaris was under attack. With the extra work the wardsmiths have done to remove Grog’s back entrances, I believe you will be safe.”
I bowed my head, my brow furrowing into a frown. “Maybe I’m being pessimistic, but I think we should call Mera and King Valentine.”
Fenrir shook his head. “Vampires don’t have any useful magic for strengthening wards.”
“What about phoenixes?” I tilted my head up and met his eyes.
“From what I heard, they can break through most types of wards. I don’t trust either of them not to leak information about what we’re doing to the Council.”
“He’s right,” Mum said.
My brows drew together. “Do you think Valentine would tell them what we’re doing?”
She raised her shoulder. “The Vampire King is one of the better ones, but can you risk it?”
I blew out a long breath. What did I know about Mera apart from what I’d learned the few times we’d met? She was a really nice young woman, and her husband seemed like a decent person, but they were still connected to the corrupt Council.
Mum and Fenrir both stared at me, waiting for my decision.
“All right,” I said. “Let’s keep this to ourselves.”
Mum closed the folder and gave me a nod of approval. “By the way, I studied the headboard in your old room, and it’s a demon-summoning spell.”
Fenrir growled. “Who would etch something so dangerous into a piece of furniture?”
She tilted her head to the side. “That bed has been in this lodge for centuries, and we certainly didn’t commission it. I think that’s where I got the inspiration for contacting Marchosias.”
“You don’t remember?” Fenrir scowled.
Her entire posture sagged, and she hugged the folder to her chest. I sucked in a deep breath and placed a hand over my heart. Mum reminded me of how she used to be my entire life, broken and cowed. Resisting the urge to reach out and wrap her into a hug, I leaned into Fenrir’s side and waited for her to speak.
“Everything was a jumble from the night Mondo and his mate came with the guns,” she said in a low voice. “After the shooting, I managed to raise the alarm and get help, but it was too late.”
“When did you get the idea to summon the demon?” I asked.
Mum raised her head, her eyes locked in a vacant stare. “It wasn’t until I left the hospital and Philip settled me into Nivalis Row.”
I placed a hand over my mouth. “Mr. Owen helped you?”
She nodded. “He also lost his home on that night.”
“And the summoning?” Fenrir asked.
“A few weeks after? It was around the time that bitch announced her pregnancy. Back then, I had nothing—no books or scrolls or access to SuperNet. I scratched out a few runes based on memory.”
“Is that why you think you were inspired by the headboard?” I asked.
Mum inclined her head. “Whoever designed it made several other pieces of furniture around the house. I must have picked up a few things subconsciously during my time living here.”
I turned to Fenrir, my eyes wide. “It looks like Marchosias had someone in the Supernatural World, leaving his sigils everywhere like an advert.”
“Maybe more than one, as well as someone who sold their soul to become a furniture maker.” Fenrir turned his attention to Mum. “Mystery solved. Gather your Neutrals to the chamomile garden. We will be down in thirty minutes.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Mum bobbed into an awkward curtsey before scurrying out of the room.
I slipped my fingers through my wet hair and arranged it into a messy bun. “Time to get dressed.”
Fenrir pulled his arm out from around my back and placed both hands on my shoulders. “It’s time for you to shift.” His turquoise eyes bore into mine. “Your beast still has injuries from the battle, and she’s going to need a little time to adjust from hibernating.”
“You’re right.” I rocked forward on my heels and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Thanks for reminding me.”
With a chuckle, he pulled me into his broad chest and rubbed a gentle circle on my lower back. “How long has it been since you first brought her out?”
“The night we met,” I murmured. “Grog was presiding over the Wolf Moon Mixer, and he did a spell to bring down the moon.”
Fenrir snarled. “If I ever get hold of that bastard, I will tear him into pieces and make sure Marchosias can never cobble him together.”
“Get to the back of the queue,” I muttered into his neck. “Because I want to kill him first.”
“How about I let you have the first few blows?” he asked.
“And you can finish him off,” I answered.
His hands slid down to my ass, and he gave each cheek a firm squeeze. “As much as I want to spend the rest of the day with your half-naked body pressed against me, we have a demon to exorcise.”
“Right.” I gave him a peck on the lips. “Time to shift?”
Fenrir released my ass, unfastened the tie of my robe, and slipped it off my shoulders.
A cool draft drifted over my damp skin, making my nipples tighten. I stared into his eyes, which were already lingering on my breasts.
“Here goes.” I focused inward, trying to connect with my wolf. She lay curled in a ball like a cat, with her wings retracted into the thick fur on her back.
“Time to wake up,”I said to my wolf.
She didn’t stir.
I sent her a gentle blast of magic, but she remained unmoving apart from the slight rise and fall of her chest.
“Lydia?” Fenrir said.
“She’s still hibernating,” I said. “Maybe she’s exhausted from helping me fight Grog.”
“Do you need me to use my alpha magic?” he asked.
“Let’s not startle her,” I said, still keeping my gaze inward.
Fenrir closed the distance between us, the warmth of his body engulfing mine as he wrapped his arms around my middle. I rested my head against his shoulder and inhaled his wild masculine scent. A calm settled across my nerves, making me feel, for once in my life, protected.
“Wake up, sweet girl,” he murmured into my ear.
I gave my wolf a gentle nudge.
Fenrir’s power extended around my body in a gentle wave. It was nothing like the times he had used his alpha commands to force me to go to bed or return to the lodge the time I had chased Grog. This was more of a subtle coaxing to let my wolf know he was there.
Her ear twitched, followed by her right paw. Warmth filled my chest. “It’s working.”
“Come on, girl,”Fenrir said into our bond. “I want to fix your broken wing.”
My wolf raised her head and parted her jaws in a long yawn.
“She’s awake,” I said to him out loud. “Do you want me to shift?”
Fenrir shook his head. “There’s no rush. Let her rise in her own time.”
We stood together in a warm embrace, with Fenrir’s fingers sliding over my naked flesh. Tingles rippled across my skin and I bit down on my bottom lip, trying to keep my mind away from sex. These touches were as comforting as they were arousing, but they were for her and not me.
My wolf pushed herself forward, making my skin tingle as it sprouted fur. I took a mental step back and let her push herself to the forefront as our limbs bent and twisted and shifted.
A heartbeat later, we had fully transformed but with her taking the lead. She stood on her hind legs with her forelegs on Fenrir’s shoulder, and licked the side of his face.
Fenrir chuckled. “There’s my beautiful girl.”
A lash of fire penetrated my shoulder blades from the broken wing, making me clench my teeth. I lowered myself to the floor and stared out through her eyes.
Fenrir’s large hand rubbed gentle strokes on my back, his touch easing the pain. “Will you show me your wings?”
My wolf shook her head and whined.
“I want to heal you,” he said, his voice soft and coaxing.
She stopped licking the side of his face and stilled. I crossed my legs and leaned forward, with my elbows on my thighs and my chin resting my head in my palms.
My wolf adored Fenrir. They shared a connection that I couldn’t really fathom from the time she was inside his lands, but I was sure it was one of the reasons why Fenrir was so committed to me.
She was still cautious from having survived Beowulf’s multiple betrayals. The first, which neither of us had been aware of until recently, had been our poor living conditions and our status within the pack. Even if he hadn’t recognized us as his mate back then, he should never have allowed the daughter of an alpha and his widow to live in such poverty.
The second time he betrayed us was after we’d had sex and acted as though it meant nothing, even when he’d recognized us immediately. We had both been hurt for years after that. I had given up on Beowulf, but my wolf had remained hopeful.
The third betrayal had been the worst, and one that not even my wolf could forgive. She had protected me from the brunt of it—the fall from the sky, and the sacrificial ritual, but it had affected her on a level I couldn’t begin to comprehend.
And after seeing Fenrir’s parents in the cave, it was no surprise she was holding back.
“Come on, girl,” Fenrir’s voice filled my skull. “I just want to help.”
He pushed a little of his magic into her shoulder blade. It was warm and loving and healing, and felt like a balm on her frayed nerves.
“Come on,” I said to her. “We can trust Fenrir.”
Her whine filled this inner realm and it sounded like she was asking if I was sure.
I gave her a resolute nod. “He’s our mate. You were hibernating, but he protected us from Grog.” In case she hadn’t been fully aware during our heat, I pictured the scene of Fenrir tearing off the shaman’s head, and her heart skipped. “You see?”
With a deep breath, she unfurled her wings. I clenched my teeth as the sensation of broken bones seared across my nerves.
She whined out loud.
“It’s all right,” I said through clenched teeth. “This pain will only last a short time.”
Fenrir’s warm touch penetrated the wound, and his magic spread across every wingbone, including those that weren’t broken. As my wolf relaxed, his familiar scent filled my nostrils. With her senses, I could detect even more of his immense power, which made every muscle in my body melt off the bone.
“You see?” He pressed a soft kiss on her snout. “I just want you healthy and free from pain.”
She gave him a happy yip.
Fenrir’s chuckle felt like a warm blanket that spread over my bare skin and swaddled me in a cocoon of love. I exhaled a happy sigh. This gentle side that he reserved for my wolf was pretty awesome.
“Well done.” He threaded his fingers through her thick fur. “Are you ready to go outside with me to meet some friends?”
She barked.
“Walk with me.” He stepped back, letting her place her front legs on the floor.
Fenrir gave her a gentle pat on the head before strolling to the door. He didn’t even need to look back to see if she was following, because she padded at his side, casting him adoring glances.
“I love this side of you,” he said, his words directed to me.
My breath caught, and I wrapped my arms around my chest. As soon as Mum finished the ritual, there would be no connection between Marchosias and me. He would no longer be able to invade my dreams, contact me to make bargains, or attempt to obtain my consent to birth his vessel.
We stepped out through the door of our suite, and the scent of dust gathered on the stuffed animals tickled my nostrils, making me sneeze.
Fenrir gave me a warm chuckle and a pat on the back. “Would you like to spend more time outdoors?”
My wolf barked twice for yes, and I smiled. As soon as we’d dealt with Grog and Hel and Marchosias, I would spend more time in this alternative form.
Outside, Mum waited with dozens of the Neutrals she had been training. They all stood on the lawn of chamomile flowers behind the herb garden, clad in white linen shirts.
She stretched her arms wide, letting the bones on her bracelet clink together with her movement. “Welcome Alphas, to our healing circle. Please sit in the middle, and we will exorcise the dark influence.”
My wolf’s steps faltered.
“What are you doing?” I asked her. “It’s only Mum.”
She glanced around at all the people standing on the lawn, meeting the gazes of Phina, Mr. and Mrs. Owen, and a few people we recognized from Nivalis Row and around the village.
I uncrossed my legs and pulled myself to my feet. “What’s wrong?”
A group of enforcers emerged from around the side of the building, making her hackles rise. My shoulders sagged. Some of them would have been around during the Wolf Moon Mixer.
“Are you all right, sweet girl?” Fenrir stared down at us, his brow furrowed.
She bared her teeth and snarled toward the newcomers.
I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed. “They’re not here to hurt us.”
She ignored my comment, and I couldn’t blame her. The other times she’d seen the enforcers, we had been too concerned with bigger enemies to see them as a danger. But compared to the Neutrals, who had also languished at the bottom of the pack, the enforcers were a threat.
Fenrir raised a hand. “Stay out of sight,” he said to them and he dropped down to his knees and looked straight into our eyes. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, do you understand that?”
My wolf nodded, and gave him another lick on the cheek.
“Good girl,” Fenrir said, his voice still soft, still patient, still full of love.
If I had been in charge of this body, my eyes would have misted with tears. Fenrir was different from the wolves in our pack. Under the previous two alphas, most would take advantage of vulnerabilities, but not him. He slid his fingers through my fur and rubbed his nose against mine.
“Will you come with me to the lawn so Sybil and her friends can heal your other wounds?” he asked.
“Go on,”I said. “We can trust Mum.”
She gave him a hesitant nod.
Fenrir patted her head, pressed a kiss on her muzzle, and rose. Without casting her another glance, he strode through the herb garden, and to Mum’s side.
My wolf trotted behind him, our combined hearts filled with trust and love.
Mum must have understood why she was skittish because she gave me a knowing smile. “Alpha, please sit on the ground and hold Lydia steady while I coat her wings in a cooling paste.”
“What does it do?” He lowered himself to the lawn and patted his muscular thighs.
My wolf arranged her head on his lap and closed her eyes, letting the warmth of the sun soak through her fur.
“It’s going to help concentrate the magic where it’s needed most.” Mum gave me a gentle pat on the head. “When the ritual starts, we need you to keep Lydia steady.”
He grunted his agreement.
For the next few minutes, Mum, Mrs. Owen, and Phina applied a cold gloop on my wings and back that tasted and smelled like oatmeal that had been left in the refrigerator. Throughout this, my wolf lay still, letting Fenrir work his fingers over the fur between her ears.
“Finished,” Mum said. “Now, we’ll pool our magic together, remove the demonic markings, and sever the connection.”
“Can you relax while Sybil and her friends perform a little magic?” he asked.
My wolf nodded.
I rolled my shoulders, my heart thrumming with hopeful anticipation. “Do you need me to take control?”
Her warning bark made me raise my hands. “You’re right,” I said with a chuckle. “I did get to spend all that time with Fenrir. It’s your turn.”
Since her eyes were closed, all I could do was open my senses to pick out the sounds and scents of Mum’s movements as she arranged the other Neutrals in a circle. Fenrir held my wolf down throughout this process, stroking her into a deep state of relaxation.
Mum rattled off a string of words in another language, and the markings on our back and wings warmed and tingled. Bright light drifted through my wolf’s eyelids, filling the void I was standing in with illumination.
I clasped my hands, my head tilted upward, readying myself to take over in case anything went wrong. The markings heated, and my wolf tried to rise, but Fenrir held her to his lap.
“Everyone,” Mum said in English. “Repeat after me.”
What she said next was incomprehensible, but the meaning was clear. She wanted whatever had embedded itself in my wolf’s flesh to rise.
The substance turned as hot as scalding water, making my wolf whine.
“Give me control,”I shouted. “I’ll take the pain.”
I could sense her shaking her head. Once again, she was trying to protect me. I pushed myself against the bond, sending her every ounce of willpower I could muster and every measure of calm.
“You can do this,” I said to her.
At the same time, Fenrir said into our bond, “Stay strong, my brave girl.”
She offered us both a shaky nod.
I paced up and down, flinching as the substance rose from her skin, feeling like the peeling of a scab. The process was slow and itchy, with an occasional burn, but she clenched her teeth and held still.
“What is the meaning of this?” roared a familiar voice.
Her eyes snapped open.
Light flooded her retinas, making her blink several times to clear her vision. We were staring into the sky, where a winged figure the size of a large cat flew above us.
My stomach plummeted. It was an exact replica of my wolf, which just happened to be Marchosias in miniature.
“How dare you betray me,” he growled.
My wolf pulled back her lips and snarled.
The mini-Marchosias spat out a tiny plume of fire, making Fenrir scramble to his feet.
“Who are you?” Fenrir balled his fists.
“Oh, dear.” Mum rushed to his side. “The mass is sentient.”
“You!” He charged through the air at Mum.
Fenrir snatched the little creature before he could land a blow, but black smoke rose from between his fingers, reformed into the shape of Marchosias, and rammed into Mum.
She fell on the ground with a hard thud.
My panic spiked. I barreled through the bond, taking control of my wolf’s body, and rushed to Mum’s side. She lay unconscious, but still breathing, with a black mark on the side of her head.
I turned to where the smaller version of Marchosias hovered through the air, and I bared my teeth.
“Lydia Gerrison.” His voice was a rolling snarl. “You have betrayed Marchosias one time too many. Now, you will watch your friends die.”
