eyes on our enemy, and I’ve witnessed her signature—the power of her person. For one with so much power, she should have been familiar to me. But I don’t know her.”
“She’s a bitch.” A woman’s voice behind him startled Jericho.
He turned to find a bloodied but beautiful female leaning back against a boulder. Her long blonde hair covered her breasts, but he couldn’t help himself from looking at the rest of her.
“I sensed that.” Seino appeared to be doing his share of looking as well.
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” the woman snapped. “Great. I’m bleeding to death and you two idiots can’t stop staring.”
Jericho sighed. “Typical. No thanks, no smiles for going above and beyond. Cats,” he said with disdain.
“I apologise.” Seino bowed to the woman, sounding more polite than Jericho had ever heard him. “I would remedy the situation, if it would please you, beauty.”
Jericho narrowed his gaze, wondering what the hell Seino had planned. The hungry spark in Seino’s eye he understood, because he felt it as well for the annoying cat. But the way Seino talked, with such reverence…
“Thanks. I think.” The woman straightened with Seino’s help, comfortable with her nudity. She didn’t seem to mind them staring at her, despite what she’d said. And wonder of wonders, but her body healed itself as they watched. Slowly, but most of the wounds healed all the same.
Seino stared at her leg. “The injury to your thigh. It was caused by magic.”
“Yeah.” She groaned when she put more weight on her left leg. “Bitch attacked me. She knew I’d tell Fenris.”
Jericho opened his mouth to interrupt, but Seino shook his head.
“Allow me. I have some skill with magic.” Seino paused. “If you would hold this for me, as a testament to my goodwill, I will seek that which would heal you.”
She accepted the demon bone sword without hesitation. Jericho knew a moment’s unease, especially when the sword chattered directly into his mind, excited about the feline. Then he saw what Seino had in his hand.
“Oh, no. No, no, no.” Dealing with a demon as a lover—a mate—was bad enough. But a cat?
Seino held the amulet in hand, his eyes glowing a bright red. With amusement, excitement, or lust, Jericho couldn’t tell.
“You have a problem, bear?” The feline pointed the sword at him, then frowned. “Is it just me, or is this thing talking?”
“About Fenris—” Jericho tried but Seino spoke over him.
“Take this healing amulet freely given.” Seino placed it over her head.
It settled and snapped tight to her chest. A light breeze blew her hair from a lovely pair of breasts. The rest of her injuries vanished and her eyes grew wide, the light gold colour so clear he felt he looked straight at the sun.
She hissed and pointed at Seino. “Y-you tricked me!”
Seino nodded. “I’m Kin.” As if that not only explained things, but excused them.
Jericho sighed. “Welcome to the club.”
Chapter Five
Anya knew better. She had only herself to blame for trusting the handsome Kin. “What is this thing?” She tried to lift the amulet from her neck, but it wouldn’t budge. Heat filtered through her body, and her heart beat erratically before it settled into the same rhythm she heard echoed in the two men facing her. “Oh hell. What did you do to me?”
“I think you know, Dark Walker.” The Kin seemed pleased with himself. He bowed. “My name is Seino, and I am Protector of the Seventh Kingdom. The bear with me is Jericho, and he—”
“Wait,” the bear interrupted. “Dark Walker? But she’s a cat.”
Jericho looked mean, annoyed, and way too sexy for her peace of mind. Cats weren’t supposed to notice things like brawny arms and big cocks and nice eyes in lesser shifters. So why was she drawn to a bear, of all creatures? The Kin…well, like called to like. She understood that, unfortunately.
Seino answered him. “She’s like you. Did you really