Shifters and Demons Read online

  "That was for killing my father."

  Dallin sliced off Passio's other arm. "That was for touching my mate." Behind him, Kaos got to his feet. Dallin spun around and sliced him in half. He turned back to Passio. "This is for mankind." With one blow, he decapitated the demon. Lifting his chin, Dallin skirted the pools of blood on the floor and headed for the Gate. He stepped out of the Underworld, glad to feel the sunshine on his face. He hugged Stryker and dragged Lailii into his arms. "Passio is dead. You were so brave, little one." He kissed her hair. "You weaved a spell to freeze the Gate. Do you have another to seal it?"

  "Yes, the magyck of the Prides surges through me." She turned and threw a spell at the Gate. Then she rested her hand on Dallin's arm and looked up at him. "You do know Kaos will regenerate, don't you?"

  Dallin looked down at her blood-splattered face and frowned. "Gods, I should have taken his head."

  "It will take him a while to open more Gates." Stryker glanced behind him into the blackened Gate. "Won't it?"

  With a shrug, Dallin pulled them close. "We'll deal with that if and when the time comes." He met Stryker's gaze. "Call the dragon; we're going home."

  Epilogue

  Dallin stood at the open window. The scent of roses drifted up from the garden below. Moonlight flowed into the room, casting velvet shadows across the rug. He gazed down at his son. They had decided to call him Alaric. With the black hair of the Vane and the curls of the Talynx, the Lady had blessed him with the combined looks of both fathers. Dallin kissed the infant's pink cheek and touched the black hair that stuck up in every direction. Alaric gazed up at him with the opalescent eyes of the Vane flecked with green and silver. Pure, white magyck glowed from this grandchild of the Lady. He would become the most powerful of all the Vane. Dallin smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek. He gazed at Lailii, sleeping peacefully in Stryker's arms, and his heart filled with joy.

  So much had happened these past weeks. As king of the Vane, he had passed new laws and made plans to visit all the Prides of the Nine Gates. The demon threat would never be over, and he needed to discuss plans for the future safety of the realms. Revelation of Lailii's identity and her immortality, not to mention his own, had brought mixed reactions. He knew Stryker feared growing old and passing through the veil alone. The thought of watching his mate and brothers die filled him with trepidation. He lifted Alaric onto his shoulder and began to pat the cub's back. What could he do? His son would never become king, as he would never die. Perhaps, he would tire of being king and abdicate? That sounded a fair proposition, but losing Stryker would tear him apart.

  The air shimmered, and the Lady materialized in a blue haze. The Lady made frequent visits to see Alaric. Heaven's above, I'll never get used to having the goddess for a mother-in-law. Dallin drew Alaric close to his chest. "Forgive me for not kneeling, dear Lady."

  "You are troubled?" The Lady's face creased into a frown. "I bound you and Stryker for all eternity. Think you I would take him from you?" Dallin met the Lady's gaze. "You made me immortal. He will die."

  "I would not be so cruel." She smiled benevolently. "Stryker and all your cubs are immortals. The Great One is most pleased with you. He has granted you the ability to bestow immortality on those you think worthy."

  "That is a great responsibility." Dallin shook his head. "Kings will rule for thousands of years, and no progress will be made. How can it work? We'll be falling over each other."

  "Not so, I gave this gift to another a long time ago and their Pride thrives in harmony. There are millions of realms for immortals to rule, Dallin. There are dimensions similar to this one that need your help. My people need the knowledge of the Vane. Send your brothers and your sons to explore new realms and bring all under the love and guidance of the Great One. Set into place rules of succession. The Fae do much the same, and they are most willing to guide you." Dallin lifted his son from his shoulder and cradled him in his arms. "How do I find these realms?"

  "Lailii is a Spellweaver; she will show you the way." The Lady laughed . "You will be a great king, Dallin. Learn to trust in your own judgment. Your new life has just begun, and it will be a fantastic journey." She faded into a blue mist and then vanished. Dallin glanced down at his son. His precious cub was finally asleep. He walked across the room to lay him down in a crib beside the bed. Tenderly, he wrapped him in a blanket. He kissed Alaric's head, and then gazed at his mates sleeping so peacefully. He sighed. The Lady had granted his wish; his mates would be beside him for eternity. Gods, for the first time in his life, he understood contentment. He smiled into the darkness. Life had just become a completely new ballgame.

  ~The End~

  About the Author

  H.C. Brown a multi-published author of many genres and lives in Australia. She welcomes feedback from her readers and answers all emails. She believes every story should have a happy ending.

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