Change (The Shape Shifter Series) (17 page)

Oh my God! Marie was really scared now. This had nothing to do with her after all. Isabel had hated her mom for almost two hundred years and Marie was Isabel's way of getting back at her. Keep her talking and play for time, Marie's mind urged. She tried to move her body, but she was tied so tight it was impossible. She lifted her head and moved it a bit.

Isabel looked at her. “Want to know more?” Marie managed to nod somehow and Isabel came closer. “All right then,” she snorted. “Sofia and Gunward played the happy couple for almost two years before Gunward's true nature took over. One night he went to hunt and left Sofia waiting in their love cave. But he didn't find any prey. Oh no. At least not the kind of prey he used to hunt. He found something better. He found a human child, and not just one but many. After he had tasted their blood it was difficult to turn back. He tried all right, but he was so bloodthirsty and excited that he couldn't, and that cost him Sofia. You see
, your mom was nothing like him. She was soft and weak. She could never hunt humans. So she left and Gunward got mad.”

Good, Marie thought sharply. If choosing not to kill humans made her mom weak she was proud of her. There was a thin line between the dark side and the light side, but her mom had chosen right. Yet Isabel didn't think so. She played team Gunward so strongly that even slaughter couldn't change her mind.

Isabel wiped her eyes and smiled insanely. “I was happy when she left. I was so happy I could've danced. But he wasn't. He lost his mind. And not in the way he did with humans, but worse. He literally went nuts. Sofia had meant everything to him and he had ruined it. His mind was blacker than the winter night when he realized he could never have her again. He tried to find her. He turned every rock, searched every forest, but she was gone forever. No one knew where she had gone, and that was kind of weird. She should've left at least her scent behind, but there was no clue that revealed she even existed. And when time passed, did Gunward choose a new partner? No! He mourned for her. Year after year he searched for her, and when he finally did find her, he learned that she hadn't waited for him. What kind of partner does that?” Isabel looked confused. “How could Sofia abandon him?”

Okay, Marie didn't want to hear any more, as she knew the next line. Isabel turned her eyes on her and she looked like a mad dog. She was glancing wildly around and her body swayed silently from side to side. Marie almost waited for her to drool, but she didn't.

Isabel tore at her head desperately and almost whined, “Sofia chose a human over Gunward. How cruel was that? He had searched for her so long. He had dedicated everything he had to her, and she chose a human. That bitch!” She started to move closer to Marie, twisting her hands, and Marie thanked God that she didn't have any weapons nearby. She closed her eyes and prepared to get kicked, but that never happened.

A soft noise caught her ears. And if she had heard it, Isabel must have heard it, too. They both turned to look at the doorway. Isabel hoped to see the man she had secretly loved for years, and Marie hoped to see the rescue team. Marie held her breath. The noise was a bit louder now. Someone was definitely outside the cave. Isabel knelt down and held Marie's head in her hands. Marie knew what she was going to do. If the rescue team appeared she was going to break her neck. Marie wasn't afraid, though. She hoped Isabel was wrong and she was more than just a wolf. That she had become something that Isabel couldn't kill.

A shadow passed through the doorway and when Marie saw the man, she knew Isabel had won.

Marie stared at the cave entrance. The man who stood there looked even more dangerous than she remembered. His long, dark hair was messy, and his eyes, full of shadows, seemed to burn inside her soul. His black leather clothes were like a second skin, and the dark sky behind him made him look like her worst nightmare. She swallowed. The man was huge. How could she have forgotten that? She must've been walking on a pink cloud with Tiamhaidh, or maybe she had been too confused the first time. But this time her head was clearer. She took in all the tiny details carefully, and the more she looked the more she got scared.

The man radiated raw power, and just by looking at him Marie knew what being alive really meant. His life energy was like a glowing tail and she understood why people wanted to follow him. She was lying tied up on the ground and hungered for his attention. She didn't want to, but she couldn't help herself. How stupid was that? Her mind screamed that he was dangerous and she knew it was true, but she couldn't turn her eyes away. Just being close to him was amazing. She didn't even dare to think what loving him would feel like, not to mention if he loved you back. And at that instant she admired her mom a lot more. Mom had chosen Dad over this man. Marie had no idea how she could have done it, but by doing so she had crossed a line and broken something inside this man. Maybe it was his heart or maybe it was his sanity, but by choosing a mortal, normal man over this magnificent creature, Sofia had earned Marie's admiration forever. So she fought the urge to run to him and held up her chin.
             

The man fixed his gaze on
her. He filled the doorway easily and she expected him to step inside, but he didn't. An invisible bond between them grew stronger and she could almost hear the small silver bells as her mind started to give in. She tried to move her eyes, but she couldn't. The entrance wasn't that big and she couldn't understand why he just stood there. There wasn't much space between the top of his head and the ceiling, and still he didn't bend his head. He stood with his back straight, grinning devilishly. Time seemed to slow down. She held her breath. Maybe this was just a dream and he didn't exist. Or maybe he wasn't as scary as she thought and she should give in.

The man stepped in
and broke the spell. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Gunward's voice was hoarse and it sent scary chills down her spine.

Or maybe she should listen to her instincts and trust her first impression. Right now, with his dark eyes on her, she was ready to swear he was just as evil as she had first thought. The cave wasn't big and with Gunward inside it, it seemed too full and pressing. He stepped closer and with every step Marie grew more scared. She had lost her childish image of a white knight within seconds and saw him the way he really was. The look in his eyes was predatory. She was nothing more than prey to him and she understood that now. She prepared herself for the strike, but it never came. Isabel stepped between them, but Gunward ignored her. He leaped next to Marie and sank his hands into her thick fur. He let his hands wander all over her body, searching, learning and almost petting. He even looked into her mouth and checked her teeth. Marie felt humiliated. She growled quietly, but that didn't do any good. Gunward inspected her inch by inch and she couldn't do anything. Finally, he finished and left her alone.

“She's a beautiful shape shifter all right. What a pity she is what she is,” he said thoughtfully.

“She's not a shape shifter,” Isabel said with a hint of jealousy in her voice. “She's a freak and she shouldn’t be allowed to live!”

“True, but what's the hurry?” Gunward's eyes flashed dangerously. “Can't we play with her for a while?”

“Sure,” Isabel said uncertainly. She didn't want to play with Marie. She wanted to get rid of her. But Gunward was the leader, so she lowered her head and gave in. “She's all yours.”

“Interesting,” he muttered. “You were so eager to destroy her, but now you're handing her to me. Just like that.”

“You're the leader,” Isabel said quietly and stared at the floor.

“Yes, I believe I am.” Gunward laughed hoarsely and touched her chin. He lifted her head and looked straight into her eyes. Marie was sure he was going to kiss Isabel, but instead he traced her fine features with his finger.

Isabel was enchanted and breathed heavily. Gunward's gaze was hypnotic and Marie could see her shivering. He was now touching Isabel's lips and she opened her mouth a bit, closing her eyes and moaning softly.

Marie couldn't stand it anymore. It was obviously some kind of weird foreplay and they didn't care that she was looking.

“Would you obey every order I give you?” Gunward asked smoothly.

“Yes,” Isabel breathed. “I would do anything for you.”

“Are you sure?”

Marie could sense the trap in his question. However, Isabel didn't notice it. She was in a trance. Her eyes were closed and the look in her face was ecstatic.

“Yes. I'm yours to command,” she breathed.

“Then why did you disobey me?” Gunward's voice was like a whip.

“What?” Isabel's eyes flew open.

“You heard me. Why did you disobey me?”

“But, I...” she stammered. “I don't understand. I did everything you asked me to, didn't I?”

“Oh, yes, you did. And you did a lot more!” he thundered. “What did I say about the girl?”

Isabel looked stunned. She had no idea why he was so mad. She looked at him with her big blue eyes and tried to back away.

Gunward grabbed her arms and shook her like a rag doll. “Didn't I say don't harm her? Was that order too complicated for your small brain?” he stormed.

“But I didn't,” she cried and tried to struggle away.

“Look at her!” He turned her face roughly and made her look at Marie. “She's tied up so tight that the rope has made her feet bleed. She can hardly breathe because of the rope around her neck. Did you want to kill her?”

“No!” Isabel yelled, avoiding his eyes.

“Oh, really?” he snapped mockingly. “Wouldn't it be convenient if she just happened to die before I got here? Poor Marie, so weak and sick that she couldn't live a day longer.”

Marie stared at him. What was happening? Why was he tearing Isabel apart? She was his minion, right? So why was he mad at her?

Isabel looked heartbroken, but stayed quiet.

“Answer me, woman!” Gunward slapped her face.

Isabel breathed, horrified. Her eyes were as big and wide as plates. She couldn't believe what had just happened. She put a hand on her cheek as if to confirm that he had really slapped her. Marie thought she would freak out, but instead she stood like a zombie, smoothing her cheek with her perfectly manicured fingers and staring at him with numb eyes.

Gunward was obviously trying to calm himself, but it seemed to take a lot of effort and he barely managed to keep his hands away from Isabel's throat. Everything about him said he wanted to strangle her.

“Gunward?” Isabel's whisper was almost inaudible.

“Don't make me ask again,” he said, ignoring her plea.

“Okay,” Isabel sighed. “I admit I was too rough on her, but I didn't want to kill her.” Gunward's eyebrows lifted questioningly. He growled, revealing his teeth. “Not at first,” she added in a hurry. “But I couldn't help myself. I hate her so much. She is everything I'm not and still she's nothing more than a human. I'm sorry, Gunward. I'm so sorry.”

“It's okay.” He relaxed and pulled her into his arms. He stroked her back and kissed her hair. “It's all right. You did your best and I'm sorry I got mad at you.”

Marie stared at them. She couldn't believe her eyes. Isabel was sobbing in Gunward's arms and Gunward was holding her like a lover, but something still felt wrong. She had seen him with her mom. She had seen the love and hot desire in his eyes when he looked at her mom, but now he was as cold as an icicle. Yes, he was holding Isabel's gorgeous body gently, and yes, he had pressed his body against hers with hands that looked loving, but the gleam in his dark eyes wasn't gone. He was pretending. At first it was just a thought, but when Marie took a closer look at them she was sure. He didn't care about Isabel and he was still mad at her. He was just using her. Marie growled at him. Gunward glanced at her and flashed her a wicked grin. She growled even more.

He gently pushed Isabel away and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Better?”

Isabel nodded, but Marie could see her lower lip was still trembling.

Gunward stepped closer to Marie and knelt. He untied her and set her free. He didn't let her get up, though. He pressed her body down and whispered into her ear, “Don't try anything stupid. I know the herb Isabel gave you isn't affecting you anymore, but don't even try to contact Tiamhaidh.”

Marie revealed her teeth and Gunward grabbed her snout. “I can end this right now, or I can help you to survive. It's up to you, sweetie. So what do you want me to do?”

She stared furiously at him. He stared back in amusement. He was obviously crazy or a schizophrenic at least. She knew she didn't have a chance against him, so she slowly closed her mouth and lowered her head. Her ears sloped back, as she didn't want to yield, but she reminded herself that one victory didn't settle the whole fight, and if her giving in would calm Gunward's restless mind she could do it.

“Good girl,” Gunward scratched her behind her ear. “I knew you were smart.” He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a leather leash and a choker. Marie tried to struggle free, but he was too strong. He laughed harshly as he put the metallic choker around her neck and stood up.

Marie felt beaten. She had no choice but to stand up, too. The choker forced her to follow him and he kept the leash so tight she couldn't go further than fifty centimeters away from him.

“You see,” Gunward said, aiming his words at Isabel. “You don't have to force her. She knows what's best for her.”