Origins (9 page)
Zareb heeded the words of his great ancestors and manipulated the vase so it was inverted. He wanted the opening as far from above ground as they could get it. Joy released it at the same time he did. The Vessel wedged down deep. Joy reached for him to complete the human circle.
“Cover the evil with pure love and joy; let the earth cradle it with her very essence. Thank you,” Joy chanted. The ground filled over the vase until it was covered.
Joy collapsed and Zareb gathered her close, he also felt tired from the pull of such great power. They were done here. Zareb would never return to this spot unless something happened to release the evil forces. His life could begin anew once they left Africa and returned home to the family he’d created with the Masters pack. Zareb picked up his mate and went to find Kir, hoping the man was still there. They needed to rest before they went on a rescue mission. Joy was strong, but she had used so much magic over the last few days. A good meal and twelve to twenty-four hours of sleep was what she really needed, but neither would happen any time soon. The only reason he wasn’t as depleted was because he’d been feeding off her power without realising it until just now. They were not ready for a fight.
“It is done, is it not?” Kir turned at their approach. “Is she all right?”
“Drained, but fine. Yes, we have resealed the Vessel, no more souls will be released.”
“Good. Then you must come with me.”
Zareb was confused. “What are you talking about?”
“I let you complete your mission. Now you have to help me finish mine so I can leave here free and clear. That means we need to go back to the camp.”
“The plan was always to go back there. They hold our family and there is no way we would leave
Africa
without them.”
“You don’t understand.”
“No, my broer, I do not.”
“It needs to be under my power, I cannot let you wander in.” Kir squared his shoulders.
“That is not going to happen. It would put Joy at risk and I will not allow that.”
“I was afraid you would say that.”
Kir shot him in the neck with something he must have had hidden, Zareb hadn’t searched him after Joy captured him and he thought Kir was now on their side. Zareb reached for his power but he was too late. He managed to put Joy down before crumpling to the jungle floor.
When he awoke, Joy was yelling. He opened his eyes and looked around. They hadn’t moved, but they were tied up.
“You goddamn mother fucker. He trusted your fugly ass. You talk about betrayal? Look in the mirror. Let us go. Now.”
“Calm down. I will not harm you, and I have to do this.”
“No you don’t,” Joy snarled.
“It is not like I can take your power away. You are drained, but it will come back. Zareb could get out of his ropes easily. It has to look good or they will come after me. The shaman is powerful. I want a fresh start and Zareb wouldn’t let me explain—this gave me the time I needed. Now he can listen. Thank goodness you are awake, Zar. Your woman has a mouth on her.” Kir looked over at him, his eyes pleading with him to understand.
And he did. Kir would not go against them, not again. He’d seen the error of the side he was on—that was good. He would be an asset to the Masters pack and this would prove that he could be trusted. There would be no mistake once they got to the others and released Ive and Dji. It would be good to have two members of his original pride with him.
“It will be all right, my siel,” Zareb reassured Joy.
“How can you say that? You were
unconscious
when I woke up. He
drugged
you.”
“He speaks the truth,” Zareb insisted.
“How can you tell? I can’t read auras like V. And in this instance I trust action over words.”
“You are feisty and I am so very happy you are mine. You told me you had faith in me. Believe me when I say I would never place you in danger on purpose.” He looked right into her eyes, letting her feel his love.
“Thank you, Zareb. I am ready when the two of you are.” Kir stood and backed away, giving them space.
“This is a very bad idea, Z. Very bad.”
“He is correct, though, we have our magic. You drained yourself, but if need be you can use it. It is my hope that by the time we get there, Dji will be free on his own and we can gather the pups and be on our way. Worst case scenario is we go in and let Kir have a good show of faith, and take them down.”
“Take them down—I’m good with that.”
“I thought you might be. Are you ready?”
“Yeah.”
Zareb got out of his ropes and stood. Moving closer to Joy, he pulled her close to undo her bonds. Once she was free they hugged, her arms wrapped around his neck, and she jumped, putting her legs around his body.
He supported her with his arms and let her draw him into a kiss. Joy placed her palm on his cheek and caressed him, the gesture so intimate.
“It is time. We should go,” Kir interrupted them.
Joy moved off him and strode to Kir. “I’m still not a hundred per cent on your side.” She poked Kir in the chest. “I don’t trust you. If you screw us over I
will
kill you. Do you doubt me?”
Kir gulped and Zareb couldn’t contain his grin. His mate was something to admire and covet. Joy was all his and he would never let her go.
Chapter Six
This was the most asinine idea she had ever heard of. Walking into the belly of the beast all ready to sacrifice themselves so someone who had tried to betray them could save face. If it was up to her they would go in guns blazing—well, magic blazing anyway— and take their people and leave.
The one person she did have faith in was Zareb. He had not steered her wrong yet. If he thought Kir would protect them, then so be it, but if one hair was harmed on her mate’s head she would go berserk on their asses and laugh at the carnage.
Maybe that was a little melodramatic, but V wasn’t there to reel her in. That was usually her sister’s job when she wasn’t asking questions. They would have to stop one more night before they got there. It was getting dark. Unless—
“We should shift. We’d get there quicker and not have to wait another night.”
The guys both turned to her.
“What? Stop staring at me and let’s go all cat-like and kick ass.”
“That was not the plan,” Kir stressed.
“Okay. Okay.” She held up her hands. “We could at least get closer so we can go in at first light. If we stop at the camp we had the other night, it would still take all day tomorrow to walk it. This way we can be fresh.”
“She does have a point,” Zareb agreed.
“I agree.” Kir nodded.
“Don’t sound so put out. One of us needs to carry the bag.” Joy held it out.
“I will do it. I should walk in with it anyway. They will be less suspicious if it looks like I hold the Vessel, in case we are caught.”
“Then shift and I’ll put it on you. Zareb and I will shift next and follow you. Stop close enough that we can ward up without the shaman detecting us. Can you do that?”
“Now it is you who should not sound so put out. I will do what I must. I have already apologised for this,” Kir insisted.
“I just don’t like being manipulated, but I’ll get over it—maybe—if you’re lucky.”
“Thank you, my siel for trusting me and Kir.”
Kir stripped and shifted. Joy collected his clothes and turned to Zareb as he disrobed.
“What does siel mean? You call me that a lot. That and liefie.”
She moved in closer.
“My soul and my love—you are both.” Zareb spoke against her lips before shifting.
“I love you too, my siel,” she whispered, before taking care of her clothes and placing them in the bag and wrapping it around Kir.
They followed each other through the jungle. It was exhilarating, but they ate up the miles and arrived close to the site faster than even Joy thought they would. She wasn’t ready to shift back, but they had things to do. She couldn’t wait to run with V and to chase Z around the compound—that should be a fun afternoon. After she’d showered and slept for a month, only waking up to have sex with Zareb—fun times.
Kir shifted first and turned around to give her some privacy. Maybe he
wasn’t
all bad, but she would wait and see how tomorrow went before she gave a final judgement. She had to believe the other wolves weren’t dead. Joy hoped the shaman hadn’t captured
“It is time.” Zareb’s voice woke her up.
She hadn’t been asleep for very long, but she snapped awake at his words. Today they would do what they needed to and get home, back to
America
, the land of the shower and the fluffy bed. If she didn’t see another jungle any time soon she would be a very happy girl.
“Is Kir still here?”
“Yes, oh joyous one. Your faith in me is astounding,” Kir said in a dry tone.
“Hey, buddy, the proof is in the pudding as my mom would say. You being here goes a long way to helping me believe you won’t fuck us over at the first opportunity.”
“Understood.” Kir bowed.
“Do you guys have any sort of plan, or we goin’ in blind?” Joy stood with her hands on her hips.
“The plan is for Kir to lead us into the camp. He will take us to the others and we will get them prepared for an escape. Kir will go get the shaman and bring him to us, showing off that he caught us. The man is not stupid, so we will need to act drugged. There is no way Kir could bring us both down without some sort of help.”
“Got it, act drugged. I’m ready.”
Joy held her hands out in front of her and Kir wrapped the rope around them. He did the same with Zareb before binding them together with rope to trot them through the camp.
She needed to go to her happy place, one that would keep her calm. If she blew up, the whole plan would go to shit and it wasn’t going to be her fault, not this time. The anger from the Vessel was gone. Her cat on the other hand wanted blood.
“Be at peace, my child. Things will be as they should.”
The vine on the ground jumped out at her and she stumbled, that was her story and she’d stick to it if anyone asked. Well, the voice in her head had actually caused her to miss the object, but that was semantics. Before she could ask if the others had heard it, they were upon the camp.
Calm infused her body. She didn’t know if it was because of the mysterious voice or her faith in Zareb, but at this point it didn’t matter because Kir was able to lead them over to the others without any hassle. Joy was confused.
No more blood would be spilled from her family. She wouldn’t believe it. Those two needed to be alive. They all had to leave here in one piece. Not to mention those two probably had a plane, the only viable way out of this place that wasn’t a million miles away on foot.
Kir pushed her and Zareb growled. Joy shook her head, letting him know it was okay. She stumbled and fell close to Ive. Zareb got the same treatment and got on with the plan. Kir turned and left. Joy kept her head lowered, but looked around as discreetly as she could.
