Instead of robbing his mate of her choice, time would come for them both. His beast could no longer hurt her if it didn’t exist. “Jacob set an example of sacrifice that I dinna have the courage to follow before, but I will now.”
“Munro, what are you saying?”
“I’ll be turning myself human.”
FIFTY-FOUR
Ren’s lips parted. “Oh, Munro.”
She had no defense against this sacrifice. Emotion crashed through her like a thunderclap. In that moment, she knew without a doubt that she possessed a soul—because she could never love him this deeply otherwise. “You’d give up being a wolf and all the things that go with it for me?”
He straightened his shoulders. “I will do whatever it takes to make you happy. And you’re right—immortality does no’ necessarily make you safer. If you’re fated to die by a Lorean’s hand, then you and I are leaving the Lore. We’ll get new identities and disappear. Hidden away, we might live to a ripe old age together.” When he took her hands in his, she shuddered to feel the magic brimming from that ring.
“We are going to be together, Munro. But, please, not through Dorada. I swear to you that we’ll find another way.”
The sorceress sidled closer, her face pinched with anger. “You cannot become mortal, wolf,” she all but hissed. “I have no use for a covenant with a human.” The Wendigos began to advance—
Lothaire, Kristoff, and Stelian appeared in the room, swords at the ready.
“How did you find this place, sorceress?” Lothaire demanded.
She showed no fear of the three imposing vampires. “I followed the wolf’s longing for the ring and entered with ease.”
Lothaire shot a murderous look at Stelian. “Seems my gatekeeper fell asleep at the gate.”
Dorada quirked a brow. “I’m stronger than when we last met, can travel between worlds in a shower of gold and breach any protection.”
“Trespassing in my kingdom brings consequences, even for one like you.” The malice in Lothaire’s tone would have terrified any sane person.
The sorceress whisked gold dust off her shoulder. “Enemy of Old, the wolf signed my ledger. I will not leave until he’s been granted a suitable wish and our agreement becomes binding.”
Ren pleaded, “Munro, return the wishgiver. I’m asking you to trust my judgement.”
“I do, Kereny. Gods know I do.” He faced Dorada and said, “I have no use for this ring.” He removed the band from his finger and held it out.
The sorceress’s expression grew menacing. “And I have no use for a would-be human!”
“Then we’re done here.”
Now all Ren and Munro had to do was get away from a livid sorceress and her Wendigos. The pressure in the room escalated.
“Make a suitable wish.” Dorada’s appearance deteriorated along with her control. “NOW!”
“You heard the Lykae,” Lothaire said, squaring off for battle. “He refuses.”
“Then you will all pay for wasting my time.” Dorada waved her hand, and the ring disappeared from Munro’s palm. She gave another wave, and the Wendigos launched themselves at the vampires.
Ren readied her blade as Munro backed her away.
“Stay behind me.”
The swordsmen parried against contagious fangs and claws in a blindingly fast skirmish. Lothaire was the first to behead a creature. Its corpse plummeted to the floor, oozing brown blood, which was contagious in itself.
“This will be over soon.” The words had just left Munro’s lips when more Wendigos flooded into the villa.
Five more. Ten. They crawled along the ceiling and scaled the walls to attack the vampires. As the swordsmen launched a defense, they debated something in Russian. Maybe if one should trace for backup? But that would leave the others in jeopardy.
Us in jeopardy.
When a number of Wendigos pivoted toward Ren and Munro, he gave a roar and struck out with his own lethal claws.
Across the room, behind the protection of her creatures, Dorada watched the fray with excited eyes.
Munro and the vampires couldn’t fight this many. Blade in hand, Ren scanned for a target in the low light, but the immortal melee moved too quickly. If she hit Munro, it’d be over.
Her heart felt like it would explode with dread. Was this what he felt for her every second of the day? I need to be able to protect him! I want strength like his; I want those gifts!
Dorada waved her hand again and said, “Turn on them, Enemy of Old.”
The vampire muttered, “Fuck.” He froze in place.
Between strikes, Munro snapped, “What the hell is wrong with you, leech?”
Lothaire gritted his fangs. “She can control me, because . . . evil. And I’m rather good at fighting. Can’t resist much . . . longer—” Lothaire’s sword flashed out at Stelian, Kristoff, and Munro.
The two vampires traced out of the way, but Munro had to leap back—directly into a cluster of Wendigos.
“Munro!”
With a roar, he slashed his way through them.
Ren whirled around toward Dorada as an idea hit. Every immortal strength had a corresponding weakness. If one employed Wendigo henchmen, then one had better fear their contagion.