The Last Warrior (Shifters Unbound #13) - Jennifer Ashley Page 0,27

know what you people are, or where you come from. It’s not this world, I’m pretty sure. I don’t think you mean me any harm, because believe me, when evil walks in this place, I know it.” She tapped the table with a stiff finger. “But you’re not exactly angels either. Though they can be pretty tough when they want.”

“What kind of danger is she in?” Ben asked sharply, returning her to her point.

“Something pretty bad.” Lily’s brow wrinkled in worry. “I see much darkness, fear, and rage. Fury. Against you.” She pointed at Ben, her finger a skewer.

“Fury from me?” Rhianne asked in concern.

“No, no. From outside forces. Bad outside forces.” Lily turned to Ben. “Who the hell did you piss off?”

Ben grimaced. “A lot of people. I’ve gone through my whole life pissing off anyone who comes into contact with me.”

“Hmm.” Lily peered at him. “Recently, you’ve done some kind of damage, or it might be damage you’re going to do, but the rage I’m detecting is serious. They want to kill you, whoever they are. Not only kill you, but erase you completely. And you.” She switched her attention to Rhianne. “The trouble is, if you stay with him, you’ll share the danger. The only way to avoid it is to be far from him. But like I said, you’re a couple, so that choice might not be up to you.”

“Can you be more specific?” Ben asked Lily. “I can prepare better if I know what I’m facing. What are they? Vampires? Shifters? Fae? Zilithal annoyed that we canceled the meeting on the winter solstice?”

Lily’s eyes went wide. “Zilithal? You mean those evil, bloodsucking demons? You were going to meet with them?”

“Yeah, well, in retrospect it was probably better we called it off,” Ben conceded. “So, who is it?”

Lily shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can see a general danger—it’s like a blackness, hovering, waiting to crush you. But not who will cause it. When it gets closer, yes, I might be able to. Right now, you have a chance to avoid this danger if you go far, far from here.”

“How far?” Ben asked. Alaska? Russia? The Arctic? How about the Antarctic?

Lily blew out a breath. “A hell of a long way. You might not be able to go far enough.”

Every once in a while, Ben ran into someone who wasn’t fooled by his glams or the tough magic he wove to keep himself appearing human. Lily impressed him.

“Can you dig into it?” Ben balled his hands. “I won’t ask you to if it’s too dangerous for yourself, but I’d appreciate any intel. Will pay for it too.”

“That’s kind of you. I can look. Won’t charge you unless I find anything specific. Now you.” She switched back to Rhianne. “I can tell you not to go home. You’ll find the most danger there. Stay away, and let things work themselves out.”

Rhianne shot Ben a troubled glance. “I hope it doesn’t take too long.”

Lily shrugged. “I can’t divine that. I can tell that you have a lot of power. It radiates from you. Like I said, though, it might not be enough to battle what waits for you at home.”

“My power is not that great.” Rhianne shook her head. “If you sense something, it’s only because of my ancestry. The talents my parents have did not get passed down to me.”

She stated it as a simple fact, one she’d come to accept long ago. Ben forbore to point out that a Tuil Erdannan with a tiny amount of magic was more powerful than the highest hoch alfar magician. He supposed it was a matter of perspective.

“If you say so, honey.” Lily withdrew her hand. “But your aura is powerful—I bet you have more in you than you know. It’s almost ...” She looked thoughtful, then shook her head. “Never mind. I’m not sure what other advice to give you. Either go so far away you’re on the moon, or prepare yourself for battle.”

Ben regarded her with disquiet. Lily might be overconfident in her abilities, or she might have the clairvoyance a few rare humans had.

He was acquainted with one other woman with similar talents. “Do you know Jasmine McNaughton?” Ben asked her on impulse.

“Sure I do.” Lily’s brows rose. “She’s the real thing. You’re friends of Jazz? Why didn’t you say so? How is she?”

“Doing well. Expecting.”

Lily’s foreboding disappeared and she flashed a smile. “That’s awesome. Tell her congratulations. And to call me. She and I need to