clear, and unfathomable.
“He says, pack is pack,” Edith said softly. “And he’s right.”
“I’m afraid you’re stuck with us now, Darcy,” Wystan said with a slight, apologetic smile. “Especially since Lupa knows about you. There’s no telling what she might do.”
“Whatever she might try, we’ll protect you,” Rory rumbled. His arms tensed, biceps straining against his shirt. “We’ll keep you safe.”
“I don’t need protecting,” Darcy retorted. “What I need is information.”
“That’s fair enough,” Wystan agreed. “We’ll tell you everything. Though I’m afraid it’s going to sound completely insane.”
“I just patted a giant fire-breathing dog,” Darcy pointed out. “Believe me, my disbelief is thoroughly suspended.”
“I hope so,” Rory said. He let out his breath. “Well. I suppose we should start with the demons.”
Chapter 11
It was maddening.
Fenrir could have howled with frustration as his pack mates laboriously told The Bitch about their encounters with the serpent-demons. He could have related the pertinent facts in a fraction of the time, if he’d been able to speak to her directly.
*Faster,* he demanded telepathically. *Just say that the horned serpents live under the world and wish to eat everyone, and pack needs The Bitch’s help to defend all that lives.*
Icehorse winced. *Fenrir, we’re trying to introduce her to all this gently. Not send her screaming over the horizon.*
Fenrir growled under his breath. *The Bitch is not a deer. No need to slink around her for fear might bolt. All this wastes time. More important things to tell The Bitch. Most important thing. Must tell The Bitch about mates!*
“Okay,” The Bitch said, oblivious to the silent second conversation. “So Lupa is in cahoots with shadowy, body-snatching, evil horned snake demons led by a mysterious queen called Uncegila. Who seems to be able to sometimes take Lupa over, or at least talk to her, thanks to the weird glowing snake-mark on Lupa’s forehead. And now you think they might come after me.”
“I’m afraid so,” Icehorse said. “More coffee?”
“There is not enough coffee in the world for this,” The Bitch muttered. She held out her mug anyway.
“Are you okay?” Stone Bitch said, sounding worried. “I’m autistic, and I’m not very good at reading people. You look calm to me, but please tell me if you’re not.”
“I think I’m in shock,” The Bitch replied. “I may need a minute here.”
*Tell,* Fenrir sent to his pack mates. *Tell her, am her mate!*
Birdcat’s right eyelid twitched. “Darcy, do you mind if I have a private word with Fenrir?”
“Sure.” The Bitch leaned her elbows on the table, burying her face in her hands. “Firefighting shapeshifters and giant snakes. How is this my life?”
Fenrir wanted to lean against her, sharing strength, but he could feel Birdcat’s silent summons down the pack bond. Reluctantly, he followed his alpha outside.
Birdcat folded his arms. “Fenrir, I love you like a brother, but there are limits. It was hard enough to explain shifter instincts to my own mate. I draw the line at telling your mate. Especially when you’ve only known her for a day. Don’t you think it’s a bit early?”
*No.*
Birdcat sighed. “Your Darcy is clearly a remarkable woman, but I suspect that even she may react badly to being informed that she’s destined soulmates with a dog.”
*Not dog,* he snapped, out of habit. *Am…am…*
He trailed off without finishing. Before, he’d always called himself a wolf. He’d known he was a wolf, just like he’d known that he had four paws, strong teeth, a tail.
But now…
What was he now?
Birdcat’s voice softened a little. “Fenrir, you don’t need to rush this. And it’s something she should hear from you. You’ll be able to shift soon and tell her yourself.”
*No. Won’t.* That was one thing he was sure about. *Can’t. Only managed to do it before because of sister’s poison.*
“You don’t need the serum,” Birdcat said. “Not now you’ve found your mate. She’s all that you need. She’s woken up a part of you that’s been sleeping for a long time. All you have to do is listen to it.”
There was something inside him that hadn’t been there before. It was like he’d swallowed a live frog, and could still feel it kicking in his belly.
But the discomfort was weak, and fading. How long would it be before it died away entirely?
*Think that part is going back to sleep,* he said unhappily. *Been buried too deep, too long. Can’t dig it up again.*
“You can,” Birdcat said, with calm confidence. “Your human side is part of you, as much as your hellhound. Once you accept that, you’ll shift.”
*Make it sound