Desire Unchained

The past year came at her in a rush, all the interesting research and exciting missions. All the poking and prodding and experimentation. The loneliness. Shade holding her tight. “I’m not giving anything up.”


There was a lot of cursing, followed by a long silence. “Kynan made contact,” Arik said finally, but his tone said their conversation about Shade wasn’t over. “Said you talked to him.”

“Is he going to help you?” Betray the hospital?

“He’s not playing ball right now, but he’ll come around.”

She doubted that, not after seeing the expression on Kynan’s face. She swatted at some huge insect buzzing around her face. “Look, I need to go, but I’ll call later to see if you find out anything.”

“I don’t like this.”

The insect dive-bombed her, and she swatted again, ducked away from it as she spoke. “You’ve made that clear. Just make the Maluncoeur a priority.” When he didn’t answer, she had a sudden suspicion that he wasn’t going to do anything to help. “Remember the bond I mentioned? If Shade dies, I do, too.”

“Oh, Jesus.”

She didn’t even feel guilty for lying. “Yeah. So get the info.”

“I will,” he breathed. “And Runa?”

“What?”

“I love you.”

She smiled weakly, because as crazy as he made her, he’d always had her back. “Love you, too.”

She hung up, and the stupid bug, an orange thing with a wingspan of a bat, landed on her neck. She squealed, leaped around a little, and geez, she was a wuss. The creature whizzed away in a flurry of wings, and she sighed in relief. Having grown up in the city, she wasn’t big on nature, and this was as natural as it came.

The smells, the sounds … she frowned, becoming aware of the silence in the forest. The last time this happened, Shade had come at her from out of nowhere, his eyes glowing red as the s’genesis ravaged him.

“Runa.”

She pivoted around as Shade emerged from the brush, dressed as always in black leather. And he was solid. No transparency at all. It wasn’t Shade.

Her heart threw itself against her ribcage as though leading the charge toward the cave entrance. It was only three yards away, but it might as well have been the distance between goalposts on a football field. She darted toward it. The Not-Shade shot forward, grabbing her around the throat and cutting her off with a strangled cry.

The phone fell from her fingers. She clawed at his hand, kicked at his legs, but he just stood there, his hand squeezing and loathing burning in his eyes.

His features began to swim, half-blotted out by the red spots swimming in her vision. The last thing she saw before darkness swallowed her was Roag’s face.





“Take my hand.”

Shade stared at Wraith as he sank down next to him. “What?”

Wraith forced Shade’s palm into his. “Now say these words: Solumaya. Orentus. Kraktuse.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

Shade jerked his hand away and, still sitting on the floor, tugged on his pants. “Tell me why.”

“I didn’t have a chance to explain it all in your office, mainly because you were pummeling me—”

“Wraith,” E interrupted, “what’s going on?”

“I was getting to that.” Wraith impatiently shoved his long hair back from his face. “I sought out an old sorceress friend. Enemy, really, but that’s all behind us now.” Eidolon cleared his throat, and Wraith rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. On with it. Okay, so we know the Maluncoeur can be transferred to a loved one, but we didn’t know how. She gave me the way.”

“The words you just said?” Shade asked.

“Yep. So lay it on me.” He held out his hand. “We have to be touching. Glad you put your pants on.”

Shade scooted back, wishing he didn’t feel so shaky, because he’d be on his feet and out the door if he could. “Are you crazy? I’m not transferring it to you!” He kept backing up, but Wraith stalked him.

“Yeah, bro, you are.”

“Fuck. You.”

“I’m never going to fall in love, Shade. The curse won’t affect me. Ever. So just do it.”

Shade shook his head so hard his hair stung his face. “I will not.”

“Damn you, Shade.” Wraith’s voice was pure whisper. “You’ve saved my life so many times. Let me do this for you.”

“No. I—”

Shade broke off as a feeling of unease centered in his chest. Evil prickled over his skin and tightened around his neck like a noose.

“Runa,” he gasped. “Where is she?” He bounded to his feet, grabbing Eidolon’s arm when a wave of dizziness nearly sent him to his knees.

“Probably still talking to her brother,” Wraith said.

Shade swore, his head swimming. “Outside. She’s outside. Something’s wrong.”

Eidolon’s gaze caught his. “The Carceris.”

“Maybe a jaguar got her,” Wraith offered, less than helpfully, though at least he was back to his usual self.

E shot Wraith a glare before turning to Shade. “Stay here. Wraith and I will take care of it.”