Red and Her Wolf (Kingdom, #3)

A distant rustling sound alerted them to the presence of something.

Even in human form, Ewan growled. He had Violet in his arms--she was still frozen as death--keeping her close to his heart.

“Go, blast ye!” Miriam cried, and then cast a net of magic around Danika and Ewan, throwing them through dimensions just as the pounding of feet poured through the thatched cottage.

Ewan’s howl was a melancholy tune as he reached fruitlessly for the mate stripped violently from his arms.

Chapter 1

Present Day, Alaska

“Aunt, M, I’m going,” Violet called over her shoulder.

A spry woman, looking no older than middle age with salt and pepper hair, stuck her head out of the kitchen door. Clearing her throat, she wiped her hands on a blue rag and padded on bare feet into the living room. “Where to, honey? Isn’t it kind of dark?”

Her aunt eyed the window, nothing but black and stars as far as the eye could see--the occasional tree breaking up the monotony of a monochromatic world.

Violet sighed, giving her aunt the same smile she always did. After five hundred mortal years it no longer bothered Vi that her aunt was always such a worry wart. “It’s always dark here, you know that. But not to worry, I think the dancing lights will be out soon. I’ll have plenty of light.” She winked, cleaning a pear on her winter jacket and took a huge bite of the sweet fruit. Juices dripped down her chin before she could wipe it up.

“Aurora Borealis, Vi, and don’t laugh.” Her aunt pursed her lips. “There’s wolves, bears, wolverines--”

Violet rolled her eyes and hand mimed talking. “Oh, c’mon now, I think I can handle myself just fine.” She patted her jacket, reveling in the familiar hardness of the six inch blade. “But,” she crossed her heart, “I promise to be safe.”

Her Aunt meant well, truth was, this had become more of a routine than anything else. Violet loved her space and her aunt knew it. There was something about the outdoors, of walking alone through the trees, and inhaling the sharp sting of the cold winter night (actually day, it literally was dark in the middle of the day this far past the equator), that made her feel alive. Violet hated confinement of any sort.

No longer tasting the fruit, she tucked it into her pocket. It would freeze within minutes outside.

Miriam walked up to Violet, her unusually colored eyes so different than Violet’s own. She traced Violet’s cheek, a sad smile on her face. The glow from the lit fireplace shaded her aunt’s face, making her seem in that moment distant and faraway.

“Be safe, my love.” Her aunt embraced her in a rough hug, squeezing tight, and Violet frowned, patting her back gently.

Lately her aunt had been acting weird. Different. More touchy. Violet’s lips thinned.

With a small shake, her aunt nodded. “Okay, then. Dinner’s at six.”

Violet snorted. “I’ll follow the shadows.”

Miriam chuckled. “It’s all your favorites. Roast beef, new potatoes, and peach cobbler.”

“Wow. I feel so honored.” Violet sniffed, stomach grumbling as the scent of rosemary and thyme in a beefy brine tickled her nose. “Sounds like a last meal.”

Miriam’s smile was frozen in place. “Be on time, Vi.”

Violet frowned. “I will.”

“Good.”

Violet left, closing the door softly behind her. Shutting out the soft blues and pastels of their decorated home, walking deep into the woods, uncaring of the howls echoing long in the distance. She shrugged deeper into her parka, taking deep breaths, letting the cold pierce her lungs like a blade.

Stars twinkled like brilliant jewels above. Somewhere a snow owl hooted, seeking a meal to devour, and Violet laughed. There was magic in the woods. In the quiet serenity of nature, it hummed all around her, through her, even her blood sang with it. Fluttering with something more powerful than herself.

She and aunt Mir had arrived at this remote part of mortal realm a hundred years or so ago. Before that, they’d moved often, always running in the middle of the night. Her aunt had said that it was because she had an adventurer’s heart, but it didn’t take long for Vi to figure out it had more to do with them running away than seeking adventure. Eventually she’d stopped asking why and just resigned herself to a life of solitude. Never allowing anyone too close, never really making friends. Intuitively knowing it was verboten. Now, the lifestyle was one she preferred. She just wasn’t much of a people person.

Violet ran, zipping in and around twisted trees. Snow drifted in lazy curls through the breeze, kissing her nose. She didn’t care, her legs were strong and her body sure.

A gray cloud streaked slowly through the navy sky.

Her aunt always wondered about Violet’s forest romps. But now it was getting worse. Actually, for a year Miriam’s worry had increased. To the point she had even followed Violet on more than one occasion.