Jack heard the shot but felt no impact. Then he realized, the shot hadn’t been from the rifle but rather, a handgun. He searched the periphery of the room, where the shelving units were stacked all around and spotted the flash of moving metal. Ben.
Ben had taken Bob out before he could make the shot. And, even as Jack watched, Bob toppled over, clutching his leg. He’d let the rifle fall to the concrete floor. Ben snagged its strap with a picking hook used in the warehouse and dragged it away from Bob’s prone body. Jack doubted Carol could see Ben in the dim light of the warehouse, but Jack saw it all with his superior vision. He even caught the hand signal Ben made before he moved on to another hiding spot, telling Jack he’d called for backup.
Jack wasn’t sure what kind of backup Ben might have in this part of the country, but even human military or police were better backup than nothing. Jack just hoped he found a way into the circle so he could take Carol out before anyone else was put in jeopardy.
With the immediate threat taken care of, Jack could concentrate on trying to break through Carol’s black ward. He pushed up against the barrier, hoping sheer brute force would get him through, but all that did was singe more of his fur. His innate magic protected him from Carol’s magical taint, but it did take something out of Jack to stand in direct opposition to her spell.
He’d have to find another way to get to Kiki, but for the life of him, he couldn’t think of anything at the moment. Of course, Carol wasn’t going to give him much chance to sit still and ponder the situation. Even as he contemplated, he saw her moving back behind the altar. She had more tricks up her sleeve. He just had to hope he could counter at least one of them in such a way as to give himself the opening he needed to get through to Kiki.
Kiki could hear what was going on outside the ward, though she knew Jack couldn’t hear her. Carol had tight control over what entered or left the circle of her evil protection.
When Bob showed up with a rifle, Kiki almost stopped breathing. Jack blocked her vision and she knew he meant to protect her with his own body. On hearing a shot, she screamed, but the bear didn’t move.
She could barely see from this distance in the dim light of the warehouse, but it sure looked like Bob fell over, from what little she could make out over the shoulders of the giant bear. Someone had shot Bob!
She cringed. She’d been raised to believe it wasn’t right to be happy to see someone hurt—possibly killed—but she couldn’t help but feel a bit of joyful satisfaction that Bob had been stopped from shooting Jack. She didn’t know who had shot Bob, but if she’d been a betting woman, her money would have been on Ben Steel. He’d looked like a soldier to her civilian eyes. From his clean cut hair to his upright stance, that steady gaze of his had made her feel like he had seen a lot in his life…and had probably done even more.
Jack tried to force his way through the ward, but though his strength was impressive, Kiki could see that the magic of Carol’s dark ward was hurting him…and draining his strength. There had to be a way to get that ward to fall.
As Carol worked at the altar behind her, Kiki searched her memory for anything her family might have taught her about this kind of thing. She wasn’t much of a witch, but she’d been raised among several very strong magic users. She knew a bit of the craft, just from being around them.
Unfortunately, she knew from bitter experience that even if she spoke the right combinations of words and chanted at the top of her lungs, she didn’t have the internal magic necessary to do anything against Carol. Her only—albeit small—successes in the realms of magic had been when she was able to harness the everyday magic of ordinary things. Common folk magic that didn’t require the energy of the user to spark the spell.
Simple charms…earth magic…herbal remedies…
Kiki’s gaze met those of the bear that was…somehow…Jack. At that exact moment, knowledge came to her. She knew what she had to do.
Their eyes locked, an eternity compressed into a single glance. She loved this man—who could turn into a bear, apparently—but that didn’t change who he was. She could see the desperation and fear in his eyes, along with the resolute strength that made her love him all that much more.
He’d put himself between her and Bob’s rifle. He’d been willing to die for her. A truer act of love she had never seen. It was only right that they solve this problem together, and, if the Lord above was smiling on them, they would spend the rest of their lives exactly the same way…together.
Kiki tried to tell Jack with her expression that she had an idea, but she wasn’t sure how much got through. Better to just do it. He was a smart man—a smart bear—he’d figure it out soon enough. And she had to do something before Carol unleashed whatever nastiness she had brewing in that bowl on the altar. The fact that Carol was distracted with her potion-making was also a huge plus as Kiki squirmed on her chair.
She eyed the circle of black goo all around her. The thought of touching that sinister darkness was repugnant, and Kiki sensed the power of it could probably kill her, frail human that she was, outright. Jack had to be immensely powerful to withstand so much contact with the ward.
Kiki knew she must break the circle and collapse the evil ward. She had just the thing to do it, too. In her pocket. The sachet of herbs picked in that magical garden outside her cottage only this morning. Pure, potent and blessed with the words she had spoken as she made the sachets, it just might work to counter the evil blackness on the floor of the warehouse that kept Jack and her apart.
The only thing that gave her pause was that when such a ward came down, its energy would come at anyone nearby, in a mad rush. Kiki was glad of the pentacle around her neck. It just might save her from the bombardment that would come at the moment of the ward’s destruction. Maybe.
Either way, the ward had to come down or much worse would happen. Kiki shifted both hands, tied as they were, to her side and was just able to get one of her hands into her pocket, though it was incredibly awkward. Jack turned away to deal with the zombie horde that began harassing him again, while Carol worked on her potion. Thankfully, Carol was distracted enough that she didn’t seem to notice what Kiki was doing.
Moving carefully and making as little motion as possible, Kiki maneuvered the sachet into her hand and then freed her hands from the pocket. Carol still didn’t seem to notice anything, but Kiki strained around to keep an eye on the witch as best as she could, while also picking her spot and planning out how she was going to get the sachet onto the black line of goo that circled her and the altar.
She had one shot. Kiki breathed deep and shifted the sachet of herbs so that she held it in both hands. She’d never been much for sports, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Releasing her breath, she made her move on the exhale, praying hard that her aim would be true.
At the moment of release, Kiki saw Carol jerk her head up out of the corner of her eye. Too late, Kiki thought, even as Carol screamed a single word.
“No!”
The vowel elongated as time slowed. The word turned into a scream of rage as the sachet landed squarely on the black line, and Kiki held her breath.
For one heartbeat, nothing happened. Then, she could see the black goo smoking as it ate away at the pure cotton of the little pouch. The moment the herbs were revealed, the black magic ward fell with a whoosh, and the bear’s deep growl filled Kiki’s ears as he sailed over her head to take Carol down to the ground behind her cursed altar.
Kiki didn’t see what the bear did to Carol, but she felt the reaction as her magic drained away. The pentacle protected her from the swirling mass of dark energy. It came from the altar, from behind it where the bear and Carol were…and from the people.
Kiki could actually see swirls of darkness lifting off of every person in her immediate vicinity as they dropped to their knees. Some landed on their butts. All fell down in one way or another, to litter the concrete floor of the warehouse as they mostly fell unconscious.
The only one left standing was Ben Steel, who came out from behind a shelving rack, weapon in hand. He was on alert, checking over the bodies of those who had fallen. He took a few firearms off some of the men and women on the floor and dumped their ammo into a bag he wore over one shoulder, placing the empty guns into another bag worn over his other shoulder, the straps of both bags forming an X across his chest. He was wearing dress pants and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up over muscular forearms, but he looked totally badass and very proficient with those weapons he was confiscating.
The bear came around from behind the altar, and Kiki could see blood on its fur and its muzzle, but she wasn’t afraid.
“Jack?” she asked. “Can you understand me when you’re like that?”
The beast’s head nodded, even as magical sparks of golden brown engulfed the creature. The power of it tickled against her skin, a tangible sensation of the magic Jack could command. It was impressive…to say the least.
As she watched, the golden light intensified to a point where she could no longer see anything within the light. A moment later, it faded and Jack was left, in his human form. His very naked, very muscular human form.
He didn’t seem to care that he was naked, but Kiki sure noticed. She’d made love to him just hours ago, but she doubted she would ever take Jack’s naked body for granted. He was magnificent in every respect. Big, bold and built like a god. And he was hers.
She knew that deep within her heart. He’d been prepared to take a bullet for her. If that didn’t signify a commitment on some deep, emotional level, she didn’t know what would.
“Are you all right?” Jack asked her, his voice intense as he crouched at her feet to untie her ankles from the chair legs.
“I should be asking you that,” she chided him. “That ward hurt you. I could tell.”
He looked up at her and the amusement in his gorgeous brown eyes made the muscles of her abdomen clench. He really was just too handsome for his own good.
“It would take a lot more than that to hurt me, honey, though it did singe my fur a bit,” he admitted.
“Jack. You were a bear.” She felt stupid after the words came out of her mouth, but she couldn’t recall them, and his eyes narrowed as her right foot came free, and he set to work on the left.
“I’m a shapeshifter. I hope you’re okay with that,” he said matter-of-factly, but he kept glancing up at her as if gauging her reaction.
“Okay with it…” She huffed. “Jack! I had no idea such things existed.”
“But I bet you’re glad we do, since a regular guy wouldn’t have been able to stand up to Carol.” He freed her right leg then urged her to scoot forward in the chair so he could work on her wrists.
He was bent over her as she sat. She felt enveloped by his warmth. Even naked, his body radiated pure, healing heat that felt like it touched her very soul.
“I’m glad you exist,” she said softly as her hands came free.
“I’m glad you exist, too,” he repeated the odd words, a twinkle in his eyes.
The blood was gone from his body. Had it disappeared when the magic turned him human again? “Did you kill Carol?” she asked, thinking about the blood.
He dropped his gaze. “I had to. Evil like that… It doesn’t change with a defeat. The only way to free all these people and you, too, was to end her and release all her castings. I don’t know what she was cooking up with your blood, but it couldn’t have been anything good. The potion is gone now, with her demise.”
“Thanks be to the Mother of All,” she whispered, raising one hand to cup his cheek. His gaze sought hers.
“The Mother of All? I thought you were a Christian.”
“Sorry. I thought you understood. My family follows the old ways, though I guess we sometimes dress it up in Christian garb so that we fit in with the neighbors. I figured since you just shared your secret with me, I could trust you with mine.” She smiled shyly at him, wondering if this was going to be a problem for them.
“Thank you for trusting me. Just so we’re clear… I serve the Light, and the Mother of All.” His smile matched hers. “I think this is yet another sign that we were meant to be together.”
“You think so?” she breathed, her heart in her throat at the implications of his words.
“Yes, Kiki. I really do.” He bent his forehead to hers for a moment, then he repositioned so that he could kiss her deep and gentle, the way she’d been longing for.
Moments, or maybe hours, later, a throat clearing broke them apart. It was Ben, and he was grinning like a fool.
“I hate to break this up, but you’re naked, Jack, and these people are starting to wake up,” Ben observed. “Oh, and my backup has arrived.”
Ben gestured toward the other side of the wide space where two men had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. They prowled forward, holding snub-nosed assault weapons at rest, but ready should they be needed, barrels pointing downward. Both looked incredibly easy with their deadly weapons, and both were dressed, head to toe, in black military clothing that looked well-worn and comfortable.
“Hey kid,” the elder of the two men addressed Jack as if he knew him. “Jimmy’s got some spare kit you can use.”
The older man pointed to his companion, who was right behind and to the side of him a bit. The man was younger and was rifling through a backpack he’d been carrying over one shoulder.
A moment later, a pair of black sweatpants flew through the air and straight into Jack’s waiting hands. Jimmy—whoever he was—had thrown the balled up cloth over the wide distance with pinpoint accuracy. Kiki was impressed.
“When Ben calls in backup, I see he doesn’t screw around,” Jack muttered as he hastily donned the somewhat stretchy pants that weren’t a great fit but would do under the circumstances. Both men laughed as they came closer. They’d clearly heard Jack’s comments, even at that distance. Kiki began to get suspicious.
“Are they…um…like you?” she whispered, eliciting more laughter from the two who still approached at an easy walk.
“Not exactly the same, honey, but yeah,” Jack admitted. “Let’s save the rest, though, for a more private place, okay?”
Kiki nodded, standing gingerly as feeling returned to her feet. She leaned on Jack, and he quickly put a comforting, supportive arm around her waist.
They walked away from the circle where Carol had held Kiki captive, and she was just happy to be moving beyond what was left of that dark line on the floor. Ben was still clearing the area and speaking a few words with the groggy people on the ground when the two men met up with them. Jack reached out to shake their hands.
“Kiki, this is Arch and Jim. I’ve worked with them before,” was all he said by way of introduction.
Both men nodded respectfully toward her. “Ma’am,” the older one said as she nodded back.
“Thanks for coming to our rescue,” Kiki said, meaning it, but they both chuckled.
“Feels like we got here a little late, but we’re happy to do duty as the cleanup crew,” Arch said, then redirected his attention to Jack. “I assume that’s what you want us to do.”
“By all means,” Jack agreed. “I’m going to take Kiki home. Her place is the safest spot in town right now. Can you and Ben handle all this?” Jack asked, gesturing to the mess behind the altar, as well as the people recovering from their encounter with black magic, most of whom were still unconscious.
“You take care of your lady. We’ll do what we do best. Ben’s already concocting a cover story, if I’m any judge,” Jim piped up, shooting an amused glance at the former Navy SEAL.
“Just how do you know Ben?” Jack asked, clearly curious at the connection.
“We served together,” Jim answered promptly. “You know how we teams guys stick together. And Uncle Arch still teaches the odd class, now and again, for the units.”
Jack whistled between his teeth as if impressed. “I’m glad you’re here,” was all he said, including both men in his heartfelt glance. “Meet us at Kiki’s when you’re done here. I think we’ll need to debrief as a group.” Jack gave them quick directions to the cottage.
“That’s a roger,” Arch said, already walking away, heading for the altar and the grisly scene behind it. Jack hadn’t let her get a good look, but Kiki was certain whatever was left of Carol had been ripped apart by his bear teeth and claws.
“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Jack said quietly, his arm around her waist as they walked out of the warehouse through the closest exit.
The fresh air of the outdoors was a welcome relief as they exited into the early evening air. The sun was just starting its descent, and the air held a slight chill that felt good on her skin.
“Are you cold?” she asked Jack as they walked along at a brisk pace, heading for the front of the building and the parking lot where her car was parked. Jack was only wearing those borrowed sweatpants and no shoes.
“I’m not cold. It takes a lot to make me cold—in either of my forms,” he admitted.
“What about your feet?” She glanced down at the sidewalk, littered with the occasional debris-filled cracks.
“Not a problem, though I hope Jim can salvage my boots,” he mused. “I really liked those boots.”
“I guess being…what you are…is hard on your wardrobe,” she observed as they walked.
That sparked a laugh out of him, and he smiled down at her. “You could say that, but generally, I have time to strip before I change. What you saw was an emergency situation.”
“Is it like the Hulk? Does it come out when you’re angry or threatened?” she wanted to know.
He chuckled again. “No, honey. It’s part of me that is fully integrated with my human half. I can be the bear or I can be the man, whenever I choose. I have total control over both halves of my nature.”
“That is so cool,” she mused aloud, earning her a questioning look.
“You’re not afraid of me?” he asked, though the question was more of a statement.
She shook her head. “You stood in front of me when Bob would have shot me. How could I be afraid of a man willing to take a bullet for me?” Their steps slowed as their gazes met and held. Time stood still, then she breathed. “And by the way, don’t ever do that again. What were you thinking?” she scolded him. “I couldn’t bear watching you get hurt—or worse—because of me.”
“Same goes for me, Kiki. I couldn’t just stand by and let Bob shoot you. I’d rather die than have to watch that happen,” he told her, and something in her heart broke free, winging its way to him, never to return.
They rounded the corner of the building, and the parking lot was blessedly near. “Keys,” they both said at the same time.
Jack altered their trajectory, heading for the front door of the building and the office area just beyond the receptionist’s desk. They detoured into Kiki’s office, and she picked up her handbag, which had stayed put during the struggle, from the bottom drawer of her desk. She held it up triumphantly, and they headed back outside. Jack took only a moment to grab his own jacket from inside his office and then rejoined her.
“That’s an interesting fashion statement you’re making,” she teased him, looking at the jacket and sweatpants, lacking shoes.
“Believe me, I’ve worn worse.” He put his hand on her back as they walked side by side to her car.