Morfran ap Nos looked across the clearing at the group of magical beings. Most of them watched him nervously, as well they should. But the two who stepped forward to meet him walked boldly, scents mingled so deeply they must be a mated pair. Their power carried the brush of fur and hot, humid air.
“Greetings. I am called Morgan in this realm.” He made the barest sketch of a bow. “These are my companions.” Morgan waved an arm to indicate the other dark fae that dropped their concealment glamours as they slipped from the trees.
The tension in the magical beings rose, and a delicious tingle of satisfaction warmed Morgan.
A flicker of unease went through the mated pair, but only that. “I am Renato Barros, and this is my wife, Isidora.” The male’s arm briefly touched the female’s shoulder, and they both bowed. “We are here with our companions to negotiate a partnership.”
Though Morgan could be patient, he was much happier taking a swifter route to satisfaction. Fate had, perhaps, smiled on Morgan and his followers. They had been hunting a team of wardens and happened to catch them as the wardens were on a hunt of their own. The dark fae had been successful. The wardens had not.
The wardens’ intended victim had offered an alliance, and thus the current meeting.
“And why should we consider this partnership?” Morgan glanced at the group. Two dozen magical beings. How many could the dark fae kill before the others fled?
“You are hunting wardens,” Renato said.
“We are hunting powerful creatures.” Morgan grinned. “Such as yourself.”
Again the group grew more nervous, and again the werejaguars showed only a hint of unease. “One of your companions was killed over a year ago. We know who’s responsible.”
Morgan growled. “It does not matter. He grew careless.” First the male had lost his weapon, and then he’d gotten himself killed, losing a second weapon in the process. Frustrating.
“What are you using the blood for?” the female werejaguar asked.
The being who had been the target of the wardens—a witch, who interestingly enough had dark-fae blood within her—had observed Morgan and his companions draining the wardens. This odd group of magical beings knew the dark fae were collecting blood, but not what it was for.
“That is our affair.”
The male studied him for a moment. “The wardens closed the pathways between this world and yours. Faery. They want to control magic, to cage us and protect the weak humans who should rightfully be our prey.”
Morgan tilted his head. “Go on.” If nothing else, these bold werejaguars were intriguing. Werecreatures might be terrifying to humans, but they were no danger to the fae. These particular two did not seem stupid, so they must know that Morgan was vastly more powerful. Yet they were not afraid.
“We want to restore the world to its proper order. To do that, we must get rid of the wardens. We don’t need their blood, but you do.”
The dark fae arched an eyebrow. “You propose to do my hunting for me?”
“We propose an alliance. We hunt together.”
“Why? Have you no concern for what I intend with this powerful blood?”
The female squeezed her mate’s hand, and they exchanged a glance. He nodded.
Isidora said, “We would like to know what you’re using it for. If you are willing to share such information.”
Morgan debated how much he should share, if anything. The dragonkin who had released him from Faery knew of one possible use for powerful blood magic, and the warden who had interrupted them surely knew more. It was quite likely all the wardens suspected Morgan’s plans, especially after Islwyn had gotten himself killed. Would it be harmful if these beings also knew?
Gesturing to the group of dark fae behind him, Morgan said, “I am using it to release my companions.”
“Is that all?” the male asked.
Morgan studied them. Yes, they were sharp ones, at least for their kind. Could these beings stop Morgan and his companions, if they even tried? Certainly not. Besides, he was quite curious as to what their reaction would be. “I intend to reopen the pathways to Faery.”
A few of the gathered supernatural creatures gasped, and the scent of nervousness grew stronger. The werejaguar pair seemed only mildly surprised. The male bared his teeth. “Others might fear the fae returning, but we do not. Our ancestors lived well in the old world. You are no threat to us.”
So very bold, like a weasel nipping at a bear. “You have yet to convince me of your use.”
“If you intend to use blood to open the pathways, you will need quite a lot of it. You can get it on your own, of course, but we can help you get what you need all at once.”
Morgan tilted his head. “Go on.” Attaining his goal sooner was quite tempting.
“Shadow Valley is full of powerful supernaturals. Most of the wardens are there—”
“The ones we didn’t kill,” Renato said.
“You killed wardens?” Morgan asked.
“Many,” Renato said with a growl in his voice. “Join with us, and we will slaughter the rest.”
It would be nice to have some pets. If what they said was true, they were at least somewhat capable. “I accept your offer.”
“We have two conditions,” Renato said.
Morgan’s eyes widened. Bold indeed. He would have to watch these werejaguars to make sure they didn’t cross the line into disrespect.
“First, several of our people were captured. We want your help breaking them out.”
Certainly that couldn’t be too difficult, and the chaos that would ensue would be delicious. “Agreed.”
“And second,” Isidora said. “We want our son given to us, unharmed.”
One werejaguar’s blood was of little consequence, especially if Morgan could get his hands on Aiden and the dragonkin. “Agreed.”