Chapter Eleven

The next night in the clearing in the woods, with the circle and the altar completed, Michael and Lisette prepared to shift.

When Michael removed his ceremonial robe, the effect of him naked in the woods and the magic, made her breathless. She waited as he approached, naked and virile beneath the light of the waning full moon.

With a firm touch, he slipped her robe from one shoulder. Exposing her skin to his lips, he heatedly murmured, deep and husky, “I can’t get beyond knowing you’re finally mine.”

Lisette released a long sigh. “The feeling’s mutual, big guy.”

She dropped her robe, pressed herself against him, skin to skin, then wrapped him in her arms and stroked his tattoo. “Turn around. I want to see the magic at work.”

The five animals in the design on his back began to move, responding to her touch.

“These are your spirit animals, right?” Lisette asked fascinated.

“They are our spirit animals. Yours, mine, the coven’s.”

Lisette felt her witch’s tattoo come to life, the movement on her back encouraging her magic. “We have control over the animals?”

“Over their spirits, yes. Once joined with our animal spirit, we obtain their power.”

“I want to try.”

Lisette imagined the wolf she’d been in Michael’s vision. The magical power swept over her, and she became the wolf as Michael shifted into the panther.

Merged with Michael’s thoughts, she knew when relief filled her warlock’s heart.

“The ability’s returned. Our coven can shift.”

She didn’t risk moving beyond the creek, staying close to Michael. But just as in the vision, the bear emerged from the brush. With Michael blocking her, the dangerous animal chose to attack the panther first.

The image of Artemis Shade superimposed itself over the bear’s muzzle forcing bile to rise in her throat. Infuriated, she shifted assuming her panther spirit mid-air and leaped to Michael’s defense. While airborne, the bear turned to face her.

Artemis jeered, “You will be mine.”

“Ne-v-e-r,” Michael growled and sent a powerful flash of magic at the beast, but the bear disappeared before the strike hit him.

Michael nuzzled Lisette, encouraging her to shift back. His scent remained on her skin, embedded in her memories and in her heart even after she returned to her human form.

He ran a thumb across her bottom lip. “You okay?”

“Yes. Euphoric. Better than okay.” She threw her arms around him. “Instead of fear, the power filled me.”

“Sorry, I’m late to the party.” Marisa smiled as she landed in the clearing, fluttering bright silver wings behind her.

“Right. Angel? Not just an expression.” Lisette laughed. “Another unlikely being.”

“I smell Artemis.” Desmond hovered before settling and inspected the area, his huge bronze wings taking up the better part of the clearing.

“We lost him,” Lisette confessed.

“We stopped him,” Michael corrected.

“Sorry.” Lisette said, “I know I shouldn’t expect retribution for my parents, but I want Shade caught.”

“So do we,” Desmond assured her. “We’ll find him and send him back to Hell where he belongs.”

“We’re responsible for capturing Artemis,” Marisa assured her.

“They’ll find him with help from a higher power, then we’ll free Isaiah, and Desmond will send Artemis back to the underworld.”

“So you angels have the demons under control?” Lisette asked.

“We have a lead on his location.” Desmond grinned. “You could say we’re working on it.”

“Are you two an item?”

“Marisa says we’re just dating,” Desmond answered.

“We’ll see where things go,” Marisa added.

“And Marisa, we’re still besties?”

“Of course, sweetie.”

“Then we’ll relax while you’re on duty.”

Lisette spun in a circle then emerged as an eagle, sending her thoughts deep into Michael’s mind. “Join me. We fly with fallen angels, tonight.”

Michael shifted, stretched his wide wings, and took flight beside Lisette. With the angels, they circled the swamp for a while.

“As thrilling as this is, there are a few things I’d prefer doing in our human form.” Sending her vision to Michael, they split off and turned toward home.

He soared past her. “Race you back.” Michael’s sexy voice touched her mind, and their joined laughter rang through her heart.

“…now and forever, my love is yours.”