“Then, the dark shifters descended upon our little village. They tore through everything, murdering the men and stealing the women. I knew an opportunity when I saw one. I ran from the village, certain I could make a better life for myself anywhere else. Then, the Maiden spoke to me.
“She told me about my destiny. She promised I would be adored, protected, and honored for the rest of my days. It was a dream come true, a fairytale ending I never expected. She trained me. She taught me. She prepared me to take on the dark shifters by reminding them of kindness and beauty.” A dreamy look came into her black eyes.
“I thrived as her vessel.” She sighed. “The dark shifters loved me with everything they had. They regained their humanity. I single-handedly ended the slaughter of humans and the wars between bear clans.” Her face darkened.
“Then, as it always does, the desire for power crept back into the shifters. They turned on me. They called me a witch. They said I stopped them from achieving their higher purpose. They came into my chambers one night and bound my hands and feet.” Her long black nails dug into the armrests leaving chips in the ice.
“They tied me to a pike in the middle of their courtyard and burned me,” she hissed. “As I died, the Maiden came to me. She whispered words of comfort and apologies but didn’t help me. All of her wisdom and power and she couldn’t bring herself to help me!”
Phaedra stood up. Her voice echoed off the cavernous walls.
“After that,” her voice dropped to an eerily soft, quiet pitch, “I’m not sure what happened. I grabbed her power somehow. I refused to let go. She thrashed against me. I’ll never forget the feeling of it. It was like wrestling lightning. She got away from me, but I held a tiny grain of her power. Even when my body became nothing but ashes, I still clung to that power.”
“That’s why the how is complicated.” Keller nodded.
“My soul wandered the place between life and death. All that time, I held onto her power. I nurtured it when I could. It grew slowly. So slowly. I watched the centuries drift by. The day I could form pure thoughts again was the greatest day of my life. That’s when I knew I could come back from the depths. Now I have.”
“But why?” Keller asked.
“To take back what is mine!” she screamed. “I was supposed to have a long, happy life, surrounded by love and riches. I was supposed to shape the future of the shifter world. I was supposed to be more than a discarded witch left to blow away on the wind. I will take what is mine.”
Phaedra’s voice faltered. She stumbled backward, allowing her throne to catch her as she fell.
“Mistress?” Celeste said cautiously.
“I’m fine,” she snapped. Her dark gaze slid to Keller. “I have only just regained physical form. I still do not understand my limitations. Celeste helps me with all important matters, including bringing you to me.”
“Was it your voice I heard?” Keller asked.
“Indeed.” She smiled. “Though, I used Celeste’s telepathic abilities to enter your mind. It’s clumsy but effective.”
“Telepathic abilities?” Keller repeated.
“Oh, yes.” Phaedra smiled. “Celeste is rather talented. I wouldn’t have anyone else here in her place.”
Keller glanced at Celeste just in time to see the vampire hide her pained expression.
“Why do you need me?” Keller asked. “Why me specifically?”
“Ah! Now the boy is asking interesting questions.” Phaedra grinned. “Celeste, how about you explain this one. You chose him, after all.”
“Your mind was the easiest to manipulate,” Celeste said with an icy expression. “Your connection to Holly—”
A chunk of ice went flying at Celeste, missing by mere inches.
“Do not mention that whore’s name!” Phaedra shrieked.
“I apologize, mistress,” Celeste said.
Keller saw the rage boiling beneath her pale skin. He wondered if Phaedra could see it too. If she could, there’d probably be another ice chunk flying toward Phaedra.
“Your connection to the pretender was the weakest of the bunch. You refused to let love grow naturally.”
The words landed like a blow.
The worst part? Keller knew they were true. He fought their connection every step of the way. He hid behind battle plans and strategy in order to avoid the terrifying vulnerability that came with falling in love.
“How long?” Keller asked. “How long have you been manipulating me?”
“Since the battle,” Celeste said. “Something in your mind broke. I filled the gap. I don’t know what broke you but consider this a favor.”
“A favor?” Keller laughed. “You kidnapped me.”
“I made suggestions,” Celeste corrected. “Light ones, at that. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were looking for reasons to get away.”
“I’m a loyal person,” Keller snapped. “I don’t run away from things.”
“It’s all right to run away from false idols,” Phaedra sneered. “The important thing is, you answered my call. You’re here now. You’re ready to do what you’re destined to do.”
“Which is what, exactly?”
Phaedra’s gaze hardened.
“It’s not that I’m not grateful,” Keller added quickly. “As I said, I’m weak from my journey, and your tale is unlike anything I’ve ever heard before.”
“Of course.” Phaedra nodded. “You are a simple shifter, after all. You need time to process.”
Yes, she definitely called him stupid.
“Celeste, take him to his room,” Phaedra ordered. “Feed him. Clothe him. Let him rest. Tomorrow, he will begin work as my new lieutenant.”
“Lieutenant?” Keller said. “Are we going to war?”
Phaedra’s expression darkened. “We most certainly are.”
CHAPTER THIRTY—KELLER
Once outside of the throne room, Keller turned to Celeste.
“What the fuck?” he hissed.
“Shh,” Celeste warned.
“Oh, no. I will not shh. I have more questions, and you’re going to answer them before I smash those pretty