Page 18 of A Bond So Deadly

“Child, your creature isn’t on the menu, is it?” Tarlaz’s voice sounds in my head.

I make a face. “What? No, of course not. Why?”

“Because that shifter is looking mighty interested,” Elgen cackles.

I’m about to ask again what they’re talking about, when I notice Nate’s focused gaze on my phoenix’s egg. He’s sitting preternaturally still, and the shifter licks his lips like he’s imagining devouring her.

My jaw drops. “She’s not on the menu!” I shriek, glaring at him as I drag the nest closer to me.

The jaguar shifter gives me a lazy grin.

“Nate,” Blake chastises.

“What? I wasn’t goin’ to eat her. The egg is just so…enticing,” he defends, not at all helping his case.

“Try to eat her, and I’ll make sure Blake punishes you,” I tell him.

“Promise?” he says with a devious smile.

Blake rolls her eyes, though amusement curves her lips. “Don’t worry. He won’t go anywhere near your creature.” My friend gives her mate a stern look, and he nods his agreement, but I don’t trust him.

“You know, your queen couldn’t even tell us what the Xalgrith want,” Alaric growls, pulling the conversation back to the war. “Either that, or she’s purposely keeping us in the dark.” His gaze bores into my mates, like he’s expecting them to give him the information.

Galen swallows another mouthful of wine and pulls the glass from his lips. “As far as I’m aware, no one knows why the Xalgrith are here,” he admits.

Blake’s brows slam down. “What do you mean, no one knows?”

Thane lets out a weary sigh. “There’s never been a pattern to their attacks. Nothing to make it clear why they’re here or what they’re after. They come, they kill, and they leave.”

Callan tucks his wings in tighter. “What about interrogation?”

Thane shakes his head. “No one can speak their language, and in any case, their warriors don’t break. We’re not sure how, but they always manage to commit suicide while they’re in custody.”

“They explode,” Raith elaborates. “Makes a real fuckin’ mess, too.”

I wince, thinking about the smell of the Xalgrith warriors’ blood. Huh. Well, that explains why my guys always seem to have the stuff all over them. Another thought occurs to me then, and I pipe up. “But Professor Yevar can talk to them. At least, I’m assuming he can. Otherwise, how else would he be on their side? Not to mention, I’m pretty sure he’s the one who organized the foxrets.”

“It’s probable,” Galen agrees.

“Who’s Professor Yevar?” Blake asks.

I go on to explain all about the professor and how he has been abducting students from Shadowbone. Blake and her mates look equal parts infuriated and shocked when I talk about how he’d kidnapped and tortured me, and it had ended with me being trapped in my crow form. But they don’t interrupt me, waiting until I’ve explained everything, including my private conversation with the professor in the amphitheater.

“Holy fuck, you can shift?” Nate comments when I’m done. “Wait. Can you take on my form?”

I shrug. “Maybe. So far I’ve only turned into animals. I have my memories, too.”

Blake’s brows lift. “Your memories?”

“It’s not that interesting,” I say, brushing it off, but she gives me a look that says she’s expecting me to explain everything later.

“This is why we’ll be training her and testing the limits of her power,” Thane says, and his gaze lands on me. “Because your gifts will help to keep you alive.”

“Hold on, Queen Krosia said something about you having a gift with languages too, didn’t she?” Blake asks.

“Oh yes. During the games, our newest little student showed us she has a way with words, didn’t you human?” Germain croons, cutting into the conversation.

I nearly jump as Germain and Ambrose stride into the dining room. Germain stops at the end of the table, and he smiles, like he’s enjoying the surprise on my face. “It’s one of the reasons Queen Krosia was willing to spare her,” he says.