Trusted Bond

form, my
    human one.
    ―If you cannot shift back, you must remain here in Sobek, at the
    temple of Satis with me and the other priests, the council of Ennead. Your
    life will not be as you expected but fulfilling nonetheless. You must not be
    consumed with fear and hate if you are unable to be with your mate. There
    will still be happiness for you, reah.‖
    I would change back to me and show him I could and make him stop
    talking about the life I could live without Logan Church.
    ―This new form, though frightening, you will learn respect for, and
    in time, perhaps even enjoy. The power in you will perhaps serve another
    purpose with time. None of us can know our true destiny until it presents
    itself to us.‖
    It was crap. My destiny was to be reah of the tribe of Mafdet and the
    mate of Logan Church. I shifted to show him I could.
    154

    Mary Calmes

    ―Reah?‖
    Nothing happened.
    Normally I simply thought of being a panther and instantly became
    one. All it took was my decision and it was done. It was the first time in
    my entire life that my body did not conform to my will. It was terrifying.
    ―Give me a sign, reah, that you understand my words.‖
    I would have to make some kind of sound, as I was still in my
    panther form. I froze, and Hamid moved from where he was at my right to
    step in front of me.
    ―Calm yourself, reah. As I said, you cannot shift back. You are truly
    a beast, and I fear that you will never be a man again. Look at your paws. I
    have no idea what you are, but even to say you are a panther does not ring
    true.‖
    My paws were three-toed appendages that reminded me of skin-
    covered talons. I felt as though I could straighten up and tried. It was like
    being in my werepanther form but to a freakish degree. On two legs, I was
    twice the priest‘s size, looking down at him from a new height where I had
    never been before. It was terrifying.
    ―Jin Rayne‖—Hamid‘s voice splintered through me—―you must
    control your thoughts and feelings, because when they are good, it is as
    addictive as a drug, but when there is anger or fear… you must contain
    your power. You must!‖
    But I had no idea how to do that.
    ―I do not want to shut you away. Do not force my hand.‖
    The priest was trying so hard not to react to me the way everyone
    else had. He didn‘t want to hurt me.
    ―Walk with me back to the villa of the semel-aten, as that is where
    your mate is.‖
    It took everything in me not to let the rage well up inside and turn
    and slaughter Ammon El Masry where he stood. I had been so much
    closer to Logan the night before than I could have ever imagined. We were
    housed in the same structure. And while it was huge, still, he had been
    right there.
    The villa I had begun my run from was at the end of the next street. I
    had left from the side that faced the fields. I was returning on the side
    where the main street ended, just as I had the day before when I left and
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    155

    returned with Femi and her mother, sister, and the other yareahs. There
    were inns and galleries and shops and then a huge park and then the villa
    of the semel-aten.
    An enormous wrought-iron gate faced us as we approached. To the
    right and left, on either side, were guardhouses for sentries. The gate
    opened at our approach, and at the top of the stairs, across the courtyard,
    standing beside an enormous pillar, I saw a familiar head of gold hair.
    There was no time for words. I wasn‘t sure if Hamid said anything to
    me; I was no longer beside him to hear them if he did.
    How fast I moved, the ease with which I did it—both should have
    terrified me. There wasn‘t even a second of thought. I flew forward with a
    burst of speed that took me instantly to the bottom of the stairs.
    Logan ran.
    He took the steps in threes. I took them faster.
    We met in the center, and he flung himself at me. His arms wrapped
    around my neck, his beloved face buried in the side of my neck, and he
    breathed me in, squeezing tight. I whimpered and whined, straightening
    suddenly, back on my haunches, wrapping my arms around him, crushing
    him to my heart.
    Never had I thought to lift Logan Church; it was a new and wholly
    satisfying experience.
    His laughter was deep and husky and rumbled up from his chest.
    ―Holy shit… only you, I swear to God. Jesus, you make life interesting.‖
    His words, his simple words, put everything back in perspective. It
    was like I had fallen out of heaven. From some high,