Rodney: Marshall’s Shadow – Jaguar Shapeshifter Romance by Kathi Barton (books for new readers TXT) 📕

kind for many years. Even as a novice, you were showing others what you could do when there was no reason for it. You’ve caused harm to those lesser than you, even going so far as to kill humans that had no more power than a newborn cat might. No, you’ve taken this too far this time, and we’re happy to have one as strong as Rebel Marshall to call you on the carpet.”

“You can’t be serious.” The witches nodded as one. Darin hadn’t called them there, but he was ever so glad they were. Whatever was going on, it wasn’t going to end well for Wendy. He had a feeling that she’d either be dead by the end of this or so broken she might wish for her death. When the council looked at him, he felt his own cock, long since lying dormant, tuck itself closer to his body.

“You are the grand witch’s helper?” He started to tell them he was, but Rebel said they were partners. “Warlock, you have attached yourself to a good person. We’re quite jealous that you get to be with someone so powerful. Thank you for doing this for us and all witches.”

“It’s been a pleasure working with her.” Rebel winked at him when he spoke. “What are your plans for Wendy? I would like to say that she is redeemable, but she isn’t. For a great many years now, she’s been like a monster. I only had to mention her to Rebel, and she came right here to make sure no one else was murdered.”

“That is why we came. To make sure we took the right course of action. I believe you both will be a good source of help for all of us.” The man doing the speaking looked at the others that were with him before turning back to Rebel. “We nine, as a whole, wish to give both of you more magic. It will, we think, make you more powerful than you are now. But it will also keep you safe from others like Wendy here. As to what we will do with her?” Wendy disappeared mid-scream. “She will be taken care of. Thank you.”

Rebel turned to him when he felt the magic wash over him. When she steadied him, he didn’t complain about it. He was a little dizzy, as well as lightheaded. Closing his eyes when she told him to, they were suddenly in a lovely home sitting in what he thought the heart of the place. A young man, he thought her mate, seemed to be waiting for them.

~*~

Rodney listened to what was going on, also keeping an eye on his mate. She was nearly glowing with magic, and he was ever so proud of her. He had a few, quite a few questions of his own, but he thought they could wait. Rebel was telling him about her meeting with the man that looked as confused as he felt.

“You’re not listening to me.” Rodney promised her that he was. When she put her hand on his head, things in his mind, questions he’d been dealing with, seemed to have answers all of a sudden. Looking up at Rebel, he asked her what she’d done. “I gave you what Darin did me. An understanding. Also, I guess you could call it, an awakening. Your magic is now as powerful as mine. And yes, your cat is as well. He’s bigger too.”

Nodding, he looked at Darin. “You’ve been busy, I guess. I had no idea there were so many witches around. It’s like I have a location on all of them. Is that normal?” Darin told him he was feeling them as well, but he did say he doubted anything would be normal about this with the two of them. “Yes, I can see that too. Rebel is good at shaking things up for me. But I love her, and I’d not have it any other way.”

“Yes, I can see that you two are matched well.” Darin stood up after speaking. “I must be going home now. I have a great deal to do now that I’m stronger. I will need to reinforce things that I took no heed of before. Great power comes with great responsibility. I’m sure you know that, but it is something to think about.”

“Yes. I’ve thought of very little else since this morning. Thank you for your help, Darin. You’ll still be my partner in this, correct?” He said he would enjoy that. “Good. I’ll call on you when I need you for backup. I’m sure you know I have a bit of a temper, and I might need you to calm me.”

“What about me?” He didn’t like the way the two of them looked at him. Like they were thinking of where to stick the knife. “I don’t think I want to know. Do I?”

“You are my familiar, Rodney. I didn’t know that that was an actual thing, but apparently, it is. You will keep me safe and steady. But more importantly, you’ll be at my side when I fall apart after passing judgment on someone. And I will do that, a great deal more than I think I want to.” Darin said that it would lessen, the stress of it, as witches realized that someone was around to take them to task. “I suppose, but I don’t have to like it, do I?”

“I would be terrified if you were to like it.”

The man disappeared, and Rebel sat down next to Rodney on the couch. She laid back against his arm that he’d put around her and closed her eyes. He asked her if she was all right.

“I am. Just exhausted. I’ll have to have ready juice and sweet stuff around all the time if I’m going to be doing this.” She looked at him. “I would very much like to take you out to lunch.”

“We’re having that thing with my family today. But I’m sure we can work in dinner.