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his
back. The same werewolves who he had brought with him to rescue me
from Rocco’s brutality. They all wore unanimously fierce
expressions at they faced the stranger before them. The woman was
young and dressed entirely in black as she faced the Dark Claws. I
had never seen her before. She was waiting for Marcus’s
response.
    “No,” he said. “They will not.”
    The woman looked at me. Her glance was
unsurprised, as if she had expected to me to be watching. She
smiled but her voice held a tone of warning. “They will
try.”
    Marcus exhaled thickly. The look he gave me
was bleak, almost sorrowful. I swallowed. “Jessa,” he said. “There
is something we need to discuss.”
    My heart pounded as I walked through the small
cabin and exited the front door. The woman who had addressed me
waited serenely, her hands clasped in front of her. Her gown was
plain, black, and reached to the floor. The thin material sifted
lightly about her slim frame. Though I had dressed warmly, I felt
exposed as her gaze bore into me.
    “Jessa, my name is Cassiah.”
    My heart pounded, particularly when I caught a
glimpse of Marcus. His muscles were tight with fury and he looked
at the ground. “Hello,” I said hesitantly. I cleared my throat.
“Are you a…” My voice trailed off and I looked at Marcus with
uncertainty. If the woman was merely human it wouldn’t do to go
babbling about werewolves.
    Cassiah laughed. “A wolf? Goddess, no.” She
smirked at the Dark Claws. “The beasts have some uses, I’ll admit.
And I’ve enjoyed one or two in my time.” She looked at Marcus
meaningfully before she returned her attention to me. “But I am not
a wolf. Or a vampire, or a demon, a fairy, or any of the endangered
species which show up now and again at The Gathering.” Marcus had
told me about The Gathering the night we met. It was apparently a
grand party for the underworld. The last Gathering was where he had
learned of my existence. And fought for the right to claim
me.
    Cassiah watched me closely. I had the curious
feeling she could hear my thoughts as clearly as if I had spoken
aloud. There was one manner of creature which she had not
mentioned. They were a forbidding race who clung to their craft
more fervently than any mortals clung to religion. They kept
careful tabs on all the strange creatures which walked alongside
men and when a severe threat to humanity arose, they dealt with it
as necessary. They were the sheriffs of the underworld. They were
witches. Cassiah looked into my eyes and nodded, pleased that I had
come to the conclusion on my own. But there were still questions to
be answered.
    “The Seer sent me,” she said, looking at
Marcus again.
    I spoke up. “As for the Iron Jaws-“
    “Iron Jaws, ha!” Cassiah spat dismissively.
“They were dealt with as was deserved.”
    I opened my mouth to speak but Cassiah raised
her hand. “So why am I here?” She looked at me intently. “For you,
Jessa. For your child. I must protect the werewolf bride’s child,
the future alpha of the Dark Claws.”
    “Protect him from what?” I placed a protective
hand over my belly. “Another pack?”
    Cassiah shook her head impatiently. “No, no.
While there are some who grumble yet that the last Caprese bride
has been claimed, none will challenge Marcus.” She smirked. “Not
after what happened to the Iron Jaws.”
    I relaxed. My awful hours with Rocco had
taught me to fear wolves outside of my own pack. “If the threat
doesn’t come from other wolves, then who?”
    Cassiah clucked sternly at Marcus. I had the
odd feeling she was enjoying his discomfort. “Didn’t you tell your
pretty bride that werewolves were not the only creatures interested
in her?”
    Marcus glowered at the witch. “She belongs
here. She is our queen and will be a mother shortly.”
    Cassiah looked thoughtfully at my swollen
figure. “That,” she said decisively, “is the problem.”
    I was growing impatient with the way they
spoke in circles.