Deserted (Shadow Beast Shifters Book 4)

Reece and I didn’t speak again. In fact, it was extra-quiet at the table as everyone took in the sights of the room and waited for the food to be delivered. In the Desert Lands, they had a special system for the distribution of items, sending it on the backs of large—

‘Sand turtles!’ Mera exclaimed as the creatures slowly entered the space between tables, bearing trays on their backs. The trays were piled high with a variety of desert specialties, including a few deep purple gry, a native fruit similar to that of the cacti.

‘They do look like those huge land turtles from Earth,’ Lucien said, tilting his head as he watched the dark green yeth graba meander down the lanes. Their shells were smaller than land turtles, which wasn’t the only difference. The yeth had an exoskeleton, with a protective length of spiny protrusions down their heads and backs.

When a tray moved by our side, Reece reached out and lifted it, placing the five-foot length of brown pamolsa branch across the diameter of our table. Soon after, another tray with glasses of liforina showed up as well, and then it was time to eat.

Conversation after that centered around the food as more trays went past, and Mera asked a million questions about what each delicacy was. With anticipation brimming in my gut, I reached out to take a piece of gry fruit, wondering if the taste would live up to the sweet scent.

Reece intercepted me as I chose my piece, nudging my palm toward a smaller one on the right. ‘This one is riper,’ he said shortly before turning away from me to resume chatting with Alistair.

For a moment, I debated ignoring him and taking the original piece I’d been aiming for, but as I glared at the side of his face, I saw his lips twitch like he was expecting that response from me. Swallowing my stupid pride so I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of being right, I took his suggested slice, all the while knowing he’d won either way.

The thick, rough purple exterior had a slice in its side, so I dug my fingers in and pulled it all the way apart, exposing the bright magenta flesh. The pulp and seeds glistened, and the smell was mouthwatering, with both sweet and tart olfactory notes. Lifting it to my lips, I avoided the shell, biting into the flesh, and groaned at the first hit of flavor.

It was sweet, but as it danced across my tongue, heat followed. “Wow,’ I murmured, intrigued by the duality. “It tastes nothing like I expected but is strangely addictive.”

Mera leaned forward and nodded. ‘Right? It’s weird but awesome,” She reached for a second piece. ‘Like a cantaloupe had a baby with a dragon fruit, and then cayenne sneezed on it.’

I grinned around my piece as I bit into the flesh before dropping the skin into an empty bowl on the tray. Grabbing a towel that had been included with the table setting, I wiped off the excess juice. ‘It’s fun to finally taste these foods. I spent years breathing in their delicious scents.’

That caught Reece’s attention, and he inclined his head my way. ‘It’s a nice change to see you eat, rather than just play with your food.”

‘I’m all about change these days,’ I said with a smile, hoping to keep the mood light.

He didn’t answer, but thankfully I felt no anger from him either. Which for us was definitely a win.

The music picked up as we continued to eat our way through the many dishes. I tried their broth—made from all the parts of the junifer plant, which grew multiple berries and had edible roots—along with some butle roast, which was a meaty dish from their only domesticated livestock bred specifically for food consumption. Most residents of this world did not eat meat, but for the ones who did, butle was their only option.

‘Delicious,’ Mera said with a groan, a slice of the tender roast in her hand. ‘Tastes like prime rib, and damn, I’ve missed a good cut of steak.’

Len laughed. “You might not be a shifter any longer, but you still eat like one.”

Mera shrugged because what could she say? Girl liked her meat. In all ways.

When I was full, I decided to push my luck and see how far this amicability between Reece and me would stretch. ‘When you were out today, did you discover anything in relation to who is disturbing the sacred lands?’ I asked him.

If my question took Reece by surprise, he showed no signs of it. ‘Yemin turned out to be fine, once we questioned them further, so Shadow and I focused on Rohami. For the reasons we discussed. There’s an undercurrent in my land. Rohami and… maybe Guardians.”

It wasn’t surprising that those were the two suspect dynasties. Both close to the Delfora. Both infused with extra power. “Tsuma stopped by the tent today looking for you,” I told him. “She was a little… off. Do you think she knows anything?’

Reece’s eyes glittered in the arcs of light that reflected off the ochre detailing around us. ‘She found me too, and I declined her offer to dance with Zena.”

Pretending I didn’t care about that, I didn’t even comment on it. “Did you not notice anything else odd about her? It’s just… she hugged me, and Mera might have eased us into this touching thing, but it still struck me as unusual.”

Reece shook his head. “I think Tsuma is doing her usual matchmaking, but other than that, she’s been uninterested in politics for many years.”

She’d mentioned as much, but the niggle of unease inside me wouldn’t ease. Maybe that was the whole Zena thing, though. “Okay, so back to Rohami. Which families do you suspect?”

“Tattliner and Jorts,” he said, lowering his voice. “They’ve both recently changed leadership, their elders aging out, and they want more power. They want to live forever and utilize the sands. They have means, motive, and opportunity with this gathering.”

From what I knew, both of those families were midrange in the power hierarchy.

“Their elders’ deaths would have created a power void they’ll be hoping to fill,” I said, thinking it over. “Are you saying both elders died at the same time?”

Blue eyes met mine. ‘Yes, which is exactly why those two clans are at the top of my list.”

“And Guardians… You suspect them because they’re so close to Delfora, able to move freely in the flats?’

He nodded, drawing in a deep breath as he stared across the tented area. “The ritual to raise the gods,” his voice grew lower, “would require a massive burst of energy to get moving. Then someone would have to make it along the valley of the dead to cast a ritual upon the pillars that seal that land. It would take beings closely bonded to the Delfora.”

Right, and if you couldn’t have Reece for that job, someone from Guardians was the obvious next choice.

“Why are you already feeling unease in the Delfora if they’ve not yet started the ritual?” I asked, leaning in even closer as a few Crani crossed behind us, heading toward the dance floor.

“The ritual is not complete, but it could have started,” he murmured, eyes nearly glowing. “I sense they have been in the Delfora prepping the area for this plan. Since I’m rarely here, they never expected anyone would know or feel, but I’ve grown more powerful… my connection stronger.”

‘They’re not going to like that you’ve returned here,’ I whispered. ‘If what you suspect is true, you need to watch your back because you might be the only being who can stop them.’

The smile that slowly spread across his face was not a nice one. It promised death on swift desert storms to whomever was disturbing the peace of this world. ‘They should fear me. I will get to the bottom of this, and I will stop them from whatever they’re planning. When I’m done with them, not only will they not have the eternal life they’re hoping for, they won’t have any life.’

Len leaned in from my left side, clearly listening in. “This is the best time to flush them out,” he said. “Maybe we can just split up, create a sense of vulnerability among our numbers, and see who really wants to put a knife in Reece’s spine.”

“Other than Angel, you mean?” Reece shot back quickly.

I tsked. “You know I prefer the throat. You’ll always see me coming.”

He laughed, and the sound tore through my chest, leaving me wondering if I was actually bleeding out on the dinner table. “Touché, Lale. You don’t need to deceive to be feared.”

I tried to laugh with him, but there was so little breath in my lungs I settled for a smile.

“When do you want to start this plan?” Len asked.

Reece sobered. “Not this moon. For this opening ceremony, we should focus on observing and keeping up appearances. The new-moon is when it will all begin.’

Trusting Reece knew what he was talking about, I got right on board with that plan—tonight, I was still going to have my dance. Pushing to my feet, I moved around to help Mera up as well. “Dance time?” she said, already bopping to the beat.

“Yes,” I replied, leaning toward her ear. “Battle starts tomorrow in the new-moon, which means I still have this moon for dancing.”

“Woohoo!” she shouted, pumping her fist and drawing attention. “Let’s get over there.”

A new beat started, and now I was the one about to fist pump. “This is my favorite song and dance,” I said in a rush.

Reece, who was on his feet as well, crossed his arms over his broad chest, drawing my attention to all the visible skin. “You still remember the Deduna Lalita?‘

‘Every beat and every step,’ I replied, managing to focus on his face again.

Before he could distract me further, I linked my arm through Mera’s, and together we made our way to the hard flooring. We weren’t the only ones there either, with many of the dynasties having finished their food already.

“Do you know all the dances?” Mera asked.

I shook my head. “Not a chance. There are hundreds, but I definitely know my favorites.”

“I wish I could dance it with you,” she said when we reached the edge of where the Desertlandians were already gathered. “But I want you to have so much”—she coughed, and I could have sworn she said cock before she cleared her throat and finished with—“fun. Have so much fun.”

I barely managed to hold in my laughter. “You’re the fucking worst,” I said, “but I love you.”

“I love you too.” She gave me a shove. “Now go and enjoy your dance.”

Stepping toward the crowds gathered for the Deduna Lalita, I let the familiar beat clear my mind and spirit. Reece had seemed surprised that I remembered the steps, but how could I ever forget? He had taught me this dance, as he had so many of their customs here.

He’d brought me into this world, and it was his fault I’d fallen in love with it.

Part of me would always belong to the Desert Lands, and this was my chance to feel it all. A chance I was not wasting. Even if I danced this alone, nothing was stopping me from entering the Deduna Lalita… The Long Dream.