Karen Whiddon - Shades of the Wolf

“Helped them?” Tyler wasn’t sure he understood. “Anabel helped cult members locate Lilly?”

“Yes. She led Lilly into a trap. Both Lilly and Anabel almost lost their lives with that one.”

“Why? Why would she do such a thing?”

“She was confused.” Juliet sighed. “And hurting. After David died, Anabel became convinced that Kane McGraw was her mate. She wrote him letters. He never responded. When Anabel learned Kane and Lilly were true mates, she went a little...crazy.”

Now everything fell into place. “That explains the way everyone at the—” about to say police station , he caught himself “—in town treated her. Like she was dirt.”

Expression sad, Juliet nodded. “Folks have long memories around here.”

He shook his head. “I’m sure she had her reasons. Anabel’s energy shows she’s a good person. Did she say why?”

“Maybe if you ask her, she’ll tell you,” Juliet said gently. “It’s her story to share or not. Meanwhile, I’d like to know what you need someone with power for.”

Eyeing her, he made a split-second decision and decided to trust her. “A powerful warlock has taken my sister—and maybe a couple of others—captive. I need power to locate them.”

“And fight him,” she finished. “I see. I’m not sure Anabel is your best bet. She’s powerful but completely untrained.”

“What about you?” he asked.

But the older woman had already begun shaking her head. “I am not nearly powerful enough. In fact, Anabel is the most powerful witch I’ve ever known. It’s in her blood.”

“Then I have no choice,” he said. “Maybe you can train her, if you can do it quickly. There’s not a lot of time. My sister’s life is in danger.”

She blinked up at him. “You’re a ghost. You should be able to find your sister.”

“Yes, that would be true. If a powerful warlock wasn’t shielding himself and her.”

“Oh.” Juliet still sounded stunned. Shell-shocked, even. “Do you know who this warlock is?”

“No.” Tyler glided toward the doorway. “Thank you for visiting with me,” he said.

“You’re welcome.” Her wide smile attested to the truth of her words. “If there’s anything I can do to help you and Anabel, let me know.”

“I will.” And he winked out, reappearing in Anabel’s living room. She hadn’t arrived home yet, which was probably a good thing. She’d seemed pretty freaked out, and the last thing he needed was for her to make a panic-fueled decision to try to send him away again.

Her cat hissed and puffed up his fur immediately upon seeing Tyler. The long-haired black beast had been enjoying a sunny spot on the carpet near the front window. As cats went, this one was large and appeared powerful.

“It’s okay, cat,” Tyler said, lowering his voice and trying to sound friendly. “I’m not here to do any harm.”

Apparently, the feline believed him, as he settled back down, turning his head and pretending to ignore Tyler while grooming his fur and stretching, all at the same time.

Tyler guessed this was a good thing. He’d never had much to do with cats, like most shifters. The two species—wolf and feline—were natural enemies. Tyler supposed it was a measure of Anabel’s uniqueness—or maybe her power—that she had a cat as a pet.

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway heralded Anabel’s arrival. She slammed into the house, looking around wildly until she saw him.

“You are trouble. Nothing but trouble,” she cried. “My life was already messed up before you arrived, but you’re making it even worse.”

He grimaced. “I’m sorry. I have no choice.”

“How?” she demanded. “How do you even know your sister’s in danger? You’re dead. How the heck would she be able to contact you?”

“Her energy reached out to me. She asked me to save her from him. She’s pretty desperate. Who wouldn’t be, in her situation?”

“I want no part of it. I’m done.” Straightening, she waved her hand, giving him a flat, cold stare. “I want you to leave.”

Though he knew she couldn’t see it, her power flared, radiating from the edges of her fingertips as she pointed at him.

This time, he had no choice but to do as she commanded. As the compulsion filled him, he felt himself being pulled away, as if a giant vortex had opened to suck him right back out of this world.

“Wait,” he shouted, desperation fueling his words. “You can’t let my sister die. This is your chance to atone for what you did to that Lilly girl.”

Instantly, the energy sending him away faltered and then dissipated. Relieved, he wiped his hands down the front of his pants.

Anabel sighed, looking down before meeting his gaze. “Juliet told you about that?”

Glad now that he’d stayed and talked to the other woman, Tyler nodded. “She did.” Impulsively, he moved forward and put his hand on her shoulder. Of course, she couldn’t feel his ghostly touch—heck, he could see through his own fingers—but the gesture made him feel better. “My sister is only twenty-five years old. She doesn’t deserve to suffer like this.”

After a moment, she nodded. “I’ll try my best. I can promise you that. As to this mysterious power I supposedly have, I don’t know what to tell you about that.”

He took a deep breath, deciding to bulldoze ahead since he really had no choice. “Juliet said she could train you.”

Her beautiful bronze eyes narrowed. “Oh, she did, did she?”

Might as well tell her the rest of it. “She told me you’re descended from a long line of powerful witches. Your mother died before she could train you.”

“Or even tell me.” Moving away from him, she sighed. “My mom was killed in a fire when I was three. My dad got me out and went back for her. He died too.”

“I’m sorry.” He considered and then decided, why not? “If you’d like, when this is over, I can try to find their spirits too.”

“We’ll see.” Spinning around, sending her gauzy black skirt flaring out around her like a flamenco dancer’s, she headed into the kitchen. “I’m starving. It’s long past the time I normally eat lunch. I hope you don’t mind if I eat.”

“Why would I mind?” he asked, genuinely curious.

“I guess I assumed eating was something you missed,” she said, flashing a tentative smile. The power of that smile almost brought him to his knees.

Stunned, chest tight, he wondered if all the men in Leaning Tree were blind. Anabel was the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. And eighteen months of being a widow was long enough for every red-blooded man to make a move. How was it that they weren’t beating a path to her door? That was something he’d never understand.

If he’d been alive... As soon as he had the thought, he pushed it away. He wasn’t alive, hadn’t been for a long time. No point in tormenting himself with what-might-have-beens.

Oblivious, she’d turned away and had already started sautéing something in a cast-iron skillet. Curious, he moved closer, frowning slightly when he realized the thing was full of vegetables.

“Where’s the meat?” he asked. “That’s the one thing I do miss. As a carnivore, I liked a nice rare steak.”

“Eww.” She actually shuddered. “I’m a vegetarian.” Then she watched him, apparently waiting for him to react to her joke.

Laughing, he obliged her. “Good one.”

She shook her head, turning back to the skillet. “I’m serious. When I need protein, I turn to other sources like beans, nuts, soy and grains.”

Horrified, he eyed her. “It’s a wonder you’re not sick. Shifters need meat. End of story.”

“Really? You’re entitled to your opinion, but I haven’t had meat in over a year. And I’ve never felt better.”