Claws

By Karolyn Cairns

In the sequel to Talons, Tania has woken up after her forty year slumber. She has a ravenous hunger to reclaim Eli,the one she sees as her true mate.
Vivvie and Eli return from their honeymoon overwhelmed with raising their young. Vivvie allows her doubts and fears to destroy her mate's trust.Renounced by Eli, she seeks out Jericho,her only friend, in a dream. The demon changes the rules, demanding the tribute its owed.
The demon held Tania for years to reclaim the power stolen from it by the ancient shaman centuries before. It demands an unthinkable token to give Tania all she wants, forcing Vivvie into an unspeakable pact that threatens all she holds dear.
The prophecy has reached full circle. The savior to the tribe has yet to be born. A race to outwit both the demon and Tania makes Vivvie allow her growing feelings for Jericho.
Embracing her new nature and seeking to protect her children and her mate, Vivvie realizes too late what the demon seeks and the price of her own happiness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karolyn Cairns
• Release date: Apr 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476251431

Karolyn Cairns

Karolyn Cairns-Black lives in West Virginia with her husband Adam and three rescue dogs. She's busy at work. Its been a great year. She just wrapped up the fifth and sixth installment of The Wicked series in two parts, both available now.The follow up novels in The Viking Horde series are underway. Collin and Meghera's story titled A Viking's Heart is in works, the third in the series. The fourth installment about Joran and Allisande's son Storm is finished, to be published on the heels of A Viking's Heart. Two more novels are intended about their daughters Star and Wynter.Karolyn also writes suspense thrillers under the pen name KJ Black. The Gift Horse, her second novel was a finalist winner in the Greenlight Award Contest.Karolyn enjoys reviews and comments from her readers. She thanks you for all your encouragement and support!

Book preview

**~~~**

CLAWS

By

Karolyn Cairns

**~~~**

Copyright 2012 by Karolyn Cairns

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and didn’t purchase it, or it wasn’t purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

**~~~**

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I’d like thank Smashwords for their effort in helping writers get their work to the people. With that said; I’d like to thank the readers who inspired me to continue this series and appreciate their clever incite and helpful suggestions.

**~~~**

DEDICATIONS

This book is dedicated to my beloved Glinda, my own good witch, and the cat that inspired these novels. I’d like to think Glinda has the power of one of these cats in my stories.

**~~~**

Chapter One

Jericho looked relieved when the text message from Eli popped up. We’re back. His yellow-green eyes narrowed. They’d been gone a month. An extended honeymoon in Australia no less. The duties of running the compound fell upon him with Gideon and Derek in Florida with Ty.

Vivvie took their twin infant son and daughter with them. Not much of a honeymoon in his experience. He could imagine Vivvie spent most of her time chasing her young up trees than enjoying the Outback.

What did he tell Eli?

Jericho knew he should have told his leader their female elder awoke from her slumber. He couldn’t intrude upon their happiness. Now that Tania was awake after forty years he realized her mind had changed during that time. After hundreds of years of keeping all three Alphas jumping to her tune; she chose Eli for her mate.

And Eli fell in love, mated, and married the Newbreed in their tribe, Vivvie Collins, while she was sleeping. Tania was no longer confused of which of the three of them she wanted. She woke up with Eli’s name on her lips and in her heart. Finally, she chose among them. Gideon took the news poorly, retreating to blow things up at the new compound in Florida.

Jericho took it better, seeing firsthand Tania changed in the years she slept. She wasn’t the same woman who founded the compound two hundred years before when they came here. Ty’s twin sister and the lone female elder was now a self-serving bitch who manipulated all those around her.

Tania refused to acknowledge Eli’s recent marriage to Vivvie and declared it a complication they would soon rectify upon his return. Jericho thought of Vivvie’s reaction and glared at the mountain of paperwork in front of him. He’d rather be under the hood of his 1960 Chevelle right now.

Running the compound this last month was easy compared to what lay ahead. He didn’t envy Eli when he returned to discover Tania was awake. His leader believed she would never wake up. They believed the overuse of her gift put her into a deep, coma-like sleep.

Tania could invade their enemy’s dreams and kill them while they slept. She’d done it for the betterment of the tribe for years. Eli’s guilt was profound as he sent her in that last time.

Tania was not the same. To look at her was to acknowledge she was still radiantly beautiful with her dark chocolate brown hair and startling golden eyes. Her personality was altered. He no longer knew the woman who bore his twenty-seven children.

Jericho refused to go to her bed when she beckoned to him now. He watched instead as she made the rounds among their younger brethren. She had few morals when it came to scratching her own itch. After forty years of sleep, she was more than a little frisky and refused to deny her own pleasures.

Cat fights among the women were regular and heated. The queen asserted her rights, uncaring if the males were mated or not. As a result, many couples approached Jericho with the desire to leave. It was approved by Eli before he left. Shifting into their panther counterpart was controllable now that their evolution progressed. They didn’t have to hide anymore.

Jericho was sad to see many of the tribe leave this last month. Eli believed them stuck in their ways. Immortality proved too tempting to them. He would be shocked to see how deserted the place was now.

After the war with Ryken’s army of Halflings, the demon cursed them once more. They couldn’t die. The nine souls they once had were now one. They were immortal. They could live among the humans if they wanted and many did.

Only fifty or so remained within the compound where there once was over two hundred before the war. Families were the first to leave, desiring to live in suburbs now instead of the restrictive community. The young ones left then too, obvious they wanted more choices in mates than what was to be found here.

Jericho warned them all before they left. They healed instantly when wounded and immortality was realized, but with a price that remained to be seen. The demon never just gave anything to them. It remained to be seen what it wanted now.

They could also still turn humans; forbidden by their kind. Did they listen to him? He thought not and grimaced to think of Eli’s reaction. Countless humans had been turned the last month, all dumped in Jericho’s lap when their makers bailed on them.

The Newbreeds were all terrified and difficult to control. A handful went feral already and Gideon was there to put them down. The condition was irreversible unfortunately. When the Newbreeds turned and made their shift, they needed guidance to control it. If not, the animal took over. Several humans paid the price already. Several reports of animal attacks and savage murders were all over the city.

Eli was going to have a meltdown.

Gideon was clearing his schedule for the next couple of months, looking forward to killing something. Since they were immortal; the body had to be dismembered and separated so the limbs and head couldn’t reattach and regenerate.

Jericho felt sick to think of how Gideon figured that out in such a short time. The general was always looking for something to take out his frustrations on these days. Learning Tania hadn’t chosen him hit him hard.

Since Eli’s marriage to Vivvie, their leader allowed their people more freedoms. He realized they needed to find some meaning to their existence. Jericho privately felt they would run amok and was right. He predicted trouble.

Trouble arrived as Tania poked her head into the conference room.

Is my Elijah back yet? she said in that purring tone he despised. The hair on the back of his neck stuck straight up. She smiled in feline pleasure at his disgusted expression.

They’re on their way from the airport.

Jericho, you really should try to stay out of this, she advised as her golden eyes flashed a subtle warning. I mean to have Eli back. This little Newbreed will stand aside, you will see.

Jericho thought of Vivvie and grinned widely. Somehow he didn’t see her bowing to Tania in anything. The fur would fly, he knew. Tania would realize all too soon she lost Eli. His leader adored Vivvie and their twin offspring. He wasn’t about to give that up to defer to Tania’s wishes.

The female elder refused to choose between them for years. She mated with all three of them to start this community, viewed a martyr then. She made her choice and seemed to ignore the obvious. Eli was no longer waiting for her.

Vivvie isn’t one to stand aside, Tania, he told her in amusement. No, you will find our Newbreed very much calls the shots with Eli. You should consider that before you humiliate yourself.

Her perfect features flushed at his words, eyes narrowed to golden slits. I will have him back! This Newbreed might have her claws in him now, but Eli loved me once!

Once, Tania! Jericho bit back, his yellow-green eyes glowing in fury. Once we all loved you! You couldn’t choose one of us, as I recall. You went to all of us then. He tired of the wait! You should take my advice and join your brother in Florida. Ty will be happy to have you there.

She looked furious at his words. I go nowhere! This is my home! I won’t allow some upstart Newbreed take what is mine!

He’s not yours, Tania, Jericho replied patiently, seeing she refused to face this one truth since her resurrection. He’s mated and he’s happy at last. He’s made his choice. You should stand down.

You’re just jealous, she fumed and a soft hiss escaped her perfect lips, making her appear feral. You tell me this just so I’ll go back with you.

Jericho chuckled and shook his head, eyes devoid of amusement. No, you’ve lost me too, Tania. I can see you’re not the same woman I loved.

Her face hardened at his words. Perhaps you should join Ty in Florida then, Jericho. The change will do you good.

Ty and Gideon have things well in hand there, he informed her with a grin. I’d rather stay here and watch you make a fool out of yourself.

Tania bristled under his amusement. Then you will be disappointed. Eli will come back to me, mark my words. This little Newbreed can’t possibly hold his attention. My Eli has unquenchable desires.

Jericho rolled his eyes. He loves her, Tania. Eli has changed. He wants only her now. He no longer seeks others.

We shall see, Tania said as she stalked into the conference room and leaned down to push aside the mountain of paper and command his full attention. I know you think you know Eli’s mind. That was before I woke up. He won’t want her now. I’ll seek him in his sleep as I always did, you will see.

And she’ll be there to close the door in your face, Jericho replied with a knowing wink. She does have your gift, you recall? You might think twice before you try undermining Eli’s marriage. Vivvie is a scrapper.

Fury made her eyes glow molten to know the Newbreed received her gift through her grandson Ryken. To know her rival for Eli had that rare gift of their kind was a blow. It was obvious to Jericho she didn’t like sharing her gift.

We will see which way the wind blows in this, Jericho. I mean to have him back.

Why? he asked, annoyance flaring in his gaze.

What do you mean? Tania asked with equal irritation. I love him; that’s why!

You don’t know its meaning.

You’re just sour I chose him and not you, Tania observed and rolled her glowing gold eyes. How disappointed you must be, Jericho? What has it been? Two hundred years? Or is it three now?

Two hundred and twelve, he offered with a tight smile. Long enough to know a waste when I see one; you weren’t worth the wait.

Tania watched as Jericho got up from the conference table and gathered up his papers. He left her without another word. She smiled as she saw he left behind his phone. She frowned as she picked it up. These modern treasures were not available when she took her sleep.

Still, the message there made a thrill of excitement course through her. We’re back, it said. She could hardly wait to see the look on his face when he arrived to find her awake and ready to start their life together.

The Newbreed had nothing on her. Even if they shared the same gift; she refused to see Vivvie as a threat. She would reclaim her true mate. Jericho was wrong. Eli belonged to her. He might have strayed but he would be hers once more.

Eli always had amazing appetites, she recalled with a shiver of remembrance. Even more than the others; he made her burn for him. They had all been her eager lovers once. Those were the good old days, she reflected with a delicious sigh and purr of pleasure.

She would go from Gideon’s bed to Jericho’s, ending the evening in Eli’s arms. Who would have wanted to choose one of them? Eli grew tired of the challenges and battles in those days between him, Gideon, and Jericho over her. All handsome and raging Alpha; they fought over her constantly, some losing souls in the process.

She was sent to her room to choose after a battle left both Jericho and Gideon torn and bloody once more. Eli forced her to her apartments under armed guard until she decided. He would not allow any more violence.

She could forgive Eli’s taking of a mate. He would come back to her.

Her hand trembled uncontrollably. She frowned as she clenched her fist. This weakness in her limbs was not wearing off as it should have. Her hunger came swiftly, making her nostrils flare. She decided to go up top to hunt. A look at her rival was called for.

~ ~ ~

Vivvie hefted the giant stuffed koala bear and large bag of souvenirs. Her husband pulled the necessary leashes bearing their children. The twins growled and spat at one another. They snarled and fought every step of the way.

Vivvie’s eyes softened to see her husband glance back at them. He spoke sharply to the pair with his gift, able to talk to them with his mind. The pair mewled and purred as they followed their parents through the underground parking garage now.

Eli’s twin teenage sons arrived. Evan and Ewan were identical twins, born to the one of the women of the tribe. They were there to unload their luggage; trying to tackle each other more like it.

One look from their Father’s piercing stare and the pair instantly calmed down. After greeting their Father and petting their new siblings, they made off to the SUV to get their bags.

Vivvie could see Eli’s patience was wearing thin. The trip back to the United States aboard the private jet was inundated with problems. The pilot was one of them and quite understanding when Devon was rescued from the wing during midflight.

His sister Elaina gnawed the wiring to the onboard TV. They faced the twelve hour flight without entertainment. Their honeymoon in Perth was enjoyable. Eli practiced deep-sea diving and Vivvie practiced climbing trees to chase her young. The decision to take their offspring was debatable when the pair got into mischief.

She and Eli were constantly shifting to chase their son and daughter down the beach. Dragging them back within their jaws, they’d eyed one another in obvious disappointment. They picked the worst times to act up. They were allowed few opportunities to enjoy one another, much to Eli’s displeasure.

Now I know why parents eat their young, he muttered on more than one occasion the last month, repeating it as they made their way to the doors to the compound.

After twenty-three kids; you’d think you’d have more patience for ours, Vivvie snapped at his unkind words.

Eli glared at her as he yanked on the leashes, pulling their snarling children along with him. Making them was one thing. I rather enjoyed that part. Dealing with them at this age is another. Are we going to argue this again? I didn’t ever have to do all this before.

So now you have to raise your own children? I’m so sorry. Isn’t that what you wanted when you married me? Vivvie asked in outrage, green eyes glowing in fury. Whatever! You’re being an asshole!

Eli was furious. His blue eyes glowed down at her. I’m not fighting with you today, Vivvie. I’d like to relax and unwind after that miserable flight. Is that so much to ask?

She bit back another comment. Her husband stalked past her inside the doors and undid the leashes. They watched as their offspring shot away and chased one another, skidding down the winding hallway. Where they would end up was anyone’s guess.

No one said this would be easy, Eli, she told him as he stared after them with a perpetual frown on his handsome face. I thought this was what you wanted? You wanted a normal life. Well, this is it. Fathers help raise their children. I’m new to all this. I need your help.

Eli sighed and looked down at his petite wife with a reluctant smile. I’d like to help you out of that sundress. That’s all I’m up for right now, wife.

Vivvie giggled at his words and rolled her eyes. We better not. I feel the heat coming on again. I don’t feel like repeating this experience in eight weeks. Two is enough for now.

Eli looked miserable at her disclosure. I suppose a hand job is out of the question then?

Vivvie glared at him. Is that all you ever think about?

I think about other things too, Vivvie, he replied huskily with a knowing look that took her breath away as he came near, sniffing her appreciatively. I just keep coming back to that.

Vivvie smiled, a deep purr lodged in her throat at his heated look. That had never been better between them. Their sex life was an adventurous romp. Her husband had an unbelievable appetite and stalked her on a daily basis.

They heard a loud crash somewhere down the hall. They both stiffened to hear the growling of their young. The spell was broken. That annoyed look once more filled her husband’s gaze.

It’s your turn, he informed her quickly as he took the stuffed bear and bag from her.

Vivvie stomped away, knowing quite well whose turn it always was. Eli might be making an attempt at modern fatherhood, but it was clear she had more ‘turns’ than him. She was disgusted as she heard his laughing at her back.

When you get them to settle down, I’ll be in our bedroom waiting for you, my love

She ignored his words in her mind as she looked for their children. One only had to follow the trail of debris to find Devon. The boy was constantly getting into things, destroying things, and eating things she chose to not think about.

His twin sister Elaina was the exact opposite. Vivvie saw her former OCD alive and well in her daughter. Elaina was showing all the signs of it. The little girl wore that same tight look she had for years. She was impossible at times with her ritualistic behaviors. Though they were only a few months old, they were the size of two year-olds now in their human form.

They preferred their animal form, staying in full shift now. Eli said it was normal at their age. It amused the other tourists on their trip as they petted the pair when they went sightseeing, but annoyed Vivvie to the extreme.

Vivvie longed to look at them and see normal children. She wanted babies; she got kittens. She wanted children; she got unruly young panthers. Motherhood proved to be more like a zookeeper’s job.

When she thought of all that she wanted for herself in the past, she quelled the wistful image of normalcy. That went out the window when she was bitten by Ryken. Her life before she was bitten would have been construed as miserable by human standards. She struggled to pay her rent in those days, going from one roommate to the next. Her car was falling apart and going to college was getting further and further from her goals.

Her Father and her stepmother thought she was dead now. She resisted the urge to reach out to them; even knowing it was forbidden. Her face joined many missing person posters now. Agent Whitlow of the FBI seemed determined to stay on the case; even if she was suspected dead. Ty said the agent was relentless.

Those days were best forgotten. She was a Newbreed and the mate to the compounds leader. She still didn’t command the respect as the mate of a Chief. The tribe’s women still refused her presence, going silent when she walked into a room. Some still hissed when she walked by.

The males kept a respectful distance but she felt their hungry gazes, knowing they would think nothing of mating with their leader’s wife if she gave them any sign. Eli was convinced they could control their natures. He was giving monogamy a chance. She knew his nature was tested, seeing and smelling the temptation around him daily.

Vivvie walked through the large TV room where dozens of leather couches sat and multiple flat screens were placed strategically throughout. Movie night wasn’t what it used to be with so many gone. They lost nearly one hundred and fifty members of the tribe when Eli allowed them to leave. Jericho informed Eli of it on their way in to prepare him. They also had six Newbreeds now, a fact that outraged her husband.

The young within the tribe had turned over twenty humans in their quest to blend into the population of Denver. Some they turned went feral and were put down. The remaining four young women and two men were brought here. Jericho handled their training in Eli’s absence. Vivvie’s eyes glowed to recall how scared she was when she arrived.

Jericho seemed to enjoy having four new females to play with. Two were breeding as a result. Eli was furious over his friend’s irresponsible behavior but the breeding of an elder within the tribe wasn’t regulated as the others were. Jericho being Jericho took it upon himself to horde the four with no other Alpha in residence. The young women doted on the elder. She giggled to know they followed him around and worshiped him. Eli knew many of the tribe would be back when they realized they needed the tribe to shoulder the secret of what they were. For that, he read his friend the riot act on his cell phone from the airport for his adding to their numbers.

Living in suburbia for one of their kind was laughable. Many trickled back already, mumbling about human barbeques driving them berserk. They complained about the noise, the shallow pettiness of humans. Most of all they complained of seeing domestic housecats in windows or abandoned on the streets. They knew where they stood in the world, seeing their kind in cages at zoos.

Vivvie knew many swallowed their pride to return, unwilling to acknowledge their leader knew best. Eli always warned them to be careful for what they wished for. The younger ones wanted out from under the control of