“Are you insane?” I hissed, and I yanked Kalina away from him. “I can’t drop a baby!”
“That’s not Kalina,” Ethan said. His voice took on a growling undertone.
I went to protest, but the words in my throat died as I watched Kalina’s skin turn from pale to green, scales blooming all over her form, her hands sprouting sharp talons. The creature opened its eyes and revealed yellow eyes with slits for pupils, and a mouth full of bloodthirsty fangs.
My mouth dropped open in shock as the baby in my arms morphed into a monster. I realized with horror exactly what was going on.
Kalina was gone, and in her place had been left a changeling.
I gave a shriek as I realized Kalina had been kidnapped. But that scream died just as the changeling lunged for my throat.
Chapter Nine
Ethan
The changeling was aiming for the kill, and Emma was the target. I reacted quicker than I knew I could, slapping the changeling from her arms. The creature went sailing across the room with a loud cry and slammed into the wall. Kazim woke up and began crying as the changeling got to its feet and gave a loud wail. I transformed into a wolf and stalked the creature, pinning it against the corner.
The changeling hissed and spat, swiping its claws at me. I jumped forward and nabbed the creature in my jaws, biting down hard. The blow snapped the creature’s spine. The changeling stopped wriggling, and went still as it accepted death.
I let the changeling drop from my jaws. Black blood oozed from the puncture wounds on its body. Emma picked up Kazim, cradling him against her chest. Emma bounced Kazim in her arms to get him to stop crying, but he wouldn’t calm down. The boy only wailed louder as I began to examine the room for clues.
“Was that thing placed here to kill us?” Emma asked.
“No. It wouldn’t have attacked if we hadn’t realized what it was,” I said. “It would’ve continued to pose and grow as Kalina, to serve the ruse. For years, even.”
“But where’s Kalina?!” Emma demanded.
“Someone must’ve taken her, and left the changeling in her place.”
“Oh, gods.” Emma began to sob, and she held Kazim tighter.
Adrenaline and panic raced through my veins as my legs threatened to buckle beneath me. I was on the verge of losing control, but I had to remain calm. We wouldn’t find Kalina if we couldn’t keep our heads.
“What about Kazim? Is he a changeling, too?” Emma asked.
“No. That’s him. I recognize his scent,” I replied. “But Kalina hasn’t been here for at least an hour or so. They must’ve taken her when you were busy with your ceremony.”
“This doesn’t make any sense. Why take one twin and not the other?”
I had no idea. I used my shifter sight to determine what kind of creature may have been here. I saw some kind of forked footprints embedded in the carpet. There was a rich smell like blood, although there wasn’t any to be found in the area.
That could only mean one thing. I changed back and frowned, wondering just where they might’ve gone.
“Stryga.” My tone darkened as I realized just what we were dealing with.
“What are they?” Emma asked.
“Strygaare a type of demonic fae undead. They’re similar to vampires,” I explained. “They’re usually young women who’ve been killed in a violent way, who rise from their graves to take revenge on the living by feeding on them.”
I’d dealt with a couple back in my vigilante days. They were not easy monsters to kill.
“Do you think they’re working for Droga?”
“If that’s true, I don’t know why they didn’t slaughter everyone in the house.”
“Droga has to know we’re here.”
“He’d have been here by now,” I insisted. “Thesestrygamust’ve found us first, and are taking the news back to Droga as we speak.”
