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“They met long ago in British Columbia. But this is my problem. It started with me. No one else has visions. Or hellhounds. I’ve stayed away from home for a long time. They live in Hawaii now but I don’t dare go visit them. I can’t put them in danger. And now…I feel like I’ve put others in danger…Julian.”
“Your species is rare. But they say chameleons hold the magick to all beings.”
“My mom didn’t want to talk about it. It’s just something we always were. We have no pack. Many of us often live among humans. It’s a solitary life. My sister, Tessa. She recently joined up with a pack of bears. She’s more out in the open than I am but there’s none like her in the bear pack. She fits in though…they socialize in small groups, not too much for her to handle.”
“You?”
“My circle is small. It’s hard to make friends. Or keep them. Every few years I have to move on. I can’t stay in one place very long.”
“Do you have any idea what might be happening? Is it possible our magick is connected somehow?” Julian asked, already knowing the answer.
“You know how these things are. The Goddess has rules. Take vampires for instance. Vampires drink blood. They can heal with their blood. Vampires typically bond with humans. But sometimes witches.” Samantha winked at Luca. “Vampires cannot procreate…except sometimes they can with witches. Wolves mate with wolves…” She pinned Julian with a stare. “But sometimes they can and do mate with other shifters, depending on the magick.”
“What are you trying to say?” Julian knew full well what she was fucking saying but no. Just a big nope. This is not happening.
“Yes, magick sometimes bends those hard rules. I mean look at Luca and me. Not only did we bond, but we also have a child which is virtually impossible.”
“No wait, are you trying to say that ...” Cassia’s eyebrows furrowed in thought. Her eyes widened as she processed the witch’s words. “No. No! No, that’s not possible.”
“I’m just saying there may be many possibilities. I didn’t say I wouldn’t help guide you. But I encourage you both to explore and think very hard about what I’ve said. Nature will have her way.”
“Yes, well, about those protections—” Julian changed the subject.
“So here’s what I do know. Not all hellhounds are as they appear,” Samantha continued.
“How do you mean?” Julian raised an eyebrow at her.
“It all comes back to how the hellhounds were created.” Samantha rose and crossed the room, reaching for a large bowl of black bamboo sea salt. She set it on the table in between them and knelt. She flattened her hands into the granules, appearing to rinse her hands in it. The black salt glided over her fingertips. “The hellfire of the fae. It’s its own magick. Forged deep in Hell it creates. But the thing is that the dark force who controls Hell, we all know he once was an angel. So try as he may, he couldn’t shed all of the light.”
Samantha cupped a scoop of black salt into her right palm and closed her fingers around it. “So sometimes, no matter how hard the devil tries to control his kingdom, goodness is created from the hellfire.” The witch turned her hand, releasing the salt, which had transformed white as snow.
“I assure you it’s no trick. You see hellhounds sparked of hellfire, but they all come to their existence in their own way. When a hellhound chases you, it has a reason. Perhaps it’s been sent to capture you. But it also is capable of seeking help.”
“I don’t think these things want help and even if they did, I don’t know what I could do.”
“You will need to make a choice to keep running or take a stand.” Samantha reached under the table and retrieved a black velvet bag. She held it over the bowl and filled it with salt. “Keep this with you. It will deter the hounds from hurting you. If they get close, a mere sprinkle will send them back to Hell.”
“Thank you,” Cassia said.
“Any idea who would be after a chameleon?” Julian asked. “Those people in Idaho … the humans. They clearly had something planned for her.”
“She’s a rare creature. Perhaps they are collectors. Or they could be working with or for demons.”
“If they had a taste of her energy …” Julian began. They’d want to drain her. “They shot at her that night. She could have died.”
“She is unmated,” Samantha noted.
“What does that have to do with it?” Cassia’s eyes flared with anger.
“Your power is unusual, unique. You’re like a virgin creature to them. Not sexually speaking, but you’re available.”
“She’s not available,” Julian corrected.
“I’m not certain of their origin but if you can investigate and find any clues, I might be of assistance. It’s hard to tell. To be frank, there’s a lot of bad people in this world, both humans and paranormal.” Samantha focused on Cassia. “Your powers are interesting. The visions are outside of the parameters of what most chameleons can do. You’re gifted. It’s possible they are drawn to it. The hellhounds, though … I’m sorry but at some point, you will have to face them.”
“I don’t know about that.” Cassia shook her head.
“As for you and the Alpha, perhaps the fire at his home was a warning. Or possibly even an intentional attack. If Cassia’s attackers see you as a threat. If they didn’t see her leave … well then, you were the last person they saw. I’m sorry I can’t provide more than that.”
