Powerful Awakening [L.U.S.T. 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Tonya Ramagos Page B

intricately woven over a silver wire of delicate design. The four primary gemstone parts could be separated, but when all were fastened together by the silver toggles of an ancient flower shape, the respective powers combined to render the wearer true immortality.
    Michael had insisted she wear it despite knowing it had come from Le Mort. Andrew had agreed. Their Rebecca had not been the believing type, immediately dismissing anything to do with witchcraft, creatures, and power as hogwash.
    “Apparently some things do change from one life to the next,” Andrew muttered as he pulled his thoughts from the past. “I’ve got a good feeling our Chrystal is the believing type.”
    “Would this Chrystal be the reason you haven’t acknowledged the summons our master has sent you?”
    Andrew stopped in his tracks as the once-deserted sidewalk suddenly wasn’t empty anymore. He recognized the one who spoke in an instant, a were-bear named Marlo who belonged to Nikolas’s pack. He didn’t know the taller, lankier man with Marlo, but sensed him to be another of Nikolas’s shifters.
    “I don’t have a master, Marlo. Now, get out of my way.” Andrew pivoted with the intent of walking back down the sidewalk in the direction he’d come from, but the fucker with Marlo stepped in his way.
    Tall Lanker snarled. “You swore your allegiance to Nikolas just as we did.”
    “I swore my loyalty to a were-tiger with a noble cause, one where he provided training and a safe haven to ones like me without knowledge of what had been done to them or any place to go.” Andrew whirled on Marlo. “Just like you.”
    Marlo bared his human teeth in a gruesome attempt at a smile. “Times have changed, my friend.”
    “I’m not your friend,” Andrew said tightly. “I have made Nikolas the offer I am prepared to make.”
    “Money.” Tall Lanker had started to circle Andrew, his pupils narrowing to slits in his bright blue eyes.
    A were-cat, Andrew realized. Well, now that he knew what shifters he was up against, he could more easily plan which one to take out first if they started a brawl. He hated to fight, hadn’t done so in decades, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t do it when he must. “It will be necessary for the plan Nikolas intends to carry out.”
    “You think you can buy your way out of everything, don’t you?” Marlo sounded disgusted.
    “No. I don’t even try. And I don’t bare my teeth and claws for a cause that is only meant to bring one shifter into more power. I’m not as stupid as Nikolas seems to think I am. If he were really out to rescue that were-lion, I would have his back in a heartbeat. That’s not what he’s planning. He’s using the kidnapping of that were-lion as an excuse to start a blood war between shifters, one he thinks will land him in the rule as king. That’s something I will not be a part of.”
    The were-cat had circled behind Andrew again. He pushed hard at the back of Andrew’s shoulder. “You will be a part of it if the master says you will.”
    Andrew lifted that shoulder as if he didn’t have a care in the world, inwardly preparing himself to let his beast free for the first time in decades. “Tell Nikolas to take the money. It’s all he’s going to get out of me.” Marlo stood in his way now and he sidestepped the were-bear with full intention of going around him.
    Marlo sidestepped, too, right in his way and partially shifted, baring his large teeth and claws.
    Andrew did one better, bringing out his fangs and claws. Top that, you son of a bitch. He felt a rush of power behind him and expected to be double-teamed as Marlo lunged for him. If the were-bear fully shifted, his size would be a challenge, but Andrew’s inner wolf could take him. He hoped. Hell, he was out of practice for this shit.
    He launched himself in the air. Marlo stumbled off balance as his shoulder grazed the front of Andrew’s shirt. The were-bear recovered quickly, spinning around and catching Andrew