His Shadow Luna

Chapter 11.

Elene’s brows went up. Riannon and Gideon had informed them that this person was now in the South, but it had completely slipped her mind.

The one who caused all this trouble to begin with.

“Salome?” the Princess breathed out, her fists clenching on an instinct.

“I forgot you two know each other,” Forrest shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal and dropped into a cosy red armchair with a high back. “Salome, I need your services. I need you to make—”

“You!” Elene narrowed her eyes, a growl escaping her chest. “It’s all your fault!”

“Did you really think that bringing her here would be a good idea?” Salome glared at Forrest, not too thrilled to meet the former host of the Luna Trials, where she used to be a contestant. “She would kill me!”

“Oh no, I won’t!” Elene chuckled darkly. “I will grab your hair and drag your sorry ass all the way to—”

“She will not do anything,” the General interrupted. “Because it so happens that the Princess needs your help.”

Elene froze, still not seeing what she could possibly need from that witch.

“You want me to heal her ruined face?” she asked, pointing at the Princess’ scars. Forrest jumped back to his feet before Elene lunged at the other woman, standing like a barrier between them.

“I can heal myself!” Elene hissed.

“We need something else,” the General interfered. “I want you to hide her face.”

“Excuse me?” Salome parted her lips in shock. “Have you read too many supernatural books? Potions changing someone’s face do not exist.”

“This is why I used the term hide her face,” the General corrected. “I am sure you can create an illusion or something.”

“Or something—” the witch muttered sarcastically, still stunned. “I can make someone see a vision of her, but to make her look like a different person is a whole different matter. Witches can make themselves look like others, but this kind of glamour doesn’t work on shifters.”

“All I hear are just excuses for your poor skills!” Elene sneered, and Forrest grabbed her hand, pulling her slightly away to de-escalate.

“Princess,” he whispered, covering her away from Salome. “Let’s not forget that you need her help and not the other way around.”

“Let’s not forget I wouldn’t be here if she didn’t use the loyalty token my brother gave her in a stupid honourable urge, bringing our army to the border, making us look like the bad guys!”

“And, she regrets that,” Forrest leaned lower to look straight into her eyes. Elene felt a rush of goosebumps run over her whole body at this unexpected closeness. “I assure you. Look around. This is her prison because she took the blame for everything.”

“It didn’t help us much, did it?” Elene finally managed to step away from him. His scent was overwhelming, and she was beginning to lose the rational thread of thought.

“Not because she did not try. It’s because the men who wanted and still want the war worked against us. This is exactly why I need you and you need me. And we need her. We all— have needs—”

Here we go again, Hades groaned. Seriously, Forrest, you are such a smooth talker! Why does the first time you fail me have to be in front of our mate?

“Needs,” Elene repeated the word, coating it with venom. She peered at Salome, who was already looking for something in a huge ancient tome.

The witch looked gorgeous. Just like the rest of her kind. Cascading down her back, her glossy black hair flowed past her waist, a silken river of night. Salome’s red gown boasted flared sleeves that danced with her every movement and were adorned with elaborate embroidery, the threads of which wove intricate patterns. Crafted from the most expensive silk, the garment followed the most recent design trends, hugging Salome’s slender form.

Elene slowly looked around, realising that this was a state-of-the-art magical laboratory. The living part of the room seemed cosy, spacious and comfortable. The witch was not suffering here, even if she was a prisoner.

And Forrest loves witches… Ximena clearly did not know anything about Salome. Did it mean that she is Forrest’s dirty little secret? His mistress even? Is that how she survived all that?

You are overthinking, Bia rushed to calm her human down. I don’t feel s****l tension between them.

I don’t care! Elene cut her off, not wishing to discuss this further. Just more reasons to reject him!

“Okay,” Salome nodded at the page she was reading and glanced at the couple. “I think there is a way.”

“We are all ears!” Forrest smirked and turned to look at her.

“I need to place a curse on her!” the witch announced.

“Hard pass!” Elene growled defensively, a part of her worried that this was all a trap.

“You are not cursing her,” the General folded his arms over his chest calmly. “Not an option. Think of something else!”

Elene’s gaze snapped at him, a rush of unwelcomed emotions coursing through her.

“Then I give up!” Salome announced and closed the book. “This is something else! There is a curse that will not change her face but will make others see someone else instead of her. You need two personal things from both people, and— well, I have already said it- it’s a curse. I can arrange a very easy curse breaker in case—”

“No, you are not cursing her,” Forrest stopped her. “Can you curse me instead? So that when I am near her, people see someone else instead of her? Can that work?”

“It’s harder, but I think it can—” Salome brushed her finger over the instructions in her book.

“No!” Elene heard herself saying. “Not him.”

Her eyes locked with Forrest’s, and she noticed how his throat bobbed.

“An object,” he said, but for a second, she didn’t understand what he was saying. “Can you curse an object?”

“Hmm,” Salome turned a page and then nodded approvingly. “Yes, I believe it is possible. How many weeks do I have?”

“An hour,” the General gave her an apologetic smile.

“You are cutting me without a knife!” the witch rubbed her forehead. “I can try but— it will have limitations.”

“What kind of limitations?” Elene asked, gulping.

“It will work for a day, and then you will have to come back here,” Salome explained. “To, let’s say, recharge it. A good curse like that requires more time. This is all I can do with what you are giving me.”

“Good enough,” Forrest said. “An object it is.”

“Fine,” Salome sighed. “I will need two personal things. One from you and one from the person you want to look like.”

The witch walked to a cabinet full of colourful potions and began her preparations, searching for ingredients.

“Whose things can we take?” Elene glanced at Forrest, but he was too busy staring at her chest.

“Take off your bra.” His voice was hoarse.

“Excuse me?” Elene felt her cheeks heating and caught Salome watching them both curiously. That gaze was different, though. She didn’t feel malice like when Ximena looked at her.

See, Bia gloated. Told you so.

Oh, yes! You are amazing. Our mate sleeps with just one witch and not two. That we know of. Yay! Elene grimaced in her mind.

“I am not taking off my bra! Are you crazy?” she hissed.

“It belonged to Aconite, and now it belongs to you. There wouldn’t be a more perfect person to pretend to be than her,” Forrest tried to explain. “So, either you give me the bra, or you will have to say goodbye to the pants or t-shirt.”

Swearing under her breath, Elene went behind one of the shelves and attempted to take off the undergarment, quickly discovering that it wasn’t that simple.

“What’s taking so long?” Salome rushed her, already placing a cauldron on the professional stove. “The clock is ticking!”

“It’s— easier said than done!” Elene complained, realising she was stuck in all the strings.

“I’ll help—” Forrest’s low voice sounded right behind her, and her breathing hitched.

“You can’t—” she tried to protest, but he placed his hands on her shoulders first.

“I am not going to look at the front and just try to help you from here, okay?” His tone was soothing, and she could feel he intended to keep his word.

“Okay.” Elene gave up. “It doesn’t have a clasp—”

“All right,” he hummed, and she felt his fingers on her t-shirt. “We will have to get rid of it first.”

Absolutely! Hades encouraged his host via the mind link. Off with it! Clothes are overrated and I am speaking from the experience.

Forrest grasped the vest’s edge and pulled it up, his fingers brushing over Elene’s skin, raising every hair on her body in anticipation.

“So smooth—” the General whispered and the Princess licked her dried lips, happy he couldn’t see it.

“What’s smooth?” she breathed out, instantly regretting her question.

Forrest paused for a second.

“The fabric,” he answered after a while.

“Right!” Elene eagerly agreed.

“I will have to pull it all off you as well,” he said, leaning towards her ear, his lips dangerously close.

Can you feel her marking spot? Hades growled, barely able to contain himself. It’s pulsating because we are near. Because this woman is ours.

For a moment there, Forrest was lost in the desire to sink his canines into her flesh and mark her right there. Claim her and call her his.

This, however, would be wrong on so many levels.

He found the problem and hooked the black strings of the bra with his fingers.

“If only the circumstances were different,” he chuckled into Elene’s ear and pulled the torturous thing off her, watching her golden blonde hair bounce against her silky skin.

Elene wasn’t sure if the hour was already up or if it took them a moment, but when she saw Forrest stretch his hand with the bra, she hugged herself, covering her exposed breasts and breathing heavier than she hoped she would.

“Done,” he said, his voice barely a whisper.

“Give it to Salome then.” She found herself unable to meet his gaze, a tempest of feelings whirling inside her.

The General cleared his throat. “Dress up and go. Meet me later at the exit. We can’t arrive there together.”

“Of course,” she agreed because it was reasonable, but a subtle disquiet festered within her, silent but insistent. She couldn’t tell why it bothered her so much, but she dressed as quickly as she could and was about to leave the room without saying goodbye to any of them when she tried the door and realised it was locked.

“Here,” Forrest was next to her in less than a second, keying in the code and not trying to hide it from her. “Elene, I—”

“Don’t waste time,” she interrupted him and started walking away. “See you later.”

Forrest watched the door close behind his mate and a heavy sigh escaped his chest.

“You are so screwed!” Salome giggled, mixing the potion in the cauldron.

He ignored her remark, knowing that it was true. The memories of him undressing Elene still circulated in his head, clouding his judgement. Who knew that a mate would have this effect on him after just a few days?

“Ensure that the people who have already seen her here do not realise that her face changed to the illusion,” he reminded. “I want them all to believe they have always seen Aconite.”

“Of course,” the woman agreed. “I am not an amateur.”

“Thanks.”

“How did she even end up here?” Salome stopped just for a second and their eyes met. If anyone knew how tricky the situation was, it was the two of them.

“A long story. I will have to tell it to you another day,” Forrest shrugged. “About the pendant I brought to you last time—”

“It was a tracker,” she informed him. “I fixed it. In a way that it will never show your location again.”

“And?” He arched his brow at her.

“And you already know if you are asking me!” the witch gasped, covering her mouth. “Forrest! Is she your mate? Is that how you found out?”

“Don’t say these words out loud,” he stopped her. “It’s a safe place but—”

“But your second-in-command betrayed you.” Salome checked the potion again and then placed the bra on a wooden altar she created personally, preparing for the spell.

“Exactly.” Forrest looked out of the window, watching the cars being prepared for his trip.

“So, do you want to make her bra magical?” the witch snorted. “Because I can.”

“No,” the General shook his head. “I have something else in mind.”

***

Elene was ready on time, a new ridiculous bra in place after half an hour of struggle. At least the underwear was adjustable unlike the rest of Aconite’s clothing. The hood of her jacket was covering her head, the red silk hiding the healthy side of her face as always.

Amir, Issa and a few other assassins were training nearby, probably wishing to show off before their General. Elene waited next to the car.

Ximena strode out first, another tight black leather dress hugging her every curve. A shifter would have never worn something like that, but for a witch, it was probably a matter of taste. If a witch had to run and fight physically, she was a bad witch. This was why their wardrobes were always full of the most extravagant outfits if they were into that sort of thing. In the meantime, shifters always had to think of possible turning into a huge beast. Not every fabric was good for that and leather was absolutely the worst.

Ximena’s amber eyes darted at Elene and the Princess straightened her back instinctively, knowing she was assessed.

“What are you doing here?” the witch’s lips curled into an unpleasant sneer. “We are going to the Alpha Convocation. Murderers are not allowed.”

“I am following my orders, ma’am,” she really tried to hide the poison in her voice but years of being a royal made it really hard to pretend. She got away with so much back in the day that now it was finally backfiring at her.

“What did you call me?” Ximena stepped closer, some sort of magic crackling on the tips of her fingers.

“I’m—” Everything inside Elene craved to repeat the word even if it meant trouble for her.

“I am sorry, I am late, Xi!” Forrest walked out of the main entrance and the driver walked to the door of the black car, ready to open it. “You look divine today.”

“Thank you.” A smile bloomed on the witch’s face.

“Aconite, good that you are here,” Romero continued and threw something at Elene. She barely managed to catch it. “This is for you. We are taking you outside after all, and I don’t want all that,” he gestured at her face, “to scare people off.”

Elene’s lips parted, blood rushing to her temples, fury ready to explode every moment.

“I don’t know if it will help her dear,” Ximena chuckled. “It’s a good thing she can always hide in her shadows.”

Elene clenched the “present” in her hands, contemplating shoving it up the witch’s ass.

However, the next moment she realised what she was holding…