Dark Ice by Connie Wood Page B

Dane’s instincts kicked in a split second later and he spun on his heel to see what held Darius’ attention. A huge white hawk, its feathers reflecting the balcony’s lights making them almost luminescent, landed on the edge of the railing.
    “What the hell is Avery doing in town?” Darius headed toward the floor to ceiling glass sliding doors, opened them and stepped out.
    Dane followed him into the cool night air. The beautiful hawk transformed into a woman he hadn’t seen in many years. Dane was kin to very few shape shifters and Darius was one of the only ones he felt any deep feelings for. But most of the shifters knew each other, even if by reputation only. And some of the shape shifters had known each other for what felt like forever, even if their paths did only cross from time to time.
    “Darius, Dane,” Avery greeted them with a nod of her head.
    Dane nodded his greeting.
    “Avery, what brings you here?” Darius’ voice was slightly cooler than usual and Dane instantly understood why. This was his home, his sanctuary and tonight it had been unexpectedly invaded twice. The animal in him was probably trying to protect his territory.
    “He does,” she answered, nodding toward Dane.
    “I only just arrived, how did you know I’d be here?”
    “Where else would you go? I already went to the woman’s house to see if you’d been there, but I guess I just missed you.” Avery tilted her head in a very bird like manner and eyed him with curiosity.
    “Why did you go to Lea’s house?” Dane demanded.
    “I was curious. I saw her in the street and your scent was all over her. I went down for a closer look and guess who was protecting her? Rin” She said his name with a bitterness that sent shivers down even Dane’s spine, but then after what he did to her, he could understand why.
    “Why is the venator watching Lea?” Dane clenched his hands into fists to try and control his rising anger. Too many shape shifters were becoming involved and now the venators were starting to show interest. He’d never meant for Lea to get caught up in his world. That was why he left her to sleep as his heart broke from what could never be.
    “I don’t know why he was protecting the woman, only that there were a few shifters showing a lot of interest in her. But what do you expect if she goes around reeking of you?”
    “Watch your tongue, hawk,” Dane warned. He was obviously in no mood for her smart mouth which was renowned to be as sharp as her talons.
    “What did the venator do with the woman?” Darius asked.
    “He took her back to their headquarters, I followed them. They were still there when I left. I waited for Rin to leave, but he never did,” Avery said, slight disappointment edged her words.
    Rage pounded through Dane at the thought of Lea in venator headquarters. She would come to no harm there, but they were his enemy and she was his woman. He didn’t know how or when he started thinking of her as his, but he knew it with every fiber of his being. She belonged with him, not with those who hunted his kind.
    “Thanks for letting us know,” Dane heard Darius say, but his thoughts were with Lea. Now he knew where she was, he was going to get her.
    “No problem, tomodachi .”
    Dane started at the word. It had been a long time since anyone considered him a friend. In his isolation in
Alaska
, he’d forgotten there were some who still regarded him that way.
    “Thank you, Avery,” he said.
    She bowed her head and turned on the railing, about to transform and take flight.
    “Be careful of the venator, Rin,” Dane warned her, this time with true concern in his voice.
    “Don’t worry. I won’t make that mistake again.” She turned and in an instant turned into a white hawk. She let out a haunting squawk and took flight over the city.
    Dane immediately turned and strode toward the front door. He reached for the handle when a strong hand clasped his shoulder and stopped him. Dane growled deep in his