GAHRYE

Gahrye swallowed again and his breath caught.

"What… did you say?

"

"You didn't tell me you were a disformed,

" the Bear clan leader snarled.

"I… I didn't think it was relevant.

"

Gawhr snorted the air from his nostrils.

"Only the disformed are ever rejected by the portal.

"

Gahrye blinked. Did the bears know about the Protectors? Trying to shift his weight so that the rock wasn't digging into his back, he kept his eyes on Gawhr's as the bear straightened, his one eye narrowed as if he were measuring him.

"I can make you full Anima again, if you would choose it. I know how.

"

Gahrye's jaw dropped open.

"I… how?

"

"I know the way. The bears do. This is why we have no disformed. We can… alter you.

"

His head spun with elation, with fear, with suspicion—every feeling, every emotion. How could he possibly—?

"Why would you even offer me that?

"

"Because life for the disformed is… difficult. And you drag down the tribe. It is better for all if you become one of us.

"

Gahrye was stunned.

"But… the disformed… we're here for a reason.

"

"Oh? And what reason is that? As evidence of the evil ones? To betray the rest of us to them? Reth's Anima may have forgotten the legends, but we have not. The picture is clouded, but at least we seek it. Two things are known: The voices are the enemy of the Anima—they would kill every one of us if they could. But so few Anima use the Portal, they seek to free themselves from its prison through us. By crossing, we offer them that opportunity—which we should not do! But you… the disformed, you are the ones who seek the humans, to mate, to befriend. Always. You are the weakest of our links. You bring the rest of us to our knees before the enemy—because you are driven to the traverse.

"

"Not all of us—

"

Gawhr growled.

"Those who don't know of it remain a drain on resources, and hearts. Yet you breed like rabbits. What good purpose do you see in that?

"

"I…

" Gahrye's heart sank. The bear Alpha didn't know about the Protectors. He knew some twisted version of the new histories that had been created by their ancestors.

Gahrye slumped back onto the stone floor.

Gawhr grunted and his face softened—if rock could be said to soften.

"It isn't your fault. You were, indeed, made this way. Not because of the Creator's great plan, but because you are here to test the rest of us.

" The bear's eyes sparked.

"The bears have learned the answers, we have determined the best course. We are not without mercy. If you wish to become true Anima, to give up your attachment to this place, to these evil things, I will help you.

"

His eyes were bright, fevered, and Gahrye's stomach sank to his toes. He recognized the light of a zealot—the bigots had always had them. The Anima who believed they were uniquely informed, uniquely enlightened. Who believed themselves to have answers everyone else needed.

They were as dangerous as the evil ones, because it is always harder to sway someone who has surrendered to something they believe is right, than someone who seeks their own interests. At least a selfish person could be bought.

Gahrye closed his eyes and prayed.

"I… I choose to be who the Creator made me,

" he said through his teeth.

"Whether you can see the purpose in that or not.

"

Gawhr sighed as if Gahrye saddened him.

"Of course you do.

"

"Please, Gawhr, I have no desire to begin a war between the bears and the other Anima. Reth doesn't want conflict with you. I truly came against his orders. He has sought to sustain your agreement. I came because… because I needed my mate.

"

Gawhr's lip curled up and back, to reveal his teeth.

"I give you one last chance. If I was unclear, hear me: The draw of the portal is mystical. The beings that inhabit the traverse are evil. And the disformed are uniquely vulnerable to their call. You are unwise to seek it. If you have already crossed safely, it is the mercy of the Creator—perhaps to bring you here, so I can heal you. I will give you this choice only one more time: Would you choose to become a shifter? If so, I can provide the means to you. If not, I will release you to your desires which you cannot control, and abandon you to the evil ones. But it means you must never return to Anima while the bears walk the WildWood. If you do, we will hunt you down so you cannot bring the voices to our people.

"

"I… I appreciate your offer, Gawhr. Truly. Had you made it a year ago… but I cannot. The Creator has given me a purpose, and I must see it through.

"

Gawhr snorted the air from his nose.

"Stupid, stupid male,

" he ground out. Before Gahrye could respond, he continued.

"You are rejected by the Portal because you are dirtied. I will wash you clean and return you to your roots. May the Creator have mercy on your soul.

"

He picked Gahrye up by his shirt and the back of his leathers. Gahrye groaned, but couldn't fight the bear's strength. He was fairly certain his ribs were broken, and his knee had been wrenched so that it felt too loose.

He scrabbled with his hands, desperate to get to the portal, to get back to Kalle, but instead the huge male dragged him outside and threw him in the creek.

Gahrye couldn't breathe when he pressed up, out of the water, his ribs screaming, and his body shocked with the cold.

But Gawhr hadn't been lying when he said he would wash him clean. He stripped Gahrye down and scrubbed his wounds until they were clean, then lifted him bodily again.

Gahrye shuddered against the pain and tried to reach for his bag as they passed it in the tunnel, but the bear kept him too high, out of reach.

"Wait! Wait! I need my knife!

" he screamed as Gawhr approached the portal again.

But the bear only cursed and threw him through the shimmering surface without another word.