Free Saving Grace by Bianca D'Arc Page A

only three of us, and the process is
relatively simple. I’m just nudging something along that is already
in progress. It can’t hurt you. I’m just not sure how the wild
magic of this place will respond to a large gathering of bears.
We’re very magical in our own right, and if the place isn’t
prepared for the influx of power, the results could be a little
unpredictable. I want to be sure I’ve got the circle used to our
brand of magic before I invite the whole town up here.”
    Jack was still skeptical.
    “Look, I promise you’ll be safe. When have I
ever steered you wrong?”
    Jack had to admit Gus had always been true
blue. He’d never done anything that would make Jack doubt him, but
this time, it wasn’t just Jack’s neck on the line. He turned to
Grace.
    “What do you think?” Part of being mated was
having a partner, and Jack intended to start as he meant to go on,
asking Grace for her input on the important decisions that affected
them both.
    “I can feel the goodness of the place,” she
said, looking toward the stone circle. “It repels the evil in the
ocean. Already, the call is diminished to almost nothing.”
    “It’ll be gone the minute you step into the
circle,” Gus promised.
    “I can’t believe anything could harm us
there,” Grace said. “We have places like this on the ocean floor.
Places sacred to Neptune and his servants. If that’s what this is,
then I think we should go ahead. It’ll work out as fate
demands.”
    “Interesting perspective,” Gus mused. “When
this is all over, I’d love to talk to you about your people’s
beliefs, if you’re willing.”
    Grace looked surprised, but pleased by Gus’s
interest. But that wasn’t getting them anywhere. They had a
decision to make.
    “Look,” Gus said, seeing Jack’s obvious
reluctance. “Come into the circle. Get a feel for it and see what
you think.” Without waiting for an answer, Gus started walking
again, heading directly for the nearest standing stone.
    “Are you really okay with this?” Jack asked
Grace once more before making any sort of move.
    “Yeah, I think it’ll be okay. I’m getting a
good feeling from the place. You’ll see.” She reached up and cupped
his cheek. “And just for the record, I love it that you’re so
careful of my safety.” She kissed him briefly, then turned and
started walking, tugging him by the hand after her. She was headed
for the stone circle.
    Sure enough, Jack felt at peace the moment he
stepped inside. Gus, as usual, had been right. Nothing evil could
get to them here.
    The power of the place tasted almost feral
though. Strong and untamed. But benevolent in its own way. It had
matured a bit since the last time Jack had been up here with John
and his new mate, when she’d set the last of the permanent magical
wards that now protected the cove.
    “Can you feel it?” Grace turned to him,
wonder in her eyes.
    He rumbled a reply while Gus went around to
the four compass points, chanting something under his breath. Jack
wasn’t too concerned. He’d seen his friend do that sort of thing
many times, in many places. Gus was the guy all the shifters in
their unit went to when they had spiritual or magical problems,
which were often one and the same.
    Since they’d come to Grizzly Cove, though,
Gus had been out of sight much of the time. He hadn’t really been
involved with the creation of the town, preferring to build ties
with the Native peoples just to the south. And then, he’d gone back
east, to Long Island, seeking counsel from a Native medicine woman.
Big John had sanctioned both moves. It was only smart to have
someone interface with the closest group of humans, and Gus was the
logical choice because of his spiritual leanings, and all knowledge
was useful. Getting extra training was something John always
supported in anyone under his command.
    In general, the bear shifters meshed well
with the Native Americans of the area, and Gus’s very nature seemed
to earn their