Wisdom's Allegiance

by M. D. Grimm

  “Do you know what happened?”

  Dexter shook his head, his knees shaking violently. He reached out and grabbed the side of the building, using it to prop himself up. He groaned, struggling against the sudden nausea, and leaned forward, bracing a hand on his knee.

  He managed to grind out, “Someone started a fire. And I noticed bullet holes.”

  Silence fell between them as they simply breathed. Talon glanced between Orion and Dexter, skin still white and sweaty. Dexter gently set down the clothes and laptop, trying to rein in the adrenaline still spiking. He stared at the laptop, barely remembering grabbing it.

  “I, uh, took his laptop. Not really sure why, but considering his work… I hope the water didn’t damage it too much.”

  Talon’s breathing trembled as he flicked his attention over the laptop. “You understand him better than you think you do.” A long pause followed. “Dexter?”

  He grunted.

  Talon kissed the top of his head. “I love you.”

  Dexter’s breath hitched and he squeezed his eyes shut. “Talon—”

  “Once again you saved Orion’s life. You ran into a fire and saved our mate. I love you.”

  Dexter slowly straightened and met Talon’s beautiful eyes. His voice was rough as he said, “Maybe you should wait to say that until the adrenaline wears off.”

  Talon narrowed his eyes. He crowded into Dexter’s space and kissed him. No tongues, only lips, but the force of it was enough to convince Dexter that Talon’s words were truth.

  Orion whimpered, and they pulled away, both riveted to their elf owl. He cracked open his eyes and warbled in obvious pain.

  Sirens sounded in the distance, police and fire followed by an ambulance.

  “Orion,” Talon said softly, his tone at its most gentle. “You need to shift back, little elf. You need to get dressed. Can you do that for me?”

  Orion let out a soft cry, clicking his beak. Talon nodded as if understanding and knelt down to set Orion on his wobbly feet on the ground. A moment passed before the air shimmered, and Orion lay naked and trembling on the grass. Dexter didn’t think he’d ever get used to seeing something like that. Between the two of them, they managed to get Orion dressed, and then Talon lifted him into his arms, and Orion snuggled close.

  Bruises were forming on Orion’s face, and Dexter’s stomach churned at the sight.

  Dexter looked at Talon. “Someone targeted him. Why?”

  Talon tensed and glared at nothing, his jaw clenched shut. He started to tremble, and Dexter easily saw the rage by his glowing eyes and slithering muscles. He gripped Talon’s shoulder, trying to control his own rage.

  “You need to calm down. You’re rather conspicuous with your shifter thing going on there.”

  Talon flashed him a look before closing his eyes and taking deep breaths through his nose, then exhaling through his mouth. Orion curled tighter against Talon and reached out to clench Dexter’s hand. Dexter swallowed hard and turned to wave at the first responders squealing to a stop beside the building. An ambulance pulled in behind the fire truck and he let out a relieved breath.

  “Come on. Let’s get Orion checked out.”

  Talon said nothing, only followed Dexter. One of the EMTs gave Talon a blanket that he wrapped around himself in deference to the cold. Similar blankets were given to Dexter and Orion as the EMT got to work on Orion. Talon hovered near Orion, practically plastered to his side. Dexter vaguely realized he was holding Orion’s laptop under his arm as a campus officer pulled Dexter away from his boyfriends.

  It took ten minutes into Dexter’s recitation of events to realize it was the same officer who had taken his statement after he helped Stacey against her ex. The officer seemed to recognize him as well and smiled slightly.

  “You seem to always be in the right place at the right time,” Officer Monroe said. His pretty blue eyes warmed, making his rugged face more handsome.

  Dexter shrugged, uncomfortable. He kept Talon and Orion in sight out of the corner of his eye and was glad Orion was now sitting up with an icepack to his cheek, and the EMT was checking him over. Another officer was questioning him, and Talon watched the officer like a hawk. No, more like a fierce owl determined to protect his mate from further distress.

  “So you didn’t hear an argument?”

  “No. Like I said, someone came out of the building, but I was too far away to see who it was. But there are two security cameras down that hall and more than a dozen in the building. They had to have captured something. Plus you have to use an access card to get into the building after hours. Uh, but you know that.”

  Officer Monroe nodded. “We’ll check everything out. Don’t you worry.” He paused to scribble on his notepad. “You said you saw bullet holes.”

  “Yes. The fire hadn’t spread too far, but I thought I saw bullet holes in the desk and wall. I didn’t look too closely, though.”

  “You said you were meeting the victim—” Officer Monroe checked his notes. “—Orion Matias, for your lunch?”

  Victim. Jesus, how sinister could a word be?

  “Yes. He was working late grading papers.”

  A harsh wind picked up, and Dexter hunched his shoulders and yanked the blanket tighter, tucking the laptop under his arm. He smelled like smoke and his coat was drenched. He hoped he could get the stench out of his clothes.

  “And what is your relationship with Mr. Matias?”

  Dexter blushed and cleared his throat. What should he say? The truth? A white lie?

  “He’s our boyfriend,” Talon said, voice ringing clear. He stepped up and laid his arm across Dexter’s shoulders, glaring at the officer. “And if you’re done with him, I’d like to take my partners home. As I’m sure you can surmise, one of them has just survived a traumatic event and needs comfort. You know where to find us if you need more information.”

  Officer Monroe raised an eyebrow at Talon’s fierce tone and tapped his pen against his notepad. “Can you think of anyone who’d want to harm Mr. Matias?”

  “No,” Talon said before Dexter could speak. He kept silent, letting Talon take the lead. The secrecy of the shifter world was still new to him, and he didn’t want to make a mistake.

  Officer Monroe squinted at them. Dexter struggled to keep his expression blank. “Okay, we have enough for now. We’ll coordinate with the sheriff’s office and look at the video surveillance and access entry. I have your information if I need to contact you again.”

  “Thank you,” Dexter managed to say before Talon pulled him away.

  “Are you done yet?” Talon snapped at the EMT.

  She wrinkled her nose at him. “He may have a slight concussion. I still recommend he goes to a hospital to check for any—”

  Talon scooped up Orion and turned, striding quickly away from the sirens and uniformed personnel milling around. Dexter hurried after them, heart heavy when Orion clung to Talon’s shoulders, his face buried in his chest. He made a heart-wrenching little cry that had Dexter tripping.

  He looked down at the ground to discover his dropped lunch box. He picked it up.

  “I have you, my little elf,” Talon murmured. “I have you. You’re safe with me.” He turned to look over his shoulder. “Us.”

  Dexter swallowed despite his dry throat.

  “Where is your car?” Talon asked.

  “Um. Not far.”

  “We need to get him home. He’s hanging on by a thread.”

  “I need to call in—”

  “Then do it!”

  Dexter flinched at the shout.

  Talon gritted his teeth and bowed his head, shuddering. “I’m sorry, Dex. Fuck, I’m sorry. He needs you as much as me. Please, his pain is killing me.”

  “Okay, I get it.” Orion’s pain was slicing into his heart as well.

  As he pulled out his phone, he rubbed Talon’s arm and called off for the rest of the night. His supervisor wasn’t happy, yet when he explained a little of the situation and claimed a persona
l emergency, she immediately changed her tune. It also helped he was her most dependable employee. He hung up and led Talon to his car. They drove in silence, Orion shaking in Talon’s lap, his face still buried. Little sobs broke from him occasionally, and every single one tore into Dexter’s heart.

  Once they arrived and closed the front door, Talon immediately headed into the bathroom and set Orion on the toilet before stripping off his clothes. Dexter set the laptop on the table in the living room, then came to stand in the doorway. He winced at the frightened, lost look on Orion’s face.

  “Strip,” Talon said to Dexter.

  He blinked. “What?”

  Talon shucked off his own clothes. “You heard me. We need to get the fucking scent of fucking smoke off our fucking skin and clothes.”

  Muscles slithered under Talon’s skin as his eyes glowed fiercely. Dexter said nothing else and stripped, self-conscious but more concerned with Orion’s pain and Talon’s anger.

  Talon turned on the water, and Dexter knelt in front of Orion. He brushed a few curly locks from his eyes.

  “We’re here, Orion. You’re going to be okay.”

  Orion’s lips trembled, and then he cried. He sobbed hard and dropped his face into his hands, choking and gasping for air.

  Dexter immediately pulled Orion into his arms and squeezed him tightly. Talon quickly joined them, sitting across from Dexter, embracing them both. They held Orion through his breaking, and only when he quieted and went lax in Dexter’s arms did Talon fill the bathtub with hot water.

  “Get in and hold him in your lap.”

  Dexter nodded and did as instructed. There wasn’t room for all three of them—Dexter barely fit inside—so Talon knelt beside the tub and gently cleaned Orion. With soapy hands, he tenderly rubbed and massaged Orion’s muscles, helping him to calm, the tension washing away.

  Soon Orion was sitting up and washing Dexter, his eyes swollen and red but looking more like himself. Dexter swallowed his embarrassment, knowing Orion needed the intimate comfort. Then Orion began kissing him, little pecks along his cheeks and lips.

  “You saved me,” he whispered before nuzzling his nose.

  Dexter cupped Orion’s face. “Of course I did. I….” He cleared his throat. “I love you.”

  Orion’s eyes widened more before he shot forward and attempted to eat Dexter’s face off. Dexter gasped at the violence and energetic tongue and gripped Orion’s shoulders, hanging on for the ride.

  “Te amo,” Orion whispered harshly. “Te amo. Te amo.”

  Dexter hugged him close and looked at Talon, who smiled at both of them, his eyes and muscles finally calming.

  He stroked his knuckles down Dexter’s cheek. “Thank you.”

  Dexter kissed Talon’s fingers. “I love you, too, even with the stick up your ass.”

  That surprised a laugh out of Talon and Orion. Talon gripped Dexter’s chin and kissed him lovingly.

  After the bath, they dried each other and then lay in bed, Orion snuggled in the middle.

  “What happened, little elf?” Talon asked softly. “Tell us everything you didn’t tell the officer.”

  Orion took a deep breath and petted Talon’s chest. Dexter could make out fear and grief in his eyes. “She was masked. I couldn’t see her face. She whispered at first, keeping her voice disguised. Then she shouted, but I still didn’t recognize it.” Orion met Talon’s eyes. “It wasn’t Audrey.”

  Dexter sputtered. “Wh-why would you say that?”

  Orion shook his head, and Talon exhaled sharply.

  Dexter tapped Talon’s arm to get his attention. “Someone want to tell me what the hell is going on?”

  Talon and Orion shared a look. Orion nodded and snuggled his head against Talon’s chest.

  Talon looked at Dexter. “Not all shifters are warm and cuddly. Many have prejudices just like humans. We aren’t so very different, in fact.”

  Dexter made a noncommittal sound.

  “I should start from the beginning,” Talon said on a sigh. “There are humans who know about us. Some of these humans are special, and they have abilities and gifts that set them apart. Some of these special humans are our allies, and they are part of an organization called the Agency. It’s worldwide and covert. But there is another faction that wants to exterminate us.”

  Dexter gripped Talon’s arm. “I don’t know how much more of this I can handle.”

  Talon reached over and cupped his cheek. “You’re stronger than that.”

  “I’m not so sure.”

  Orion scooted over and turned, snuggling up against Dexter. “Just listen, okay?”

  Dexter exhaled slowly. “Okay.”

  “They were called the Knights, led by a maniac named Arcas. The Agency supposedly dismantled their organization over six months ago, but small units are still active. Arcas was never caught, and he continues to spread his poison. Shifters are still being captured, experimented on, and killed.”

  Dexter swallowed hard.

  “It would seem, due to the continuing existence of the Knights and their activities, a new ideology has arisen among some shifters. They claim that mating with humans and not staying pure within our own species has made us weak.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “They say a shifter should never mate with a human, and a wolf should mate with a wolf, a bird with a bird. That’s what Audrey told us before she came to you. She’s a wolf shifter and has been brainwashed into thinking we are being punished by Phoenix.”

  “Who? I don’t…. Audrey is a werewolf?”

  Talon winced.

  “Never say that to a real wolf shifter,” Orion murmured. “Talk about insulting.”

  Dexter scrubbed a hand over his face. “And Phoenix is who?”

  “Our creator.”

  “Your… oh God.”

  “Not quite.”

  Dexter gave a faint laugh, then fell silent.

  “It wasn’t Audrey, Talon,” Orion said softly. “Her form was different. I didn’t recognize her voice. I couldn’t catch her scent. But she… she….” Orion’s eyes glistened, and he met Dexter’s gaze. “She wanted us to stay away from you.”

  Dexter gaped. “What?”

  “What?” Talon barked at the same time.

  “She called us abominations and said that we were manipulating you. I asked if she was a knight, and she didn’t answer, but how could she not be?” He rushed on, his words merging and tripping over each other. “I think she’s had bad dealings with shifters before, because she thought we would hurt you, Dex. She wanted to protect you. She wanted us to leave you alone. Then she just went all crazy and tried to shoot me, then set fire to my office.”

  His voice cracked at the end, and he buried his face again Dexter’s chest, clenching tightly.

  Dexter’s ears rang in the ensuing silence. He stared wide-eyed at Talon, who also looked dumbfounded. Then rage glinted in the burnished gold of his eyes, and fear and guilt clutched Dexter’s heart.

  “I’m the reason you were hurt,” he said, words barely making any sound.

  Orion shook his head.

  Talon scowled. “Don’t even go there, Dexter. Not ever. You are not the cause, nor the reason, for that deranged bitch to harm our mate. She is responsible for her own actions, and you’re just the excuse she’s using.”

  Dexter shook his head.

  “But who is she?” Orion asked. “It has to be someone you know.”

  “I don’t know anyone who would…. I don’t have many friends and….” Dexter closed his eyes as they began to burn. “I’m so fucking sorry, Orion.”

  Talon pulled them both into his arms, and Dexter struggled to breathe, to not lose himself to guilt and remorse.

  “I don’t blame you,” Orion whispered, kissing Dexter’s chin.

  “Neither do I,” Talon said roughly.

  “We protect our mates,” Orion said. “We stand by them through the bad and good. We stand with you, Dex.”

  “No
one will split us apart,” Talon said, the promise clear.

  Dexter managed a trembling smile. “I don’t deserve either of you.”

  Talon scoffed, and Orion caught his mouth in a sweet kiss.

  Who did Dexter know who would turn murderous to protect him? Beatrice came to mind, but that was absurd. She’d literally thrown him at Talon and Orion. Besides, she was a killer only in words, never in action. She was the sweetest person he knew.

  Stacey?

  He frowned.

  Talon rubbed Orion’s back. “Let’s sleep a bit.”

  “Your internship—”

  “I claimed a family emergency.” Talon kissed Orion’s neck, his shoulder, and then he pressed closer to Orion’s back.

  Orion’s breath caught. He looked over his shoulder. “I know you don’t like to snuggle, so you don’t have to—”

  “You need me,” Talon whispered. “I’m right here.”

  Orion smiled and gripped Talon’s hand, pulling it across his waist. Dexter reached across Orion’s body and touched Talon’s hip. They linked together, and one by one, dropped into uneasy sleep.

  Dexter’s own dreams were filled with smoke, vengeance, and fear.

  STACEY THREW her backpack across the room, screaming at the top of her lungs. She’d seen the cops, the fire trucks. Dexter had come to the rescue of the little abomination. Despite her anger, she’d also felt a strange flash of pride for her friend. Dexter was fearless when it came to protecting those he loved. Even if they didn’t deserve his loyalty.

  She yanked off her boots and sat on the couch, thinking. What else could she do? The shifters would be on high alert now. Dexter was too far under their spell.

  She gnawed on her cheek, unable to shake Orion’s words, the conviction behind them. His words and tone were nothing like Beau. She had to admit that seeing them interact after Dexter brought Orion out of the building and before the cops came had confused her. Their gentle touches and worried looks. The kisses and petting. No anger, no blame. Dexter didn’t seem to fear either of them.

  Scrubbing her hands over her face, a stray thought buzzed through her mind, causing her to flinch.

  Am I wrong?

  She called Kia. She told her what happened, trying to push back her tears. “I have my doubts.”