by R K Close
“You left because you were scared she might reject you. You left so she couldn’t leave you,” Cole said. His face started turning red.
Seth stepped in the middle of us. “Whoa, you two. Let’s take it down a notch.” He turned toward Cole. “Cole, you’re entitled to your opinion, but really, it was Liam’s relationship and his call to make. He did what he thought was best. That’s all any of us can do, right?”
Cole seemed to deflate a bit. He looked down for a few moments and then at me. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Liam. What did I know? I was just a kid.”
His apology eased my temper, but guilt was nagging at my heart. Was there some truth in Cole’s perspective? I was angry because what he said hit a chord with me.
“Are you good, Liam?” Seth asked, turning to me.
“I’m as good as I can be,” I said and reached my hand out to Cole. He looked at it, then grinning, pulled me into a rough hug.
“Okay, now that you two have worked out your issues, can we talk about that thing that came into the bar last night and what we should do about it?”
“Yeah, what the hell was that? He wasn’t human, and he wasn’t like us,” Cole added.
“I’m not certain what he is, but I’m going to bet he’s involved in the death of those two campers. That was either him or something like him that we smelled at the camp.” I looked between Cole and Seth. “But I think I know who might have some information about him.”
“Who?” Cole asked.
“Zoey.” I watched Cole’s eyes grow wide, while Seth let out a long whistle.
“Why do you think Zoey knows anything?” Cole demanded.
“Something she said to me last night,” I said.
A call came in over the speakers. Fortunately, it was for the medics only. We paused our conversation as Dave and Tyler hustled past us to their truck to respond to the call.
“Someone better have lunch ready when we get back,” Dave said before their truck pulled out of the bay.
“We’re on it,” Seth yelled.
Once again, we were alone to talk freely.
“And what did our little redheaded goddess say to you?” Seth prompted.
“It was more like a warning. She referred to him as a breed. She said, ‘you don’t need that breed of trouble.’”
Cole’s eyebrows knitted together. “That sounds innocent enough—like she was just warning you that he’s a troublemaker or something.”
“No, there was more to it. She knows something. I’m going to ask her about it tomorrow,” I said. “Let’s get lunch going. Seth, maybe you can do one of your internet searches. See if shifters have any enemies or go to that Dark Web thing you do. Poke around in those weird forums.”
“Those weird forums have given us more information about ourselves than we’d ever know otherwise. But, yeah, I’ll do it,” Seth said, turning to go into the station.
He had discovered that our condition is called Lyconism—shifter is the slang term used, as in shifting forms. Seth also heard that if we stayed in wolf form for an extended amount of time, we might not be able to change back. I didn’t plan to test that theory. And although no one he’d communicated with had ever confessed to being a shifter, Seth suspected that some were.
THE NEXT MORNING, I was in the office waiting for the next crew to relieve us when Seth came to join me. “So, what’s really going on with you and the reporter?”
“I told you, nothing,” I said, not bothering to hide my annoyance with his question.
“Come on, Liam. This is me you’re talking to. I know you, and you’ve been jumpy and short-tempered since she showed up on the mountain. What gives?”
Seth was always more intuitive than anyone gave him credit for. I leaned back in the chair and ran my hands through my hair. It was overdue for a trip to the barber. Finally, I looked at Seth.
“I don’t know. It’s weird. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like I can barely contain my wolf when she’s around.” I watched Seth’s reaction, trying to determine if he thought I was crazy or if my vague answer meant something to him. “Do you have any idea what I’m talking about? Does that make any sense to you?” I asked, honestly wanting to know.
Seth just stared hard at me. “No.”
“Great. That’s just great. I’m so glad we had this incredible bonding session, Seth.” I started gathering some papers that needed to be filed.
“No, but I’ve read up on it,” Seth said.
He had my attention. “What have you read?”
“Well, you know how wolves mate for life?”
“I don’t like how this is starting, Seth,” I warned.
“Just hear me out. Cole and I both noticed how you reacted to Jessica Parker. It was way out of character for you, big brother,” Seth said.
“I’m not arguing that she isn’t beautiful. I am a man.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Yeah, but would you agree that you feel something for her beyond just physical attraction? Even though you know nothing about her?” Seth challenged.
“I can and have felt a lot of things when I’ve seen a gorgeous woman. You need to make your point fast, Seth.”
“But this is different, isn’t it? I’ll bet that you haven’t been able to think of much more. I’d even bet that you have an overwhelming desire to protect her—dare I add, make love to her.” Seth leaned back and crossed his arms as if he’d made his point. He hadn’t, but he was making sense even if I didn’t want to admit it.
“Yeah. So?”
“She’s the one you’ve connected with. I don’t believe you have a choice in the matter. If what I’ve read is valid, and I believe it is, then you’ve already made the connection,” Seth said, deadpan.
“But she’s not like us. I can smell that she’s human,” I argued.
“Maybe not so ordinary, if she matched with you. Maybe somewhere in her DNA, she’s got some wolf genes. I don’t know. Maybe your perfect mate doesn’t have to be a shifter. I didn’t say I had all the answers.”
The captain for the next shift walked into the office, ending our conversation, and leaving me with more questions about my feelings toward Jessica. And if Seth’s theory has any truth to it, did she feel the same about me?
THE BURNING MOON OPENED by noon, but I knew Zoey didn’t work days. At least, I’d never seen her there before six in the evening. So, I drove to the jiu jitsu gym to grab a workout and maybe get some information on the two campers.
Several sheriff’s deputies were members there and friendly acquaintances of mine. It was worth a shot, and I needed to burn some steam, anyway. Jessica’s lips were on my mind, and I was having a difficult time concentrating on much else.
I found Rob Schaffer sparring with another man I didn’t know. Tossing my bag on the bench, I started warming up with a jump rope while I watched them spar on the mat. Rob was shorter than me, but built like a truck.
It took a good bit of supernatural strength for me to beat Rob when we sparred together, so he knew his techniques. He was also a deputy and might know something about the investigation. Sometimes this information would float around our small community of first responders, but if this proved to be a double homicide, the department would be more careful with what was shared.
When Rob’s match was done, he shook hands and briefly hugged the other man before noticing me and walking over. He collapsed on the bench, breathing hard and dripping sweat.
“Good match, Schaffer,” I offered.
“Thanks. How’s it going, McKenzie?” he asked, still short of breath.
“Not bad. Heard anything about those campers we found?”
He laid his head back against the wall. “Weirdest shit. Would you believe they’d both been drained of blood? I’m not working that case, but what the hell.”
I tried not to act overly interested, since Rob’s loose lips were giving me vital information I needed but didn’t want to know. “That is weird. You ever seen anything like that?” I asked
.
“Never, and I’ve seen some weird shit. Flagstaff has a murderer on the loose. Sort of makes my job in this sleepy town more exciting.” Rob swatted me with the sweaty towel he’d just been using to dry off, then headed toward the showers before I could reply.
What the hell did this all mean? And what did that make the murderer? Who was I kidding—I shifted into a big-ass wolf. Of course, there’s other things stranger than me. Six o’clock couldn’t come fast enough. I needed to find out what Zoey knew and how she knew it.
9
Beaver Street Brewery was busy as usual. I sat at the bar and ordered a burger and beer. Whenever I ate alone at a restaurant, I’d listen to conversations taking place around me and imagine myself in the role of the boyfriend, husband, or father.
My brothers were my family, and I thanked God for them, but on a human, elemental level, I longed for my own family. A wife, maybe some kids. Knowing I would never have that was something I’d come to accept. Remembering Seth’s words about Jessica being my predestined mate had me imagining her by my side and what it would feel like to know I wasn’t alone in this life. Maybe even a family with children. It almost felt real for a moment.
It was difficult to make it through a meal in a small town like Flagstaff, and not run into people you knew, but I managed to finish mine and pay without meeting anyone. I didn’t even recognize the serving staff—only the bartender. There’s something strangely comforting in knowing your bartender.
After dinner, I walked a couple of blocks over the train tracks to the Burning Moon. It was early, and only a few regulars were having drinks. Zoey wasn’t there yet, so I took a seat at the bar and ordered another beer.
I’d had another before she arrived for her shift. She spotted me at the bar and instantly stiffened. She knew what I’d come for or she had a strong suspicion. Her initial reaction to seeing me only convinced me more that she knew something.
I watched her grab a black apron and tie it around her hips. Zoey was an attractive woman, and now she had a bit of mystery floating around her. She’d worked here for only just over a month, but nobody seemed to know much about her.
It was apparent why Cole was so drawn to her. Her demeanor pulled you in, but her words pushed you away. Not that I’d tried, I could appreciate her beauty and personality, but she wasn’t my type.
She greeted the other bartender, then walked over to me. I had a full beer, so I knew she came to talk.
“Hi, Liam.”
“Hi, Zoey.”
She placed both her forearms on the counter, leaning toward me a bit.
“You have questions for me.”
“I do. You knew I would, didn’t you?” I asked.
She stared at me for a moment. Her eyes darted behind me, then she said, “I’ll be right there, Henry.” To me, she said, “Hold tight.”
Zoey walked out from behind the bar and over to the two men at the table in the corner—both locals I recognized. She spoke with them briefly then returned to draw two beers from the tap. Once she’d served them, she returned.
She leaned on the bar again. “I’ll tell you what I can.”
Meaning she wasn’t going to tell me everything. “What do you know about that guy the other night?” I asked. I had to be careful. Let her do the talking without giving any of my secrets away. Cole could have been right, and I may have gotten the wrong idea about Zoey’s comments.
“You don’t know what he is?” she asked, cocking her head to the side. I didn’t respond.
She raised her eyebrows. “I know he’s a vampire, and that’s all that matters.”
I couldn’t hide my surprise. So much for playing it cool. “Are we talking blood sucking vampires or someone who fancies themselves a creature of the night?” I asked, then took a sip of beer. Mostly, I was trying not to show ignorance in such matters. I was utterly floored, even if I shifted into a wolf several times a month.
“I think you know which one I’m speaking of.” Surprising me, she reached for my hand and held it while she closed her eyes for several seconds.
When her eyes opened, there was a softer look about them. She looked sympathetic—which made no sense. “I’m sorry. I thought you were playing games with me. You really don’t know anything about it.”
“How did you get that from touching me?” I asked, unnerved.
“Never mind that. All I can tell you is that he’s a vampire. He’s not that old, but still strong, and deadly.” She searched my eyes. “He is your natural enemy. I think that much you sensed, right?”
I was suddenly on edge that if Zoey knew just from looking at the stranger that he was something unnatural, that she might know about me.
“Why do you say he’s my natural enemy, Zoey?”
“Because your kind and his kind don’t play nice,” she said matter-of-factly.
I felt my hands go clammy, but I had to know. I glanced around the bar to be certain no one was within earshot.
“And what is my kind?” I asked, fearful that she knew, and yet hopeful that someone might be able to tell me more about myself.
“Do you want me to say it?” she challenged.
“Yes.”
A long uncomfortable silence stretched. I didn’t realize at first, but I was holding my breath.
“Wolf-shifter,” she said, deadpan. “Or, a term from the old country would be a werewolf.”
That was the first time I’d heard another person, besides my brothers, call it that. And I didn’t know whether to pack up and leave town or breathe a sigh of relief.
“How do you know this?” I asked slowly.
“I’ve known it since the first night I served you here. How I know is not important. The fact that you’re naïve about yourself and the potential threat the vampire presents is the issue. The vampire that came into the bar—you know—the one you started picking a fight with, can kill you. He’s immortal, you’re not. You can match him in strength, maybe speed, but why risk it? Stay clear of him and maybe we’ll get lucky and he’s just passing through,” Zoey said, as she began to wipe down the bar.
“What do you mean by we’ll get lucky?”
“This is my home now. A vampire can be a threat to us all. Just don’t go looking for trouble.” She walked away from me, and I knew she’d said all she was going to say.
I placed a hefty tip on the bar and stood up to leave. I walked to the door, feeling strange knowing she knew what we were. I stopped and turned around and walked back to her. She was busy wiping down the next table, but she looked up at me, a question in her green eyes.
“Why haven’t you told anyone about our secret?”
She started wiping the table again. “You’re not the only ones with secrets in town, Liam. Now go watch over your pack—keep them safe.”
She smiled and turned away.
I SENT A TEXT TO MY brothers, asking them to meet me at the at the Weatherford Hotel, down the street from the Burning Moon. I didn’t want to pressure Zoey any further and risk scaring her off.
We occasionally would meet at the bar upstairs that overlooked both Aspen Avenue and Leroux Street. It was another one of those businesses held over from another era. The hotel was originally opened in 1900, and like most historic buildings, was said to house a few resident ghosts.
I’d never seen or heard any ghosts on the occasions I’d been there, but if I could magically change from man to beast, I supposed there was room for the possibility of ghosts. This thought didn’t make me feel any less alone.
Within forty minutes, Seth and Cole entered the bar together. They spotted me sitting at a table and made their way over. I chose that spot because I liked to watch the nightlife down on the streets and in the bar. This position afforded me a view of both.
Seth sat down.
“I’ll grab us a beer,” Cole said, heading toward the bar.
“And a shot of tequila,” Seth yelled. Cole gave him a thumbs up.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, big brothe
r,” Seth said, studying me.
“I wish. Ghosts might be simpler to handle.”
Seth watched me, a concerned expression knotting his brow. It took a lot to ruffle Seth. At the very least he was a master at hiding his emotions. Cole always said that Seth felt more than any of us. Pa had said something like that to me, as well. I wasn’t convinced that my devil-may-care brother was an emotional watershed underneath.
Cole returned carrying two beers.
“Where’s the tequila?” Seth started to complain.
“It’s coming.” Cole had just sat down when a waitress came over carrying a small tray with three shots of tequila, a bowl of limes, and a salt shaker. I shook my head.
“Now we’re talking,” Seth said, as he set a shot glass in front of each of us and grabbed a lime wedge.
Cole did the same. It wasn’t a tequila sort of gathering, but who was I to spoil the fun? I licked the back of my hand, sprinkled some salt where it was wet, and held the piece of lime with the same hand. In the other, I picked up the shot of tequila. I raised the glass in salute, then licked the salt, tossed the shot back, and quickly bit into the lime.
I knew my face looked like Cole and Seth’s. Cole pounded the table, and Seth let out a loud war cry. A few of the patrons applauded and cheered. If neither of them started ordering more, we would be fine. We’d already figured out a long time ago that our DNA seemed to be resistant to intoxication. Meaning, it took three times the amount an ordinary man would need to get slobbering drunk. It wasn’t difficult to get to the feel-good place, but anything else took way too much money and effort.
“I guess, after I tell you what I’ve learned, we’ll appreciate those shots.” I took a sip of my beer to wash the taste of the tequila from my mouth.
“You talked to Zoey? What did she say?” Cole asked.
“Yeah, I did.” I looked at each of them in turn. “She said that guy is a vampire, and that we would do good to stay clear.”
“Like in the movies?” Seth asked, leaning forward.
