by Clay, Verna
Luke listened to the exchange in fascination and finally, not caring that it would appear rude, turned to look at the woman who had become infamous in his mind. At the same time a waiter stepped between their tables.
Damn!
Rather than turn back around, he waited for the attendant to set water glasses down and leave. For reasons unknown, his heart pounded. Finally, the waiter stepped aside.
And then he saw her.
Roth
Shapeling Trilogy
Book One:
Protector
Verna Clay
This book is dedicated to my friend, Carla, who has mastered the art of really listening.
Roth
Book One: Protector
Shapeling Trilogy
Copyright © 2011 by Verna Clay
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
For information contact:
[email protected]
website: www.VernaClay.com
Publisher:
M.O.I. Publishing
"Mirrors of Imagination"
Cover Design: Elaina Lee (For the Muse)
Male Model: Jimmy Thomas (Romance Novel Covers)
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Preface
The Shapeling Trilogy books were written when I was just beginning my career as an author. Since I love exotic locations, I searched the internet for the perfect locations. Thus, except for the Sacred Cave, all the adventure places visited by Roth and Rainey in Egypt actually exist. As bizarre as they seem, I have attempted to stay true in my descriptions. The historic personages are also real.
Enjoy the Adventure,
Verna Clay
Order of books in the Shapeling Trilogy:
Roth: Protector
Fawn: Master
David: Prince
Chapter 1: First Impressions
Roth captured the updraft with his wings, their seven foot span easily maneuvering the razor sharp crags of Ember Canyon. He changed direction and streaked toward the river, iridescent under a full moon. Diving low enough to feel the spray from rapids, he reveled in his mastery of shapeshifting.
Within minutes he would learn what the Thirteen co-Princes considered a worthy decisive mission. For over two thousand cycles of the sun he had been a Shapeling Protector. The successful completion of his next assignment would usher him into the ranks of Shapeling Master, the second highest honor among shapelings; and again, another round of undetermined sun cycles with increasingly complex missions, and the expectation of one day joining the co-Princes, leaders of all shapelings, would begin. He had no doubts about his abilities. He would not fail.
Roth soared high again, intent on reaching the Cave of Thirteen before sunrise. He arrived in record time. Gently landing and pulling his wings closed, he lowered his head and prayed to the Source, repeating the Prayer of Secrecy he had been taught as a child by his Guide. Before the last word in the prayer had been uttered, he no longer had wings or talons; he now stood tall on two feet, his raven hair long and whipped by the wind. Pale blue eyes that observed everything looked upward in a gesture of respect for the Source. Wearing only white linen breeches, he flexed and stretched his lean muscular form, feeling the rush that always accompanied a shapeshift.
Shapelings, unlike humans, gave no consideration for his looks. Their focus rested in an elusive goal beyond shapeshifting: mastery of wisdom. Honing wisdom, however, presented as a two-edged sword—becoming the creature while at the same time maintaining shapeling faculties of awareness. The difficulty in abating the thrill of becoming only the creature required intense practice and concentration over countless sun risings.
As a Shapeling Master, Roth would receive increasingly complex assignments aimed at developing wisdom. Eventually, consistent evidence of wise choices would bestow the title of Prince Thirteen upon him, the title his father had been about to receive before his untimely death during Roth's childhood. Roth pushed himself toward that goal for the sake of his heritage and envisioned his ultimate destiny, reigning as Prominent Prince as his ancestors before him.
He glanced at the glow in the eastern sky. Soon the edge of the sun would appear. He smiled and walked the short distance to the Cave of Thirteen. At the exact moment the sun made its appearance, he stepped inside the cave lit by fire torches. Reverently, he approached the Thirteen and knelt, speaking the Prayer of Respect, "May the embers of truth always glow."
"Rise, Roth," commanded the Prominent Prince.
"Come closer," the remaining twelve voiced in unison.
Roth rose and took the few steps that brought him directly in front of the Prominent One.
"You have accomplished your latest mission, Roth. We congratulate you."
Roth nodded his respect. "Thank you, Prominent Prince."
Another voice spoke, "You are well aware, of course, that this next assignment may usher you into the ranks of Mastery."
"Yes, Prince Two." Roth could not hide his grin.
"You have mastered all the creatures of your assignments…"
"Thank you, Prince Five."
"…except one."
Roth’s smile faded. Out of respect, he did not argue. His mind, however, raced to understand. He had shapeshifted into a wolf, a lion, an eagle, a horse, an owl, a dolphin, a human, a dog, a tiger, a panther, and multiple others, including reptiles and insects. He had never failed an assignment. He did not understand.
The Prominent Prince spoke again. "Although your assignments have been successful, we believe you have yet to acquire the full nuance of being human. This next mission will determine if you are ready to begin Missions of Mastery. It requires you to again shapeshift into a human."
"As you command. But may I ask in what way I came short?"
"That is something you must discover on your own. We will speak no more about this."
"Yes, Prominent Prince." Roth waited for his instructions, quelling the disappointment and frustration trying to find vent in his heart. He did not want his decisive assignment to be as a human. He had protected and saved the lives of innumerable humans throughout his previous missions as animals. He had also completed many assignments in human form; his last one being as a Yankee soldier during the American Civil War. He had been sent to protect a man whom the co-Princes believed would change the course of human history. On many occasions, Roth had deflected a bayonet intended for the man, or pushed him out of the line of fire. He had also saved him from being trampled by a horse, and even gone so far as to befriend him. After the war, they had gone their separate ways, and Roth had returned to the Cave of Thirteen for his next assignment.
Prince Thirteen spoke. "I will reveal the details of this decisive mission."
* * *
"No! No way, Father! I do not want another personal bodyguard! Why can't we continue with impersonal ones shadowing me?"
"This is not open for discussion, Rainey. You know the stakes were upped when your lab started producing results. I’ve hired a bodyguard to replace the one you drove away, and that's my final word. He’s been interviewed multiple times and his credentials are impeccable. He’s arriving tonight. I expect you to be civil when you meet him. Be in the drawing room at seven."
Rainey wanted to scream at her father. Instead, she stalked toward the double doors of the terrace and jerked them open.
"And Rainey…"
She paused, but did not turn around.
"…don’t be late."
Rainey gritted her teeth and continued into the house. She would be there, of course; but on time—probably not. She climbed the stairs to her bedroom and slammed the door. She was a prisoner not only in her own home, but in every aspect of her life. She had forgotten what it felt like to be comple
tely alone—probably heaven. She laughed cynically at her choice of words. Her overprotective father was trying to keep her from being sent to the afterlife before her time.
Fate and genetics had not only made her father fabulously rich and brilliant, but had bestowed the same gift on her. Or was it a curse? Like father, like daughter. Why wasn't I born more like my mother? Even as the thought popped into her mind, Rainey shuddered. Her mother, a complete airhead, lived a life of endless manicures, pedicures, hair appointments, facials, shopping, and extended vacations. She had never even called her mother by any motherly term. She had always been "Stella" to Rainey. Years ago, Rainey had decided that her father must truly love her mother to have stayed married to her.
Rainey plopped on the side of her bed. She felt the niggling of a headache. By the time seven o’clock struck and she had to meet "Mr. Bodyguard," the headache would be full blown. She rubbed her temples and glanced toward her dresser, hoping to see a bottle of aspirin. Instead of aspirin, she caught sight of her reflection. She looked nothing like her beautiful mother. In fact, at the age of twenty-eight, she almost believed she looked older than her mother. Stella, being a former Las Vegas showgirl, stood tall and lean. Rainey stood short and, if not plump, then well endowed everywhere. Her small waist kept her from looking like a box. She chuckled at the picture she’d painted in her mind and continued her perusal. Even to her own eyes, her brownish-blondish hair drawn back in a clip at the nape of her neck, looked severe and spinsterish.
I may not have been born with looks, but I made up for it with brains. To a nerd, my 160 IQ is very attractive; which is one of the reasons I’m stuck with a bodyguard.
Rainey sighed and went in search of the aspirin bottle.
* * *
Roth accepted the glass of wine from his employer. He swirled the rich color and sniffed.
"Are you a wine connoisseur, Mr. Beowolf?"
"Not at all, Mr. Childress."
"By the way, why don’t we do away with the formalities? You can call me Hank, because I abhor the name Harold, and I’ll call you Roth. Is that okay?"
"Certainly, Hank."
"Your name is unusual; I can’t say that I’ve ever met anyone with the given name of Roth."
"It’s a family name that’s been passed down many generations."
"Do you know its meaning?"
"Yes—exalted, tower of strength."
Hank laughed. "Well, son, that’s exactly why I hired you."
"Yes, sir."
"But speaking of why I hired you, that reminds me that we’re still absent my daughter’s presence. I have to warn you, she's very averse to having another bodyguard. You’re going to have your hands full. May I speak frankly?"
"Of course, Hank."
"Don’t take any of her crap. She’s been raised with a silver spoon and knows nothing of the real world. If she had been born less brilliant and more like her mother, I’m sure her life would have been quite different; not as mundane and ordered. As it is, her brilliance has landed her a top position in my company. And, as you are aware, we are a think-tank organization with multiple patents for amazing inventions. Being both a research scientist for Childress Enterprises—with a hefty income, I might add—and my daughter, Rainey is one of the wealthiest women in the world. Because of that, and the fact that she is on the brink of an amazing discovery, she must be protected from those who desire not only her money, but her brilliance to be used for the wrong reasons. Even if she had been born in poverty, I have no doubt she would still have made a name for herself among the scientific community and become a very wealthy woman. Her discoveries in the medical field have eased the suffering of untold numbers. She…"
Roth wanted to yawn with boredom. He wanted to run into the night, strip off his confining clothes, and speak the prayer that would shift him into a wolf. He wanted to howl and roam the woods. He wanted…
"Is my father boring you?"
Roth jolted and turned toward a husky voice. The voice reminded him of the wine in his glass. His first impression, however, was anything but that. His charge was short and round and plain looking, and she appeared to go out of her way to create that effect.
"Rainey, it’s about time you graced us with your presence," said Hank.
"I would apologize if I really meant it, but since I don’t, I won’t."
Roth glanced from Rainey to her father. Although Mr. Childress turned slightly pink, his facial expression of fatherly patience did not waiver.
"Roth, may I introduce Rainey, my very tardy daughter. Rainey, this is your new bodyguard, Roth Beowolf."
"My pleasure, Rainey."
"You say that now. I’m sure you’ll change your mind in a few days. Although I understand the necessity for protection, I hope my father informed you that I abhor the restriction of personal bodyguards."
"And why is that?"
"Surely, you’re not serious?"
"Yes, I am."
Rainey gave a humorless laugh. "I am constantly in the presence of a bodyguard not more than a few feet from me. I cannot ride in a car by myself. I cannot take a walk by myself. Even when I sleep, there is a guard outside my room. If I have a bad dream and cry out, I find myself with a guard hovering over me. Need I continue?"
"I understand your frustration. But is the possibility of being kidnapped anymore comforting?"
She ignored his last sentence, and her green eyes flashed impatience. "How can you understand my frustration? You come and go as you please. You have a life of freedom."
"How can you judge my life when you know nothing about me?" he replied.
Roth listened to the poor little rich girl with half an ear and responded automatically. He was growing weary of sparring words with her. He wanted the evening to conclude so he could explore the woods behind the estate. His "watch" of the spoiled heiress would begin at eight the next morning. He had been hired as the lead guard among her three personal bodyguards, each with eight-hour shifts. Thank God, he didn’t have the night shift. It gave him freedom to soar or roam for at least a few hours.
* * *
Hank watched the interplay between Rainey and Roth. He almost laughed aloud. It appeared Rainey Childress had met her match in Roth Beowolf. Hank knew his daughter well enough to know she was flustered. Roth looked unfazed by her protestations.
Although Roth's remarkable qualifications had landed him the job as primary bodyguard, Hank was secretly pleased by his amazing good looks. Perhaps a handsome bodyguard hanging around would motivate Rainey to do something about her own looks and get a life other than scientific lab work.
* * *
Roth shut the lights out in his new digs which came complete with kitchenette, separate bedroom and living room. He opened the French doors to his balcony and stepped into the cool breeze of deep night. A three-quarter moon glazed with thin clouds greeted him. Even the cloud cover, however, could not completely obliterate the moon’s brightness and cast ominous shadows across the manicured grounds three stories below. Roth sucked a lungful of air, grateful for freedom if only for a few hours. The woods called to him. He bowed his head and prayed the Prayer of Secrecy, shifting into his favorite animal.
* * *
Rainey punched her pillow yet again. She wanted to sleep, needed to sleep because of the workday ahead of her. She opened her eyes and sat up. Damn bodyguard. What was his name? Ross… Ron… Rat… Roth. Wolf… Beowolf. What the hell kind of name is that?
She walked to her window and pulled the drapes aside. Shifting clouds played with an almost full moon. Eerie shadows waltzed across the grounds of her father’s estate. Unexpectedly, the clouds cleared and the moon shone brilliant. Rainey gasped when a huge bird swooped from the sky and soared past her window, its magnificent wings agilely directing its body. She watched the creature until it disappeared in the direction of the woods.
I wish I could fly with you.
* * *
Roth waited for his charge in the foyer. The previous night’s shif
ting, first as an eagle and later as a wolf, had renewed him. Being a shapeling, he required little more than two or three hours sleep. The night guard, Jack Jackson, looking sleepy and bored, had gladly given over a changing of the guards.
Rainey walked into the foyer. "I see you’re punctual, Mr. Beowolf."
"It’s my job, Rainey."
"I would rather be called, Ms. Childress."
"As you prefer, Ms. Childress."
"Are you always this irritating?"
"Not usually."
"It must be me, then."
Roth remained silent.
"Mr. Beowolf, I’m sure you have been apprised that we use different cars to keep the ‘bad guys’ guessing." Rainey made quote marks with her fingers.
"Yes, I'm aware of that."
"We also use different exits when leaving the estate. Again, keeps the ‘bad boys’ confused." She made quote marks again.
"Yes, I am also aware of that. Your point is…?"
"No point. I’m just making conversation until our ride shows up…and look, here it is." Rainey pointed out the window beside the intricately carved front door.
A black Escalade with tinted windows pulled to the entrance of the portico. Without a backward glance, she opened the door and skipped down the steps. The driver rushed to open the rear door of the Escalade and Rainey ducked inside. He opened the front passenger door for Roth. Roth thanked him, closed it without entering, and opened the back door, sliding in beside Rainey.
"What are you doing?"
"I’m getting into the car, Ms. Childress."
"I don’t want you in the back seat. All my other guards ride in the front."
"Am I protecting you or the driver?"
"I always ride alone in the back seat."
