Iris's Guardian

by Lisa Daniels

  “This is true too. But,” his eyes bore into hers, “would you bet your life, everything you have on the love of a single human?”

  “My situation is not normal, so if I were to do such a thing, human or not, it could have some devastating consequences.”

  Leo leaned forward, “He is the head of a shifter clan, and we are exactly passive in our normal form.”

  “Oh, that’s right.” Bree looked at him and tried again to figure out what kind of shifter the three men were. Very slowly, she moved her mind and pushed against the man’s mind. There was a very forceful push in response, causing her head to move back a little.

  “Hey now, I am not pressuring you to talk, so it would be wise to show the same curtesy.” There was warning in the man’s voice.

  “I am sorry. That is not like me at all. I just…” Bree looked at the man, but all she saw was Calixto’s face. There was no doubt that they were something much more powerful than the average shifter.

  Leo went back to his food, “That is quite alright. I didn’t exactly expect it, but I know how curious humanoids can be. We aren’t exactly fans of the unknown.”

  Bree laughed, “You are quite right. If I were to ask you about your other form, would you tell me?”

  His eyes flicked up to hers, “If I were to tell you, would you believe me?”

  Bree laughed again. They ate the rest of their meal keeping the subjects to things that were of little consequence.

  They chatted as they headed for the door. Bree turned and waved to Brandon again, who gave her a curious look, then shifted his eyes to the gentleman with her. Bree shrugged in response. She knew that he expected them to stay the night.

  As soon as they stepped outside, Bree felt a powerful presence heading toward them. Her eyes shifted to Leo, who seemed to feel the same thing. His eyes were turned toward the gate through which she had left yesterday. Knowing who was coming, Bree decided she did not have time for shopping.

  She flashed a smile at Leo, “Thank you very much for the wonderful food and conversation. If things had happened a little differently, I would have been tempted to ask you to stay the night with me here. Brandon certainly expected that.”

  Leo looked at her like he was caught off guard by her words, “I can’t imagine you are so willing to act human that you sleep with men you barely know.”

  Bree paused for a moment before responding, “In my line of work it is somewhat essential.”

  The man frowned, “I find that difficult to believe. The more powerful the creature, the riskier it is to procreate.”

  Bree opened her mouth, then shut it again. That had never occurred to her. A thin smile spread across her face, “It is not something I have ever worried about.” Her mind when to Phelan and Taja, and she had to concede the point, “However, I can see how caution should be exercised for most creatures.”

  Leo shook his head, “I would ask you more, but-”

  “The more you hear, the less you want to know.” She winked at him as if to make him feel better, as well as to hide her own sadness.

  With a quick inclining of his head, Leo agreed. “I don’t know anyone of my kind who takes such activities lightly. If we did, it would have a potentially devastating effect on the world. I suppose the more desperate the creature, the easier it is to give into temptation.”

  Bree felt her heart ache at the words. Though she knew he hadn’t meant her, it was clear that the words applied to her situation. Humans had fleeting lives, and hers was mostly a lonely life.

  Hiding the ache, she looked into his eyes and said, “It has been wonderful getting to know you and I sincerely hope we can meet again.”

  Leo’s eyes shifted down to look at her, his attention clearly returned to the approaching presence. “I will walk you to the gate, but I dare say that I will need to stay here a little longer.”

  Bree nodded, “I understand.”

  Several minutes later they were at the gate where they said their goodbyes. “Good luck Leo. I hope your hunt comes to a successful and satisfying end.”

  His smile was forced as he nodded at her. “Good luck Bree. May all of your endeavors bring you peace.”

  The young woman’s eyes looked into his as his choice of words caught her off guard. With a slight smile, bowed her head and headed to Kildeer.

  Chapter 5

  The Tailor, His Daughter, and a Fleeing Fit of Jealousy

  Within half an hour of leaving Imalone, Bree was reminded exactly what her mental state had been when she had reached the little town. Trying to put her thoughts back on her job, Bree pulled her veil closer around her. If what Leo had said was right, Calixto would be able to track her easily. It was difficult to imagine him coming after her, he didn’t seem like the type to want such a complication like her in his life. But there was no doubt that the presence she had sensed upon leaving the Butler’s Respite was his. She tried to convince herself that it had been nothing more than him trying to get supplies or something just like she had. Yet there was a lingering doubt.

  Do you want to be mine?

  The reminder of his words sent chills down Bree’s spine. It took a lot of self-control to keep from turning around and running back to him. Of course, he would not be happy to see her. She had left him alone in a cave without so much as a farewell. For the first time in her life, the young woman felt guilty about walking out on a man.

  Shaking her head, Bree knew there was no time to consider what she had done. Frustration with herself at her inability to just shake it off was going to cost her.

  “Stop being an idiot.” Her imitation of Annora’s voice was nearly perfect.

  Bree sighed before responding to herself, “It’s not something you can understand. Any man who tries to get close to you ends up unable to procreate.”

  Assuming her friend’s voice, Bree answered, “Better to fix them before they break you.”

  Bree felt indignant at her own response. “Hey, that was uncalled for!”

  Twisting her face up, she assumed Annora’s voice again, “I’ve been warning you for years, so it was only a matter of time before you proved me right.”

  “Shut up Annora,” Bree snapped. Her face was almost scary as she continued to walk in a silent anger all the way to Kildeer.

  As soon as she reached the town, the young woman sought another long-time friend. Kildeer was slightly bigger than Imalone, so it had a few more professionals around, including her favorite tailor in all of Letera.

  It had been a while since she had visited Isaac and Saffron, his daughter. Prying her mind out of the cycle of frustration and anger, Bree plastered a smile on her face and walked with a hint of excitement toward their home.

  “Knock-knock,” she sang out near an open window. Bree watched as the salt and pepper hair looked up from a table and turned toward the window.

  “Bree!” It was a female voice from the upstairs that acknowledged her first. A striking woman leaned out of the window and waved down at Bree. The sorceress beamed up at her, as another head popped out the nearest window. “Hello, my dear. I take it you want a few dresses?” Isaac’s smile was heart warming.

  “If you have any laying around, I will gladly take them off of your hands.”

  The middle-aged man laughed as the sound of footsteps running down the stairs echoed behind him.

  The woman from the upper window threw the door wide open. “Come on in, I have the perfect dress for you.” She didn’t bother to wait as Bree laughed and moved to the door. The red-head was barely inside when the woman from the window bounded up to her with several beautiful dresses. She was busy holding them up to Bree as Isaac greeted their guest, “It has been a while. And every time I think that you can’t get any lovelier, you show up again and prove me wrong.”

  Bree giggled as his daughter gave him a sideways look, “You are too old for her father.”

  The guest was quick to disagree, “On the contrary, do you have any idea how difficult it is to find such an accomplish
ed man who is still so magnificently built. If I didn’t have so much respect for him, you can be certain that I would not hesitate to seduce Isaac.”

  The man began blushing and laughing as his daughter protested, “Bree!” She slapped her friend’s arm, “That is disgusting! After all of the adventures and men you have had, how can you even say that about my dad.”

  Bree’s smile faded for a moment, “Ah, Saffron, the things you don’t understand about men is a lot.” She gave a dramatic shake of her head, “Older men are both wiser and better. The only advantage that young men have is that the can go at it more vigorously.”

  Saffron’s expression was picture perfect and Bree burst out into giggles as Isaac finally stopped their discussion. “It’s all well and good for you to say, my dear, but I know you are just being kind.” When Bree tried to protest his declaration, the man changed the subject, “How about trying this one on?” He snatched a dress from his daughter’s hands and offered it to their guest.

  Knowing that the discussion was best left where Isaac had ended it, Bree took the dress and gave him her best smile, “As always, you know exactly what will make me smile. Excuse me.” With that she swept out of the room and up the stairs.

  When she returned a couple of minutes later, Saffron began clapping. Bree turned and twirled to show off every angle. Finally, Isaac spoke up, “It needs a little taken off of the middle because it isn’t quite slim enough for your figure. Have you lost some weight?” His eyes looked into Bree’s.

  She shrugged. “It’s possible. I’m pretty sure that I still had some of the baby fat clinging to me the last time I was here, so it is very likely that my figure is a little tighter than it used to be.”

  Isaac shook his head to disapprove of the change, “The thinner you are, the harder it will be to get pregnant.”

  “Father!” “Isaac!” The two young women answered his assessment in unison.

  The man gave them a look like they were being childish. “You are as old as my daughter, and a god bit more mature. If you haven’t thought about it yet, then you need to be aware that it is what men see when they look at you.”

  Bree’s brilliant laugh filled the home, “There I am rather certain you are wrong. Men see pleasure when they look at me, and I only see toys. If what you say is true, I should be looking to lose more weight.”

  Isaac threw his hands in the air, “There is never any winning with women. When I was young, all the women wanted was a husband and a family. Women today seem to be more focused on other things. Every time I am exposed to views on dating and love, I am further convinced that Annora and I are in the right.”

  Both of the young women again proceeded to try to argue with the man. Waving them off, he moved out of the room. His parting words were, “I have work to do. If you will leave the dress on the rack, I will have it fixed up for you by the end of the day.”

  Bree looked at Saffron, “Do you think I could get him to do it faster?”

  “Do you have somewhere you need to be?”

  There was a sharp intake of breath before Bree responded, “I have several good reasons to want to get moving quickly.” She gave her friend an apologetic look.

  With a serious nod, Saffron instructed the guest to head upstairs and get the dress off. “If you are willing to run some errands, I’m sure dad can have everything done before we get back.”

  Bree bounced up the stairs and returned to see Isaac waiting at the bottom of the stairs again. “Saffron has the list of things that need to be done. That should be payment enough.”

  “Isaac, have I ever told you that you are a perfect angel?” Bree smiled at him.

  He pulled the dress from her hands, “Only when you need something.” The middle-aged man started to leave the room.

  “But I always mean it, even when you aren’t doing anything for me.”

  Isaac turned and looked at her, “You are being unusually flattering today. We will have to talk about that when you return.”

  “Thank you!” Bree called out to him. He gave a short wave and disappeared into his work room.

  Looping her arm through Bree’s, Saffron lead the way out of the house. They stopped by several places, and Bree was able to negotiate a better price for most of the goods they need by offering medical advice.

  “I wish you were around to do this more often,” Saffron said as they took off to the final stop. “We have spent next to nothing and I have learned so much from listening to you talk.”

  “Perhaps you should consider becoming a medic. It will mean you get to travel anywhere you want in relative security.”

  Saffron pondered the idea as Bree negotiated at their last stop. It didn’t take 10 minutes to procure the necessary items, and the women were back on the road to the tailor’s home.

  They were giggling and talking when a familiar sensation caused Bree to stop and look around. Her eyes immediately fell on a tall figure who was talking to the butcher.

  “Saffron,” Bree’s voice was low, “I need to get out of here.”

  The young woman looked at her friend, the smile completely gone from her face. “Are you ok?” Saffron’s eyes followed Bree’s. “Oh. You got it. Head around the house here and back track a little. I’ll distract him.”

  “You are nearly as much of an angel as your father.”

  Saffron looked at the handsome man and drew herself up to her full height, “If you start telling me that I am mature and attractive enough to sleep with, the answer is no.”

  Bree had to stifle a laugh as her friend took off. As quickly as she could, the red-head slipped behind the house. She listened to Saffron initiate a conversation, and realized that the young woman was actually trying to flirt with the man. Bree was ready to spring out to help the young woman when she heard Calixto respond in a way that was entirely unexpected. He was flirting back. Bree’s eyes grew wide and she nearly left her hiding place to stop the pair. It was difficult, but she reminded herself that Saffron was doing this for her sake. With a hint of jealously, Bree followed the instructions her friend had given her before heading out to talk to the shifter.

  Arriving back at Isaac’s, Bree entered without knocking. “Isaac!”

  The man materialized in front of her almost as if he were a wizard, “It is ready.” The dress was in his hands and he held it out to her. “I’ve done some initial stretching on it, and I think you will find that it will be able to take a considerable amount of punishment before you have to remember you are wearing a dress.”

  Bree threw her arms around his neck and gave the man a kiss on the cheek. With a laugh he pushed her away, “I may be old, but not so old that I am unaffected by the charms of a beautiful young woman.”

  “Well then,” she gave him another hug, this time pulling him close. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  With a gentle pat on her back, Isaac pulled away from her, “Seeing you this happy is more than enough thanks. You aren’t quite the challenge Annora is to dress, but I can’t say that you don’t offer a unique challenge in your own right.”

  “Speaking of that wench, I suspect you will be getting a visit from her sooner than later.”

  Isaac tilted his head to the side, “You really think she might enter somewhere as populated and civilized as Kildeer?” His voice was heavy with sarcasm as he said it.

  “I saw her just the other day in Defiance.”

  Isaac burst out into a barking laugh, “Oh, she must not have known what has happened to that town.”

  “You know her well sir. She was still looking for the Boar’s Snout Inn. I don’t know what she would have done if I hadn’t rescued her and given her a room in the Palace Paradise. Oh, but please don’t tell her I warned you. That will not go over well.”

  “Yes, yes. I understand.” He waved away her request. “I take it you are rushing off now?”

  “Unfortunately, I must. If I take too long, the world may very well stop.”

  With a sigh, the man looked at her, “Please take
good care of yourself and remember if you ever need a bit of time away from the busy life, Saffron and I will be more than happy to have you stay with us.” He paused, “Or at least I would be happy for the company. Saffron is spending more and more time away from home these days. I shouldn’t wonder that she will someday forget where she lives.”

  Bree chuckled, “If she does that, I will be more than happy to let you adopt me.”

  Isaac patted her arm, “Take care of yourself.”

  “Just for you,” she replied. With a last smile, she headed up the stairs to change. By the time she was ready to go, Bree knew that Isaac would be lost in his work. He never pressed for details or asked where she was going. He was like the perfect father Bree had always wished she had had growing up. Not for the last time she was jealous of Saffron.

  With a deep sigh, the red head turned to go change.

  Chapter 6

  The Morning After

  Once she was out of the house, Bree hurried to get out of the town and back to the task she had been neglecting for the past few days. If she didn’t start making progress on her mission, her employer would not be happy. As it was, the red head had already burned through nearly half of her time. For perhaps the first time in her life, the young woman wished she had the ability to move faster, like demons, or fly like fairies and dragons. Her laugh was mirthless as she remembered how often others had told her that they were jealous of her powers.

  “How do humans manage it?” she asked the world at large.

  “I dare say just fine.”

  Bree’s head snapped to the left and immediately she burst into honest laughter. “Ye gods, but you startled me!” There were nearly tears in her eyes as Saffron finally caught up with her. Bree realized that she was not laughing hard enough to cry, but she was unwilling to think about what it actually meant.

  “So, what is making you wonder about humans? It’s not like you are so far removed from us.” Saffron smiled at her. The truth was that Isaac and Saffron thought that Bree was a witch with a few powers. They had no idea exactly how powerful the woman was. It wasn’t that Bree thought they would treat her any differently, it was that she feared how the rest of the town would treat them if anyone ever found out what she really was. It was one of the reasons why she tended to stay away from them as well. It lowered the risk that they would be in danger because of her.