by Mina Carter
Walking into the room I saw that in addition to getting our dinner in the oven, he’d helped himself to a soda out of the fridge, and when he saw me he handed me the glass of iced tea he’d fixed for me.
“Thanks,” I took the glass and took a deep drink, almost draining the glass.
“Dinner is started. You ready to tell me what happened?” He took the nearly empty glass out from me and refilled it out of the pitcher in the fridge.
“Sure, but let’s go sit in the living room to do it, I want to be comfortable. We have a while before dinner will be ready.” I took the glass he brought me back to me.
We went into the living room and sat down on the sofa; I pulled my feet up into the seat and tucked them underneath me. Devon sat on the other end of the sofa, but he turned sideways and faced me.
“So...” he laid one hand on top of mine, moving his thumb back and forth over my skin, soothing me.
“I walked out of the office and there he was, leaning against my car, waiting for me. It started out normally. He asked how things were going, and I started to tell him. I didn’t want to talk about the Kindred in public so I suggested that we get in my car so we wouldn’t be overheard.”
“That’s good,”
“So we got in the car and I told him how things have been going. About how I’m learning to use my gifts and that we have discovered my ability to sense power. It was normal at first; it didn’t start to get strange until he brought up Bill. He seemed upset that I’m friendly with Bill and Karen and that I’m becoming friendly with Hank and Alexis. He got more and more agitated, and then he asked if they were the reason I didn’t have time for him or if that was because of you. Only he was really nasty about it.”
“Me? I haven’t stopped you from spending time with him.” Devon kept his thumb moving over the back of my hand, the sensation calming me.
“I know. I told him I decide who I spend time with, but he kept trying to tell me I was his. He even said that now that I’m Kindred we could be together forever. It was really bizarre. He said he didn’t like me spending time with you and that’s when I told him I’m an adult and I get to choose who I spend time with and who I don’t and if he didn’t like it he could go to hell, then he slapped me.” I reached up and softly touched the cheek he had slapped, though I knew the mark was already fading.
“And then?”
“Well…” I ducked my head, embarrassed at having to admit it. “I punched him.”
“Where?”
“In the nose. It seemed right at the time, though I had to use my left instead of my right because of how we were sitting. It’s probably a good thing though, because I still felt it crunch, and it started bleeding instantly. I’m pretty sure I broke it. I don’t want to think about the damage it would have done if I’d hit him with my right.”
“Good for you. He had no right strike you,” Devon’s voice was soft, but determined.
“I know,” I paused for a moment. “Anyway, I hit him, and I told him to get out. He tried to apologize, but I refused to listen. I just kept telling him to get out, and as soon as he did, I left. I came straight home by then I’d totally forgotten you would be here. I was focused on getting home, I wanted to change, to put on something comfortable, so I could unwind, and try to catch my balance again.”
“And I made you talk about it.”
“Yeah, you made me talk about it, but talking about it’s made me feel better, not as lost. And some company is probably a good thing; I would have just sulked if I was alone.”
“I know what you mean,” he picked up his soda from the coffee table and took a long drink before setting it down again. “So you wanted to know what I think is going on?”
“It would be nice.”
“I’m going to need you to answer a few questions for me first, and then I’ll see if I can explain.”
“Okay….” I wondered what he was going to ask.
“You said he was nasty when he asked if I was the reason you weren’t spending time with him, how so?”
“He kept calling you ‘human’, but it was the way he said human, it was like it was a dirty word. I’ve never heard anything like it from him before.”
“I’ve heard it plenty, though not from him specifically. I heard a lot of it before I left.” His thumb stilled, but he kept his hand over mine. “You probably haven’t seen any of it, at least not yet. But there’s a group of Kindred, the ones I encountered are about our age, but there may be others. They believe that anyone who doesn’t shift is inferior, is somehow not as good as those that shift. And since they, naturally, shift they must be superior to those that don’t. I don’t know how big the group is, or if it exists outside of our little valley, but it’s a nasty one no matter how small it may be.”
“It sounds like it.”
“From what you’ve told me I think it’s likely that Brandon’s part of this group, and he wants you. He’s probably has wanted you for years, but felt he couldn’t have you unless you shift. Now that you do, the two of you can be, as he said, together forever.”
“That does explain it. The whole concept leaves a sour taste in my mouth, but it makes a lot of sense. I’ve never seen Brandon act that way, he’s always been my friend.”
“If you’d never shifted that’s probably where it would have ended, but now that you have he seems to believe that now that you’re Kindred, that you belong to him.”
“Not for long. When I’m ready to speak to him again, I’ll be setting him straight.”
“Just be careful. He’s already shown that he thinks you belong to him, and that he’s not above using physical intimidation to try to keep you. I don’t want to see you hurt again.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.” I shifted for the first time since sitting on the sofa, I pulled my hand out from under his and picked up my tea, taking another long drink. “Thank you for listening to all the drama and for explaining to me what he’s thinking. The logic of the male mind escapes me.”
“Hey, now. Don’t lump all men into the same category. Not all of us think on the same cave man level.”
“Oh, I know that, but it never would have occurred to me that he was one who did. I’ve known him for twenty years; we’ve been friends since kindergarten.”
“Sometimes we hide a lot from those around us.” He turned where he sat, until he faced forward too.
“Don’t I know it? I’ve had so much revealed to me in the last few weeks that I don’t know how I’m managing to handle it all.”
“Just like we all do, one day at a time,” Devon sympathized.
“Pretty much.”
Devon and I visited; we talked about a couple of new movies that looked interesting until dinner was ready. After we ate we called it a night, Devon left and I took a hot bath, and tried to unwind from the stress of the day before I went to bed.
That night I dreamed of Brandon and Devon fighting, not over me, but for respect from each other.
Chapter 22
I WOKE EARLY the next morning, unable to sleep any longer after being awoken yet again by the latest in a string of bizarre and disturbing dreams. Knowing I needed to tell him about the night before, I called Bill.
“Hello?” I heard his voice over the phone.
“Bill, it’s me. I hope I didn’t wake you.” I walked from one room to another, pacing with nervous energy.
“No, I was up. How are you doing Nickie?”
“Pretty good mostly, at least until last night. There was an incident you should to know about, and I wanted you to hear it from me, and not rumors.”
“What kind of incident exactly?” He sounded concerned.
I repeated the whole story, the way I had told Devon the night before, only adding that I no longer bore any signs of the incident, Devon had told me the mark Brandon’s hand had left on my face was gone before we’d finished dinner.
“I see,” he was quiet a moment. “Did anyone witness this?”
“I don’t think so. We were s
itting in my car so no one could hear what we were saying and the area was pretty empty. I don’t think anyone saw us, but I can’t be certain.”
“Have you told anyone else?” he questioned.
“Yeah,” I winced, afraid he would get angry I’d told someone before I called him. “Devon was waiting for me when I got home last night. I’d invited him over for dinner, and with what had happened I totally spaced it until I walked up to him sitting on my front step. He saw the hand print that Brandon had left on my face and demanded to know what happened. So I told him.”
“Wait. Devon, you mean Devon Wilson?”
“Yeah, he moved into my apartment complex a couple weeks ago. You remember, I called you about him... We’ve been getting to know each other again.”
“That’s right; you told me that he used to run around with Payson. Is he the only one you’ve told?”
“Other than you, yes,” Still pacing through my apartment, I answered his questions.
“All right. I’ll deal with Brandon. I know better than to give you orders you don’t agree with, but I want you to stay away from him, at least for a while.”
“Not a problem, after last night I have no desire to spend time with or even speak to him. I told him to stay away from me, at least for a while. He said he’d call me today, but I still don’t want to even talk to him.”
“Good, keep it that way for a while. I’ll tell him not to contact you. If he contacts you after I speak with him, you are to call me immediately. From what you’ve told me, I’m afraid he might blame you for the punishment he’s earned, and I want you to be careful.”
“I’ve got no problem with that. Rest assured, he contacts me in the next couple of weeks and I’ll be letting you know as soon as I’m able.”
“I’m glad to hear that you have some sense about some things…”
“Ha ha, so funny,” I changed the subject. “On a totally different topic, I’ve got something else I needed to talk to you about.”
“What would that be?”
“I’ve got a question for you, and it’s probably going to sound a little strange, I worked my way up to the question I’d wanted to ask.
“All right, what’s your question?
“Has anyone ever tried to force the animal form of a non-shifter before?”
“Force how?”
“Call the animal form, like Alexis and I do.”
“Not that I know of, why?”
“I can feel Devon’s wolf. I know it is there, and I think it wants out but somehow it’s trapped.”
“Have you mentioned this to him?”
“No. I didn’t want to get his hopes up and then find out it’s impossible, I wanted to bring it to you first.”
“Very well. Do you think you could call his wolf?”
“I’ve only done it once before, but I think I could. I’ll definitely want some more practice first; I’d like to have a chance to shift other a few more times before I try to call his. If he even wants to try it. It has to be his decision or I won’t even try.”
“I agree, it should be up to him. Do you think that it is possible that Alexis could call his wolf?”
“I don’t know, but Alexis can’t sense his wolf like I can, I asked. I think it may have to do with my ability to sense power. I’m not sure why, but I can feel it there, almost like when I feel anyone else’s power to shift, I can sense their animal form.”
“I believe you.,” he paused a few seconds. “Let me to do some asking around. See if I can find anyone has ever heard of such a thing, or tried it, before we talk to Devon. Once we have an answer, if it’s reasonable, we can go to him and let him make the decision.”
“I agree”
“I also want to consult with Alexis about the possibility, probably before we talk to Devon, to see if there could be any health consequences to forcing the animal form of a non-shifter.”
“I have no argument with that, it makes good sense,” I agreed.
“And even if everyone agrees to test your theory, I don’t want you trying it alone. I want there to be at least me and Alexis present, if not a couple of enforcers too, just in case there are problems. Do you understand me?”
“Perfectly, Sir.”
“You’re going to need to keep this to yourself until after I have made some calls and then spoken with Alexis. After that, we can talk either to him as a group or you can bring it up to him yourself. I’ll let you decide which, since you know him better than the rest of us.”
“I’ll think about which I think would be received better, so that when you give the go-ahead we can get it done.”
“That’s fine. Why don’t you go ahead and go into work today. I’ll start dealing with the information you have given me. Remember, no contact with Brandon if you can avoid it. As soon as I can, I’ll put those calls in to other Kindred and check into about possibly calling a non-shifters animal form. I’ll let you know what I find out as soon as I can.”
“Okay, I guess I’ll let you go and get to work myself. Thank you for believing me, both about Brandon and about Devon.”
He laughed on the other end of the line. “Nickie, you may be independent, impulsive, and rebellious, but you’ve never been one for lies. I have no reason not to believe you.”
“You know me so well...”
“I should. Now, I have work to do…”
“Okay, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Have a good day, Nickie, I’ll call when I have news for you,” Bill promised before disconnecting. I finished dressing and headed out for work before I was late.
I’d not yet made it to my car when I heard my PCD ringing in my purse. I stopped long enough to dig it out and answered it even though I knew it was Brandon on the other end of the line.
“Hello?” I asked.
“Nickie, how are you this morning?” he was upbeat, happy, as though the night before had never happened.
“Still pissed. You?”
“I’m great, I was hoping we could get together and talk?”
“You’re nose healed that fast?” I ignored his request to meet me.
“Not quite, but I got it set and the bruising’s almost gone. Will you meet me?”
“Sorry, Brandon, I’m on my way to work. I don’t have time,” I didn’t tell him I’d already spoken to Bill this morning.
“How about after work?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I hedged, not wanting to outright say that I was avoiding him, but not lying either.
“Come on, Please?”
“Sorry, I can’t,” I got into my car and closed the door. “I’ve got to get to work, or I’m gonna be late. I’ve got to go.”
“Come on, meet me. Let me explain,” he pleaded one more time.
“I don’t want to hear explanations, I have to go.” I hit the end button before he could argue further. Before I started the car, I immediately dialed Bill. I explained to him about the call and that Brandon had tried to get me to meet him. He thanked me for letting him go and we hung up again. I started the car and hurried to work, thankful that I lived so close, because as it was I was a few minutes late.
Chapter 23
ON MY WAY in from the parking lot that evening I saw Devon sitting next to the pool. When I raised my arm to wave at him he signaled at me to come closer. He was reclining in one of the chairs surrounding the pool, wearing his black ARMY trunks and nothing else. His hair and shorts were wet; he had obviously been in the pool at some point. As I approached the fence surrounding the pool he stood up, slipping his feet into the flip flops that had been sitting on the ground beside his chair. He met me at the fence.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked.
“I just thought I should let you know,” he spoke softly so there was no chance of being overheard, despite the empty courtyard. “I called the Anikitos this afternoon about what happened last night. He needed to know so he can deal with Brandon.”
“I know,” I replied, shaking my head. �
��I called him this morning before work.”
“He didn’t tell me that, but I’m glad you did. I’m worried that this is just the start, and that something bigger’s on its way.”
“Thank you for your concern. I’m doing everything I know to do. I’m avoiding Brandon for a while, and Bill is supposed to tell him not to contact me. If he does contact me, I’m to let Bill know immediately.”
“I’m glad,” Devon said. “I know you’re smart, and able to take care of yourself, but I know what some of these guys are capable of.”
“Did you tell Bill about your experience with these guys?”
“No, I didn’t see a need to,” he replied.
“I think you should, so that he knows what kind of people he’s dealing with. I understand you’re not going to him then, but now, he needs to know.”
“I see what you’re saying; I’ll call him back and let him know.”
“Thanks.” I reached up and laid one hand on top of his where it was gripping the bars separating us. “You want to come up for dinner?”
“Sure. Let me go change, and make that phone call and I’ll be up in a bit.”
“All right, I’m gonna go change and start dinner. I’ll see you when you’re get there.” I headed back to the walkway leading to my apartment.
I quickly put together a simple dinner of left-overs out of the fridge for Devon and I. While we were eating my PCD rang, interrupting us. I pulled the small device out of my pocket and looked at the screen, the read out and picture told me that the caller was Brandon. I turned the screen so Devon could see it.
“I’m certain that Bill’s told him not to contact me by now,” I said, voicing my thoughts.
“Do you want to talk to him?” he asked.
“I’m curious to see what he has to say,” I admitted.
