True Nature

by Neely Powell

  Knowing nothing made her happier than feeding someone, I agreed and walked next door with the wrapped chops. As usual, there was enough for several people. Maybe Evan and Hunter would like to share.

  I had just put the chops in my refrigerator and got out of my coat when my cell rang. It was Kinley’s sister Lydia.

  “Hey,” I said, glad to hear from her. “How are you and the girls doing?”

  “I have such good news that I wanted to share it with you,” she said in a rush.

  “Is there a break in the case?”

  “Not that good, but last night Kelly started talking to the stuffed cat you gave her. She’s just whispering, but we all feel like it’s the beginning of bringing her back.” Lydia’s laugh was joyful. “When we first heard her on the baby monitor, I thought I was hearing a ghost.”

  “That is good news. Is she saying anything in particular?”

  “Just about going back to school, saying she misses her mother, things like that. I haven’t said anything to her about it because the therapist said it might be better to leave her alone and just observe for a few days. But it’s hard not to push her.”

  Kelly was such a bright, sweet little girl. It was good to know she was finding her way out of the darkness.

  I thought of the pictures the little girl had been drawing last time I’d seen her. They were so different from what I’d seen on the refrigerator at her home. Dark, almost violent. I couldn’t help feeling those pictures were key to getting inside her mind. How did we unlock it?

  “Zoe?” Lydia prompted. “You still there?”

  “Sorry, I was just thinking about what more I could do to help Kelly.”

  “You’ve been so kind, and the cat is very special to her.” She sighed. “The girls have their first visit with Eric tomorrow.”

  I shuddered, uneasy about the man having access to his daughters. Friday, Brad had tried to block Eric seeing them. But with the police unable to prove he was involved in Kinley’s death, the courts had no reason to stop him.

  “His mother wants them to come and spend the night,” Lydia said, her voice now laced with anxiety. “Thankfully, Eric agreed that they need to stay here. He’s just going to come over and visit for a while.”

  That surprised me. “Being cooperative is not Eric’s style.”

  “He has checked on the girls every day. I can barely stand to talk to him, but my husband thinks it’s important to be cordial until after the custody hearing. So I let him talk to Eric most of the time, and he says the guy is very shaken by Kinley’s death.”

  “More likely shaken by the thought that he’s guilty,” I muttered, then sighed. “Hopefully this will end soon. Somewhere there’s proof of what Eric did. I want the girls to get on with their lives.”

  I said goodbye to Lydia with a promise to check in again soon.

  I moved through my house, putting my coat in the closet and heading for the stairs as I thought about Kelly whispering to the stuffed cat I had given her. Another thought struck me. If Kelly would whisper to a stuffed kitten, could we possibly get her to talk to a real cat?

  I just happened to know a cat that would fit the bill.

  Chapter 17

  Hunter’s phone beeped. It was Zoe, but he was reluctant to answer. He knew she wanted to talk about the chimera, about Evan, and what had gone down with his father yesterday afternoon. She had let him off the hook last night and this morning, but he knew her too well to think that would continue. He didn’t want to face any of it. Even with Zoe.

  Standing at his condo’s bedroom window, he watched evening shadows drag their way across the urban landscape of Jersey City. He was so on edge, his skin prickled and itched. For the first since discovering his feline nature, Hunter understood the trauma of being a caged animal. He never thought he’d feel so trapped in his own place.

  He didn’t blame Evan. He also understood he needed Evan’s special brand of protection. He just wanted Evan to do the protecting from a distance. This had been a long afternoon.

  After Zoe dropped them off this morning, Hunter gave Evan his pick of the two guest bedrooms in the condo. Of course, the guard had chosen the one closest to Hunter’s. Evan unpacked, and then went over every foot of every room in Hunter’s home—living and dining rooms, kitchen, three bedrooms, and three baths and Hunter’s pride and joy, his small home gym.

  After being sure the windows and doors were secured according to his standards, Evan questioned Hunter about neighbors.

  “Hell, I don’t know,” Hunter answered in irritation. God, he just wanted the man to shut up. “I don’t know them. Chymera could have his lieutenants in every condo in the place and I wouldn’t know.”

  Smiling in an indulgent way that made Hunter want to bare his teeth, Evan replied, “Your grandfather had grown older and a bit lax, but he would never have allowed you to be living among chimera. I’m sure he checked out everyone moving in and out of this building.” He dug out his cell phone. “I’m going to call Craig and get him to send me the files on the tenants.”

  “How does one spot a chimera?” Hunter muttered. “Or one of the chimera’s faithful servants?”

  “Always lead with your nose,” Evan said matter-of-factly. “That scent you caught the night Dugard died? The smell you chased in the forest? That’s the stink of chimera. And even when they change fully into humans, it’s always there, especially when you know to check for it. It’s similar to the smell of a true shifter, only there’s something faintly rotten about a chimera.”

  “So I smell, too?” Hunter lifted his arm to sniff himself.

  “Yes, but it’s pleasantly musky, like a well-groomed cat,” Evan said.

  Hunter was about to protest that commenting on his scent in such a way was a little too cozy for his taste. But Evan was on his phone. After talking to Craig, the guard retreated into his bedroom with his laptop. Relieved, Hunter paid bills online and returned some of the most pressing personal and professional emails and voicemails that had come in during his absence.

  What pressed him most of all was the fact that he was horny. Mandy had called several times, cooing sympathy and promising a hot romp. Hunter closed the door to his bedroom as he dialed her number.

  “Hey, there,” she answered on the first ring.

  “I’m sorry I’ve been out of touch,” Hunter replied.

  “I heard about your grandfather. My condolences.”

  “I got your messages, but I’ve been busy.”

  “Of course.” Mandy’s husky whisper dipped even lower. “I’ve missed you.”

  Damn the woman could make him hard with just her voice. “How about later?”

  She sighed. “We’re throwing a dinner party tonight.” A bell chimed faintly in the distance. “In fact, the first guests are already arriving. Charlie and the other guys will be smoking and drinking until all hours while I entertain a bunch of stupid, trophy wives.”

  “Couldn’t you sneak away?”

  “Not tonight, baby. Maybe tomorrow? Charlie will be taking a nap tomorrow afternoon after this party. I can tell him I’m going shopping.”

  Tomorrow was Grandda’s memorial service. He wanted to see her, but he didn’t think he should take a chance on getting hung up with Mandy and being late for the reception. Plus, how was he going to ditch his new jailer/roommate?

  Reluctantly, he told Mandy he would call next week.

  So, feeling trapped, he stood at his bedroom window, hands clenched on the glass as if he were a tomcat ready to climb a window screen and claw his way to freedom.

  Almost as much as he needed a woman, he needed to get out of here.

  He looked down at the waterfront walkway along the Hudson River. His mind was made up in a flash. He changed out of his jeans and T-shirt and into cold weather gear and running shoes.

  The living room was empty. A low voice came from beyond the half-open door to Evan’s room. No doubt, the gallant servant was on the phone with other warriors, strategizing their next move. H
unter cared about that. God, he really cared about his own life and his family’s safety. But he was going nuts. And he had been protecting himself for a long, long time. So he was busting out.

  He moved silently through the condo, into the kitchen and out through the utility door to the back hallway. In moments he was down the stairs, pushing through the service entrance into the chill February dusk.

  His building was three miles from Liberty State Park, with its dazzling view of the Statue of Liberty’s backside and New York’s financial district. It was all connected by the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway that started just above the old Central Railroad of New Jersey and would eventually cover the eighteen miles from the Bayonne Bridge to the George Washington Bridge. It was the perfect place to run, walk, or ride a bicycle.

  Hunter jerked his black hoodie over his head and glanced up at the darkening sky. He started to run, veering right toward Liberty Park. This was exactly what he needed. The cold breeze from the water felt good on his skin. Out here alone, away from the bodyguard he never wanted, and didn’t want to need, he could think and relax.

  His father’s words from yesterday had hit harder than he wanted. Did he have an obligation to join the family firm? Already, his life had changed in a million ways. But did he have to give up his practice, too?

  Thoughts churned as he picked up speed. He knew he’d had every advantage in the world handed to him before he ever opened the practice with Zoe. They were able to afford to buy a building and live on family largesse for the first year. But for two years now, their practice had done very well. They had built something together. Together, he and Zoe helped people navigate turning points in their lives.

  Hunter ran harder as family duty warred in his brain with his natural inclination to do what he wanted, when he wanted.

  Dimly, he was aware of the others scattered throughout the area where he ran. Singles, as well as couples strolling hand in hand, made the walkway a busy place this evening. There weren’t as many as there might be on a warm summer night, but the dedicated runners and walkers were out in droves, passing each other along the trail. He sped past them without looking and found he was almost alone as he neared the park.

  Maybe, just maybe, he would be able to ditch his clothes somewhere and shift. God, that would feel good.

  He was considering the options when someone called his name. Damn. Although he had told Evan he didn’t know his neighbors, he was casually friendly with a number of people who lived in this area. He darted a look over his shoulder.

  Unexpectedly, there was Cyn.

  He came to a halt as the sexy redhead ran toward him. A long, flame-colored ponytail was threaded through her dark ball cap and glinted as she sprinted under the streetlights. Slender and tall in black leggings and an oversized black zip-up sweatshirt, she was the last person he expected to see.

  “What are you doing here?”

  She bent over, one hand at her waist as she caught her breath. “Trying to keep up with you.”

  “Me?”

  She darted a look around. “What are you doing out here?”

  “Didn’t I just ask you the same question?”

  Again, she scanned the area around them, clearly anxious.

  “You seem nervous,” Hunter said. “What’s up?”

  “I wanted to talk to you…” She faltered, then continued. “About your grandfather. I’m sorry.”

  “I guess you saw it in the news.”

  Once more her gaze skittered away from his. “Yeah, well, I’m kind of well-connected to the news.”

  “Because you write for Out There?”

  “That too,” she replied, confusing Hunter. What was she saying?

  “I saw you running,” she said.

  “You must live close by.”

  “No.”

  He frowned, realization dawning. He grinned. “You came looking for me.”

  Cyn laughed, regaining some of the cockiness he liked. “Don’t flatter yourself, okay? It’s a nice place to run. I simply saw you take off and came after you.”

  Hunter wasn’t sure, but he felt she wasn’t telling him the truth. Before he could say anything, however, his head jerked around, drawn by a sound, a movement, a familiar scent. Yes, he could smell chimera. Just like Evan had said.

  The walkway was deserted for the moment. On one side was the swirling Hudson River and on the other side grassy areas off limits to the public. Through the water and high weeds, Hunter thought he saw movement. Two bright eyes glowed in the gathering darkness. A stray dog? Or something more?

  He stepped in front of Cyn. She protested, and he snapped, “Be quiet. There’s something here.”

  She went still. She was close enough that Hunter could feel her heart beating. Heat came off her body in waves, and her deep, primal fear touched something in his second nature. He had to fight to keep from growling. Peering into the darkness beyond the lighted path, Hunter searched for the eyes again. They were gone. Now he could smell only water, earth, and sky. He stood alert for a moment, then slowly relaxed.

  He turned to Cyn. “I guess it was nothing.”

  Her gaze was steady on his. “I felt it, too.”

  Hunter frowned. What was she saying? What did Cyn know about what he felt?

  They stared at each other for a second. Then pounding footsteps came from the direction they had come. Hunter stepped protectively in front of Cyn once again until he saw it was Evan racing down the path.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Evan challenged.

  Annoyance surged back through Hunter. “I needed to run.”

  “You’re supposed to take me everywhere you go.” Evan grasped his shoulder. “You’re not to go out alone.”

  Jerking away from Evan’s steel grip, Hunter said, “I’ve never had to live by that rule and I’m guessing that this is going to be problem if you don’t give me some space.”

  Ignoring him, Evan turned his laser-focus on Cyn. “Who are you?”

  She stood her ground and returned his glare, but said nothing.

  Slowly, as he studied her, Evan’s expression changed, calmed. He put himself in between Hunter and Cyn, and asked in a much more deliberate tone, “Who are you?”

  “This is Cyn, a friend of mine,” Hunter retorted. “Why are you acting so weird?”

  Evan kept his attention locked on Cyn. “Are you really a friend?”

  “Definitely. But not everyone is.” She looked toward the tall weeds.

  Evan stared toward the weeds and took a deep breath, “He’s been here. Close by.”

  Hunter glanced around, relieved to have had his instincts confirmed. “I kept thinking I was seeing something in the shadows. I smelled it too.”

  Evan took a deep breath. “Like meat gone a day too long in the fridge.”

  “Exactly,” Cyn whispered, stepping closer.

  Both men looked at her in surprise. .

  “I should go,” she said to Hunter and nodded at Evan. “Nice to meet you.”

  “But wait—” Hunter protested.

  She took off like a shot back toward the more populated areas of the walkway. Hunter started after her, but Evan caught his arm again.

  “Cut that crap out,” Hunter said, shaking himself free.

  “Let her go,” Evan ordered.

  “But if there’s something out here and she knows what it is, then she could be in danger.”

  “She’ll be fine.”

  Hunter glared at Evan. “What do you know about her?”

  “That she knows what she’s doing. She was smart enough to catch up to you, keep you from going any further along this path.” Hunter stepped away from Evan. “Shouldn’t we look for our stalker?”

  “Not tonight,” Evan muttered. “We don’t go looking for trouble. Come on. Let’s get home.”

  Reluctantly, Hunter started in the direction Cyn had disappeared. It went against his grain not to challenge the chimera.

  Evan picked up his pace. Hunter fell in step beside hi
m, and they were quickly back with the crowd. Cyn was nowhere in sight.

  Beside him, Evan barely panted in exertion. “At least you smelled him. You’re using all of your senses. That will help you survive.”

  “I’m not going to walk around sniffing these animals.”

  Evan punched Hunter’s shoulder hard enough for Hunter to grab it in pain and come to a halt. “You’ve got to start using your brain,” the guard said fiercely. “This bastard is out to get you. He’s a cool killing machine, and he wants you dead. How long before that sinks in, man? It won’t be an easy death. Did you see all those slashes on your grandfather’s body? They were made one at a time while someone held Mr. MacRae down. Do you know what that means?”

  Hunter looked away from Evan unable to think about what his grandfather must have endured. “Why are you doing this?” he asked angrily.

  “Because you can’t go off alone like this again.” Evan got in Hunter’s face, practically bumping chests with him. “You know what kind of danger you’re in. You know how a cat plays with a mouse before killing it? That’s what the chimera wants to do with you.”

  “You honestly believe he would try to take me here?” Hunter said in disbelief.

  “Not here.” Evan gestured to the people around them. “But back there...” He pointed toward the path to the park. “If he had surprised you, he could have dragged you in the weeds before anyone noticed.”

  “Then why didn’t he take me and Cyn?”

  Evan rubbed at his chin. “Now that I don’t know. I’m not sure what she is.”

  “What she is?” Hunter repeated. “You mean she’s not just a hot, sexy redhead who was looking to scratch my itch tonight?”

  “Surely the gifts you inherited from your grandfather told you the minute you met her that she was much more than just a hot redhead.”

  Hunter sighed, though he stubbornly refused to answer. What he really didn’t like about Evan is that the guy was always right.

  Evan put his head down for a moment and when he looked back at Hunter, his eyes were dark and angry. “I’m not sure who or what she is, but you have to take care. You can’t be taking up with new people and going off on your own like a stray cat. You’re not doing that on my watch.”