by Joyee Flynn
“I’d like to thank everyone for coming at such short notice,” Curtis said loudly as he dropped my hand and stepped forward. “Some of you know me, but for those of you that don’t or we haven’t met yet, I’m Curtis Booth. I know there’s a lot that needs to be handled after they way things were run under my brother, but I ask that everyone please be patient while we handle the most pressing issues first.
“As some of you may have heard, I’ve recently mated. This is my mate, Shemael Cowell, and his brothers, who will be residing here as well. I know how Harold felt about shifters and their use for vampires. Let me make this clear, that is not how I feel, and they are to be treated with the same respect as any other coven members. Speak now if you have questions or if this is an issue because Conley Norton feels the same way and has instituted laws that they are to be treated as our equals.”
“Why? They’re weaker than us,” one man called out, and already I didn’t like him.
“Says whom?” Curtis snickered. “I’ve seen them in cheetah form, and they are not to be messed with. I know most of you haven’t been around shifters and might not know their capabilities. But I can assure you that them deciding to join us here is a benefit to us. The eldest of the Cowell brothers, Cass, has agreed to answer any questions.”
Well, that was another thing they left out of the agenda to me. Idiots. I figured they did it on purpose so I didn’t know how long we’d be the center of attention.
“Shifters have three forms, right?” one woman asked after a few moments of silence.
“Yes, we have our human, half-animal-half-human, and full animal form,” Cass answered. “But we are completely sentient in every form.”
“You can’t be faster than vampires though,” that same man said. Douche.
“Not in human form, but we are faster than cheetahs in nature and are stronger than humans in human form,” he replied slowly as if choosing his words carefully. “I’ve never raced a vampire in cheetah form, so officially I can’t say either way. But I’ve seen enough vampires move that I know it would be close.”
“So what can you do that we can’t?” the woman asked hesitantly. And while the question might have seemed harsh, I was pretty sure she was giving us a chance to show the perks of having us around.
“Our sense of smell is much greater for one—” Cass replied but was interrupted when a few vampires snorted or snickered. “In this room there are sixty-seven vampires, and ten outside the room. You all have different scents.”
“Yeah? I can smell that, too,” Douche Bag countered.
“Seventeen of you in this room haven’t showered today,” Cass continued, ignoring the guy. “Thirty-five of you have had blood in the past twenty-four hours, twenty in the past two days, the rest within the week except one of you who smells sick. I’d guess it’s been a while since that person has drunk any blood.”
“Holy shit,” someone gasped.
“Furthermore, there are twenty-two guns in this room, and sixteen more in the hall. Ten of you are aroused for whatever reason. Three of you are sweating profusely, and six of you smell of another vampire in this room that you’ve been intimate with.” Cass finished up and paused while people whispered. “Can you still smell all of that?”
“We can’t confirm any of that,” the man sneered.
“Everyone who has a gun of any form, hold it up,” Curtis said loudly. After a few moments, my mate started chuckling, and I knew Cass got it right. “That would be twenty-two. Any more tests?”
“Actually, Master Booth, I’m the one that’s sick,” a different man replied. “Harold was upset with our coven for various reasons and cut off our blood supply six months ago. We’ve been living off what reserves we had, but we’re out, and my whole coven is sick.”
“We’ll handle that immediately after this meeting,” Curtis said gently. “And none of this ‘Master Booth’ shit. I hate that title. Curtis is fine.”
“Why is your mate staring out the window, Curtis?” that same woman asked. Awww, shit. I didn’t realize that’s where I was facing.
“I mean no disrespect. I’m blind,” I answered as I turned towards the sound of her voice.
“Oh great, a blind shifter is his mate,” I heard the douche bag mumble.
“Can we see you shift? I mean, is that rude to ask?” the woman asked. “Can you see nothing at all even then? How can you run if you can’t see?”
“I can see somewhat in half and half form and fully when in cheetah form,” I answered before turning to Curtis. “That’s up to my mate. I have no problem shifting in front of everyone, but Curtis has issues with others seeing me naked. Shifters aren’t bothered by nudity, but I guess vampires aren’t used to it.”
“Fine,” Curtis sighed, and I started to get undress. He grabbed my hand as I went to unbutton my jeans. “I’ve got a tablecloth here. Wrap it around your waist for when you change, okay?”
“I love you, too, big guy.” I chuckled while finishing getting naked. I trusted he’d keep me hidden. As soon as I was naked, he wrapped it around my waist, and I held it there. “Can everyone see me?”
“Yep, you’re all good, angel.”
I gave him a nod and then let the change flow over me. I heard several gasps and a few soft shrieks as the tablecloth fell away and I let my cheetah out. I took a moment to stretch out the kinks and took in my surroundings before hopping off the stage. We were in a ballroom, and the room wasn’t even half full with vampires.
“It’s a common trait with larger litters of cheetah shifters that the youngest is blind. No one knows why,” Cass explained as I moved around the room. A few hesitant hands petted my head, while a few went pale and stepped away. “Shem can hear you and understand you. He won’t hurt anyone.”
I smelled Douche Bag before I saw him and headed in his direction.
“Curtis won’t always be around to protect you, shifter,” he sneered quietly as he stupidly knelt down to be closer to me. “And that’s when I’ll gut you like the animal you are, and he will die with you.”
I roared loud enough to rattle the windows as I pounced on his chest. He fell back to the ground as I stood on him, crushing him. The guy tried to move in vain. He might have been wicked strong since he was a vampire. But I was a hundred and forty pound cheetah in a better position.
“Anyone still think that they’re weaker than us?” Curtis chuckled, but I could feel his fear and confusion at what was going on. I wasn’t about to shift back and explain. Then I smelled my litter-mates who had shifted and joined me.
They snarled at him as they read my mind at what had happened and took position around the guy. Ham sent me images to go back to Curtis, shift, and explain what was going on while they watched him.
“And we have a hive mind in our litter when we’re in cheetah from,” Cass said loudly as I made my way back to the stage.
Curtis saw me coming and held up the tablecloth to block me from everyone else’s view. I moved behind it and shifted back.
“What happened?” my mate asked quietly as I wrapped the cloth around me.
“He threatened to gut me like the animal I am when you weren’t around,” I answered loud enough for everyone to hear. “And that you would die with me because of it.”
“I want Mel detained and questioned,” Curtis ordered to someone as he wrapped his arms around me. No one must have moved because my mate started growling. “Which of you are guards for the estate?”
“Harold dismissed all of us and replaced them with his men that were sentenced to death with him.”
“Lovely,” he muttered under his breath before raising his voice. “Mitchell, you used to be in charge of the guard, right?”
“Yes, Curtis.”
“Okay, then I reinstate you and your loyal guards. We’ll talk later and get this all ironed out as well.”
“Of course, we’ll take charge of the prisoner if you’ll call off the cheetahs,” Mitchell replied.
“They won’t hurt you, Mitch
ell,” I said gently as I pulled my jeans on under the tablecloth. “They understand what’s going on, I promise.”
“My apologies, you did say that earlier.”
“He’s detaining Mel now and your brothers backed off just fine,” Curtis told me softly as I yanked on my shirt.
“Thanks. It sucks not knowing what’s going on.”
“Cass,” Curtis called over as the room started to spin into chaos and voices started rising.
“That went so well.” Cass snickered as he came up to us. “You want us to start taking down grievances while you guys handle the RCFD? Just give us a room to talk with people one at a time and some guards. Let’s not leave open any room for more issues.”
“Great minds think alike.” Curtis snickered and took my hand before facing back to the crowd. “Everyone, please, quiet down.” It took a few moments, but eventually the room went silent. “Cass and a few of his brothers will be in one of the dining rooms in a little bit to start listening to everyone’s issues. They are here to help us, and we need as much of it as we can get, okay? Hopefully everyone can stay for the weekend, and I’ll get a chance to meet with each of you personally. But for now, let’s start with this, thank you.”
We got off the stage then, swarmed by my brothers as Curtis called over the staff of the house. I leaned against the wall and listened absently as he rattled off instructions over guest rooms, food, and orders that the sick vampire be given some of the blood the house had right away. Moments later Mitchell came back and told my mate that Mel was locked up in one of the basement cells.
“Good, thank you,” Curtis sighed, and I could feel his weariness and stress. I reached out and took his hand, and suddenly he was grateful I was there with him. That made me smile. How could this big vampire leader be so affected by something as simple as me holding his hand?
“Might we speak now about the guards, Master—I mean Curtis?” Mitchell asked.
“Shem and I have an appointment with the RCFD. Would you mind riding to the back of the property with us so we could talk?” Mitchell must have nodded because Curtis went on. “I also want at least five guards you’d trust with your life to guard Cass and his brothers as they start talking with the different covens. I don’t want any more issues for the day, okay? I think we’ve hit our limit.”
“Agreed.” Mitchell chuckled. “I’ll set it up and meet you guys at the front entrance in five.”
“Thanks for jumping right in to help.”
“My family has been protecting yours for generations. It was like a knife in the back when Harold dismissed the lot of us. But then it became apparent why when his crimes came to light. I look forward to taking my place as head of the guard again.”
He left after that, and I felt at least we had some good news today after all. Mitchell was a good guy, and I felt better knowing he had Curtis’ back, especially after what had happened with Mel. Because obviously, all of Harold’s allies had not gone the way of the dodo.
It was about ten minutes later we were loaded up in one of the bigger vehicles and heading to the building where Kody had been held. I couldn’t help but shiver. The place was evil, and I couldn’t even imagine all the horrible things Harold had done there. Curtis must have felt the same because he went tense next to me.
“They’re already here,” Curtis whispered as the car pulled to a stop. He helped me out of the car and gasped the same time a sweet scent hit my nose. Our mate! “I wasn’t paying attention. I felt a draw to blood, but I assumed it was yours since I’m stressed and thirsty. Our mate is a hot fireman.”
“Nice,” I groaned and followed my nose. Curtis kept my hand as we made our way over the grass until I knew our mate was right there. “Hello, I’m Shem Cowell.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Lieutenant Dieter Sheron,” said a deep whiskey drawl that made me shiver. “I was told to speak with a Curtis Booth.”
“I’m Curtis, nice to meet you.”
“You as well,” Dieter replied, and I heard them clasp hands to shake. “Thank you for letting the fire department use your building for training.”
“Not a problem. We were going to get it demolished anyways and I figured with the remote location you might be able to use it.”
“We get an old barn here and there, but not many more residential buildings.” I stuck out my hand for an excuse to touch him, but it was left hanging there for a moment. “Oh god, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you’re blind.”
“Is that bad?” I asked hesitantly as I dropped Curtis’ hand and gave him a wave. He must have seen it because I heard him walk away. “You have a very nice voice, Lieutenant.”
“Diets, everyone calls me Diets,” he said huskily as he took my hand in his. “And no, being blind isn’t bad at all. I just wasn’t paying attention.”
“Diets, like beets. I like it.” I purred and stepped closer to him. Taking a chance, I moved closer and placed my hand on his chest. “Are you single, Diets?”
“Y–Yes, yes, I am,” Diets replied, and I could smell his arousal. “Are you always this forward?”
“No, I’m not,” I answered honestly. “Something about you just calls to me, Diets. And when I heard your voice, I knew I’d kick myself later if I didn’t ask you out or at least talk to you until you asked me out.”
“Why am I so drawn to you?” he whispered, more to himself than to me. I knew the answer, but right then wasn’t the time to explain. “You are probably the hottest little thing I’ve ever seen. Are you even legal?”
“I’m twenty-one, but isn’t age just a number?”
“I’m almost thirty-five. That’s a big gap, Shem.”
“Are you saying you don’t want me or even to go out with me?” I asked, my heart crumbling as I started to pull away.
“No, that’s not what I’m saying,” he said firmly as he put his other hand over mine to keep it on his chest. “I’m saying this attraction is like playing with fire and I think we’re going to get burned.”
“Good thing you’re a fireman then,” I purred, playing the pun. A cheesy move, but I was ready to pull out all the punches to get him alone so we could talk later. “Will you come see me at the main house when you get off work? I think we need to talk with less people around.”
“Why do I think when you say talk you mean get naked?”
“I said no such thing. You did.” I giggled and then purred again as I rubbed my thumbs over his hands. “Don’t say no, Diets. You said it yourself. You’ve never been so drawn to someone. There’s got to be a reason that’s worth exploring, right?”
“Yes,” he hissed, and he was so hard I could feel it brush my stomach when we were this close. I moved slightly so he knew I felt it, but not enough where if anyone was watching, they could know what I was up to. “You feel this, too, right? I’m not making a complete ass of myself?”
I stood on my toes to whisper in his ear, but he was a big guy, too, and I didn’t quite make it. Diets leaned down the rest of the way, and I felt his cheek brush my ear length hair. “If we were alone right now, what I feel is so strong I’d already be naked and begging to lick every inch of you. Please don’t run from this, Diets. Please come at least talk to me later, okay? I promise if you don’t like the idea of a younger man after we have dinner, I’ll never bother you again.”
“It’s not your age that scares me, Shem,” he said back in a seductive voice that melted my knees. “Fire like this between people normally burns out fast and leaves one party hurt. And I have a feeling it will be me.”
“I don’t think that will happen with us, but you’ll never know if we don’t try.”
“Okay, I get off at four,” Diets groaned after a moment. “I’ll leave right from the station, if you don’t mind just jeans and a polo shirt, and come to the main house.”
“You could wear a dress, and I couldn’t see it.” I chuckled, trying to make a lame joke.
“Shit, I keep forgetting,” he cussed under his breath. He moved back a littl
e and reached out to cup my cheek. “How can you want me? I could be horridly ugly, and you’re so beautiful. Why take that chance?”
“I’ve learned to trust other instincts besides looks.”
“Lieutenant, you coming?” someone called out, breaking into our own little bubble.
“Yeah, get it started now that the owner’s here,” Diets called out and dropped my hand. “I’ll see you a little after four, okay? We can go out to eat, or if it’s easier for you, we can spend some time at your house. I’ve never dated anyone blind before, so you’ll have to educate me on what’s best for you.”
“Okay,” I said, smiling widely at him as I took a step back. “I’m looking forward to it, Diets. I really am.”
“Me, too.” He chuckled and then I heard him move away. I kept smiling at him in case he looked back at me, hoping I made the perfect picture of his best wet dream. I felt Curtis approach, but didn’t take his hand when he went for mine.
“He’s coming over for a date at four,” I informed my other mate. “I don’t want to scare him with thoughts that we’re already a couple. He’s human and going to have enough to take in right off the bat.”
“Do you like him more than me?” I could hear as well as feel the fear in my mate and his words.
“Curtis, I love you. This isn’t a contest, and he’s both of our mate.” I sighed. “You know the timetable and pressure I’m under after smelling my mate. Do you have a better suggestion as to how to proceed?”
“No, you’re right,” Curtis said quietly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get all jealous. It’s just when you waved me away, I didn’t understand.”
“I thought one of us talking to him would be better than overwhelming him with the idea of a real ménage relationship. And let’s face it. Of the two of us, I’m way less intimidating. Once we get him alone, we can talk to him and be honest. I kind of felt like the spider trying to lure the fly into my web.”
“It must have worked because he keeps looking at you.” Curtis chuckled. “And I can smell his arousal from here.”
“Holy mother of hot,” I gasped suddenly as I felt immense heat coming from my left side. I started to step back instinctively, but then I didn’t know what I could be stepping into. “I don’t want to be here. I don’t know the land, and I can’t run if I need to.”
