Zodiac Shifters Aries Love's Warrior

by Jennifer Hilt

  Luanne, the fox shifter and her neighbor, was waiting outside. Jessica liked her. She was the odd one out while most of the shifters at the Station were wolves or ice bears. The younger woman kept to herself. Jessica wasn’t sure if she was shy or it was just her fox shifter nature.

  “Hey Jessica, how about you stay here tonight? I have plenty of space and you shouldn’t be alone.” Luanne cocked her head. She wore her red hair spikey and gelled like she was heading out clubbing. Her chin was pointy like a fox. She had a slight build and was only over five feet tall.

  For the first time on this horrible night, Jessica felt the heaviness that settled over her lessen a smidge. This wasn’t really a choice, two murders in two days with her the only common element, and no one wanted her unsupervised. Good thing she was posing as a witch—they’d freak over her lineage. As jailers went, she could do much worse than the fox shifter.

  Luanne motioned her to go inside first. Dr. Deegan started to follow.

  “I’ll get her settled.” After Jessica passed through, Luanne blocked her door entrance with her body. “Thanks, Dr. Deegan.”

  Deegan’s dark browns squatted over her eyelids. “Don’t hesitate to contact me if anything changes.”

  “Will do,” Luanne agreed.

  Jessica was impressed the little fox shifter stood her ground against Deegan.

  Inside Luanne’s trailer was an exact replica of her own. She hung up Teague’s parka on the same wall rack. She pulled off her boots. Jessica moved like a sleepwalker.

  “She creeps me out.” Luanne shuddered, hanging her parka up next to hers. “You can use my room. I’ll sleep out here.”

  Luanne wore a yellow bedazzled sweatshirt with “Shifters Do It Better” in puffy pink paint and blue sequins. These sweatshirts seemed to be her wardrobe of choice.

  The fox shifter was a loner. As far as Jessica knew, no one had been invited in her trailer before. Around the Station, there were several bets about what Luanne was doing in her trailer alone. Now, if she wanted, Jessica could win the bet. She knew her secret.

  Luanne was a crafter.

  Every flat surface in the fox shifter’s place was covered with glue guns, paper and paint. On the couch, staged creations involving yarn and fabric spilled over to the floor. Wood shavings and paper scraps littered the carpet.

  Silly warlocks. They suspected Luanne’s secrecy involved porn but they’d never counted on the crafting part.

  “I’m disturbing you.” Jessica blinked at the room. It looked so normal. She had a hard time juxtaposing this with her reality.

  “You’re welcome here.” Luanne glanced around her place. “It’s a bit of a mess now.”

  A metal TV tray held a set of various-sized knives next to a handful of green stones. The knife edges looked wicked sharp.

  Jessica picked up one of the detailed carvings. It was a fox detailed down to the whiskers. “Do you make this?”

  Luanne flushed. “Yeah. Careful those knives are sharp. Gotta be able to cut through stone. Want to see your room?”

  Jessica expected the chaos of the main living area to continue in the bedroom. Luckily, she was wrong. The single bedroom was snug and tidy.

  “Clean sheets and extra blankets on the bed. There’s a stack of fresh towels in the bathroom. You can borrow some of my clothes.”

  Minutes later under the steam and heat of the shower, Jessica scrubbed herself vigorously. She wished getting away from the last events of the two days was an easy as taking a shower.

  Back in her borrowed room, Luanne left a clean sweatshirt and leggings for her. The leggings fit like Capri pants and the bedazzled sweatshirt said, “Shift Happens”.

  “Beggars can’t be choosers,” Jessica said to herself before crawling into bed.

  “Everything all right?” Luanne’s head popped around the doorframe.

  “Thanks for everything. I’m not popular right now around here.”

  “Don’t let Deegan spook you. She’s a weird one. You know she’s from California, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I once met a fox shifter from California who didn’t eat eggs. How weird is that? The only thing foxes love more than eggs is chicken. And she wanted a tofu burger. Talk about first date from Hell.” Luanne shook her head. “You need anything?”

  “I’d like to forget everything that happened tonight.”

  “Good luck with that.”

  The next morning Luanne escorted Jessica back to the infirmary. The blizzard had stopped. The dark sky was full of stars and a sliver of a moon. There would be no hint of the sun here for months yet. Jessica pinched the fabric of Teague’s hood at her neck, trying to retain some heat.

  She missed the fragrance of the mountains covered in herbs and flowers most of all. She didn’t hate the cold or snow. She resented how fresh snow layers covered the Station, lending a pristine quality to the landscape. Jess thought bitterly that she’d never have guessed a murder occurred less than twelve hours before.

  The sound of their boots crunching against the frozen snow was the only sound. No birdsong here in winter. And no insect chorus like in high summer when she was deep in the mountains collecting herbs. She didn’t relish the bug bites, but she cherished the sense of being in something so vibrant that she was just a small part of it.

  Life at the Station was about humanoids managing nature. Tolerating the weather was a necessary evil to study it. Only the ice bear shifters were suited to life here naturally. In the name of science, other paranormals tolerated life here for a few months to conduct their research.

  How many of them were sorry about that now she reflected? She appreciated the fox shifter treating her civilly. She noted that Luanne never turned her back on her though. That stung but she was grateful not to have someone more brutal, say a vamp or wolf shifter, keeping an eye on her.

  The image of Randy drowning in his own blood flickered before her. It was as vivid now as when it first happened. Jessica stumbled in the snow, falling to her knees.

  “Careful.” Luanne grabbed her arm just above the elbow. She easily pulled Jessica back to her feet.

  Jessica gasped. For a moment she mistook the bright color of Luanne’s parka for fresh blood. So much blood in the last two days. When she was a warrior in battle, it was just part of the landscape. She didn’t stop to think until the fighting was over. Now she felt unprepared and more than a little shocked at her own weakness.

  “You ok?” Luanne asked. She cocked her head again, studying her.

  Jessica nodded, steadying herself with a deep breath.

  They trucked on, thankfully meeting no one on the way back to the Hub. Jessica wanted to lock herself in her lab but that would come later.

  Luckily, the dining room was empty. The demon manning the soft serve yogurt cart dozed with his head nestled against his parka. From this angle, all she could see was his bald spot and stubby horns.

  The dining room smelled strongly of disinfectant when they passed the rows of cafeteria tables. The good doctor wanted to scour away any taint from her prized event. Dr. Deegan was probably still peeved by the disruption to the weekly Friday night bingo game.

  Only the clanging of pots and pans back in the kitchen revealed the kitchen staff was working on breakfast. It was too early for any aromas besides Jessica wasn’t up to eating. Murder proved to be an excellent appetite suppressant.

  Luanne steered her to the left with her hand on her coat sleeve as they exited the cafeteria.

  Wait, where were they going?

  The infirmary was to the right. Luanne’s pace increased until she was propelling Jessica along the supply hall. It was dimly lit with giant jars of processed cheese and paper napkins. The fox shifter stopped before an unmarked door, knocked once and pulled Jessica in with her.

  Luanne locked the door behind them.

  The room was pitch black. Jessica saw nothing. The room was still but she knew they were not alone. Stillness could give away many secrets.

  �
��Are you now conducting investigations in the dark?” Jessica’s voice cracked at the end.

  Damn. She’d been trying to avoid that.

  A fluorescent bulb blinked on and off for a few seconds before settling into a glowing hum bathing the room in a greenish glow.

  That didn’t do anything to improve the pallor of the young woman wearing black technical gear and standing behind a dinged pine desk.

  “I’m Dr. Mariko Snow.” She smiled at Jessica, enough to display her sharpened incisors.

  “Thanks, Luanne. We’ll take things from here.” The deep male voice behind her needed no introduction because it sent shivers up her spine every time she heard it.

  Luanne unlocked the door and slipped out.

  “What took you so long?” Jessica dropped in a creaky hard-backed chair opposite the desk. She kept her eyes on the vamp. Witches were never fans of drainers in close proximity, though Jessica was grateful for the chair. Her legs had been about to give out.

  “We’ve been monitoring the situation remotely.” The shifter spoke behind her. She didn’t care. He could stay out of her sight forever for all she cared.

  Liar.

  Shut the fuck up, subconscious. I don’t need your help.

  “When our agent failed to report in, we decided it was time for a closer look.” The shifter circled as wide around her as the room would allow. He leaned on the edge of the desk. Unlike the vamp, he wore no outer layer. He’d even rolled up the sleeves to this button-down shirt. Familiar silver hairs flecked his tanned forearms.

  Jessica stopped herself from leaning over and running her tongue over his battered knuckles.

  Instead she said to the vamp, “You sent Randy here to spy on me. He was forever following me around like a lovesick puppy, but it was on your orders.”

  Jessica was pissed. She felt guilty for being annoyed with Randy while he was alive.

  “Marshal Slade.” The vamp’s voice was like steel against silk. “You’re the lead investigator. Should I excuse myself from this interview?”

  “Yes,” Carson said.

  “No.” Jessica’s head snapped up. She met his gaze, taking all of him in at once. Carson was always overwhelming, even when she was prepared. At six-feet-two inches tall, with ice blue eyes and a thick head of silver hair, he was magnificent. How many times had her fingertips traced the arch of his brows down to his nose? Or stroked the full shape of his lips and the strong line of his jaw?

  Jessica blinked.

  The vamp was speaking again.

  “Unfortunately, he’s my boss. Besides, this is sounding more like a domestic squabble and less like a federal paranormal investigation. I’ll go see who I can glamour into a confession in the meantime.”

  “Glamouring won’t hold up in the federal courts,” Carson said sharply.

  The vamp smirked. Her delicate Asian features momentarily suffused with glee. She looked very young except for the fangs. “And people say vampires have no sense of humor. Have fun eye-fucking each other.”

  “Lock the door on your way out,” Carson nodded toward the exit behind Jessica.

  The vamp moved from the opposite side of the desk where Carson perched and out the door so fast, Jessica was aware only of the door clicking locked behind her when the vamp was gone.

  “She seems nice.” Jessica blew out a breath. “Not.”

  “She grows on you.” Carson’s mouth quirked at the edges.

  Her heart thumped so hard Jessica wondered if she might break a rib. His infrequent smiles devastated her.

  “Are you fucking her?” It slipped out before her idiotic brain had a chance to immobilize her tongue.

  “No.” Carson slid across the desk from his perch until he rested against the desk right in front of her.

  She lifted her chin to avoid addressing his denim-clad crotch.

  “One,” he continued. “She’s a vampire physician. You know as well as I that they must remain celibate or risk staking by their own medical board. She’s a damn fine medical examiner and I can’t risk losing her.”

  “And two?” Jessica forced herself not to look away from his steely blue eyes.

  He leaned forward, whispering. “You know the second reason, sweetheart. I only fuck my wife.”

  “We’re divorced.” Jessica sat back against the chair, needing some space between them.

  “That was your idea, not mine.”

  “So your plan is to spy on me for the rest of my life?” Her cheeks warmed under his gaze.

  “I protect what’s mine.” He shrugged. His face looked completely unconcerned.

  “You arrogant pig.”

  “Why haven’t you slept with anyone else?”

  “How do you know I haven’t?”

  He tapped his nose.

  Jessica fidgeted in her chair. Fuck. Goddamn Shifter noses.

  “How’s that going for you?” He unfolded his arms from his chest. He placed them at his sides on the desk. “For a woman who likes cock as much as you do, the nights must be very long.”

  Jessica bit her lip. She wanted to scream at him, punch him do anything other than feel what she was feeling right now which was pure unbridled lust. Not love. It only took the low tone of his voice, the urgent look in his eyes, and she shifted on the chair again.

  Oh fuck.

  Her panties were wet.

  His nose twitched.

  She closed her eyes. She remembered his beard between her thighs as he licked her, first tenderly and then with increasing demand. She’d let her fingers grip his head between her thighs before running her fingers in his thick hair, pressing him to her.

  Fuck.

  She braced herself on the chair arms for support.

  “Why was Randy working for you?” Her voice shook but she was determined to get this conversation back on track.

  Carson stared at her lips before shaking his head.

  “There’s been a lot of interest in the Station’s recent batch of paranorma- led experiments. When I heard you were going to be here, I asked Randy to keep an eye on you while he was looking around. I didn’t realize it would get him killed.”

  “What was he looking for?”

  “No what but who. We tracked an escaped fugitive to Fairbanks but lost him. I thought he might turn up here.”

  “If anyone was here, we’d know it. The Station doesn’t have much in the way of privacy. Unfortunately, if anyone is to blame for Randy’s death, it’s me,” Jessica said.

  “How do you figure that?”

  “My roommate and Randy were both working on the Rumpelstiltskin project. Everyone knows that.” She was glad to be discussing the murders. Sad, but at least it was less personal than her failed marriage.

  A muscle in Carson’s jaw ticked. “What do you know?”

  “Nothing that I can think of. I keep thinking there must be something I overlooked. Everyone here talks about their work all the time.” Jessica pushed her hood back in frustration. She was getting hot in here. This had to be Carson’s fault. Some of his shifter excess body heat was making her blood boil. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

  Carson didn’t answer her.

  “This person we’re looking for is dangerous,” he said after a while. He rubbed his thumb against his bottom lip.

  He did have fantastic lips.

  “Someone besides the murderer?” Jessica asked. His shirt collar was bent slightly. She curled her fingers into her palms to stop herself from smoothing it out.

  “Could be a different person. Or the two could be the same. I doubt the two investigations are unrelated.”

  “Who is this other person?”

  Carson had always been her protector. She might not have loved it all the time, but there was a certain security knowing the ice bear shifter had her back. Now she felt vulnerable.

  And more than a bit jealous.

  “Cornelius Root.”

  Jessica gaped. “The Woodsman?”

  “What is it with witches naming ever
ything after fairy tales? He’s a dangerous escaped felon and necromancer. Don’t romanticize him.”

  Carson’s tone made Jessica sit up straighter.

  “This is no fable,” he continued. “Whoever killed the other two did it brutally and quickly. We’ve found no weapons yet. We tracked Root to Fairbanks but lost him. There’s never been a murder at the Station and now we have two. That is no coincidence.”

  “How can I help?”

  Carson stood up.

  Jessica tilted her head up, up, up to meet his gaze.

  “You are to do absolutely nothing with this investigation. You are to go on with your life here exactly as you would before anything happened,” Carson said.

  “They were my friends.” Ok, that was stretching it a bit for Randy, but still she’d only washed his blood from her hands twelve hours before.

  “This is not the time to play detective. I’m running the investigation with Mariko. Luanne will accompany you to breakfast then you may go to your lab until she retrieves you for dinner.”

  She’s forgotten how Carson could be such an arrogant ass.

  “So Luanne is now my jailor?” Jessica headed for the door. Part of her wanted to flee the room.

  Part of her wanted to climb that shifter like a monkey on a tree.

  “It’s a sacrifice, believe me.” Carson’s voice followed her. “I remember your preference for handcuffs.”

  4

  Carson turned the lights back off after Jessica left. He locked the door. His cock was rigid. It had taken all his self-control not to take his wife on a flat surface in the room and fuck her into submission. He knew Jess as well as he knew himself. He sensed part of her wanted him to do that.

  What stopped him was knowing when he had a taste of her again, he’d be a goner—too distracted to focus on this investigation. He was concerned for her safety. Something was amiss here and he couldn’t see it even though he had the uneasy sense he’d glanced right over it.

  He couldn’t put it off any longer. He had to face his partner and two corpses. Jessica’s scent still lingered in the hallway as he headed to the infirmary. When he passed the resident physician’s open door, the nosy practitioner sprang out to snare him.