Have you seen them in human form?
Busy.
This is important. Are they even strong enough to shift?
Dude, I’m really trying to focus, so unless you have some big vet words to help…shut your brain down.
He had never left his brother out on his own like this. One always had the other’s back, and had this woman in his arms not been gifted to him by fate, he would be out there now, too. And 7 knew it. I am coming out.
No. I need you to stay where you are. One of them said something about taking care of Natalia in the morning. I got this. You take care of her so I don’t have to split my attention.
He didn’t say anything.
D, I am serious. Your feelings are all over the place, and you aren’t on your game. But you don’t have to be on your game to protect her. Your instincts will kick in for that.
Infectious canine tracheobronchitis.
What?
It’s the only term I know.
Kennel cough? They are neither in a kennel, coughing, nor canine.
So leave out the canine, and they won’t know the other words, but it will make you sound smart.
His brother went silent for a few minutes.
How did you know what the term meant?
Remember the time I hid from Z in the med ward? Woo, it smells in here. I can’t believe these two are forced to live like this. I could strangle those humans with my bare hands.
Calm down. Tell me about your time in the med ward. Anything to take 7’s mind off the anger he could feel through their connection.
Right, um we played some stupid prank on Z.
They were never stupid, D conceded to himself. Perhaps some of the pranks might have been dumber than others.
They were all stupid. Anyway, he caught me mid-prank the way he always does and I ran and hid. He locked me in a cage and said he would send someone to get me.
Did you catch kennel cough? D searched his memories but couldn’t remember the event. He had a vague recollection of his brother and him being apart for a while. No punishment had a bigger effect on them than separation.
I did, damn him. Okay I need to try and get some food into these two. And I don’t trust they aren’t poisoning them, so I need to find the other bags of food hidden in here, and I am afraid they might have relieved themselves on the bundles.
Have fun with that. D snuggled Natalie closer to his chest, quite content to have his assignment under the trailer and not in a minefield of dung.
Why do I get all the glamorous jobs?
Better than filing?
Debatable.
Natalia awoke alone and without a blanket to find D closing the gate. “Sorry, they have just awoken above us. I didn’t think it would bode well for me to be there with you. At least not until we can get that blasted collar off you.”
Well rested and colder than she had ever been after a night of warmth, she felt the chill more acutely. She also had a sense of loneliness accompanying his retreat. “Why do I desire to touch you when all other men make me want to hit them?”
“We don’t have enough time right now to go into a conversation you will have a ton of questions about, but I promise if we haven’t figured out how to get you to safety by this evening, as we sit here in this cage again, I will tell you anything you want to know.”
“And if we get out of here? What then?”
“I will sit in a safe, warm room and tell you anything you want to know.” He indicated the small brown bag beside her. “Eat quickly before they come. Don’t eat or drink anything they give you. I will return for you later.”
“Where will you be?”
“Within hearing distance.” He reached through the cage and cupped her cheek. “I will never be far, even if you can’t see me.”
“I can sense you, why?”
“Because, we are mates.” He put a finger to her lips. “No time.”
He shifted and gave her one last long glance before he left seconds before the cover was pulled off and sun flooded in. She wanted to asked what the hell he’d meant by mate? Needed to know why they seemed connected. She would have called after him, but the overwhelming sweet yet acid scent of Lee Testa’s cologne assaulted her nostrils.
Lee kicked the cage, not even bothering to check if she still slept. “Get up, Natalia. We have a very important day, and I need you in human form to help convince Mr. Zames to sign the deal. I think he is waning in his desire to add funds to the circus.”
“How can you trust me not to mess it up?” Fumbling, she shoved the brown bag of food into the waistband of her pants.
“Because, if you do, the others will suffer. You are too soft, Natalia. Now, get up. You need to bathe and put on clean clothing. You also need to convince the others to be on their best behavior. One wrong step, and I will kill them all. Then you. I want you to see them suffer and die. Now get the hell out here.”
It took her three tries to open the cage with her shaking fingers. Testa gripped her forearm so tight, she lost feeling to her hand and cried out, unable to prevent herself.
“Shut up, you stupid bitch! If you are good, you might get an extra portion of food.”
As he dragged her behind him, she caught sight of the black wolf on the edge of the tree line and took strength from his presence. She didn’t know what being a mate meant, but she figured in some way they were meant to be together. His keeping watch over her gave her fortitude. She entered the staff quarters, which were better than her living conditions but not by much. On the bed farthest from the door lay a rumpled dress and underwear with the price tag attached.
“Take a shower. You smell like the stables.” He handed her a few bottles and a bar of soap. “Take these toiletries, and the clothes are yours. You have twenty minutes before I come in and dress you myself.”
“I understand, sir.”
“Good.” He turned back in the doorway, eyeing her. “Come here. We don’t want to make a bad impression.” He took a key out of his pocket and removed the collar. “I don’t think you need this. You understand I will kill everyone if you try and ruin things, and if you run, I will track you down and kill you with my bare hands.” Touching her neck, he tsked. “There is a scarf under your new dress. For God’s sake, cover the red marks on your neck.” He left, taking the evil device with him.
Natalia turned on the water in the shower and gobbled the food D had given her. She couldn’t remember the last time she took a warm shower, even lukewarm. Anything would be better than the tub they gave her for a hip bath every other day. She jumped in and let the water flow over her. The sweet smell of the rose shampoo assailed her senses and she massaged it into her hair.
“You have fifteen minutes,” one of the guards yelled through the thin trailer walls. “Or you can take it slow, and I can help you dress.”
She slammed the nozzle into the off position. The threadbare towel did little to dry or cover her body. Better for her to be clothed and working on her appearance when they came in than naked. It had been years since she last had new clothes. And although the dress could be categorized as gently worn, it was new to her.
When the door opened, she still struggled to get the zipper up her back. Mrs. Testa stood there and tsked. “Let me help you.”
“Please, ma’am.”
“We need to do something about your makeup and hair, too. Your appearance wouldn’t seduce a blind man, let alone someone as sophisticated as Mr. Zames.”
Mr. Zames didn’t want to seduce her, but she couldn’t and wouldn’t tell Mrs. Testa he had spoken to her on more than one occasion. “Seduce?”
“My husband is convinced you are the ticket to getting the money. So it’s time to earn your keep. On your back, if need be. Sit.”
Natalia followed the direction. Better to pretend to be malleable, or at least willing to do as she was told for the sake of the others. The brush yanked through the knots. Shelley Testa didn’t care if the hai
r ripped from her scalp.
“He’s here.” Mr. Testa stepped into the trailer.
In frustration, Shelley ran the brush faster through her hair. “I haven’t gotten her makeup on yet.”
He smirked. “Perhaps for the best. Maybe her innocence will be such a commodity, Mr. Zames will overlook her other obvious flaws. Tie the scarf around her neck. Not too tight. If she is fidgeting with it, he might get suspicious.” He grabbed her chin in a tight squeeze. “Do not blow this. The bear dies today if you fail.”
“Yes, sir.” She averted her eyes to prevent his seeing the disgust she held for him. He had seen her antipathy before, but she had strength this time. Food and rest had recharged her.
They emerged in time to see Mr. Zames getting out of his car. She saw no sign of D, but she could feel him.
“Good morning, Mr. Zames.” Lee’s sugary greeting would attract flies.
“The animals?” Mr. Zames demanded.
“Your vet has been in the large animal enclosure all evening, taking care of the elephants.”
“And the bear?”
Wow, this man would not give Lee an inch. She rubbed her nose to cover a smirk.
“I’m not sure.”
The stranger eyed the two Testas, eyes blazing. “You don’t know, or you won’t say? I suggest you take me to the bear, now.”
“But—”
“Now.”
For the first time, she saw the man she loathed and feared retreat like a coward. He bowed and rushed to the trailer where the other shifters lived. Shelley would have sent a three-beep code, informing them to shift and get into their cages. The Testas asked for a second to go in first and, to her surprise, the other man nodded.
When they were alone, he whispered, never looking at her, “Are you all right?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He leaned in and sniffed her. “You’re covered in D’s scent. Interesting.”
Taken aback, she tried to act nonchalant. “How well do you know D?”
“I’ve known him all his life.”
“Oh.” She wished she could ask a hundred questions, but there was no time. Nor did it appear this man would answer much of anything. “He says we are mates?”
“He’s correct.”
“How would you know?”
“Because, as I said, his scent is all over you, and no matter how many showers you take, another wolf would smell it.” Mr. Zames turned and took the stairs into the trailer, not waiting another minute for permission to enter. Natalia followed out of concern for her friends and, to be honest, she felt safer with the wolf. Not as safe as she had with D last night, but close enough.
She eyed the other shifters as she followed him in. They fidgeted more than normal. Balbus lay on his side outside of his cage. She moved to run to the old Kodiak’s side, but Mr. Zames stopped her. “Send someone for my vet.”
He didn’t wait for anyone to answer. People followed this man’s orders without question. He pulled out his cell phone and spoke in what sounded like the local dialect, but she couldn’t be sure. He seemed to be giving the person on the other line a list of some sort.
D entered, and she took a step forward then shook her head, confused. This man was not her mate. As he passed her, he murmured, “Not D.”
She gasped, sucker punched. Twins! “Not D” moved over to the bear and crouched. He turned away, his nosed crinkled in disgust. “We need to get fresh bedding in here.”
“On its way.” Mr. Zames approached, reaching into his jacket. “Here are the antibiotics you requested.”
“The pachyderms are stable.”
“Good to know.” More went on in this conversation than the three to four words each spoke. Balbus, though still in bad shape, showed signs of improvement from the evening before, and the open sores on his paws seemed to be healing. Both men continued to work on the patient, apparently oblivious to anyone else around them. She could sense D moving around the camp. Unlike the other two newcomers, who moved as if invisible, she could feel D as he got near.
They used Balbus as a diversion.
“He found it,” the other D said in a conversational manner, but she picked up a slight hint that the three words held a world of meaning.
“Good. I’m going to check on the truck.” Mr. Zames headed for the door. “Lee, walk with me and we can discuss finances.”
The Testas visibly relaxed at his words.
“Can your…I’m sorry I have no idea who this woman is to you.”
Lee pulled Natalia forward. “This is our foster daughter, Natalia. Perhaps after dinner she can give you a private tour.”
“Natalia, it’s a pleasure.” He moved in to kiss her cheeks, first the left. “Are the others stronger shifted?” he whispered. Then the right. “We move out tonight.” He backed up. “Perhaps, at sundown, you can show me around?”
“It would be my honor to show you whatever you wish to see.” She looked to Shelley for approval and noticed the other woman had left. “Shall I stay in here until you need me?”
“I could use the help,” D’s twin answered from the corner, indicating the bale of fresh hay in the corner.
Making sure no one remained who might cause them issues, she asked, “What do you need from me?”
“I need you to stay put and safe,” he answered, patting Balbus on the back. He crossed the small space and grabbed the broom. “You can get up, old friend. But stay in your animal form to continue healing. All of you stay shifted and get some rest. You are going to need it tonight.”
“What about their collars?”
The man pushed the old hay out from under the bear before stepping back to allow Natalia to spread some new bedding. “I think your mate has that well in hand. I’m 7, by the way, in case you’re curious.”
“Seven?”
“It’s a pack thing you wouldn’t understand.” 7 kicked some more hay out of the way and sat on the floor with a yawn. “Damn. I’m tired. Mind keeping watch since you managed a good night’s sleep?”
“Watch for the Testas?”
“No,” he yawed again, “they don’t scare me. But my big bad brother Z does.”
“You know they’re going to try and kill you all?”
He shrugged, pulling his knees to his chest and resting his arms followed by his head on top. “They can try, might make this whole thing more interesting. Not much so far beyond long piles of shit.”
She would have questioned his idea of interesting, but he fell asleep quicker than she could get her thoughts together. Instead, she looked out the only window in the trailer. Showtime at six thirty would come soon enough. And, usually, they would be in the tent cleaning and doing manual labor by now. The others used the unusual free time to sleep and heal. Something none of them ever had enough of—keeping them malnourished and exhausted helped keep them all in line. It also meant none of them ever worked to their full potential.
The security guards sat out on the old pickup truck bed, smoking cigarettes, not focused on anything other than their conversation. It must have seemed like a break for them, too, as they had all the animals contained into two locations and not around camp working. Z and Lee walked around now and again. They spent close to two hours in the tent before heading to Andile’s enclosure. She wasn’t close to those two; an inability to speak their language had put distance between them all. Leonora had taught her the few words she knew, but the lioness said she had been traded from one freak show to another since she was a child and admitted to remembering very little of her former language.
“Why are you still here?” the lioness asked, in human form, sitting outside her cage.
Natalia stepped away from the tiny window. “I thought you were sleeping.”
“Nah, I got some sleep last night. Amazing how a full belly and warm blanket can help.” The other woman sat on her cage, out of sight line of the window. “Do you know what is going on?”
Natalia sh
ook her head. “I think they are planning something for tonight.”
“Why are you still here?” Leonora repeated. “You’re in clean clothes, your collar is off…you could be long gone by now, and no one would be the wiser until later.”
“They’ll kill you.”
“They can’t kill us. We’re as they say a ‘cash cow.’”
The door opened, and Natalia turned, her stomach churning in guilt, as someone entered. The youngest of the security crew stepped inside, with a tray of food. 7 jumped up in front of the two women before she knew he had even woken. “I brought food. For you two. Leonora, it’s a good thing it’s me, and not one of the others. Be careful, okay?” The young boy’s tender heart would get him killed one day.
“Billy, what did you bring?” Natalia took the tray from him and placed it on top of Leonora’s cage.
“I brought food for the doc here and Mr. Zames requested some food for you, too, Natalia. You can imagine how Shelley viewed that request. I also brought a few extra items I could sneak in for the rest of you.”
Leonora bit her lip. “You shouldn’t have. If they find out….”
“Well, they didn’t, so stop worrying.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a stained napkin. “I found some blackberries out in the woods. I know Balbus loves berries. Maybe, when he wakes up, you can give them to him?”
“You are really too kindhearted for this place.” She took the napkin and laid it next to the sleeping bear.
“I’d better get back out there before it raises suspicions.”
“Are there any other guards worth saving?” 7 asked when the door closed.
The taut tone and the way he stared at the door as if he could see through it told her he needed a straightforward answer. “No.”
“Good. Makes things easier.”
“Easier how?”
“It’s probably best if you don’t know. We’ve so far not seen much to redeem the humans in this group.”
Other than Billy, Natalia had no redeeming experience at all. But she didn’t feel comfortable thinking the wolves were going to kill them. Z didn’t strike her as someone who hesitated to take a life if the need warranted it. D and 7 she couldn’t read as of yet.
The Virgin's Infiltrator Page 4
