by Marla Monroe
“They aren’t going to stop.” Marco pushed away from the tree with one bare foot to join his twin brother wrestling with the leopard cub on the jungle floor. “If we stay, the humans here will never be safe, and eventually, neither will our females and cubs.” He yanked the growling cub’s tail as she popped at Rubio’s hand then back at his.
“There aren’t many choices, though. Jag and Diaz are trying to negotiate some land in both places, but so far they haven’t made much headway.” Rubio shook his head. “Here, the government doesn’t care that we’re shifters. They view us as a step above the low-life fuckers who fight among themselves. In the States, our kind is acknowledged yet closely supervised. They’re smart enough to fear us but ignorant enough to let us govern ourselves.”
“That can be a blessing for us, Rubio. We’ll have some rights where here we have nothing. They kill our kind if they see an opportunity. There, it is illegal to kill a shifter.”
“But they are always watching the shifters. I am afraid I’ll feel like a bug under a microscope.” Rubio sighed and stroked the cub’s fur.
Marco tended to agree with his brother. The idea of someone always watching and taking notes bothered him. Still, that was preferable to what they had here. The promise of peace, or as much as you can have among shifter groups, seemed like a dream to him.
The only other downside to living Stateside would be the politics. Even though Jag and Diaz would handle the majority of it, depending on what they did once they moved, he and his brother would have to deal with some of it, as well. His brother was content to trust their shadow’s leaders to pick their way through the bullshit ceremonies of shifter politics, but that would change.
He also wondered how other groups would view their open policy of allowing other cat shifters into their shadow. The majority of their members were jaguars, but over the years, before shifters made themselves known to humans, feline shifter numbers had dwindled, where the canine and lupine had risen. No one knew the reason despite scores of dollars in research, but because of the decrease, their Felix had agreed to allow other feline species into their shadow.
With the new influx of blood, their numbers grew, albeit slowly, yet still they increased. Now Marco and Rubio often found themselves entertaining a cub or two at their place. So far, neither of them had produced a cub of their own, but neither had they been spreading their seed around in order for that to happen. Both wanted to find their true mate, despite that not happening in many years among their shadow.
Many shifter groups were purists in that they didn’t allow or condone cross breading. That led to a compromised gene pool and inbreeding. Their healer believed it was why so many of the cat shifter groups had few cubs born. The canine and lupine groups had no such issues. There were far more of them than the cats. The canines seemed to breed with any shifter group, and though the lupines were more selective, they, too, allowed other groups outside of cats into their packs.
Jag, their shadow’s Felix, had handled negotiations between shifter groups and between their shadow and the human cartels for years. The pressures seemed to increase daily until he couldn’t keep up with everything on his own. His personal assistant, Diaz, helped with some of the more mundane issues, but anything requiring decisions or negotiation remained on the Felix’s shoulders. It didn’t help matters that he had a nasty temper, which often put a halt to all negotiations.
With their world narrowing down on them, Jag had been wise enough to realize that he needed someone who could dance the dance without getting backed into a corner and under the mercy of another group and still remain cool.
Diaz’s role changed from glorified personal assistant to one of liaison to other shifter groups and the local government. He held the title of Second and Shadow Counsel. Marco knew it had been a wise move on Jag’s part to admit his weakness and move to shore that weakness up by utilizing one of their own. The move had already proved to be a wise decision on the part of their Felix.
“I don’t think we’re going to be accepted in either place.” Rubio picked up the now sleeping cub and carried her over to the soft bed of grasses and wild orchids he’d made for the various cubs who often spent time with them when their madres needed to be gone for a while.
“I’m worried that you’re right. Both feline groups are much smaller than we are since we have allowed so many other felines into our shadow. They’re intimidated by our size and the fact that we’re mostly made up of jaguars.” Marco sighed and watched the sleeping cub breathe in and out, oblivious of the cruel, shrinking world around her.
“I’m not sure where that leaves us. Many of the states are made up of either deserts or months of snow and ice. While I’m not averse to the occasional cold winter, I’m not a fan of extended snowy seasons.” Rubio clasped his hands behind his head.
“I’m worried he may decide to accept the tentative offer from the cougar pard in the northeast.” Marco sighed and rubbed his chin. “I believe the New England states are where they are. The winters there are brutal.”
“So we either face ice and snow for months on end or continue as we are, under the thumb of drug lords who enjoy causing misery. I don’t see that we’ve got many options, brother. If my vote counted, I’d say we remain here and actively protect the humans in our territory and push the cartels out once and for all.” Rubio drew in a deep breath and let it out in a soft whoosh. “That won’t happen, and our options are dwindling, what few we have, while we wait.”
“It all takes time, Rubio. It all takes time.” Marco looked down at the sleeping cub as she dreamed her way through sleep, no doubt chasing bugs or maybe even a butterfly. Her little paws raced in sleep even as soft mewling snarls tickled the air. “I just hope it doesn’t take so much time that the shadow’s cubs join the humans in constant danger.”
* * * *
Taylor Dristal stared out the window of the twin-engine plane praying they made it to the landing strip. Hell, she prayed the pilot knew where the damn thing was, hidden away in the dense foliage below them. She’d had little desire to visit the Central American countries, and if she’d realized what her Felix had in store for her, she might have pretended to be sick with menstrual cramps, anything to escape flying on a wind-up toy plane into a jungle she doubted she could survive alone despite being a leopard shifter.
Why me? He could have sent Toni or even Gayle who kept the Leap’s records. I had to have done something to piss him off but just can’t think of what it was.
She had no idea what to expect from a jaguar shadow who was looking to relocate and hadn’t fared well in negotiations with the Louisiana pard or the panthers in the Florida glades. More than likely they would be snarling cats who’d just as soon snap her neck as listen to her absurd offer from her Felix. Taylor still wasn’t sure how she felt about the offer he’d trusted her with in the first place.
Darrius, their Felix, was close to seventy years old. He’d lost two mates and worried that he’d waited too long and was now too weak to keep their Leap safe anymore. The problem was that there wasn’t anyone else in their shifter community strong enough to take over. Taylor could agree with that, but offering their Leap to a strange shifter group seemed more like suicide than a solid decision.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this. I should have tried to talk him out of it.” But Taylor knew there would have been no talking the old cat out of anything he thought was in the best interest of his family.
Stepping back, she understood the need and even why he didn’t petition other feline groups to interview potential replacements. One or more of them would decide to take matters into their own hands and demand a leadership match. Just because they were able to best Darrius didn’t mean they should be the Leap’s Felix. Leadership matches were to the death, and the winner automatically assumed the role of Felix.
Taylor shuddered to think of some of the potential leaders who’d picked up on Darrius’ weakening state and camped out close by to watch for an opportunity to take
over. The Leap had closed ranks around their Felix, knowing he was trying to find them a strong, understanding one to replace him.
“Make sure you’re buckled up tight back there and secure anything you’re working on. We’re about to land, and the descent is going to be sharp since we only have a small window of visibility to the landing strip.” The pilot’s matter-of-fact attitude did little to reassure her as the plane took a sudden dip that felt like a free fall at first.
I swear if I live through this crap I’m going to demand that Darrius takes me off the ambassador list. It was only supposed to be for a year in the first place. I should have already rotated off. Lying bastard.
Another sharp dive and Taylor slammed her eyes shut, squeezing them so tightly stars danced behind her eyelids. The sudden loss of altitude had her stomach in her throat and her last meal fast approaching the release valve. Finally, they leveled out, and seconds later, the jarring of the plane bouncing on the tarmac gave her some measure of relief.
“Piece of cake, Cap. Piece of cake. Told you I could handle it.”
Realization that the actual pilot hadn’t landed the plane redoubled her resolve of refusing to do this type of work ever again.
“Miss Dristal? You can open your eyes now. We’re ready to depart. Your luggage will be sent directly to your hostel.”
Taylor immediately recognized the voice as belonging to the one who’d evidently landed the plane. She opened her eyes to see the flight steward standing over her with her computer bag ready for her departure.
No freaking way am I getting on another plane with him. He doesn’t look old enough to vote, much less pilot a plane. I’ll kill Darrius for this.
“Careful going down the ramp, now. It can be slick in this humidity.”
Taylor took the proffered computer bag and carefully walked down the ramp, holding on to one rail as she did. The last thing she needed was some sort of injury that would delay her return home.
Humid air hit her like a force field, taking her breath almost as soon as she stepped off the plane. It only got worse as she walked down the ramp. Already her blouse clung to her body, and her short hair felt unruly when she ran her fingers through it. Taylor groaned. She already had a difficult time controlling the wild curls. As long as she was in Central America she would have to suffer the mess that probably resembled a bird’s nest resting on top of her head.
“Just one more thing to add to my list of complaints. Not that it will do me any good.” Taylor repositioned the shoulder strap to the computer bag and followed the dark-skinned man, who was only a couple of inches taller than herself, when he waved her forward.
The fifty or so yards from the plane to the building, which she assumed was the airport office, felt more like a hundred miles. Her lungs felt like a sponge full of water. How could anyone survive in these conditions? That they were overwhelming was an understatement, but then she supposed they were used to it by now.
“Miss Dristal.” The good-looking male jaguar standing before her oozed sex appeal as well as the standard arrogance of most feline shifter males.
“And you would be?”
Taylor had quickly learned as an ambassador to never assume anything. For all she knew, the male standing before her could be the Felix of their shadow or a glorified gopher. It always proved wise to know the cats you met, as well as the ones who held positions but were never introduced to you.
“I’m Haze. I assist our Felix with all forms of transportation and scheduling. His second was unable to meet you himself but will meet us at the Felix’s home.” The handsome male’s arm fanned out to indicate that she was to precede him to the opposite door, where another male shifter waited to open it for her.
The ride from the airport to the Felix’s home took a good twenty minutes. The cool air conditioning in the car gave her a bit of a chill, but she much preferred that over the smoldering heat outside. The beauty of the jungle as they drove deeper into the trees seemed almost surreal. She’d seen parts of the rain forest on TV but never in person. If it weren’t for the intense humidity and severe temperatures, Taylor thought she could easily fall in love with the place.
They were met at the door of the impressive home by a male who made her sex throb from just one look of those rich black eyes. They walked up and down her body before a slow growl escaped from his throat then it abruptly cut off. Taylor resisted the urge, no, the need to wrap herself around the man and put her mark on his neck. She’d never had such a reaction before. It took precedence over everything else, including the all-important meeting with the shadow’s Felix.
The male’s tall, sleek body spoke of strength and power. His midnight-black hair gleamed beneath the lights of the entrance hall, and his wild scent nearly drove her to her knees. The musky, rich smell, which reminded her of the forest at home just after one of their frequent rainstorms, teased her cat.
Please let him be just for me. I would love to sample his prowess to see if he can satisfy my leopard. Oh hell. Where did that thought come from?
Taylor didn’t have time for romps of any kind, no matter how tempting the specimen. She also couldn’t sample a male who might never step foot on US soil. It would be irritating to only get one taste of one such as this cat who was sure to be amazing. There would only be the one chance unless…
“Our Felix is waiting for you.” The deep guttural voice just to the side of the object of her raging hormones startled her. How long had she been staring at the feline god in front of her that she would have missed the second male walking up next to him?
“Of course.” Sheesh, was that her voice or a Looney Tunes character’s?
Taylor tore her protesting gaze from the man who had to have taken a bath in catnip to focus on the other male in the entrance hall. Though he was just as handsome as the one who still had her leopard’s complete attention, there was no interest from her cat. Nor did his scent appeal to her. Yes, the pheromones wafting off his skin gave her goosebumps, but beyond that, she felt nothing for this male. Sex appeal maybe, but not enough to think about rolling in his scent.
“I’m Diaz, the Felix’s second.” The jaguar bowed slightly at the waist. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Dristal. We greatly appreciate that you’ve come all this way to see us. It wasn’t possible for Sir and I to make a trip to the States at this time.” The male jaguar led her down a short hall then indicated a left turn.
At the end of that hall, closed double doors cut from solid mahogany stood as silent sentries against all intruders. The rich, dark, almost maroon color blended well with the shadowy hall. If it hadn’t been for her feline sight, Taylor might have missed the intricate carving cut into the doors. An amazingly textured depiction of what could only be a jaguar as it lay next to a smooth, flowing stream demanded appreciation with an arrogant snarl barely noticeable at first. The mighty cat’s eyes seemed to look all the way inside her inner-most private thoughts and see all of her secrets. Taylor shook her head to dispel the feeling.
Diaz stepped in front of her to rap once on the door before opening it to reveal a simple yet elegant room beyond the magnificent emblem that Taylor was sure held a threat, or maybe threat was too crass of a word. Maybe promise better described the intense gaze of the carved feline.
Bookshelves lined the walls on either side of the room. At the back of the room, a set of elegant French doors opened out to an impressive deck. The French doors were also mahogany with etched glass allowing a view of the outside. In the middle of the room, a large no-nonsense desk complemented the powerful male sitting behind it.
Not a hair looked out of place as the shadow’s Felix watched her enter his lair. To her surprise, he rose and extended his hand to her.
“Miss Dristal, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Jag, Felix to this shadow” His deep, sultry voice edged with a thick Latin accent proved difficult to understand at first.
Were all the males in their Shadow this damn sexy? She could sense the eyes of the others slip up and do
wn her back, only to focus on her ass. She had to resist the urge to squirm and, no doubt, raise their interest even higher. Their pheromones filled the air with a musty, enticing scent created to draw a female closer to them. It was working much too well. Taylor’s body swayed to the lure.
“Enough!” The Felix’s deep voice snapped her out of the haze all of those male hormones had buried her under. “She is not a female to be trifled with. She is our guest and the ambassador to the Felix in Seattle.”
Taylor didn’t bother to turn around to see which of the felines grumbled under their breath. No doubt they both did.
“Please have a seat, Miss Dristal. Ignore them. It would seem they’ve lost their civility where you’re concerned.” The Felix nodded then settled back into his own chair once she’d taken her seat.
“It’s Taylor, Sire, and I’m not easily disturbed. We’re sexual creatures, or I’d be embarrassed by my reactions.” Taylor slowly allowed her body to relax into the comfort of the chair.
She was sure many a feline had succumbed to the relaxing texture of the expensive leather and let down their guard in front of this charismatic Felix. Taylor vowed not to become another victim while she was there presenting her Felix’s request and subsequent offer of their Leap.
She was also supposed to form an impression of the shadow’s Felix to be sure he was, as presented, the strong but fair Felix they’d been led to believe. If not, she was to offer only a safe plot of territory if no other feline group did.
“When your Felix asked if you could come to present an alternative to our relocation to the New England states, I admit I was intrigued. Perhaps you can tell me what this alternative might entail.” The Felix leaned back in his chair with one hand on the boot of the leg he’d effortlessly crossed and the other behind his head as he rested it against the chair’s high back.
