Fire & Rescue Shifters Collection 1

by Zoe Chant

  Dai folded his arms across his chest, fists clenched as though he was having to physically restrain himself from taking a swing at Bertram. “It means we have to hear him out.”

  “Good boy. I’m so glad we had this little chat.” Bertram dismissed Dai entirely with a flip of his hand, turning instead to Virginia. “It may surprise you to hear that I have come to make you a very gracious and generous offer.”

  “You can shove it up your English arse,” Virginia said hotly. “No matter what you’ve done to Dai, you’ve lost, Bertram. Soon the whole world will know that I discovered Brithelm’s burial mound, and that you tried to hide it. Your professional reputation will be ruined.”

  “That is, of course, assuming that the burial mound is still there,” Bertram said.

  Virginia sucked in her breath. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Oh, believe me, I would.” Diamonds glittered as Bertram ostentatiously checked his watch. “It is now...11:23 on Sunday morning, which by my reckoning gives me at least twenty hours before you could possibly hope to report your find to the relevant authorities. Meanwhile, I have an entire construction team who is just delighted at the prospect of triple pay for working on a Sunday.” He gazed contemplatively at the ceiling. “My. How much concrete could they could lay in twenty hours, I wonder?”

  “And if Virginia gives you the artifact she found?” Dai said. “That’s what this is about, isn’t it?”

  “Of course.” Bertram smiled condescendingly at Virginia. “I am prepared to be magnanimous. I shall trade you the artifact for the rest of the site.”

  “What?” Virginia stared at him. “You mean, you’d give me permission to investigate it properly?”

  “I would immediately halt construction work, and as the landowner give you full access to the land.” Bertram spread his hands. “I’ll even help you secure the site. We’d announce the discovery of the site together. My reputation will give you at least some degree of credibility, enough to make sure that you secure funding for a full dig.”

  “In other words, you want to steal the credit,” Virginia said. “And no doubt any other valuable artifacts too. Dai’s told me how greedy you dragons are.”

  “Has he now,” said Bertram. “How amusing. No doubt that’s true when one only has a pitiful excuse for a hoard.” He cast a withering glance at Dai. “I, on the other hand, possess so many treasures already, I would be hard-pressed to even notice the addition of one more paltry pile of golden grave goods. I merely have a personal interest in the particular piece you removed. It belonged to an ancestor of mine, and has great sentimental value to my family.”

  “Sentimental value.” Virginia snorted. “Right. Nothing to do with the fact that it’s a big chunk of—”

  “Ah!” Bertram raised a finger. “If I may offer some advice. It would be wise not to discuss the piece in detail in front of your little...friend here.”

  “Why are you so sure I haven’t already shown it to him?” Virginia asked.

  Bertram smiled. “Because he did not list it in his hoard when we dueled. And believe me, if he’d seen the artifact, it would be in his possession right now. He’s dragon enough for that.” He straightened, turning to the door. “You have two hours to accept my offer,” he said over his shoulder as he left. “I shall look forward to hearing from you.”

  Virginia looked at Dai, expecting him to indignantly deny Bertram’s parting accusation, but he avoided meeting her eyes. A tiny worm of doubt squirmed in the pit of her stomach. Bertram was a liar and a thief, and she knew she should ignore every word he said...but Dai did seem to have a lot of dragon instincts. She was starting to suspect that he was trying to hide the full extent of his dragon heritage from her.

  She knew with bone-deep certainty that she could trust him with her life...but could she trust him with her gold?

  Chapter 8

  “I don’t know, Dai. Maybe I should just accept Bertram’s deal,” Virginia said. Even though Dai was careful to check his pace to match her shorter stride, she still kept dropping behind, as though having second thoughts about following him at all. “One artifact isn’t worth the destruction of an entire site. And it shouldn’t matter who gets the credit for the discovery, as long as the site is preserved for study.”

  Dai wished with all his soul that he could smooth the worry from her beautiful face, but he didn’t know how to close the distance that had opened up between them since Bertram’s visit. She’d been quiet and reserved since the other dragon shifter had left. The new doubt in her eyes when she looked at him tore his heart in half.

  “It does matter,” he said firmly. With a light touch on her elbow, he guided her down an alleyway so narrow that the eaves of the houses on each side almost met overhead.

  They were in the heart of the Brighton Lanes, a warren of ancient, cobbled back streets. The narrow alleys were packed with an eclectic range of tiny shops catering to a range of specialist interests. Everything from antiquarian maps to fetish wear could be found in the Lanes.

  And there were a few very private, very discreet businesses for a very select group of customers—shifters.

  “It’s your discovery,” he said to Virginia as he guided her through the maze of streets. It was a route so familiar, he could have found his way in pitch darkness. “I’m not going to let Bertram steal either the artifact or your credit.”

  Virginia shook her head doubtfully, her face shadowed. “But Bertram’s made it clear he’s top dog. Top dragon.” She blew out her breath. “No offense, but your dragon ancestry seems to be more problematic than helpful at the moment.”

  “Can’t disagree with you there,” Dai muttered, making his inner dragon lash an indignant tail.

  The beast was as agitated as Virginia was subdued. Bertram’s command not to shift weighed on the dragon like iron shackles. It writhed against the restraints, but couldn’t overcome its own instinctive respect for a more dominant male. The dragon’s helpless rage felt like scales scratching the underside of Dai’s skin.

  “I know you want to help, and I appreciate everything you’ve already done,” Virginia continued. “But I don’t see what you can do now. Bertram’s got your hands tied.”

  “I know,” Dai stopped in front of a black, iron-banded door, set uninvitingly in an otherwise blank wall. “Which is why I’ve brought you here.”

  Virginia looked up at the grimy sign above the door. It was so thick with dust that the full moon painted on it was only barely visible. “To...a pub?”

  “Not just any pub,” Dai said. He rapped on the door with his knuckles.

  “We’re closed!” yelled a woman’s voice from inside.

  “No you’re not,” Dai called back. It wasn’t much of a password, but it sufficed to keep out random passers-by.

  The door opened, revealing the round, smiling face of Rose, the pub owner. “Ah, there you are at last,” she said, beckoning them in.

  In contrast to the plain, forbidding exterior, the interior of the pub was a snug, comfortable haven of polished wood tables and plush velvet chairs.

  “All the other lads beat you here. They’re waiting upstairs.” Rose’s kindly gaze fell on Virginia, who was looking around with a startled expression. “And you must be Virginia.”

  Although Dai hadn’t told her anything more than Virginia’s name, there was no hiding anything from Rose. She scrutinized both their faces for a mere second, then clasped her plump hands together. “Oh, Dai, I’m so pleased for you.”

  “Why?” Virginia asked, a perplexed crease appearing in her forehead.

  Dai shot Rose a warning look, but she just laughed. “Because our Dai’s never brought a lady friend in with him before,” she said to Virginia. “And I can already tell you’re not one to put up with any of his nonsense.”

  It was Dai’s turn to frown. “What nonsense?”

  “Now that would be telling.” Rose winked at Virginia. “Which I shall do later, my dear, when you have time. Our Dai is a lovely lad, but he does tie
himself up into knots through overthinking things.”

  “I do not!” Dai protested.

  “Ah, you sweet summer child.” Rose patted his arm, then gestured at the back of the pub. “The lads are up in the Fire room, of course. Give me a shout if anyone wants another drink.” Rose headed off toward the bar, calling back over her shoulder, “Except Chase!”

  Virginia flashed Dai a wry grin as she followed him through the bar area and up the staircase toward the private rooms. Dai’s heart leapt. It was the first time she’d smiled at him since Bertram’s visit.

  “I take it this isn’t an ordinary pub,” she said.

  “No,” said Dai, smiling back at her. He ducked his head to avoid the heavy oak beams. For a shifter pub, The Full Moon had inconveniently low ceilings. “It’s for people like me.”

  “Dragon hunters?” Virginia asked.

  “Amongst other things,” Dai said. “Dragons aren’t the only type of shifter.” He opened the door to the Fire room. “And I want you to meet some of them.”

  Chapter 9

  My God, Virginia thought in bemusement. It’s full of muscles.

  The small room was decorated in rich shades of red and gold, creating a warm and snug space that would have been perfect for an intimate private dinner. It was entirely unsuited to the sheer volume of rippling beefcake that currently occupied it. Five men were crammed around a circular table, their broad shoulders hunched over their drinks. The moment Virginia stepped into the room, she was pinned by five sets of interested eyes. She froze under the weight of so much focused attention.

  “Dai!” A man with black curly hair sprang from his chair, nearly upsetting his drink into the lap of the blond man sitting next to him. He punched Dai playfully in the shoulder, flashing him the widest grin Virginia had ever seen.

  “What took you so long?” the man asked in a strong Irish brogue. His bright, dark glance flitted to Virginia, and his smile widened even further. “Forget it, my question is answered.” He made an elaborate bow in her direction. “Lovely lady of mystery, it’s a joy to lay eyes on you at last. If you ever need any more midnight supplies, consider me forever at your service. I hope you enjoyed the—”

  “Chase,” Dai rumbled forbiddingly, and the smaller man shut up, still grinning.

  Dai turned to Virginia. “This is my fire crew,” he explained. There was something oddly shy in his expression, as if he was introducing her to his family. “My fellow fire fighters. Virginia, this is Chase, our driver. He’s the one who brought me the clothes last night.”

  “In that case, thank you,” Virginia said to Chase, shaking his hand. Under any other circumstances, she would have thought him tall and muscular, but standing next to Dai he appeared practically lithe. “And thank you for getting the crew to me so fast last night. Any later and I would have been in big trouble.”

  Chase’s eyes brightened. “My pleasure. Always nice to meet someone who appreciates speed. Tell me, have you ever wanted to take a ride in a fire engine?”

  Dai took a firm grip on Chase’s arm, dragging him away. “Do not get into any form of vehicle with him. Ever.”

  “Spoilsport,” Chase said, as Dai deposited him firmly back in his chair. He folded his arms in mock-petulance. “It was only one little crash.”

  Dai ignored this, gesturing to another man, who was sitting in a corner of the room a little apart from all the others. “You’ve already met Hugh, of course.”

  “How could I forget?” Virginia said, recognizing the silver-haired paramedic.

  Now that she could see him properly, rather than in the confusion after the fire, she realized that he couldn’t be any older than Dai. His fine, elegant features were young and unlined despite his prematurely white hair.

  “I’m glad to have a chance to meet you in better circumstances.” Crossing the room, she held out her hand to him. “Thank you for, well, saving my life.”

  “You are most welcome,” Hugh said, leaning back a little. His tone was polite enough, but his upper-class English accent couldn’t help reminding Virginia unpleasantly of Bertram. He made no move to take her hand.

  Dai gently tapped her wrist. “It’s nothing personal. Hugh’s not really a hands-on sort of person.”

  “But I am, so let me make up for my colleague’s rudeness,” said one of the other men, rising. He was stocky, with a mane of shaggy blond hair framing a square, kind face.

  His broad, calloused hand enfolded Virginia’s in a warm grip. “Griff MacCormick,” he introduced himself. “We have already met, in a way, though I’ll be astonished if you remember me.”

  There was something familiar about that reassuring voice with its light Scottish burr.

  “It was you on the phone!” Virginia exclaimed, realizing. “When I called the fire services!” She squeezed his hand gratefully before she released it. “You talked me through what to do, and kept me calm while I was waiting for rescue.”

  “Ah, wasn’t much work for me, what with a brave lassie like you on the other end of the line.” Griff smiled at her, laughter lines crinkling around his golden-brown eyes. “I’ve never heard anyone describe a dragon so thoroughly.”

  “I think I was in shock,” Virginia admitted.

  “And this is John Doe,” Dai said, continuing the introductions.

  Virginia turned, and took an involuntary step backward as she was confronted by a solid wall of muscle. Dai might have made Chase look slender, but the man who’d just stood up made Dai look small.

  “John Doe?” she said inanely, the man’s sheer size temporarily stunning her brain. “Really?”

  “I am told it is traditional use-name amongst your people.” The giant’s voice was so deep, it practically vibrated Virginia’s bones. He had to keep his head bent to even fit in the room. Despite his size, he had a handsome, intelligent face, with deep blue eyes that perfectly matched the shade of his long, braided hair. “I fear you would find my true name unpronounceable.”

  Virginia couldn’t help rising to the bait. “I speak seven languages, four of them extinct. Try me.”

  “Actually, even John can’t pronounce his own name,” Dai said. “Not above water, anyway.” Before Virginia could ask what he meant by that, Dai gestured at the final man, who had been sitting quietly observing all the other introductions. “And last but no means least, this is Commander Ash.”

  Now I know what they mean when they talk about people being “old souls.”

  A shiver ran down Virginia’s spine as she met the Commander’s calm, assessing gaze. Ash couldn’t have been more than ten years older than she was, but she had the sense of something ancient behind those dark eyes. He made her feel oddly small, even more than John had.

  “Sir,” she said respectfully. She looked around at the five men—all different, yet all powerful in their own way. “So...are you all dragon hunters too?”

  All five men stared at her for a moment. Then, in perfect unison, they looked at Dai.

  Chapter 10

  “Dragon...hunters?” said John.

  *Just go with it?* Dai sent to them all. Normally he couldn’t make five mental connections simultaneously, but panic gave him the strength. *I know it’s an oversimplification, but—*

  Chase snorted. “Oversimplification is kind of the understatement of the century.”

  “You mean it’s more complicated?” Virginia said, understandably under the impression that he was responding to her. “Do you hunt other shifters as well, then? Dai did mention something about that a moment ago.”

  Griff was shaking his head. “I don’t know what Dai’s said, but—”

  *PLEASE!* Dai’s psychic shout made the other five men wince. *Don’t scare her off. She’s my mate!*

  There was a momentary pause.

  Then Chase let out a whoop. “Uh, sorry,” he said, as Virginia stared at him. “I just thought of something funny.”

  “O...kay,” Virginia said, edging away from him a little. She turned back to Griff. “What were you s
aying?”

  “I, uh.” Griff flashed Dai a glance that said he had a lot of explaining to do later. “I...wouldn’t exactly call us hunters.” He cleared his throat, recovering some of his usual aplomb. “But we do specialize in handling incidents relating to shifters.”

  “I am curious,” Hugh said to Virginia. His pale blue eyes were narrowed. “What exactly has Dai told you about shifters?”

  “Not that much,” Virginia said. “We’ve mainly talked about dragons, for obvious reasons. About how they’re vicious and greedy, driven by animal instincts.”

  “Yes,” Chase said solemnly, clearly fighting a grin. “Yes, they definitely are. Utter bastards, the lot of them.” John made a noise somewhere between a cough and a growl, and Chase quickly added, “Just fire dragons, though, of course. Sea dragons are majestic and noble and incidentally would never ever even think about punching someone smaller.”

  “Um, right.” Virginia had clearly given up on making sense of anything Chase said, which Dai felt showed her to be an excellent judge of character. “Unfortunately, my problem is definitely with a fire dragon. The one who started the fire that you rescued me from.” Her mouth twisted. “I’ve come to really dislike dragons.”

  Five fascinated stares fell on Dai again. He fidgeted uncomfortably in his chair.

  *She doesn’t know I’m a shifter,* he sent, in a very small mental voice.

  “What?!” Griff exclaimed out loud. John said something in his own language which was probably the equivalent.

  “As I thought,” Hugh murmured into his drink.

  *My friend, you are totally fucked,* Chase sent. *And not in the good way. What were you thinking?*

  “Uh,” Virginia said, obviously baffled by the way everyone’s expressions had just changed. “Did...I say something wrong?”

  “No,” Commander Ash said. “You did not.” Dai shrank down, feeling about two inches tall as Ash leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. “But it seems Daifydd has neglected to tell you some important facts. Firstly, that we are shifters.”