by Susan Bliler
“MASTER CHIEF!” A shout came from his office across the yard. “CALL, SIR.”
He nodded at his second in dismissal and made his way to the steel barracks that comprised his office. Striding inside, his assistant exited.
“What!” was how he answered when he picked up the phone on his desk.
“King Mulholland. Good to hear your voice, old friend.”
“Who’s this?”
“Monroe.”
The blood in King’s veins turned to ice.
“I’m calling to see if you’re sick of playing soldier. You ready to fight in a real war?”
He’d been dreading this day. Even as the most lethal and efficient killer on the face of the earth, he still prayed Monroe StoneCrow would never call to cash in on the “debt” King owed. “War?” He disguised his trepidation. “What do you need, Crow?”
“I’ve sent the coordinates to your e-mail.” Four more words and then the line went dead. “Time to come home.”
Shit! King hung up the phone and let his head fall back on his shoulders as he eyed the ceiling of his office. He knew from past experience that there were two places a Walker didn’t want to be, in his enemy’s sights, and in Monroe StoneCrow’s debt. Now, he’d most likely be in both and all because one day, too many years ago to count, Monroe StoneCrow had saved King’s life.
Grateful at the time, King had assumed it was simply one soldier saving another. He’d been wrong. Monroe StoneCrow had confronted him with the revelation that he’d known about King’s true identity. King had been making plans to kill Monroe and dispose of the body when Monroe had not only stated, but proved that he too was of King’s kind. A Skin Walker.
As a child, King didn’t know what was wrong with him, just that he was different. It wasn’t until his adolescence that he’d discovered his ability to shift. As an orphan he’d been passed from foster home to foster home. When he was confident enough in his abilities and was able to control his shifts, he joined the Marines as soon as it was legally permissible. It was where he’d met Monroe and where he’d learned the true potential of his abilities.
Unlike King, Monroe had been raised by his parents, his Walker parents. With knowledge that had been passed down, Monroe taught King all that he knew about their kind.
Skin Walkers existed in five differing stages; each more skilled and powerful than the next. Like their ancestors, all Walkers had the ability to shape-shift, but in varying degrees.
Stage one typically referred to the extremely young Walkers, those not yet versed in their heritage and abilities. Stage two Walkers were slightly more advanced, and were able to shift to the form of one animal, but only for a limited amount of time, while stage three Walkers could shift freely to a few animal forms.
Stage four Walkers, like Monroe and King, were much more advanced. They possessed the ability to shift to any form of animal for any length of time. Many believed that Stage four Walkers were psychic; however, it was simply their keen sense of smell that allowed them to detect other’s emotions.
Finally, there were Indigenous Walkers. These Walkers were descendants of the most ancient Walkers, purportedly Anasazi. They too could shift to any animal form for any length of time and possessed the keenest senses of all Walkers; however, unlike the others, it was rumored that Indigenous Walkers possessed the ability to control the elements.
Walkers were few in numbers, so far as both King and Monroe knew, and all while they’d been stationed together Monroe had only ever talked about building a community for his kind, seeking them out, hunting them down. Apparently, that day had finally come.
Chapter 2
Lilly Worthington heard the door to the reception area open, but didn’t lift her head. She knew it’d be her friend, Jenny Houlton. The two had become fast friends once Monroe had hired Jenny as the lead veterinarian for the StoneCrow Wildlife and Rehabilitation Facility. Resting her head on her desk, Lilly attempted to will away the headache that pounded at the front of her head.
“Time for lunch. Uhhh you okay, Lill?”
Lilly didn’t lift her head. “My neck is killing me. I’d like to think it’s because my brain is so gargantuan from the vast amount of knowledge I possess, but truth is I just think my hair is too tight.” It was a lie and one Lilly knew how to cover. Perfume. Much to Monroe’s objections and the annoyance of his newly acquired staff, Lilly had noticed some years ago that Mr. StoneCrow had difficulty reading her emotions on days she wore perfume. Even her good friend, Jenny, seemed stymied when Lilly wore strong scents.
Employed by Monroe StoneCrow for years, Lilly had witnessed a great deal that had her a little fearful of the community the CEO was now building. She prayed she was on the right side, that Monroe and his people—whatever they were—were the good guys, but she wasn’t sure.
Just last night, she’d been approached by a stranger as she’d been attempting to unlock her apartment. Well, not a stranger stranger. She knew the man’s name was Richard Jamison. RJ for short. She knew of him through her work with the Canis Lupus Coalition. A non-profit she volunteered for that worked to keep wolves on the protected species list. RJ was the Coalition’s greatest opponent. Still, to find him on her doorstep demanding, “What is Monroe StoneCrow up to in those mountains?” Had seriously freaked her out. Luckily, her nosey old neighbor had poked her head out and when RJ turned to stare, Lilly dodged into her apartment with a quick, “Sorry, don’t know any Monroe StoneCrow.”
Now, she didn’t know whether to confide in her employer or Jenny, or wait it out to see if RJ came back. It just seemed odd, no matter how impassioned he was, that he’d seek her out at home and inquire into her employer. Her ties to StoneCrow had nothing at all to do with her work with the coalition, so RJ’s inquiry made little sense.
Lilly groaned as she lifted her head in time to see Jenny smile, “Why not let it down.”
Lilly shot upright and scowled disapprovingly, “I’m at work!” And when at work, she went to pain staking efforts to epitomize professionalism. Her hair was always pulled back, not a hair out of place, there was never a wrinkle in her skirts or blouses, and you’d never find a smudge to her perfectly applied make-up.
Jenny shrugged, “So.”
“So,” Lilly made a show of straightening her desk before lifting perfectly polished nails to tuck in any loose strands of blonde hair that may have come free, “we’re expecting a new hire today.”
“Ahhh, that’s right,” Jenny crossed her arms as she slid onto the edge of Lilly’s desk noting how the human woman scowled at the action. Lilly hated when people even looked at her desk, let alone actually touched the damn thing. “King Mulholland right? Monroe’s old war buddy.”
Lilly’s arctic blue eyes were still scowling at Jenny’s ass on her desk as she skirted the object to shoo Jenny off with her hands. Jenny laughed as she stood.
“Mr. Mulholland is putting in for the position as Chief of Security.”
“Putting in?” Jenny scoffed, “You make it sound as though there are other options. You know Monroe isn’t interviewing anyone else.”
“Well, you can’t blame him. Mr. Mulholland is a Master Chief for the Navy’s elite Special Warfare forces. He also did a tour with the Marines, and he’s Monroe’s closest friend.” Lilly stood to eye her friend skeptically, “Plus, you’re the one who demanded Monroe beef up security. Poof! Your wish has been granted.”
“Yeah, well just don’t forget that I need King at the infirmary before anything else.”
“I know,” Lilly sighed as she grabbed her suit coat off the back of her chair.
“Lilly!”
She lifted her gaze to meet Jenny’s.
“He’s got to have testing done before he runs around. I don’t want some damn epidemic hitting the estate.”
Lilly rolled her eyes, “Oh please, Jen. He’s been at a military facility, I’m pretty sure he’s clean.”
“You don’t know that! Military people lie all the time.” Jenny lowered her vo
ice to a mock male tone, “I’ve been stationed at the base in North Carolina.” She sobered, “When really they’ve been on some elite, super-sensitive, spec ops, mission in some ass-backward, third world country. For Christ’s sake, he could have malaria.”
Lilly stopped with one arm shoved halfway into her jacket, her face scrunching in a mask of displeasure. “Hang on,” she stalked back to her desk and jerked up her phone before punching several numbers and waiting as one hip cocked out when she crossed her arms over her ample chest. “Legion, this is Lilly Worthington, Mr. StoneCrow’s assistant. Today when you arrive with Mr. Mulholland, you’ll need to take him to the infirmary prior to bringing him to see Mr. StoneCrow.” Lilly eyed Jenny and could’ve sworn she’d seen relief wash over the other woman’s features. “No, it isn’t by request of Mr. StoneCrow.” Lilly’s brows speared down, “Mr. StoneCrow doesn’t make requests. See that it’s done.” She hung up and looked at Jenny. “The nerve.”
“The nerve,” Jenny nodded, smiling. “Cafeteria?”
“Cafeteria,” Lilly confirmed, “I swear that damn restaurant upstairs is never going to open.”
“Construction takes time, Lill. Give it a minute.”
Lilly hooked her arm through Jenny’s as the two walked to the door, “I know it’s a wildlife preserve and rehabilitation facility, but why does it have to be so damn far from the city?”
***
One hour and one turkey sandwich later and Lilly was back at her desk. Monroe had returned while she’d been gone and was pacing his office in anticipation of King Mulholland’s arrival.
His office door jerked open, “Is he here yet?”
Lilly didn’t look up from her typing, “No, Mr. StoneCrow. Again, I’ll send him straight in once he arrives.”
“He should already be here,” the CEO growled. “Where is Legion?”
Lilly immediately stopped typing to pick up her phone, “I’ll call him.”
“Leave it,” Monroe commanded, “I’ll do it myself.”
Lilly replaced the phone’s receiver and started when Monroe’s office door slammed. She turned her attention to the phone and waited for the light to flash to life indicating that Monroe was on his line. It didn’t come on. It never came on. Why Monroe would use his smart phone when he had a phone readily accessible on his desk was beyond her. It was also a little confusing, and had her wondering on more than one occasion if Monroe thought the phones were tapped.
The door to Monroe’s office was jerked open again as the CEO stormed out, “You told Legion to take King to the infirmary before meeting with me?” His tone was accusatory and she knew just how to handle it.
Lifting dainty fingers to her keyboard, Lilly began typing again. “Yes.”
“Yes? Why?”
Lilly didn’t look up from her typing, “Malaria.” She swore she heard the CEO’s teeth clench.
“Explain!”
Sighing as if put out greatly, Lilly stopped typing to pin the CEO with an annoyed gaze. “Dr. Houlton thought it best for Mr. Mulholland to be tested prior to his traipsing about the estate.”
“Dr. Houlton? She’s a fucking vet.” Monroe was grateful his personal assistant was human and unable to scent his lie.
Shrugging negligently, Lilly started typing again. “I’ll send Mr. Mulholland in once he arrives.”
“Lilly,” the word was ground out between clenched teeth, “if you…”
Just then the door to the reception area opened and Legion entered followed by the meanest looking man Lilly had ever seen.
My God, would you look at that! The man looked like he’d just stepped off a battle field. Well over six feet tall, he was thick with well-defined muscle. His black hair was military short and his savagely hewn jaw had what looked like a day’s worth of stubble, giving the man a dangerous look. His dark eyes locked on Monroe and afforded Lilly the opportunity to sweep her eyes up and down the man’s massive frame. Clad in black fatigues that were creased with military precision, the man was sexy as all hell. Full lips, dark eyes, and a strong nose had Lilly—for the first time since she’d been hired by Monroe—taking notice in one of the gorgeous men that were under his employ.
“King,” Monroe greeted as he turned without shaking the man’s hand to stalk toward his office. On his way he flicked a hand in her direction, “This is my assistant, Lilly. Legion, leave us.”
Legion exited and King turned to lock eyes with her.
Holy shit! The room seemed to tilt when the man, King, simply stared at her. Her lips parted to offer a greeting, but no words came out.
Slowly, the Master Chief stalked closer. He didn’t take, what Lilly could see at closer inspection were, green eyes off her. “Do I know you?” His tone was gruff.
God, I wish!
“King!” Monroe barked and had Lilly jerking to life even as heat stained her cheeks. Christ, she’d practically been drooling over the guy.
“Uh, no...Sir,” she added lamely. “No, Sir.” Her lips thinned as she shook her head and dropped her eyes to his chest. I sound like an idiot! Her hands were shaking and she balled them into fists before lifting her eyes to once again meet his. “Mr. Mulholland, I’m Ms. Worthington.”
He didn’t move or respond, simply stared at her.
For the life of her she couldn’t stop staring in return. He seemed familiar to her too, but she knew that she’d have definitely remembered meeting him. Shocked that she was so affected by him, she blushed when she realized that she was actually aroused. “Umm, Mr. StoneCrow is waiting,” she offered as she squirmed uncomfortably.
The man blinked hard and drew in a deep breath before his brow creased and he tore his eyes away to stalk to the CEO’s office where he shut the door.
Holy Christ! Lilly stretched her hands over her keyboard as her brows speared down, What in the hell is wrong with me! She clicked on the link to her e-mail. She had to get a message to Jenny.
Jenny! King Mulholland is here. Holy shit! I think I’m in love. Why didn’t you tell me he looked like, like, like…SEX! I call dibs. I’m pretty sure I need to change my panties! ;o) Gotta go. I’ll call you when he leaves!-L”
Chapter 3
King stalked to Monroe’s office, but his thoughts were on Ms. Worthington. Lilly. He rolled the name around in his head and wasn’t surprised that it felt comfortable there. He knew her…didn’t he? He felt like he’d seen her before, as if he’d met her. He ran through his limited encounters with females and she wasn’t among them. But why…
“King,” Monroe addressed him as he dropped into a black leather chair that sat behind a dark wood, highly polished desk. “I’m glad you came.”
King stopped in front of the desk and folded his arms behind his back, staring not at the CEO but over his head at attention.
“This isn’t the military. No need for formality.”
King’s posture relaxed marginally as his eyes dipped to the CEO. “You knew I’d come, Crow. What is it you need?”
“I need you.” Monroe sat straighter in his chair. “You know the community we spoke of all those years ago? A place for us? For Walkers?” He gestured toward the window, “This is it.” Monroe was pleased with the progress on StoneCrow Manor.
The sprawling three hundred and thirty-six acre estate was located near Shonkin, Montana, on the northern edge of the Highwood Mountains. Its cover was a wildlife preserve and rehabilitation facility.
A winding, mile-long, drive led up through the dense woods to the main house. While a manned gate and fence surrounding the property were currently being built.
The main estate house, with its stone façade, towered four stories and looked like an ancient castle smack dab in the middle of the Montana forest. The structure seemed out of place. While the face of the building gave the impression of a time long forgotten, the interior—what was built so far—was state-of-the art.
The east wing of the main floor would eventually house a school. A cafeteria on the same floor was nearly finished. In the west
wing of the main floor was an infirmary that rivaled any hospital in the state. It had been Monroe’s priority.
The second floor housed suites where employees of the estate were afforded the opportunity to reside year-round in absolute luxury, while the third floor was relegated to office space, with Mr. StoneCrow’s main office and personal suite taking up the entire west wing of the third floor. Finally, the penthouse would be home to the estate’s pub, an elegant dining facility, and a ballroom, which Monroe hoped would host several lavish events a year.
Outside of the main house, rows of cabins were being constructed behind the towering main house, hidden behind high hedges. These cabins would serve mated Walkers and their families. Monroe had high hopes for his estate and couldn’t hide his merriment each time he stared out is office window onto the community he was creating.
“What’s that got to do with me?”
Monroe’s expression darkened. “The last I checked, you were a Walker!”
“I am.”
“I need a Chief of Security, King. You owe me a debt. I want it repaid.” He’d hoped once King had seen their dream come to fruition that he’d willingly get on board. Clearly, that wouldn’t be the case.
“How long?”
“I don’t know,” Monroe’s eyes sparked in challenge. “How much times is your life worth?”
“Christ,” King growled, “you spoke of war. A security guard for your little community doesn’t exactly require my level of expertise.”
Ignoring the words, Monroe fished something out of the drawer at his knees and tossed it across his desk. The contents of the manila file fanned across the desk and drew King’s attention. Ignoring the wordy documents, he flipped the file open and reached for one of the large photos. Monroe steepled his fingers as he watched his friend.
A deep growl emitted from King as his eyes scanned the photo. Monroe knew what he saw. A Skin Walker, with his halo still clasped around his neck, just under where the man’s head used to be.
“Who did this?” King demanded.
