Stalked (Rogues Shifter #2)

by Gayle Parness

  “He did? You didn’t mention that to me.” Garrett was smiling, knowing that I really didn’t like dancing much.

  “She did very well, for the first lesson.”

  “First lesson? I don’t think we’ll be dancing again anytime soon.”

  “Oh I don’t know, I think I’ll just have to keep after you. You’re graceful, you’re a freakin’ cheetah. You can’t help it.”

  “Then why do I trip over my own feet?”

  “You get nervous. The more you dance, the more confident you’ll be.”

  Garrett grinned. “So who’s up for a hunt? I think we could all use a little fun and we probably won’t have a chance to do this again for a while. That is if you’re not too tired from all that dancing…”

  I grinned as I playfully pushed Garrett’s shoulder. “Just try and catch me tonight, slowpoke.”

  We perked right up at the idea of hunting together. Sinc called Kyle who said that he and his mate Peter would meet us at the usual spot. Garrett put in a call to Rob, who unfortunately couldn’t join us, and then to Lord Caelen so we’d have some fae backup in case Kennett showed up. The four of us drove up into the mountains chatting excitedly. There was nothing like a hunt in animal form to put you back in the game.

  I suppose that if a group of humans saw us jump out of the car in the middle of the woods and start to peel off all of our clothes, they’d think they’d stumbled in on some kind of kinky nature orgy. The basic fact was that shapeshifters and werewolves couldn’t shift in their clothing unless they wanted to end up with a pile of ruined shredded clothes and nothing to put on when they transitioned back to human. If we didn’t take the clothes off now, we’d all be driving back in the car stark naked, which would be pretty uncomfortable if we were pulled over by a cop.

  The actual shift was excruciating but mercifully quick. We’d done it enough times to know that relaxing into the pain made it happen faster and in the end didn’t deplete your energy the way it did if you fought against the change.

  Most of our bones needed to break and reattach and reform, some gaining or losing mass. Muscles stretched to unbelievable lengths or contracted to accommodate smaller appendages. Erupting with fur and even whiskers, our skin became an inferno of agony and we cried out with mouths that jutted forward and sprouted canines that could rip the throats of our enemies with a single clench of our jaws. Because Garrett and I were able to pull up large amounts of magic we were able to cut our transition time in half, to only about 30 seconds, one of many perks that came with our cheetah status.

  The night was mild with a gentle breeze that teased us with the spicy scent of prey: perfect for a hunt and some free time with the team. Ethan’s handsome cougar prowled past me. He growled, stretched out his long front legs, swished his tail at me and then pounced, leaping gracefully over my head and landing in perfect feline form. He glanced back as if to say psych, only to be bowled over by Sinc, whose gorgeous snow leopard had snuck up on him silently. They rubbed their faces together, marking each other with their scents, then took off, bounding happily through the trees.

  Kyle and Peter, both in leopard form, waded and fished for trout in the nearby stream, all the while splashing each other and trying to dunk the other one under the water. Peter’s leopard was slightly larger, but Kyle took him down easily when they wrestled on the slippery rocks. After sharing a few fish, they took off for larger game.

  Garrett and I had our own hunting style which suited our cheetahs perfectly. We’d find a perch on a large boulder or on the side of a hill, stretch out next to each other and wait for a few minutes, ears alert, scanning with extra sharp eyes and taking in all the scents around us. There was the raccoon digging behind the downed tree trunk, squirrels fighting over territory, the owl diving for the terrified field mouse and so much more. The forest buzzed with magical energy igniting our senses and making our mouths water in anticipation. Still we waited.

  Suddenly we were up and stalking silently northwest toward the delicious smell of elk. A young male, outside the herd but not yet bold enough to claim a mate from an older more powerful male, was moving toward more tender grasslands. He wouldn’t complete his journey, but would still serve a useful purpose in nourishing our team and sharing his strength. Unlike humans, we never killed for sport. We ate what we killed, never causing our prey to suffer unnecessarily, and therefore respecting his ultimate gift to us. As the fae would say, this was all part of the Balance that kept the universe whole.

  I ran ahead, appearing suddenly in front of him causing him to huff and skid to a stop and then turn around to head off the way he’d come. Garrett was waiting there, so he rose up on his hind legs to protect himself, striking out with his sharp hoofs. While he was off balance and vulnerable, Garrett leaped onto a nearby boulder and then onto his back, biting down viciously through the flesh on the side of his neck to crush his windpipe, while I tripped him and ripped into his flank, our combined weight bringing him down to the ground. Garrett ended it by bringing on suffocation and finally death.

  We both chirred out a signal to the rest of the team, (come and get it cheetah style), but dug into the prime flesh before they arrived. Cheetahs were built for speed, not fighting which was why we always chose to fight our supernatural enemies in human form. When the three bulkier leopards and the very large cougar came up behind us and growled, we lifted our heads and hissed at them. Hey, we’d done the work, they could just wait their turn.

  In the end, sated and content, we all played together in the stream, managing to wash off the worst of the blood and gore. Garrett and I had to be careful because our claws didn’t retract like the other big cats, so when I cuffed Kyle, who kept pushing me under when I was trying to get out of the water, he bled. Peter licked the wound and then nipped him on the neck as if to say, you had it coming.

  I stretched out next to Garrett on the cool grass along the stream. “Feel good?” I asked. Our mind speech was simple in cheetah form but we still managed to communicate.

  “Yes, you?”

  “Fat lazy” I chirped and nipped at his jaw.

  “Me?” He sat up.

  “No me”

  “Oh, okay then.” He stretched out again.

  “Funny cat. Bite you.”

  “Promise?” I hissed at him but he moved closer and gently butted my head and licked my face. It was hard to stay annoyed with him.

  When we got home from our hunt, Garrett got the fire going so we could cuddle together on the couch for the last hour before the coming dawn lightened the sky and sent him home again. He sighed and pulled me against him, leaning his chin on top of my head while I nestled against his chest. I knew what was coming before he started to speak. “Why didn’t you tell me that you felt Kennet’s power again after the bowling alley? You only told me that you were weak from exhaustion.”

  I sighed and pushed away from him, leaning back against the arm rest and curling my legs under me. Although our team's hunting expedition had been amazing, I was still stressed. I had one more day, and then the summer class started and I’d have to be on my guard every minute. I closed my eyes and thought about how to answer him.

  “I don’t want you going after him yourself. He could kill you.”

  Garrett stayed where he was and spoke softly, letting me know that he took my concerns seriously. “Kennet is more powerful than I am. But he’s arrogant and ignorant when it comes to the non fae races. He underestimates us all. If we have proof of a direct attack, then Lord Caelen and his people will take care of Kennet. Jackie, please look at me.” I did, reluctantly. “I promise you that I won’t fight against him alone unless there’s no other choice. Kennet is not Eleanor.”

  “But if it’s just you and me somewhere, and he comes for me, you’ll fight him, and you’ll die.” My expression must have reflected my fear because he reached for my hand to reassure me.

  “I would fight him. But it will never come to that.” His eyes shined with confidence. I so wanted to believe that
we had nothing to fear from Kennet.

  “Is this all happening because of what I said to him at the meeting in Faerie?”

  “This isn’t your fault. We all saw you kill Antoine .You were an avenging angel, mon amour, as magnificent as Jeanne d’Arc.”

  I shook my head and turned my mouth down in a frown. “I was bleeding and terrified.”

  “You found the strength to keep fighting and to kill him. Kennet saw it all and wants to possess the powerful, beautiful shifter. The Fae love their power games. Levels of magical power are like currency in their culture. The Elders in the Sidhe hold the most power and it’s passed on down their line where possible, but there are several lords and ladies that are always trying to position themselves to step in and overthrow one of the ruling Elders and their family. Kennet is one of them. He sees possessing you as another step toward gaining his goal.”

  I sighed. “I thought that after Eleanor, we’d be free to have a more normal life, but I guess that was just a fantasy.” I felt a flash of sadness roll off of Garret. I didn’t mean for it to sound like I was unhappy with our life together, but I realized that it might have sounded that way. Seeing his sad expression, I crawled carefully into his lap. My arms snaked around his waist and I inhaled his wondrous scent as he buried his face in my hair and clung to me tightly.

  “I didn’t mean to sound like I don’t love my life with you. I love every second of it. I’m just worried that I’ll let everyone down.”

  “Welcome to my world,” he sighed. I lifted my chin so I could lose myself in his sapphire eyes. He whispered as he stroked my hair, “I wish I could be with you the whole day.”

  “We just have to make more of the time we have together.” His lips were cool and soft. Kissing Garrett was like eating a delicious dessert. You savored every single bite, every mouthful of sweetness, because it would be gone and you’d still want more. I always wanted more of Garrett’s kisses.

  He stroked my face and sent. “Tu es mon ange. Je t'aimerai toujours. You are my angel. I will always love you.”

  “Mon ange sombre,” I answered, smiling, as I wove my fingers in his hair and pulled his lips back to mine.

  Chapter Thirteen

  At 11:00 AM, after only six hours of sleep, I called Kent Brownlow with our phone number. He was busy, so someone else wrote it down. I was just as happy not to have to speak to him. I dragged my sleepy butt into the shower, dressed and ate two bowls of cereal with Ethan. At noon Kyle and Sinc arrived with the new weapon which would, hopefully, protect me from Kennet.

  “I brought three different prototypes. They’re all usable like this but I’ll be making adjustments. Here, Jackie, catch!” He threw a small can at me of what looked like travel sized hair spray. I caught it and took off the top. “Don’t spray it in the kitchen. If Liam or Caelen visit, they might have a reaction.”

  “What is it?”

  “It’s a lead spray. You’d spray his eyes, nose or mouth."

  “Cool.”

  “It should incapacitate him long enough for you to get away. The main problem is that you have to get close to him. This next weapon should be worn in the open so you can get to it quickly.” He brought out a long silver colored chain coated in something shiny. It looked like jewelry and could definitely be worn doubled up as a necklace or even a belt. Kyle handed it to me and I looped it twice around my neck. I looked in the mirror hanging on the wall by the phone.

  “The chain is designed for throwing and wrapping around its target. It’ll take a little practice, but it won’t take you long to master it. There’s a fast-opening clasp for easy access. You can throw it at his neck or around his wrists or ankles, wherever there’s some exposed skin. It’s coated with a strong lead solution that makes the chain look more like jewelry, but seriously burns the skin of a fae. Again it won’t kill him.

  “This last weapon is serious, and I can’t honestly swear that it won’t do permanent damage.” He handed me what looked like a pack of chewing gum. “Each piece is a little lead grenade. As long as they’re in their slots, nothing will happen, but as soon as you pop it out, you need to throw it. When it’s exposed to the air for 10 seconds, a lead infused mist will cover an area 6’ square. Sinc helped me with the formulas for all of these.”

  “And you have these weapons for silver sensitive races as well?” Ethan asked.

  “Yeah. As I said, these are prototypes, not the finished products. I probably won’t be spending a lot of time developing them because, let’s face it, we’re usually trying to kill who we're fighting, or knock the crap out of them, not just keep them from chasing us. These are great for what they are, but I’ll take a silver crossbow shaft or a silver bullet over these toys any day. She should be carrying a serious weapon with her at all times.”

  “She’s got her big brother to protect her.” Ethan grinned at me.

  “Thanks, bro, but I don't know if even your amazing talents could stop a fae lord in his tracks.”

  “I bet he could stop a fae lady in her tracks,” Kyle teased.

  Ethan put his arm around Sinc, who was busy glaring at Kyle. “I’m not interested in fae females.” He kissed her gently and she leaned against him, smiling.

  After the weapons were tucked safely away, we heard Bridgett's car pull up and park on the street outside our house. We’d told Kyle and Sinc to stick around so they could meet Bridgett and give us their feedback. There was a tentative knock on the door and Ethan loped over to open it. I heard him invite her inside and lead her into the kitchen where we were all sitting around the table.

  When she saw us there she stopped and looked around, unsure. “If you’re in the middle of something important I can come another time.“ She looked down at the ground.

  Sinc jumped up and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the empty chair next to me. “Come and sit down, Bridgett. I’m Claudia and that’s Lucas. We’re really good friends of Sammy and Melanie.” Sinc got Bridgett a coke and then sat down across from her.

  Kyle mouthed to Sinc behind Bridgett’s back, "Lucas? Really?" Sinc just smiled.

  Bridgett’s eyes narrowed and her mouth twisted in irritation as she moved her gaze from Sinc to Kyle to Ethan to me. "I'm not an idiot. I know who all of you are. You’re Sinclair, he’s gotta be Kyle, Sammy is Ethan and Melanie is Jackie. You’re a shifter team of some kind.”

  I couldn’t stop the corners of my mouth twitching just a little at her self-assured attitude. I preferred this bright and confident Bridgett over the meek and frightened one.

  “Have you told anyone?” asked Kyle. His dark eyes took on a threatening look as he leaned forward over the table.

  “No.” He looked skeptical. "I know you guys can kick my ass, but I'm not scared. I've grown up with wolves. It's just her vampire..." She indicated me with a flip of her head. "That's kinda another story. I don't want to end up someone's blood slave, so I'm keeping my mouth zipped tight.” She made the motion across her lips and then looked toward me for support.

  I shot Kyle an irritated look. “How is it that you live with a wolf pack?”

  “I was adopted. My mom and dad didn’t know they’d adopted a shifter. It wasn’t their happiest moment when I changed.” She stared down at her hands, obviously remembering that day.

  Sinc asked, “And they kept you after your first shift?” Sinc’s adopted werewolf family had thrown her out when she'd shifted. Rob had taken her in and trained her like he had the rest of us. Sinc’s family had set her up with a house, car and plenty of ‘guilt money’ to live on, none of which took away any of the hurt.

  “They loved me, they wouldn’t just kick me out. My mom died, so now it’s just me and my dad."

  Kyle spoke up again, "Your pack's been causing shifters in the area a lot of problems."

  She didn't deny it. "Yeah, well I guess we all have our rogues." They glared at each other again. "Look, my dad has a lot going on right now. He can't keep track of every single pack member. We're in the middle of a situation..." She s
topped speaking abruptly, suddenly realizing that she'd said too much.

  I grabbed her hand and said. “I want you to trust me.” I nudged at her wall and she let me in.

  Her eyes were like huge saucers. “If I tell you any of our private business, they’ll flip.”

  “I can protect you.”

  “There’s nothing you can do.” She slammed up her wall and stood. Ethan and I jumped up at the same time, afraid we’d lost her.

  I said, “Don’t leave. We won’t ask you about it again.” She stayed where she was for a few moments, then nodded curtly and sat back down. She took a sip of her coke and then twisted the can around distractedly, trying not to look any of us in the eye.

  Sinc asked in a friendly tone, “Do you like movies? I just got a few new ones in the mail. They’re in my car. We’ll pick up some pizza too.”

  “Sure, that would be fun.” She didn’t look too happy about the others being here, but I needed their opinions on what to do about her. I was feeling torn between the success of the mission and helping the shifter girl in trouble. Maybe I could accomplish both, as well as keep Kennet off my back. I slumped in the chair and sighed in frustration.

  “Ethan, Kyle, let’s go.” Sinc got up and the boys obediently followed her out the door giving me a supportive smile on the way out. I’m sure they were curious about what I’d be asking Bridgett while they were gone, but they knew I'd have more luck if I was alone with her.

  Samson padded over and curled up at my feet. I scratched him behind the ears and Bridgett leaned over to stroke his back. I asked, “Can you come over after school tomorrow to talk to my teacher, Maya? She can help you with the ley line magic. She’s a cheetah too.”

  “I guess so. You call it magic? Isn’t it telepathy or something like that?”

  “Some of it, and it’s powered by magical energy from the lines. Most shifters don’t have this ability: only cheetahs. Do you know who your birth parents are?”