by Em Ashcroft
“They trained themselves not to shift back to human. Because panthers hunt separately, so did they. They came together to mate and to rear their children, but they had their own territories about twenty miles apart. I was born human, but my parents kept me and my sibs shifted all the time until we thought human was an illusion. We didn’t use telepathy much, at least not the talking kind. We used pictures when we needed to, things like the prey we were tracking.”
“Around here they called themselves real shifters, and they took cattle. We tried not to hunt them down.” Nathan grimaced. “I saw a few hunts, and they weren’t pretty. If shape-shifters stay in animal form too long, they can go feral, turn completely animal and lose the human forever.”
“That was what my parents and their friends wanted. They said the world was too ugly for them, and they wanted to turn their backs on it. That’s okay, but when things go wrong, what do you do?”
Vaughn hated the next part. His parents were gentle and peace abiding, but naive. They didn’t realize it was impossible to run away. When things needed doing, they had to be done, not ignored. “Anyhow, when my brother fell ill, he reverted to human. He was seriously ill. My parents told me not to help him. By then, they’d almost lost the power of speech or refused to use it. But I didn’t want to see him die. He didn’t have a name.”
He paused. “Neither did I. But I took him into the nearest town. Our parents disowned us, said nature would kill or cure him, and it wasn’t up to us to do anything about it. But I did. I saw the way people did their best to save him, and I was ashamed.”
He sucked in a deep breath and said the next part quickly. He didn’t like remembering the next part. “My brother died, and my parents attacked me when I went back. They didn’t want me. I don’t know exactly how old I was, but I went back to the city and learned to wear clothes and talk. I lived on the streets for a few years until I grew big enough to join the army. I didn’t tell them I was a shape-shifter, so I was in the opposite situation to the way I was brought up.” He grunted, a mere sound of amusement. “I coped. All they wanted were soldiers. I didn’t have to talk much or do much of anything. It was a relief to stay human for a while. I only shifted when my cat tried to rip out of me and then only for long enough to let him run.”
“Then you joined Wildcats?” Chris asked.
“Yeah. So that’s why you didn’t find me,” he said to Nathan. “I was in the wild, in the middle of Wyoming playing at jungle cats, and then I was in the army playing at being human. I kept on the down low for years until I found Wildcats.”
Wildcats, Inc. was becoming more important by the day. The company specialized in protection, but it undertook more varied work these days. When what amounted to a bounty-hunting job turned up, Vaughn had taken it and had become the company’s expert in the field. He’d expected this job to be another, trickier than most. Not this.
“Well, that explains something. But now we have another problem,” Nathan said. “What happens now?”
* * * *
Trinity watched the interaction between the two men. It was a standoff. If they’d been in their cat forms, it couldn’t have been more obvious that they were circling one another, taking the measure of the other person before deciding on the next course of action.
Vaughn’s carefully emotionless account of his past didn’t take away his pain. She could feel it as if it belonged to her. Fuck, who would watch their own child die like that? They could have taken him to the hospital. Maybe their delay had caused the poor boy’s death. And then they’d denied their other son. Vaughn must have been devastated, returning home after watching his brother die only to have his parents repudiate him. They would have driven him away in the way big cats did, with tooth and claw, snarls and anger. They were probably completely feral by now, nearly all cat, but more dangerous because of the trace of human that remained.
Ferals were disliked by human and shape-shifter alike. At least the shifters tried to catch them and place them somewhere they wouldn’t do any harm, like their indigenous home. A panther on the African plain was in his environment with others. Since he was a tiger, did that mean Nathan came from India or China or even Russia? With his near-black hair and clear blue eyes, she could see him on the Russian steppes in a fur hat and coat.
The Texan drawl didn’t go with that image, though. That begged to see him in a cowboy hat tipped over his eyes and a checked shirt with jeans. She’d have to ask him to try that for her sometime.
And he was her fiancé. All hers. Every now and again she wanted to slap herself awake, but now, with this new twist, she didn’t know what to think. Now she had a half-feral, wholly fierce warrior, too.
“I’ll tell you what happens,” Vaughn said. His voice was hoarse, as if he was finding it hard to continue, and did she imagine it, or could she feel his pain? Concentrating, she studied the lines at the corners of his eyes and the way he held himself, tensed. As if he’d found a bearable position and he was fighting hard to retain it. But his eyes—they glowed and sparked with intelligence. He’d pulled everything together to tell them this.
“I want Driscoll back in custody and I want it fast. The hospital can find a role for me, or I’ll just go in as Trinity’s bodyguard. But I’ll keep a low profile. We don’t leave Trinity alone for a moment. But we let her go to work. Chris can surround the building if he wants. Driscoll will come for her. The simplest plans are usually the best.”
Trinity liked the idea. Vaughn was thinking tactically. He’d draw Driscoll in and get him fast. “Won’t he just leave? I can’t hurt him, or say any more than I have already”
Vaughn turned his head and met her gaze. She saw the exhaustion in his eyes. His healing and the talking took a toll few men or shape-shifters could take. But he was holding it together. It made her wonder what else he’d seen and done.
Vaughn grinned, a potent, terrifying smile of intent. “If he wants her, he will. He got out of prison early when he found out where she was and instead of leaving the country, he came here. He wants her badly. He could make his move anywhere, so we’ll outsmart him. One or both of us will be with her every hour of the day and night.” Only Trinity saw the brief flare of heat in his eyes, swiftly quashed.
He wanted her. Fuck, after a dearth of men, now two were headed her way. How did she feel about that? She’d lived with the reality of her friends moving in threes for years, but now that she was involved, she wasn’t so sure. In any case, Nathan might not like the idea. She wouldn’t blame him. His lovemaking was enough to keep her happy for the rest of her days. Did she really want to let another man into their bed?
Trinity tried to concentrate on her immediate problems. It appeared she knew something or Driscoll wanted her for something. Although she racked her brains, she didn’t have the least idea what he could want. She didn’t know any codes, and her father was a very small cog in the criminal organization Driscoll headed. What could he have that Driscoll wanted so badly he’d risk his liberty to collect it personally?
She recalled the way he’d held her, his gun clamped against her head, but his arm holding her almost carefully. Strong enough to stop her getting away but not enough to hurt her. Almost as if he’d cared. But that was crap. He was threatening to kill her for fuck’s sake.
“We will care for you. You come first and last,” Nathan said.
That was the first time he’d expressed his feelings for her publicly. That was partly her fault because she’d insisted on secrecy, but his words meant a huge amount to her. He’d said it as a point of fact, not a passionate declaration. It was as if it stood to reason she was the most important person in his life.
Trinity choked up. She couldn’t handle much more. She’d held on while she was doing her job. Now, with Vaughn tired but evidently healing faster than she could have imagined, she wanted to stop. Just sleep for a few hours. That would work.
“We’re leaving,” Nathan said abruptly.
Trinity jerked her head up and stared at him.
He nodded. “You’re worn out. I want to get you to safety. You know the security I have around my house. You know it’s safe, right?”
“Y-yes.” Nathan did have the best security equipment. He’d inherited it when he’d bought the house from the previous police chief, who’d moved on to another town, and he’d maintained it ever since. They would be glad of that now. “What of my things? My apartment?”
“I’ll pick your stuff up tomorrow. You have enough stashed at my place to manage for now.”
“Gee, thanks.” Would she ever get to close the door on the apartment that at least belonged to her? She doubted it.
“I’m coming, too,” Vaughn said, flicking the sheet off his body.
Trinity gulped as he stood. Fluid grace marked his movements. Even though the scar over his heart was apparent, it was pink now. The rest of him was unmarked, the shallow cuts and bruises he’d sustained all gone without trace. With her usual embarrassment at the shape-shifter’s casual attitude to nudity, she avoided looking at his groin.
He grabbed a pair of jeans from a chair and thrust his legs into them. With his back to her, she could enjoy the flex of muscle and his astonishing fitness. Even for a shape-shifter, Vaughn was in prime condition, every muscle honed to obey his command.
She couldn’t help wonder what it would be like to have to obey his every command.
Glancing away hastily, she caught Nathan’s gaze. While she’d expected to see jealousy and anger, she saw only curiosity and observation. The spark of heat in his eyes was still there. He still wanted her. As she still desired him. She longed to sink into his arms and sleep the night away, and maybe a good part of the next day, too. “I’m not taking time off, then?”
“It’s your long weekend,” Nathan said softly. “You don’t have to go back until Tuesday. We have some time.” He glanced at Chris. “How do we do this?”
“You and Vaughn drive off, and I’ll bring Trinity.”
Vaughn zipped his fly and turned around, black T-shirt in hand. Idly she wondered where they had found clothes big enough to fit him. Nathan was as tall, but leaner and, although as powerful, built differently. “That sounds good, but you’d better deliver her in one piece. Don’t stop at her place.”
Chris laughed in a derisory way. “What do you take me for, an amateur? I imagine Driscoll will be waiting, or he’s taken a look already. I’ll call around and check tomorrow, but I’m not disturbing it unless somebody else has disturbed it already.”
Vaughn nodded. “That sounds like a plan.”
She watched Vaughn’s body disappear under a layer of black cotton.
“You’ll have to leave in a wheelchair,” Nathan said. “You’re seriously injured, remember? It’s going to take you a long time to recover. I’m spending all my time caring for you, and you’re only allowed out because the hospital can’t do anything else for you and I’m your breed partner.”
“Sure,” Vaughn grunted. “Be my nurse. Knock yourself out.”
Nathan gave a shout of laughter, which he quickly suppressed. “Let’s get on with it.”
* * * *
Nathan took another circuit around his living room. His tiger clawed inside him, demanding to be let out so he could tear the intruder apart, but at the same time, it was wary. “It’s worse because you’re a different kind of wild cat,” he remarked to the man currently sprawled on the black leather sofa set before the widescreen TV. Men raced across the screen, a football game in full flow, but they’d muted the sound. They’d tried to kill time until Trinity got here in a companionable way, but it didn’t work. They had to acknowledge what was happening here. Nobody could run away from a breed partnership for long.
“My panther is fine with your tiger,” Vaughn said, his voice low, almost purring. “But I’m not sure about the bond. I’ll have to call my boss and bring him up to speed. I don’t suppose there’s any chance of you moving to D.C.?”
Nathan shrugged. “I’d rather not. But they say that after the initial bonding period, breed partners and mates can learn to live apart. Like weaning a baby off mother’s milk, or so I’ve heard.”
He stopped his restless pacing and regarded Vaughn through narrowed eyes. “Don’t even pretend you said that accidentally.”
“We’ve got to talk about it. Because you know what has to happen if we want cubs.”
“Apart from Trinity agreeing to it you mean?”
Vaughn gave a curt nod. “Apart from that. In that, I’m in your hands.”
“Oh no.” Nathan chuckled. “We’re in her hands. She will not behave, my friend. Ever. She refused to let us go public. Although I suspect one or two people knew because it’s hard to hide the evidence sometimes.”
Vaughn said nothing but raised a brow and sniffed.
Nathan gave a wry grin. God help him, but he could like this guy. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. Anyhow, you’ve knocked me off my perch. I’d given up on cubs—kids. I hadn’t found my breed partner, and at this time of my life, I assumed I wouldn’t. But I did find my woman. I fell in love with her the good, old-fashioned way.”
“A human.” Vaughn nodded. “You recall in the old days they’d have hunted you down for that.”
“Your people might. Not mine.”
Vaughn shook his head. “I wasn’t talking about the ferals. I was talking about humans. I’ve seen some shit in my time. Living in the cesspool of humanity, I’ve seen underhand dealing and cruelty you wouldn’t believe. But before you say anything, I’ve also seen self-sacrifice and kindness. You never know where it’s coming from. Except that the people spouting the separatist crap are scared, and they really believe we’re taking their women. There’s gonna be trouble from that direction.”
“Yeah. I haven’t spent all my life in Goldclaw.” He’d made himself leave. He could have stayed here and become royalty. “Goldclaw was an enclave. Always here in Texas, always wealthy and powerful. We’re large enough to become a small country. We could be self-sufficient. So the descendants of the original Goldclaw settlers are princes here. With the occasional princess, though we haven’t seen many of those in a while.” He gave a one-sided smile. “Thank God I went to college where humans were the majority. Because, without that, I’d have gone through my life supremely unaware.” He glanced at his breed partner. “Most of the Goldclaws have faced some kind of cruelty or oppression. We’re not as perfect as you seem to think.”
Vaughn held up a hand. “Hey, I’m saying nothing. We’re stuck together, so what sense is there in my taking a dislike to you? Sure, I’ve heard of breed partners becoming enemies, but I’ve never seen the point in that. Besides, with a woman as delectable and vulnerable as Trinity…” He shrugged and winced. He must still have some twinges, then. Maybe he’d missed something.
But before Nathan could slip back into doctor mode, Vaughn stretched and shifted position. “Cramp,” he said. Nathan wasn’t sure but clearly Vaughn didn’t want a fuss. And he had healed well.
“You’re pushing me,” he said. “Assuming about Trinity. Nobody decides but her. Clear?”
Vaughn nodded, but a steely glint came into his eyes. “Are you accusing me of forcing her? I’m more of a man than that.”
Nathan understood how much Vaughn must want Trinity, but he also detected a core of integrity inside the man. He might take shortcuts from time to time, but he’d never do anything against his personal creed. He shook his head. “No, I don’t mean that.” He paced again. “Shit, I’m still trying to come to terms with this situation myself. I should feel jealous. You’re in my house, and you have equal rights to claim Trinity. If you do, and we decide to go ahead, we’re a trio. You’ll know more about me than anybody else, even my parents.”
“They’re alive?”
Nathan nodded. “They live in Santa Monica, quietly. They’re still hidden. Their generation got used to it, and whenever they left Goldclaw, they always traveled as humans. It saved complications. I guess they’re happy that way.”
Vaug
hn grimaced. “Sooner them than me, man. Why don’t they live here?”
“They wanted peace.” Nathan paced some more. “And they like Santa Monica. When human females became shape-shifters a few years back, they cleared out. Said they were too old for a war.” His mouth flattened. “It looked like that for a while.”
“Don’t think it’s over,” Vaughn said darkly. “Never think it’s over.”
“I don’t. But the women made their preferences clear, and enough humans came over to our side. If we’re careful, we can get through this and come out friends.”
Vaughn nodded. “Fair enough. I don’t know what I’m doing yet, but I’m giving this some thought.”
Nathan flicked his hand, indicating the house. “You’re welcome here as long as you want. Consider it yours.”
“My place in D.C. isn’t half as palatial as this, but you’re welcome there, too. I don’t think we have much choice, do we?”
“Nope.” And in that instant, Nathan’s thoughts clarified. “I’ve been worrying about my lack of protectiveness toward Trinity where you’re concerned. Even seeing her with male patients makes me growl. But you? I’ve been forcing myself to imagine the two of you naked, and nothing, not a twinge of jealousy. It’s the breed partner thing. I always wondered how men got along with one another when they shared a woman. When it’s a threesome, when everybody’s involved with everybody else, it makes more sense, but the truth is, Goldclaw men tend to be straight. Maybe it’s in the genes. It would surely be easier if we weren’t.”
Vaughn nodded. “That goes for me, too. Blackfurs are a mix, but we don’t have a single stronghold like the Goldclaws. When I joined the agency, we decided my fake human name wouldn’t work, so I picked Blackfur. I became part of the clan. We get around.” He grinned, flashing his teeth in a sharp reminder of his cat. “So what are we saying here? You and Trinity have a thing going. I don’t want to get in the way of that. Some trios operate apart. Once the bonding process is done, they don’t live together. It’s a shame our scientists haven’t worked out a way to make AI work.”
