Half-Blood Descendant: A Paranormal Series (Half-Bloods Book 1)

by Natasha Brown

  The sound of their footsteps on the gravel filled the silent night. Jax rolled down the sleeves of his flannel and cleared his throat. “Tell me what you really think about that bite mark.”

  She shrugged. “Well, I haven’t seen a lot of them in my life, but I know enough to expect four puncture marks with a cougar, except the distance between the fangs should have been wider unless you happen to be smaller than the average lion.”

  Jax laughed grimly. “I’m no housecat.”

  Aerilyn smiled into the dark, having expected his response. “I didn’t think so.”

  He rubbed his shoulder. “I thought I saw something about some fad with people filing their canines so they look animal-like, but that couldn’t be it.”

  “When I get back, I’ll see if Ryker can pull up any records of any attacks or deaths in the last decade that involve punctures like these.”

  They walked a little further before Jax ventured another question, “So, are there other beings like us with powers? You say shifters have been around for thousands of years—are we alone? I mean, should I be worried here?”

  A chill traced down Aerilyn’s back. She’d sensed her father’s wariness in his office the other night and hoped it was just his concern for her safety. But with this new unnerving evidence, she wasn’t sure what to think. “I’d like to say it’s nothing, but I’m not positive. As far as I know, we’re alone.”

  Her father was the leader of a lodge. He would have told her if there were other magical beings. That is, if he knew.

  “Maybe I was just hallucinating.” His moonlit face blinked up at the tree line.

  “That normal for you?”

  “No, not at all,” he answered abruptly. “I’ve never been intoxicated. Don’t like feeling out of control. I’ve seen the damage it does.”

  Aerilyn looked up at the stars, then at him. “Don’t second-guess yourself. I believe you. Even if it doesn’t make sense now, that doesn’t mean there isn’t an explanation. If there’s someone, something out there hurting people, then he needs to be stopped.”

  Jax made a noise that sounded an awful lot like her father when he disapproved of one of her plans. She raised an eyebrow. “What?”

  He shook his head. “Nothing.”

  Aerilyn stopped in the middle of the road. Jax did a double take and turned to face her.

  She demanded again, “What?”

  He sighed and answered, “Playing the hero will always get you burned. Be careful.”

  She moved closer so she could look directly into his shadowed eyes. Her head tilted back, and her hair fell away from her cheeks. “You could say I played the hero, stepping in to defend you to my father. Are you planning on burning me?”

  What was she doing? If Emery were here, she’d call her out for what was happening. Flirting with a man who had zero likelihood of settling down was beyond foolish. Maybe she needed to go out for a night on the town with Emery after all.

  His eyebrow raised ever so slightly, and he breathed out, “No, not—”

  “Relax,” she interrupted him and began walking toward home. “I won’t be the one stopping the blood-sucker. That’s up to Deane and Emery.”

  He ran to catch up to her. “Good.”

  She put her mind to the task at hand. He’d made it clear he wasn’t interested in helping beyond clearing his name and getting out of town. She would do as she’d promised. Help to find his parents and teach him what he needed to know about their world until he was ready to become a member if he wanted to.

  Up ahead a soft light shined between the trees. They were getting close to her home. She’d slipped out before Emery returned home with Deane, but her friend would begin to wonder at her whereabouts.

  She pulled her fingers through her hair. “So, if you’re looking to clear your name and to show my dad you’re trustworthy, you could start by showing up for an outing. Every week members meet up to go on an excursion. It’s our way of staying safe by sticking together when shifting in the wilderness. They’re fun and it’s a chance to meet more local members. There’s one planned for Saturday night if you want to go.”

  Aerilyn felt his eyes on her but kept her focus on her home as it came into view.

  Jax’s deep voice broached the night. “I owe you a dinner. Let me cook for you before we go.”

  She was glad it was dark, for she hoped it concealed the blush that warmed her cheeks. Aerilyn thought of his trailer and gestured to her place. “Sure, want to come over around five?”

  They reached the base of her driveway and stopped. He slipped his hands into his pockets and said, “It may be small, but I know my way around my kitchen. Five, my place.”

  Before she could respond, he turned around and walked into the dark of the night, leaving her staring after him.

  Eight

  By the end of the week, Aerilyn found herself looking forward to Saturday night. While she sat at her desk and stared at her computer screen trying to read through twenty essays from her second-period class, her thoughts kept returning to the man she hoped to prepare for a lifetime with the Society. Jax was different from the other shifters she’d grown up with and had learned to know.

  He didn’t appear to want anything to do with his own kind. He wasn’t the first to have an animal form that liked privacy and roaming free, but he was the first she’d met who’d questioned the value of joining Genus Society. She couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t want the camaraderie and support when he had the potential to live for centuries.

  It was something he’d said to her that clued her into his troublesome past. Being abandoned by his mother could build the foundation of distrust, to be sure. If he’d never known the true value of family, he wouldn’t know what he was missing. Or maybe he did and that was the root of his anger.

  “Excuse me, Ms. Meyer?”

  A voice from the doorway interrupted her musings, and she was surprised to find Riley clutching the strap of his backpack, looking pale and unwell. Aerilyn tucked some loose strands behind her ear and frowned. “What’s up? You feeling okay?”

  It looked like he hadn’t bathed for days. His drab hair hung limp around his temples and below his jawline, and dark circles cradled his eyes. He shrugged and shook his head. “I’m fine. I just wondered if you’d accept my essay if I turned it in tonight?”

  Aerilyn returned her attention to her computer screen and noticed Riley’s name wasn’t on the list of submitted entries. That wasn’t like him. He was one of her best students.

  She cleared her throat. “Sure I would. Were you busy last night?”

  She had over a hundred students to keep track of. Creating a personalized relationship with each simply wasn’t possible. Plus, most teens had no interest in opening up to their teachers, but there were those moments when you slowed down enough and saw something just wasn’t right. Aerilyn waited for a response, unsure whether she’d get one since Riley was staring at the linoleum intently.

  “Um, yeah. Something like that,” he mumbled.

  Most teens were troubled to some degree with something. The expected issues might be with a boyfriend or girlfriend, friends, schoolwork or their home life. Because she’d had a number of conversations with him in the past, she knew he lived with his mom and that she wasn’t often at home. Aerilyn instinctively knew he was upset about something.

  She decided to press him about it. “How’s your mom doing? Still working the nightshift up at Blackhawk?”

  Riley cast a quick glance over his shoulder into the hallway and sighed. “No, she didn’t like the commute. She’s looking for something closer to home that has better hours.”

  Aerilyn tried again. “Was she around last night? I know you said you get more work done when she’s gone.”

  His numb expression spoke volumes. She’d definitely found what was bothering him. Riley switched his backpack to his opposite shoulder and grumbled, “A man dropped by last night to talk to my mom. She thought I was in my room doing homework, but I wasn�
�t.”

  Aerilyn didn’t want to say the wrong thing. It was clear Riley was upset, so she offered him a concerned look and remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

  “I recognized him from my sixth birthday,” Riley said through clenched lips. “I see the bank statements that come in the mail for me—a trust fund. Mom tears them up. She doesn’t think I know about them, but I do.”

  “Is he your father?” Aerilyn guessed.

  Riley gripped his backpack strap so tight his knuckle went white. “That’s someone who picks you up from school, barbecues hotdogs and rubs your back at night. That man’s not my father. He’s just some sperm donor who thinks he can boss my mom around.”

  “Riley…” Aerilyn stood up from her desk. The kid looked like he needed a hug.

  But before she could walk over to him, he mumbled, “You’ll get the essay tonight.” And he ducked out of the room into the echoing hallway.

  There was another person who could have used a proper, loving father growing up. She sighed and plopped herself back down at her desk to stare at the wall until the end-of-day bell rang.

  When she got home and pulled into her driveway, the sound of loud rockabilly music met her ears. Aerilyn opened her front door, and her ears were assaulted with her friend’s taste in music.

  “Hello?” she shouted.

  Petey, hearing her voice, ran to meet her at the top of the stairs and wagged his tail. His greeting was cut short as he hurried down the hall away from the living room stereo and into Aerilyn’s room.

  “You’re home, chickadee!” Emery called out from the kitchen. She wandered out with a martini glass and a bag of chips in her hand and danced all the way to the stereo to turn down the volume. When she straightened up, she asked, “How was work, dear?”

  Aerilyn opened her jaw to pop her eardrums. “Fine. Another week closer to fall break.”

  “Oh.” Emery’s eyes widened, and she popped a chip in her mouth. “So, I can tell Alaric doesn’t like the idea of you being around your stray. Your days may be limited before he breaks things up.”

  “Of course,” Aerilyn responded, feeling her frustration mount. If she didn’t get the time to learn more about Jax, she’d lose the opportunity to clear his name. It seemed her father was just as convinced of his guilt as she was certain of his innocence. She would need to hurry.

  “Deane’s at the lodge doing research, and we’re still waiting to hear back from your brother about the old police records on the animal bite cases.” Emery set her glass on the coffee table to tighten her bandana’s knot around her head. Then she grabbed a handful of flesh from her hips and said, “I got in a grueling day of squats, sit ups and kickboxing, trying to melt away these damn love handles. I’m doomed with an appetite that won’t quit. I guess I’m meant to jiggle when I walk. Ugh, look who I’m talking to—you have no idea.”

  Aerilyn went to hang her purse on a wall hook. She slipped off her shoes, which lowered her another inch. “Well, you’d never know what it’s like to use a chair to reach the top shelf in my cupboards.”

  “True,” Emery murmured. “So, what are we doing tonight? I know this club that uses black lights. I want to dress you like Fashion Barbie and go out!”

  “Uh, I need a good night sleep so I’m ready for tomorrow.”

  Emery’s lower lip slid into a pout. “What’s happening tomorrow?”

  Aerilyn prepared herself for her friend’s reaction. “I’m going to Jax’s for dinner, then we’re going out for the member outing.”

  “Oh,” Emery sang with a smile. “That sounds romantic. You going to watch him undress before he shifts?”

  Aerilyn’s cheeks flushed with heat, something she tried to cover up by going into the kitchen to pour herself a cup of water.

  Emery followed her in and crossed her arms. “Why aren’t you telling me I’m being inappropriate and that I’m way off base?”

  “Must I tell you every time you say something inappropriate? You’re a big girl,” Aerilyn said with a sigh.

  Emery walked around her to lean against the counter and raised her eyebrow suggestively. She threw another chip into her awaiting mouth and crunched it while she talked. “Yeah, so why are you smiling?”

  “Because it’s Friday night, and I’m finally off work. He says he owes me a meal, and he’s only going on the outing because he’s trying to convince my dad he’s a good guy so he can get out of town. He has no interest in sticking around. Plus, Dad would flip if he found out I was interested in a shifter without a pedigree.”

  “Sounds like you’ve given it a lot of thought.” Emery continued to smirk at her. “Have you thought about what his lips might feel like on your thighs, too?”

  “He was never properly taught about shifter culture. I have a job to do. I’m going to show him the ropes.”

  “Oooh, kinky,” Emery purred. “I love it when you talk dirty. I bet he’ll like it too.”

  Instead of getting mad, Aerilyn giggled. Emery joined in, and soon they were both on the couch reminiscing and laughing over their ex-boyfriends.

  Jax hung the dishcloth over the oven handle as he took in the food spread over his marble counters. He didn’t know why he’d set such an early time for her to come over. He’d had to leave before closing from the shop so he could swing by the grocery store.

  He pulled out a mixing bowl and emptied the ground beef into it. From one of the drawers, he selected some seasonings to add. On the built-in wood chopping block, he minced parsley and garlic.

  A soft knock came from the trailer door. His heart skipped a beat, catching him off guard. He didn’t know why he felt so anxious. It was just dinner. With a beautiful woman who was out of his league. This was just another step in the direction of freeing himself from being grounded by Alaric.

  He cleared his throat and wiped his hands on the dishcloth before opening the door. Just outside, Aerilyn looked toasty in a down jacket. Cold air filtered into the trailer, and he waved her in. “Is it my imagination or did it drop twenty degrees since yesterday?”

  She came inside and laughed. “That’s Colorado for you.”

  He heard the door latch and glanced at her studying his tiny living quarters. Her eyes moved over the reclaimed wood floors, pine cabinets and one-of-a-kind finishings.

  She breathed out in surprise. “I didn’t expect it to look like this.”

  Jax returned to work on the food with a smile on his lips. “It’s the only thing my stepdad ever gave me that was worth anything, except for my knowledge about cars. After he died from a heart attack when I was eighteen, I stuck around town long enough to finish high school, then I hit the open road. It’s a project that’s evolved over time as I found the right pieces to add. The flooring came from my old landlord’s barn. Just took a little elbow grease and a lot of sanding.”

  It gave him pleasure, watching her notice all of the details around his place. There was a certain stigma associated with mobile living, one that wasn’t always accurate. Not only had he worked hard to build the trailer into something he was proud of, he’d wanted to tear it apart, leaving nothing to remember his old life by but the shell itself.

  Aerilyn unzipped her jacket, revealing a low V-neck shirt. He averted his eyes, hating how effortlessly attractive she was. Jax pointed to a hook on the wall. “You can hang it there.”

  She did just that and swept her hair behind her ear. He thought he detected the smell of rosebuds and inhaled deeply. She tucked her hands into her back pockets and said, “So, will you give me a tour?”

  He checked her face to see if she was teasing and found only curiosity. He finished mixing the ingredients in the bowl and washed his hands.

  “Sure.” He faced the entrance of the trailer and pointed to the built-in seating and table. “This is the dining area. There’s storage beneath the benches.”

  Jax reached up to touch the cabinets that lined his kitchen. “I got these in a trade with a guy out of Bozeman, Montana. Custom-built to fit. One of my b
est deals.”

  He led her farther into the trailer to open a door to his right. “Here’s the restroom and—” He closed that to open the door on the opposite side. “Over here is the roomy shower.”

  She peered over his shoulder to look at the stainless lined cubicle that provided just enough space for him to scrub his back while cleaning himself. He touched all of the drawers that lined the remaining hall space before gesturing to the open room at the end of the trailer.

  He mumbled, “The bedroom.”

  Jax moved into the corner so she could lean in and get a better look at the mattress that just fit. More built-in storage was hidden beneath the bed, and bookshelves lined the wood-paneled ceiling. Her focus moved past the windows, settling on the books he’d collected through the years.

  “I read a lot,” he said. “I was never one for television.”

  He thought of his stepdad staring mindlessly at game shows with a bottle of bourbon as he had tried to do homework at the other end of the mobile home.

  Aerilyn blinked at him and shook her head. “It’s amazing in here. Like a tiny house.”

  “I don’t need much.”

  Not many had been invited into his place. He’d built it for himself, not to show it off to others. Jax took a long, slow breath and exhaled.

  “So, what’s for dinner?” she asked and turned around to go back.

  He followed her out. “I’m going show you what a real burger should taste like.”

  Aerilyn paused, and he bumped into her. She looked over her shoulder into his eyes.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled and stepped back.

  She continued to the end of the trailer to sit at the table. He tried to shake off his growing attraction for her by opening his fridge and distracting himself. “What would you like to drink? Water, beer… milk?”

  Aerilyn laughed. “I’ll take a beer.”

  He grabbed two bottles, and as he reached for the cabinet where he kept his glasses, she said, “Don’t be polite on my account. I’m fine drinking out of the bottle.”