by Clay, Verna
Shapelings, unlike humans, gave no consideration to their looks. Their focus rested in an elusive goal beyond shapeshifting—mastery of wisdom. Honing wisdom, however, presented a two-edged sword—becoming the creature while at the same time maintaining shapeling faculties of awareness. The difficulty in abating the thrill of becoming only the creature required intense practice and concentration over countless sun risings. As a Shapeling Master, Roth would receive increasingly complex assignments aimed at developing wisdom, and eventually, consistent evidence of wise choices would bestow upon him the title of Prince Thirteen, the title his father had been about to receive before his untimely death during Roth's childhood. Relentlessly, Roth pushed himself toward that goal for the sake of his heritage and envisioned his ultimate destiny, reigning as Prominent Prince as his ancestors before him.
He glanced at the glow in the eastern sky. Soon the edge of the sun would appear. He smiled and walked the short distance to the Cave of Thirteen. At the exact moment the sun made its appearance he stepped inside the cave lit by torches. Reverently, he approached the Thirteen and knelt, speaking the Prayer of Respect. "May the embers of truth always glow."
"Rise, Roth," commanded the Prominent Prince.
"Come closer," the remaining twelve voiced in unison.
Roth rose and took the few steps that brought him directly in line with the Prominent One.
"You have accomplished your latest mission, Roth. We congratulate you."
Roth nodded his respect. "Thank you, Prominent Prince."
Another voice spoke, "You are well aware, however, that this next assignment may usher you into the rank of Mastery."
"Yes, Prince Two." Roth could not hide his grin.
"You have mastered all the creatures of your assignments..."
"Thank you, Prince Five."
"...except one."
Roth's smile faded. Out of respect he did not argue, but his mind raced to understand. He had shifted into a wolf, a lion, an eagle, a horse, an owl, a dolphin, a human, a dog, a tiger, a panther, and multiple others, including reptiles and insects. He had never failed an assignment. He did not understand.
The Prominent Prince spoke. "Although your assignments have been successful, we believe you have yet to acquire the full nuance of being human. This next mission will determine if you are ready to begin Missions of Mastery, so it requires you to again shift into a human."
"As you command. But may I ask in what way I fell short?"
"That is something you must discover on your own. We will speak no more about this."
"Yes, Prominent Prince." Roth waited for his instructions, quelling the disappointment and frustration trying to vent in his heart. He did not want this decisive mission to be as a human. He had protected and saved the lives of innumerable humans throughout his previous assignments as animals, and also completed many missions in human form; his last one being a Yankee soldier during the American Civil War. He had been sent to protect a man whom the co-Princes believed would change the course of human history. On several occasions, Roth had deflected a bayonet intended for his ward, or pushed him out of the line of fire. He had also saved him from being trampled by a horse, and even gone so far as to befriend him. After the war, however, they had gone their separate ways and Roth had returned to the Cave of Thirteen for his next assignment.
Prince Thirteen spoke. "I will now reveal the details of this decisive mission."
One: First Impressions
Roth accepted the glass of wine from his employer. He swirled the wine and sniffed.
"Are you a wine connoisseur, Mr. Beowolf?"
"Not at all, Mr. Childress."
"By the way, why don't we do away with the formalities? You can call me Hank, because I abhor the name Harold, and I'll call you Roth. Is that acceptable?"
"Certainly, Hank."
"Your name is unusual. I can't say that I've ever met anyone with the given name of Roth. Do you know its meaning?"
"Yes—exalted, tower of strength."
Hank laughed. "Well, son, that's exactly why I hired you."
"Yes, sir."
"But speaking of why I hired you, it reminds me that we're still absent my daughter's presence. I would be remiss if I didn't warn you that she's very averse to having another bodyguard. You're going to have your hands full. May I speak bluntly?"
"Of course, Hank."
"Don't take any of her crap. She's been raised with a silver spoon and knows nothing of the real world. If she had been born less brilliant and more like her mother, I'm sure life would have been quite different for her; not as mundane and ordered. As it is, her brilliance has landed her a top position in my company. And, as you are aware, we are a think-tank organization with multiple patents for amazing inventions, so Rainey, being both a research scientist for Childress Enterprises and my daughter, is extremely wealthy, yet vulnerable. Because of that, and the fact that she's on the brink of what I consider to be the greatest discovery in human history, she must be protected from those who desire not only her money, but her brilliance to be used for nefarious reasons. However, even if she had been born in poverty, I have no doubt she would have made a name for herself among the scientific community and become a very successful woman on her own. Her discoveries in the medical field have eased the suffering of untold millions. She..."
Roth wanted to yawn with boredom. He wanted to run into the night and pray the prayer that would shift him into a wolf. He wanted to howl and roam the woods. He wanted...
"Is my father boring you?"
Roth jolted and turned toward a husky voice. The voice reminded him of the wine in his glass. His first impression, however, was anything but that. His charge was short and round and plain, and she appeared to go out of her way to enhance that effect.
"Rainey, it's about time you graced us with your presence," said Hank.
"I would apologize if I really meant it, but since I don't, I won't."
Roth glanced from Rainey to her father. Although Mr. Childress turned slightly pink, his facial expression of fatherly patience did not waver.
"Roth, may I introduce Rainey, my very tardy daughter. Rainey, this is your new bodyguard, Roth Beowolf."
Roth nodded. "My pleasure, Rainey."
"You say that now, but I'm sure you'll change your mind in a few days. Although I understand the necessity for protection, I hope my father informed you that I abhor the constraint of bodyguards."
"And why is that?"
"Surely, you're not serious?"
"Yes, I am."
Rainey gave a humorless laugh. "With bodyguards I am constantly in the presence of someone not more than a few feet from me. I cannot ride in a car by myself. I cannot take a walk by myself. Even when I sleep, there is a guard outside my room. If I have a bad dream and cry out, I find myself with a guard hovering over me. Need I continue?"
"I understand your frustration. But is the possibility of being kidnapped any more comforting?"
She ignored his last sentence and her green eyes flashed impatience. "How can you understand my frustration? You come and go as you please. You have a life of freedom."
"How can you judge my life when you know nothing about me?" Roth replied evenly, as he listened to the poor little rich girl and responded automatically. He was growing weary of sparring words with her. He wanted the evening to conclude so he could explore the woods behind the estate. His watch of the spoiled heiress would begin at eight the next morning. He had been hired as the lead guard overseeing two full-timers and two standbys. Thank God, he didn't have the night shift. It gave him freedom to soar or roam for at least a few hours.
***
Rainey punched her pillow yet again. She wanted to sleep, needed to sleep because of the workday ahead of her. She opened her eyes and sat up. Damn bodyguard. What was his name? Ross... Ron... Rat... Roth. Wolf... Beowolf. What the hell kind of name is that?
She walked to her window and pulled the drapes aside. Shifting clouds played with an almos
t full moon and eerie shadows waltzed across the grounds of her father's estate. Suddenly, the clouds cleared the moon and its light shone brilliant. Rainey gasped when a huge bird swooped from the sky and soared past her window with its magnificent wings agilely directing its body. She watched the creature until it disappeared in the direction of the woods.
I wish I could fly with you.
***
Roth waited for his charge in the foyer. The night guard, Jack Jackson, looking sleepy and bored, had gladly given over a changing of the guards. The previous night's shifting, first as an eagle and later as a wolf, had renewed Roth. Being a shapeling, he required little more than two or three hours sleep.
Rainey walked into the foyer. "I see you're punctual, Mr. Beowolf."
"It's my job, Rainey."
"I would rather be called Ms. Childress."
"As you prefer, Ms. Childress."
"Are you always so ingratiating?"
"Not usually."
"It must be me, then."
Roth remained silent.
"Mr. Beowolf, I'm sure you've been apprised that we use different cars to keep the 'bad guys' guessing." She made quote marks with her fingers.
"Yes, I'm aware of that."
"We also use different exits when leaving the estate. Again, keeps the 'bad boys' confused." She made quote marks again.
"Yes, I am also aware of that. Your point is...?"
"No point. I'm just making conversation until our ride arrives...and look, here it is." She pointed out the window beside the intricately carved door where a black Escalade with tinted windows was seen pulling to the entrance of the portico. Without a backward glance, she opened the door and skipped down the steps. The driver rushed to open the rear door of the Escalade and Rainey ducked inside. He opened the front passenger door for Roth. Roth thanked him, closed it without entering, and opened the back door, sliding in beside Rainey.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm getting into the car, Ms. Childress."
"I don't want you in the back seat. All my other guards ride in front."
"Am I protecting you or the driver?"
"I always ride alone in the back seat."
Roth saw Johnson adjusting the rear-view mirror to watch their verbal sparring, and although Johnson's eyes smiled, his professionalism didn't allow his mouth to join in. He put the car in gear and started down the drive. When Rainey attempted to scoot closer to her window, her briefcase fell on the floor and Roth bent to retrieve it. So did she. They bumped shoulders. As if jolted by electricity, she jumped backward and yanked the case from his hands, placing it back on her lap. She opened it and thumbed through its contents, pulling out documents.
Once past the guard station at the entrance to the mansion, Johnson drove them through rural countryside to the Childress Enterprises complex located on the outskirts of Portland. It took thirty minutes to reach the private entrance and the guards waved him through. Rainey opened her briefcase again and began stashing the papers back inside.
"Do you always read upside down, Ms. Childress?"
"What?"
Roth nodded toward the papers. "They're upside down." With a mortified look, she squashed the pages into her briefcase and fumbled with the clasp. As soon as the vehicle stopped in front of the building housing the laboratories, she opened her door and made haste toward the entrance. Johnson, who had stepped out of the car, watched her retreating form and then looked at Roth and winked. Roth suppressed a smile, nodded to the highly trained chauffeur/bodyguard, and followed his ward. He sighed. So far, this assignment was turning into one of his worst. The Thirteen co-Princes must have had good reason for sending him here, but he hoped the mission would be a short one—even though the morning had proven to be quite entertaining. He followed Rainey to the check-in station just inside the entrance. Having already been introduced to the guards and instructed in procedures, he quickly received clearance and entered an elevator with Rainey that took them to the eleventh, and top floor. She kept her back to him.
When the elevator stopped he followed her to the only door in the hallway. After passing her keycard through a sensor, the door clicked open. He entered behind her and the door clicked shut. Immediately, the hair on Roth's arms electrified and his sixth sense kicked in. Another shapeling was nearby. Searching the lab with his eyes, he followed Rainey as she entered a small office set in the middle of the room and dropped her briefcase on a desk. She then stepped behind the desk and opened a lower drawer, stashing her purse. Roth stood in the doorway viewing every inch of her space. Satisfied, he turned around and again scanned the lab. Three rows of several long metal tables, end-to-end, stretched almost two-thirds the length of the large rectangular room and were crowded with lab paraphernalia: vials, ceramic containers, microscopes, audio speakers, headphones, state-of-the-art computer equipment, books and charts. File cabinets and book shelves lined two walls and the third had two doors that he supposed opened into more offices. He looked toward the bank of windows on the eastern wall, and then returned his gaze to one of the doors where a female shapeling now stood watching him. Surprise and recognition lit her countenance.
Novels and Novellas by Verna Clay
WESTERN ROMANCE
Contemporary
Romance on the Ranch Series
Dream Kisses
Honey Kisses
Baby Kisses
Candy Kisses
Christmas Kisses
Rock Star Kisses
Forever Kisses
Forgotten Kisses
Angel Kisses
The Last Kiss (2017)
Oasis Series
Stranded in Oasis
Branded in Oasis
Crashed in Oasis
Historic
Unconventional Series
*Abby: Mail Order Bride
Broken Angel
Ryder's Salvation
Joy's Return
*2014 Gold Medal Winner Readers' Favorite Int'l Book Contest/Historical Romance
Finding Home Series
Cry of the West: Hallie
Rescue on the Rio: Lilah
Missouri Challenge: Daisy
Red Rocks Trilogy: Past Present Future
Healing Woman of the Red Rocks (Past)
Song of the Red Rocks (Present)
Spirit Tree of the Red Rocks (Future)
FANTASY ROMANCE
Shapeling Trilogy
Roth: Protector
Fawn: Master
Davide: Prince
Finding SOMEWHERE Series
SOMEWHERE by the Sea
SOMEWHERE to Spend Christmas
SOMEWHERE for a Hero to Hide (2017)
Jazmine
YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE
(Verna Clay writing as Colleen Clay)
Fragile Hearts
AUDIO BOOKS
Abby: Mail Order Bride
Broken Angel
Cry of the West: Hallie
Dream Kisses
LARGE PRINT BOOKS
SOMEWHERE by the Sea
SOMEWHERE to Spend Christmas (2016)
SOMEWHERE for a Hero to Hide (2017)
