HOTSHOT BROTHERS: Coyote Shifters

by Hunt, Sabrina

  Leaning heavily against a boulder, I panted, my head hanging down towards the ground as the wind buffeted me. I’d been climbing for well over three hours and I had no idea if I was getting any closer. Part of me had been expecting Sorvang to pounce by now.

  Again, in between those thoughts, I found myself wondering about the foolishness of this errand. What am I thinking? I wondered as I started climbing again, my legs now shaking with the effort. I could barely walk.

  But I also knew I couldn’t have fled from this.

  If Sorvang wanted me, here I was.

  When I got to the top of the next ridge, I spotted a wide cave in the distance and a sense of recognition went through me, although I knew I hadn’t seen it before.

  Or remembered seeing it before.

  Walking in, I tried to shift back to a man, but I couldn’t. Neither were my gifts for calling the air working. At least I still had an iota of strength in reserve.

  Sorvang! I called out. Fall back with this storm. I am here.

  “Oh, there you are, Coyote,” Sorvang came scuttling out, tossing back her hair and smiling at me. “I was wondering when you’d arrive.”

  Call off this storm.

  She cocked an eye at the outside and gestured me in. “You should come in before it gets worse.” Her voice was placid, almost kind, and it made my fur stand on end.

  If you don’t call off this storm, you will regret it.

  “You shouldn’t speak to a host like that,” Sorvang chided. “And this isn’t my doing.”

  I watched as she moved inside and I followed her.

  What are you talking about? You wanted me-

  “You?” she snorted. “Don’t flatter yourself, Burr Santana. You’re useful, but you’re certainly not what I wanted.”

  I stopped inside the cave mouth and stared at her.

  “So sure you knew my plans, hm? And you came running?” she asked, making a lazy gesture and I was locked behind a rippling wall. Something about it was familiar, but I couldn’t pay attention to that now.

  What does that mean? You’re working with the Crooked Man, aren’t you?

  “Oh, I was,” she said. “But not anymore. We had a falling out.”

  I froze.

  “Honestly, Burr,” she continued, “what use would I have of a Coyote Shifter?” Sorvang’s white-red eyes gleamed as smiled at me, cruelly and pitilessly. “I always wanted the White-Eagle children.”

  No! I reared up, then flung myself at the invisible wall.

  “You can’t get out,” she said. “But while we’re waiting, I’ll tell you the whole thing. To be honest, I find Skinwalkers rather distasteful. There’s always a chance they can be redeemed. Where’s the fun in that? I prefer a real demon, you know?

  “But that Crooked Man, as you call it, had its purpose. It let me out and back into this world. But imagine coming home and everyone is gone.” Her voice grew harsh. “Imagine being the last of your kind anywhere. There are no more aarsrivaks. Not in this world or the Deadlands.”

  I let out a growl. And good riddance.

  “Hmph. Well, don’t count your blessings yet, shifter. If I stay here another moon cycle, I could renew the aarsrivak family. All I need is the blood of the one who ended my line.”

  Helaku, I thought, my heart unsteady in my chest and I sat down heavily. But–

  “Oh, long dead, thanks to the Ash Walkers. Them, I don’t mind. Although I prefer for my forests not to be razed to the ground.” She tapped one of her legs against the wall. “I banked on the arrogance of all shifters and it worked. Now you’re in another cage, waiting to be traded.”

  I stared at her as the numb feeling in my legs spread through me.

  “Oh, yes, Burr Santana, you certainly had your uses,” she mused. “By the way, you didn’t escape. That was a lie. I let you go. And you ran straight to Willow White-Eagle. Thank you.”

  I slumped onto the floor, my entire body shaking now. Willow, no. I should have listened.

  “Presumption of a man and a shifter,” Sorvang tutted. “Gets them every time.”

  I will destroy you, I snarled at her. You will regret this.

  “It’s too late.” She lifted her head and smiled. “He has her. And soon I will – the daughter of the shifter who destroyed the last of my kind.”

  The shadows were long and dark when we appeared in a lonely clearing by Sorvang’s art. She was disguised as a woman again, holding her cloak around her head and peering around. Her eagerness was apparent and I threw myself at the cage walls again.

  Little good it did. I was feeling weaker by the moment. Staggering upright, I snarled as a familiar, crooked figure appeared, limping through the clearing. By his side, her head held high and her posture erect, was Willow, her eyes flashing.

  My entire body shook as I threw myself at the walls of the cage. No, Willow! No! Please, I’ll do anything!

  “You’re in no position to barter, Coyote,” the Skinwalker said, “but I am.”

  “Only one?” Sorvang looked disgruntled. “There are three.”

  “I left a clear trail,” the Skinwalker soothed. “They will come for their sister, sooner or later.”

  “By then, I’m sure my children will have eaten her,” Sorvang remarked. “Give her here and you can have the coyote. He irks me.”

  Blood was rushing in my ears, my mouth was dry, and I couldn’t move. This can’t be happening, this can’t be happening.

  Willow didn’t look at me, but she glared at Sorvang. “I thought it was odd you knew me.”

  “Oh, you’re lucky you slipped away that day,” the spider-woman snarled. “I would have gutted you right then and there. Then I wouldn’t have to deal with this young uppity thing.”

  “Have I not delivered on all my promises?” the Skinwalker sounded almost put out.

  Snorting, Sorvang shook her head. “If I did business they way you did, I’d be dead.”

  I saw the Skinwalker grit his teeth and glare at Sorvang. “Let’s get this over with.” Reaching out, he gripped Willow by the arm and I snarled. Thrusting her forward, he then let her go as he walked with Sorvang towards me.

  For a moment, neither of them were paying attention to Willow and didn’t notice as she slid something out of her sleeve pocket. Our eyes met and she smiled slightly.

  Then I saw a burst of red fire and both demons fell back, shrieking. In the same instant, I realized the cage had been opened and I burst free of it.

  “Burr!” Willow was already off and running. “This way.”

  Slipping and sliding through the snow, I followed her, limping a bit. Behind me, I heard a roar and the familiar stench of an Ash Walker filled the air.

  I hope you have a plan.

  “More of a prayer,” she muttered, flat out running through the woods now. “Come on…”

  Howls rose up behind us and Willow glanced over her shoulder. Keelut had joined the hunt.

  My legs gave out at that moment and Willow skidded to a stop. Placing her hands on me, I felt a flicker of energy and staggered upright. But we were both breathing hard now.

  Maybe you should leave me.

  “And maybe you should have listened to me,” Willow gasped.

  Run, get out of here. You can still make it.

  “We’re almost there, Burr. You are not giving up on me.”

  Breathing became painful, but I forced myself to follow her, wondering where on earth we were going to find safe haven in the middle of the mountains.

  “Here. Oh, it’s here. Thank you Wind Dweller,” Willow said in utter relief. “And I’m sorry about earlier. Blow off all the tiles you want.”

  “Of course,” came a voice on the wind. “Now, hurry, they’re almost here.”

  Running forward, Willow gestured and I limped after her, before collapsing at the base of an old tree.

  What is this place?

  She slid down next to me, trying to catch her breath and her fingers knotted in my fur. “It was a sacred circle once. A place
of connecting to the spirit in all things.”

  Looking up, I saw there were carvings on the tree and a sense of peace hummed through me. My eyes fell shut and I sighed. Thank you, Willow. You saved us both.

  In the distance, we could hear the howls and crashing getting quieter. Willow let out a long breath. “They can’t find us here. We’ll stay here until you recover.”

  Okay, I agreed weakly.

  “Don’t fall asleep on me, please,” she said, shaking me. Suddenly she sucked in a sharp breath and got to her feet. “No. How?”

  Struggling to lift my head, I saw a blond man emerge from the trees, his eyes riveted on me.

  Chapter 16

  I no longer had my gun, but I had a knife inside my boot and I pulled it out.

  “You!” I snarled. “How did you get in here?! This is a sacred place!”

  The man kept moving forward, his hands held up, but his eyes on the coyote behind me. I moved in front of Burr and flashed my knife.

  “Don’t take another step,” I warned. “You think because I’m a woman I won’t cut your throat? Try me.”

  “No, it’s not that. Please,” he said and something in his voice stirred something in me. I frowned. “That coyote… Burr? Brother, is that you?”

  Rayner?!

  The man let out a laugh and ran forward. It was then I realized it wasn’t the Skinwalker, but a flesh-and-blood man, one who was hugging the red-brown coyote hard.

  “Of course I find you in the middle of the woods with a knife-wielding beauty.” The man smiled up at me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. It’s just–”

  A loud yip erupted as snow exploded and a dark brown coyote was dancing around Burr, butting his head and howling.

  “Stop that!” I hissed, shoving the new coyote away. “They’ll hear you! And he’s hurt!”

  “Cree, easy,” Rayner said as the coyote shifted into a brunette man with dancing blue eyes and an insulted look on his face as he stared at me, but it transformed as he looked at Burr.

  “Burr, oh man, oh man, please don’t ever do that again.” Cree was now strangling Burr in a hug and Burr shook his head at me as I moved forward. “That was the worst. No Burr for almost a month. I’m lucky to be alive.”

  Two other coyotes came running out of the woods, a black-brown one and one with black fur offset by white points. The first shifted into a black man with an intensely relieved expression on his face, who hauled Cree backwards and then hugged Burr. The other had shifted into an olive-skinned man with dark eyes and hair , and he fell to his knees and smiled.

  “Burr Santana, you bastard,” muttered the black man, ruffling Burr’s head.

  “Wait, are you…” Relief crashed over me and I sat hard on the ground. I stared around at the tall, handsome strangers and laughed. “I know your names. Wes, Ben, Rayner, and Cree. You’re the Hotshot Brothers. Oh, thank God. Burr, you could have told them who I was.”

  Burr butted my shoulder affectionately. We’ve not yet mastered the ability to speak via minds. Can you tell them I can’t shift back?

  “You haven’t?” I exclaimed. “Why not?”

  Willow. Not now.

  “Are you talking to him? Tell the bastard to shift back.” Wes clenched his fists. “Staying like that isn’t going to save him from a beating.”

  “He can’t shift back,” I said and they stared me blankly. “An aarsrivak, a Spider Demon of the snow, she marked him with Ash Walker blood. He’s in bad shape.”

  “Burr.” Ben gently held his friend’s head. “I knew it had to be something like that.”

  “Wait, who are you?” Wes gave me a once-over. “How do we know we can trust you?”

  “She’s protecting Burr, duh,” Cree pointed out and winked at me.

  I raised an eyebrow at them. “My name is Willow White-Eagle and I’m–”

  “You’re Nikita’s daughter. A relation of Aunt Sil,” Rayner said. “Of course.”

  “Oh, I bet you’re the girl he’s been pining after for all these years,” Cree said sagely, and Burr suddenly tensed under my hand. “What? Don’t snarl at me buddy. You’re an open book.”

  “Yeah, she definitely is,” Wes said, his face relaxing into a smile. “About time.”

  You know what – on second thought, just throw me back to the Skinwalker and Sorvang.

  “Shut up, Burr,” I snapped. Then I turned to the Brothers, who were giving me amused looks and smothering smiles. “The Skinwalker is here, along with Sorvang. She’s a demon he let loose from the Deadlands. He has Ash Walkers, Pale Eyes, and did something to the town…”

  “What did she do to you, Burr?” Ben shook his head. “This is…”

  Wes clapped his hands onto Ben’s shoulders. “Doc. You can do it.”

  “Please, Ben,” I said. “I can’t. I’ve tried everything.”

  “I need…” Ben started to stay and then a woman with curly brown hair appeared out of nowhere, with dark blue eyes and a warm smile. “Hazel.”

  “Damn, Hazel, warn us next time,” Cree shouted, putting a hand to his heart.

  “Oh, Burr, you found him.” Hazel dropped to her knees and smiled. “I knew he wasn’t dead.”

  Wes gave Hazel a look. “Please tell me Kalin is still in Montana.”

  “She wasn’t happy about it, but yes,” the girl said. I realized she had a British accent as she looked at me. “Hello. Your name is Willow, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. How did you know that?” I demanded.

  “You look a lot like your mother. I met her a few weeks ago.” Hazel glanced at Ben. “This is strange. It’s like his powers have been tied into a knot and it is trying to get undone.”

  “A knot?” My hand went to my throat. Something about that remark gave me serious pause.

  “Someone is coming,” Wes said in a hiss, straightening. “Fast and quiet.”

  “Sh, everyone,” Rayner said, as he straightened and kept an eye on the woods as well.

  Falling silent, my nerves prickled and I tightened my grip on Burr. Eyes flashing across the gray forest, I studied it for any movement. Then I saw a small red head poke up and cock sideways.

  “A fox?” I asked, then my face brightened. “Fox!”

  The fox rushed towards us, shifting back into my younger brother, who stumbled as he ran up to us, panting. “Lolo! You’re okay. And who are all these people?”

  “Burr’s brothers,” I said tersely. “Fox, where is Juniper?”

  “With Aunt Sil and Mom and the rest. They’re coming.” Fox gazed around at the brothers and nodded, grinning. “Damn, this is cool.” Then his eyes fell on Burr and he groaned. “Aw man, is Burr stuck as a coyote again?”

  “Yes. And I think I know why,” I said. Everyone turned to look at me and I winced as I gazed around at them. Ben looked skeptical, Wes even more so, Cree eager, Rayner patient, and Hazel smiled at me. “When we first encountered Sorvang, she had a charm she taunted Burr with. A silver rope twisted into a necklace. But when the Skinwalker caught me–”

  “Caught you what?” Fox spluttered.

  “And you got away?” Rayner gazed at me, impressed.

  “Yes, but I gave him the necklace. He told me it was how he tracked me down and that it was of no use to Burr anymore. But now I think he said that to get me to hand it over.” I gritted my teeth. “It felt wrong – I wish I’d just hung onto it.”

  “It is no use to blame yourself, Willow,” Hazel said, reaching out and squeezing my hand. “How could you have known?”

  “If the Crooked Man wants a fight, he has one,” Wes growled. “It’s been months. I’m more than ready. And after what he did to Burr…” He looked away, throat working. “Let’s get the bastard.”

  “You should know Sorvang is out there, too,” I said. “She wants…” I trailed off, looking at my brother and my stomach clenching.

  “The children of Helaku?” Hazel asked, a pained expression crossing her face. Then she offered me a weak smile. “Your mother told me the s
tory after I had a dream of a Spider Demon standing on a ridge, gazing at a snowy valley. I knew it was connected to her somehow.”

  Shaking my head at that revelation, I knew we had no time to get into that. “We need to get my brothers out of here, as well as Burr,” I said, standing up and reaching for Fox. “This is not our fight, little brother. Not today. Too much is at risk.”

  Fox glared at me and pulled away. “Which is why it should be our fight.”

  “No – listen,” I started to say, when several things happened at once.

  Juniper emerged from the woods, running, with Big Bear following and a crow zipping in front of them, before coming to land in front of us. He shifted into a tall man with shoulder-length gray hair, lean limbs, and a cocky grin.

  “Coyotes, Fox and Willow.”

  “Uncle Crowfoot, Juniper” I gasped, throwing myself at them. They hugged me back, then we were both lifted in a massive hug as Big Bear squeezed us as well.

  As lean as Crowfoot was, Big Bear was wide and strong. His shaggy, short black hair was touched with gray and he was sporting a beard.

  “I like the look, Uncle Bear” I said, laughing as he set us down and I stepped back.

  “Willow White-Eagle, it better not be so long that I see you again,” Big Bear rumbled. Then he turned to the rest. “Silver Tail is shoring up the wards at the White-Eagle home. We need to get back there and form our plan.” Big Bear continued on, while the brothers began to talk all at once.

  A sense of being watched came over me and I stepped forward. The winds were rising around us and the sky darkening. I was about to speak up when a twang sounded.

  Before I could blink, I was being tackled to the ground in a flail of limbs. Rayner was panting next to me, his face twisted into a grimace as he dropped a black arrow from his hand. Soot marked it and I gasped. Grabbing his hand, I placed mine over it and it vanished.

  “Thank you,” I said, looking up at him.

  “What was that?” he asked, staring at me.

  “Ash Walker blood. The same thing that affected Burr. It’s poison.”

  Nodding, he stood up, eyes cold as he surveyed the wood. A shadow stepped forth, a silver and metal crossbow swinging its hands. Red eyes flashed. It was the Skinwalker, hooded, and with the lower half of its face covered. But I could still tell it was grinning.