by L. A. Boruff
Shock flitted across Cas's face, but he covered it up quickly, years of practice allowing him to shield his true feelings. He turned to the man next to him and whispered something.
"What’s he doing?" I asked Levon.
"He'll be calling for Jessica."
"Who?" Sometimes I wondered if they forgot I hadn't grown up around other shifters and didn't know everyone by name yet.
"Sorry. She's a snake shifter. You know all those cliché animated films where the snake can hypnotize people?"
"I guess." I hadn't watched a lot of cartoons when I was small, but I remembered one filled with animals that had a snake like that.
"It's not entirely untrue when it comes to snake shifters. It's not quite hypnotism, more like natural truth serum." He shrugged as if it was no big deal.
"And everyone's okay with snake shifters running around and doing this?" I asked.
"Not really. Most are very careful when they use it. They could end up in Mary's chair themselves if they're not careful." Levon crossed his arms as he watched. Was he frustrated that he was stuck here with me instead of sitting with Cas and Kerry overseeing everything? I hoped not. I didn't want him to resent me for holding him back.
"But Jessica uses it for this?"
He nodded. "She's the oldest and most powerful by far. She often helps in disputes if it's unclear who is at fault," he responded.
"Then why isn't she one of the judges?" That didn't make any sense to me.
"She turned it down. Several times, I believe. Not everyone wants the responsibility. Or the disruption. I know we don't seem to have had much disruption for our little family, but that's because we all work for ourselves. Some of the other shifters aren't so lucky. They'll get time off at short notice if they work for other shifters, but if their employer is human, they can think again."
I nodded, unable to think of a response that didn't sound terrible. Shifter politics and life seemed more and more complicated by the minute. I loved the idea that everyone looked out for one another. The sense of community was unlike any I'd ever seen or heard about. But the rules were crazy at times. And keeping track of them was difficult for someone like me who hadn't been born into this life.
An old woman with a walking stick entered the room, limping slightly. From the way everyone stopped speaking, this had to be Jessica.
"You called for me, Alpha?" she asked Cas. Her voice was stronger than her appearance suggested, which made sense to me. If shifters didn't age the same as humans, then it seemed reasonable that her voice, power, and appearance didn't quite match.
"Just how old is she?" I whispered to Levon.
"No one knows. And it's rude to ask, before you get it into your head to," he reminded me.
"I wouldn't dream of it." There was a reason there was a saying about asking a woman her age. I could understand why Jessica wouldn't want people to dig into that.
"We need to know the truth about this woman's actions. She’s admitted to two murders, but is accused of twenty-three more," Cas informed her.
"Your wish is my command, great Alpha." Jessica bent her back and held out a hand, giving Cas a weird bow.
"I hope she's being sarcastic," I muttered.
Levon chuckled. "You don't want to end up calling Cas the great alpha then?"
"Do you?" I smirked at the image.
"Don't worry, we won't let it go to his head. And yes, she's probably being sarcastic."
Jessica stepped up to Mary and placed a weathered hand on top of the younger woman's. "Don't worry. This won't hurt."
Mary nodded but didn't say a word.
"I promise I won't look into any memories other than those that are relevant to the murders," the snake shifter promised.
"Thank you." Mary's voice cracked as she said the word.
Jessica began to hum and sway. It was fascinating to watch. I'd never considered that this kind of thing was possible. But like the calming effect from Star, I was witnessing it first hand. It made me wonder whether or not I had any special powers of my own. My men hadn't said anything, but that could be because they didn't know. Maybe my special powers were in the bedroom. I stifled a chuckle.
Or maybe they thought it would be too much for me to handle at the moment. I didn't think they were wrong.
Mary began to sway back and forth in time with what Jessica was doing. It was truly something to watch.
"How long will it take for her to be under?" I asked.
"It's hard to tell. I've seen everything from thirty seconds to several hours. It depends on how much the person resists. She's already swaying though, so I think she'll be under in a moment."
"Ask your questions, alpha," Jessica said.
Cas rose from his seat and stood in front of Mary, next to Jessica. "Tell us about the unicorns."
"I didn't mean for it to happen," Mary promised. "I wasn't in control. All I could feel was pain. Then more pain. Everywhere. It was too much." She shook her head violently.
Cas reached out as if to reassure her, but Jessica batted his arm away.
"Don't. You could risk ending the trance," the snake shifter hissed.
He nodded. "What happened?"
"Sad. So sad. He was gone."
"Who was gone?" Cas prodded.
"Larry. My mate. My soul."
"And what did that mean for you?" he asked.
"Sadness. Sadness. There was a haze. A voice in my head that told me to kill them. I didn't want to. The voice told me I had to. I didn't like it." She shook her head violently again.
I started to step forward, but Levon put a hand out to stop me.
"Don't," he warned.
"But she's going to hurt herself," I croaked.
"Neither Cas or Jessica will let that happen. I promise."
I nodded, not sure if I believed him or not. Tears prickled in the corners of my eyes. Cas was asking this woman about the death of my parents. The event that deprived me of the childhood I should’ve had. Made me think I was a freak. Stopped me from meeting my mates when I could’ve. I could have had several more years with them if I'd been brought up on the mountain with the rest of the shifters.
"Who did the voice belong to?" Cas asked.
"I don't know. A man." Mary looked up at him with pain filled eyes so wide they were working on me too.
"And what about the other murders?" Cas prodded.
"What other murders?" Mary echoed.
"How many people have you killed?"
"Three. Joan and Frederick and their baby. Oh, the baby." Tears leaked from her eyes, and I suspected once Jessica's influence ended, she'd be in floods of tears.
"The baby didn't die," Cas whispered, crouching down in front of her. "You remember the woman with us when we found you?"
She nodded.
"That's Leola. She's Joan and Frederick's daughter. You didn't kill her."
"I didn't?" A hint of hope entered Mary's voice.
"No. You didn't. You don't know anything about the other killings?"
"I'm sorry, no. The voice in my head tried again a few years later. But I'd met Dylan. I had someone to love again."
"And Dylan helped you?"
"He calmed me. I love him."
I searched for the leprechaun, finding him in seconds and noting the relief on his face. Everything Mary said at the moment was the complete truth. If she said she loved him now, then she really did.
"Does the name Frances Baker mean anything to you?" Cas asked.
"I'm sorry, I don't know them," Mary answered. "Should I?"
"Edward Smythe?"
Mary shook her head.
Cas read from a list of names, not one of them being recognized by Mary.
"What does it mean?" I asked Levon.
"Most likely that she's innocent of all but your parents' murders," he whispered back.
"But everyone's blamed her all this time?" I had to wonder why they'd all thought that if there was no proof. And clearly there hadn't been or else they wouldn't ha
ve been shocked by this revelation.
"Yes. But we'll make it right now."
"How?"
"Would Leola Valentine please step forward," Cas called.
Levon's hand touched my back as I swallowed my nerves. I'd have to ask them when I'd taken their name later. Maybe it was an automatic thing when we'd mated. It was hard to tell.
"I'm here." I stepped forward, letting Levon's hand fall away as all the eyes in the room turned to me.
"Do you wish to seek revenge against this woman for the murder of your parents?" Cas asked, his eyes locking with mine and revealing the intense support he'd give me. None of my mates would judge me for whichever decision I made.
"No," I responded loudly, and without considering my words. I knew I couldn’t punish her. "I want her to receive the help she needs, not be punished for something she didn't have control over." I just hoped I'd read the situation right. Mary seemed genuinely repentant for what she'd done. It wasn't fair if she was punished for something she hadn't intended to ever do.
"Very well. The court has heard your verdict."
The judges all nodded their agreement. Was it really that easy? I hadn't expected it to be for some reason.
Two of the Enforcers stepped forward and unclipped Mary's wrists, drawing her away from the congregated shifters. She didn't struggle at all. Instead, she walked demurely between the two of them, not even responding to Dylan as she passed him.
"Wait, what's happening?" I asked.
"She's being taken to the infirmary. She'll probably be moved to a more secure facility after that," Levon answered.
"I thought she wasn't being punished?" The last thing I wanted was to cause her more distress than she was already feeling, even if she’d left me parentless. Ultimately, I'd come to terms with my past. She had yet to. It haunted her more than it did me.
"She isn't," Cas said firmly. "She'll be free to go once she's passed all the necessary tests. The shamans most experienced with mental illness will treat her. They'll do the best they can, and if she heals enough, Dylan will be able to sign her out—if she wants to go to with him."
I sighed. That was something at least. It was nice to think we'd managed to actually help her.
The room emptied faster than I expected, with everyone chattering about what they'd witnessed. I didn't mind, it gave me some privacy with my mates.
"Are you okay?" Kerry asked, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me back into him. His warmth flowed through me, comforting what was left of my unease.
"I think so."
"You did just forgive your parents' murderer," Levon pointed out.
A weak smile curled at my lips. I didn't want to admit how much that still stung really. They might start rethinking my decision. "It was the right thing to do," I responded.
"And that's one of the many reasons you're so perfect for us," Kerry murmured in my ear. "Not everyone would see it the way you do."
"I can understand why they couldn't. There's still a part of me that's angry, betrayed and desperate to hurt her. But would my revenge make things better?"
"Probably not," Cas admitted.
"Exactly."
"You're an amazing woman," Kerry said softly.
A blush rose to my cheeks. I knew they thought of me that way. I just wanted to be the best person I could be. And that included offering forgiveness. No doubt there were things I needed to be forgiven for, even if I couldn't think of them from the top of my head.
"So long as she's getting the help she needs." They might have already told me a couple of times, but I needed one more reassurance. It would play on my mind if I was responsible for making an already unhappy person worse.
"We promise, she's going to be fine. You'll even be able to visit if you want to," Levon assured me.
I shook my head. "I'm certainly not ready for that yet. Let's call Mary forgiven and not forgotten."
"Is there anything else you want to ask?" Cas relaxed for the first time, though I noticed the fatigue in his eyes. The whole situation had taken more out of him than I'd thought. Maybe it was just because of how long the murders had been unsolved. I supposed in some way, they still were. But that was a matter for another day.
"No, I'm okay, I think."
"You know you can ask us anything," Cas reassured me.
"Of course. I know you guys would answer anything for me." It was one of the many things I loved about them.
"Now, take me home," I instructed them. After all the excitement of the past twenty-four hours, I was looking forward to some rest with my men.
"Your wish is our command." Levon did an exaggerated bow.
I sniggered. He was too cute when he did that.
"Do you want to race home shifted?" Cas asked. "We didn't get to run with you yesterday..."
Instead of answering, I began to unlace my shirt, eager to get on our way. Luckily, the rest of the shifters had all made their way home already, leaving me and my lions blissfully alone.
They undressed as quickly as I did, and we all stuffed our clothes into a bag Kerry was holding. He'd run home with it in his teeth so we didn't lose them.
I changed into my unicorn form once more and prepared to run, already looking forward to the trip home.
Epilogue
I tucked the edge of the towel into itself, securing it around my breasts. I didn't know why, but it felt weird to walk around naked straight after a shower, and I tried to avoid it unless the guys were taking me straight back to bed.
Humming to myself, I left the bathroom and puttered into the kitchen. The baby was making me hungrier than ever, and if I remembered rightly, I had one of my muffins left. Luckily, I hadn't had a craving for meat, though I worried that would come if the baby took after its father. Raising a lion shifter child was going to be a test of my cooking skills, that was for sure. A vegan baby potentially even more so.
I stuck the muffin in the microwave. Kerry was out visiting an elderly shifter who needed some medical care, and the other two were busy on official stuff. They hadn't supplied many details, and I hadn't asked. They'd tell me when they were ready.
Beeps broke through my inner thoughts, and I grabbed the muffin, sliding it onto a plate so it could cool slightly. I should really think about what I was going to make next for my blog. Normally, I was a couple of dishes ahead with my cooking, but with everything going on, I hadn't had the chance and I needed a post for next Monday.
I tore my muffin apart, letting the steam rise up in front of me as it cooled it. I closed my eyes, appreciating the smell. There really was something about the smell of fresh food. It was comforting and intriguing. My stomach rumbled. This damned baby was going to eat us out of house and home, and it hadn't even been born yet.
I leaned back in my chair, already regretting not letting the muffin last longer. We didn't have much else that was easy to heat in a couple of seconds. Other than a couple of protein bars that I couldn't eat. Sometimes being unable to process meat products could be frustrating. Until I remembered all the delicious vegan food I'd had throughout my life. I didn't feel like I was missing out by not eating meat at all. Though I didn't mind when other people ate it in front of me. If that's what they liked, then I was good with that.
I slotted my plate into the drying rack straight after washing it. I knew we had a housekeeper, but I didn't want to waste her time on something as small as a single dish. She had better things to do, especially with how much mess my mates could make when they came in muddy from a run.
Now the question was whether or not I bothered to get dressed. No one else was coming around today and my lions would be back soon. They'd probably just rip whatever clothes I had on right off again and probably leave them being impossible to wear.
That left hanging around in front of the TV naked then. I could live with that. I still hadn't caught up on the latest baking show I loved to watch. Sometimes, I even managed to pick up a trick or two from watching them cook. It was how I liked to stay on top
of my game.
I relaxed into the cushions, resting a hand on my tiny baby bump and smiling blissfully to myself. Six months ago, I'd never have believed I could be here. And yet I was. Loved. Cared for. With mates to call my own and a baby on the way. I'd never have believed I could be so happy.
And yet, I was.
Look for more books in the Valentine Pride series, coming soon! Join L.A. Boruff or Laura Greenwood’s Newsletter to stay up to date!
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Lainie Boruff: www.laboruff.com
About Laura Greenwood
Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal, fantasy, and contemporary romance. When she's not writing, she can be found drinking ridiculous amounts of tea, trying to resist French Macaroons, and watching the Pitch Perfect trilogy for the hundredth time (at least!)
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Paranormal Reverse Harem First in Series from Laura Greenwood
Saving Eira (Fated Seasons: Winter)
Chasing Aledwen (Fated Seasons: Spring)
Spell Caster (Paranormal Criminal Investigations)
Shattered Illusions (Ashryn Barker Trilogy)
Wolf Blessed (Blessed)
From the Deeps (Seven Wardens), co-written with Skye MacKinnon)
Fifth Soul (the Renegade Dragons), co-written with Arizona Tape
Pandora’s Pain (Harem of Misery), co-written with A.K. Koonce
For a full book list, please see here:
www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk/p/book-list.html
