by Tate James
Brushing off the lingering feeling of three sets of eyes, I let myself go and started grooving with my new friend, who was—I might add—more interested in the men around us than in me. Probably a good thing. I had my plate full enough as it was with Hunter and Boden making sexual innuendos at every possible opportunity.
We only made it through about two, maybe two and a half songs, before a strong pair of hands closed on my waist from behind, and my dance partner—Billy—beamed as he checked his watch.
“I win,” he smirked at me, then happily boogied off into the crowd to get down with a man in a flapper dress.
“Maggie,” Raze growled in my ear, then spun me around to face him. Or face his chest. Fuck me, he was tall. Or I was short. Or both. “Were you just dancing with that clearly gay man in order to drive Boden and Hunter insane with jealousy? Because it worked. They were trying to one up each other over all the ways they wanted to kill that guy.”
“Uh-huh.” I craned my neck to peer up at him. “And yet you’re the one who came over here to chase him off, even though you knew he was gay. So, what does that tell you, smarty-pants?”
I felt real smug, not even going to lie. Right up until Raze leaned down close, so his mouth was right beside my ear and all I could see was his crisp white shirt.
“It tells me that I’m likely to rip the hands off the next guy who touches you, gay or not. It tells me that for all your snark, bluster, and too-stupid-to-live decisions, you’ve gotten under my skin. Now all I can think about is the vision of you riding Hunter’s cock, of all that glorious ink decorating your whole fucking body, and of how your perfect little ass clenched when you came. It tells me, Margaret, that you’re going to be the gods damned death of us all, but despite that, I still fully intend to fuck you until you’re screaming and ruined for everyone else. Hunter and Boden included.”
What. The. Fuck.
“Um,” I stammered. “I think, maybe, uh, yep I think I need a drink. Is it hot in here? I’m suddenly, uh, really hot.”
Raze stepped back just enough for me to see him smirk.
Mother. Fucker.
Had that all been just to mess with me? Was he serious about any of it? Why was it so hard to tell?
“I’ll join you,” he offered, stepping back further to let me pass. “I’m suddenly very thirsty.” His smile was pure predator, and I shivered as I sashayed past in my swishy dress. I’m not even going to comment what sort of shiver that was; you can guess.
Shit got awkward after that. Super awkward. I was tripping between being all hot and bothered by the idea of riding Raze like a rodeo bull and being all anxious that he’d been messing with me and would shoot me right the fuck down if I pushed it further.
It had me so confused that I almost couldn’t eat the burger that Hunter had ordered for me. Almost. Let’s not get too crazy; that baby had bacon and peanut butter on it, so no man, no matter how sexy and confusing, was keeping that meat from my mouth.
“Oh my Supercats,” I moaned, licking beef juice from my fingers as I swallowed the last bite. Yeah, I was aware how dirty that sounded, but I didn’t even care. “This burger is fucking heaven. I need to eat at least seventeen more of these before we leave here, okay?”
I wasn’t directing my question at anyone in particular. Maybe just the universe? But it was an older woman with skin the same bronzed shade as mine who responded.
“I’m sure I can arrange that for you, dear.” She laughed. “And I’ll pass your compliments along to the chef.”
She was dressed in theme with a floor-length, red and black beaded gown and black satin opera gloves. A matching beaded band held a delicate collection of feathers at her temple and crossed her forehead, and I was instantly in awe of her elegance.
“Marie-Elizabeth?” Boden took over while I quickly licked all my fingers clean, then dried them off on a napkin. So classy, I know. “I’m Boden. I’m—”
“Commander for the Shifter Alliance. I’m well aware of your position, young man.” Marie-Elizabeth shot him a wary look. “But your calling as Guardian supersedes that title; I hope you understand.”
Boden ducked his head in a nod and offered her a small smile. “I was going to say I’m one of Cleo’s guardians. But yes, I’m also the Commander.”
The older woman huffed, still looking wary, but eventually nodded and sat in the armchair one of her staff had brought over to our table. “And you two.” She looked over Raze and Hunter with a critical eye. “Yes, you’ll do. Hunter and Raziel, yes?”
They both nodded, and she turned her attention back to me. “Sorry, dear, that was awfully rude of me. I’m Marie-Elizabeth, but you can call me Lizzie.”
A little bit dumbfounded, I held out my hand to shake hers. “I’m Cleo.”
Lizzie smirked. “How terribly appropriate for our family line.”
“Wait,” I gasped. “We’re related then?”
She gave a casual shrug. “Somewhere along the line, we have to be. Only descendants of Hatshepsut herself can bear the amulet of light, and that’s definitely it.” She indicated to my gold necklace hanging loose over my lilac beaded dress. “My old dress looks great on you, too, by the way.”
“Oh,” I said, looking down at the amulet and touching my fingers to it. “I just thought... I was adopted, so...”
“Ah, I see.” Lizzie nodded. “I’m sorry, dear. Over the thousands of years since Hatshepsut’s time, the bloodline has split countless times. Her descendants could be anywhere across the globe, and there’s just no way to guess who the next amulet bearer will be. I myself never had children, which is probably a good thing, considering how long I held that damn thing before it passed to you.”
My mouth opened to ask her how long, but then I quickly realized that was the same as asking how old she was. Even I had better manners than that. There was a certain level of wisdom in her eyes, and her accent was everything and nothing all at the same time, suggesting she’d moved around a lot in her long lifetime.
“Lizzie,” Boden spoke up, “we love your club, but we actually came to ask some sensitive questions pertaining to the amulet. Is there somewhere safe we can speak?”
She gave us a smile. “Of course, Rita called ahead and said you were in a hurry to get some answers. I’m sorry I got caught up dealing with business, or I would have come out sooner.” Sweeping her hands over her dress, she stood up and indicated that we follow her. “We can speak privately in my office.”
Lizzie led us down the corridor past the restrooms and unlocked a door at the end. She opened it and entered with us all close behind her.
“Take a seat,” she offered. “Can I get drinks for you all?”
I was tempted to order another hurricane, just to piss Raze off, but Boden told her that we were fine with water so I kept my trap shut.
“So, what has happened that made you seek me out?” she asked when we were all seated. “I haven’t seen hide nor hair from the Alliance in a good fifteen or so years, after they determined I really had no idea where the amulet had gone.”
Boden cleared his throat. “I apologize on behalf of the previous Commander. He was a huge asshole, to say the least.”
Lizzie barked a laugh. “That he was. So, tell me a story. What brings you all here?”
Boden looked to me, like he was asking my permission to explain. Not that I could, even if I freaking tried, so I waved a hand for him to go for it.
“Cleo found the amulet when she was a kid, in a junk store. She’s had it ever since, but we only located her a week ago. Within twelve hours of us finding her, Bast’s followers found us and started attacking.” Boden paused, and Lizzie murmured a noise of disgust at the mention of Bast.
“That doesn’t bode well,” she commented, shooting me a sympathetic look.
Boden grimaced. “It’s what happened next that we were hoping you could shed some light on. After the Bastites set fire to our safe house, we found one of them in the woods. Or, Cleo tripped over him. Anyway, he tried
to attack Hunter and Cleo...” he trailed off, looking lost for how to explain what’d happened.
“Cleo did what?” Lizzie pressed, looking at me expectantly.
For lack of words to explain the situation, I did my super specific mime again to demonstrate how the cultist went up in flames and turned to ash.
Lizzie gaped at me. “You incinerated him?”
The air all rushed out of me in a huge breath. “Thank you! These dickheads keep asking if I’m having a seizure, but I know my charades skills are mint.”
“Young lady, you’re speaking a whole other language right now, but I got your general meaning. You somehow managed to spontaneously combust the cultist.” Lizzie pursed her lips as she stared at me.
“Uh-huh. And then there was this other thing,” I continued, “with one of those dickwads. I gave him the amulet—”
“You what?” she practically shrieked, rising halfway out of her seat.
“—but then it burned his hand so badly that he dropped it. We wondered if maybe it’s a defense mechanism built into the amulet or something?” I gave her my best pleading face, praying she would confirm this theory. “So, ah, did that ever happen to you, maybe?”
The elegant ex-amulet bearer just stared at me in horror for a long moment, then got up and started pacing the small office.
“I think that’s a no,” Hunter stage-whispered to me, and I whacked him with the back of my hand.
“Shut up, you don’t know.”
“No,” Lizzie exclaimed. “No that most definitely did not happen to me.” She paused her pacing, propping both hands on her hips and glaring at me in, like, I think that was anger? Or fear? “You are aware that Hatshepsut and her descendants were chosen to protect the power of Ra because we have no ability to use it. You are clear on this part, yes?”
I nodded, sheepish. “Yes, I know.”
“So...” She trailed off, throwing her hands up in the air, then proceeding to pace while muttering under her breath.
Raze leaned over so he could whisper. “This isn’t going well; we should leave.”
Boden nodded his agreement, but Lizzie whipped around again, holding up her gloved hands.
“Stop! No, you’re not leaving. Not until I understand how this happened.” She stared at the four of us for a long moment, and I could almost see the gears turning in her mind. “Okay, yes, there’s only one thing for it.”
She sat back down in the chair opposite mine, and tugged off her satin gloves. “Give me your hand, girl.”
I did not. “Girl? My name is Cleo, thank you.”
Lizzie clicked her tongue in an annoyed way. “Just give me your hand.”
I glanced at the guys, seeking guidance. But they mostly seemed curious rather than concerned, so I tentatively stretched my hand out to her.
The old woman snatched it, turning it over to face palm up, and smoothed her own palm over the top of it. Something... weird happened then. Like a static shock jolted from her palm into mine and back again, but straight after, she removed her hand and peered down at mine.
For a long while, an awkwardly long while, she just stared at my palm.
“Um,” I started, “are you—”
“Shh!” she silenced me but didn’t look up.
I arched a brow at the guys, but Raze and Hunter looked equally confused.
“She’s reading your palm,” Boden whispered. “We’ve heard rumors in the Alliance that after a Descendant passes the amulet along, they develop a certain level of their own powers. Not strong ones, just sort of residue from being in close contact with the power of Ra for so long.”
“It’s pretty obvious she’s reading her palm,” Raze commented in a dry tone of voice. “But what is she finding?”
Just then, Lizzie released my hand with a gasp, turning her eyes up to me in shock. “Holy Mother of Egypt,” she breathed. “You’re not a Descendant at all.”
“What?” I exclaimed in unison with all three of the guys voicing their own confusion. “How do you mean? Of course I am, how else do I have this?” I held up the amulet and waggled it in front of her face. You know, just in case she hadn’t seen it.
“Look, I don’t know how it happened or how you came to be in possession of the amulet, but you’re not human. You should never have had it.” Lizzie was turning a bit pale—as pale as our skin allowed—and her hands were trembling as she pulled her gloves back on. “It’s no wonder the Bastites have been so relentless; they must know you’re not the true Descendant.” She shot Boden a severe glance. “You need to remove it from her and return it to the Alliance. They’re the only ones who can locate the true bearer.”
“Hold up!” I snapped, jumping up from my seat to confront the old woman, who was hurrying over to her desk. “No one is taking shit from me. I’ve had this necklace most of my life, and I’m not just giving it away on the word of some hack fortune teller. You clearly have no idea what you’re talking about because I am human.”
I folded my arms over my chest, raising my chin with a stubborn tilt.
Lizzie paused with her phone in her hand, possibly about to call that mysterious shifter police I kept hearing about.
“Cleo, you don’t understand. The true Descendant has an inherent ability that allows her to evade Bast’s followers. All this drama, all these attacks, they didn’t happen to me. Or nowhere near as frequently as they have to you. I think I can count maybe ten run-ins with Bast and her acolytes in the entire hundred and fifty years I protected the amulet.” Lizzie’s hand shook where she clutched the phone, and her mouth was a tight slash across her face.
I didn’t totally know what to say in response, though. “Maybe, uh, maybe they got lucky.” That didn’t sound convincing even to me. “Whatever. Point is that I’m not just going to hand over a potentially world-destroying magical amulet on the word of an elderly palm reader. How do we know you’re not working for Bast, huh?”
Lizzie gasped in horror. “What a revolting accusation. I’m calling the Alliance; they can come and deal with you. Whatever you are.”
Boden stood up then, reaching over to take the phone from Lizzie’s hand. “That’s not necessary, ma’am. We can deal with this ourselves, and you’ve been most helpful.”
She was suspicious, for sure, but somewhat mollified. “You can’t stay at my home,” she snapped. “I won’t have those loonies turning up on my doorstep. We’re all far too old to deal with them again.”
Boden shot a look to Hunter and Raze, who seemed to be discussing something silently. Shit. Did they have telepathy? Could they read minds? Holy cats.
“We understand entirely, Marie-Elizabeth,” Hunter said, standing up and walking over to her. As I watched, horrified, he placed his hand on her arm—just above where her glove ended and bare skin began. “We would just like to stay until morning, if you’d be agreeable to that? Just long enough that I can arrange transport for us all back to Alliance headquarters. Would that be okay?”
Lizzie blinked slowly, staring straight into Hunter’s eyes like no one else in the room existed. Ah, man. I knew what that was like. She didn’t stand a freaking chance.
“Of course,” she murmured in a sleepy sort of voice. “Anything you want.”
“Yikes,” I hissed under my breath. “That’s strong shit.”
“Needs to be,” Raze murmured back. “We can’t risk her reporting everything we’ve said back to the Alliance. Not until we’re well clear of this city, anyway.”
Hunter continued speaking to Lizzie in a low and soothing tone, and I frowned at Raze. “Doesn’t Boden work for the Alliance?”
“Yeah, he does.” Raze nodded, his eyes curious. “So?”
“So... shouldn’t they be on our side?” I was totally missing something here.
Raze grimaced. “Considering how many sacred laws you’ve already broken, I wouldn’t be running to them for help. They’re more likely to lock you in a cage or torture you for answers than help. The Alliance is integral to maintaining orde
r in shifter communities, but they’re also cruel, power hungry and totally antiquated. The only reason they haven’t claimed the power of the amulet for themselves is that they haven’t had an opportunity.” He gave me a pointed look, and a sick feeling rippled through me.
“I’m that opportunity,” I whispered with understanding.
Raze just gave me a lopsided smile, and for once there didn’t seem to be any snark behind it. “Good thing you have us, isn’t it?”
I sighed, feeling like a bag of shit, but somehow his words did make me feel a tiny bit better. I did have them, and they weren’t handing me over to be tortured.
At least... not yet.
Chapter Seventeen
Hunter—apparently—was really freaking cashed up. He spent the rest of the night back at Marie-Elizabeth’s house on the phone arranging things, and by midmorning we were boarding a private plane at an exclusive airstrip just outside New Orleans.
We hadn’t encountered any issues with Marie-Elizabeth’s elderly guardians at all, which Hunter explained was due to something Boden had done that prevented her from sharing what we’d told her.
What it was, I didn’t ask. My brain was already fried with her suggestion—okay, fine, accusation—that I wasn’t human. Or at least not totally.
Yes, I had seen my three attractive travel companions turn into huge-ass cats on several occasions, as well as a bad dude turn to ash, but the idea that I wasn’t human was blowing my freaking mind.
Maybe I really was crazy, after all. I’d sort of given up on that idea when I hadn’t woken up in a mental hospital already, but it was starting to sound like the most logical explanation, right? That this was all one huge, extended delusion.
Damn, how pissed would you be if that’s what this all turned out to be.
Fortunately for you, and unfortunately for me, I didn’t see myself snapping out of it anytime soon, and so my journey continued.
“Why Boston?” I asked when we were all strapped into our comfy recliner chairs on the eight-seater jet. I’d overheard Hunter speaking with the pilot when we were getting loaded up just minutes before. “And more to the point, why the hell did you make me drive the entire length of the freaking country when Hunter had a private plane tucked up his sleeve?”
