Death Be Shifted (The Terra Vane Series Book 6)

by Katie Epstein

  Brent struggled for further argument. “But even though Varden was a shifter, it could still be a rogue on the loose. Varden may not have heard it. He was drunk most of the time.”

  Kaleb glanced over. “Drunk?”

  “Turned to the bottle when his Martha passed away.”

  “And you say he was down by the lake alone?”

  “Yeah. He told the others he was going fishing. But most likely he went there to drink his bottle in peace.”

  “And no one heard anything? Saw anything?”

  “It was young Hale’s Coming of Age ceremony the night it happened. There would have been noise. Horns, drums, the parade.”

  “Does the parade go close to where you found Varden?”

  “Yes. But only on the Windmere path that runs alongside it. No one saw anything, and they wouldn’t have heard anything with all that racket. But it could have scared them off? Maybe that’s why they didn’t eat the rest of him?”

  I covered up Varden’s body with the sheet. We’d seen enough. “If that’s the case, why didn’t anyone scent anything?”

  Brent hesitated. “They found him in the water.”

  “Are you going to keep drip feeding things to us, Brent?” Kaleb frowned. “Testing our reactions. Choosing what you should and shouldn’t tell us?”

  “You’re here aren’t you?” he retorted. “Be thankful I’m letting you in to see this. You know I can stand against you, cause you problems until you call in reinforcements or threaten to escalate it to the Consilium. I’m doing my best.”

  “Fine,” Kaleb growled. “And I’m happy to be discreet while we check this out. But I want to see where the kill happened. Notifying us earlier would have allowed us to cordon off the area.”

  “You’re not in charge here!”

  “No. I’m not. But as per the law, signed off by the Senates who rule our world, I have jurisdiction. Deal with it.”

  Kaleb marched out, leaving me with Brent and the dead body.

  Talk about awkward.

  I hesitated, but it didn’t feel right to leave when I sensed Brent’s hurt. “You two were good friends once I take it?”

  Brent didn’t reply straight away. He wandered out of the room, and I followed him into the extra bedroom. He gazed out of the window and pondered. “We were best friends growing up. Even though we’re from different packs.”

  “How did you end up becoming friends if you’re from different parts of the land?”

  “We often mingle. Or I should say, some do, some don’t. But my father was affiliated with the Chamaya Moon Pack. Although he was wary of Kaleb’s father, he often said something about keeping your enemies close. I spent a lot of time at Chayama Moon because of that. Kaleb and I got on well from the first moment. But his brothers, not so much.”

  “I know Cole. But the younger one? I only found out he existed recently.”

  Brent turned from the window then. Confusion etched on his face. “I thought you would know, being his mate?”

  My cheeks flushed red. “Oh, I’m not Kaleb’s mate. We’re friends. Dating, I guess.”

  “I see.” He studied me for a short while, then turned back toward the window. “Cole, the eldest, he often spent time with his father, learning the land and working toward his Alpha studies.”

  “Alpha studies?”

  He nodded. “Yes. All sons in line have to undertake them from a young age. It prepares you for when you take the seat. But whereas mine was a fun, bonding time with my father, Cole’s learning was far stricter. He was rarely allowed to play with us. But Cole didn’t seem to mind. He’s the more academic type, you know?”

  “Yeah.” I bit down on my lip. “I know.”

  “Eli is the youngest. He would often hang with us at first, but he was a scheming little shit. He tried to be like Kaleb, acting better than him. And he’d go low to get his way. He is so far in his father’s pocket now he’s grown many would think Theodulf is priming him for the Alpha seat rather than Cole. But he’s the next best thing.”

  “And that is?”

  “His father’s snitch. His eyes and ears. It was him who told their father about Andora. Kaleb has never forgiven him for that.”

  “Who was Andora?”

  He sighed, turned away from the window. “I’m afraid that’s Kaleb’s story to tell. Not mine.”

  Moving past me, solemn, he exited the room. I watched him go, sensing his pain, his hurt.

  Taking a moment, I lingered, looking upon the view of the green fields that backed onto the chambers, the trees wild and beautiful, standing tall over the landscape.

  Sadness. Too much sadness weaved its way here. The weight of it overwhelming the longer I hovered. So I took a deep breath, grounded myself, and headed on out.

  12

  Near the northern borders of Caladonia Moor, the lake the shifters call Lake Gawaine rests before a narrow valley of the hills.

  Cloaked by trees and bushes, scattered rocks and flat grass surround the water in the tranquil spot.

  The sun shone still, but the odd, crisp white cloud floating overhead kept it cool. Trees crouched over the lake, some of their leaves gracing the water as if in comfort. The surroundings seemed saddened by the death that had occurred here—the resting lake mirroring the same emotions.

  Grass crunched underfoot as we headed closer toward the water. Brent stopped to show us the area where they’d found Varden. Kaleb kneeled, putting his hand on the ground. He picked some grass and sniffed it.

  Assessing the area, I helped, checking the area best I could.

  Brent shifted into his wolf to help him. A beautiful, auburn creature, so large in his stature—just like Kaleb. The powerful wolf gave us one cold look, thinking us beneath him, then howled toward the sky.

  Kaleb smiled and said to me, “Stay here.” Magically shifting into his animal, he swiftly morphed from the man into his dark, deep brown, wolf, one slightly taller than Brent. They nudged noses then moved off into the trees.

  Leaving them to it, I took in the lake's beauty.

  Vast water stretched across the landscape, hills of the borders peaking high, topped with a crown of mist. The scene before me resembled freedom. And part of me envied the shifters for living in such a stunning place. But I doubted they needed an Enforcer Field Agent to look after the needs of the pack, and that’s all I know. I have no clue or inclination to farm, cook, or solely nurture my man. The shifter women may be happy to take on that role, but for me, it would feel like a prison—a duty. And I’d spent enough of my youth in a cage of expectations on who to be and how to behave. Conformity rankles me.

  Waiting for Kaleb and Brent to return, I studied the grassy bank behind me to find a comfy stoop to sit on. But before I lowered myself to the ground, something pushed hard at my back.

  Checking behind me, I saw nothing, but then I felt it again.

  My gift.

  It nudged me again on the shoulder.

  The last time this had happened, I’d found a dying Enforcer Field Agent among the trees. I shivered at the thought. But I had to trust it even if every hair stood up on end at the shove.

  My gift continued to nudge me along until I reached the edge of the water. Resigning myself to wading into the lake, I took off my boots and socks, rolling up my jeans before trudging into the shallow edges.

  Crystal clear, I assessed the pebbles and mud as my feet sank slightly into the malleable ground. The water rippled as I moved, checking every part of the surface I could see.

  My gift pushed at me again. And my instincts followed.

  Going along with it, I carefully moved in the direction where the pressure urged me. Rolling up my jeans more, I could get them no higher than my knees as I followed the path of where my gift coerced. Keeping my eyes on the clear water, I assessed the mud that sunk between my toes. The water rippled with my movement, so I took it slowly, taking a step, then stopping and assessing. But as I moved again, a sudden coldness spiraled into my chest. I stopped, evaluati
ng each piece of the lakebed beneath me.

  I noticed something. A piece of dark white stone embedded into the muddy floor. Bending down, I pushed my hand into the water to find it lodged in tight. I wiggled it around until it got free. Yellow, stained, and arched, it appeared to be a tooth. But it wasn’t a tooth I expected a rogue shifter to have.

  As I shoved it into my pocket, something splashed behind me in the depths of the lake. I snatched my head around, fear rooting me to the spot.

  The water rippled in its center as if something moved beneath it. I backed away, careful not to disturb whatever the hell made that splash.

  It happened again, and I froze, not wanting to give away my position. The water flicked up in the air, the svelte circles moving in my direction.

  A rustling came from the trees, my nerves on edge making me jump around. Kaleb’s wolf came crashing through the hedge. He growled then whined, snapping his jaws at the water before shifting into his human form. Because of the magic of shifters, his clothes stayed intact.

  “Terra!” he yelled.

  I looked behind me, the circles of the water quickening in their pace.

  I moved as fast as I could toward the edge, the mud beneath my feet slowing me down. Kaleb raced into the water, his boots pummeling the lakebed, splashing us both.

  “Kaleb, what the hell!” I said as he drew me toward him. I tripped on a rock, stubbing my toe. I felt ready to cry like a baby as the pain seared through my foot.

  I fell, and he caught me. But he took a misstep, dragging us both back, and pulling me with him into the water.

  Kaleb got up before I could berate him and threw me over his shoulder. Trudging out of the lake, he didn’t stop until we were well away from the edge.

  The second my feet touched the ground he pulled me closer, and I shivered beneath his warmth. But I also didn’t miss the racing of his heart beneath my cheek. “Kaleb?”

  “Just give me a minute,” he whispered, holding on. When I leaned back he lowered forehead against mine. He closed his eyes, worrying me.

  “What did you sense?”

  He shook his head abruptly, so quickly I may not have even seen it. But I felt it. It was a signal for me to drop the subject as Brent came within earshot. So I did.

  Brent ran up to us, now in his human form. “Is everything okay? What happened?”

  “N-nothing,” I chattered, feeling the cold water seeping through my clothes. I held onto Kaleb then for warmth, and he wrapped his arms around me, holding on tight.

  “It worried me she might destroy any potential evidence,” Kaleb said to him. He lifted his head from mine and turned to face his friend while keeping his arm wrapped around my shoulders. “I think we’ve seen all we can see here though. There are tracks, but they might belong to your shifters.”

  “I could have told you that.” Brent scowled. “I had the grounds scoured after Varden’s death. I’m not stupid, you know.”

  “I know. You’re a good man, Brent. A good Alpha.” Kaleb looked at me. “We need to get dry, then go back.” And call in the others, he added silently.

  “You can’t go back like that,” Brent stepped forward, “Anya would kill me. Come back to the house. Dry your things.” He held Kaleb’s gaze. “You could stay tonight? For the burial?”

  “I don’t want to cause any more trouble for you.”

  “You caused it the moment you turned up here.” He smiled. “Besides, Anya would love to see you. Stay. Stay the night. You’ve brought bags with you, so you have the stuff to stay overnight, right? And we are having a beast of a cookout in honor of our fallen brother. You can stick around. See if any whispers are floating on the eve of the night.”

  “So you’re a poet now?”

  He laughed. “Man, you always were shit at reading in between the lines.” He looked at me. “How about you tell him it’s not a great idea for you to catch a chill, being human and all?”

  Smiling, I looked at Kaleb. “It’s not ideal.”

  Reluctant laughter left his lips as he drew me in closer. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. You’ve never dined with the wolves.”

  “I’ve dined with you, haven’t I?” I nudged him, and he nudged me back.

  “Come on,” Brent said, heading back up the incline. “Let’s go get you dry.”

  13

  A sea of candlelight spread across the land of Caladonia Moor, each member of the pack holding a candle in honor of Varden River.

  Pipe music played as each shifter held their silence, some sobbing, others standing morose, supporting one another as they looked upon the moon many wolf shifters worship.

  Kaleb grasped my hand, each of us holding a candle of our own. An eerie wonder fell upon the night as a young girl stepped forward to sing a sad song of the earth taking back its child. Gone were the wary looks the tentative shifters had given us before. Now, as we stood with them, sharing in their sorrow, we’d quickly become one of them—if only temporarily.

  After throwing on our spare clothes while held up in Brent’s cabin waiting for our clothes to dry, I’d snagged the tooth I’d found from my wet jeans and shoved it into my dry ones. But, other than that, with the wolves hanging around, we’d had no opportunity to discuss the case.

  Somehow, I’d got roped into food preparation when Anya, Brent’s mate, laid eyes on me. As tall as Kaleb, Anya was an Amazon-like figure covered in a plaid shirt and jeans, with black hair tumbling into curls against a complexion of rich chestnut. Sharp eyes made it clear she wasn’t someone to trifle with. But after pulling Kaleb into a bear hug, then me, I’d taken an instant liking to her loving yet no-nonsense presence. Once she’d greeted us, she gave us our orders, and we became swept up in the maelstrom of preparations.

  Waiting patiently for the girl to finish her song, Brent stood in the firelight on an incline next to Anya, the two of them a dominant yet loving force as they overlooked the fields where the shifters gathered to show their respects.

  Once the girl had finished, she stepped back into the crowd. The pipes faded out, and Brent came forth.

  “Varden River!” he bellowed, his voice carrying across the crowd. “Our wise father. Our honest soul. A shifter who gave us many treasured memories. We all wish he finds peace with his Martha in the realms of Earth, the blanket of the sky. Neither of them will suffer anymore with the stars to guide them back to their mate. Travel well, Varden!”

  “Travel well,” everyone murmured, some erupting tears.

  “And what of what killed him?” someone shouted, the crowd breaking into gasps, uttering mentions of dishonor. Brent’s face fell into a frown.

  “This is not the time nor place, Bevren,” Brent said with patience.

  “Varden’s nephew,” Kaleb whispered to me.

  “When will it be so, Alpha?” Bevren retorted, a sandy-haired shifter stepping out from among the people. “When another one dies? When they take another one from us? When!”

  Brent searched the crowd, stopping when his eyes landed on us. He waved us over. Kaleb groaned.

  “Damn it, Brent,” he muttered. But, keeping me in tow, he guided me through the people.

  When we closed in on him, Brent gave Kaleb a look of apology, almost pleading. “We have Kaleb Cipher of the PCA and his partner here!” he shouted to his audience, focusing on Bevren. “They will investigate the culprit and find out the truth of what haunts us on our lands!”

  Bevren didn’t look convinced, but he stepped back into the fray as people cheered.

  Brent continued, “I vowed from the day my bloodline appointed me as Alpha I’d not let you down. And I stick by that promise!”

  Kaleb moved uncomfortably beside me. I squeezed his hand in comfort, our chances of escaping to inform the others of our find growing slimmer by the second.

  “Now we celebrate!” Brent bellowed, either not noticing Kaleb’s uneasiness or not acknowledging it. “We celebrate the life of Varden. We celebrate the life of our pack. And we celebrate the love we have f
or one another!”

  A roar of cheers blossomed from the grieving faces.

  Brent turned toward us. “I take it you would like a word in private?”

  “Very much so,” Kaleb replied, not sounding happy at all.

  “Enjoy the celebrations for now. I’ll meet you back at my cabin soon.” He put a reassuring hand on Kaleb’s shoulder before losing himself in the crowd.

  “You okay?”

  Kaleb looked at me, a heaviness reflected in the smile he gave. “Yeah. We’ll talk about it later.” He lifted my hand and kissed it. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me, too. How about we grab a beer? Something to eat?”

  “Like a date?”

  I laughed, pulling him along to the fire pit they’d set up for the food. “Yeah. Like a date.”

  A beer and a burger later, Kaleb asked if I wanted to take a walk. Music played around us: people dancing, talking, and recollecting memories of Varden. Waving to Anya as I passed by, I felt humbled to be a part of it. Children played, dancing around the firelight, everyone helping with the tasks of serving food and drink. The unity clear among them, I also sensed the purpose of family, no matter the color of their skin, no matter their appearance, no matter their demeanor. Each one of their hearts thumped to the same rhythm, creating a beautiful sight of togetherness.

  It hurt that Kaleb hadn’t received the same experience from his pack growing up. And I understood why he found his way over the borders to hang out with Brent and his kin.

  I let Kaleb him lead me away from the celebration into the bordering trees.

  Once we were out of earshot of the celebrations, I said, “I take it you needed the privacy?”

  “I love it here.” He sighed. “Always have. But sometimes…”

  “It’s a reminder of what you missed out on?”

  “Yeah.” He stopped in his tracks, wrapping his hands around my waist. He hoisted me up onto a large, flat rock poking out of the ground and climbed up beside me.

  He grinned. “I also wanted to have you to myself in the moonlight. Can’t blame a guy for that.”