Clipped Wings: A New Orleans Shifters Novel

by C. J. Snyder

  Presley grinned like a schoolgirl, “What do you feel when you guys touch?” Not going to lie, I was a little perplexed about her question. “I’m not quite sure what you mean, Pres.”

  She reached out and touched my hand that was resting on the table, “When he touches you, skin to skin like this, what do you feel?” Sitting back, she placed her hands in front of her waiting for me to answer.

  Once I knew what she was asking, the answer was right in front of my face, “Like a small jolt of electricity. Every single time I feel like he tags me with a mini Taser.” Presley excitedly slammed her open palm down on the table and squealed, scaring the shit out of me, which in turn, made me squeal and the server jump as she approached our table. I glanced at her and she hesitantly asked if we would like another refill.

  “What the hell was that for?!” To the serving girl I said, “Yes please.”, while trying to compose myself.

  Presley laughed and bounced up and down in her seat like a child who wanted to go play, “You are his mate! It took me a long time to figure out why that kept happening to me when Gage touched me.” She said shaking her head as she remembered what it felt like, “Once we figured it out, the feeling just got stronger with every touch. It’s intoxicating.”

  This whole situation was still so new and raw to me, I still couldn’t believe that this was real. A whole other world existed inside of the one that we all live in. The one where there isn’t anything paranormal, just tales and superstitions. Of course, on the other hand, it’s extremely exciting and yes – dangerous.

  Am I somehow involved is this world now? Can I really handle all the changes and responsibility that goes along with it? I really don’t know! Cora get a grip on yourself!

  We chatted a little longer about the guys and changes I might have to make; like remembering everything is a secret now. I was mulling it all over in my head when the whole place quieted.

  The café has been busy with people in and out for the past couple of hours while we were there, but when the doorbell jingled this time and the whole place got quiet, everyone turned to see who entered – including Presley and me. Two men walked in with dark colored hoodies and bows strapped over their shoulders, they were human – as far as we could tell but an air of menace surrounded them.

  The café owner took their order and politely asked them to go back outside with their bows, as this establishment didn’t allow weapons inside. He promised he’d bring their order right out.

  Taking out my cell, I quickly got the camera up and starting snapping as many pictures of the men as I could. I mean, how many men are going to be walking around with bows? And although I couldn’t see the color or the arrows, pictures may capture something that we could examine later.

  Looking over at Presley, she also was snapping photos and texting quickly, her fingers going a hundred miles a minute on the keyboard, her face white as a ghost with super wide eyes. Leaning over the table to whisper, I asked, “Do you think those guys are part of the party who shot at our guys?” Presley looked up startled at the sound of my voice, “I think there’s a good chance. Gage is asking what color the bows are and if we can see any arrows.”

  Trying to keep my voice as level and calm as possible, although I was freaking out internally I nodded, “Ok, but you need to relax Pres. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. We do not want them to notice us, right?” She quietly shakes her head and continues tapping away on the keyboard of her phone.

  Stretching my neck to look at the little umbrella tables stationed outside, the bows are now propped up against the tables on the opposite side of the men – completely out of sight. Furthermore, the arrows are not visible, if there were even arrows present. I had to get a closer look.

  “Pres, I need to get a closer look at those bows. I’m going to try and walk by with my phone out and snap pictures as I walk by. I’ll meet you outside.” I left some money on the table with her and picked up my bag. Holding my smartphone in my hand, I turned on the video recorder. Recording it would be easier than trying to nonchalantly take photos.

  Slowly walking toward the door of the café, I pointed the phone in the direction of the men and tried to walk as casually as possible toward them. My time as a Park Ranger allowed me to be very vigilant in my surroundings. And to move quietly not bringing unwanted attention to myself. They were at the table right outside the door, which allowed me to stand there and wait on Presley.

  I brought my phone up to pretend to look at it like I was browsing social media. Zooming in on the bows and turning down my sound, I snapped a couple pictures of them and the men. I also got a couple photos of the hoodies they were wearing before Presley came out, “You ready to hit a few stores?”

  Closing the camera app down, figuring I had enough to give the guys a better idea of who we were dealing with, I said, “Yah, let’s go check out the local tourist attractions.” We hooked arms and walked away from the café. Once we were out of eyesight of the men, we changed direction and headed back toward Kangee’s house.

  “Did you tell Gage what was going on?” I asked checking the time on my phone and putting it back in the back pocket of my jeans. Presley wiped her palms on the front of her jeans and nodded her head, “Yah, they wanted us to get out of there and head back, so I’m glad that’s what we are doing.”

  It was the longest walk that I have ever taken. It felt like it took twice as long to get back to his house than it did getting to the café. Once we were there, we went out back and sat in silence while we waited. Presley was just trying to not fall apart, and my mind kept going back to the guys at the café. They were so close. To think one or all of them might be a murderer. It was the longest, short wait I’ve ever experienced.

  ∆∆∆

  Chapter 14

  Kangee

  My heart was pounding so hard in my chest; I thought for sure it was going to pop out. Every emotion known to man was coursing through my veins. Worry, because the women were too close to these men.

  Anger, because I wasn’t there to protect them should something happen. Love, that one almost stopped me in my tracks. Love? Well, there it was. Somewhere along the way, I had fallen in love with Cora. I don’t know how or when it happened, but it happened. Admitting that brought on another thought….I need to know how she feels about me. I mean the sexual attraction is there and growing but is it enough to call it love?

  I realized that what I feel goes beyond sex. That’s new to me. I never really thought I’d find that ‘perfect someone’ to call my own. Could I convince her that she is my mate and would she want to stay? It’s amazing what flying through the sky can suggest.

  Soaring high above the trees, I could see Gage and Claire racing through them like it was an obstacle course and they were professionals. Gage kept looking up at the sky to check how far ahead Chayton and I were, you could almost see his sigh of relief when he saw us both sticking close by. We were close to the house now, close enough that Gage and Claire stopped by the tree line to shift back to human form and retrieve their stashed clothes to change into. I let out a loud caw to let them know we were pushing on to the house.

  Arriving at the house, deftly landing and shifting at the same time – that took a hell of a lot of practice - let me tell you, I ran over to Cora and pulled her to her feet wrapping her tightly in my arms.

  “I have never been so scared in my entire life over someone getting hurt.” I put my hands on either side of her face taking her mouth in a firm kiss. Cora leaned into it and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck. Electricity vibrated through my entire body at the intensity of the kiss. It didn’t last as long as I would have liked, due to a lot of ahems and ‘get a room’.

  Pulling away from Cora but keeping a hold of her hand, “Shut the hell up, all of ya.” I glared at them. Then winking at the group and waiting for them to calm down. “Alright ladies, tell us what you know.” Presley still looked shaken up, but her voice was steady as she started to tell us about the men at the café. �
��They came in with the bows strapped to their backs and ordered some lunch. The café owner stated that there were no weapons allowed and asked them to take them outside.” Shaking her head, “The odd thing was, the entire café went quiet. Almost like everyone around could feel the danger just by them walking inside. You know like an old western when the bad guy walks into the saloon?” the group nodded as one, “It was like that.”

  They got an up-close and personal view of my fathers’ murderers. My concern for the girls mixed deeply with curiosity about what the hunters looked like and any detail they could give about the bow and arrows they are sporting. Moving the conversation along I asked, “Can you remember what they looked like?”

  Cora got bright-eyed with excitement, “I can do you one better.

  I have pictures and video of them!” she reached into her bag for her phone and opened up her photo gallery.

  The entire group gathered around her. Claire, being the aggressive asshole, she is, snatched the phone right out of Cora’s hand, “Hey! What the hell are you doing?”

  Claire sneered at her with narrowed eyes, “I know what these guys look like, I can confirm if it’s the group that I think it is.”

  Taking a deep breath thinking, this was not going to end well if Cora and Claire went toe to toe.

  Claire has no idea that Cora is a trained, professional fighter. She thinks that she is merely a human with no special traits. Oh Boy is she wrong.

  Cora stood up and started to stalk over to Claire, Oh god, here we go. I quickly grabbed ahold of her elbow and shook my head signaling that it wasn’t a great idea and to let it go.

  “Claire, I’m going to need you to give Cora back her phone, now.” With a huff and serious eye roll, she handed it back with a thunk into Cora’s palm. “Thank. You.” Cora turned the phone back upright and handed it to me to look at, “I didn’t get very close to them and I haven’t even checked the footage yet. So, I don’t know what I got or didn’t get, for that matter.” Thumbing through the photos, I saw she caught them with their backs turned. The bows are leaning against the outside patio tables, not close enough to make out any design, just the solid black in color.

  The clothing that they are wearing was close to what Chayton described. Scrolling over to the video she took; we can see their faces. Finally, something to go on.

  “You got some great footage of their faces.” Cora beamed at the praise and sat back down at the table. I walked over to Claire and showed her what was on the phone. “Recognize either one of these two?”

  Claire went to snatch the phone again and then decided against it at my audible snarl. Leaning in closer to the phone she threw another sneer at Cora before answering, “I really don’t remember the younger one, but I have seen that older guy before. He looks familiar.” I waited for her to say more. I could feel the heat of anger starting to swell in my stomach before it made it to my face. Claire didn’t explain now that guy looked familiar so I moved back to the table with the crew sitting around it.

  “Well, so far, we know that they travel in human packs. There are at least two older males – leaders most likely, and two younger ones – which seem like trainees. We know they use high powered bows with carbonized steel arrows and some sort of magic dust bombs to show that they are dealing with supernatural.” My next question had most of the table scratching their heads in confusion, “The thing now, is to find out who is supplying humans with magic-infused bombs.

  Anyone know that those even existed?”

  Gage spoke up, “There’s a little hocus pocus shop down on Broad Street.

  I thought it was just for the tourists, they have gems and crystals inside. I’ve seen them offer palm and tarot readings. But nothing like this.” He shrugged his shoulders and started to pace around, “You think they actually have some sort of magic there?”

  Well, this was a new development. I mean, sure – shifters, vampires and such were real – but I have never run across witches of the magic-wielding variety.

  “Man, I honestly don’t know. I didn’t even know for sure witches were a real thing.” Both of our human women started laughing.

  “What is so funny?” Cora chuckled before answering, “You are a shifter.

  You have mentioned that vamps are real. Why wouldn’t you think there were other types of magic in the world?”

  Man, she had a very valid point. A point that I wasn’t expecting to have to come to terms with. Turning to where Claire was standing and texting on her phone, “Claire, any insight?”

  she shook her head and frowned at her phone, “What?”

  “Any insight about the magic dust bombs those guys used? Or if the witches on Broad Street might actually be the real thing?”

  Sliding her phone back into her pants pocket, “I have heard rumors but nothing concrete. We are in way over our heads with this, Kangee.”

  Well fuck. This was not going as planned. We didn’t pick up any tracks we could use in the bayou, no evidence that they were even there. None of us had enough knowledge needed to hunt these hunters, I still felt like Claire was hiding something or she knew more than what she was letting on.

  My Dad’s wake was to be held in 24 hours and the elders were going to be asking questions that we - as of right now – have no answers to. Walking over next to Cora and sitting down in one of the patio chairs.

  “We are going to have to become the hunters and we’re going to need bait.” I say to the group in general. Gage sighed heavily and sat back down next to Presley, spreading his arms out to the side in a frustrated gesture, “Kangee, man, this isn’t some cartoon. We can’t just set a trap and hope to unmask the villains.”

  Gage; always the realist. As annoying as that trait was, he was right this time. We did, however, need a game plan.

  “Dude, we going to eat today or you plan on starving us?” Chayton piped up for the first time since we’d arrived back at the house. Rubbing circles around his stomach, “Man, bro, I’m starving.” Of course, he’s starving, why doesn’t that surprise me?

  Leaning forward in my chair and pressing both of my hands against my temples, “Yah, I guess food would be good. We do need to talk about a game plan. How does everyone feel about pizza?” Talk about everyone coming out of the depressing cloud that was hanging around the yard. Suddenly, I had pizza toppings and orders being yelled at me. They wanted wings and desserts. “Jesus guys, I’m not made of money – decide on three pizzas with two toppings each.

  I’ll get a side of wings and one dessert that the girls can pick out.”

  Even Claire perked up at the talk of sweets. After the orders of pepperoni and cheese, Hawaiian style and a meat lovers’ type of pizza was ordered, the girls decided on tiramisu for everyone and I tossed in an order of 18 garlic butter wings at one of our little Italian joints that prided themselves on homemade treats that would rival any major pizza chain. Before you ask, no – I am not ashamed to eat chicken even though I am a bird. I’m higher on the food chain.

  Delivery time estimated forty-five minutes to an hour.

  That’s plenty of time to talk strategy. “Ok, food is on the way. Let’s talk about how we’re going to not only find out who these guys are, but how they are figuring out who we are.”

  Presley and Cora both looked at each other and got a catty grin. Cora spoke up first, “Since we,” she gestured between her and Presley, “Don’t have any special abilities to speak of, we can go check out the witch shop.

  See what it’s all about, maybe poke around some and find out if they offer any real magical resources.”

  Nodding, “Not a bad idea. Just don’t go looking for trouble and keep a low profile.” I smiled at her ability to just jump right in and be one of us.

  Claire put her phone down since she was back on it texting away again, “I’ll go with them,” she pointed to the girls, “They may need my help if they do run into trouble.”

  My gut instinct was to tell her oh hell no, but somewhere in the back of my head, I knew
she had a point and that Gage and I would feel better knowing someone who was stronger, faster and had no problem slicing another person into shreds, would be with them.

  “Alright Claire, you can play bodyguard to our humans.” The look she shot me at that statement could have killed already dead plants. I felt that burn to the tips of my toes. Picking her phone up and sliding the screen to unlock it she said, “Watch it, bird boy. I’m in no mood for games.”

  My voice raised an octave or two, “And you think I am?” I’m getting tired of her and her constant need to have that cell phone attached to her palm, “Put your damn phone down and pay attention to what is being said, or you won’t have a phone to fuck with anymore when I chuck its ass into the Mississippi.”

  Claire looked like she wanted to streamline that phone to my face. Her mouth tightened across her face and eyes narrowed in anger, “YOU are not my chief! Matter of fact, I don’t have a chief! Keep your shit up, Kangee, and I’ll go the hell home and leave you to figure this out on our own.”