by Ally Summers
“Shifter folklore isn’t usually displayed in museums.”
“If it was valuable though, why didn’t you keep it in a safe or something like that?”
“Well, I honestly believed that the stone was only valuable to my family. It has been something of a family heirloom for as long as I could remember, passed down from generation to generation. When I took over the library, I decided that I wanted to display some of my family’s history. I honestly thought it would be safe in a glass case. Clearly, I was mistaken.” Mr. Jacobson looked sadly down at his hands. I could tell that the stone really did mean a lot to him. Which made the pang of guilt in my chest beat even harder. I hated that this all happened while I was here and that I didn’t do anything to prevent it.
“Can you think of anyone that you know that would have taken it?”
“No,” he nodded. “Most people around here don’t really know about the stone. And those that do, only know the folklore associated with it.”
“Well, whoever took it must think the rumors about it are true, otherwise, why would they go into all of the trouble to get the stone?”
“I honestly have no idea.”
7
Jessa
I finished up my sixth sudoku puzzle of the day and I let out a long sigh. I had always loved working in a library and being surrounded by books. But I never really took into consideration what a small library in a small town would be like. Within the first hour of being here, I had already cataloged all the books that needed to be cataloged. I had even started to work on the new website, and I had it mostly finished. The library had maybe two patrons enter the entire time I had been there. I wondered if it was the fact that I was in a small town? Or maybe was it because the library recently just had a break in and now everyone was nervous. I hoped it was the former rather than the latter.
I rolled my desk chair over to the computer on the other side of the desk and flipped it on. While I was sitting in the library, I might as well do some research on the stone. Ever since Mr. Jacobson had mentioned that the stone was a family heirloom, I was curious about it. Being human, I had no idea what the shifter stone really was and what it was meant to do. Actually, come to think it, I really didn’t know much about shifters in general. The computer was practically a dinosaur and I could hear it trying to load the web browser to connect to the internet. Finally, the screen loaded. I sat there idly with my fingers hovered over the keyboard. Where do I even begin? I shrugged and typed “shifter” into the search bar. Thousands of results stared back at me. I scrolled my mouse past the movie and book versions of shifters and landed on a website about real shifters. I surprised myself by realizing most of the things that the website said. I already knew that shifters were born with different genes, and I also knew that there were several types of animals that they could shift into. What I didn’t know was about what they called “The Claiming”.
At first glance, it sounded like something out of a misogynistic playbook. According to the website, “The Claiming” was after two shifters marry, the male will “claim the female” by biting her neck and tasting her blood. By “claiming” her, he would then reach his full power as a shifter in order to better protect her. I let out a loud laugh. So they have to bite a woman in order to reach their so-called full potential? Why is it that women have to be used in order to help benefit the man? I continued to read the website about the male reaching their full potential, and it only left me with more questions. What was it with shifters obsession with keeping women safe? Are female shifters weak? I highly doubted it. If I were a shifter, I would never let a man act like I had to be taken care of. I always strived to be a strong woman. Sure, I had my moments where I would let my fear get the best of me. But no matter what I always tried to push myself through. I knew deep down that was why I really moved to this town in the first place. For the risk of it all. But now that seemed stupid. Because here I was in a tiny library, using an internet search to learn about a stolen artifact. Cool Jessa, cool.
As I continued to read, I spotted a small reference with a link to the shifter stone. I clicked the link and I was bombarded with conspiracy theories and rumors about the stone. It seemed the internet believed that the stone had magical powers that could turn humans into shifters. There were theories ranging from cutting yourself with the stone to using the stone in some magical incantations in languages that I couldn’t even begin to decipher. By the passionate words on the sites, I could tell that some shifters and humans alike, truly believed in the power of the stone. It was almost as if believing in the stone was a religion in itself.
I bit my lip as I let my mind wander. If the stone was truly magical, and could actually turn me into a shifter, would I do it? While I could see the benefits, I could also see the hardships of being a shifter. I couldn’t really say yet if changing into a shifter would be something that I wanted. The thought of Rawlings quickly flashed through my mind. Would it be easier for him if I were a shifter?
“Excuse me miss?” I was quickly pulled out of my daydream by the sound of an elderly woman in front of me.
“Oh gosh, I’m sorry. I must have zoned out there. How can I help you?” I said slightly relieved that there was actually someone in the library.
“Could you help me find a book? I can’t seem to find what I am looking for.” I stood up from behind my desk, happy to finally be doing something other than focusing on Officer Rawlings and shifters.
After walking the sweet old lady through the library, I was able to help her find the book she needed. A seriously steamy romance she had “seen on the television”. I was impressed. Just as quickly as she came in, she was gone, and I was left in the library alone again. I walked back to my desk and sat down. I drummed my fingers on my keyboard as I glanced over at the clock on the desk. It was almost time to close up. A slight twinge of fear started to creep through my body. What if someone cut the power again? I tried to shake my head to lose to the thought. Whoever broke in already got what they were looking for, right? I stood up determined not to let being alone in the library scare me. I pulled open the library manual again and ran through the items that I needed to do for closing. I looked at the calendar and read that on Thursday nights, the garbage needed to be placed outside in the dumpsters for pick up.
I quickly gathered the trash, which wasn’t much since I was practically the only person that had been at the library, and grabbed the keys so that I wouldn’t get locked out when I went to the dumpster. I made my way through the library to the back of the building and kept telling myself that everything was fine. Someone else was not going to try and break in.
I knew I was being irrational, but my fear was quickly getting the best of me. What if someone was waiting outside in the alley? As I pushed open the back door, I decided to leave a nearby brick pushed up against the door so I could easily slip back in. That way I wouldn’t be struggling with the large key ring to get the door back open. I rushed to the dumpster and pushed open the top and threw the trash in. I walked back to the door, removed the brick and walked back inside. I let out a sigh of relief and locked the door behind me.
I walked back to my desk and placed the keys in the drawer. I was just about to make sure the main computer bank was shut down when I heard a rustling noise behind me. Fear spiked through my veins. It sounded like paws were running somewhere in the library. Had a shifter gotten inside? I slowly turned around but I didn’t see anything. I had to be hearing things. I headed over to the computers when I felt the goosebumps on the back of my neck stand on end. I was being watched. Abandoning the computers I headed straight to my purse at the desk and pulled out Officer Rawlings card. I picked up the phone and dialed. Thankfully he answered on the first ring.
“Rawlings,” he said.
“Hi it’s Jessa,” I said hearing the panic in my voice. He immediately picked up on it as well.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t think I’m alone in the library,” I said with a shaky voice.<
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“Get somewhere safe. I will be there in a few minutes.” With that, he hung up the phone. I looked around frantically. Where was somewhere safe? I spotted the women’s restroom out of the corner of my eye and made a beeline for it. I pushed open the door and locked it behind me. I clutched my cell phone to my chest and pressed my back against the far wall. I tried my best to calm my breathing. Finally, my phone beeped. I looked down and it was Officer Rawlings telling me that he was here. I slowly unlocked the bathroom door and poked my head out. He spotted me and gestured for me to come by his side.
“I want you to stay with me, alright?” he said once I reached him. All I could do was nod. He started to slowly walk through the library.
“Are we trying to find the intruder?” I whispered panic lacing my words.
“Yes,” he said as he searched the room.
“Shouldn’t we leave the library?” I whispered back. I cringed when it sounded more like a hiss than a whisper. He stopped and turned to face me.
“If we leave, the shifter will have a chance to get out. I feel better knowing exactly where you are. So let’s just search through the library. If we don’t find anything then we can leave.” I nodded slowly trying desperately to push down the fear and anxiety that was bubbling in my stomach.
As we turned down a row of shelves, we both heard a distinct rustling sound. Rawlings stopped and held up his hand motioning for me to stop as well. The sound of paws running across the tile floor of the library surrounded us and Rawlings pushed me to the side of him. Just as I was about to complain about him pushing me aside, I noticed his body changing.
“Get back,” he growled. I quickly obeyed with my eyes wide.
Fur sprouted over his body as I could see the muscles and bones move underneath his skin. The cracking of bones and claws hitting the floor filled my ears. Within an instant in his place was a large grizzly bear. I felt my mouth drop open at his size. He let out a low growl, and I backed away farther down the row of shelves. The instinct to run coursed through my body but something kept me rooted in my place. The sound of paws was closer and his growl got slightly louder. I braced myself for the epic battle of shifters that was about to take place before me. I knew I should run. That would be the smart thing to do. But all I could do was inch farther away from Officer Rawlings.
The paws got closer and I knew any second some other large shifter would turn the corner. I didn’t know if I was prepared for this. I could feel something stalking close. I closed my eyes in fear, praying that Officer Rawlings and I would survive this fight.
Then all of a sudden I heard a small meow behind me. My eyes shot open and I quickly turned around. Standing in front of me was an orange tabby cat. He sat down and looked up at me quizzically. Then his eyes shot towards the large grizzly bear in front of me and he spiked his back up in fear.
“Rawlings!” I yelled. The large bear quickly turned around and face me and the tabby. The bear looked like he was about to fight but when he saw the tabby arching his back and hissing the bear just stopped in his tracks. I felt the air move around me as Rawlings quickly shifted back to his human form. I let my eyes slowly track his body when I realized that he was completely naked. I felt blood rush to my cheeks and I quickly looked down at the floor. I heard Officer Rawlings grab a book and cover himself.
“Sorry,” he chuckled. “I forget that I end up naked after I shift,” he said. I let my eyes slowly rise from the floor and meet his. I cleared my throat awkwardly.
“I guess our intruder was this tabby,” I said slightly embarrassed. He let out a laugh again.
“Yeah I guess you are right,” he said looking down at the cat. “Sorry to scare you little buddy. I thought you were a big old lion though.” The tabby seemed to give him a smirk that said I am a lion and sauntered off.
“He must have gotten inside when I was taking out the trash,” I said. “I’m so sorry to waste your time.” I felt the blood rush to my cheeks again.
“It’s quite alright. I’m sorry that I didn’t catch on it was just a cat. I didn’t mean to scare you by shifting.”
“Oh, it's okay. I get that you were trying to protect me. I just feel bad that I jumped to conclusions.” I had to make it up to him for coming all this way. “Can I take you out to dinner or something to say thank you for helping me?” I asked nervously.
“Of course,” he smiled. “But let me grab some clothes from my car first. I think people normally appreciate you being fully clothed when there is food involved.”
8
Rawlings
“I still can’t believe that I was scared by a cat,” she said laughing.
“Well he was a pretty frightening tabby,” I said chuckling as well.
We had ended up at a small Mexican restaurant that was nearby the library. I appreciated that she wanted to take me out to dinner after saving her from the cat.
“Thank you again for coming,” she said. “I’m sure you’re bogged down at the station with the case.”
“It’s no problem. I wanted to make sure you were safe.” I held up my margarita glass and I clinked mine with her. She took a small sip and looked up at me.
“Can I ask you a question? Officer Rawlings,” she asked.
“You can call me Beau.”
“Can I ask you a question, Beau?
“Shoot,” I said as I took a sip of my margarita.
“What is with shifters and the needing to protect women?” I nearly choked on my margarita at the question. I quickly cleared my throat.
“I know it sounds misogynistic,” I said
“Sounds?” she said with a slight sense of humor in her voice. I let out another laugh.
“Okay, it is misogynistic. I will admit that. But it’s a part of our DNA. Males are pretty much wired to always protect the females in our pack or clan.”
“So it is an animalistic thing?”
“I guess you could say that. Trust me, I don’t do it because I think women are weak.”
“Oh really?”
“No. I think women are incredibly strong,” I said with all honesty. She smiled at my comment.
“It’s just that my bear tends to think differently.”
“Your bear?”
“Yeah, like he is another part of me. He can be very stubborn sometimes,” I said with a slight laugh.
“What is it like to be a shifter?” as she took a bite of our nachos and watched me closely.
“Well, I honestly don’t know any different. I grew up this way. I guess the best way to describe it is that I almost have two minds. Mine and the bear. We work together a lot, but there are times where we clash and disagree. But he is a part of me, just like I am a part of him.”
“Does it hurt to shift?”
“The first time it did. You don’t shift your first time until you are about eighteen. I could always feel my bear before then though. He was just a little quieter back then. But then once I turned eighteen something in my genes shifted, and I felt like my whole body was on fire. Then came the pain of my bones breaking for the first time.” I took a long sip of his margarita. I tried to block the flash of pain that coursed through my body.
“But once that first time was over with, things got a lot easier. Now I hardly realize when I do it.”
“So what about this whole claiming thing then?”
I let out a loud laugh. “Someone has been doing their research on shifter culture, huh?” She shrugged her shoulders slightly and smiled. I smirked when I saw her cheeks redden slightly. Damn she was cute when she blushed.
“I may have perused a few websites,” she said nonchalantly.
“The claiming is real,” I said. “I have seen it happen with my own eyes. It is part of our DNA and by going through the claiming process with your true mate, then both shifters become better people.”
“Oh,” she said. “I thought it only benefited the male.”
“No,” I said letting out a laugh. “That is what a lot of people think. But I wa
s always taught that it helped both shifters reach their highest abilities. And I’ve seen it happen with a lot of other couples growing up. My mom used to tell me all the time how her senses just became more heightened after they did the ritual.”
“Do you have to find your true mate?”
“Are you asking if I have to be with a shifter?” I asked with a smirk on his face. Was she worried that she was human?
“No,” she said quickly letting her hair fall across her face to hide her red cheeks. “I just don’t know much about shifters honestly, and I’m curious.” I reached out and brushed the hair away from her face.
“Don’t hide,” I said. “You’re beautiful.” This just made her blush even harder as I smiled brightly.
“To answer your question,” I said. “No, I don’t need to be mated to a shifter. I can find my true mate in a human.”
“How does that work?”
“Pretty much the same way as other mating does. I’ve even heard the claiming works the same way, though for the human it wouldn’t bring them any abilities.”
I felt my bear rustle underneath my skin. It was an odd feeling because my bear never reacted to the thought of taking a mate. But now, in front of her, it seemed like it was something that he wanted to do. I didn’t want to scare her off like Griffin and Charlene. So I quickly decided to change the subject.
“Enough about serious stuff though,” I said. “Tell me about you. Why did you really come here from Denver?”
“Well I got the job at the library,” she said.
“Right I get that, but why Hunters Lake? It’s such a small town compared to the big city life of Denver.”
“Honestly? I was sick of the Denver life. Sure, I lived in the big city, and it was fun for a while but I was missing the feeling of a small town. Before I moved to Denver I grew up in a small town outside of Denver,” she said. “It was pretty secluded honestly, a human only town, which is why I moved to Denver in the first place.”