by Eve Langlais
The car passed through the gate, and Tom crawled up the long drive, giving them a restricted view, given the thick shrubbery that lined the two-sided driveway. Not much to see, so why did he feel nervous? The flip-flops in his stomach were usually reserved for when he was about to be do something heroic—and stupid.
This wasn’t dangerous or life threatening. His mouth still dried as the drive curved into a massive roundabout around a huge stone fountain. People played in the spraying water that emerged from the top of a spire.
Tom pulled to a stop by the curb and turned slowly. “We’re here, folks.” The smile took forever to stretch his lips.
It reminded Jakob of what Uncle Kevyn said of the sloth. “They are the most loyal and steady of the furry cryptids. If you don’t mind aging while you wait for them to do something.”
“Thanks.” Jakob eyed the massive building and did his best to ignore his clenched fists. Nothing to fear. The structure looked like a regular school, make that a college or university with its girth that sprawled into wings. Old stone for the front, more uniform concrete polished blocks for the branches. A mixture of old and new architecture.
Off to the sides of the building were green fields, scattered copses of trees, more buildings. ARSHOL sprawled over a ridiculous number of hectares, although on paper apparently there were seven properties with different owners. Shifters were always cautious to not draw attention.
Always hiding. Would that ever end?
“This place is huge,” he said as Maisy joined him to stand at the steps to the school.
“And that’s just the tip of the installation. You should see the subterranean component.”
The fact there was more underground boggled the mind.
Tom joined them. “Impressive, eh.”
“Very.”
The fact shifters had their own training school was amazing. Used to be FUC and the other agencies sent their cryptid agents to the human schools that taught law enforcement and combat skills. Some even joined the military to get the education they needed, and once they’d milked all the knowledge, it eased them into FUC.
“And this is only one of three. We’ve got one started now in the Swiss Alps and another in South America.”
“We could use one down under,” Jakob noted.
“I’m sure the Council would be amenable if they could find the right people to run it.” Tom eyed him, and Jakob shook his head.
“Oh no, don’t look at me. I am not anything close to a dean.”
“What about teacher? The academies need plenty of those.”
The very idea had Jakob snorting. “And teach what? I barely passed high school.”
“You have other skills,” Tom noted.
“Such as? The only thing I know how to do is fight, but that was before I turned into something else.”
“There’s other things you could teach, like the proper way to rappel out of a helicopter.”
“I only learned that because my brother shoved me off a helicopter in the middle of a firefight.”
“And can therefore speak from experience. We’d like to offer more courses on strategy. How to plan a successful extraction. What you should bring on a mission.”
“What you’re suggesting is crazy. Me a teacher?” The idea intrigued more than it should have.
“It’s got its perks,” Tom drawled.
“But it would require him staying in one place,” was Maze’s pert reply.
Jakob glanced at her. “I’m not averse to settling down.” Not anymore.
A big man emerged from the building. His suit had to be tailor made given it fit the massive chest with ease. He had his hair trimmed short and his jaw clean shaven. Jakob recognized the man as Chase Brownsmith. “I didn’t know Chase was here.”
“Course he is. He basically runs the place,” Tom declared.
“Since when?” Used to be Chase worked for FUC as a lawyer and support to his wife, one of their top-ranked agents.
“He started out part time but recently moved here to work full time, at least until we can find a proper replacement. In the meantime, he and his family live in the dean’s home.” Tom pointed east. “We’ve got a whole new development going in to ensure adequate housing for the Academy staff.”
“Sounds like you’ve thought of everything.”
“Yup.”
As Chase neared, Jakob caught a hint of something sweet and sticky. He fingered the stick of bamboo in his pocket, as he suddenly got an urge to find a pot of honey gold and dip the sliver in it. Probably delicious.
Chase came to a halt in front of them and gave them a nod. “Jakob, nice to see you again.“
“Hey, Chase. Where’s your wife and the little joey?”
He referred to the child Chase and Miranda had together. He’d met the pair when they ended up in Australia tracking one of Mastermind’s subjects, who ended up marrying one of his brothers. Mari was expecting their chick to hatch any day now.
“Miranda will be along shortly. Woman can’t sit still for a second these days.” Chase shook his head. He eyed Maisy. “You must be Dr. Williams. I’ve heard excellent things about your work.”
“You have?” Jakob queried. He’d always known Maze was good at her job but never realized she did more than just the hands-on.
“Dr. Williams has been providing us with some excellent research notes on her study of family recipes passed down in Australia. Her insight really helped our labs in several cases. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” His big hand engulfed hers.
“Thank you.” Maisy couldn’t hide her blush.
“I don’t suppose you’re here to accept our offer?” Chase asked hopefully. “We’d love for you to come work for the Academy.”
“I’m still thinking about it. Actually, the real reason I’m here is because of Jakob.”
“The report I received was vague about his problem.” Chase eyed Jakob. “But now that he’s here, I think I’m grasping his dilemma. Your scent… It’s not the same as I recall. If I didn’t know better, I’d say—”
“I smell human. I know.” Jakob’s lips turned down.
“You can’t shift anymore?” Tom blurted out, joining the conversation and more rapidly than anything else he’d done thus far.
“I can shift, just not into a kangaroo.”
“Then what do you turn into?” Chase asked.
“A bear,” he huffed.
That wrinkled Chase’s nose. “You don’t have the scent of a bear.”
“Which is only part of the weirdness,” Maisy declared. “But I can assure you, despite what your nose might be saying, Jakob most definitely turns into an enormous panda.”
“You’ve seen it?” Chase sounded skeptical.
She nodded. “I was there when it happened, and I will add the man goes through bamboo like a gambling addict through lottery tickets.”
The very reminder by Maisy had him pulling forth a chunk and sticking it between his lips for a nice crunch.
“If you’re here hoping our labs can change you back, then I will have to disappoint. We’ve yet to reverse any effects.”
“I’m aware,” Jakob said, a touch sourly. “And that’s not why I came. I suck in my new body. I can’t fight. I can barely walk without falling. I need help figuring out how to not die because I’m so damned clumsy.”
Chase laughed. “In other words, you want lessons on being a bear. I think we can manage that. Currently, I’m the only bear on campus, but between me and a few others, like Viktor, who is king when it comes to shooting, we should be able to teach you a thing or two.”
“I’d appreciate it.” If he was stuck being a panda, then he wanted to be a kick-ass version. Not the comic relief who died first.
“Take today to get settled in. We’ll start tomorrow. First, how about a mini tour of the campus so you know what’s going on? The building at my back”—Chase swept his hand—“is the Academy’s main headquarters.”
“Call it like the kids do, honey bear. Welcome
to WANC, short for Working and Administration Networking Core.” Miranda popped into view, having arrived downwind from them.
She jogged in place, jiggling a big round belly that projected enough that Jakob wondered how she remained upright. By Miranda’s side was her mini me, Baby Kelly, who was more toddler than baby now. With her blonde hair in pigtails, the child was the spitting image of her mother.
“Miranda.” Jakob greeted her. “It’s nice to see you again. When is the baby due?” And shouldn’t the woman try standing still? What if she jostled the baby out early?
“Junior will be coming anytime now.” Miranda kept bouncing. “I can’t wait. I’m not used to slowing down.”
A bunny’s idea of a slow pace was like supersonic to the sloth, who was removing their luggage from the trunk. “Where am I taking them?” asked Tom, lifting the bags.
“The guesthouse since they’re only here for a short time,” Miranda stated, doing some jumping jacks. “I’ll take them over. Kelly, you go with Daddy and get some lunch.”
“Do I haf to?” The lower lip jutted.
“Growing girls need their vitamin C. Let’s go. Hop. Hop.”
“Fro me!” the little girl cried, bouncing and clapping her hands.
“Get ready to catch, honey.” Miranda crouched and held out her cupped fingers.
The little girl stepped into the linked palms and was vaulted into the air. Kelly flew, squealing with delight. Chase held up an arm and snared his kid.
Not that Jakob knew that would happen. The moment the kid went airborne, he dove to the ground, ready to act as a cushion.
Chase eyed him and grunted. “Single, eh?”
“For the moment,” Jakob replied, rolling to his feet. He’d lost that springiness he used to have. His movements were slower, more ponderous, more bearlike.
Kelly canted her head and eyed Maisy. “You smell like a kitty.”
“And you smell like a baby bunny. Delicious. Reminds me of the wild hares I hunted with my dad, spitted over an open fire.”
“Maisy!” Jakob was the one to sound shocked.
Whereas Kelly giggled and clapped her hands. “Chomp. Chomp.”
Maisy cast him a wink. “She knows I’m joking.”
Jakob hoped so because he’d heard stories about Miranda, the saber-toothed bunny. They had to be exaggerated. Look at the woman. She didn’t even reach Maisy’s chin. “Let’s not discuss the eating of people’s children, especially in front of them.”
“But they’re delicious when baked in some honey,” Miranda said, completely deadpan. “I love crunching me some toes.”
Kelly squealed as Miranda dove for her feet and opened her mouth as if to bite them. The tyke clambered up her father to sit, giggling, astride his shoulders.
Seeing Maisy’s soft expression made Jakob think of Peach. She was just as cute, but he would never pretend to eat her. He never wanted her to be scared. Not of him or anyone.
“If we’re done discussing the eating of my sweet baby girl, perhaps we could get on with the tour so I can get back to my paperwork,” Chase said in a low rumble.
“You and your papers,” Miranda moaned.
“Quiet about my work, woman. Be a good wife and bake me a pie.”
It was said quite seriously, and for a moment, Jakob wondered if Miranda would bite off Chase’s head for the sexist demand.
Instead, her laughter proved bright and shining. “You are such a bad bear, Chase Brownsmith. But you’ll get your pie. Later.” The wink was not the least bit subtle. She turned to Maisy and Jakob. “If you’ll follow me, I will give you the quick tour.”
“I highly doubt they want to keep pace with you. How about you take the cart?”
“I’d rather run. Anyone care to join me?” She bounced on the balls of her feet.
“Me! Me!” Kelly bounced.
“You’re supposed to go with Daddy.”
The pouty lip and big eyes squashed that idea. “Pretty pw-ease, Mummy?”
“Only if you stay close to Uncle Tom. We don’t need you teasing the lions again.”
“Yay.”
Despite the offer, only Miranda chose to go on foot, easily keeping pace with the golf cart driven by Tom, who ended up with Kelly in his lap. Jakob sat beside him, making the poor cart groan, while Maisy perched on the back, squished beside their luggage, her legs dangling.
Miranda provided a running commentary as they followed the paved path. “Training fields. The public ones. We also have hidden arenas so that people can practice in their other forms.”
They went past habitats ranging from a massive greenhouse structure housing the tropics to a marsh and a forest. Even a desert-like space that also served as sand traps on a golf course.
At the end of the tour, Jakob was even more impressed than before. This went beyond any school he’d ever imagined. The equipment available, the possibilities… Jakob and his brothers had trained with humans and had to learn on their own how to incorporate their other selves to the best advantage. The Academy melded both components, swapping lessons between the shapes, fine-tuning its students into soldiers.
“You’re preparing for a war,” Jakob muttered as they passed the training field with its mock war game and headed back for the main area.
Tom kept his eyes ahead as he said, “Ayuh, although we’re hoping it won’t happen. But times are a changing. Humans aren’t as blind as they used to be.”
“And then you have my mother telling them point-blank we exist.”
“Even without her interference, it would have happened. The world is waking up and taking notice in ways we never imagined. It is only a matter of time before we might be forced to defend ourselves,” Tom said, his tone quite somber.
Might not be long before they’d have to fight. Jakob might not want to start a war with humans, but he also wouldn’t allow anyone to deny him his right to exist.
As they approached WANC, Miranda dropped back and kept pace with the golf cart. “I’m going to make myself a fresh-pressed carrot juice and have a piece of cake.”
“Me too!” A tiny body sailed from the cart and hit the ground with her knees bent before bolting.
Tom drove just past the main building to a two-story house and pulled up in front. “Guest quarters.”
He stepped out of his seat, and the cart almost tipped before Jakob had the sense to throw himself out the other side. He grabbed the suitcase Maisy had arranged to have for him and would have grabbed hers too, but Tom actually got it first. They entered the home, and it was as you’d expect with a large living room to one side, dining room on the other.
“Kitchen’s at the back,” Tom remarked. “Fridge and pantry have been stocked with food, but if it’s missing something, send us a note. Someone will get it for you.”
“He’ll need bamboo,” Maisy stated, saving Jakob the embarrassment of asking for his odd snack.
“Already done. We’ve got some tender shoots in the fridge, some crunchy stalks in the fruit bowl on the counter, and some salted version on the nightstand of his room. We’ve provided an array of smoked meats. The boar is especially tasty.”
Separate rooms. He shouldn’t have been surprised. They parted in the hallway on the second floor, and he entered his room and immediately went for the salted treats.
Munching on a stalk, he paced his room. Some of his nerves had calmed when he’d seen the campus. He’d come to the right place to learn. Now he just had to get over the shame of not being himself.
Given it had been more than a day since he’d talked to his family, he gave them a shout.
His Uncle Klaus answered. “Jones House of Pleasure.”
“You know Da hates it when you do that.”
“Then your da shouldn’t have left me in charge.”
“Where is he?”
“Better question is, where are you? The number you’re calling from is based in Canada.”
“Because I’m currently visiting.”
“Why?” A blunt
query. “You hate the cold.”
“The weather’s not bad, actually.” In the teens Celsius, making it comfortable still.
“Why does your call show it originating from the FUC Academy?” No surprise Uncle ran a trace on what should have been a safe line.
“Because I’m visiting the campus for the next little while.”
“Why?” Again, his uncle didn’t bother beating around the bush.
But Jakob wasn’t ready for the truth. “Thinking about a career change. Maybe becoming a teacher.”
The laughter had him frowning at the phone as he held it away from his ear.
“I don’t see why that’s so funny.”
“You. A teacher.” Uncle Klaus snorted.
“Some people think I have skills that should be shared.”
“You’re a man of action. Not a pencil pusher behind a desk.”
“How would you know?” Jakob wasn’t sure anymore what he wanted. He did know his current life didn’t fulfill him. He needed a change.
“A Jones is meant for action.”
“Jax and Jeb seem pretty happy with their choices in life.”
Jax had never been the mercenary sort. As for Jeb, he’d changed his life around when he met Nev.
“They caved to their women. Don’t make the same mistake, boy. Don’t let yourself be chained. Take it from me.” From a man who was a confirmed bachelor, with no kids of his own.
“You saying Da regretted marrying Mum and having us?” The question put his uncle in a bind, but Jakob enjoyed the stammering.
“Course not. Er, you boys are a fine lot.”
“You’re a horrible liar. Anyhow, I called just to let you know I was okay. How is the mission to capture Mum going?”
“It’s going. That woman is more slippery than a pig rubbed in grease.”
He knew better than to ask why anyone would rub a pig in grease.
Knock. Knock.
“I gotta go. Tell Da and my brothers that I’m good.”
“Will do.”
He hung up and answered the next knock to see Chase. The bear had swapped the suit for trackpants and a T-shirt.
“You ready for your first lesson?” Chase asked.
“I thought we were starting tomorrow.”
Chase eyed him. “You really want to wait that long?”