Rebirth - Book 1 Rogues Shifter Series

by Gayle Parness

  Chapter Thirteen

  Rob had taught Ethan well, so the boat trip passed without incident. He insisted that we wear life vests and I didn’t argue, because I knew how unsure Ethan was around the water. It was pretty brave of him to take the boat out at all and I told him so. He laughed, saying that as long as he stayed out of the ocean, he was good.

  Docking at Sea Bright, we stuffed supplies and clothes into two backpacks that we found onboard, left the boat with Harry, a short grizzled man, and took off hiking northeast through the town of Crescent City, California. We wore hats and shades, trying to remain incognito, but in Ethan’s case it didn’t seem to matter.

  As we walked past quaint shops and official buildings, many of the people passing us on the street smiled and nodded their heads at Ethan in a familiar way, some of them using his name and saying hello. Most of them were female, no surprise there. I gave him a sly grin and he shrugged, saying, “I’ve met a few people since I’ve been staying with Rob, but mostly I’ve just crashed at his house.”

  I was dying to ask him more about why he was with Rob, but he didn’t elaborate any further, so I shut my mouth. He’d tell me when he was ready, although waiting wasn’t my best thing. We stopped to eat a couple of burgers at the local coffee shop and after tipping the waitress and paying the bill, continued on to a small house nestled next to a grove of maple trees.

  We knocked, and a pleasant-looking woman in her mid-twenties appeared at the door, a huge black and tan Rottweiler mix at her side. She was petite, maybe 5’1”, with shiny short brown hair and pretty hazel eyes. The dog sniffed us suspiciously as she ushered us quickly into her living room. Dismissing Ethan with a snort, the big dog nuzzled my hand looking for some attention. I scratched him behind the ears. His stubby tail wiggled along with his entire rear end.

  “Rob called a couple of hours ago. I’m Carly and that’s Samson. I have a place for you to stay for a week or so until other arrangements are made. I’ll drive you over there in a few minutes. Sit down in the kitchen while I get some supplies together. Help yourself to soda or anything else you can find. There’s ham and cheese in the fridge and bread on the counter. Make some sandwiches for later if you don’t want them now.”

  Ethan and I grabbed a couple of sodas, slapped together two sandwiches which we packed away for later, and sat at the table, too tired to talk. Our training had been rough the last couple of days and I was looking forward to taking a nap when we finally got where we were going. Samson sat next to me on the floor and I scratched his head distractedly, looking out the window at the view of the town below.

  It was picturesque with a crescent-shaped beach and an island lighthouse. Spring flowers were blooming, but Ethan had told me on the boat thick fog was common at this time of the year. Shifters and wolves liked dense forests and when the fog rolled in, hunting became a lot more interesting. Ethan crossed his arms, stretched out his powerful legs, and dozed. As tired as I was, I knew I’d never be able to fall asleep in that position, so I jealously stared at his sleeping form and continued to pet Samson, grateful that we’d be getting a ride to our final destination and I could pass out there. I’d been up since five in the morning.

  Carly returned after about fifteen minutes rolling a wheeled duffle bag. “I’ve packed sheets, towels and extra clothes and supplies for you. My car is around the back.” Ethan popped up, refreshed from his power nap, and we exited through the back door, Samson included. Ethan threw the duffle in the trunk and we headed off.

  “I keep two safe houses for shifters who need help. The general population rarely tolerates rogues unless the council has cleared them. But many of us feel that shifters are shifters and should never be viewed as lost causes. I changed late myself and could have been in the same boat as you two if it wasn’t for my supportive family. Communities are getting weaker because they’re not letting in any new blood. You two are perfect examples. From what Rob says, you’re really exceptional and our town could use your special talents, whether they know it yet or not.”

  “Thank you very much for your help, Carly.” My remark brought a smile to her mostly serious expression.

  “I’m sorry I can’t have you stay in my house, but Garrett is a competent trainer and can certainly protect you better than I can. Just keep your eyes open around him, he’s a vampire first, and always has a hidden agenda. You can trust him to protect you because he’s invested in this project of his and Rob’s, but no farther. I can’t tolerate being around him for more than a few minutes.” Ethan gave me a told-you-so kind of look, but I turned away feeling certain that they were wrong about Garrett.

  We pulled up to a small house off the road, hidden by four or five large black oak trees with low-hanging branches. Carly handed us the key, apologizing that the place was probably a little dusty. She also reminded us to set the alarm on one of our cell phones to wake us at three to call Garrett. She backed her car down the gravel driveway and took off in the direction of her home, Samson’s head hanging out the passenger window, his ears flying out behind him.

  When Carly left, we both breathed out a sigh of relief, glad that we’d finally be able to rest and shower. Ethan grabbed the bag and both backpacks while I unlocked the front door. We were pleased to see the small combination kitchen/living room was well stocked with the usual basic items, and since Carly had said she’d be bringing us a large meal every day, we wouldn’t need to find our way to a market. A square table with four chairs was positioned near the door, and two arm chairs sat by a window and a bookcase. Down the short hallway was a tiny bathroom with a shower and through another door a small bedroom with one queen-sized bed, which both of us stared at longingly.

  Ethan turned to me, a teasing smile twisting up the corners of his mouth. “I’ll put the sheets on the bed and the towels away while you take care of the food and the rest.” The cottage was warm, so he pulled off his tee shirt and started opening windows. I did what he asked, putting food in the cupboards and fridge, all the while becoming more and more aware of a painful vibration in my stomach and chest.

  When I walked back into the bedroom, Ethan was spread out on one side, wearing only sweatpants, grinning and patting the space next to him. His hair was still damp from a quick shower, the scent of eucalyptus filled the room.

  “Gee, Jackie, guess we have to share the bed. Did you know shifters usually cuddle together like a bunch of puppies or kittens? It makes us feel safe. It’s nothing personal.” His grin was infectious since I knew he was just trying to get a rise out of me. As much as Ethan liked to flirt, our relationship was basically a friendly one. I wasn’t attracted to him in a romantic way and I was pretty sure he felt the same way.

  “I’m not in the mood to cuddle, but its fine to share the bed as long as you stay on your side of it.” I drew an imaginary line down the middle, making him sigh and lie back dramatically. When I threatened to use a sharpie marker to make the line more obvious, he grinned.

  “Roommates it is.”

  Taking a quick look at my ragged reflection in the mirror, I decided a shower seemed like a good idea, especially since I’d be seeing Garrett later. When I came back out, dressed in clean clothes and feeling refreshed, Ethan was already snoring softly, his body stretched across the entire bed.

  “Ethan, move. Maybe I should tie you to the bedpost on your side.” I grumbled and pressed against his shoulder, nudging him over in a not so gentle way. He grunted and turned on his side facing away from me, still managing to stay asleep. I tried to get comfortable, but my head was still hurting from the strange pulsating energy that seemed to be seeping into my pores. After tossing and turning for another twenty minutes, I finally succumbed to sleep.

  When I woke up, it was dusk. Ethan was quiet beside me, his arm stretched over my stomach, his breathing soft and steady against my ear. Annoyed that he’d moved to my side and that we’d forgotten to set the alarm to call Garrett, I moved Ethan’s arm and sat up. A window was open, so the room was cool. A breeze blew t
he curtains around, bringing with it the sweet scent of vampire. Oh, shit.

  Garrett stood by the bed glaring at Ethan. Dressed in black slacks, a black silk shirt and black leather jacket, he looked every bit the modern Hollywood vampire, but the look on his face held real malice. I was suddenly alarmed.

  I tried to speak calmly as my heart hopped about madly in my chest. “Hi Garrett. We fell asleep and I forgot to set the alarm to call you. I’m really sorry. Rob said you’d be coming here to help us.” My voice trembled slightly, but I hoped he’d think that it was because of the cold wind coming through the open window and not because I was afraid.

  “Jackie.” He smiled as I shivered. “A cougar,” he glanced down at Ethan, “is not a fitting mate for a shifter with your abilities.”

  I stared at him in shock. His fangs were slightly extended and his brilliant eyes were sparkling with silver.

  “Um, we didn’t … we didn’t do anything but sleep, Garrett.” I steadied my voice, annoyed that I had to defend myself to this guy at all. “Look, we’ve been up since 5:00 a.m., walking miles and stressed out by the sudden move. We were exhausted. There’s only the one bed and no couch.” I swung my legs to the side and sat there rubbing my temples. My headache had returned with a vengeance. Where did Carly keep the aspirin?

  He walked to my side, extending his hand to help me stand. The moment his hand clasped mine, the pain was gone. But he didn’t know I had a headache. It must have been a coincidence.

  He led me to the small table where the delicious odor of Chinese food had combined with his own sweet scent, both of them making my mouth water.

  “I brought you some take-out.”

  I sat down slowly, watching him warily for any hostile move toward Ethan in the bedroom. Instead, Garrett handed me a bottle of iced tea, chopsticks, and two Chinese food containers. He sat in the opposite chair. “I hope you like beef with broccoli and fried rice.”

  “This is great, thanks.” I dug in, not realizing how famished I was. He sat across from me. “Did you eat?” I asked hesitantly between bites, immediately wishing I hadn’t. I really didn’t want to think about what or maybe who Garrett ate.

  I watched him watching me, all the time aware of his quiet magnetism, which seemed even stronger under the lights in this small kitchen than it had in the cabin’s darkened room. His amazing eyes invited me to take a plunge in their cool aquamarine depths, but he was a predator and I needed to keep my head on straight around him. I sighed between bites. It would be so easy to jump in headfirst.

  Thankfully, he didn’t seem aware of my reaction. “I fed a short while ago.” He smiled, glancing in the direction of the bedroom. When he turned back to me, his expression was more serious. “One of you should have called me at three as instructed. I was concerned and on the verge of calling Carly.”

  “Do you know if Carly has aspirin?” I was rubbing my temples again, the pain in my head and stomach making it impossible to think straight, let alone eat. Garrett immediately took my hand in his and instantly the painful heat cooled and my headache disappeared. I glanced at our hands, then at Garrett, who was looking as excited as a kid with a new toy at Christmas.

  “I knew it.” His bright eyes glittered eagerly. “You are extraordinary.”

  “Why, because I have a headache—had a headache? Why did the pain and the buzzing stop when you touched me?” I heard Ethan snoring. “And why isn’t Ethan awake? Is he all right?”

  Garrett’s expression remained neutral. “I wanted to speak to you alone first. He’ll wake up soon enough.”

  I frowned. “What was up with you saying he’s not good enough for me?”

  He continued to hold my hand and I made no move to pull away. “Normally shifters mate with their own kind, leopards with leopards, lions with lions, although there are always exceptions. Ethan will find a lovely female cougar to mate and raise cubs with.”

  “He’s eighteen.”

  “It’s a natural instinct, like with any animal. Cheetahs are rare and often develop unexpected talents. There’s an energy that runs strong through this area and you’re feeling its full heat because you don’t know how to shield yourself yet. Most shifters feel it during their change but never have a permanent connection to the ley lines. This house happens to be positioned where two strong channels cross.”

  He removed his hand and the prickling static was back. “I use the lines often. I can help you if you’d like.” His hand closed over mine once more, fingers twining, quieting the buzzing. “Right now I’m sharing my shield, but I’ll teach you how to do this for yourself so you won’t need me around.”

  “I like having you around.” The words kind of popped out unexpectedly, making my face grow hot. I looked down at our hands twined together, resting comfortably on the table. They looked so natural.

  He sighed, a lonely sound. “Other than Rob, I’m not well-liked by most shifters. But if you’ll agree, I’d like to train you to protect yourself from the effects of the magic. I know it’s painful for you right now and I’m afraid aspirin won’t help.” His fingertips were moving gently over my hand, my body responding with warm tingles.

  Suddenly realizing the effect he was having on me, Garret stood, saying, “I’m going out to have a look around to make sure no one has followed you.” He pulled an amulet attached to a chain from his pocket and handed it to me. “Wear this for now and the pain will lessen. I’ll be back soon.” He was gone before I had a chance to ask him about the necklace.

  I heard Ethan groan, so I went back to the bedroom, happy to find that he was sitting up. “I must have been more tired than I thought,” he yawned.

  I shoved the necklace in my pocket. “Hey sleepyhead, I was worried about you. Garrett was here and you didn’t even wake up.”

  “Yeah I can smell him.” He made a face. “You set your alarm? I didn’t hear it go off.”

  “I forgot about it too. Garrett said he wanted to speak to me alone so he didn’t wake you. But I think he might have done something to make you sleep longer. Sometimes he’s a little scary.”

  But also really hot.

  Whoa. I needed to snap out of this fast. If cougar shifters weren’t supposed to hook up with cheetah shifters, then vampires must really be off the menu. Not that he’d want a messed up kid like me. I glanced out the window, visualizing him standing on the roof, his jacket whipping around in the breeze, guarding us like some classy warrior.

  “What do I smell?”

  “Garrett brought Chinese food.” I pointed toward the kitchen where another two containers sat on the counter.

  “I’m telling you. He’s dangerous.” Ethan stood, wobbling, and headed to the bathroom. “I’ll be back.”

  I walked to the bookcase in the small living room and read through the titles. A copy of Jane Austen’s “Emma,” well read and dog-eared, was all the motivation I needed to plop into a chair and settle down to read. She was my favorite matchmaker and I enjoyed her various misadventures.

  Ethan returned, looking more than annoyed. “I think Garrett fed off of me. I feel shaky, I look pale and there’s no way I wouldn’t have gotten up when you did. My hearing is as sharp as yours and his stink alone has been known to wake me. I slept for three hours and still feel tired.”

  “If he drank your blood, wouldn’t there be fang marks on your body?”

  “I don’t need to bite a shifter to feed from one,” a rich voice replied. I jumped in shock as Garrett appeared in a chair at the table leaning back and looking almost smug. “To feed from a human, something I never do, by the way, I’d have to bite them, but to feed from a shifter I can gain nourishment by simply touching them. Because I’m fairly old, I need only take a tiny amount. Feeding from a shifter allows me to tolerate the sunlight for longer periods: a win-win situation for a vampire.”

  “You bastard….” Ethan moved threateningly toward Garrett, his jaw clenching and his hands in fists.

  Garrett moved so swiftly, I almost didn’t see the motion at
all. He stood nose to nose with Ethan, his intense whisper sending prickling energy through my body, causing the hairs on my arms to rise. “You and Jackie are now members of my team and you failed your first test. You did not follow Rob’s or Carly’s instructions to call me. As you’re the older and more experienced shifter, I hold you responsible. When you’re careless in the field, people die.”

  Ethan straightened his body, meeting Garrett’s gaze. “My mess-up did not give you the right to touch me, to feed off me.”

  “I could have killed you both.” He scanned our faces, frowning. “This house is spelled to keep enemies out, but you left the door unlocked and the window open. Spells can be dispelled. If I’d been your enemy, I would have had an easy time of it.”

  “But … we didn’t know. We thought we were just hiding.” I offered up.

  “Your training with me began the moment you climbed onto Rob’s boat.” He returned his gaze to Ethan. “For your own safety, it would be best if you showed Jacqueline the deference she deserves. Throw a blanket on the floor if you have to sleep in the same room.”

  The silver specs sparkling in Garrett’s eyes were probably not a good sign.

  Ethan responded with a matching intensity, not backing down, even though Garrett could probably break his neck in a heartbeat. “You’re our trainer and I’ll respect you in that capacity. But what goes on in this cabin is not your business. I’d never get out of line with her and I’m pissed off that you think I might. She’s my partner and I won’t treat her differently than any other female I’d train with. It’s up to her, not you, whether or not I sleep on the floor.”

  “I’m fine with sharing the bed, Ethan.” I frowned at Garrett who continued to glower at Ethan, his eyes still sparkling. Frustrated, I walked between them and put both my hands on Garrett’s chest, giving him a nudge toward the door. “Can we please talk outside?”

  The heated vibrations still making my nerves twitch calmed the moment I touched him. When the tension in my shoulders relaxed, he looked down to where my hands rested on his chest and I was happy to see the corners of his mouth curve up. No blood would be spilled tonight. But why did women always have to become referees? “Now, please, Garrett?” sweetly. He nodded politely and followed me out the door. I wasn’t planning on staying sweet for long. I sat on a small chair in the yard and he stood a few feet away, leaning against a low brick wall, his expression curious. The buzzing heat was slightly less persistent outside the house so I took a deep breath for courage and began.

  “You have no business telling Ethan and me how to behave when we’re not working with you. I want to trust you, because Rob does, but feeding off shifters with your magic or whatever it is, gives me the creeps. I don’t want you feeding off either of us. Especially since it makes us weak and we happen to be hiding from the council right now. I won’t be able to work with you if you do it again.” I crossed my arms to emphasize my words, lifting my chin to indicate I meant business.

  Moving closer with a graceful stride, he sat on the bench across from mine. “May I explain myself?” I nodded. “I have a small group of volunteer donors who help me out. In return, I provide them with a service.” I didn’t want to ask what that might be. “I don’t force anyone.

  “Tonight, I arrived at your cottage before I had a chance to feed. I was worried when you didn’t call me. When I saw Ethan’s arm draped over you, I admit, I overreacted.” He ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

  “Try to understand—I feel very protective toward you, partly because of what happened two years ago. Now that you’re both under my care, you needn’t be concerned for your safety, although it’s very important for you to learn how to protect yourself. I’ll be keeping a close watch and sending others when I’m not able to be here myself. As predators go, I’m at the top of the food chain.” To prove his point his eyes turned silver blue, his fangs extended and the huskiness in his voice sent icy shivers racing down my spine.

  Memories of screaming men and washed up body parts flashed in my head. I didn’t want this vampire as an enemy, but I wouldn’t let him bully me either.

  “Ethan didn’t do anything wrong.” I gave him my best stubborn look—and I was a black belt in that department.

  I’d amused him again. Guess that was better than making him angry. “I’ll strike a bargain with you. I will never feed from Ethan or you, unless you offer me your energy willingly. In return, you’ll work with me privately until you’re strong enough to block the magic properly. When you’ve learned that skill, I’ll teach you how to tap in and use its power.”

  “What is it exactly?”

  “The ley lines are like rivers of magical power that flow all over the world, crossing each other in uneven grids. We supes tend to settle near the highest concentrations.”

  I felt nervous, afraid to look him in the eye, but I had to know. “Did you ...? Did you really give me your blood when I was attacked by those two men?” He nodded. “Thank you. You saved my life.”

  He smiled: his gorgeous eyes crinkling up at the corners with real warmth. “You’ll never come to harm again.”

  Standing, he reached down and pulled the necklace out of my side pocket, brushing my hip with his hand. He placed it over my head and fastened it. “I apologize for the scene I caused.” His warm breath stroked my neck, my traitorous body responding with a shiver. “I’m here to help in your training, only I’m afraid I’ve started things off on the wrong foot. I’m usually an expert at controlling my emotions.”

  He walked back to the bench and looked me over with an amused expression. “Both of you put aside your fear and stood up to me.”

  “That makes you happy?”

  “Actually, yes. It means we’ll be able to work together. Rest up. In two hours, I’ll be back to take you into the woods for your first training session with the other two shifters. For now, I’ll be out here keeping an eye on things.” When I stood, he leaned toward me. “But Jacqueline,” he whispered, “if Ethan ever does anything to hurt you, I’ll destroy him.” He was gone before I could turn around.

  Ethan leaned against the doorframe eating his Chinese food from the carton. He snorted, muttering, “Same here, vamp,” turning and walking back into the house. I stared up at the moon and groaned. I needed this drama like a hole in the head!

  Sitting again with a sigh I tried to puzzle out a solution to this ridiculous situation. Garrett was treating me like I belonged to him because he’d saved me, and Ethan was acting all macho around him.

  Tonight I’d have a serious talk with these two. If I didn’t straighten this mess out, our training sessions were really going to suck. I stood up and stretched my neck and shoulders, fingering the strange amulet that smelled deliciously of vampire.