by Ann Mayburn
Another tour group entered at that moment, breaking the tension. The couple turned to me with bored expressions and I somehow managed to give them a peppy smile, as if I’d just noticed them. Thinking fast, I tapped my earpiece.
“I’m sorry, did you say something? I was listening to my boss.”
Instantly the woman’s sharp expression slipped into boredom and her companion’s shoulders relaxed. “We’re ready to see the next exhibit.”
Taking my cue, I continued my tour while they talked behind me, whispering vile gossip about everyone we passed. I knew there was no such thing as snake shifters, but if there had been, these two hissing vipers would have been them. I tried to keep as out of their way as possible, and left the moment I could.
Ted caught me practically running out of the exhibit and grabbed me gently by the arm. “You okay?”
“What? Me? Sure, I’m fine. Totally completely great. The greatest.”
His gaze narrowed as he looked in the direction I’d come from. “Bad tour?”
The mental images that foul woman painted in my head roared back. “I-I….”
Ted leaned down so he was looking me right in the eye as he rumbled, “What happened? You’re shaking with fear.”
Now that I wasn’t having to pretend that I was okay, I shivered harder as Ted led me into a service hallway away from the crowd.
In the dim light, he held both my hands in his. “Synthia, sweetheart, what happened?”
I hesitated, then decided I had to tell someone or go crazy. “They…the people I was with, one of them said something unflattering about Rex Corgan and his wives.”
“What did they say?”
“I think they were talking about Joven Bissonette. They called her unnatural, a freak. What did they mean?”
His chest puffed up and fine lines creased his forehead as he frowned. “I have no idea.”
Ted was clearly lying to me, but I let it slide, too distressed by what I’d overheard. “The guy I was giving the tour to, he called the Rex and his wives freaks as well.” I swallowed hard. “Then she—she said that the Rex would kill him if he heard the guy disrespecting him that way. That he’d kill him then…oh my merciful Goddess this is so terrible, that Rex Cogan would feed the man to his children. Alive. And she was not kidding when she said it.”
“Do they know you heard them?”
When I looked up at Ted, I was shocked to see that he believed me. “No, I pretended I was listening to Diana on my earpiece.”
“Okay, good. Good.” He rubbed my arms briskly, but his expression was completely distracted. “You need to pretend you never heard that. Do you understand? You cannot say anything to anyone, ever. If you do, they will find out and they will end you.”
I sagged, and probably would have fallen if Ted didn’t haul me up. “What the heck?”
“As I’m sure you already guessed, those are lion shifters. Very influential and powerful lion shifters. They will end you in a heartbeat to keep what they said from ever reaching their Rex’s ears.” The fear continued to pour off him, so strong I swore I could almost smell it. Acrid, like gunpowder and ozone. “You need to go back out there and pretend everything is all right. Can you do that?”
I gave him wide eyes. “You want me to go back out there? With malicious cannibal lions?”
He closed his eyes and huffed out a breath. “Pull it together Syn.”
I knew he was right and tried to get a handle on my fear. To pretend I wasn’t scared out of my wits. “Right, pull it together. Got it.”
He turned away and coughed before saying, “I’ll run as much interference as I can, but the rest is up to you. Go to the restroom, take a minute, then come back and be your usual charming self.”
“Do I have to?”
“They’re predators, Syn. Don’t run from them or you’ll catch their interest. Right now you just need to blend in with the herd.”
Oh man, I didn’t want to so bad, but he was right. “Fine.”
“Good luck, Syn. Don’t do anything stupid and don’t tell anyone.”
I nodded then went into the employee bathrooms, pinching my pale cheeks to try and give them some color. My eyes were huge in my face, and I was sporting a rather dazed expression. I looked like one of those people crawling out from their storm shelter after a tornado hit. Taking some paper towel, I wet it with cold water then placed it on the back of my neck. It was an old trick my mom taught me, and it never failed to quite literally chill me out.
My heart stopped racing and I took a deep breath, meeting my green flecked brown eyes in the mirror. I could do this. I would go out there, act totally normal, and just go on with the rest of my life pretending I still knew nothing about shifters. Denial was a wonderful thing. After drying my hands, and removing the damp paper towel, I walked down the marble hallway leading to the exhibit hall at a steady pace. Years ago I’d been in one of my cousin’s wedding as a junior bridesmaid. His wedding coordinator had drilled us like a military instructor on how to walk down the aisle, me especially. I was a gawky ten-year-old at the time and moved with all the grace of a newborn giraffe.
The wedding coordinator must have noticed this as well, because she coached me on the ‘proper’ way to walk. Head up, shoulders slightly back, spine straight and pelvis leaning forward. I still used the coordinator’s training to this day when I needed to look confident and as I fell into the familiar gait, I was able to relax a little bit.
Thankfully, there were no lions that I recognized watching me as I re-entered the room. It must have been later than I thought, because the big space had emptied while I’d been gone. A few people in glittering gowns and exquisite tuxes remained, but they were making their way out the front doors as well.
I asked one of the waiters walking by the time, and was surprised to hear it was almost midnight.
“Syn,” Diana said in my ear, making me jump slightly, “Security is tied up with a suspicious package they found in the rotunda. I need you to start in the back and do a walk-through of the exhibit for me. Clear up any stragglers and make sure no one left their emerald encrusted dildo or platinum toothpick behind.”
I touched the earpiece to activate the microphone and said, “A suspicious package? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, they said it was a fake, but they want to double check the area and make sure.”
“Of course. I’ll let you know when I’m done.”
“Thanks, sweetie. I owe you a drink after this.”
Groaning, I stretched out my sore back. “I might take a rain check. I’m super tired. All I want to do is go home, shower, and crash.”
“Mmm, your plan sounds better. Thanks again for helping me out tonight. You’re the best.”
“I am,” I said with a laugh. “Okay, let me get this done so we can leave and I can eat.”
Waving at Ted who was watching me from across the room, I slowly walked through the exhibit, picking up brochures that had been carelessly dropped to the ground along with napkins and other debris. My feet hurt, and my empty stomach was growling at me. It wasn’t happy with the two small shrimp pastries and the miniscule cannoli I’d managed to snag. As I bent to pick up yet another glossy brochure, angry voices came from somewhere ahead. It was two women and a man, and one of the women sounded scared in a way that made me pay attention.
Standing quickly, I made my way deeper into the exhibit and froze when I caught sight of the two lions I’d had the misfortune of meeting earlier. They had someone cornered in the exhibit by the masks Joven had shown me, and menace rolled off them in waves. My skin itched like I was being stung by insects, and fire crawled down my spine. The weird sensations froze me in place, and I clutched my stomach as nausea cramped my gut.
My ears rang, making me clasp my head as a sharp pain drilled through my temples.
When the ringing cleared, I was suddenly able to hear the lions better.
“Witch lover,” the woman hissed. “You’re not daddy’s favorite anymore
.”
“I was never his favorite,” a woman snarled back. “I was born the wrong gender. Now back off.”
“You can’t tell us what to do, little girl,” the man said as he crowded closer. “You are all alone, your guards mysteriously absent, and everyone is gone. You. Are. Fucked.”
My fear for the strange woman overcame my common sense as I hustled forward with a bright smile. “Excuse me, the museum closing. Please make your way to the front so our security can clear the area.”
The two lions whipped their heads around to glare at me and the itching on my skin became a burn. Their eyes flared with the weirdest pale light, and I swear I saw white sparks swimming through their irises. They both growled at me, their upper lips lifting, revealing canines sharper than I remembered seeing before. My heart began to race, and I found it hard to draw a breath beneath their gaze. A hint of pink peeked out from behind them, but they quickly closed ranks, blocking my line of view.
Giving me a weird smile, the woman stared into my eyes and said, “No one is here. Everything is fine, human. Go away.”
The situation was so bizarre that I lost control of the filter between my mouth and my brain. “Did you just try to ‘there are no droids here’ me?”
Her jaw dropped down slightly and her companion looked at me like I’d suddenly pulled a bouquet of roses out of my ass.
“Leave, now,” she said with a clear snarl in her words.
I had this weird, fuzzy sensation like I’d smoked a joint, and it gave me a no doubt false sense of courage. “Look, the museum is closing and I can’t leave until all the guests are gone. You can either leave now, or wait for security to escort you out.”
Before they could reply, a short strawberry blonde woman shoved her way between them. She had wide, startlingly pale blue eyes that were filled with fear. Dressed in a conservative, but lovely high-necked pink gown, she quickly made her way to my side. Up close, I realized she was young, maybe nineteen or twenty. The fact that she was scared, and clearly being threatened by these two assholes brought to life my protective instincts.
“Come with me,” I pushed the girl further behind me.
The female lion shifter hissed, “You are making a grave mistake, human. This is none of your business.”
“Yeah, well, I disagree.”
The girl moved to my side, her voice surprisingly firm as she said, “Leave her alone, Riley. You know the laws.”
The male laughed, and it was not a nice sound. “Stupid Valaria, nobody gives a fuck about those ancient rules you hold so dear.”
“They will if you kill an innocent in the Smithsonian. That’s bad PR for the Pride and you know what the price would be for your mistake.” The girl lifted her chin, projecting an aura of calm determination, but I could feel her fear skittering over my skin like spiders.
“That won’t be a problem if you’re both dead. Who’s going to tell them? Your ghosts?”
Moving so I stood between the strawberry blonde woman and the clearly furious lions, I clicked my com link and said in a shaky voice, “Diana, I need security at the mask exhibit. Now.”
“Are you okay?” she replied right away.
Before I could answer, the male lion shifter moved unbelievably quick and ripped my com link out of my ear so violently it felt like I lost a chunk of hair with it. His nails had extended to claws, and they dripped with my blood. A searing burn raced across my senses, and pain like I’d never felt filled my mind. Tossing the multiple strands of hair aside, he raised his upper lip as he snarled at me, revealing elongated double canines.
The female lion shifter trapped my scream as she clamped one hand around my mouth and held me tight. I tried to wiggle out of her grasp, but she was much stronger than she looked and she pinned me effortlessly. Pain crushed through my lungs as she tightened her hold, and I feared I was going to die. Spots danced around my vision as I fought to free myself in vain, but I was growing weaker and more disoriented by the moment.
To my shock, the young girl let out a violent snarl and launched herself at the woman. Before she could reach us, the man caught the girl midair, then threw her against a display case. Glass shattered, and shouts came from the distance, but the woman’s grip on me increased. I swore my ribs were going to crack and pierce my heart, but before that happened the pressure was released as someone roared behind me. The woman slung me across the room and I hit another display with a painful crack, my spine flaring with white hot agony before going blissfully numb.
My vision was spotty as I watched what appeared to be Ted, fighting with the man and woman. The girl in pink leapt onto the man’s back, and I quickly closed my eyes as she tore his throat out. Time seemed to slow, and the pain from my ribs was overwhelming. I tried to sit up, but could barely move, and I opened my eyes as a new ache came from my hand. When I looked, I had poked myself with a piece of glass from the display case. My blood dripped like a leaky faucet from the slice onto the floor and my consciousness began to fade.
The pool of blood crept outwards, and the sound of fighting faded to a distant hum. Like a TV on in another room of the house. My thoughts focused on the spread of the pool of my blood, and I watched as it crept towards the hyena mask, which had fallen onto the floor inches from my hand, face down. For some reason that bothered me, and I gathered the last of my strength to touch it, to keep the priceless artifact from being ruined.
At the first brush of the soft fur against my fingertips, my world exploded.
Chapter 3
Syn
Birdsong filtered through my fuzzy mind and my body tingled like I was hyped up from attending a really good concert. The rich, clean scent of fresh earth surrounded me, comforting me with its cool embrace. A peace like I’d never felt before whisked away any lingering pain until I was completely content. This place, wherever I was, it was home. Not just a place I lived, but the essence of everything that made my childhood a source of endless love and comfort. It almost felt like I was seven years old, before my dad had passed away, and I was lounging in my parents’ bed with Dad. We’d watch Saturday morning cartoons together while my mom made a special breakfast and watched her shows in the kitchen.
I hadn’t felt this relaxed since I lost my dad. For a moment grief filled me as I thought about him. He had the kindest eyes, a deep dark brown that reminded me of chocolate. Sadly, I was more familiar with pictures and stories about him than the actual man himself. My memories, despite my best efforts, had faded over time. But I could still recall his smile. His dark skin made his white, straight teeth stand out whenever he was happy, which was often. I’d inherited his dimples, and my mom said that every time I grinned I reminded her of him. For the first time in far too long, I felt like he was nearby, and the comforting sensation filled an empty spot in my soul.
Stretching out, my body slid along earth softer than the best micro plush blanket I’d ever cuddled with. The soil seemed to not only support me, but also cradled me. The birdsong came again, luring me from my slumber. I yawned and smacked my lips, then slowly opened my eyes. It was dim inside of the massive underground den I slumbered in, but I soon found the source of light. An upward sloping tunnel led from the cozy den to blue sky and warm sun. The beautiful turquoise blue sky lured me, and I slowly clambered out.
It was only after I stood in the warm, golden early evening sun that I realized I was naked. Not that it really mattered, ‘cause I was the only living thing for as far as I could see. I was sheltered beneath an enormous tree as big as a five-story office building, and the den I’d been sleeping in was hidden among the thick roots. Beyond me stretched vast grasslands, broken up by more trees in the distance, and immense mountains far beyond that. A warm wind blew the fine grains of soil from my skin, and I held out my arms, welcoming the sensation of the world around me.
“That was very brave of you,” a child’s voice said from overhead.
“What?”
Startled, I glanced up as a flock of birds took flight from the bran
ches above me. There, perched on a stout limb, was a girl around five years old, with skin the color of burnt toffee and black hair held back in braids. She wore a shimmering cream shift dress, and her bare feet balanced easily on the limb.
“Defending that lion woman-child. It was very brave of you.”
When she leapt down to my side, she’d changed from a child into a girl around eight years old.
“Whoa, how did you do that?”
Her indulgent smile held an age far, far beyond her years.
“Magic.”
I glanced around me at the savannah that seemed as real as I was. “Sounds legit.”
“You are a sassy one. This pleases me. You will need to be able to laugh at the tragedy of the world or go insane.”
I cut her a glance out of the corner of my eye. “Laugh or cry, huh?”
“Something like that. Come with me. Time is short, and you must choose.”
“Choose what?”
“Your spirit animal.”
She started to walk away and I stared after her, before giving myself a mental shake and hurrying to catch up. “My spirit animal?”
“Yes.”
“Uh—I thought only shifters have spirit animals?”
“They do.”
“I’m not a shifter. Everyone gets tested for it at birth.”
“Full shifter, no. Your blood and body, up until quite recently, have been human,”
We kept walking, but the tree was so massive it was like traveling around a city block. “How is that possible? I thought shifters and humans can’t mate.”
“It is not impossible, but it is unusual for a shifter and human to reproduce.” She paused, and I was startled to see she’d grown older, somewhere between a teenager and a young adult. “Their children are highly prized by humans, shifters, and witches for different reasons. The parents often hide the nature of the child, or give it away to friends to raise so none will suspect.”