20 Shades of Shifters_A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Demelza Carlton

  He quickly transformed back into a man. “Obviously. Still think I’m crazy?”

  “No, I am.” Sweat glistened off Kathy’s forehead.

  The door busted open, and Agnes and two other officers entered, their guns drawn.

  Agnes glared at him. “What the hell is going on in here?”

  Kathy shook her head. “Nothing. There was a big spider, and Anonghos stepped on it.”

  Agnes still had her gun pointed at Anonghos, but she looked at Kathy. “Are you sure? You’re white as a ghost.”

  “I’m fine.” Kathy sat in a chair, her hands trembling. “I have a…a….fear of spiders.”

  Agnes lifted her eyebrow. “Really? That’s a new one. Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve tried to scooped them up on a piece of paper and released them outside. When did you develop this phobia?”

  “This was one was really big.”

  Her voice squeaked like a creaky door.

  “Why don’t I believe you?”

  Kathy lifted her chin. “Please, leave us.”

  Agnes slowly put her gun back into her sheath as the two other officers left grumbling out the door. She put her hand on Kathy’s shoulder. “I’ll be right down the hall if you need me.”

  Her warning voice was meant for Anonghos as she patted her gun.

  He wasn’t sure how he was going to convince Agnes to trust him. Every time he tried to make her believe, he pushed her farther away.

  Kathy pulled a tissue out of her purse and dabbed her forehead with her shaking hand. “Believe me, I’ll yell if I need you.”

  “Would you like a glass of water?”

  Kathy nodded. “Actually, I would.” She was breathing hard and her face was still pale.

  “I’ll be right back.” Agnes kept the door open, as if to make sure that Anonghos wouldn’t do anything stupid.

  Anonghos stood against the wall, not moving, not wanting to scare Kathy again.

  Kathy glanced at him. “Just give me a few minutes.”

  “Take your time.”

  Agnes returned with the glass of water. “Here, Kathy.”

  “Thank you.”

  She gave Anonghos a warily look. “Do you want me to stay here?”

  Kathy shook her head. “No, I need to talk with my client.”

  “Are you sure?” She rubbed her back. “You still look pale.”

  Kathy braced her shoulders. “You’re interfering with attorney client privilege.”

  Agnes hesitated, but she left. Obviously, her trust meter for him was minus twelve.

  “Please sit down,” Kathy urged. “You’re making me a little nervous.”

  “I won’t transform.” He held up two fingers. “I promise.” He put the table in front of her and set the other chair on the other side. He sat slowly. “So, do you want to hear my story?”

  “Well, you’ve proved you’re not from human.”

  He glanced up at the clock. Time was wasting away and who knew what his little detective was planning. But he forced himself to be patient. He needed Kathy’s help. “Like I said, I’m a Zalarian. We don’t mean you any harm, and the United Planet Confederation has charged us with protecting Earth.”

  “From whom?”

  “The Kamtrinians. They want to destroy all life on Earth and claim your planet.”

  She took another sip of the water, her hand shaking. “Is that who is killing the women?”

  “No. We have a protective shield that goes around your planet that they can’t penetrate. The killer is a possessed Zalarian. He used to be our peaceful navigator, but now another alien–a Mistonian–has taken over his body, forcing him to murder. I believe Daidhl is dead and only his empty shell is left behind. This creature not only kills, but feeds on fear.”

  She put her shaking fingers on her temples and rubbed them. “I don’t understand.”

  “Its food is emotions, and unfortunately, this one prefers fear.”

  “This sounds like something out of Star Trek.”

  The minutes dragged on, and he tired of this. He needed to get to Agnes, not sit glued in this chair. “I don’t know what that is.”

  He couldn’t hide the impatient in his voice.

  Kathy scooted her chair further away from the table. “Never mind. Why is it here?”

  He forced himself to keep the frustration out of his voice. “The Kamtrinians wiped out all of the women on Zalara. We’re dying as a race unless we mate with our designated mates. The Fates–our Goddesses–know who our mates are. We can’t mate with just any human.”

  “Agnes is yours?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is just too strange. I’m having a hard time absorbing what you’re telling me.”

  “If you don’t help me, the Mistonian will go after her. I won’t be able to mate with anyone else.”

  “I’m not worried about you. I’m worried about Agnes.”

  “I didn’t mean to sound callous.”

  She leaned back in her chain. “Let me get this straight. The two women who have been murdered were someone’s intended mate on Zalara?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. Somehow the Kamtrinians have figured out how to determine our mates. Or they’ve discovered a species that can do it for them, which is disturbing. We don’t even know who our mates are until the ceremony. But our Queen said that the Mistonian had hidden abilities. I fear one is predicting the future. One he definitely has is invisibility.”

  Her face turned whiter than the walls. “You’re kidding? So, you can’t track him?”

  “It’s almost impossible. The only thing I’ve discovered that he has a distinct smell of sourness. Here, I believe it would be like sour milk, but it’s very faint.”

  “Great, that’s not helpful.”

  He shrugged. “It’s the best I’ve got. I need you to convince Agnes to trust me. When I’ve touched her, I’ve sensed a power within her. Or maybe it’s between us. But if she doesn’t trust me, he’s going to hunt her.”

  Kathy studied him. “That’s strange you sensed a power within her. She’s psychic.”

  “Meaning?”

  “She can see the undead.”

  “That must come in handy as a cop.”

  “You would think, but definitely not here. Her brother and dad never accepted her gift. They were both cops. The police don’t believe in her ability. In fact, she gets shunned if she even mentions it. She’s very sensitive about what she can do.”

  “Humans are strange. On Zalara, this would be considered a valuable gift.”

  She turned up a corner of her mouth. “We’re not on Zalara, are we?”

  “Nope, we’re not.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  He glanced up at the ticking clock, warning him that time was at the essence. His knee bounced to the annoying rhythm. “I need to get Agnes alone with me. Will you help me?”

  “You promise not to hurt her?”

  He took her shaking hand in his and squeezed gently. “I’d never do anything to hurt her. She’s my mate.”

  She stared at him as if she were trying to decide whether he were innocent or guilty. He held his breath.

  She didn’t answer right away. The clicking clock banged away at his nerves.

  “I’ll hold you to that, Zalarian.”

  He exhaled loudly.

  She wiggled her hand out of his. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Am I free to go then?” He stood so fast he knocked the chair over. She gasped and jumped nearly six-inches out of her seat. The empty glass of water fell off the table.

  “God, you scared a year off me.” She put her trembling hand over her heart.

  “Sorry.” He nervously tapped his foot. “So, can I go?”

  She nodded. “Absolutely. Where are you staying?”

  He smiled. “I’m around.”

  “How will you contact me?”

  Her small voice betrayed that she wasn’t the self-assured attorney anymore, but she also wasn’t running screami
ng. He had to admit he respected her. He winked. “Don’t worry. I’ll find you.”

  “I was afraid of that.”

  He hated not opening his secret to Agnes first, but she forced him to play his hand. If he couldn’t get her directly, he’d get her through the back door.

  Chapter 7

  Time’s up.

  Daidhl sat comfortably in Kathy Strong’s car. The fool, Anonghos, walked her out of the police station and escorted her toward him. The moonless night darkened the shadows except for the glowing street lights that glistened off the car windows. But he wouldn’t need to hide in the dark.

  No one could see him.

  He was invincible.

  He licked his lips, anticipating both her fear and watching the life slowly leave her eyes. He ran his thumb over his newly sharpened blade.

  Anonghos opened the door for Kathy, who slid onto the leather seat.

  Daidhl inhaled her spicy scent that would soon change to fear, but then Anonghos stiffened; his nostrils flared.

  “Kathy, get out of the car.”

  She frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  Before Daidhl could feed, Anonghos grabbed Kathy’s arm and hauled her out of the car. “He’s in the car. Run!”

  Daidhl hissed in fury.

  Kathy screamed, running toward the police station. Ten police officers raced out, guns drawn.

  Anonghos pulled out a silver box from his belt.

  Daidhl’s heart froze. Damn it––an entrapment cage.

  Anonghos aimed the cage at him. Fear jerked through Daidhl. He’d been captured once before. He picked up Kathy’s purse and threw it at Anonghos. Luckily, Anonghos dropped the cage.

  Daidhl jumped out of the car. He flew into the night, screaming over his shoulder. “You’ll pay for that, Zalarian! When I kill your mate, I will feast on her beating heart.”

  Unfortunately, heavy footsteps pursued him. His little trick had bought him little time. Anonghos followed him like a Sun Ranger, sweeping back and forth, getting closer and closer. A stinging beam hit Daidhl in the leg. He gasped at the throbbing pain. Power pulled Daidhl toward the Zalarian. Gritting his teeth, he skidded his heels into the grounds. The surge of energy glossed over his skin, making every hair on his head stand on edge. A glisten of sweat broke all over his body. If he hadn’t been in this form, he’d have been sucked into the dreaded cage.

  Drawing on every ounce of power he possessed, his body trembled as he slowly edged away from Anonghos.

  Not good enough.

  He managed to run around corner of a building, which lessened the ray, giving him time to transform. In a split second, he changed into a bag lady. His body was bent over, his hands gnarled, and he released a human stench of not bathing for weeks.

  Anonghos skidded to a halt, shutting the dreaded entrapment box. He barely gave Daidhl a glance. Daidhl couldn’t help but pat himself for his clever disguise.

  Anonghos sniffed the air. “Ma’am, did you see anyone run past here?”

  Daidhl shook his head. “No.” He stretched out his palm. “Do you have any money to help an old woman to stay warm?”

  Anonghos reached into his jacket and pulled out some coins. “These are all I have.”

  He gave him two silver coins, two silver coins that Daidhl would use to cover Kathy Strong’s dead eyes.

  The Zalarian ran down the street without a clue.

  Daidhl smiled a toothless grin––just like in the café with all the scent of brewing coffee and steaming milk, Anonghos couldn’t detect him.

  Daidhl could be a young man, a homeless woman, or Anonghos’s worst nightmare.

  Chapter 8

  Agnes sat next to Kathy, who held on her trembling hand tightly. She’d never seen her so shaken. Her eyes were wide, and she struggled to breathe.

  “Kathy, take a deep breath.”

  Tom and several officers interrogated Anonghos again while others, along with the captain, surrounded Kathy.

  “Tell us what happened,” the captain demanded. “What did the bastard do to you?”

  Kathy raised her head. “He…he…saved my life. The killer was…in my car.” Tears slid down her ashen cheeks, and she gasped for air.

  Agnes put her hand over Kathy’s. “Did you see what he looked like?”

  “No,” she sobbed. “If Anonghos hadn’t been there…”

  She choked on the words and struggled to gain her composure.

  The captain looked up at his men. “Spread out and look for anyone suspicious.”

  She squeezed Agnes’s hand. “I need…to…talk…to you alone.”

  “Of course.” Agnes looked up. “If you’ll excuse us, Captain…”

  He gestured with his arm. “By all means.”

  Agnes wrapped her arm around Kathy’s quaking body and slowly escorted her to the same interrogation room that she’d been in earlier with Anonghos. Kathy lay her head on Agnes’s shoulder. It was as if this hardened woman had turned into a little girl, but then, she might have just survived being the killer’s next victim.

  Agnes needed to inspect Kathy’s car before forensics got there to see if she could pick up any images.

  Kathy slowly unraveled her hands from Agnes’s. “Close the door.”

  Agnes complied, then sat across from her. “Can you tell me what happened?”

  Kathy wiped her wet cheeks with a tissue from her purse. “First, do you think I’m sane?”

  Agnes frowned. “Excuse me?”

  She blew her nose. “You heard me.”

  “I’ve known you all of my life. Yes, I think you’re totally sane. Why?”

  She laughed, then stuffed the tissue into her purse. “Well, I’m…about to blow…your mind.” Her voice cracked.

  Between them, Kathy had always been the strong one, but her demeanor put Agnes’s every nerve on edge. “So, tell me?”

  “I’m breaking attorney and client confidentiality in what I’m about to tell you.”

  Even though they were good friends, she’d never known Kathy to do this before. “I’m listening.”

  “The killer isn’t human.”

  “Okay,” she said slowly, wondering what the hell had Anonghos done to Kathy. “Then what is he?”

  “He’s a Mistonian possessing another alien. Look, I know it sounds crazy.”

  Agnes silenced her tongue. Kathy had never made fun of her whenever she saw a ghost. It was her turn to listen.

  “In this very room, my client transformed into a fifteen-foot dragon.”

  “What?” Agnes narrowed her eyes. Kathy’s pupils weren’t dilated, but her skin glistened with sweat. “Did he put something in your drink?”

  Kathy held up her trembling hand. “No. I’m not on anything. In fact, you can test my blood, if you want. I’m telling you the truth, Agnes.”

  “You’re telling me Anonghos is a dragon.”

  “From Zalara. Their women were wiped out by the Kamtrinians, their deadly enemy, and he’s here to retrieve his mate.”

  A gnawing suspicion bit into Agnes’s insides. “So, who is his mate?”

  Kathy looked around the room as if she was deciding how to decorate the crammed brown room. She finally set her gaze on Agnes. “You.”

  This time, Agnes burst out laughing. She could barely breathe, her face burned hot, and tears swelled in her eyes.

  “Agnes, it’s true. Shit, I know it sounds bat-crazy.”

  Agnes struggled to stop. She took a big breath. “I’m sorry. But really Kathy? Aliens? Outer space? First of all, men like Anonghos don’t go after women like me. He looks like something out of a super marvel movie, and I’m a plump little detective that constantly has to watch her weight.”

  Kathy sat straighter. “Fine. Ask him.” Her tough exterior attorney voice was back.

  “Don’t worry. I will.”

  “Oh, by the way,” Kathy said. “Anonghos told me something else about the killer.”

  “What? He’s got x-ray vision?”

  “N
o, he smells like sour milk.”

  Agnes turned sober. “Did you smell it?”

  “I did. Right before Anonghos yanked me out of the car. It was faint.” Her lower lip trembled. “I’ll never forget that smell.”

  “I need you to stay here.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. I want to be surrounded by Arvada’s finest.”

  Agnes quietly left the interview room where the captain paced the floor. He stopped. “Well, what did you learn?”

  She wasn’t going to throw Kathy under the bus. At least not yet. “She remembers a distinct smell.”

  “What?”

  “The killer smelled like sour milk. She said it was very faint, but it was there.”

  He rubbed his hand over his bald head. “That’s it. That’s all she remembers.” Frustration rippled through his tight voice.

  “She’s pretty shaken up. I think she needs twenty-four-hour protection. She’s obviously the killer’s next target.”

  He lowered his hand. “Fine. It’s all we’ve got to go on.”

  “What about Anonghos? Did he have any useful information?”

  “No. He said he chased the killer, but lost him. There was some homeless woman that might have seen more. Anonghos gave us a description. We’re going to search the streets. Forensics is about to turn Kathy’s car upside down.”

  “If you’ll excuse me, Captain.”

  He grabbed her arm. “Where are you going?”

  She tilted her chin. “I want to see Kathy’s car.”

  “Don’t mess anything up, Detective. I want facts not feelings. Understood?”

  She gritted her teeth. “Yes.”

  He slowly released her. “I’m sorry. This has me on edge, and now the bastard is getting close to one of our own.”

  Kathy Strong might be a thorn in the captain’s side, but he’d always respected her and considered her a friend. She was like that. Kathy might drive you batty, but she was loyal and someone you could always account on.

  “I know,” Agnes said softly. “She’s my friend. I’m really worried about her.”

  Agnes quickly headed over to Kathy’s red Volkswagen bug. She just been in it last weekend. Unlike her car, Kathy kept her little bug immaculate, even after they went hiking.

  Officers were standing around it. She put her palms in front of her and closed her eyes. She inhaled a deep breath, then drew on her abilities to see if she could get any impressions.