20 Shades of Shifters_A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Demelza Carlton

  Her behavior brought back memories of Gunner’s childhood when aulden folk gathered to share tales of days past.

  “Yer da’s name, then?” Her eyes met his as if she had sight.

  “Eudard.”

  “His name means guardian of prosperity.” She nodded with a grunt of approval. “And yer granda?”

  “Domhnal. And his da and granda before him. ֬ Twas an auld family name.” He didna ken if he remembered any further back on his lineage.

  She clapped her wrinkled hand on his shoulder. “Domhnal, Celtic for world ruler. Aye, ye be the one meant to come save us from the insane one. Ye are to stay here and lead our sleuth.”

  “Gunner? We…we need to reach Wick. I need to get cell reception or internet access to let my sister know I’m all right. I have flights I have to catch. If you remain here, I’ll have to forge ahead on my own in a place I’ve never been.” Star’s face had gone pale.

  He wrapped his arm around her waist and tucked her to his side. “Didna be feart, dearheart. We will stay together until we reach Wick. I willna desert ye.”

  “′Tis it Wick ye seek? Yer about two hours away by vehicle, if the roads be clear. I can take ye there tomorrow if we dinna get more snow overnight.”

  Star smiled broadly. “Oh, would you? You might be a lifesaver.”

  What did she mean by Alistair being a lifesaver? Surely, ′twas just a saying. Although she had made mention of a health issue once, but he’d gotten the impression it was something minor. Or had he been mistaken?

  Ora took Star’s hands in hers and ran fingers spotted with age over his mate’s smooth skin. “She is your mate from afar, Gunner. Once she conceives, other wombs will ripen and open. Our sleuth will have bairns again. ֬Tis written and soon ta be fulfilled. Queen Effie has sent out strong supernatural signals of the lost American. Aye, and instructions, too.” She nodded and her white bun bobbed. “We’re ta take care of her. See she has what she needs.

  “Yer name be Star and so ye will guide us once yer health is improved. I am part of Effie's coven—The Protectors.” The white-haired seer levitated off the earth and spun until she was invisible.

  Star coiled her fingers in Gunner’s sweater and looked at him with fear widening her normally blue eyes, now a stormy indigo. “What in the hell is happening? Who are these people? Some kind of cult? You need to understand everything I’ve believed in all my life has been turned ass-backwards in the last few days.” She frantically glanced around.

  “Not only have I met a man who can shift into a bear, but I also witnessed two bears fighting to the death. Now I’ve watched an old woman turn into a wrinkled whirlwind and disappear right in front of me. And it seems the sweet, friendly lady who invited me for Christmas is the queen of some kind of witchy coven.”

  Her face neared his and her eyes narrowed. “I’m quickly losing control here, Gunner. I’m telling you I need chocolate so bad right now, I’d damn near kill for a piece.”

  A lady hesitantly approached extending a foil wrapped bar. “I’ve broken a couple pieces off it, but my lips havena touched the chocolate. Please, take it. I need it too when me nerves are ready to fray apart.”

  Star looked at the candy as if it were diamonds encrusted in gold. Gunner would see she got more—sometime, somehow. “You’re so kind, but I couldn’t.” He had to glance the other way to smile. His Star was almost drooling in her refusal.

  “Me name is Isla Dunn, wife of Alistair. It would please me greatly if ye took it.” She shoved the partial bar to Star who hesitated for a beat before she accepted the gift.

  “Thank you, Isla. My name is Star Delaney.” She took a small bite and moaned with pleasure.

  He kissed her forehead purely because he needed to touch her in some way. “Ye asked me what was going on. From tales I’ve heard during family get-togethers, when I was young, the auld woman is a witch. Even though Ora canna see, she can judge a person’s place in shifter society.”

  What he couldna fathom was this sleuth’s insistence he was fated to be their leader. How could that be when he was a scientist with a life elsewhere? He was needed at the conservatory. Once he and Star had a night of rest, they would quietly move on. Maybe some of these people had an extra bedroom they could use.

  By now, the sleuth of shifters had moved closer. One auld man with a long white beard leaned on a cane and elbowed Alistair. “Speak man. Tell him what we’ve done ta ready things fer him.”

  Alistair cleared his throat. “We were told a year ago, ye were coming. The one to end our misery.” He glanced around the group and they all nodded. “So we cut down trees and built ye a cabin. Aye, a sturdy cabin. One fit fer our leader because we will hold him…ye in high regard.”

  “Aye, sturdy,” most of the men repeated.

  “Some built furniture. The ladies made curtains and set things about to make it fit fer our Master Shifter. After Effie sent word to Ora, we dusted and aired the place out. We each donated food ta fill yer cupboards. Firewood has been chopped and stacked. Ye will be toasty fer the winter. If it pleases ye, follow us to yer new home.”

  Gunner took a step toward the men. “But ye misunderstand. I have a job in Edinburgh. Star needs to return to her home. We canna stay longer than one night. ′Tis touched I am ye went ta so much trouble and hard work fer me. I’m deeply honored, but I canna stay.” He had to be honest. And if he were truthful with himself, he’d love to remain in the Highlands. Bear would have such freedom. “Although I must admit the idea of being part of your community appeals, but I have other obligations, ye ken.”

  What of his love of astronomy, of star gazing, of watching the planets and black holes? Could he walk away from a job he prized to live in a land he equally treasured? And what of Star? Watching her get on the plane to return to her home would be a painful thing to endure.

  He rested his face on the top of her head. “I dinna ken, ta be honest how long I can stay.”

  Ye do, me human. Think back ta when ye were a wee child. The stories yer da told ye. Dinna he say ye would go away ta study great things and then return ta help yer kind?”

  Aye, Bear, but I never dreamt anything like this. I belong in Edinburgh. These shifters act as if I’m ta stay here and ՚tis as confusing as fooking hell.

  Keep yer mind open and yer heart focused on Star.

  Snow started falling. Alistair cupped Gunner’s shoulder. “Come with us. Use the cabin for a few days until the weather clears. Ye’ll be out of the elements. Yer woman safe. I’ll see ye both get to Wick.” Alastair’s gaze dropped once again to the blue bra around Gunner’s knee. The man with the scarred face pinched his lips to keep from smiling.

  “Come,” Isla insisted.

  Star was in bitch mode as she and Gunner traipsed a path wide enough for one person that veered off from the wider one along the stream. Against her better judgment, they were following a gang of strange—and they all literally behaved strange—people deeper into the dark mountains. Twigs grabbed at her jacket sleeves as if to ensnare her.

  “I don’t like this one effing bit,” she growled. “We have no clue what they’re going to do with us.” She nibbled on the last piece of chocolate, allowing its sweetness to melt on her tongue. Would the, Isla, have given it to her if she planned on harming her later?

  Gunner’s hands encircled her waist and he leaned over to whisper in her ear. “I ken ye dinna like how things are going, but look at it this way. We’ll have a warm place ta sleep tonight. And best of all, they’ve offered us a ride to Wick. You’ll have yer chance to talk to the Mathesons and get a signed commitment. One plane runs between there and Edinburgh a day. You’ll be able to reach the States by New Years Eve. Ye can relax over yer deadlines. I’ll be able to reach my parents’ home.”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “So they tell us, but how do we know one word of what they say is the truth?” Her hand curled around Gunner’s knife she still had hidden in her jacket pocket. Damn, she was sick and tired of being scared. She’d
fight them if she had to; yeah, she was in a pissy-assed mood. It didn’t help her disposition any that this steep incline was hurting her ankle and all the excitement had her head pounding.

  Frankly, she’d had enough of complaining about little aches and pains. Hell, she had a mass in her breast. She’d have to focus all her aggressiveness and strength on fighting it should it turn out to be cancerous.

  Good, my twin. You’re getting your spunky spirit back. I feel you gathering strength. You’re stronger than you think. I wish you could take the effects of this baby’s kicking for a few hours so I could sleep.

  I wish I could, too, Moonie. Just a couple more weeks and you can hold her.

  A spiritual message from her sister was just what she needed. Somehow Moonie always knew when Star’s moods had shifted from one extreme to the other. Not all twins shared the strong bond they did. Perhaps it came from what they went through in their younger years. They’d learned to lean on each other. She dearly hoped she’d be back home in time for the birth of her niece, Emma Rose.

  She had so many reasons to leave Scotland and go home.

  And one powerful reason to stay—her growing affection for Gunner.

  My God, I’m such a fool. I barely know the guy.

  No, that wasn’t true. During their short time together, they’d shared more of themselves as children and teens and adults than people who dated for quite a while. But she hadn’t told him about the lump. Men could react strange to that kind of information. She’d sooner keep it private for now. She hadn’t even told Moonie.

  Her lungs burned with the exertion of keeping up with people used to this steep climb. How much further did they have to go? No sooner had the thought bounced through her mind, than they crested the hill.

  A narrow road wound through the a tiny village of log cabins of various sizes. Some looked as if they’d been added to over the years: maybe as children came along. Only a few cottages had a vehicle pulled next to it. All the houses had neat wooded areas around them. It appeared everyone liked things tidy. The area had its own natural charm.

  Both she and Gunner were led to a cabin that sat at the top of the ridge, overlooking the homes below. It was bigger than many of the others and a room jutted out from the side. Along the front ran a porch that invited sitting and talking.

  The group decided Alastair and Isla should show them through. Isla unlocked the door and handed the key to Gunner. “We all got so much enjoyment out of creating this home for ye, Laird Gunner.”

  The unexpected title evidently shocked him. His chocolate eyes opened wide and a muscle in his jaw ticked. “Nae Laird. Please, just call me Gunner.”

  The front door opened to a wide hall with a stairway at the end. To the left was a living room with two windows facing the porch and a large stone fireplace on the side wall. Wood covered the walls instead of dry wall.

  Alastair crossed the waxed wooden floor partially covered by an oval plaid rug. He stooped to light a match and touch several spots of kindling creating flames that spread to the logs someone had stacked in the hearth. “We used stones from clearing the foundation for this house and the stream near where we met to build this fireplace. This house is mainly built from elements of Dunn Mountain where we hope ye will live.”

  Star pivoted to evaluate Gunner’s strained expression. These people were going to prey on his good nature until he caved. Although he could turn obstinate when the occasion called for it. She had to talk to him in private before he committed himself to a lifestyle he didn’t really want. All these signs and messages these strangers kept talking about might be pure fiction.

  She snorted. Like the bizarre prophecy that her conceiving would open up the other women’s wombs. Had anyone ever uttered such sheer bullshit?

  Gunner was not one to be pushed, as she quickly found out. He placed his hands on his hips. “Fer me to make a decision to give up me profession and turn me life upside down to move here—as lovely as this place is—would require a lot of thought and much planning. Star and I are grateful fer a warm place to spend the night or two with this blizzard coming. But I canna promise ye I will return. Nae without a lot of serious deliberation.”

  Chapter 8

  We built ye a galley kitchen and added a dining area off the far end of the kitchen,” Isla said as if Gunner hadn’t spoken. “The eating room has windows facing in every direction fer ye to watch the wildlife while ye have yer morning tea or coffee.”

  Star walked through the kitchen, touching the cabinets and new appliances. They’d done a beautiful job. Once she was through the kitchen, she was in a space with a large round table and chairs giving views that nearly took one’s breath away. “Oh, Isla, this is lovely.”

  A soon as she’d spoken, a black cat leapt into Star’s arms. It had two white ears and s smidgen of white on it chin as if the kitten had just lapped at milk. Star petted him or her and the animal began purring.

  Isla continued her tour. “At the other end of the kitchen, across this walk space are double doors hiding yer washer and dryer. The generator is on the back porch with come protection against heavy snows around it. Follow me to the bedrooms on the other side of the main hallway. There are two down here plus a bathroom.” She pointed to the steps as they passed. “Two more bedrooms are upstairs for when the bairns are grown enough to be on their own floor. There’s a bathroom up there, too.”

  “The men were right. This feels like a sturdy house,” Star commented. What else could she say? She didn’t want to insult these folks now that she’d seen for herself they were on the level. They’d made the place as homey as they could; they’d gone to a lot of expense and work.

  The women joined the men who were still talking.

  “We doona plan on staying long. I’m going home and Star is trying to reach Wick.”

  “Och, but we want ye to stay. Both of ye. Be the leader of our sleuth. We will see to many of yer needs fer we are safe now because of yer strength and cunning.”

  Alastair touched the scars on his face. “Many of us tried to protect our mates, but we couldna nae matter how hard we fought. Male bears were torn apart. The unmentionable beast raped several of our women and killed our bairns and older children. He was pure evil. We owe ye. We’ll never forget how ye freed us. I see yer tired. We’ll talk more in a few days.

  “A blizzard is coming. I can feel it in me bones. Ye’ve got a petrol operated generator that runs the stove, refrigerator, and hot water heater.” Alastair walked over to an outlet by a large padded chair and pointed. “It runs this outlet, too, fer the radio, although we dinna get verra good reception. The generator will handle the washer and dryer if ye only run one at a time. Yer a Scot, ye ken how to conserve. Everyone has contributed a share of petrol to keep the generator running. There’s also a canful on the back porch if ye have a need fer more fuel.

  A two-way radio sets on the desk should ye have need to contact authorities or those who have a similar radio in their own homes. Yer call numbers are taped on the top.”

  Star jumped when the auld woman returned to their presence in a green swirl of magic. Hell, she’d just appeared out of thin air like an annoying fly, zooming from one room to another. She hadn’t heard the door open, yet here Ora was.

  The blind seer fluttered to the freshly waxed wooden floor. “Rest easy, now. Yer abode has been blessed. Take care of Mistletoe, the cat, fer she will care fer ye. Yer supper, beef stew, is simmering in a pot on the grate in the fireplace.” Ora pointed to a pot that hadn’t been there when they walked in. “There should be enough fer two meals. Rosalee put two loaves of homemade bread in the oven.”

  She did? When? Star’s head spun around as if her neck could swivel. She hadn’t seen a woman come into the kitchen. Nor had she observed anyone carry in a large black pot. So how did all this happen? Damn, things were getting creepy again.

  Ora raised her head and sniffed the air. “By the smell, give it ten more minutes before ye take it out.”

  She petted
the purring cat before casting milky eyes on the two of them. “Mate tonight, Gunner and Star. The prophecy must be fulfilled.” Ora spun into another green vortex and soared through each room one final time. By then Alastair and Isla were gone. When the front door magically opened and closed for the old woman, a blast of cold air blew over them. They were alone in this new cabin.

  “Why is our sex life suddenly her business? I mean if we even had one.” Star set Mistletoe on the sofa. His mate fisted her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed, and her lush lips thinned. She was pissed so she was. He ken she didna enjoy taking orders, especially from strangers.

  “Oh great,” she pointed, “We’ve got a squirrel on the window ledge outside watching us, waiting to get his nuts off. Will we have a deer and an elk at the other windows watching us like a porno flick? And who said we were having sex anyhow?” She turned her narrow-eyed gaze up at him and he wanted to laugh.

  “Dinna get pissy with me. I dinna say a word.” His gaze swept to one of the windows. “Look. ’Tis snowing hard. The ground looks freshly covered already.”

  She wiped a tear. “Christmas Eve and I’m stranded with a bear shifter in a cabin somewhere in the mountains. One built especially for us by other shifters. No Christmas decorations except for a cat named Mistletoe, of all things. With every creature in the mountain waiting on us to screw like bunnies. I mean, what do shifters have? Fuckdar?”

  Gunner laughed some more as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to his chest. “Nae, me sweet one. What I have planned fer ye tonight will take much longer than rabbits humping and bumping. I plan on wooing ye until ye remember this night fer years to come.

  “Unpack while I throw yer bloody things ye used on Bear in the washer.”

  “How is he feeling? Can you tell? Is he starting to heel?”

  Gunner cupped her cheek. “Ye are a caring lass. Bear and I communicate through thought. We ken what each other is experiencing unless the half at the forefront raises the shield that divides our personas to give a measure of privacy. Like during sex.