20 Shades of Shifters_A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Demelza Carlton

  Chapter 13

  Sabrina took a deep breath and braced herself before picking up the phone and dialing the Crone’s number. Not knowing protocol, she figured the Crone would want to know any developments. It rang a few times before the line picked up.

  “All my signs said you wouldn’t call until after Jeopardy.”

  “But I’m calling with an update on the situation.”

  “I’m listening. Although, I was watching my stories. Now I’m going to have to wait to find out who killed Antonio.”

  “Betty, I’m trying to help here.”

  “Sabrina, you still haven’t told me anything. Have you found someone?”

  “Not anyone in particular. I just left a door open. It wasn’t like it was a masterful plan.”

  “Hmm, an opened door. Sounds intriguing. What happened?”

  “Our mail clerk Faye came by. He liked how she smelled.”

  “Hah, that’s a good sign!”

  “Then he got all upset that she was sick from work. Really upset, like I’ve never seen him.”

  “Caring, smells good, we’re on the right track.”

  “She’s at his house.”

  “Whoo! He’s a fast worker. I’m never wrong about these things.”

  “She’s sick as a dog and looks like she might expire any minute. He went to her house and dragged her home like a stray puppy. He called his personal physician to take care of her. I had to take her to the bathroom! This is not what I signed up for.”

  “Good, good. I know you’ll do whatever it takes for your Clan, Sabrina. Keep me posted.”

  Chapter 14

  Faye, wake up, Lee is here.”

  Gideon’s voice was quiet, like he was far away. Faye had been dreaming. It was a dream full of silver eyes and low voices. She was in a room and thought she was alone, but when she moved through the space, those eyes would follow her. Her dream wasn’t frightening, it was just strange. She’d never dreamed about Kindred before.

  Faye slowly opened her eyes to find both Gideon and Lee staring at her. Gideon had his usual frown and Lee was smiling rather comically.

  “Sorry, must have dozed off,” she said, pushing herself up to sit straight.

  “That’s all you need to be doing right now,” Lee said. He sat down next to her and opened a messenger bag he’d brought with him.

  “Let’s do blood pressure, temperature, and listen to your lungs.”

  Faye sat through the examination, her eyes on Gideon’s that for some reason weren’t leaving hers.

  It was like a game of wills. She wasn’t going to be the first one to look away. He already had home court advantage; she wasn’t going to lose this little game.

  “Your lungs aren’t sounding worse, so that’s good. Your fever seems under control,” Lee announced.

  “It was over a hundred this morning,” Gideon tattled.

  “But it was lower than before,” Faye shot back.

  Gideon crossed his arms and shook his head. There was that odd curve at the corner of his lips. It wasn’t quite a smile, but it was something.

  “Either way, you’re on the mend. I’ve talked to Gideon and I’d like for you to stay here through the weekend,” Lee said firmly.

  Faye was not going to have that. “I really feel like I can head home. I can take my medicine and be back to work.”

  “Work can wait,” Gideon interrupted.

  “Okay, fine, I can go back on Monday. Doesn’t mean I shouldn’t go home.”

  Lee looked back at Gideon and gave him a look that Faye only caught the side of. Gideon seemed to frown even deeper, then she watched as he visually relaxed his face. It made her raise her own eyebrows at him.

  “Faye. I know you’re independent. I admire that. You’ve always done for yourself. We’re offering you a chance to be pampered with food, movies, and as many naps as you need to get back to your normal self. I think it would be best if you stayed through the weekend.”

  Lee chimed in. “I agree. As your doctor, I’d feel better if you had someone with you right now. Do you have someone that can be with you?”

  Faye didn’t mind answering that question. She was used to it. “I don’t, but that doesn’t mean I’ll relapse if I’m alone.”

  “No, it doesn’t. But I’ve given Gideon instructions to spoil you rotten. He knows my mate and if she finds out that he didn’t take top-notch care of you then we will both get the sharp end of it.” When Lee said it, he seemed charming and sweet.

  There was something behind why Gideon was asking. She could tell that he was holding something back from her.

  “You realize this puts me in an awkward position. What will people think when I go back to work?” Faye knew that at least Patty in HR knew about her situation. There was obviously a confidentiality assumption with that position. She didn’t think Patty was going to be hanging out at the water cooler and gossiping.

  “I think that if anyone asks, they’ll find out that we’ve become friends and that’s all. If they have anything else to say about it, well, there are ways to crush rumors. Trust me.”

  He sounded frightening when he said that. It didn’t help that his eyes reflected at her at the same time. It seemed the silver reflection was often tied to emotion. She didn’t know that.

  “I have to say, I’m not worried about losing friends at work. I don’t really have any. I guess as long as I can go back to the way things were it will be okay.”

  Lee looked to Gideon. “Well, Gideon? Will everything be the same?”

  Gideon glared at Lee, which seemed to amuse the doctor. “Your job is secure; your place at the company is secure. There’s no reason to worry. Patty knows you’re returning next week when you’re ready. I’ve been keeping her updated on your condition. She wishes you well and hopes you’re better soon.”

  Faye stared at the two handsome men, trying to figure out their motivation. On the surface, it seemed simple and innocuous, but Faye had never had this much Kindred attention before and she was starting to believe the rumors she’d heard. Kindred men were charming, overwhelming, and could easily turn your head.

  “As long as I’m not keeping you from your work, Gideon.”

  “As I’ve said, it’s all under control.”

  “Good! Then it’s all settled. Gideon, what’s for lunch?” Lee asked.

  “Whatever Faye wants,” Gideon replied with a smirk.

  “Oh, don’t rope me into this. You guys get what you want. Although, I am oddly hungry. I could make myself a sandwich if you have the fixings?”

  Both men looked at her again like she had spoken in a foreign language.

  “You are not getting up and making yourself a sandwich. You’re going to sit there and watch bad television. From what I hear there’s plenty of it. Lee and I will search through the kitchen and if we are unsuccessful, we’ll order in.”

  Faye wasn’t up for arguing. She was comfy and refreshed enough from her nap to know that even if she wanted to, the act of dragging herself home at that point would have been fruitless.

  The men left the room and she heard cupboards opening and closing in quick succession. There was some mumbling. She wished she had Kindred hearing to be able to know if they were talking about her.

  Scrolling, she found Princess Bride and pressed the button so it was playing when the men returned.

  “Any luck?” she asked.

  “On the good news side, there’s a ton of really healthy, delicious-looking food in the kitchen,” Lee started.

  “And?” Faye asked.

  “Well, it’s in its original state. As in not in ready to be eaten form. Gideon and I are apparently lacking in any kind of cooking skills, both of us assuming the other could cook. So I’ve suggested we call one of the many amazing restaurants within delivery distance.”

  “Faye, what would you like?”

  Faye was sure they wanted something fancy. Possibly something made out of duck parts or animals that lived in their own homes. She would never un
derstand snails.

  She hesitated and watched Gideon’s eyes narrow. He was reading her, she could tell. He knew that she was hesitating and he wouldn’t like the reason.

  “Pizza.” She said it because it was something that she on occasion treated herself to. Spending the extra money to have it delivered seemed fancy to her. Plus, hot gooey cheese and sauce sounded soothing. It was probably a terrible idea considering it would be the first solid food she’d had in days. Worst case she would get a stomachache.

  “Pizza?” Gideon asked, surprised.

  “You asked and I was under pressure. Pick whatever you want. I could survive on more of the soup if you have it.”

  “You aren’t eating leftovers,” Gideon said. This made Lee smile again. He was finding Gideon really funny today for some reason.

  “Okay, what do you want?” she asked. Gideon looked stumped.

  “See, it’s not easy being on the spot. Lee, can you decide?” Faye requested.

  “I could go for pizza. Let’s keep it simple. Cheese okay for you?”

  “Probably for the best,” Faye agreed. A dozen toppings coming back up sounded much less appealing than one.

  “Good, I’ll order. Gideon, you keep Faye company while she watches,” Lee turned around to glance at the TV. “Princess Bride.”

  “I’ve never seen it,” Gideon said, taking a seat next to Faye. The couch was huge but he chose a position that was mere inches from her. Faye wanted to look at him, stare at him close up. See if that beauty was like a painting that looked nice far away or if he really was so sharply handsome.

  She didn’t turn her head. Her eyes stayed glued to the television. Lee was in the other room where he excused himself to make the call.

  “Faye,” Gideon said quietly.

  “Hmm?”

  “Do I make you nervous?”

  Faye’s head whipped over to him. “Nervous?” she said, her voice cracking.

  “I do, don’t I? I don’t want you to be nervous. What can I do to make you more comfortable?”

  Faye had no freaking idea how to answer that question. “I… I’m not sure.”

  “Maybe it’s because you only know me from work. You can ask me almost anything.”

  “Almost?”

  “A few things I wouldn’t be inclined to share with you, but most topics are open.”

  Faye had a list of questions. This was a golden moment. She didn’t know where to start.

  “What kind of animal are you?” Faye took a deep breath. She’d rushed the words out because she knew it wasn’t something you asked a Kindred in polite society.

  She waited for Gideon to be angry, for his gaze to show that animal within. She knew that the reflection wasn’t something they could control. The yellow glow, the simple indicator that it was a huge mistake to push the Kindred in front of you.

  Gideon’s didn’t look angry. He looked… amused.

  “I’m a leopard,” he said like it was a secret.

  “A… a leopard. Like spotted or all black?”

  “Spotted.”

  Faye chewed on that for a minute. She thought up every picture of a leopard in the wild she’d ever seen. They were graceful, beautiful, and danger ready to spring. It perfectly described Gideon.

  “You’re not married. Girlfriend?”

  “No, haven’t dated in a number of years. Got busy, was waiting to find my mate and honestly got distracted. When I need a date for an event, there’s always someone from my Clan I can call on.”

  “How old are you? The rumors are fuzzy.”

  “There are rumors about how old I am?”

  “People talk,” Faye said with a shrug.

  “Yeah, I know they do. I’m thirty-nine. My birthday is in August.”

  “You’re a Leo?”

  Gideon gave a small laugh. “I guess if you believe in that stuff, then yes.”

  “I’m a Capricorn,” Faye said, not sure why she offered that information up.

  “January?”

  “Yes. I’m supposed to be organized.”

  “Are you?”

  “I guess a little. I don’t really have a very complicated life. It’s not like I purposely keep it that way. It just happens.”

  “I’m sure it does,” Gideon agreed.

  “You have a sister, right?”

  “I do. Evaline is a twenty-four-year-old party girl. But a good party girl if there is such a thing. She works in public relations for the hotels. It keeps her busy, but her job is basically one endless party after another. She loves it. It also keeps me from having to attend those functions.”

  “I’ve seen her picture. She’s really beautiful.”

  “She is. She’s also very sweet and kind. You can’t believe what the papers say about her.”

  Faye had read some of those stories. She was known to find a comfy chair in a quiet corner of her favorite library so she could read the trashy magazines for a few hours. It was a great way to read salacious gossip without the embarrassment of being seen buying them in the supermarket.

  “What about your parents?”

  Gideon shook his head and smiled. “They are madly in love. They roam the world, sometimes together, sometimes apart, and always greet each other like they’ve been apart for years even if it’s only been a few days.”

  “That’s really nice. Having a family sounds nice.”

  “You don’t have family? Patty mentioned she was your emergency contact, but didn’t elaborate.”

  “No, no family,” Faye said, looking back to the movie.

  Gideon had never so freely told anyone about his family. He’d been keeping his personal life on lockdown since his dad had sat him on his lap and told him that basically everyone was out to get him. Maybe it wasn’t that bad, but his father had warned him that everything you share, everything you care about, can be used against you.

  His father had said it with so much sincerity and urgency that it had stuck in Gideon’s mind. From that moment he watched his parents and other Clan members like a hawk. He saw how the Kindred interacted with humans. They were friendly and casual but never let anyone see who they really were.

  It was a defense mechanism. It kept people at arm’s bay while your family had space to be closer to you.

  The first time he made a mistake was in his teens. There was alcohol, some humans, and a party that got out of control. He saw what he looked like drunk on the cover of a magazine and all over the internet. He didn’t even remember the pictures being taken. The night had been a blur. His father had called him into his office and showed him how many pictures of himself there were out there. Drunk, shouting, vomiting.

  “These will never, ever go away.”

  Gideon had expected a punishment fitting the crime. Instead, his father did the worst thing. He told him how disappointed he was and told him that he felt sorry for him.

  Sorry for him.

  “The rest of your life. Not matter what your accomplishments are; these pictures can always come back up to haunt you. I don’t need to punish you. You did a fine job of that yourself.”

  It was a life lesson that had been burned into his memory. Today, feeling safe and surprisingly comfortable with this woman in his house, he was sharing.

  “Faye, I’d like to know more about you,” he tried gently.

  “You really don’t. It’s not that interesting.”

  “I doubt that. We all come from different places. It makes us who we are.”

  “That’s true,” she mumbled.

  Gideon waited patiently. He really was interested. Faye was a puzzle and he felt bad for not noticing her struggles earlier. Logically he couldn’t have an emotional investment in every member of his staff. Faye was different; he needed to know about her.

  Faye sighed. “If I tell you my sob story, do you promise to not feel bad for me? I’m not looking for sympathy.”

  “Deal,” he said.

  “I didn’t know my dad and my mom had drug issues. I don’t know if she�
�s alive or dead, but since I haven’t heard from her in almost twenty years I’m going to assume she is. My grandmother raised me for a few years. She was elderly and sick; but she did the best she could. She passed away when I was ten and I went into foster care. I stayed in a total of three homes before I turned eighteen. The first one for a year, I was one of five foster kids living there. I’m not sure they noticed they had taken on another. The next place was for three months, it was a couple that had been married six months. Gary wanted to foster and Micah didn’t. So my being there was a constant argument. It was a nice place, good food, I got to watch television there. The last one until I turned eighteen. I wasn’t abused, but I wasn’t really loved either. I stayed in a home that didn’t notice me, one that didn’t want me, and one that was so strict I may as well have been a piece of furniture for all the attention they gave me. My last foster parents were very religious and conservative. Strict is a good word for them. They made me dress modestly, no television, music, or outside friends. When I moved out, I shook their hands and never thought about them again, which I’m sure is how they dealt with my departure as well.”

  Faye rushed through her speech. Gideon could tell it was a lot for her to share it. She probably didn’t tell many people her story.

  “That’s a tough life for a kid.”

  “I survived, lots of kids do. Others had worse experiences than I did. I’m not upset about it,” she said with a shrug.

  “You would totally be justified if you were upset. That’s no way for a child to be raised. I can see how strong you are, Faye. You’ve overcome a lot. You should be proud of yourself.”

  “I’ll be proud when I finish my vet assistant schooling. It’s a little early to give my notice right now, but I want to work with animals. As soon as I get that job, I’ll save up to move. Then I can get a pet. I’ve always wanted one.”

  “You like animals that much?”

  Faye gave him a funny look. “Is that surprising? Didn’t you just say you turn into an animal?