Skin Walkers Conn

by Susan A Bliler

  When the man dropped to his haunches to peer at her, she gasped before scrambling backward awkwardly. Conn?

  A strong pair of hands grabbed her shoulders and hauled her to her feet. “There you are!” She recognized York’s voice instantly, and much to her surprise she’d never been more relieved.

  She turned to stare up at him with dazed eyes and York’s smile faltered as he looked from Aries to Conn. “Oh boss…you didn’t.”

  “I had to stop her before she made it to the falls.” Conn’s words were clipped. He wasn’t offering excuses.

  “But if she’s not Mason’s sister, we’ll have to…” York’s words died off as Aries’ mouth fell open and she stared up at him.

  Kill me. She finished the sentence for him silently, reading the intent in his eyes. “Look,” she turned to Conn, “I-I didn’t see anything.”

  “Fuck!” York muttered from behind her, releasing her arms.

  “Really,” Aries’ tone was imploring. “I won’t say anything, I swear it.” She turned to stare up at York, “On my life, I swear it.”

  The man she now knew as Shane stepped to York’s side to frown over her head at Conn. “We can’t let her go now, even if she’s not Mason’s sister.”

  “Yes! Yes you can.” Her tone was shrill with panic. “Who am I gonna tell?” She jumped as Conn’s feet smacked the earth after he’d vaulted himself over the fallen tree. She turned and walked up to him, “I don’t have anyone Conn. There’s no one to tell. No parents, no siblings, no lover, no friends. I-I don’t know anyone. You’ve seen where I live. I’m all alone out here. It’s just me.”

  Conn stared down at her, his hard features softening momentarily with…pity? “Good.” He looked over her head. “There’ll be no one to miss you. Shane.”

  She turned just in time to catch Shane as he shoved something hard against her arm. He pulled his hand back and held his palm open as he smiled at her.

  NO! Not another tranquilizer! Aries turned, debating on making a run for it, but she was too slow.

  “York, restrain her. No more chances with this one.” Conn stared down at her for several moments, watching as her surprise turned to anger.

  Strong arms grabbed her shoulders and slid down to her wrists before she heard the metallic click of the handcuffs locking her arms in place behind her back.

  Her head was already getting fuzzy. Her vision blurred and her knees buckled, but before she could hit the ground Conn grabbed her around the waist and pulled her slight weight into his, holding her up.

  York interjected, “I’ve got her boss.”

  Conn threw her over his shoulder before barking, “You had her last time, and look where that got us.”

  James and Shane snickered behind their leader and before her eyes slid closed Aries heard York mutter, “Woman’s nothin’ but trouble.”

  Chapter 4

  Conn wanting to carry Aries himself had little to do with York’s abilities or inabilities as it were, and more to do with an odd sense of possessiveness that he discovered he had where this woman was concerned. It was more than possessiveness. He’d wanted to kill York the night before when he’d carried Aries back to her hacienda. Not hurt, not maim, he’d literally wanted to kill his closest friend simply for touching the woman.

  He’d gone on hundreds of missions and at least a dozen extractions, but never had he felt drawn to a target before. Not to mention the fact that he was still confused about what had happened to him the previous night when he’d first laid eyes on her in the jungle. It felt like he’d been kicked in the balls. The instant his eyes met hers he’d folded like a fucking house of cards. Worse, he had no explanation for the occurrence. At first he’d thought she’d actually shot him, but she’d been just as shocked by his reaction as he had. He’d realized he hadn’t been shot the same moment he heard York inform his men that he had been hit and that Aries had shot him. His only thought had been that they’d kill her. He’d been terrified that he wouldn’t reach her in time to protect her from his own men. What the fuck is wrong with me?

  As the pave hawk helicopter lifted off the ground for the second time that day, he glanced down at the woman he held cradled in his arms. What is it about her? She was beautiful. Her jet black hair had a contrasting white streak that ran from just above her right eye and fell to her shoulders, mixing in with the darker glossy waves. Her lips were full, slightly pink, and her cheeks bones were high in her flawless bronze skin.

  “She doesn’t look like Mason.” York’s intrusion had Conn frowning up at other man.

  “No.” Conn confirmed before dropping his eyes back to the peaceful creature in his arms. The dark circles under her eyes were a clear indication that she hadn’t gotten enough sleep in the past several weeks. And Conn was no expert in the area, but he was certain she was too light even for her slight stature.

  The fact that she’d eluded his men, first on the night they’d ambushed her hacienda, and again when they had her in the chopper, proved she was no novice at evading capture. Clearly, she’d been running for quite some time. For inexplicable reasons the thought angered him. He told himself it was because he respected her. She’d shown more heart and courage in the past twelve hours than he’d seen in most men exhibit in an entire lifetime.

  His eyes slid to her shoulders. Both were scrapped and had large bruises darkening them. He shifted partially and inhaled slowly. He picked up the slightest hint of blood. His eyes slid down her lithe frame. One knee was scrapped and bleeding and her skin was yellow in several spots where old bruises were still healing. Conn’s scowl deepened. Fucking amateurs.

  Mason had hired him and his crew to find her and bring her in after several attempts by other so-called professionals had failed. The thought of other men hunting her angered him, and seeing the proof of their attempts still healing on her body had him forcing back a growl.

  “Boss?”

  Conn looked up and accepted the small camo blanket York held out. He set the blanket next to him and pulled Aries’ sleeping form into his body and barked at York. “Un-cuff her.”

  He watched York closely, aware that he was more than a little uncomfortable with the other man touching the woman.

  York did as he was ordered quickly, noting Conn’s frown as he watched his second-in-command intently.

  When Conn rolled Aries back to his lap he ordered, “Cuff her hands in front.”

  Again York complied without question, careful not to cinch the restraints too tightly.

  Conn grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her body. She was wearing practically nothing, and the wind howling through the cabin of the helicopter as it sped to the rendezvous point would have to be more than a little chilly for a woman wearing nothing but a slip.

  Shane and James each sat with rifles ready on opposite sides of the helicopter as they each manned a door. While this mission was simple enough, it wouldn’t sway them from their formal training. Each assignment, no matter how frivolous or effortless was still performed with the same level of professionalism and efficiency. In most cases they didn’t know the client or the target. This case was different. Conn and his men were Skin Walkers, and been hired by one of their own to retrieve his estranged sister.

  Skin Walkers were believed to be born of shape-shifter ancestry. They existed in five differing stages, each more skilled and powerful then the next. Like their ancestors, all Walkers had the ability to shape-shift, but in varying degrees.

  Stage one typically referred to the extremely young Walkers, those not yet versed in their heritage and abilities. Stage two Walkers were slightly more advanced, and were able to shift to the form of one animal, but only for a limited amount of time, while stage three Walkers could shift freely to a few animal forms.

  Stage four Walkers, like Conn, were much more advanced. They possessed the ability to shift to any form of animal for any length of time. Many believed that Stage four Walkers were psychic; however, it was simply their keen sense of smell that allowed them
to read others emotions that gave most the impression.

  Finally, there were Indigenous Walkers. These Walkers were descendents of the most ancient Walkers. They too could shift to any animal for any length of time and possessed the most keen senses of all Walkers, but unlike any other Walkers, Indigenous Walkers were rumored to possess the ability to control the elements.

  Conn knew of only one Indigenous Walker, RedKnife KillsPrettyEnemy. RedKnife resided at StoneCrow, the only known refuge for Skin Walkers. StoneCrow touted itself to be a wildlife preserve and animal rehabilitation facility, which was the perfect front for the sanctuary, school, and home base of the Skin Walkers. It was where they were headed now.

  Conn’s fingers reached up to roll a satiny strand of Aries’ hair between his fingers. It was silky and dark, too dark. It wasn’t lost on Conn either that her eyes were hazel with flecks of gold reflected in their depths only when she was angry. He sighed heavily. Mason had sandy brown hair and dark green eyes. Aries’ complexion was too dark, her hair too black—save for the white streak that Conn couldn’t keep from staring at. The anomaly gave her character. He smiled to himself. As if she needs more character.

  Her actions had drawn much reserved respect from his men, and it mirrored his own. She was fierce, proud, strong, and determined. She was like Conn in many ways. He was silently praying that it was the reason he was so drawn to her and not something more. Regardless, he knew there’d be issues once they returned to StoneCrow, for he was absolutely certain that the woman in his arms was not the sister of Mason EnemyHunter.

  Conn knew from experience that the wealthy financier would be more than a little displeased. As far as Conn knew, Mason had been searching for his long lost sister for the past seven years. The crew usually hired by Mason for investigation and retrieval had been fired after their fourth attempt and failure at securing Aries. Her cunning coupled with her skill had Mason

  convinced that Aries was the long lost sister he sought. Staring at her now Conn very much doubted she was any relation to Mason. He inhaled slowly, but detected no familial scent that would link her to the Walker that sought her, which meant that he and his men had just chased down and captured the poor woman and she wasn’t even the right woman.

  Conn let his eyes slowly scan her features. She was a Walker, but either she didn’t know it or she didn’t know how to use her abilities. Had she shifted during her fall from the helicopter or any time shortly after she’d landed, it would have taken them hours to track her. But even when she’d been cornered she’d failed to shift, and it wasn’t a refusal. She didn’t know how to use her abilities.

  “You want me to take her boss?”

  “NO!” His refusal given too quickly, too harshly, drew surprised looks from his men though none voiced their concerns.

  Conn dropped his eyes back to the woman. What was it about her that had him barking at his men and ready to tear apart any that tried to even touch her? Something in him was off. Mason or that prick Monroe had better have some fucking answers for me when I arrive at StoneCrow.

  Chapter 5

  Several hours later, Conn was barking orders at his men as they departed the cargo plane that brought them and their helicopter back into the United States and directly to the Great Falls International Airport in north central Montana.

  Conn was in rare form. He hadn’t slept since the night before they’d departed for South America and that was also the last time he’d eaten. Typically, he and his men rotated shifts on the flight to and from extraction; however, he’d been unable to sleep, unwilling to allow anyone else to watch over his prisoner. He was too busy pacing over Aries as she slept curled on a blanket he’d laid out for her. The thought of whether the handcuffs were too uncomfortable had occupied his mind for the entire duration of the flight north. So much so, that he’d removed and replaced her handcuffs a half dozen times before he finally opted to keep them in place to avoid any escape attempts. He didn’t want to lose her.

  Conn sniffed defiantly as he noticed the strange looks his men were giving him. After several harsh growls and piercing glares from their leader, the men finally gave up offering to watch over Aries.

  “Shane.” Conn barked drawing the other man to him as the others departed the rear end of the plane.

  “Yeah boss.” Shane secured his rifle over his shoulder as he strode to Conn’s side.

  Conn stood staring down at Aries, much as he had been for the duration of the flight. “Shouldn’t she be awake by now?”

  Shane dropped to his knees and had his hand halfway to her throat to check her pulse when Conn growled savagely, “Don’t!”

  Shane turned to frown up at Conn. “I wouldn’t hurt her boss.”

  Conn swallowed back his anger, adrenaline thickened his throat from what shouldn’t have been perceived as a challenge. “I know Shane, but…” He didn’t know what else to say so he simply shook his head.

  Shane watched Conn for several moments before he rose slowly then looked back down at Aries. “She should be awake. Anyone else would be, but in case you haven’t noticed boss we’re not dealing with anyone else.”

  Conn’s lips tilted in a half smile as he shoved a hand into his hair. He needed to get a grip on himself before his men abandoned him. “I noticed.”

  It was the first time he’d even marginally relaxed since the night Aries dropped him to his knees. Staring down at her now he was entranced by the dark sooty lashes that lay against flawless honey-colored skin. He knew the trouble she was while awake, but asleep she looked small, weak, and in need of protection…his protection.

  “It’s obvious she’s healing from several old injuries and no thanks to us she’s taken a few more bumps.” Shane was not only a damned fine mercenary, but also the team’s resident medic. “She’s overworked, overtired, and under-fed. The tranqs have forced her to do something she’s been fighting against for I’d guess months, rest. She just needs time. Let her sleep, she needs it. When we get to StoneCrow you should let Jenny take a look at her just to be safe. She could be suffering from some injury or illness that we haven’t detected.” Shane turned to stare at Conn and Conn could tell by the look in the other man’s eyes that he was debating his next words.

  “What?”

  “When she’s awake I detect the faint scent of pain. It’s been constant, but light. It’s as if it’s a pain she’s been suffering with for a while.”

  Conn nodded, “I’ve scented it too, though I’ve checked her for injury and can find no outward sign of any.”

  “James is certain she’s lower than a stage one.”

  Conn knew what Shane was inferring, which meant he and his men were in consensus. They all knew that Aries was a Walker, as Walkers could detect one another, but Aries was unaware of what she was and she clearly had no idea of her abilities. Conn sighed heavily as he ran a hand over his weary face. He was exhausted and hungry, but knew he’d have to brief Monroe and Mason before he’d get the opportunity to sate either need. “Transportation?”

  “There’s a convoy waiting. We should arrive at StoneCrow within the hour.”

  Conn nodded, “Good. Have James secure the helicopter. I want the two of you bringing up the rear, I don’t give a damn what Monroe’s men say. York and I are leaving now. You’ve got ten minutes to get things squared away and catch up with the convoy.”

  “Copy.” Before Shane turned he eyed Conn’s face slowly. “York said he was certain you’d been shot.”

  Conn shook his head before raising a hand to rub at the tight muscles at the back of his neck. “No. It was…something else.”

  “You seem a little…”

  While Shane fished for the proper term Conn supplied his own. “Off? Yeah, something’s not quite right, but we don’t have time for that now.”

  “When we get to StoneCrow I’ll…”

  Conn cut him off, knowing the suggestion of examination was coming. “You’ve now got five minutes to catch up with the convoy. Move your ass Shane.”


  Shane snorted at the clear dismissal of the mere suggestion of examination. He shouldered his rifle and smirked, “Copy.” Then he turned and sprinted from the carrier as Conn bent and retrieved Aries.

  Departing the plane he was met by King Mullholland, StoneCrow’s chief of security.

  King quickly approached, “Is this the woman?”

  Conn tightened his grip on Aries and scowled at the other man. “Aries. She claims her last name’s Bracken.”

  “Gauge.” King barked, motioning for his Walker Sentry to take the burden from Conn’s arms.

  Conn’s head dipped menacingly as he growled, “She stays with me.”

  Seeing the exchange York quickly joined the circle of men and extended his hand to King. “Good to see you again King. RedKnife.” York nodded over King’s shoulder to the revered Indigenous Walker Sentry that stood at King’s back before turning to shake hands with Gauge.

  King turned puzzled eyes from Conn to York. “Good to see you.” When Conn turned abruptly and stalked with Aries to the waiting truck King shook his head and asked, “Did I miss something?”

  York simply scratched his head as he watched Conn disappear into the cab of the truck with Aries. “Yeah, we’re not quite sure what’s gotten into him. I think he’s just sleep deprived and half starved. The man thinks he’s a machine.”

  King grinned, “A little possessive over Mason’s sister isn’t he?”

  York tugged on his goatee with one hand, “I think he’s losing it King. He won’t let anyone near the woman. I’ve fought at his side for the past twelve years and he damned near took my head off when I offered to carry her out of the jungle. I think he’s fucking possessed.”

  King’s sharp features sobered for a moment as his head turned to stare at the vehicle that now held Conn and Aries. Then King’s sober features split into a wide grin as he turned to smile over his shoulder at his Sentry RedKnife as he beamed, “Affliction.”