New Moon Howl

by Zenina Masters

  Mrs. Baker simply had her mind tampered with. All references to magic in her life were removed, and the memories were replaced with mundane explanations.

  Mr. Baker was another matter. Mages who specialized in torturing shifters were rare, but in his case, it was an inherited perversion. The spell he had worked in her flesh was one handed down from generation to generation. They had never gotten it quite right until they had run into her.

  It was lovely to be the horrifying exception.

  The shifter lock was made illegal, and it echoed through all reference spell books, as well as the memories of the mages who knew of it.

  That was the last time she had had occasion to visit the transporters’ offices. This time, she had a transient authorization from the guardians of the Crossroads and a huge care package from Morwiss to her sister.

  “Anyak, can you get me to the Crossroads?”

  The transporter smiled. “I can. Personal or on guild business?”

  “Favour for a friend, so personal. Will this buy passage?” She held out a tiny vial with a single white hair that caught the light.

  “It is plenty. That would send you around the globe once a week for a year.”

  “Great. When can I leave?”

  Anyak held out his hands, and a webbing of light with a bright point at the top appeared. “We can send you through the north portal in half an hour.”

  “Okay. Which way is the north portal?”

  He chuckled. “Wait here. I will get someone to cover the desk.”

  Taymore arrived two minutes after Anyak made the call, and she was being taken into the portal vault where the north portal was beginning to glow.

  Kenzi shifted the huge fabric-wrapped parcel in her arms and waddled to the portal, shifting the bright object in her arms until she could make eye contact with Anyak. “I am ready when you are.”

  “Ten minutes to access. Do you want to sit?”

  “Nope. Just send me when you like, and I will wake up there. Oh, and don’t forget the extra shielding for the additional power.”

  “Already prepared. Once was enough.”

  She grinned. “That was Kris.”

  “And she occasionally mentions that her ears are still ringing.”

  Smiling, Kenzi moved into a comfortable stance, cradling the present, and meditated.

  With a smile and an easy step, Kenzi moved out of the light sparkle of the transport and into the bright sunshine of the Crossroads.

  “Shaman Kenzi, it is so good to finally meet you!”

  Teal and Tony were exactly as described by some of Kenzi’s patient-clients. Teal was fair featured with white hair, and Tony had the dark tones that Kenzi associated with ravens.

  “It is nice to put faces to the names, Guardians. Thank you for the opportunity to visit Melwiss.”

  Teal smiled. “Anything you want here is yours. Can we help you with that... uhhh... present?”

  Kenzi snickered. “No. Just direct me toward the Isthmus, and I will go looking for the mage I am here to see.”

  “Will you stay for dinner? Al puts on a mean spread, and he delivers when we ask him to.” Teal smiled hopefully.

  “If I can bring Melwiss and you can find me a place to stay overnight, I would be happy to. I have booked four days off, and I can spend them all here.”

  Tony snorted. “Is Elder Killian out of retirement?”

  “Nope. She is on official duty until she passes away. That leaves me to live the life of the apprentice. It isn’t a bad gig.”

  Tony grinned. “Right. Andy was just in here asking for something to do on his day off. He can show you to the Isthmus.”

  “Excellent. This isn’t heavy, but it is awkward. The sooner that I hand it over, the better.”

  “Then I had better get him.” Tony winked and walked toward the large, wooden archway. He gave a sharp whistle and returned to the interior of the Meditation Centre.

  Kenzi set the parcel down and stepped toward Teal. “It is nice to see someone who knows how to wear natural splendour.”

  Teal laughed and hugged her. “It is nice to see a woman come through that gate without expectation. Even nicer when you are doing a favour for a friend.”

  “I owe Morwiss a lot, and Melwiss was a fun—if odd—companion while I was recovering from the treatments.”

  Teal whispered, “How old is Melwiss, anyway?”

  “Twenty-five. She is ten years younger than Morwiss with a completely different set of skills.”

  “I guessed that. Balancing is a hard skill for them to learn, isn’t it?”

  “It isn’t learning the skill; it is having a body that can take the load. For the moment that they mix the magic together, they are holding the power of three people until they disperse it, and then, they have to hold their own cores separate from all that tasty energy.”

  “And their own magic.”

  “That too.” She smiled and nodded to the man who came into the Meditation Centre. “Hello.”

  He looked a little dazed for a moment, but most normal shifters did when they first met her. Animal magic was an entirely different brand of energy. She got her power from the earth and the wild things themselves. Now that she had full knowledge of what she was, things made a bit more sense than they had when she was running away on the new moon.

  “Kenzi, this is Andy. Andy, this is Kenzi, the shaman.”

  Andy gave a graceful bow. “Welcome to the Crossroads. How can I be of service?”

  Kenzi walked toward him and took both of the beaver shifter’s hands. “I am in need of a guide to the Isthmus. Specifically, the home of Melwiss the binding mage.”

  “I can definitely do that, Shaman. Shall I carry your parcel?”

  “No, I can manage it. Thank you for your help.” She released his hands, and he looked down at them as if they were glowing.

  Kenzi hefted the care package and nodded. “Lead the way. Tony, Teal, I will see you for dinner.”

  They called their farewells, and Kenzi was out to face the Crossroads.

  Andy walked next to her, and he asked, “Shaman, do you have any questions?”

  “Well, I am amazed. In all my imaginings, I never thought of the Crossroads as homey. It is very comfortable.”

  Andy chuckled. “We are growing every month. It is so far from the hostels and café that were first servicing the Crossroads.”

  “And the general store.”

  “Of course. It is fun trying to guess what the next guest will need and have it in the shipments.”

  She smiled and followed him past the bed and breakfasts and a fey-magic building in the shape of a fairytale castle.

  “That particular structure is the Axiom. It was a slow start, but now, even the shifters are booking it.”

  “And of course, there is the Open Heart. Even I know about that one. Half of the deliveries I attend got their start there.”

  “You deliver babies?”

  Kenzi hitched the present a little higher. “Not particularly. I am just there to stop any supernatural intervention. It is more of a traditional function than anything else. For the most part, I act as wise woman.”

  “Do you enjoy it?”

  “Most of the time. There is a lot of mud and nudity involved, but in general, it is fun.” She chuckled.

  “I have to ask, is your hair natural?”

  “Yeah, it came with the rush of magic when my power was set free. It is the same reason that Teal sports a frosty do.”

  “Huh. I never put the two together. I just thought she was much older than she looks.”

  She cackled. “Yeah, I can just imagine her face when I tell her that.”

  “Please don’t. I like living here. My family built the Crossroads, and I haven’t been out in the real world for more than a weekend in ages.” He chuckled.

  They were crossing a meadow, and a hill loomed ahead. Under her feet, a path was taking place. It was a young path, but it had definitely seen a few feet.

  “
So, there is a site-to-site transport for the guests?”

  Andy cleared his throat. “Yes. There is. I don’t know why they wouldn’t have offered it to you.”

  “I would have blown it to pieces. I am one of the special cases that have been shattering the Meditation Centre. They knew I was coming, so they braced for me, but I don’t want to wear out my welcome in the first hour. I can walk, so I will.”

  She trudged along, and they chatted about the Isthmus, the fey, and the changes in the Crossroads. By and large, everyone thought it was a positive change.

  “What would you think if the mages wanted to get in on the action? There are several half-fey that have magical blood but have been shoved aside. Do you think they would have a chance here?”

  Andy chuckled. “The shifters are only fussy about their mates being their match. Their beast has to accept them, and once that is done, nature takes its course.”

  “I know that, but the Crossroads have become their own community. I just wondered if mages were going to be accepted if they tossed their hand in... so to speak.”

  “I don’t see why not. We are using them. There is no reason why they can’t use us.”

  It was a fair point. They reached the top of a hill, and the split bodies of water were down below. The scent of salt water was carried up to her, and she breathed deeply.

  Her beast woke with a jolt and took over.

  Kenzi heard the tearing of fabric and the surprised yelp of Andy, but she was beyond responding as her wolf took over, howled a mating call and bolted for the water.

  There was something in that air that had called to her, and she was calling back.

  Chapter Five

  He got out of the water and wrung out his hair. Roman was just on his way to his clothing when he heard the howl. Moments later, a white wolf nearly as tall as he was barreled toward him and knocked him to his back.

  Roman remained still while the beast sniffed him frantically. It snuffled its nose all over his neck and chest, his mouth; even his eyes were investigated. The wolf moved back and sniffed down his belly and across his groin before moving back to his face where it started to lick him happily.

  The beaver from the main Crossroads skidded to a halt next to him, carrying a strangely coloured parcel. “Shaman! Please! You shouldn’t be molesting the guests.”

  The whine that came from the beast’s throat was pitiful. Roman reached out slowly and stroked the white ruff. “Easy. Everything is just as it should be.”

  The creature whined again, and with a writhing of fur and skin too fast to watch, Roman’s body was covered by that of a very nude woman.

  * * * *

  The scent that was burned into her mind was suddenly connected with the man and his blue-green hair. Her beast had found her merman, and she was very attached to him.

  “I am so sorry, sir. She caught your scent, and it set her off.” Kenzi tried to sit up, but everywhere she touched was bare skin.

  “I am flattered, but I don’t know why she would recognize me.”

  Kenzi blushed and finally braced her hands on his chest, pushed herself upward in a very intimate contact, and then planted her feet on either side of his hips as she pushed up to standing. Kenzi deliberated whether to tell him and then decided to ask, “Have you ever handed a cloak to a naked teenager?”

  He rose to his feet and then stared at her. “You? You have changed.”

  She looked down at the muscle and curves that now made up her form. No shaman was less than fit. Stamina counted for everything in the long rituals.

  “Yeah, I have changed a bit. My beast remembered you, and when she caught your scent, she decided to greet you properly.”

  He bowed gracefully. It was quite a feat for a man who was naked and partially covered with muck and sand. “It is an honour to meet you in full bloom.”

  She smiled and inclined her head. “I wish that she had given me time to disrobe, or I would not now be in this vulnerable state.”

  Kenzi straightened and tried again. “It is an honour to meet you properly. I am Shaman Alberta Kenziac. Kenzi for short.”

  “My name is Roman.” He extended his hand to her, and she saw the gleam of the bracelet on his wrist. He was wearing one of the Crossroads’ charms.

  She blinked slowly and took his hand. As the contact surge of fey magic ran up her arm, she realized that he was there seeking a mate. Of course, he was. He was handsome, charming, and hung like a horse. Of course, he wanted a woman to share his life with. He seemed very healthy.

  “Pleased to meet you properly at last.”

  He chuckled. “A naked meeting is hardly proper, but I will take it. Are you here to find a mate?”

  Fire ran to her cheeks, and her nipples pebbled as his gaze flicked over her from head to toe. “Um, no. I am just visiting a friend.”

  He let out a deep sigh. “Pity. I would have enjoyed being tackled by your beast on any number of occasions.”

  The interest that roared to life in her mind forced Kenzi to control her inner animal. “Right. That is tempting, but I think I should find something to wear. Andy, is there anywhere to find clothing?”

  He quirked his lips. “There is, but you aren’t a registered guest, and therefore, you don’t have the funds to pay for what you need.”

  She slapped her forehead. “You have to be kidding.”

  “I am afraid I am not. The Isthmus is much more stringent about such matters.”

  Roman grinned. “Lady, will you allow me to clothe you once again?”

  She sighed. “Please. I will return your funds as soon as I get back to the human world.”

  “That is not necessary. Wait a moment, and I will escort you to the shop.”

  Andy tried to look innocent. “You may want to wash off the dirt.”

  Roman turned and showed off a backside as well muscled as his front, and he did a shallow dive into the waves, coming up and walking out again with long strides. He lifted a shirt from a folded pile of clothing and offered it to her. “This will serve in the interim.”

  “Thank you.” She slipped on the t-shirt, and the V-neck became positively dangerous with her breasts too near the display for her comfort. The hem of the dark shirt covered her nearly to the knees, so that was a bit of comfort.

  When he had pulled on a set of dark sweats and slipped his feet into flip-flops, he offered her his arm.

  She looked to Andy, and her guide grinned.

  “He knows the way.”

  She took Roman’s arm and walked with him, her bare feet perfectly comfortable on the smooth pathways. There were advantages to running around in the woods on the weekends in nothing but braided hair. Her feet could withstand rocks and roots in equal measure.

  “The shop is owned by a mermaid who has taken a dolphin to mate. She is a designer in the human world, and her work is highly sought after.”

  “As long as it fits, I don’t care what it looks like.” She smiled.

  Andy chuckled. “Funny, that is what Melwiss always says.”

  “Well, I have known her for most of a decade. Things are bound to rub off.”

  The shop sign was a relief. Puttering around wearing a strange man’s t-shirt was a little unnerving. Roman was nice—very nice—but he was basically a stranger.

  Lorai had all the characteristics of a cartoon princess, but she had skills for assessing the figure of her client. It took three minutes for Lorai to look her over, check her inventory, and produce a dress for Kenzi to wear.

  Autumn colours looked odd in the shop, but the mermaid grinned. “I knew I would find someone to wear it. You look splendid.”

  The sandals that went with the dress were just a pinch too small, but Lorai solved that with a dousing of water and a little magic.

  “When the shoes dry, they will fit perfectly. Did you need anything else?”

  Kenzi smiled. “Not unless she makes another break for it, but I think I will be fine now that she has identified Roman.”

  “Good
.” Lorai patted her shoulder.

  The dress covered shades from rich terracotta to a brilliant canary and every autumn colour in between. Kenzi had to fight the urge to twirl. She felt surprisingly pretty, and the gazes of Andy and Roman confirmed that she was having a very good day.

  She looked to Andy, “Okay, give me the parcel, and I will deliver it to Melwiss.”

  He nodded and handed it over. “She is down the road, turn left, and you will spot her house the moment you see it.”

  “Great. Roman, thank you for your help, and I will have Tony and Teal get me your financial information so I can pay you back for the dress.”

  “It is not necessary. It was a pleasure to meet you again.” He looked like he wanted some contact with her, but the parcel was an effective barrier.

  “Thank you for clothing me again. Good luck with your mate hunt.” She stiffened her back and left the shop, following Andy’s directions.

  The hum of human magic was all around the small house, and it told of the occupant more clearly than a signboard.

  Kenzi walked to the door and knocked. There was no answer. “Of course. She is out getting a snack.”

  Kenzi hefted the parcel and scented the air. Human magic stuck out like the sweet aura of roses. With a spring in her step, she went to seek out her friend.

  The scent of fried foods made her grin. Where there was a deep fryer, Melwiss was not too far behind. Her magic eroded her personal energies, and calorie shots were the fastest way to boost her back to her normal self.

  Kenzi turned a corner and followed the scent of tangle cakes. When she heard someone call out to her, it wasn’t a surprise.

  “Kenzi!”

  She shifted the parcel to one side and braced herself. Melwiss was coming in at full throttle; her mismatched clothing was flapping around her.

  The hug that Kenzi was treated to disregarded her burden. She rolled the parcel to one side as the mage went for extreme contact.

  “Hey, Melwiss. I have a care package for you.” Her words were choked out around laughter.

  “Oh, Kenzi! I am so happy to see you.” Melwiss squealed, and Kenzi was lifted and twirled around.