Skin and Bones

by Susan Harris

  This had to be the most surreal moment in her life. Having reassured Tom that she was all right travelling with wolf-Derek, Ever drove with a wolf that would not take his eyes off her. Not that Ever could stop herself from glancing at Derek every now and then. She hadn’t taken much notice of him after the change; there had just been too much happening to appreciate the beautiful creature.

  Golden brown fur covered most parts of his body, with a faint stripe of darker brown—almost hazelnut—streaking down his muzzle. Intense amber eyes watched her with the same intensity that shone from human-Derek’s eyes. He was also bigger than your average sized wolf. The top of his head came just under the top of her hips, and my God, those teeth! Ever didn’t doubt that wolf-Derek would be able to rip her throat out in a single moment if he so wished. She was glad he seemed so taken with her.

  Not just the wolf…

  Ever flushed as the tiny voice rattled about in her head. She brushed it off, trying to concentrate on the matter at hand—catching a killer and returning balance to her world. Then she could deal with the insane chemistry and connection she felt for this complicated wolf.

  Another voice interrupted her train of thought, and she blinked at the unfamiliar whisper, like a wind grazing against bare skin, as the thought repeated itself in her mind.

  He is your champion; he will protect you when you need him.

  Maybe she was going mad. Perhaps studying creatures that she would never be while wishing for more had suddenly pushed her over the edge, like the killer. Was it possible the thoughts of never being more than just a human had become too much for her?

  Derek whined beside her, followed by a sharp bark, and Ever concentrated on the road again, slamming on the brakes as a light ahead of her turned red.

  She peered sheepishly at Derek. “Sorry. I was just thinking too hard.”

  The wolf blinked at her, then rested his muzzle on her thigh. The wild heat of him almost burned her through her jeans, but she focused on the road and eventually drove Derek’s car to the station and parked.

  Ever switched off the engine and paused, unsure of what to do next. A lot of cops still had issues with supes working in positions of power. Since marriage equality for all was now legal, the bigots needed a new outlet for their anger, and the supernatural community bore the brunt of it.

  “So, what do I do now, Mr. Wolf? Do we just stroll into the station as you are and risk you getting shot? I’m not really certain if you’re as invincible as the Hulk, you know?”

  The wolf raised his head and snorted. He inclined his head and pawed at the door. Ever sighed and slid out the driver’s side. When she opened the passenger door, Derek hopped down onto the ground and waited. Heart beginning to race, Ever closed the door and moved forward.

  Derek padded alongside her, his big body pressing up against her side. Opening the door to the station, Ever, after a hesitant breath, went inside. The place went from bustling hub to den of silence in an instant. Ever gulped as a couple of officers’ hands went instinctively for their guns. Derek snarled, baring his teeth as the tension amped up several volumes.

  “Do you really think you growling at them will help your case, Derek?”

  “That’s Derek Doyle?” one of the officers asked.

  “Yes, the wolf is Derek Doyle, and if one of you so much as twitches a finger, not only will you have to deal with a pissed-off wolf, but you’ll have to go through me as well.”

  The baritone of Tom Delaney’s voice rebounded off the walls, echoing in probably every person’s ears. It wasn’t a threat per se, more like a definite warning as to where Tom’s loyalties lay.

  Ever strode over to Tom, and Derek trotted after her, his eyes darting from cop to cop as he moved. Tom held open the door of the P.I.T. room and ushered them in. With one final glare, the officers went back to work and Ever grinned at her godfather.

  He smiled back at her. “Nice to see an old man still holds some authority with the little whelps.”

  Ever dismissed his comment with a wave of her hand. “Pfft… Tom, you could be one-hundred-and-fifty years old, all grey haired and frail, and one look would make these ‘little whelps’ want a cuddle from their mammies.”

  The bear chuckled. “It’s so good to have you around, Ever, despite the circumstances.”

  There was a little huff followed by a growl, and Ever turned her attention back to Derek. He would be no good to them if he remained in his wolf form, and she knew that once the moon hit full in twenty-four hours, Derek would be lost for a good portion of the night before they could resume the search for the monster.

  As the vampires slipped into the room, Ever crouched down and came nose to muzzle with the wolf. The wolf sniffed, stilling when she began to speak.

  “Hey wolf, any chance we can get Derek back just for a little while? We could really use his help with all this.”

  The wolf tilted its head and nudged his nose with hers before turning away and padding over to the door. The wolf looked back at Tom, who simply nodded and said, “I’ll make sure she’s safe until you come back. Donnie, can you help Derek get to the locker room?”

  The quiet vampire bowed his head, opening the door for Derek. He waited a moment, and then Derek followed Donnie, the door closing behind them. Tom’s phone rang, and that left Ever alone with the hauntingly beautiful Caitlyn.

  “I’ve known Derek a very long time and never seen a reaction like that,” the vampire mused as she brushed a raven-coloured curl from her face.

  “It’s just the wolf in him trying to protect someone that is more fragile than him. It’s purely platonic.” Ever wasn’t entirely sure whether she was trying to convince herself or Caitlyn.

  “Men don’t look at a woman the way Derek looks at you if it’s only platonic. He may be as tough as nails, our Derek, but he has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known. He’d be your champion, if only you would let him.”

  He is your champion; he will protect you when you need him.

  The voice sounded in her head again, and Caitlyn’s words were eerily similar. She chose not to say any more about it, hoping that Caitlyn would change the subject. This connection, after such a short time of knowing the man, scared her, but it was the most right she had felt in her entire life. Being near man and wolf seemed to fill the gaping hole that had grown every day since she’d found out she was adopted.

  Ever, flustered that she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about things that were insignificant—especially when there was a killer loose in the city—tried to focus on the details they had learned from Chrissy. The brave girl had said that the killer had tasted wrong, of magic but not his own. It was a strange way to describe it, but something clicked into place.

  Donnie returned, perching himself on the edge of Ricky’s desk. Ever looked up to see Caitlyn watching her with an intrigued expression on her face.

  “What ran through your mind, Ever? Your scent changed.”

  Finding it slightly disturbing that the vampires could scent ‘changes’ in her moods, Ever ran over her thoughts again before replying. “I think he might be ingesting the marrow and blood. I mean, I know we said that he was trying to steal their life force, but maybe he thinks by eating their marrow and drinking their blood he’ll gain some of their power. Could he be trying to turn himself magical by doing this?”

  Donnie answered, his voice reserved and level. “There are many out there who wish to know the intricate ways in which one might be changed into one such as us. But we are a secretive bunch, and the… shall we say, requirements… for being made vampire or wolf, are extensive. Many other species can only be born, not made.”

  Ever shook her head. “So why does he think he can be ‘made’ by killing and ingesting body parts?”

  “Perhaps he has been repeatedly denied the change, or something triggered him to need it sooner than later—like terminal cancer or a brain tumor. Nothing says desperation like death creeping outside your front door.”

 
A look passed over the vampire’s face before vanishing so fast that Ever wasn’t even sure she’d seen it. Caitlyn bristled at his words, leaving Ever wishing she knew their story. Tom finished up his call and came back over to them.

  “Ever had an interesting thought, Sarge,” Caitlyn said. “She believes that maybe the perp is eating the marrow and blood in an effort to be made. Donnie also thinks he may have been refused the change, and that spurred the killings.”

  The bear let a growl rumble in his chest, and his eyes flashed a brilliant shade of green before returning to normal. Feeling angry herself, Ever could understand his anger, but now was not the time to let emotions cloud their actions. Another life could be at stake.

  “Donnie also thinks he might be ill,” she began, “like he got a terminal diagnosis and is clutching at his once chance to stay alive. Plus, he may have petitioned either the wolves or the vampires to become one of them and been refused.”

  Tom nodded. “A guy like that wouldn’t have taken a rejection like that well. He might’ve caused a scene, been noticed.” He scrubbed his chin. “Caitlyn, take Donnie and go see Chester. Ask if he was ever petitioned by someone who fits our description.”

  Caitlyn hissed out a breath, swearing in French. “Could we not send Ricky to deal with Chester? I’ve managed to elude him for decades, and now I must go to him and beg?”

  “You’re going in your capacity as an Agent of P.I.T., nothing else. Chester might want you to join his kiss, but we both know why he wants you, Caitlyn, and it’s not because of your particular talents.”

  They both looked at Donnie, and the poor vampire looked totally flustered. “I don’t like being used as man candy for Chester, but I want to catch this beast more than I care about being uncomfortable. It’s okay, we’ll go.”

  He swept from the room with an incline of his head to Ever, and the clickety-clack of Caitlyn’s heeled boots followed him out. The door closed with a bang behind them, and Ever raised an eyebrow at Tom.

  “Do I want to know what that’s about?”

  “Let’s just say Chester isn’t the easiest vampire to deal with, but he has the most information.”

  “Okay, so what can I do?”

  Tom pulled a card from the pocket of his shirt. “Can you call Dr. Val and see if someone matches the profile of our killer? I think he’d have taken the news of his illness extremely well and stayed away from doctor’s appointments because he really believed he had the cure all along. I’m going to phone Arthur and ask him the same about someone looking to be changed. Use Derek’s phone; I’m sure he’ll be back in soon.”

  Tom turned from Ever and went to sit at his desk to make his call. Ever sank down into Derek’s chair. Resting her chin in the palm of her hand, Ever yawned and picked up the receiver. Inputting the direct line on the card, Ever waited as the phone rang, twice, three times, then four. Contemplating hanging up, she had just eased the phone from her ear when she heard a voice.

  “Dr. Val Frey.”

  “Hi, Dr. Val, this is Ever Chace. We met at the hospital this evening.” Silence greeted her on the line. “Dr. Val? Are you there?”

  A voice cleared on the line. “Of course, Ever. I apologize. It’s been a rather long night.”

  Ever blew out a breath. “That’s an understatement. I was wondering if it would be okay to ask you a few questions. We may have come up with a few theories that can help us narrow down the suspect pool.”

  “That’s perfectly alright. Anything I can do to help.”

  “Thank you,” Ever replied. “So, we think that the killer might have been refused petitions to be made vampire or were, and that a possibly terminal diagnosis might have pushed him over the edge.”

  The doctor tsked down the phone. “I work in emergency medicine, but I can speak to the radiology head of department and see if we can possibly find someone who fits that description.”

  Ever remembered what Tom had said. “Oh, and Tom thinks that when he or she got the news, that they took it well—too well, in fact. We think he believed he had the cure in his mind already and wasn’t afraid of the news.”

  “That might help us narrow it down. I’m afraid we still have high numbers of terminally ill people, despite the advances in medicine. I’ll do my very best to aid you in whatever way I can.”

  Ever sighed. “Thank you. We appreciate anything that you can give us.”

  “I’ll prioritize that and get back to you once I get some information. Where can I contact you?”

  Ever rattled off her mobile number and told the doctor that she could call anytime. They exchanged a few polite words, and as Ever went to hang up, she heard the doctor call her name.

  “Yes?” she asked.

  “If you need to talk… about anything… you can call me. I think we could be good friends.”

  The line disconnected, leaving Ever listening to the bleep, bleep, bleep. Strange as that was, it seemed the last few days had amped up the strangeness factor. Beginning to get lost in her own head again, she jumped when the door pushed open and Derek stepped inside.

  The look on his face could only be described as sheepish and embarrassed. He glanced at the ground before looking directly at Ever. Her pulse quickened, urging her to go to him, the magnetic pull that stretched out between them stronger than it had been before he had changed. Now, the connection that tethered them together was pulled so tight it was close to snapping.

  “Hey,” she said, her voice croaking.

  “Hey yourself,” he replied with a coy smile.

  Ever returned his smile. “Nice to see you on two legs again.”

  Derek snorted a laugh, very like his wolf half. “Yeah, um…” he began, rubbing the back of his neck, “I’m sorry for losing control of myself back at the hospital. Shouldn’t have happened.”

  She shrugged. “It’s the full moon. Totally acceptable.”

  “Yeah, I’m not sure it was just the full moon, but thanks for that.”

  A quick change of subject. “We may have established some links as to who the killer might be, or at least his profile. We think he’s terminally ill, and his petition to change was denied. We also believe he may be eating the body parts he took from his victims in order to try and use their magic to become supernatural.”

  “I can’t wait to rip out his throat with my teeth,” Derek growled.

  “Caitlyn and Donnie have gone to see if Chester knows of anyone who might’ve taken the refusal of a petition badly. Tom is talking to Arthur to find out the same.”

  Derek whistled. “I bet Caitlyn wasn’t happy with having to see Chester.”

  “No, but Donnie said he was fine. What’s their story, anyway?”

  “Sorry,” he shook his head. “That’s not my story to tell. Ask Cait over a bottle of really expensive French wine, and you’ll get that story out of her.”

  Ever laughed as Tom finished up his call. Derek went to his boss, and they exchanged a few words before coming back over to where Ever sat at Derek’s desk. She reported in, telling them that Dr. Val was going to look into it and get back as soon as she could. Tom said that Arthur hadn’t had a petition for a change in a while and would contact the alphas from other counties and be in touch.

  Derek muttered something, and Tom chuckled. Shaking her head in dismay, she yawned. The men took notice and tried to convince her to go home and get some rest, which she politely declined. Ever rested her head on the desk for just a moment, letting her lids flutter closed.

  The scent of wildflowers immediately assaulted her nose as she brushed a giant leaf out of her way. The sand tickled her toes as she walked around her home, the sun beating down on her, making her golden tan seem to shimmer. She could hear the sound of the waves crashing against the beach and longed for the chance to cool her body in the bliss of the salt water.

  But today, she had warriors to assess, and with the war looming, now was not the time to indulge in petty forms of pleasure. As she turned through the ferns, strong arms enci
rcled her from behind. Rather than kick out in attack, she almost melted under his touch.

  “You should not be here. If mother catches us, there will be hell to pay.”

  “I do not fear your mother. What I fear is going another day without your touch, without the taste of you on my lips.”He pressed his lips against the nape of her neck with the barest hint of teeth, sending a delicious wave of heat throughout her body. But this man needed only to look at her with those deep brown eyes, and the fearsome warrior slipped away, leaving only a woman who craved the touch of the man.

  “You cannot say such things to me. My life is not my own, and despite how much I may like you, I was made to rule. As a ruler, I must be strong; I must not let myself be given over in temptation.”

  Strong hands traced over the bare skin of her stomach, and she shivered. She could not resist him, this man who made her whimper with one touch. She shirked free of his grasp and turned to face him, the handsome lines of his face making her heart go aflutter.

  He backed her against a nearby tree, their presence shaded by the luscious green of the trees that surrounded them. The man who demanded she make him her champion pressed his body to hers, rotating his hips so that she knew how much he hungered for her as well.

  Bracing her hands on his bare chest, she made to shove him away. Any one of her sisters could stride past and spy them. But he did not seem to care. His lips traced her jaw, sending her heart hammering against her chest, and then he continued down her nape. When his lips grazed the top of her breast, she could no longer withhold the moan that escaped her lips.

  The smug bastard slipped his fingers into her hair and dragged her gaze to his. Molten heat shone from his eyes, and she knew then that she was in trouble.

  “Destiny has many different faces, my forever,” he whispered in a low and husky voice that almost made her lose control. “And our destinies are entwined. Do not resist me, Ever. Ever…”

  “Ever?”

  Ever jerked up, blinking the sleep from her eyes. “God, I’m sorry. I must’ve fallen asleep.” Memories of her dream cascaded over her, and she blushed, the feeling of Derek against her body lingering well after the dream. She so needed to get her mind out of the gutter.

  Derek opened his mouth to answer as Ever tried to dampen the heat that flushed her cheeks. The phone on his desk shrilled, and he pressed the speakerphone button.

  “Derek! Please tell me you’re back on two feet. Melanie’s gone!”

  Ricky’s frantic voice brought all three of them to attention. Derek was the first to react.

  “What do you mean Melanie’s gone?”

  “I mean, I tried to follow her back to her place to apologize for being an ass, and she wasn’t there. I scryed for her but got nothing, so I went back to the hospital. Her car was gone, but her bag was left in the middle of the car park. There was a note on the bag. He got her, D…”

  “What are you saying, Ricky?”

  “That bastard we’re hunting has taken my Lanie.”