Nanny to the Bear (Burning Falls Shifters Book 4)

by Cynthia Wilde

  They arrived at the agency. Janet took a cab to her friend’s apartment, letting herself in after finding the hidden key in the locked mailbox. Lana had given her the lock code ages ago, just in case. Now the next day, she sat up hearing the gurgle of the coffee pot in the kitchen.

  “Thank god for coffee,” she muttered as she made her way towards the mugs. Lana stood at the counter holding her own cup, and breathing in the steam.

  “I’ve got cream and sugar if you need it,” Lana said.

  “No. Black. Strong. Now.” Janet poured herself a cup and the two of them migrated back into the living room. “I feel as if I’ve been hit by a truck.”

  “I’ll bet,” Lana said tucking her feet up under her legs and pulling the edge of the robe over her socks. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “I don’t know. I guess. I mean, there’s not much to talk about really.”

  Lana snorted. “Come on. I know you better than that. Were the children hellions, or what?”

  “No, no. It’s not that at all. Bonnie and Dillon were great. I just needed to get away to clear my head. Things were getting complicated.”

  “Uh-huh.” Lana peered at her over the rim of her cup. “I know what that means.”

  “No you don’t,” Janet said. “Tell me about the play. How’s the show going?”

  “No, no, no,” Lana chuckled. “Nice try. You’re not going to deflect the conversation. Although, appealing to my ego was a pretty slick move. No. There’s something you’re not telling me.”

  “What could I possibly be not telling you?” Janet rolled her eyes.

  Lana gasped. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

  “God, why do people keep asking me that!” Janet snapped.

  “That’s it, isn’t it? Oh my god, it’s so obvious. What are you going to do?”

  Janet peered deeply into the depths of her coffee as if seeking some answers within. She thought about everything she had seen during her time in Burning Falls. The shifters, the fairies, the weird woman with the shop who apparently knew more than she was able to say, and often said more than she knew.

  Lana smirked. “I’ve noticed you aren’t denying it.”

  Janet leaned her head back. “Oh god, Lana. What am I going to do?”

  * * * *

  Max’s property had been decked out for everyone’s arrival. He laid out a large table out back. Austin arrived with the children tagging along in the back seat. Jackson and Alex had said they would bring their kids as well, and Bonnie and Dillon both looked forward to hanging out with them.

  The sun shone on everything, illuminating the sprawling grassy fields surrounding Max’s provincial home. The distant tree line marked the edge of his property and the beginning of the national parks. Austin knew just a few miles past the trees, the county line marked the border between Cave Bay and Burning Falls. He also knew it was close to where the two women were keeping camp.

  Max stepped out onto his porch to welcome them. Bonnie and Dillon immediately ran around, taking advantage of the large spaces so different from their fenced yard in the middle of town.

  Chase and Cindy arrived a few moments later. Cindy peered around with a wide-eyed expression. “I remember the last time I was here,” she said.

  “Shh,” Chase said placing his arm around her shoulders. “We don’t have to worry about that right now.”

  She smiled, her eyes going soft as she gazed back at him before they shared a quick kiss. Austin looked away, feeling very much as if he were intruding on a private moment. The next car arrived with Jackson and Alex. Gabe and Amelia squealed with delight as they caught up to Bonnie and Dillon. The four children raced each other around the house.

  “It’s nice, isn’t it?” Chase said as he walked up. “The sound of children.”

  “Speaking of which, is Derek coming to this little shindig?” Austin asked.

  “No. He’s got a legitimate out, what with Jenny and the baby. It’s actually in the Kon-Mar to let new parents have a full year of leave after having a baby.”

  “Really? A full year? I guess I’ll have to read it at some point.”

  “You really should,” Chase said giving him a side glance. “Might come in handy some day.”

  I wonder what that’s about, Austin mused. He had to admit, he felt an emptiness which he could not quite quench ever since Janet had left. He avoided speaking about her, but his connection with his children had never been stronger. For that he felt grateful.

  Max had laid out a full spread of food specific to a party full of shifters. Ribs, steaks on the grill, a huge spit holding pork in its most natural form. Of course, Cindy had brought a few different kinds of salad, tomato with vinaigrette, cucumbers smothered in her homemade dill ranch. Alex had sprung for the desserts. Chocolate cake, plain and simple, nothing complicated or over the top, just good simple food.

  When Logan arrived, he appeared more out of place than ever before. He arrived in his low, sleek sports car, stepping out of the driver’s side in dark shades and a custom sports coat. He immediately approached Max and Chase, the two alphas. Austin had a strong feeling that the shifters who lived in the city tended to stick to the rules more than the Burning Falls or Cave Bay pack. Chase motioned for Austin and Jackson to join them.

  “So,” Logan said. “Let’s put together what we know so far.”

  Max chuckled. “Why don’t we eat first? We’ve got plenty of time. The night is young.”

  Logan squinted against the setting sun. “Maybe so. I just like to get down to business.”

  Austin and Jackson exchanged a glance, sharing amusement towards Logan’s city ways. “I think,” Austin replied. “The big elephant in the room is who are those shifters staying up in the mountains and working for Mr. Briggs?”

  “They’re honing in. That’s for sure,” Logan said. “I’m certain everything going on on the East Coast is connected. We have some intel which puts these shifters in with what we’ve been looking into for a long time.”

  Max gestured towards the table inviting everyone towards the table. “Why don’t we grab a plate? I know I take in information much easier on a full stomach.”

  “I’ll second that,” Austin chimed in.

  Everyone took Max’s cue, piling around the table buffet style. The children got their food first, with plenty of everything and the option for seconds. Austin had never seen wider smiles. The four children piled around the picnic table which Max had set up for them.

  The adults found their way to the fire pit, settling in with their food and drinks. Chase said, “Eloise told us we need to talk to each other. As if we each carry a piece of information which fits with everyone else’s information. What do you think she means by that, Logan?”

  He frowned at the mention of the name. “Eloise is one of the non-shifters who knows about all of you?”

  Chase answered the veiled accusation, speaking with firm authority. “Yes, and she’s been nothing more than a staunch ally. Her presence within our circle is not negotiable. The same goes for the librarian.”

  Logan raised his hands. “Fair enough.”

  “Speaking of which,” Max said. “Where is the librarian? Wasn’t she supposed to be here?”

  Cindy responded. “She wasn’t able to make it. Something came up last minute. I don’t know any more than that.”

  Logan peered at Cindy with his eyebrows pulled together. “You’re the one, aren’t you?” he asked. “You had that incident some time back?”

  Cindy glanced down at her hands. Last fall, she had a strange incident in which her hands briefly shifted into wolf paws. Max had stated at the time that according to the Kon-Mar, this meant that Cindy had reached her awakening. “Yes,” she replied. “You could say that.”

  “Can you tell us about it?” Logan asked gently.

  “Yes, of course,” Cindy replied.

  Chase jumped in with concern in his voice. “If you’re not comfortable talking about it, you don’t have to.�
�

  “No, it’s okay, Chase. I want to.” She lifted her hands in front of her face, ignoring the plate of food balanced on her lap. “It was so strange. It hasn’t happened again since that night.”

  “I’m wondering something,” Logan interjected between bites. “My agency has members who exclusively study the Kon-Mar. There is an existing theory which might be relevant to what’s going on here.”

  “What theory is that?” Jackson asked.

  “According to the text, when the shifters were forced underground a number of devices were put into place to keep the keep the traditions alive, even if they were in secret. They needed something to help them remember.”

  Chase spoke, his arm resting protectively around Cindy’s waist. “Are you saying of we can get one of those amulets, it might spur Cindy’s transformation?”

  Logan nodded. “Theoretically, yes.”

  With these words, Jackson and Alex shared a glance. As did Chase and Cindy. Austin felt a pang deep in his chest. Whether it was one of hope or fear he did not know. “What do you believe?” he asked.

  Logan turned towards Austin, leaning forward to place his elbows on his knees. “Look,” he said. “I know I’m a bit of an outsider here. I get that. But I think it’s important that we at least try. If a shifter keeps their animal dormant, it could cause problems.”

  “What kind of problems?” Austin asked.

  “Depression, fatigue. It varies from person to person.”

  “Do you think that’s why they are looking for these amulets, these talismans?” Cindy asked. “I mean, they’re already shifters, right? Would having these amulets make them stronger somehow?”

  “I think there is a strong possibility of that,” Logan answered. “There are some rumors of lost texts which are supposed to contain that knowledge.”

  “Lost texts?” Austin’s mind returned to the Alexandrian documents kept under lock and key within the library’s hidden room.

  “Yes,” Logan continued. “It’s said they go back as far as the Library of Alexandria.”

  “Is that so?” Chase said shooting a look towards Austin. Apparently, he had similar thoughts. He decided it most prudent to keep the information to himself for the time being. At least, until he could translate more of the text.

  Cindy must have picked up on their silent communication, she spoke up next. “Eloise said we should talk to each other. Tell each other what we know, remember?” She stood up and crossed over to Chase, balancing on the wooden arm of his chair, placing her arm lightly around his shoulder. He glanced up at her with warmth in his eyes.

  “Perhaps you are right,” Chase replied. He turned to Austin and nodded, prompting him to speak.

  Logan looked his way expectantly. “Okay,” Austin said with an exhale. “The break-in at the library. They were after the documents. They did not succeed though. Lisa has that place on lock down.”

  “The documents are here?” Logan asked. “In Burning Falls?”

  “One of them. I think so, yes,” Austin said.

  “Can I see them?”

  “I have the copies at my office. I’ve been working on deciphering them.”

  “What have you got so far?”

  “I’ve found the images of the talisman on the documents match up with these reference drawings in one of our libraries. There seems to be some correlation that the talisman are elemental in waking up the shifters true nature.”

  “Yeah, that lines up with what we’ve been studying as well.”

  Chase spoke next. “But what about Mr. Briggs? What did he say about Afghanistan, Austin?”

  “If I recall correctly, he said ‘none of this would be a problem if this had been taken care of back in Afghanistan’. Do you know anything about that Logan?”

  Logan nodded. “We’ve been watching Briggs for a while. There’s evidence that he’s a latent shifter.”

  “Latent? What does that mean?” Cindy asked.

  “It means he has it in his bloodline, but he has never shifted. Or if he has it hasn’t been a full transformation.”

  Cindy peered into the fire. “So he’s like me?”

  “Perhaps so, yes,” Logan replied.

  “Do you think he’s looking for the talisman to unlock the secret to shifting?”

  “Possibly.”

  “But we’ve been exposed to the talisman,” Cindy said. “Both Lisa and Jenny both have one of them. And the others, they shift without the talisman.”

  “That’s true,” Logan said. “There’s a number of things which can awaken one’s inner animal. These talisman, the supplements you guys take, the tea. The phase of the moon. Really it could be anything. But living this close to an energy vortex makes you and your pack stronger already.”

  Max raised his palm to draw their view. “So what would happen if we were to find the rest of the amulets? I mean, we’re already practicing Kon-Mar regularly. Eloise keeps us well stocked in elderberry supplements. If there really is a boost for shifters, we’d be close to unstoppable.”

  “You know that,” Logan said. “And I know that, but I don’t think Briggs and the people working for him know that.”

  “That’s why they want this property,” Chase said. “That’s why they want Burning Falls. Isn’t it?”

  “Yeah,” Logan nodded. “If they challenge and win according to the laws of Kon-Mar, they gain possession of the goods within the land. The energy vortex, the talisman, the library. Everything.”

  “How do we stop them?” Austin asked.

  “That’s the problem,” Logan replied. “They won’t stop. They’ll keep after this until they have what they want.”

  “Well then,” Chase said. “Looks like we have our work cut out for us then.”

  “Yeah?” Jackson said with an expectant grin. “What’cha thinking, boss?”

  “I’m thinking we head up the mountain and head them off before they make another move on our territory. I’m the alpha of Burning Falls and I’ll be damned if some wannabe shifter is going to put my family in danger.”

  Everyone in the circle looked to Chase. Even in the dim light of falling twilight, Austin saw the determination on Chase’s face. He took in the scene. The way Cindy gazed with loving adoration at her partner, the casual hand Alex placed on Jackson’s arm, the children laughing and playing in the field beyond. He thought of everything they had gone through, what he had lost, and what Bonnie and Dillon had lost. He knew what he had to do.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The conversation continued into night fall, the children chasing fireflies and the adults speaking around the fire. Austin and his children left shortly after ten, not too much later than their regular bedtime. Jackson and Alex followed shortly after with their own respective children. Chase and Cindy hung back staying with Max and Logan for a little while longer.

  The following morning, Austin rose early, put on some coffee and headed into his office. The children still slept in their rooms, tuckered out from the previous night’s activities. Austin picked up the phone and dialed Derek’s number.

  “Good morning,” Derek said answering on the other line.

  “I’m not calling too early?” Austin asked.

  “No, not at all. I’ve been up since six with the baby. I’m letting Jenny sleep in.”

  “Aw, that’s so cute. How’s fatherhood treating you so far?” Austin smiled remembering the time when Bonnie was that age.

  “It’s wonderful,” Derrick replied. “And super hard work.”

  “Yup.” Austin laughed. “That sounds right.”

  “What can I do for you?”

  “I wanted to talk to you about Afghanistan.”

  “Afghanistan? What about it?”

  Austin filled in Derek the details of the previous night’s discussions, focusing on the idea that the talisman may be somewhere close to the town, as well as the knowledge of Mr. Briggs and the comment about Afghanistan.

  “This all goes back that far?” Derek asked. “All th
e way back to Afghanistan even?”

  “There is some speculation it goes even farther back than that. But for now, I wanted to ask you about what happened that day. I know you don’t like to talk about it, but this is important.”

  “No, it’s okay. I’m doing a lot better since the ceremony. Plus, I’m so tired from midnight feedings, the insomnia is pretty much a non-issue. Go ahead. What are you looking for?”

  “I know you had the sniper in your sites just before Matt went down.”

  “Yeah, that’s right,” Derek spoke with a tightness in his response. Austin hated to mention it, but he needed to know.

  “I’m sorry, Derek. I know it’s hard to remember. But can you tell me what the sniper looked like? What were they wearing?”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Until now, we assumed the sniper was part of the ISIS team terrorizing the village. But with this new information, it’s possible he may have been a mercenary connected to what’s going on in Burning Falls.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “As a heart attack.”

  “Okay, let’s see what I can remember. When I first spotted the sniper, I thought it was just a shadow, not even a movement on top of the building across the Agora, but something drew my eye enough for me to focus my sites. That’s when the explosion happened.”

  “Yes, I remember that,” Austin said.

  “Everyone started to change right then. That’s when you and the others shifted for the first time. Matt ran out into the middle of the chaos. I had my finger on the trigger.”

  “It’s okay, Derek,” Austin said. None of them liked to talk about that day, understandably so. “But what did you see through your scope? Who were you looking at?”

  “I saw him draw on Matt, taking aim. He wore black clothes. Every part of him was covered in black, including his head and face.”

  “Black,” Austin said. “The members of ISIS wore either old camo or the traditional robes and headdresses.”

  “Yes, that’s true. I hadn’t thought of that.”