by Myra Nour
“Never, not unless you told me to.”
She sighed.
“Of course, it might be hard, getting used to living with a goddess.”
Briana punched him in the ribs. He just couldn’t resist teasing her. “If she were a goddess, don’t you think she’d have some special powers—like maybe
shooting rays from her eyes or something?”
A wide grin flitted across his face. “One would think so, the elders certainly thought so.”
Stopping in her tracks, she stared at him with surprise. “Then why didn’t I have any of those powers when I could have used them?”
Raynor rubbed his chin. “Perhaps because you are untrained, or maybe some part of you, that is Briana, didn’t want to let loose such powers.”
She was lost in thought. What would have happened if she’d had her full powers as Raynor suggested? Would she have blasted the vampires into cinders with one look? “You’re probably right.” Laughing softly, she remarked, “It’s just as well. She did enough damage without super snakewoman abilities.”
The next minute she asked, “But what was all that talk about the old gods?”
“It’s a superstition…legend, if you will, among shapeshifters.” Raynor’s look turned inward, as if searching for her answer. “Remember how I explained that the snakewoman is a gene memory from an actual snake goddess?”
She nodded, intrigued.
“There are a few shapeshifters who are rarely seen, even among our people, such as the snake goddess. And all such creatures have been gods or goddesses on their home planets, with vast powers at their disposal.”
“Like…what other kinds?” She was almost afraid to ask, but couldn’t seem to help herself.
He furrowed his brow. “Oh, there’s the worm god.”
“Sounds yucky,” she shuddered. “Is it huge and ugly?”
“Ugly, but about this size.” Raynor measured a hand span with his palms. He chuckled at her look. “Don’t knock the little guy, his powers are tremendous.”
“I’m sure. Any gods or goddesses less repugnant?”
“Hmm, there’s the tigress goddess—very beautiful and very deadly.”
She sighed. “So, I’m in good company, then?” Her tone conveyed anything but respect.
“Better than you could know.”
His smile reassured her a touch. The next minute her thoughts turned one hundred and eighty degrees and she asked anxiously, “What about Robert?”
“They didn’t tell me, but I got a psychic impression from them, his murder was not fated.”
Stopping suddenly, she grabbed his hands in excitement. “Do you think they’ll send someone back to correct it?”
Nodding, he said, “I believe they will.” He tugged on her hand, and they walked onward.
After a few minutes, she couldn’t stand it any longer, and asked, “Where are we going?”
He stopped and looked at her with humor. “Home.”
“But, whose home, yours or mine?”
Cocking his head, he smiled. “Are you completely content, my love, in your home and job?”
She shrugged, a frisson of surprise flushing through her, but she shouldn’t be caught off guard by now. Many times Raynor seemed to know much about her that never was spoken. Her job had become too stressful this last year, the boss giving her more and more responsibility without financial compensation. Many of the maids and other staff were lazy and had to be constantly monitored. And the traffic in Dallas was horrific around the loop, had been for years. Oftentimes, she’d dreamed of escaping to a smaller city and living out her life in a simpler life style.
“I’ve always wanted to live in…” She paused and giggled. “Where do you live?” She couldn’t help teasing him; of course she remembered his hometown.
“Phoenix.”
“I’ve always wanted to live in Phoenix.”
“Is that right?” He placed his strong arms about her and rubbed his nose against hers.
“Wait a minute, I was just thinking I was tired of the big city life. Isn’t Phoenix larger than Dallas?”
“Actually, I live in a big old ranch house outside Phoenix.”
“Do you ranch? What happened to gym manager?”
He chucked her under the chin. “The only thing you could ranch around my house is lizards and snakes.” At her disapproving look, he said, “There’s barely an acre around the house. I drive in to work at the gym, which luckily is located on the border of Phoenix.” He put his arms around her. “You’ll like it. The peace, only insects singing at night, and the stars…there’s a whole sky full.”
“You talk like a romantic.” She smiled.
“Haven’t I been trying to convince you of that all along?”
“Why, sir, you’re a virtual knight…you just didn’t dress like one.” His frown was foiled by the merry twinkling in his amber eyes.
Her thoughts went back to his home. A ranch…how quaint and welcome it sounded. Suddenly she was so very glad she had always been curious about Phoenix. She spoke into the contented silence between them, “But first I’d like to finish my vacation, if you can come with me?”
A wary expression flickered through his eyes. “What were you doing on your vacation?”
“Oh, let’s see, there was yoga, mud baths, and of course learning to make pottery out of clay.” She had to giggle at his stricken look. “There are also nature trails to hike beside a lovely river, natural hot tub pools, and a cozy hotel room with a very comfy bed just waiting to be ‘slept’ in.”
Raynor grinned. “Now you’re speaking my language.”
They smiled at one another, and holding hands while they proceeded toward the entrance. It took only a few more minutes to reach the opening to the cave, or the exit this time. They stepped through and the odd sensation of nausea ran through her system again. “Raynor, how do the elders keep humans from finding the entrance?”
“Remember, they cast a magic shield. Any human who gets close to it, sees a solid cliff. Only shifters can see the opening.”
“What if a human being accidentally fell against the opening?”
“Same thing. They’d feel a rock face.”
Unexpectedly, they heard noise below them. Peering over the ledge, they saw four people climbing upward, a man, woman, and two boys.
“Are they shifters?” She whispered.
Raynor sniffed the air. “Nope, human.”
“Hello,” the man greeted them in a friendly way. The woman smiled and the two energetic boys ran past them to perch on the ledge’s edge.
“Get down from there,” the woman said nervously.
“Listen to your mother,” the man said firmly.
Grumbling the boys climbed down and began to throw rocks off the cliff edge.
“Kids,” the man shrugged and they smiled back. The stranger turned and surveyed his surroundings. “You know, I told my wife, I didn’t know if this climb would be worth it, but it’s a pretty spectacular view.”
“Yes, it is.” Raynor answered.
“Hey,” one of the boys pointed upward. “Look the moon’s full.”
Everyone looked up. It was several hours before sunset, but the moon had risen already, its pale spherical shape lovely against the dark blue sky.
The same boy growled, made awful faces at his brother, and then yelled, “Watch out, the werewolf’s gonna get you.”
The younger boy screamed and then the next instant the two were tussling on the ground.
“Boys,” the father sighed and walked over to break up the fight.
Briana giggled, and they waved goodbye when they started down the trail. Stopping on a much smaller ledge later for a breather, Raynor unexpectedly asked, “So, did you ever decide?”
“Huh? What?”
“If you love me or just kind of do?” His voice was definitely teasing.
“I’ve decided I’m head over heels in love.”
His expression turn heated when he growled, “Bett
er watch out for the werewolf tonight.”
She hugged his body to hers in a tight embrace. “Oh, I certainly hope so.” His amber eyes flashed a fiery red for a second and she shivered in anticipation.
Enjoy shapeshifters? Try one of these—
RAYVEN’S AWAKENING
By Sherri L. King
SHIFTING FACES
By Marilyn Lee Elizabeth Jewell
STRAY THOUGHTS
By Elizabeth Stewart
Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.
www.ellorascave.com
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