The Mercenary and the Shifters (The Turning Stone Chronicles)

by C. D. Hersh

  “Nah. He’s in New York with the boss. But I’m expecting them soon. That’s why I flew you in, Ms. Kayler.”

  “I thought he wasn’t returning until tomorrow,” Fiona said.

  “That was the plan, but now that you’re here, he decided to cut the trip short. That’s why we pulled the second helicopter into service.”

  Mary Kate heard a metallic bang.

  “She’s older, but she does the job,” the pilot said.

  “Did you hear?” Mary Kate asked, hoping Rhys or Alexi was on line by now.

  “Roger,” Rhys said. “At the most we might have an hour and a half to find the kids and wrap things up. Less if Falhman is already in the air. Doesn’t change the plan, just the timetable. Are you in position, Mary Kate?”

  “On the top of the silo.”

  “Eli, where are you, Donaline, and LJ?” Rhys asked.

  “Down two piers from the estate, fishing,” Eli replied. “Ready tae bring in the lines when ye give the word. We can be there in minutes.”

  “Have ye caught dinner?” Mary Kate asked.

  “Aye. But we’ve thrown them back a time or two. Nae enough room in the boat for the fishes and the laddies.” Eli chuckled. “Donaline ’tis a fishing terror.”

  Mary Kate heard LJ’s voice but couldn’t make out what she said.

  Eli’s reply, “Soon enough, lassie. Keep yer line in the water and stay calm,” told her she was asking, once again, when they were going to act.

  The woman was nothing if not predictable. The same question had been coming from her since the day the babes had been snatched. Patience, apparently, was not in LJ’s vocabulary.

  Mary Kate had been dealing with the Keeper long enough to know that his patience was legendary. Too bad he couldn’t give some of it to the anxious mother.

  She focused on the estate grounds, searching for a good mark. A rogue emerged from the copse of bushes, near the gate, zipping up his pants. He sat on the grass and leaned against a tree trunk, his eyes drooping shut. A couple of seconds later, his chin dropped onto his torso, his chest rising in easy, rhythmic breathing.

  Perfect. A lazy rogue. All she had to do was knock out the idiot, take his clothes, and mimic shift into him. Piece of cake.

  “Got my mark spotted,” she said to whoever was listening. “I’m going in to get him.” She scrambled down the ladder and hid behind the car as she shifted to her animal ego.

  Bone and sinew twisted, shrinking from her six-foot frame to a mere twelve inches. When the transformation was complete, she gave her brown fur a shake, twisting to check her brushy tail. It was, she thought, the only attractive part of her animal.

  No one, except the Keeper of the Stone, and her parents who were long dead, had ever seen her animal alter ego. She was ashamed of the tiny creature. Most other McCraigens’ third egos were powerful. Bears mostly. Why she had received a rodent was beyond her. She’d spent her entire life compensating for being a squirrel. The hated ego had been responsible for making her into the warrior she was. A rodent couldn’t fight against bigger creatures. All a squirrel could do was run and hide.

  Eli said there was a purpose for every shifter’s animal. One merely had to wait to find it. As she bounded across the road, she supposed this might qualify as the reason. She was helping save the son of The Promised Ones and rescuing Falhman’s son from his evil father. Had she been a bear, she would have aroused suspicion climbing the wall. No one watching the security cameras would suspect a squirrel.

  She scaled the wall with ease, leaping to the ground with a newfound sense of purpose. She was small, but mighty. No one else on the team, except The Promised Ones, could have done this job. That put her in pretty good company.

  Shifting into her human persona with a swiftness she’d never before experienced, she scurried to where the sleeping rogue lay. As she approached him, she stepped on a twig. The loud crack snapped the rogue awake, and he leapt to his feet.

  “What the—Who are you?”

  Mary Kate noted his thick Middle Eastern accent. She’d need to mimic that as well. Good thing she had an ear for languages. Then she gave him a swift cut to his jaw, knocking him out cold. After she dragged him into the bushes and bound him, she quickly dressed in his clothes and morphed into his form.

  “I’m in,” she said to the others. She checked the man’s ID. “And my name is Yoseph.”

  “Guid, lassie,” Eli said. “Dinna I tell ye ye were destined fer greatness?”

  He had, and she would not doubt him again, no matter what he told her.

  As the pilot took off in the helicopter, a man approached Fiona and Mike.

  “Shifter,” Fiona said as the buzzing of tingles flew over her.

  “Follow me,” the rogue said. “I’ll show you to the room with the dresses.” He eyed Mike. “Ain’t I seen you before?”

  “I’m Ms. Kayler’s security. I think I met you when Pete was showing me around the other week.” Mike stuck out his hand. “You were in the control room.”

  The rogue shook Mike’s hand “Yeah, now I remember. Guess you can come along. If Pete let you in there, you’re cool.”

  Mike fell in step with the rogue, chatting him up as they wound through the glass-walled corridors.

  When they reached the bedroom, the rogue opened the door for Fiona. “You need me to send a maid or something?”

  “No thanks. I’ll be fine.”

  “I got rounds. I’ll be back in about 30 minutes to see if you need anything.” He glanced at Mike. “You want to tag along?”

  “I might need him,” Fiona said.

  The rogue raised an eyebrow.

  “A man’s opinion is important when a woman wants to be at her best. Since Falhman and I—”

  “Say no more,” the rogue said, backing away. “The boss said to do whatever the lady wants. You want this guy here, then you got him.”

  Fiona waved Mike into the bedroom as the rogue disappeared down the hallway. “That was easy,” she said.

  “Too easy. Mary Kate, where are you now?”

  A minute of silence ensued, making Fiona very nervous. Had something gone wrong already?

  Then Mary Kate’s voice came on line. “Just entering the front hall. Which way to the children?”

  “Left,” Fiona said. “Wait for us.”

  “Me,” Mike said. “Wait for me.” He pointed at the closet door. “Get into one of those fancy dresses. Then you’ll have an alibi.”

  “My clothes don’t shift with me, Mike. I need to stay in my dark pants and blouse. I need to blend in with the rogues’ uniforms.”

  “You need to stay safe and stick with the plan, Fiona. Stay in this room until all hell breaks loose out there. Then, and only then, are you to venture out of here.”

  She stomped her foot at him, unwilling to let him go out into the danger without her. “You need me.”

  “Yes, we do. We need you alive and not on the run when this is over. Please, do as we planned.” He gave her a light shove toward the closet. “Choose an ugly one. We don’t want him getting overexcited if he gets here before we’re done.”

  She opened the closet door and peered in. That would be hard. Her mother apparently had very good taste in clothes. She couldn’t say the same for men.

  Mike found Mary Kate, aka Yoseph, standing at ease in the entrance, her gaze scanning the area. When he neared, she angled toward the corner of the foyer and started speaking, her mouth moving with exaggerated precision. Her gaze darted to the ceiling then down. Mike furtively tracked the motion. A darkened, round camera lens hung from the corner of the ceiling.

  “Mr. Corritore,” she said. “Pete told me to expect you. Are you ready for the tour he promised?”

  Angling his body until he faced the camera, Mike replie
d, “Absolutely. I’m glad Falhman consented. We want to meet Ms. Kayler’s security needs. What with their newfound relationship and all.” He winked at Mary Kate and mouthed the next sentence very clearly. “She’s a good-looking woman. Falhman’s a lucky dog.” Then he swung his hand toward the hallway where they suspected the children were being kept. “Lead on, Yoseph.”

  Her head ducked, Mary Kate whispered, “The place is overrun with cameras.”

  “Which we’ll use to our advantage,” Mike whispered as he stooped to pretend to tie his shoelace. “I’ve seen the rogues in the security hub. I’m not one of them. They’ll be watching our every move, in spite of what Falhman might have said. But once we’ve lulled them into complacency, we’ll be home free.”

  When they reached the door opposite the hallway in question, they paused and faced the outside, blocking the sides of the door with the locking and security measures from the cameras in the hallway.

  Mary Kate gesticulated, as if she were showing him something outside, while Mike flipped open the hidden panels Fiona had told him about, unlocking and disarming the door’s alarms. Then they moved on to another section of the hallway and repeated the process two more times, unlocking a second door for Eli to enter and one for quick egress. When they reached the end of the hallway, they reversed direction.

  As they passed the first door they’d unlocked, two men entered through the door.

  “Mike. Yoseph,” the taller man said.

  Mike breathed a sigh of relief as he recognized Rhys’ voice.

  Mary Kate rotated and faced the ceiling camera, speaking distinctly. “Mr. Falhman, sir. You’re back. We were just about to tour the east corridor.”

  Rhys swept a lean arm toward the hall. “Allow me, Mike.” Then he spoke to the other man. “Care to join us?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” Alexi said. Then the four of them headed down the hallway.

  Chapter 42

  Rhys led the way, sending out feelers for approaching shifters. A few registered. Except for one in what he believed to be the nursery, the rest were on the periphery of his sensing abilities. Too far away to be concerned with at the moment. When they reached the spot where he’d seen the nanny and the children exit, he knocked softly, then slowly opened the door.

  The nanny, sitting in a rocker, sprang to her feet when she spotted him. “Mr. Falhman, sir. We weren’t expecting you,” she whispered. “I’ve already put the boys down for their nap.”

  Behind him, Rhys sensed Alexi moving forward, and he blocked her. He waved a slender hand at the nanny. “Why don’t you take a break? I’ll stay here with the boys until you return.”

  The woman stared at the small entourage gathered behind him. “Don’t mind them. They’re all vetted by me. Nothing to worry about.”

  The nanny peered at him. “Sir, are you all right?”

  “Fine, fine. Although I am a bit annoyed at your slowness.” Rhys twisted his face into a scowl. “Now go,” he commanded.

  Her eyes rounded, and she scuttled from the room.

  Rhys jerked his head at Mary Kate. “Stand watch.” As she slipped from the room, Rhys went to the first crib. Baron lay asleep, his knuckles tucked into his tiny mouth. “He’s here,” Rhys whispered. Alexi flew to the crib. “Don’t touch him until we’ve secured the room,” Rhys commanded. “Falhman would not let a mere rogue touch these boys.”

  Alexi withdrew her outstretched hand. She wheeled away and checked the room.

  When she’d left the crib, Rhys gently stroked Baron’s head. Then he went to the other crib. “Is this Hugh Jr.?

  Alexi moved to the crib. “I only saw him once, but I think it’s the same baby. He and Baron look a lot alike.” She continued her survey of the room.

  “Camera in the crib mobile,” she said. “And one over the doorframe.”

  “Can you disable them, Mike?” he asked.

  Mike blocked the door camera, then spun the spy mobile with his finger. “Probably, but security would notice right away.”

  “What about the window?” Rhys asked.

  “Wired to the hilt,” Mike said. “The lightest touch will make them wail. By now, the security hub thinks you’re Falhman.” He gave the spinning mobile another whirl. “I suggest you introduce the boys to Fiona. Then the five of us walk out of here to the pier as if we’re going for a picnic, jump in the boat when Eli brings it, and run like Hell’s hounds are after us.”

  Eli’s voice came on line. “We’re on our way, laddie.”

  “Make it quick, old man,” Rhys said.

  “Except for the part about Fiona, I agree,” Alexi said. “She needs to stay so Falhman doesn’t suspect her.”

  “Agreed.” Rhys lifted Baron and handed him to Alexi, then he retrieved Hugh Jr. Rhys stopped the revolving mobile, facing the camera toward him. “Want to go for a walk with Papa?” he asked when the sleepy child’s eyes opened. Baby Hugh yawned and stretched. “Let’s go,” Rhys commanded.

  Baron awoke and started jumping in Alexi’s arms. “Da! Da!” he exclaimed.

  His son’s words both exalted him and stabbed his heart. Did Baron recognize him, even shifted—as he’d suspected the child did when he saw his hawk ego? Or had Falhman managed to brainwash Baron and make him believe the rogue kingpin was his real father? It took every ounce of Rhys’ strength not to wrench his son from Alexi, reveal his true identity, and kiss the child’s sweet face.

  Then the sensations hit him.

  “Shifters. Coming in quick.”

  Mike drew his gun from his hidden shoulder holster and flung the door open. When Mary Kate saw the weapon, she drew hers. All sense of propriety gone, the team raced along the hall to the corridor.

  As they burst from the side hall, Rhys spotted the real Falhman and a group of his rogues moving toward them. For a split second, no one moved. Then Rhys shoved Hugh Jr. into Alexi’s arms and pushed her and the babies out the glass door. Unholstering his gun, he whirled to face Falhman. Mary Kate and Mike took places on either side of Rhys, ready to fight.

  “Get the boys!” Falhman yelled to his cohorts as he squared off with Rhys and his team. “And don’t shoot them.”

  The rogues ran around the curve in the hall out of Rhys’ sight. A minute later, he heard a shot, the sound of glass shattering, and the wail of the alarm system.

  Rhys spotted the rogues on the lawn chasing Alexi. “We’re done here,” Rhys said. He fired at Falhman, who ducked behind his men. Then they dashed out the door after Alexi.

  “Hold your fire,” Falhman bellowed. “I don’t want to hit the boys.”

  Mike glanced at Rhys. “Do you believe him?”

  “Not for a minute.”

  Rhys fired off a shot at the rogues in hot pursuit. When he reached the edge of the patio, someone jumped him, crashing him to the lawn. His gun flew from his hand, sliding across the grass. Rhys rolled on top of the attacker.

  “Who the hell are you?” Falhman asked as Rhys pinned him to the ground.

  “Your worst enemy,” Rhys replied.

  A powerful yank pulled Rhys to his feet. Falhman scuttled across the grass like a crab toward the safety of the house as a dozen more rogues streamed out. Rhys swung his fist, connecting with the rogue who’d interfered, sending him crashing into the bushes.

  Rhys retrieved his weapon and shot at the rogues.

  “Hold your fire,” Falhman yelled to his men. “Don’t endanger the boys!”

  As Rhys and Mike aimed at the shifters, they crashed the patio tables to the ground, taking cover. Only Falhman stood in the open, moving slowly toward Rhys, his hand raised.

  Mike sidled to Rhys. “What the hell is he doing?”

  “Go. Get the kids to safety. I’ll cover you.” Rhys aimed his gun at Falhman. “One move from you idiots,” he yelled, �
�and your boss is a dead man.”

  Falhman stopped his advance. His gaze shot over Rhys’ shoulder, his eyes widening.

  A Highland banshee bellow made Rhys turn. Eli’s speedboat roared toward the seawall, sideswiping the dock. Donaline and LJ grappled with the pier as Eli leapt from the boat, brandishing his broadsword. In his other hand he wielded Mike’s talwar as he raced across the expanse of lawn toward Alexi.

  “The Keeper,” Falhman yelled as he lunged toward Eli. “Get him!” Pandemonium broke out at the rogue kingpin’s commandment, and his men swarmed from their hiding places like red ants on the attack.

  The alarms sent Fiona running from the bedroom, her long gown trailing behind her. As she dashed along the glass corridors, she fisted the skirt, yanking it above her knees so she could run faster. When she reached the door across from the nursery hallway, she skidded to a stop.

  A few feet from the patio, Falhman fought against himself, locked in hand-to-hand combat. She knew one Falhman was Rhys, but she couldn’t tell the difference.

  Near Rhys and Falhman, Mike fought a clutch of rogues, brandishing his talwar sword, the blade cutting them down with a single swipe. Her back to Mike, Mary Kate fought her own set of shifters, her mimic disguise now gone. Her red hair whipped side to side as she destroyed the enemy.

  Bodies lay strewn across the lawn. Eli stood in front of someone holding two children, slashing at guards who dropped in front of him with each movement. As the pile of dead bodies grew, Eli and the person holding the boys, whom she suspected was Alexi, backed toward the boat, where Donaline had LJ pinned in her arms.

  The vessel rocked violently as the two women struggled. Suddenly, LJ broke free. She leapt from the craft, the motion pitching Donaline overboard. Racing to Alexi, LJ grabbed one of the boys, and fell to the ground hugging him. Alexi tried to haul her to her feet, but before she could, Eli backed over the crouching woman, losing his balance.