by Zoe Chant
“Ow,” Chase said, cheerfully. “As you can see, I've got some way to go with that. Which is why I need all of your help. Oh, and also with the wyvern and the race and all, of course.”
“So I take it Chase has already told you about what happened with my plane?” Connie said, looking round at the group.
Commander Ash inclined his head. “Yes. Mythic shifters—those, like ourselves, who turn into creatures out of legend rather than ordinary animals—are able to communicate telepathically with each other. Chase has already briefed us on your situation. If there is anything we can do to assist, we are at your service.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that, truly.” She shot Chase a sidelong look. “Though I'm not sure how you can help. I don't know what Chase is thinking.”
“Who ever does?” murmured Killian. “Do you actually have a plan, Chase, or are you making it up as you go along as usual?”
“I have a plan,” Chase said indignantly. He hesitated. “Or… I did. Without Griff, I'm going to have to improvise a bit.”
Hugh rolled his eyes. “Oh, joy.”
“Who's this Griff?” Connie asked.
“Another member of our team,” Chase said. “Or, well, technically he was a member. He's a dispatcher now, since he had to retire from firefighting. I wanted him to come with me to talk to Sammy Smiles. He can tell if people are lying, you see.”
“So he's a shifter too?” Connie said.
All four firefighters exchanged glances. “Yes and no,” Ash said. “But that's for Griff to explain, if he wishes.”
“Chase, were you going to introduce her to John, too?” asked Dai. “Is he on his way?”
“No, he's tied up at the moment.” Chase turned to Connie. “John's the friend that I mentioned earlier, the one who I asked to watch over your Spitfire. He'll stand guard over it until we can get it out of the water. He's a sea dragon shifter, so he can stay underwater indefinitely.”
Commander Ash cleared his throat. “Unfortunately, that is not precisely true. John has duties on dry land, as do the rest of the crew. Ms. West, while we can help you in our free time, I am afraid that I cannot allow your predicament to compromise the safety of this city. Our responsibilities must come first.”
“But I need John to help with the plane,” Chase objected. “And that wyvern is still on the loose. I'll need Dai tomorrow to guard the race.”
Ash shook his head. “Alpha Fire Team is scheduled to be on duty tomorrow, and the crew must be at their stations.”
“But—”
“No.” Ash didn't raise his voice, but his tone was utterly final.
Dai gave Chase a sympathetic glance and a slight shrug. It was clear he wasn't going to go against his Commander's orders.
Chase crossed his arms, slouching back in his chair. “Well, I'm not going to be on call,” he snapped at Ash. “I'll be busy with the race. You'll have to find someone else to drive the truck.”
“Chase,” Killian hissed. “Do you want to get yourself fired?”
The Commander made a slight, gracious motion with one hand, brushing aside Chase's rudeness. “Given the circumstances, I can extend Chase some leeway. But I too have superiors, and they are starting to ask questions about my driver. Chase, I have managed to keep you off the duty roster during the air race, citing extraordinary personal circumstances, but you must be available immediately afterwards. I cannot cover for your absences any further than that.”
Chase drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “You won't have to,” he said abruptly. “Because I'm quitting.”
“What?” Hugh and Dai exclaimed together.
Ash's neutral expression didn't change, but he went very still. “Chase, please do not make a decision in haste.”
Chase shook his head, his jaw set stubbornly. “You say that our responsibilities to the city have to come first. Not for me. My mate has to come first, every time.”
“Of course everyone here understands that, Chase,” Virginia said, touching his hand lightly. “But you can't just quit. The team needs you. And besides, you love being a firefighter.”
“After all, where else can you get paid for driving like a lunatic?” Dai added, his tone light but his green eyes deeply concerned.
“Ah, who cares about all that?” Chase waved a hand airily. “It's not like I need the job. All I have to do is call my dad, and I'm CEO-in-training of Tiernach Enterprises. Right, Killian?”
“Your father will be thrilled,” Killian said, though he himself looked extremely un-thrilled at the prospect of working for his cousin. “He's always hoped that you'd grow out of your reckless phase and take your rightful place in the family business.”
“Right. Can't play with cars and planes forever.” Chase straightened up, copying Killian's formal, business-like pose. “And I've got to think about providing for my mate, after all. Financial services pays a lot better than merely saving lives.”
Despite his flippant words, Connie could tell how much his resignation had actually cost him. His shoulders were set in a tight, unhappy line.
“You don't have to do this for me,” she said to him quietly.
He met her eyes levelly, his own utterly serious. “Yes, I do. I'm not losing you again. Whatever happens, wherever you go, I'm going too.”
Connie bristled. “Don't I get a say in that?”
His mouth quirked. “Well, you get to decide whether I'm in your bed or pining after you from a distance, but other than that… no, not really.”
“I'm afraid that really is how shifters are, when it comes to our mates,” Dai said, with a quick, tender glance at Virginia. “Once you've met her, that's it. There'll never be anyone else for you, ever.”
Connie folded her arms. “That's not my experience.”
Chase flinched. “That's why I brought you here. I want you to talk to Dai and Virginia about being mated, while I'm busy with Sammy. Please? It was difficult for them at first too.”
“I know how strange it is to us ordinary humans.” Virginia smiled sympathetically at Connie. “So I think I might be able to explain things better than Chase can.”
“A parrot can explain things better than Chase can,” Hugh muttered.
“Hugh, on the other hand, can't stand being touched and hates all of humanity. This does not make him a good source of relationship advice,” Chase told Connie as he stood up. “But he will protect you, along with Dai. And Killian, too. You'll be safe here.”
Dai's eyes flashed fiery gold for a second. “No mere wyvern will get past me. I can promise you that.”
Chase clapped him on the shoulder, then looked back at Ash. “I was going to ask for your help with Sammy Smiles. But given the circumstances…”
“Even if I will no longer be your Commander,” the Phoenix said, rising, “I will always be your friend. How can I assist?”
Chase grinned, though his usual bright sparkle was subdued. “You can eat dinner.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Chase found Sammy Smiles enjoying a lobster dinner at an upmarket waterside restaurant overlooking the Brighton Marina.
Or rather, he was enjoying his dinner, until Chase walked in and punched him right in the face.
The maître d’hôtel squawked in outrage, while half a dozen shark shifters scattered through the restaurant shot to their feet. Two tiger sharks seized Chase's arms in crushing grips.
“Well, that sure makes my life easier,” Sammy said, dabbing at his bleeding nose with a napkin. “Thanks, son. You're going to be watching the air race from a jail cell. If you're lucky.”
From the doorway, Commander Ash cleared his throat softly.
The two shifters holding Chase's arms abruptly let go. Another shark shifter hastily blew out the lit candle decorating the dining table.
“Commander Ash.” Sammy's eyes narrowed. “What an unexpected pleasure. Can't see any fires here, though.”
The Commander gave him a courteous nod, then turned to the flustered maître d'. “Table for one, please.�
�
The maître d' dithered, looking from Ash to Sammy. “Er… shall I call the police, sir?”
“No need. Just a little misunderstanding,” Sammy told him. He stared hard at Chase. “Pull up a chair, son. You've got my attention.”
*I believe that I should remind you that I am forbidden from burning them, even if they become violent.* Commander Ash sent telepathically to Chase, so that the sharks couldn’t hear. *Under the terms of my asylum, as granted by the Parliament of Shifters, I may only use my powers against other shifters if they commit arson.*
*I know that,* Chase sent back as he seated himself at Sammy's table. *And I'm pretty sure Sammy knows that, too.*
Commander Ash appeared to be completely focused on his menu. *Then I fail to see how my presence can act as a deterrent.*
Chase grinned, watching the shark shifters. They were all eyeing the Commander as though he was a ticking time bomb. The Phoenix was such a stickler for following the rules, it never even occurred to him that other people could worry that he might break them.
*I know you don't,* he sent to Ash. *Trust me. Try the shrimp, it's excellent.*
“So, son.” Sammy leaned back in his chair, his eyes suspicious above his gleaming smile. “What's this about?”
“You know very well.” Chase's own smile sharpened, showing his teeth. “You tried to kill my mate.”
Sammy spread his stubby hands. “Pretty certain I haven't tried to kill anyone, let alone your mate. I don't even know who the lucky lady is.”
“Oh, but you do.” Chase's rage burned in his blood. His pegasus was desperate to trample Sammy into a bloody pulp. “Shane West's daughter, Constance. She was flying his Spitfire when your hired assassin attacked. It's only thanks to me that she isn't at the bottom of the sea along with the plane.”
The front legs of Sammy's chair crashed down. “My Spitfire is where?”
“Don't play the innocent with me,” Chase snarled. “Bad news, Sammy. It takes a lot more than a wyvern to knock me out of the sky.”
The Great White shark shifter stared at him, to all appearances genuinely baffled. “Son, I haven't the faintest idea what you're rattling on about.”
This is why I really needed Griff…
If Griff had been here, they would have been able to get Sammy arrested—the shifter police force knew Griff well enough to act on his testimony without hesitation. But without the half-eagle shifter's special ability, Chase had no way of proving that Sammy was lying.
Just got to keep charging ahead. Keep Sammy off-balance, in the hopes he'll trip up.
“I know it was you,” Chase said. “You're the only one with a motive. And I have iron-clad proof that you hired that wyvern.”
“You'll regret it if you try to catch me with fake evidence, son. My lawyer is a real shark.” Sammy rubbed his chin, his expression unreadable. “Wyvern, you say? Boys, do any of you know a wyvern shifter?”
A general murmur of “No, boss” ran around the table, as Sammy's goons shook their heads.
“Pity.” Sammy snapped a claw off his lobster. “I'm suddenly real eager to make one's acquaintance.”
A couple of Sammy's goons quietly got up, abandoning their half-eaten dinners. With the speed of sharks following a blood-trail, they headed out the door.
Gone to find the wyvern… to warn it?
Chase knew that the wyvern wasn't in Brighton at the moment—his pegasus senses covered the entire city, and there was no hint of the wyvern's distinctive scent. But Sammy knew of his ability. No doubt he'd told his hired assassin to stay out of Chase's range.
He was tempted to follow the shifters immediately, in the hopes that they would lead him to the wyvern. But he wasn't finished with Sammy yet.
Yes, his stallion told him. Fight this one, kill him, now! He threatened our mate!
Sammy appeared not to have noticed his henchmen's departure. “You say this wyvern knocked the Spitfire down into the drink, son?”
“That's right,” Chase said, trying to ignore his stallion's bloodlust. “And if you try to steal it, you'll get a big surprise.”
“I remember your sea dragon friend. So he's guarding my plane. That's real neighborly of him.” Sammy waved the lobster claw at one of his remaining thugs. “Send the nice dragon a fruit basket from me, will you?”
“It's not your plane,” Chase snapped. “And it's not going to be.”
“Well now.” Sammy leaned back again. “Seems to me that it is. The bet's that West's Spitfire will win the Rydon Cup. Even a hotshot pegasus is going to have a mite of trouble winning a race with a plane that's underwater.”
Gotcha!
“Thank you, Sammy.” Chase stood up. “That's exactly what I needed to hear you say. West's Spitfire will win the Rydon Cup, I can promise you that. And I can promise you one other thing.”
“And what might that be, son?” Sammy's eyebrows rose.
Chase leaned on the table, staring Sammy straight in the eye. “If you ever, ever try to harm my mate again, in any way, no matter how indirectly, I will find you. I will hunt you down wherever you try to hide, and then I will personally kick your teeth out through your asshole.”
The shark shifters to either side of Chase bristled, then hesitated. They glanced over at Commander Ash, who was peacefully buttering a bread roll.
“No need, boys.” Sammy waved his shifters back down again. “It's understandable that our pegasus friend here is mite het up, seeing as how some pond scum has been threatening his mate. I'm willing to cut him a little slack.”
Casually, Sammy popped the lobster claw into his mouth. The thick shell splintered as the shark shifter bit down.
“A little slack,” Sammy said, pulling the cracked claw out of his mouth. He idly started picking out bits of lobster meat. “I'm as pained as you are, son, I really am. To think of that beautiful plane all tangled up in seaweed… it breaks my heart. I sure would like to have words with the kind of monster that would ruin a noble warbird like that. You let me know if you find this wyvern shifter, you hear?”
“Oh, don't worry,” Chase said. “I will.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“And that's how we met,” Virginia concluded. She exchanged a long, warm look with Dai, their intertwined hands resting on the top of the table.
Connie felt a little embarrassed to be watching them, like she was intruding on their privacy. There was a deep, unspoken intimacy between the pair that made her feel like a spare wheel. From the way Killian had apparently become fascinated by something at the other end of the bar, he felt just as awkward.
“If you're going to stare at each other like that, for God's sake, get a room,” Hugh snapped. He had his back pressed to the wall, as far from Dai and Virginia as he could get without being on the other side of it. “You've already spoken quite long enough about the joys of being mated. No need to provide us with a physical demonstration as well.”
Connie couldn't help but notice that the paramedic was keeping a marked distance from her, too. When they'd left the private room to head to the more comfortable main bar area, she'd accidentally brushed against Hugh going down the stairs. He'd jerked away from her touch as if she was radioactive. At least he seemed to have the same distaste for Dai and Virginia as well. The only person he didn't seem to mind being near was Killian, oddly.
Virginia just smiled, clearly well used to ignoring Hugh's surly attitude. “So, any questions?” she asked Connie.
Connie had a hunch that there was a lot more to the story than Virginia had revealed. “I don't mean to pry, but… did you ever doubt your feelings for each other?”
One corner of Virginia's mouth curved upward. “Well, I did flee from him in terror one time.”
“Believe me, my mate is very kindly painting me in a much better light than I deserve,” Dai said wryly. “I was so cautious when it came to telling her the truth about myself, I very nearly lost everything. I'm glad Chase hasn't made that mistake, at least.”
“Not talking
enough,” Killian muttered, “has never been one of Chase's problems.”
“But you never doubted your feelings for Virginia,” Connie said to Dai.
“Never,” the dragon shifter said, with utter conviction. “One you meet your mate, that's it. You just know, bone-deep, that there's no one else for you.”
“And that's the way that Chase feels about you,” Virginia added, smiling at Connie.
Connie scowled down into her drink. “That's how he says he feels.”
Killian shot her a sidelong glance. “Could I ask you something?” he said to Dai. “Does Chase have a… reputation?”
“Chase has a lot of reputations,” Dai said, his tone dry. “Were you thinking of anything in particular?”
Killian sighed. “A reputation when it comes to women.”
Of course. He knows why I left Chase.
Killian had been the one who'd called Connie on that horrible morning, three years ago, to ask if she knew where his cousin was. He'd always had to look out for Chase, the same way she'd always had to rescue her dad from his drunken mishaps.
Killian had begged her to go make sure that Chase had gotten home safely, so sincerely that Connie had swallowed her hurt pride at being stood up and done so. And so she'd walked in on Chase in the aftermath of one of his infamous one-night-stands… the ones that he'd sworn he'd given up.
And if she really was his mate, he should have given them up, without hesitation or a second thought.
“Sorry, Connie,” Killian added, throwing her an apologetic look. “But Virginia's story has made it clear that it's best if everyone knows the truth.”
“No, that's all right. I want to know too.” She turned back to Dai. “You can be honest.”
From the conflicted expression on the dragon shifter's face, he really, really didn't want to be honest.
“If you know Chase at all, you know that he does everything at top speed and with excessive enthusiasm,” Virginia said. She shrugged. “As far as I'm aware, that includes his love life. But does it matter what he's done in the past? You're his future.”