Shiftless: Tuatha Series Book 1

by Linton Bowers

  “Why?”

  “Why can we go separate ways?”I asked.

  “No, why did you bring me here instead of leaving me? He will be looking for me.”

  “I couldn’t just leave you there, that would have been wrong. And as far as Arnold goes he is already looking for me. Leaving you there wouldn’t have changed that. It’s why I think it might be best if you did leave and go somewhere far away from me.”

  She stared at me with her strange unblinking eyes for a few minutes before responding. “I don’t know what I should do. Can I think on it for a little while?”

  “Sure. While you do I’ll grab you something to eat.”

  “Good luck with that,” Miranda said as she entered the living room. “The ham from earlier was the extent of the food available unless you hunger for some ketchup? No? I didn’t think so. I am going to run out and get us something to eat.” Miranda’s nose twitched as she sniffed the air.

  “Terry, I suggest you take a shower. I think all the excitement caused you to do a fair amount of sweating and it isn’t the most pleasant smell.”

  I lifted my arm and took in a whif. The odor hit me in the nose like a brick. I dropped my arm and turned my head away. “Yeah, I think that’s a great idea.” I looked back to Tabatha. “Are you going to be okay while I shower and Miranda is gone?”

  “Yesss.”

  “Okay, great.”

  That hissing thing she was doing creeped me out a bit but I didn’t let on. I was pretty sure she would feel the same about me being prey as I would about her fear.

  “She is keeping herself close to transformation. It’s a self defense mechanism to keep her power available in the event she has to strike quick. It’s the equivalent of a snake curling up so it can strike if it has too. Be careful and don’t make her feel threatened. We both already know how that goes with her.” Miranda thought to me.

  I gave Miranda a nod before she left acknowledging her suggestion. I rose t my feet and stretched. Kneeling next to the couch was not a comfortable experience.

  “You were there the entire time I slept?”

  “Yeah, I didn’t want you to feel threatened by Miranda. She really doesn’t mean you any harm,”

  I said.

  “I’m sstarting to ssee that.” The tone of her voice didn’t convince me.

  “Would you like to shower first so you can do it before the hot water starts to run out?”

  “No, pleasse go first. I will go after you. Are there any clothess I can wear?” Tabitha asked.

  “Check the bedroom. Jen’s clothes are still in there but she is a bit bigger than you so they may be loose.”

  “I can live with loose. It’s better than torn and dirty.”

  “I bet it is.”

  Before I could turn away Tabitha jumped up from under the blanket revealing her nude form. I looked just long enough to note that her ribs protruded a little less and she had a healthy pinkish color to her pail skin. I swear that was all I was looking at. Honest. Kinda.

  I spun shook my head to get back to focusing on the important stuff like not looking at the naked woman and getting in the shower.

  After removing my short I saw something I had never seen before in the mirror above the sink. Abs. I had a six pack starting to show and the spare tire I was sporting had all but vanished. The sight brought a huge grin to my face. I patted my tummy like a drum as I turned to see my smaller waist from different angles. I let out a chuckle and stepped into the shower.

  I have a bad habit of spending a lot of time under the warm spray and thinking. I usually come away with an answer to a question I was dealing with or come to a new epiphany about myself. This time, while there was plenty to think about there was also another person in need of the magic healing touch of a hot shower. With that in mind I lathered up and rinsed as quick as I could.

  I came to the realization that I failed to plan ahead right after shutting the water off. I forget to get a towel and the closet was on the other side of the bathroom. Which meant to either use Jen’s towel, which hung from the shower curtain bar to dry from it’s last use, or get the floor wet. Considering the nose on my… on Miranda, who I was unsure of what label to give, I opted for a fresh towel.

  There were plenty of towels in the closet so I grabbed two. One for me and one for the floor I just dropped a bunch of water on. I turned and came face to face with Tabitha. She was in her snake form. Tabitha rushed forward so fast I could barely track her movements. She circled me three times and stopped in front of me. Her tail was wrapped around my body high enough to pin my hands to my sides. I thought I could pull free but decided to wait. If she wanted to hurt me she could have done it before I saw her.

  Tabatha swayed back and forth in front of me with her alien eyes locked onto mine. I found myself transfixed with the bright emerald of her slitted eyes. My body started to sway back and forth in time with hers.

  “You really wisssh to help me?”

  I nodded.

  “I don’t undersstand why. Tell me.”

  I nodded again. “I saw you in trouble and had to help. If I were in your shoes I would have wanted someone to help me.”

  “Truly?” She asked. Her head tilted to the side and she blinked for the first time.

  I shook my head and blinked my eyes several times. Tabatha loosened her coils but stayed where she was.

  “Yeah,” I said. “I have no other motives for helping you, Tabatha. I saw someone who needed help and I helped. It’s how I was raised.” I shrugged. “It was programed into me from when I was a little kid.”

  “I see.” She looked down and her eyes moved back and forth. I caught sight of the tip of her tail twitching like an irritated cat.

  “Can I ask you a question now?” I asked. Tabatha raised her head and met my gaze. She nodded. “Do you have claws and fangs like werewolf?”

  Her eyes narrowed to slits and I thought I may have screwed up by mentioning werewolves. But Tabitha raised one hand up so I could see the human looking nails growing from her scaled finger tips. Then she opened her mouth and her teeth looked human with the exception of two.

  “You don’t have k-9 teeth on top, just empty space. Were they removed? I didn’t notice them missing when you were in human form.”

  Tabatha’s mouth opened up wide enough to fit my head and two long thin fangs folded down from the roof of her mouth. A drop of fluid glistened from one before it fell to the ground.

  “Holy shit. That’s sick.” I raised my hand up and stopped. “Can I touch them?” I asked.

  Tabatha folded her fangs back and closed her mouth. There was a pop as her jaw was inserted into its sockets. “You may touch my fangs, but be careful. If your skin is pierced you will be paralyzed and die a slow death as your organs shut down one by one.”

  “Okay,” I said. I almost took back my request, but felt the trust she was showing me was more important than giving into my fear.

  Tabatha opened her mouth wide and extended her fangs. I slid my finger down the four inch hypodermic needle of a tooth. It was smooth and slick. When I pulled my hand back there was some sticky saliva on my finger tip. I rubbed my fingers together feeling the texture. It was thicker than my own saliva.

  “That is so awesome,” I said.

  Tabatha retracted her fangs and closed her mouth with another pop. “I am going to shower now, Terry.”

  “Okay,” I said.

  I was spun around and fell over as Her tail retracted. I looked up from my new vantage point on the floor at a nude Tabatha. She smiled at me and walked casually into the shower. She closed the curtain and I heard the snap and hiss of the water turning on.

  I stood and rubbed my sore elbow. Shaking my head I went back to drying and cleaning the floor. I set a towel on the sink for Tabitha and went into the bedroom.

  Fortunately for me Jen hadn’t thrown out my clothes like she said she had. I dressed in my favorite jeans and a button up light blue shirt which I left untucked. I topped, or bottomed
, out the look with my dark blue steel toed work boots.

  I found Miranda in the kitchen setting out plates of bar-b-que she got from the place down the street. It was one of my favorites and I was glad to see it. Judging from the rumbling in my tummy so was it.

  “Hey, Miranda. I’m glad you found Earl Harbinger’s Southern BBQ. That is the best food in town.”

  Miranda beamed at me. “It smelled good so I went for it.”

  “Good call.” I grabbed a plate Miranda heaped a mountain of meat on.

  “Did the serpent queen give you any trouble?” Miranda asked.

  “No. Not really.”

  “No, or not really?” Miranda asked.

  I chewed down a hunk of meat before responding. “I think she was trying to feel me out and see if I had some ulterior motives, but we’re good. Let me ask you something. Is it just the snakes types that seem cool with being naked or is that a Lycan thing?” I asked.

  “It’s a Lycan thing. Kind of hard to be modest when you either have to undress to change or your clothes get shredded so we learn to be comfortable in our own skin.”

  “That makes sense.”

  Miranda ran her hands down the length of her body. “It doesn’t hurt that we’re all hot either,” She said.

  “No it doesn't.” I set my plate down and pulled her close. “Maybe we can make some time soon for just the two of us?” I asked.

  Miranda jumped up and wrapped her legs around my waist. Her arms went around my neck and she pulled me in for a long sensual kiss. “You are my alpha. If you want to do it in the middle of a busy highway then that is what we’ll do. So whenever you want time you got it.” She kissed me again.

  “I like that plan.” I said. “Well maybe not the highway thing.” We laughed.

  Chapter 8

  The time Miranda promised came quicker than I thought. Tabitha fell asleep after eating and Miranda pulled me into the bedroom. I was surprised to see the bed made.

  “I found some clean sheets and got the bed ready for us,” Miranda said.

  I pulled her close and kissed her. Being alone with the beautiful woman caused the need I felt inside to grow. My body responded as well by swelling my manhood with blood. I grabbed her shirt and tore it off. The rest of her clothes quickly followed.

  Miranda grabbed my shoulders and spun us around so my back was to the bed. With strength that far exceeds what a woman her size should have she shoved me. My feet left the floor and I landed face up on the firm mattress. She slowly crawled across me until her breasts were over my face. She pressed one of her pink nipples to my mouth and I greedily sucked it. The moans of pleasure she let out made my manhood throb.

  Miranda’s fingernails extended into claws. She set her hand on my chest and for a brief moment I thought she was going to end me. Her hand slid down my torso splitting the fabric of my shirt but leaving my skin unharmed. She slashed at my belt then pulled my jeans off. I watched all the interesting ways her breasts bounced as she worked.

  Once I was as nude as she was, Miranda straddled my waist. She used her hand to guide me in. The feeling of her surrounding me was almost enough to drive me over the edge. I held on though, as I wanted to make sure she was satisfied.

  Our bodies moved in an ever increasing rhythm as Miranda rode me. I twisted and pushed her off then guided her to her knees where I took her from behind. We enjoyed each other in several more positions before I emptied myself inside of her while laying on top. Her body arched as she climaxed in time with my own orgasm. We fell onto the bed spent.

  Miranda ran her hands through my hair as we lay in each others arms. The sensation lulled me into sleep. I woke the next morning with my beautiful blonde haired wolf-woman wrapped around me. It was the best morning ever.

  I slide free without waking Miranda and dressed. The good thing about being in my old apartment was having all of my clothes. After taking care of myself in the bathroom I went to the kitchen and prepared breakfast. Tabitha was still asleep when I finished cooking so I woke her. Miranda joined us without me having to get her.

  With all three of us fed and rested it was time to do something. Staying in my apartment was not an option. There was no way Arnold was not going to figure out where I lived considering the temp agency had my address on file.

  “I think we need to get out of here,” I said. “There is no doubt Arnold will find us soon.”

  “I agree,” Miranda replied. “while you slept I was making arrangements for ID cards for the three of us.”

  “For me too?” Tabitha asked. She looked at me as she spoke. Her unblinking emerald eyes had a round dark dot in the center instead of the slits she had the previous day. I nodded my agreement.

  “Yes, dear. While I didn’t ask Terry if that was okay I had a feeling he would want you to have as much protection as we could offer against Arnold. So I went ahead and had papers prepared for you. Is that okay?” Miranda asked.

  “Good with me,” I said.

  “Thank you,” Tabitha said. Her gaze seemed to grow more intense but I didn’t back down from her stare. My instincts told me that would be a mistake. “I want to give you the thing Arnold is after,” Tabitha said.

  “why?” I asked. “I mean you were tortured and you didn’t give it up to him. You could have and he might have spared you. Why give me something you were willing to die to protect?” I asked.

  “My clan died protecting it. I would have too, but I think you’re worthy. And maybe you can keep it from Arnold.”

  “I don’t know if we can keep ourselves from Arnold.” Miranda snorted after she said it.

  “Once you see it you might change your mind,” Tabitha said.

  “I don't know if inviting more trouble is the way to go here,” I said. “Maybe it should stay where it is for now.” I replied.

  “If it stays there he will find it in time. The longer we wait the closer he comes to finding it.” Tabitha said. I was getting a little uncomfortable by her unyielding stare.

  “I think we should at least find out what it is.” I saw the merit in Miranda’s thought.

  “Okay. I don’t want Arnold gaining more of an edge on us than he already has.” I ran my hand through my hair and let out a long sigh. “It’s bad enough that I’m broke and have no idea how I am going to get us through the rest of today let alone take care of us long term.”

  Miranda laughed and covered her mouth trying to hide it.

  “What?” I asked.

  “It’s just amazing to see how easily you slipped into being an alpha. It hasn’t even been twenty four hours and you’re already thinking of how to take care of your pack. Simply amazing,” she said.

  “Um… Okay.” I needed to work on my witty retorts.

  “Don’t worry about money. I, no we, have plenty.” Miranda said.

  “How do you figure?” I asked.

  “Well, like to…”

  “Did you hear that?” Tabitha interrupted. She sat forward and looked toward the window.

  “Shit, we are out of time,” Miranda said.

  “What is it?” I asked. I jumped to my feet.

  “Car doors,” Miranda answered. She sniffed the air for a second. “Three wolves, but Arnold isn’t one of them. We should go.”

  “Shit! Were going to run into them on the stairs. We have to find another way if we’re going to avoid them,” I said.

  “With the three of us we could beat them,” Miranda said.

  “I don’t know,” I replied. “I don’t see how I could stand against a werewolf.” The thought of going toe to toe with one of those monsters was almost enough to make me piss myself. “I know,” I held up my hand to stop Miranda’s objection, “You’ve said I’m powerful and you feel I can take on a wolf, but I haven’t seen much of this power you think I poses. A sucker punch doesn't count in my book. As I’m responsible for the both of you it’s my call and I say we run.”

  “But…”

  “You claim to have submitted to me,” I interrupted. “I
would think that means doing what I say.”

  Miranda closed her mouth and nodded. I glanced at Tabitha due to her having stayed quiet during the exchange. She nodded once which I took to mean she accepted my leadership.

  “We have to talk once we are able to.” Miranda gave me a hard stare to go with her thought. I acknowledged with a nod.

  “Any ideas on how to get out since the stairs are a no go?” I asked.

  Both women stared at me without offering any help.

  “I guess I deserved that.” I went to the living room window and looked out. From there I had a clear view of the street and the black cadillac SUV with black tinted windows. The wolves were not there.

  “Miranda, can you look out the bedroom window and let me know if it’s clear?”

  “On it,” she replied. A few seconds later she called back from the room. “There are no vehicles or wolves I can see.”

  “They’re coming up the stairs,” Tabatha said.

  I heard the sound of a step creak under the weight of a heavy body. It seemed like it came from the second floor.

  “Second floor?” I asked as I turned to face Tabitha. She nodded. “Bedroom. Come on.”

  I grabbed Tabitha’s arm and led her into the room as I ran. We entered and found Miranda still looking out of the window. Tabitha took in a couple deep breaths then looked from Miranda to me and back. Her face took on a red tint that went all the way down to the collar of her shirt.

  “Plan?” Miranda asked her words were clipped and her tone sharp. I had a feeling I might pay for not doing what she wanted. That was a concern for later.

  “We jump,” I said.

  “Now you want to believe you’re stronger than a normal man?” She snapped.

  “Maybe I do believe you, Miranda. I just don’t want to go into battle with untested abilities. Like going to war with a rifle you never fired. A bad idea as I understand it. You can chew my ass when we’re safe. For now let’s go.” Miranda growled, then stepped back and waved toward the window.

  “We need to get it open,” I said.

  “Clear!” Tabitha shouted. I turned in time to see the chair from Jen’s vanity flying at me. I dropped. The chair sailed over my head and hit the window. There was a loud crash followed by the twinkling of falling glass.