Shiftless: Tuatha Series Book 1

by Linton Bowers

  “Like I said, we are dual natured creatures. The more human side of us craves contact with others. In order to satisfy both aspects of our nature we pair up. The pairs have kids, buy houses and cars and live normal lives. At the same time they usually only have one kid and keep to themselves. It’s a constant battle between our two natures. Like most shifter types.”

  That was when we came close to the end of the hallway. Our slow pacing having given us the time to talk and for me to gain a better understanding of wereturtles and maybe a little insight into Rodriguez.

  “Hang Back while I take a peek,” I said.

  Rodriguez nodded as she leaned against the wall. I wondered if turtle healing was slower than snake and wolf or if the stuff they drugged her with was that potent.

  Sliding along the wall I kept my steps light and slow to keep silent. I leaned forward seeing another short hallway that turned left forming a z shaped passage. After getting Rodriguez we made our way to the right and the next corner.

  A cold hard spike was driven into my brain. My legs gave out and I fell dragging Rodriguez with me. I heard her shouting my name from a mile away.

  “TERRY!” My wolf screamed into my mind. Images of scalpels and bone saws flitted through my brain. Blood squirted as I saw a scalpel tear savagely into my wolf’s belly. Another image of the bone saw removing fingers. Blood squirting out in time with her frantic heart beats.

  “Miranda,” I said through gritted teeth. “They. Are. Hurting. Her.”

  “Go,” I heard Rodriguez a lot more clearly. “I will catch up. Go save her!”

  I didn't’ need to be told twice. I took off running. As I ran I closed the wolf gate figuring that my wolf needed all the energy she could muster. I turned the energy flow from the serpent gate down to a trickle. I had no clue what Tabitha was going through but I needed a little something extra. Once Miranda was safe I was going to get my snake.

  The hallway turned to the right. I bowled over a man and woman in white lab coats as I passed them. There was another left then a right but no more people. After The last turn the hall continued straight for a couple hundred yards and ended in a set of sturdy looking double doors. I felt my wolf close and knew I was in the right place.

  I howled a deep and crisp cry as I ran at the doors hitting them with my forearms first and bursting through. Bones cracked and healed in an instant. I pushed aside the pain as I skidded to a stop.

  A hundred yards from me was an operating table with my wolf strapped down. Her abdomen, arms, and legs were cut open reviewing muscle, bone, and organs. The coppery scent of her blood hit my nose with every drop that spilled over the side of the table. Seeing my wolf in such a state sent my heart beating wildly.

  I threw my arms out wide, leaned forward, and let loose a roar louder than I ever had. The sound flowed from me like a wave. My head moved from side to side as I peppered all the people and beasts with my rage.

  the beasts fell to their knees and the people backed away. Several figures covered head to foot in yellow hazmat suits dropped their instruments of torture and backed away from my wolf.

  I cut off my roar and stepped into the room. Slow hand clapping came from my right I turned my head and snarled. The large man that worked for Arnold, Claude, stood just inside the room having entered from a door behind him.

  “Bravo,” he said. “There is no doubting your prowess.” He waved his arm gesturing at the kowtowed animals. “But in my world, tech trumps a roar any day of the week.”

  Claude pulled a remote from his pocket and pressed the singular button. A red light blinked on the collar each and every shifter wore. They all rose to their feet and turned to face me, snarling.

  “Oh shit,” I said.

  Chapter 29

  I ran at the snarling pack of shifter freaks. My legs couldn't carry me fast enough so I dropped. My hands hit the ground and thrust me forward. I kicked at the ground and my lower stance allowed me a much faster pace. I ran on all fours like a werewolf from the Teen Wolf remake show.

  A beast twice my size jumped into my path. In response I pushed myself harder and slammed my shoulder into it. The air exploded from it and it fell away. Another jumped in my path and it too was knocked aside. I made the mistake of thinking this was going to be easy.

  Something hit my side sinking a dozen tiny daggers into my ribs. It knocked me to the side and I fell over with it latched on. My elbow came down on the crown of a hard head with a crunch. The gator mouthed beast let go and flopped to the ground.

  I rose back to my hands and knees when another one jumped on my back. Claws raked my bitten side. Something hard rammed into my other side. The beasts crowded in around me snapping and snarling. Each tried pushing the other out of their way to get a chance to strike.

  I lashed out with my fists and feet wishing I had the same natural weapons as the shifters. Claw and tooth like my wolf or fangs and venom like my serpent. All I had were my two hands, all too human hands, and my human feet.

  “I believe in you, Terry,” my wolf thought to me in a near whisper.

  I roared. “I AM NEVER ALONE!”

  I punched, kicked, bit, and scratched. For every enemy I knocked down another three took its place. I fought on like a man possessed, but it was not enough.

  As I fought something hit my legs knocking them out from under me. Hands as strong as iron gripped my arms and legs pinning me. They pressed against my chest and stomach.

  Another roar escaped my lips as I struggled against the many shifters holding me down. This roar was one of frustration and defeat. What I didn’t do was stop fighting, even if all that meant was jerking my limbs, hips, and torso.

  “Terry!” I heard my name clear as if it were whispered in my ear. I turned my head to face the way I’d come and saw Rodriguez there. She leaned against the door with her hand over her mouth and her eyes wide. By her posture I saw that she hadn’t recovered enough to be a help.

  But maybe there was something else she could do?

  I locked my eyes on hers, not sure if that had to be the case, but as I had no idea how to do what I wanted I did it anyway. Then I pushed my will toward her.

  ***

  I stood in total darkness naked as the day I was born. Rodriguez stood five feet away, also naked, but looking strong. She looked down at herself then at me not bothering to cover her nakedness but rage flashed in her eyes.

  “Care to explain what this is and why your getting an eyeful now?” Rodriguez snapped.

  While it was hard not to notice her small yet perfect breast and light brown nipples, or the neatly trimmed hair covering her pubic area it wasn’t what I had pulled her there for.

  “I’m sorry about the naked thing,” I said. “I didn’t know that would happen. I asked you here because I need your help to save Miranda. I’m outnumbered and there is no way I can win as I am.”

  “Speaking of which,” Rodriguez said. “What the fuck happened to you?” Her eyes moved deliberately from my face down my body.

  I looked down at myself to see what she meant. That was when I realized just how much I had changed physically. What I saw was me how I was before Miranda came along. Thin and soft with no muscle tone to speak of. I knew that was no longer how I appeared naked, but maybe it was how I had to be here and now.

  “This was me before I met Miranda a few days ago. I was thin and frail.” I raised my arms up to show her what I meant. “This is how I feel now. Weak and unable to do what needs to be done. This is why I need your help, need your strength. Will you help me?”

  “You know damn well that I am going to help, but I don’t think I can do what you want. I can’t change who I am, Terry. And I already told you I am not a pack animal.”

  “No, the turtle in you is not a pack animal, but the person you are is fighting to be a part of something,” I replied.

  Rodriguez snorted and shook her head. “Now I know you’re full of shit.”

  “Am I? What person wanting to be alone joins the police for
ce? Tell me, just how much time do you get to spend alone? I don’t see you sitting in a police car with a radar gun writing tickets. That would match with the narrative you're trying to spin, but that isn’t the case. No, not you. You’re part of a team that investigates crime. Why is that?” I asked.

  “Well… why wouldn’t I move up?” She asked. “There is no money in remaining a simple beat cop. I want to make a decent living, Terry.” She crossed her arms over her chest and flashed me a smug grin.

  “Come on now, we both know that you could stay in a car issuing tickets and still move up. The difference is your interactions with people. Look, I’m not here to argue with you or judge. I really need you so that I can save them and you. Will you help me?”

  Confusion danced across her beautiful face. I could almost see the two parts of her warring as she wrestled with the decision.

  “It’s okay, Detective,” My serpent said as she stepped out of the darkness. Like Rodriguez and I, Tabitha was naked. “Terry is a good man. He saved me from certain death and a whole hell of a lot of torture. He hasn’t asked me for anything or forced me to bend to his will,” she said.

  “Yet you can feel it, can’t you,” Miranda said as she stepped out of the dark on the other side of Rodriguez. “His power. His will. His desire to have us and our utter powerlessness to refuse. Do you feel it, Detective?”

  Rodriguez looked left and right at my women then met my gaze she nodded. “Why don’t you just force me?” She asked. “I know you can.”

  She was right. It was in my power to force her to become mine. I had always known that, from the first moment I saw Miranda in this dark space. I was fooling myself by ignoring that aspect of who I am.

  “You’re right,” I said. “I could force you, make you mine and bend you to my will.” Miranda and Tabitha smiled while Rodriguez shrank back as if she had been slapped. “But I am asking you. Rodriguez, if you tell me to get bent then that is that. I would rather die than be that man.”

  I took a couple steps closer to Rodriguez. I was close enough to feel her breath beat against my chest in rapid succession. I looked down at Rodriguez and saw the fear in her eyes. The very same fear that was the driving force of her anger and played a profound effect on all the decisions she made. I smiled at the wereturtle.

  Then I dropped to my knees and bowed my head. “Rodriguez, I beg you to help me save my women. In return I promise to give you the community you wish to be a part of. I accept you as you are and I will never ask you to change for me.” I looked up at her hoping that she could see the truth of my words in my eyes. “I will never purposefully do anything to hurt you. I promise to treat you with all the respect and reverence you deserve. Please, lend me your strength so that I may be strong enough.”

  I lowered my head. With every fiber of my being I wanted her to say yes. But the fear I witnessed in her eyes made me doubt the success of my plea. I began to come to terms with the defeat I was about to experience. I had let my…

  “Yes,” Rodriguez whispered.

  “What?”

  Rodriguez had a single tear running down her cheek. “I’ll do it,” She said. “I will join your pack, Terry.”

  I stood and face Rodriguez, my turtle. A smile spread across my face. I looked left and right to share the joy with my wolf and serpent, but they were gone. My smile faded.

  I turned my attention back to Rodriguez. She was looking down at her hands as her fingers fidgeted. I placed my hands over hers. “I will not betray your trust,” I said.

  “You better not, or I will rip your balls off and feed them to you,” Rodriguez said.

  I laughed then wrapped my arms around Rodriguez and pulled her tight against me. She went rigid. “Thank you,” I whispered.

  I released Rodriguez from my mental hold, but stayed in the darkness alone. Then I willed my skill sheet into being.

  Once again I was presented with orbs only now there were three highlighted. The third labeled Turtle.

  “Yes!” I shouted as I fist pumped. The dark mind space allowed for things like fist pumping without being seen and being called out for it.

  I mentally selected the turtle circle and it opened like a flower. The four blue glowing petals each had a word. Shell, durability, toughen, and connection. That was unexpected and awesome. If I was right each was an augment skill that would apply to me. I focused on shell to see what it was and did.

  Shell:

  This skill allows you to cover yourself in a turtle like shell making you invulnerable until it is dismissed or it’s armor rating reaches zero.

  Armor rating 100 / 100

  Next level: Armor rating increases to 150.

  Cost 1 Ability Point.

  Do you wish to purchase Shell?

  I closed the window and the Turtle sphere. If what I read was correct I should have at least one point to spend, I hoped. A quick scan of the skill tree and there it was on the bottom left. Six points available. Now it was time to figure out what I was going to buy.

  I opened the wolf sphere next to see what was there. Once again I was presented four pedals with options different from the turtle sphere. In The wolf school I was offered Wolf Sense, Dexterity, Fierce Bite, and Connection.

  Then I selected the serpent sphere watching as the wolf closed and the serpent opened. This one also gave me some new options. On each petal were the words Venom, Speed, Poison Sting, and Connection. As each had a Connection skill I chose that one to inspect next.

  Connection:

  Increase your connection to your Tua. Increased connection allows for fifty percent more energy gained when the associated gate is opened taking fifty percent less energy from the target the gate is associated with.

  Next Level: 60% more energy received and 60% less taken.

  Cost 1 Ability Point.

  Do you wish to purchase Connection?

  There was no doubt in my mind I was taking that for each of my packmates, or Tua as the arm band liked to call them. In their weakened state this skill would allow me to borrow their power and still leave them with energy to heal. I willed one point to go to Connection before considering if I should go to another sphere or stay in Serpent. I checked the other Serpent skills.

  Venom:

  Venom taints your blood with a powerful neurotoxin. Anything that punctures your flesh has a 5% chance to become paralyzed.

  Next level: 10% chance to paralyze anything that punctures your skin.

  Cost: 1 Ability Point

  Do you wish to purchase Venom?

  Speed:

  Not much moves faster than a striking snake. Increase your speed by 50% when attacking.

  Next level: Increase speed 55% when attacking.

  Cost: 1 Ability Point.

  Do you wish to purchase Speed?

  Poison Sting

  Gift your Tua with a powerful neurotoxin that secretes from their claws and teeth. Causes poisoning damage over a 10 second period. 5% chance to paralyze the target.

  Next Level: 12 seconds of Poisoning damage and 8% chance to paralyze the target.

  Cost: 1 Ability Point.

  Do you wish to purchase Poison Sting?

  The options available under the serpent sphere were astounding. It was so much like a video game that thoughts of min maxing danced in my vision. Or maybe specializing since I didn’t seem to have access to specific stats. I moved back to wolf to see what I could do there.

  Wolf Sense:

  Werewolves make bloodhounds jealous. Your nose is as sharp as a werewolf making your olfactory senses 300% better than human norm.

  Next Level: Not Applicable

  Cost: 1 Ability Point.

  Do you wish to purchase Wolf Sense?

  Dexterity:

  A dog couldn’t catch a cat if it moved like a sloth. Increase your dexterity and all it entails by 60%.

  Next Level: Increase dexterity by 65%.

  Cost: 1 Ability Point.

  Do you wish to purchase Dexterity?

  Fierce Bite
:

  Don’t look a gift wolf in the mouth, because you are liable to get bitten. Increase attack power of your Tua by 80% for 20 seconds

  Next level: Increase attack power of your Tua by 80% for 25 seconds.

  Cost: 1 Ability Point.

  Do you wish to purchase Fierce Bite?

  Once again I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw and I was seeing a pattern. Next I closed the wolf sphere and opened the turtle sphere again. It was time to finish seeing what was available and spend my remaining points. I already knew what Shell and Connection did so I moved to the second and third skills.

  Durability:

  Feeling hungry? gnaw on a turtle shell and you will get to the meat… eventually. Increase your durability by 40% making your skin tougher and your bones denser.

  Next level: Increase your durability by 50%.

  Cost: 1 Ability Point.

  Do you wish to purchase Durability?

  Toughen:

  What's better than a group of shifter fighting by your side? A group of indestructible shifters fighting by your side. Increase the durability of you Tua by 75% for 20 seconds.

  Next Level: Increase the durability of your Tua by 70% for 25 seconds

  Cost: 1 Ability Point.