Shifters of the Wellsprings: The Complete Paranormal Collection

by Leela Ash

  Before Savannah could push that further, Griffin shook his head. “I’ve dealt with him longer than any of you. If there’s one thing I know about Nemo… er, Jordan here, it’s that he has his own reasons for doing things. Don’t assume his ‘gifts’ are meant to help you.”

  The closest thing to a friend he had, and the man wouldn’t speak up for him.

  That is a sad commentary on the state of my life. Even worse? I can’t say he’s wrong.

  Savannah could though. “Bullshit. Look at the information he just shared with us. How is that not a gift? How was that self-serving?”

  “Maybe he’s trying to cut a deal,” Donnelly suggested. “He thinks the Fangs are going down, so he betrays them. Offers to trade knowledge for his life.”

  All shyness, all nervousness, had vanished from his ‘meek’ secretary. Fighting for his life, she found a new courage. One strong enough to contradict a Dragon. “That doesn’t make sense. He didn’t put any conditions on sharing info with us.”

  Donnelly snorted. “So, you’re telling me that he’s still going to spill the beans even if we decide to kill him?”

  “Yes,” Jordan said. “Savannah’s right. I’m not bargaining for anything.”

  “Huh.” The Dragon leaned back in his chair. “All right. That’s one point for you.”

  “Oh, please!” Nose wrinkling with irritation, Witch Queen LePierre interrupted. “We’re losing sight of the one indisputable fact that condemns him. The man is a Worm. A Worm. A debased, fallen Dragon. Tell me we are not seriously considering letting one of these creatures survive?”

  For a moment, he had dared to hope that Savannah could persuade them. But at the Hare’s reprimand, faces around the room hardened. Wolves, Bears, and Dragons all grew darker.

  The Rat, however, almost laughed. “Ain’t that the truth?” SueSue chortled. “Worms! They’re awful! Hell, they’re as bad as Chimeras!”

  That support, so unexpected, surprised Jordan. Was the old Rat an ally?

  Her words certainly hit their target: Griffin Davis. The Chimera’s frown melted away. “She’s right. We have to judge him on his deeds, not his Kind.”

  The laser of the Hare’s annoyance turned to him. Clearly the Witch Queen was not happy to have Rats and Chimeras yapping in the middle of her trial. “Kind and deed cannot be separated.”

  Anger flared in the shapeshifter’s eyes. “I remember you saying almost that exact same thing about me at our last trial.”

  “This is why trials are shit!” King muttered. All three Wolf Alphas began to pace like trapped animals.

  Stunned by the sudden change, Jordan felt a strange, alien emotion.

  Hope. Could Savannah actually pull this off?

  SueSue and Griffin would vote to acquit him, he was sure. The Dragons would probably condemn – unless Donnelly decided ‘one point in his favor’ was enough. LePierre was a definite no. The Bear hadn’t said a word… but he was a good friend of SueSue. The old Rat had saved his family – and that was the greatest favor you could ever do for a Bear.

  And the Wolves? Hell, the only thing they’d vote for now was a beer run.

  Savannah – and SueSue – had split the room. One good speech, one more piece of evidence, in his favor… and the women might win his freedom.

  His secretary was prepared. Proud and confident, she rose to her feet again. “I think the real question is−”

  A gunshot shattered the night’s stillness.

  Jordan threw himself forward, tackling Savannah and covering her with his body. Around them, the room exploded into action. Wolves drew their guns and streamed out the door. Rex Fairborn Shifted into a hulking Kodiak Bear that loomed protectively over Queen LePierre. SueSue scurried close to him as Briggs and Davis followed the Wolves.

  A shadow fell over Jordan and Savannah. The Worm looked up – into the face of Finn Donnelly.

  Half-Shifted, he was fully armored in white scales. Three-inch-long talons curved from his fingers, strong enough to slice through steel.

  Or a Worm.

  That lethal arm was cocked back, frozen in mid-swing.

  He thought I was trying to escape – or take a hostage.

  Jordan felt a grudging respect for the old warrior.

  That’s a man who never forgets his enemy.

  “Are you all right, Ms. Dare?” Sharp teeth slurred the Dragon’s words.

  As Jordan raised himself to one elbow, she gave a shaky nod. “Yes. What happened?”

  A good question. Careful to keep his body between Savannah and any windows, Jordan scanned for threats. The Dragon, he ignored. Donnelly might not realize it but they were on the same side.

  More noise came from outside. Aaron King backed in, pointing a gun at someone. Jordan rose to shield Savannah and was pleased to see that the white Dragon actually joined him.

  Todd Manning, Savannah’s handler, entered with his hands raised. “Sorry for that, folks. I wish there’d been another way, but…”

  Donnelly visibly relaxed. “Manning, what happened? King, it’s okay. Manning’s been handling espionage for the First Flight.”

  The Wolf’s gun never wavered. “Now, he’s shooting Rats.”

  “I shot a traitor. One who was trying to plant explosives under this building.”

  Murmurs broke out. King finally relented and holstered his weapon as people drifted back to their seats. Only SueSue Mint remained on her feet, close to the back door. Rex Fairburn shuffled over and nuzzled her, still in his Bear form. The Rat didn’t seem comforted by that gesture.

  “Please, let me explain.” Sorrow radiated from Manning’s broad face. A grief so strong it made Jordan suspicious. “Three days ago, Savannah Dare told me Nemo’s true identity. I only shared that information with a handful of people. Yet two days later, the Fangs of Apophis knew. Someone told them. Someone high up in our ranks.”

  Jordan had wondered about that. Manning was still the chief suspect in his book, though. Today’s events didn’t improve his opinion of the man.

  “I just found out who that was. Josh Bentley. My liaison with the local Rats.”

  All the blood drained from SueSue’s face. “You shot Josh? King, is he dead?”

  The Wolf nodded. “He is.”

  “I traced the leak back to him,” Manning said. “When I went to confront him, I found him stuffing this under the house.” He held up a small grey packet, wrapped in plastic. “Explosives. Enough to kill anyone except a Dragon.”

  “Liar!” SueSue’s teeth chattered against each other, a sign of rage, which Rats rarely revealed. “I’ve known Josh since he was a pup. He’d never try to kill me.”

  “Ma’am, I’m sorry.” Head bowed, Manning was a picture of sorrow. “I’d be happy to show you the paper trail that proves his guilt.”

  “Liar!”

  “Ms. Mint, please.” LePierre held up a delicate hand for silence.

  “What? The man’s a liar! Somebody ought to put a bullet in his brain.”

  Beside him, Savannah shivered – an unpleasant reminder that she’d been close to Manning. Jordan longed to slip an arm around her shoulders, but that would be grievously out of line. This wasn’t a pain he could protect her from.

  “You can prove these accusations?” Donnelly’s last scales vanished as he frowned at the Bear.

  “Yes, sir. I’ll do that as soon as this trial is done, of course. I−”

  “Liar!”

  “Ms. Mint!” LePierre’s Hare stomped a warning. “You are out of line!”

  “I’m out of line?” the Rat cackled. “What about the asshole who killed Josh?”

  Casey Briggs cleared his throat and added his vote to the doubters. “I know this is hard to accept, Ms. Mint. But Mr. Manning is correct: We clearly have a traitor in our midst.”

  “Well, how do you know it’s not him?” She jerked a finger at the handler.

  LePierre pursed her lips. “Todd Manning has served the First Flight and Sedona for years. I would never question his loyal
ty. I know he was a friend of yours, but Josh Bentley is a much more likely culprit because… well, he is,” the Witch Queen finished lamely.

  Jordan knew what she really meant.

  So did SueSue. “Say it. ‘Because he’s a Rat.’ That’s what you meant.”

  “Ms. Mint…” Briggs held up a hand. “Please…”

  But LePierre wasn’t even apologetic. “Yes, that’s what I meant. He was a Rat. Your Kind’s reputation precedes you.”

  Harsh and brimming with contempt, SueSue’s laughter echoed in the room. “Sure, it does. Worms and Chimeras and Rats. Everybody knows what we are!”

  Fairburn Shifted human once more and shot the other Bear a burning glare. “SueSue, I’m sorry. Let’s hear what−”

  “No! I’ve heard enough.” The old woman’s eyes raked across the other Shifters. “Screw all of you. Screw you and your trial. I’m out of here.”

  She stormed out the back door, Fairburn in her wake futilely trying to calm her down.

  Inside, Jordan cringed. This was why the Fangs were winning. The ‘Good’ Guys couldn’t manage to be decent to each other. Prejudice ran deep in Shifter society.

  LePierre rolled her eyes. “Idiots! Now, we don’t have votes from the Bears or the Rats! And where are you three going?” She turned an outraged, baleful glare on the three Wolves.

  King paused in the doorway. “I got a bottle of Jack Daniel’s in my kit. Now, we gotta rustle up some beer to chase it down.”

  Ah, yes. The predicted beer run. Right on schedule.

  “Sit down,” the Witch Queen hissed. “We’re not finished here.”

  That was the wrong tone to use with Wolf Alphas. King’s voice dropped to a soft, dangerous purr. “Woman, get that sneer off your face, or I’ll slap it off.”

  Safe in the presence of Dragons, the Hare gave little weight to his threat. “Oh, really? You’re threatening to assault women now? Where’s your Wolfish ‘honor’?”

  Good lord. Was any Kind immune to her scorn?

  King’s eyes narrowed, then he stuck his head out the door and bellowed at the top of his lungs. “Lily! Get over here, girl. I got a woman who needs her ass kicked in the worst way.”

  Cheers rang out from the Wolf Packs and a young woman yelled, “Be right there, Pops!”

  Briggs winced. “No. No, no, no, no, no…. Don’t drag my Mate into this… A thousand pardons…” Before the Witch Hare could object, he bolted out the door. Closely followed by the three Wolves.

  Which left only Griffin, Donnelly, and LePierre, Jordan noted. Well, and Manning. Nobody seemed inclined to give him the ‘Bear’ vote, though.

  A tiny pool of voters. And not ones friendly to him.

  LePierre flounced back in her chair with a dramatic sigh. “How typical. As always, Hares and Dragons remain the only responsible Shifters in our community.”

  “And Chimeras,” Griffin added with a sweet smile. “Don’t forget the Chimera.”

  “My apologies. Glad to see that you’re not as easily insulted as our Rats and Wolves.”

  The ‘sugar’ in his smile curdled but his grin never disappeared. “Oh, don’t get me wrong. You’ve insulted the hell out of me. Unlike the Rats and Wolves, though, the madder I get, the more I want to sit here and keep my vote. And my vote is to acquit.”

  Donnelly startled. “You think he can redeem himself?”

  Jordan’s long-time not-quite-a-friend shrugged. “I don’t know. I think people deserve a second chance though. And that too many people have already died today. I’m not willing to kill more.”

  “Well I am,” LePierre huffed. “I vote to convict.”

  Which meant the deciding vote fell to Donnelly – and Jordan had no doubt what the Dragon thought of him.

  At least it will be quick.

  “Mr. Donnelly?” LePierre prompted. “What is your vote?”

  Shoulders slumped, the Dragon stared at Jordan. Thoughtful. Sad. Pensive.

  None of that gave the Worm any hope. There was too much bad blood between their Kinds. Too much history. Too much death.

  Donnelly knew it too, and in the end, he shook his head. “I’m sorry. You’ve done us a lot of good but, at the end of the day, you’re a Worm. I can’t let you go. I vote−”

  “ENOUGH!”

  Like a trumpet’s clear blast, Savannah’s voice silenced the room. “This farce needs to end, now! You!” One quick step brought her face to face with Donnelly, and the hulking Dragon shied away as she poked him in the chest. “I thought the whole point of this trial was democracy. Instead of Dragons giving orders, all the Kinds would be involved. We’d work things out together. Well, in case you didn’t notice, only half of the Kinds are still here.”

  “They chose not to participate,” LePierre snapped. “They left.”

  “They got driven out. By you,” Savannah countered.

  The Hare’s eyes narrowed. “Kin-woman, you will keep a civil tongue in your head when you address Shifters.”

  “Hey.” A menacing growl entered Donnelly’s voice. One that echoed in Jordan’s own heart. “No threats. This lady raises a good point. We need the others.”

  “Oh, please!” LePierre surged to her feet, throwing her arms wide. “Isn’t today proof that your ‘democracy’ doesn’t work? There is a natural hierarchy among Shifters, whether you want to admit it or not. Dragons, Hares, Bears… then Wolves and Rats.”

  “…cough… Chimeras… cough…” Griffin snorted.

  “I think you’re below ‘the Hierarchy’ with us Worms,” Jordan said in a stage whisper.

  Ignoring the Hare, Savannah peered up into Donnelly’s face. “Listen to yourselves. Is that really the world you want? Where Dragons are kings, Hares advise them… and all the rest of us are peasants?”

  “Lady, you’re Kin.” A nasty humor curled Griffin’s lip. “You don’t even rate as high as a peasant.”

  “Mock all you like.” The Hare’s eyes narrowed to two furious slits. “However, that form of rule has served us well for centuries. Today demonstrates why. Mr. Donnelly, I ask you again: What is your vote?”

  The Dragon sighed. “Look, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we try this again tomorrow? This time, I’ll bring my Mate. Bree is great with people and−”

  “You need your Mate to tell you what you think?” LePierre sneered.

  Red light blazed in the Dragon’s eyes. “ENOUGH.”

  Savannah’s shout had been a trumpet; Donnelly’s was as loud as an air raid siren. Even Jordan found himself flinching away from his wrath.

  “You want a king? Fine. Here’s what the king orders. You!” he snapped at Manning. “Get your damned evidence in order because you need to persuade me you’re not a murderer. Bring it to my hotel in one hour.”

  “You!” Savannah squeaked as his burning gaze swung to her. “Go home. Rest. You’ve earned it.”

  “You!” LePierre blanched but glared back. “Get out there and apologize to everyone you pissed off. We’re reconvening tomorrow at noon. If anyone doesn’t show up, I hold you responsible.”

  “You!” By the time Donnelly waved a finger at Jordan, the Worm could see that his flash of temper had already dimmed. Pretty levelheaded – for a Dragon. “You come with me. Tonight, you tell me and Briggs everything you know about the Fangs.”

  His scowl circled the now-silent room. “Everybody clear?”

  Griffin cleared his throat. “Once again, the Chimeras have been forgotten, consigned to the dust-bin of history.”

  “You,” Donnelly snorted. “Go do whatever Chimeras do.”

  “Mostly, we steal things and assassinate people.”

  “Whatever. I’m not going to micro-manage you.” Already, the man was back to his usual jokes. Once everyone had their ‘orders’, the Dragon swept out.

  Leaving Jordan no chance to say goodbye to Savannah. He longed to kiss her before they left. To tell her, with both body and words, how much she meant to him. Whether she knew it or not, she’d saved his life.

 
; Again.

  Chapter 11.

  “Go home,” Finn Donnelly had told her.

  Easier said than done.

  After three years working undercover in the Fangs, Savannah didn’t have a home. The First Flight paid for a lovely suite in one of Sedona’s many resorts. It came with a balcony, Jacuzzi, gym, and swimming pool. Honestly, though, the only amenity she cared about was room service. Order a sandwich, a bottle of wine, and flop on the couch after getting changed into…

  Nothing. All her clothes were at her old apartment. Which, no doubt, the Fangs had torn apart by this point.

  Oh well. The room came with a bathrobe, and the wine was lovely. She’d survive. Tomorrow, she could start to rebuild her life.

  After the second stage of the trial. After she gave Jordan Beaumont a chance to rebuild his life too.

  Where was her ‘master’ now? Swirling her wine, she stared out at the moonlit desert. A deep melancholy swept over her. Was he in a prison, with two enemy Dragons watching him like a hawk, ready to kill him in a heartbeat if he made a single ‘suspicious’ move?

  The thought kindled a fire within her, an anger that burned away that soul-killing grief. Why the hell were Shifters so blind? Didn’t they see his kindness? A gun goes off, and his first thought was of her. Not himself. Not escape. Protecting her. Didn’t that show his true nature; that, deep down, he was a good man?

  True, he was a Worm. As Kin, she knew what that meant. But she had to believe in redemption. In second chances. Without that, everyone was doomed.

  We all make mistakes. We must be given the opportunity to fix the messes we make.

  On the table, her phone buzzed.

  Todd. Again. This was the fourth time he’d called in the last hour. His meeting with the First Flight must have gone okay.

  That should have pleased her. Her lover wasn’t a murderer.

  Yay.

  Damn. Savannah sipped her wine, shocked by her own coldness.

  What the hell is wrong with me? I’m sitting here, wound to hell about the fate of some Worm and I couldn’t care less about my own boyfriend.