ChapterOne

BroderickMcNaughtonwokewitharagingheadache,drymouth,andwhat

feltlikehotbandsaroundhiswrists.Whatthefuck?

Hedidn’tremembergettingthisdrunk.Herememberedhangingoutat

Liam’sbarforawhilethenheadingtothefightclubwithSpike.Spikewasa
refreshingguytobewith—hedidn’ttalkalot,wasn’tnoticeablycrazy,and
didn’texpectyoutospeakiftherewasnothingimportanttosay.

Spikecouldalsokickassinthefightringandgooutforpizza.Broderick

hadjoinedhimforthepizzatonight—anythingtokeepfromheadinghometo
histhreepain-in-theassyoungerbrothers,ahalf-feralShifterFeline,andthe
half-feral’sveryprotectivehumanmate.

Afterhe’dsaidgoodnighttoSpike,BroderickhaddroppedinonSean

Morrissey,theShiftertown’sGuardian,toreportonongoingtrackerbusiness.
He’dsatwithSeanonhisbackporchawhile,watchingSeancuddlehissleeping
cubonhislap.

SomewherebetweensayinggoodnighttoSeanandheadinghomeacrossthe

darkcommonyardsbehindShifterhouses,Broderickhadlostconsciousness.

Thebandsaroundhiswristswerereal—heavy-dutymetalhandcuffs.Strong

enoughforaShifter,tightenoughthatevenifheshiftedtowolf,hewouldn’tbe
abletosliphisbigpawsout.

Broderickcouldn’tseeandcouldbarelybreathe,becausetherewasabag

overhishead,itsdrawstringtightaroundhisthroat.

Whattheholyfuck?

Broderick’sfirstinstinctwastostruggle,tobreakoutofhisrestraintsno

matterhowstrongandkillwhoeverhaddonethis.Hissecondinstincttoldhim
toshutupandliestillandfigureoutwherehewas.Nosensebustingoutofthe
cuffsandbagtofindfiveguyswithmachinegunswaitingforhim.Cunningwas
sometimesthebetterpartofvalor.

Broderickremainedmotionless.Hemightnotbeabletosee,buthecould

hearandhecouldscent,whichforaShifter,weremoreimportantsensesattimes
likethese.

Hesmelledhumans,notintheroomwithhim,butdefinitelynearby.His

hacklesrose.HedoubtedthesehumanswerepoliceorShifterBureau’smighty
patrollers—they’dhaveputhimintoasterilizedcage,notbotheringwiththe
headbag.Whenhewoke,aShifterBureauworkerwithaclipboardwould
explainwhythey’ddecidedtoroundhimup,cagehim,andterminatehim.

So,ifhehadn’tbeencaughtbyShifterBureauorpolice,thatleftShifter

hunters.

Shifterhunterswerehumanswhoboastedofstalkingun-Collared,rogue

Shifterstobringtheminorkillthem.Theyweren’tallowedtohuntShifterswith
Collars,likeBroderick,butbecauseun-CollaredShiftersweren’tthickonthe
ground,thehuntersoftenbenttherules.They’dgoafteranythingShifter,
pretendingnottonoticethattheShiftertheykilledactuallyhadablackand
silverCollararoundhisneck.They’dapologizeprofusely,butsaidShifterwould
alreadybedead.

Evenasthesethoughtsformed,Broderickhadhisdoubts.Hunterswould

havealsostuckhimintoacageorsimplyshothim.Besides,nowayhuman
hunterscouldhavesneakedintoShiftertown.Itwastoowellguardedby
Shiftertown’strackers,ofwhichBroderickwasone.

Thenwho?

Hefeltcoldstoneunderhisbody,smelledmusty,dankairbehindthehead

bag.Floorboardscreaked,butoverhead.Healsosmelleddamplintandlaundry
detergent,whichmeantawashingmachineanddryernearby.Conclusion—he
wasinsomebody’sbasement.

Humanslivedinthishouse,notShifters.Soagain—whatthefuck?

Hesmelledanotherodor,oneofwarmplastic,andheheardahumof

electronics.Interesting.

BroderickshouldhavesaidscrewittonightandtriedtoseeJoanne.He

couldbecurleduponthesofawithher,watchingTV,orignoringtheTVwhile
theyexploredkissingandtouching.Insteadhe’dbeennobleandleftheralone.
Whatwaswrongwithhim?

Adoorscrapedopen,andfootstepsheadeddownaflightofwoodenstairs.

Heavytreads,men,andthelightertreadofafemale.Thelightstepsmoved
swiftlypasttheheavy.

“Isthishim?”thewomanasked,breathless,eager.

Goddess,pleasedon’ttellmethisisaShiftergroupiewhowantsashag.I

mightthrowuponher.

Thebagloosened,andthenwasrippedfromBroderick’shead.Hestill

couldn’tsee—ablindfoldcoveredhiseyes.Lightpenetratedthecloth,avery
brightone,asthoughsomeoneshoneaflashlightonhisface.

Hefeltbreathtouchhischeek,feminine,almostsweet,butcoldandrapid

withexcitement.Asmallhandinhishairraisedhishead.Brodericksuppressed
hisgrowl,hisurgetosnapoutoftherestraintsandattack.

“Areyousurethisishim?”thewomanasked.Shesoundedyoung,

especiallyforahuman,pastteenyears,butnotmuch.Broderick’sheadwas
movedleftandright,thewoman’sbreathcomingfaster.“Wait…”Shereleased
himabruptly,andBroderick’sheadclunkedtothecementfloor.

“Whatthehelldidyoubringme?”shedemanded.

“TheShifterwhocameoutoftheGuardian’sbackdoor,”amananswered.

Hisvoicewasdeep,holdingstrength,yetBroderickheardandsmelledhisfear.
Ofawomannotmucholderthanacub?

“Thisisn’thim!”Sheclimbedtoherfeet,hervoiceshrill.Theflashlight

beamedagainstBroderick’sblindfold.“DoesthislooklikeaFeline?He’s
Lupine,youidiot.”

“Howthehellarewesupposedtotellthedifference?”themanaskedwith

theannoyanceofascaredperson.“Youdidn’tgiveusapicturetogoby.”

“FourShiftersliveinthathouse,”theyoungwomansnapped.“Twoare

female.Iwouldhavethoughtyouhadatleastafifty-fiftychanceofsnatching
therightmale.Butno,youhadtobringmesomeonecompletelyoffthechart.
He’sobviouslyagruntworker.Nousetomeatall!”

Wassheinsane?ThetwoShifterswholivedinSean’shousewereSean,the

ShiftertownGuardian,andhisfather,Dylan.Ifthiswoman’sthugshadcaptured
Dylan,he’dhavekilledherbynowandalltheseguystoo—andjoinedSpikefor
threepizzas.Seanwouldn’thavebeenmuchsaferforher,butmaybealittle
morepolitebeforehelefttheirbodiesinbrokenpiles.

Ah,theluckysonsofbitches.They’dsnaggedBroderickinstead.He’djust

bouncethemaroundforfunandthencallpeopletopickthemupandcharge
themwithhuntingaCollaredShifter.HandytoknowaguyinShifterBureau,
onewhowasn’tatotaldickhead.

“Getout!”thewomanyelledatthemen.“Youuselessshits;getthehell

out!”

“Youoweus.”Thetremorintheman’svoicebetrayedhisfear,buthespoke

withthedeterminationofonewhowoulddoanythingformoney.“Itwasn’teasy
tobringhimhere.Maybehecanhelpyouanyway.”

“Seriously?”theyoungwomancried.“Igaveyouhalfupfront.Thedeal

wastheotherhalfondelivery,butyoudidn’tdeliver,didyou?Ifyoucomeback
withtherightone,maybeI’llpayyou.OryoucanjustgetthehelloutbeforeI
killyou.”

Broderickheardaclickofmetal,thesoundofaguncocking.

“Whoa,”themansaid.“Youareonecrazybitch.We’reoutofhere.”

Hewaswalkingevenashespoke.Footstepssoundedonthestairs,moving

swiftly,thenadoorslammed.Thefloorboardscreakedoverhead,andthen
anotherabovebanged.

Broderickwasleftaloneinthebasementwithaninsanewomanwhohada

gun.Great.

Aslimhandhookedaroundtheblindfoldandtoreitaway.Broderickblinked

atthesuddenglareoftheflashlight,hismouthdryaslinen.

Whenthelightmovedhecouldseethesharp-bonedfaceofayoungwoman

withshort,unnaturallyblackhair.Herskinwasfairandfreckled,hermouth
blackwithlipstick.Thenailsofthehandaroundthepistolhadbeenpainted
blacktomatch.

“Nooffense,Shifter,”shesaid,hervoiceclearandyouthful.Shecouldn’tbe

morethantwenty-something,thesameageasCherie,ayounggrizzlyShifter
wholivednotfarfromBroderick.“ButIcan’tletyoutellthemaboutme.”

Broderickcouldargue.HecouldsaythataShiftermissingfromShiftertown

wouldbeabigdeal,becausetheywereallwatchedprettyclosely.Joannewould
worrywhenshecouldn’treachBroderick,thenshe’dgethisauntworried,and
thenAuntCorawouldsendhisbrotherstotrackhim.Whentheystarted
panicking,they’dgotoLiam,whowouldorganizeasearch.Tigerwouldget
involved,andtherewasnowhereintheworldthiswomancouldhidefromthe
messed-upshitthatwasTiger.

ButBroderickfiguredthatargumentwouldbeawasteofbreath.Hewasn’t

goodatarguinganyway.

HesummonedallhisShifterstrength,balledhisfists,slammedhiswrists

apart,androlledintotheyoungwoman’slegsatthesametime.

Thecuffsremainedwhole,madetowithstandShifters,butBroderick’s

rollingbulkknockedtheyoungwomanoffbalance,andshewentdown.

Broderickkeptmoving.Theyhadn’tboundhisankles,andhegothisfeet

underhim,oneheavybootkickingthegunoutoftheyoungwoman’shand.The
gunwentoffasherfingerwastuggedfromthetrigger,abulletthuddingintothe
woodenceiling

Sheshoutedvilewordsathimandscrambledtoreachthegun.Broderick

snarledinpainasheyankedatthecuffsagain,callingonhisstrengthtojerkfree
ofthem.Hemanagedtobreakthechainbetweenthem,andnowhehada
matchingpairofmetalbraceletsaroundhiswrists.

Goodenough.He’ddoneaquickassessmentofthebasementassoonashe

couldseeandhadalreadychosenhispathofescape.

Thelongroomhadawasheranddryerstandingonacementplatformonone

end.Abovethese,atthetopofthewall,werenarrowwindowsleadingoutside.
Therestoftheroomheldtablesupontablesofblinkingcomputers,explaining
thescentofwarmingplasticandthesoundofworkingelectronics.

StackedCPUboxesflickeredwithlights,severalmonitorswerepushed

side-by-side,afewlaptopswereopen,screensswirlingwithpatterns,and
keyboardslayhereandthere.Thefloorunderthetablewaslitteredwithjunk—
strandsofwires,metalandplasticpieces,andsmallsolidblackboxes—alotof
stuffBroderickcouldn’tidentify.

Hetookallthisinbetweenoneheartbeatandthenext,thenhewasacross

theroom,ontopofthewashingmachine,shiftingtohisbetween-beast,pulling
thewindowoutofitsslot.Hesmashedglassandframetothefloorandtheyard
outside.Thewomanscreamed.

She’dreachedthegun.ShefiredtworoundsasBroderickshiftedcompletely

towolfandleaptforopenair.Hisclothesfinishedshreddingandfallingaway,
andasuddenpaininhislegmadehimyelp.

ThecuffsstillclungtoBroderick’swolfpaws—thewomanhadjudgedthe

sizeandstrengthofthemwell.Buthecouldsquashhimselfflatifheneededto,
andhedidtoscramblethroughthewindow,hismostdirectrouteofescape.

PainburnedinBroderick’slegashescrambledout,buthemadeit.Itwas

pitchdark,andBroderickhadnoideawherehewas.Behindhim,thewoman
wasstillscreaming,stillshooting,butthebulletspingedharmlesslyinsidethe
basement.

Hestoodup,panting.Therewerelargehousesnearby,butnolightsshonein

them,andtheyhadtheairofbeingempty,abandoned.Beyondthemlayopen
fieldsofnothing.Theyoungwomanwasn’tworriedaboutanyonehearingher
shooting,whichmeantthesehouseswerealongwayfromanywhere.

Broderickdidn’tlinger.Hetookoffacrossthedirtanddriedgrassofthe

fieldonhisswiftwolflegs,scramblingoverrocksandbrush,puttingasmuch
distancebetweenhimselfandthehousesashecould.

Nowtofigureoutwherethehellhewasandhowhewasgoingtogetback

toShiftertown,alone,awolf,withnoclothesandnomoney.

Andstillthisisbetterthanbeingathomewiththatcrazy-asshalf-feral

Shifter,Broderickthoughtashelimpedon.Damn,mylifetrulysucks.

***

JoanneGreeneansweredthephonewithasleepy,“Hello?”Thebedroomof

hernorthAustinhouselookedstrangeinthemoonlight,sharpshadowsonthe
walllikedancingghosts.

“Joanne?”TheworriedtonesofBroderick’sAuntCoracameacrosstheline.

“IsBrodericktherewithyou?”

Joannecamealertatthenoteofhearinthewoman’svoice.AuntCora

McNaughtonwasasmall,take-no-shitwomanwithsalt-and-pepperhairand
cleargrayeyes,wholookedafterBroderickandhisbrothers.Whenshesounded
concerned,therewasreasontobeconcerned.

“No,”Joanneanswered,hertonemirroringCora’s.“Or…”Joanneslidout

ofbed,hercellphonepressedtoherearasshehadaquicklookaroundhersmall
house.Broderickdidn’talwaysknockonthedoorandwaittobeinvitedintoa
houselikeanormalperson.

Joanneknewhewasn’tthere,though.Broderickhadapresence,apower,

thatfilledthehouseandwasnotablyabsentwhenhewasn’tinit.

“He’snothere,”Joanneconfirmed.“Why?What’swrong?”

“Idon’tknow.”AuntCora’svoicetrembled.“Maybenothing.Hevanished

withoutsayingawordtoanyoneandhasn’tbeenseensince.”

ChapterTwo

Brodericktrottedacrossdrygrassesinthedarkforhoursbeforehefinally

sawasmudgeoflightonthehorizon.Atownorcity,itslightglowingintothe
sky.Whatcity,hehadnoidea,butoncethere,he’datleastbeabletofigureout
wherethehellhewas.Humanslikedtoputlargesignsinfrontoftheirtowns
announcingthetown’sname,itspopulation,andwhatitwasfamousfor.

He’ddecidedthatfindinghiswayaswolfwouldbeabetterchoicethan

tryingtohitcharide,starknaked.Driverswouldtakeonelookathimandcall
thepolice.Orthey’dseetheCollarandcallShifterBureau.

Noseswerebetterforfindingthewayoutofastrangeplaceanyway.Scent

trailscrisscrossedtheland,invisibletohumaneyes,buttoawolf,theyblazed
likesearchlights.Wolveswerethebestscenttrackersevermade.

Brodericksatdownonhishaunchesnowtogazeacrosstherollinghills.At

leasthe’dridhimselfofthehandcuffs.He’dshiftedbacktohumanandusedthe
chaintopickopenthecuffs’locks.He’ddroppedthethingstothebottomofa
washandgladlyleftthembehind.

Hispawsweresore,somethinghe’dneveradmit,buthe’dbegladtocurlup

andsleep.Itwaswearyingtobeoutherewithnophone,nomoney,nowayof
knowingwherehewas,justhisfourfeetandhisnosetogethimhome.

Lettingoutawolfsigh,heroseandmoveddowntheslightriseherestedon

andheadedfortheglow.

Disappointmenthithimashedrewnearer.Itwasn’tatownatall,butsome

kindofpowerplantorchemicalrefinery,orwhateverhumansweredoingina
placewithsmooth,cylindricaltowers,lotsoflights,andafencearoundit.

Hekeptgoing.Aplantmeantaroadandpeoplewithphones.

Thefencearoundtheplacewasformidable,hesawwhenhereachedit—

chainlinkinterlacedwithwiresandtoppedwithcoilsofbarbedwire.Broderick
couldclimbthis,buthe’dcutorfryhimselfdoingit.

Betterchoice,hemovedaroundtotheentrance,keepinghimselfoutofthe

glaringfloodlights.Largegates,thekindthatrolledbackontrackstoadmit
trucks,blockedthewayin.Aguardhousestoodnexttotheentrance,squareand
impersonal,withawindowandadoor,andtwoarmedguardslingeringinfront

ofit.

Nosigngracedthegates,whichstruckBroderickasodd.Humanslikedto

putsignsontheirfactoriesasmuchastheydidtheirtowns.Therewasusuallya
nameinfancyletterstotelleveryonewhotheywereandwhattheymade.

Theguardswerealertbutbored.Broderickreadtheirapathyintheirbody

languageandinthescentthatcametohimonthewind.Nothingmuchwas
happeningouthereinthemiddleofthenight.

Broderickflattenedhimselftothegroundandapproachedthegatehouseata

lowcrawl.Hestucktoshadowsasmuchashecould,andcameatitfroman
angleoutoftheguards’lineofsight,orsohethought.Nowheretohideouton
theflatTexasplains.

“Whatwasthat?”Oneoftheguardsswungaround,handongun,peering

intothenight.

“Justananimal,”theothersaid.Aflashlightflared.“See?Itseyes.”

“Whatthehellkindofanimalisthat?”

Broderickstayedflat.Fearofwolveswasentrenchedinhumans,after

centuriesoftheanimalseatingtheirlivestock,andmanywouldshootfirst,figure
outwhathewaslater.

“Coyotemaybe?”thefirstguardcontinued.

Broderickbristled.CallingaLupineacoyotewasagraveinsult.Hemade

himselfstaylowhowever,pretendingtobeawildwhatever.

“Cool,”thesecondguardsaid.Somehumanshadmorecuriosityabout

animalsthanfear.“Letmegetapicture.Mykidswillloveit.”

Brodericksatupinthegrass,givinghimsomethingatwhichtoaimthe

camerainhisphone.Thefirstguardwatchedwarily,buttheirpistolsremained
holstered.

Broderickwasn’tafterpistols,orblood,orhumanflesh.Hewasafterwhat

guardnumbertwoheldinhishands.

Broderickcharged.Hecouldmovefasterthananyhuman,andinafew

secondshadknockedtheflashlightoutofthefirstguard’shandandhadthe
secondontheground.Beforeeitherguardcouldrecover,Broderickhadthecell
phoneinhismouthandwassprintingbackintothedarkness.

“Hey!”AshotlandednexttoBroderickbutmissedhimwildly.“Comeback

here!Thatstupidcoyoteatemyphone!”

Anothershot,goingevenwider.Broderickwastiredofpeopleshootingat

himtonight.Thefirstguardwaslaughing,tellingthesecondtoholsterit.Glad
someonewashavingfun.

Broderickkeptrunning.Behindhim,theplantrecededtoaglowinthesky.

Heeasedoffhispaceandfinallyhalted,droppingthephoneoutofhisjaws

sohecouldpant.

Whatthehell?Thenighthadstartedoffjustfine.Outwithhisfriends,

bestingothersatthefightclub,grabbingdinnerwithSpikeandSpike’smateand
theircutecubJordan,hangingalittlewithSean.

Andthenallthisshit.Broderickheavedasigh,andshiftedtohuman.He

gruntedwiththepainoftheshift—someShifterscoulddoitsmoothly,but
Broderickwasintheranksofthosewhostruggled.

ThecellphonehadGPSandamap,soBroderickcouldfinallyfindout

wherehewas.LookedlikehewasaboutasixtymilesorsofromAustin,outin
thehardplainsofTexaswestofSanAntonio.Nearestpavedroad,twentymiles
dueeast.Justperfect.

AgiantbanghadBroderickfallingflat,instinctofseveralthousandyears

tellinghimtogetdown.Theglowonthehorizonflashedred,flamesleaping
highintotheblackandcloudlesssky.

Theplanthadjustblownup.

Broderickthoughtoftheguards,bothnervousandbored,waitingfortheir

shifttoend.Onewantedtotakeapictureofacoyotehometohiskids.

“Aw,damnit.”Broderickdroppedthecellphone,painfullyshovedhimself

intowolfform,tuckedthephonebackintohismouth,andranfortheplant.

Hefoundtheguardswithinacircleofflames,bothofthemontheground,

groaning.Black,fetidsmokerolledoverthem.Broderickgothisteethintothe
shirtoftheonewithkidsanddraggedhimbackward,outintothedriedgrasses
anddirtbeyondflamesandsmoke.

Theotherguardwasstrugglingtobreathe,hiseyesclosed,hisfacepasty.

Broderickgrabbedhisshirtwithhismouth,whichpushedthephonefurtherback
behindhisteeth.He’dprobablyswallowthedamnedthingandhaveahellof
stomachache.

Broderickdumpedthefirstguardnexttothesecond.Guardonedidnotlook

good.Guardtwowasawake,sittingup,coughing.

“Coyote?”theguardasked,voicerasping.“Shit,I’msorryIshotatyou.”

Broderickdroppedthephoneoutofhismouth,andstrainedbackintohuman

form.Theguardreachedforthedroppedcellphone,notpayingattentionto
Broderickinthedark,untilBrodericksnatchedthephonefromtheman’s
outstretchedfingers.

“Wolf,”Brodericksaidinahardvoice.“Notcoyote.Nowbequiet,Ineedto

makeacall.”

Astheguard’sjawsagged,BroderickpunchedinJoanne’snumber,

rememberingitbecauseherememberedeverythingabouther.Sheanswered
rightaway.

“Who’sthis?”

Shedidn’tsoundhalfasleep,yankedfromdreams,pleasantorunpleasant.

Shewasawakeandalreadyscared.

“It’sBroderick,sweetie.Hey,Ineedyoutocomepickmeup…”

“OutpasttheFortStocktonturnoff?Nearthemunitionsplant?”

“Munitions?”Broderick’sgazesnappedtothefire.“That’snotgood.Waita

sec—howdoyouknowwhereIam?Idon’tevenknow,notthatspecifically.”

“BecauseeverycomputerIownpoppedupanalertandIcanhear

emergencyresponseonthescanners.Atthesametime,youcallmeonaphone
inplant’sproximity.Whatthehellhappenedtoyou?Yourauntishere—she’s
worriedsick.”

Broderickheardthevoiceofhisformidableauntinthebackground.“Ishe

allright?”AuntCorawassaying.“Whereishe?”

AuntCorawasabouthalfthesizeofBroderickandhisbrothers,butshe’d

kepttheminlineforahundredyearsandmore.“TellherI’mfine,”Broderick
said.“Anychanceofaride?”

“Youdidn’t…youdidn’thaveanythingtodowiththeexplosion,didyou?”

Joanneventured.

“Hell,no.Iwasn’tanywhereneartheplace.Iwouldn’tbestupidenoughto

blowupaplantthatmakesmorethingsthatexplode.Listen,baby,I’dloveto
talk,butI’dlovemoretogethomeandsleep.Ifyoucan’tcomeouthere,call
Spike.Heowesme—Ipaidforthepizza.Oh,andcallSeanwhileyou’reatit.
Thecrazybitchwhokidnappedmetonightwasgoingforhim,orhisdad.Tell
himtowatchout.”

“What?Broderick…?”

“Gottago,baby.Copsarecoming.I’lltrytogettothatroad,butmyclothes

areinshredsbackwhereverthehellIwas.I’dborrowtheuniformsofthese
guardshere,buttheywon’tfit.Oneoftheguysseriouslyneedsahospital,soI’ll
becarryinghimtoanambulance.Seeyou,sweetie.”

HeheardJoanneyelling,splutteringasBroderickclickedoffthephone.

“Mygirlfriend,”Brodericksaidtotheopen-mouthedguard.“She’sgoingto

killme,butI’mtootiredtocarerightnow.Weneedtogethimhelp.”

Withoutwaitingfortheguard’sresponse,Broderickhandedhimbackthe

phone,hopinghe’dignoretheteethmarks,andliftedtheunconsciousguardover
hisshoulder.

Brodericklopedtowardtheapproachingstreamoffiretrucks,police,and

paramedics,waveddowntheparamedics,andlaidtheguardcarefullyonthe
groundnexttotheambulancethatpulledhurriedlytoahalt.Broderickgavethe
emergingEMTsawave,turnedaround,andranbackintodarkness,shiftinginto
wolfontheway.

***

Joannehunchedoverthesteeringwheelasshewentslowlydownthe

highway,lookingforsignsofBroderick.Shewasalone—she’dsentAuntCora
backtoShiftertowntoconveyBroderick’scrypticwarningtoSean.

Thecrazybitchwhokidnappedmetonightwasgoingforhim.

Whatcrazybitch?Kidnapped?WhenthehelldidBroderickgethimself

kidnapped?Joannehadbeensleepinghard,herownlifewearingherout,until
AuntCora’sphonecall.

Shesawhim.Broderickrosefromthegrasses,inhiswolfform,watching

theheadlightsofhercarapproachinghim.

Joanneknewthiswasn’tawildwolfforseveralreasons—mainly,hewas

gigantic.Naturalwolveswereabouttwo-thirdsthesizeofaShifterwolf.
Second,thewolfdidn’trunawayfromthecar,butcalmlywatcheditapproach.
Mostofall,whenshepulledalongsidehimandstopped,thewolfmorphed
slowlyintoaverytall,verynakedman.

“Hey,sweetie,”hesaid,flashingheraBroderickgrin.“Givemealift?”

Joanneavertedhereyes,thoughshecouldn’thelppeeking.“There’sclothes

intheback.”

Brodericklookedgood,ashealwaysdid,hard-bodied,notanounceoffat

onhim.Hismusclesrippledashewalked,unashamed,aroundthecartotherear
passengerdoor.Hewaslimping,though,andJoannesawbloodonhisleg.

BroderickopenedthedoorandleanedintogetthejeansandshirtJoanne

hadbrought.Theywerehis—Broderickleftachangeofclothesatherplace,in
caseheneededthemafterashift,likenow.

BroderickstretchedthecottonT-shirtoverhisheadandacrosshisshoulders

thenunfoldeditdownhischestandabs.Heignoredtheunderwearandpulled
hisjeansonoverhisbarebutt,zippingandbuttoning,thenslidinginthebelt
she’dbrought.

Hestoodlookingaroundtheopenfieldsforamomentbeforeclimbinginto

thepassengerseat.“Allset.Thanks,baby.Canyoutakemebackto
Shiftertown?”

Joannestaredathim.Brodericksettledhimselfcomfortablyontheseat,

lookingoutthewindow,readytogo.Anymomentnow,he’dturnontheradioor
startsinging.

“Excuseme?”Joannesaid.“Whatthehell?”

Broderickswunghisheadaroundtolookather.“Excuseme,what?”

“I’mwaitingforyoutotellmewhathappened!Whatcrazybitchkidnapped

you?Whyareyououthereinthemiddleofnowhere—withamunitionsplant
blowingup?Broderick!”

Hegaveheramaddeningstare.“Iplannedtotalkwhilewewereheading

outofhere.Beforethereareroadblocksorwhateverbecauseoftheexplosion.”

“Whichyouhadnothingtodowith,”Joannesaid,uneasy.

“Nope.ButdoyouexpectcopstobelievethatfromaShifter?Youcanstart

anytimenow,sweetie.”

“Whyareyoubleeding?”Joannedemanded.

“Hmm?Oh,that.Ashotgrazedme.It’salreadyclosed.Willyougo?”

Joannemadeanexasperatednoise,puthercaringear,andheadeddownthe

narrowroad,herheadlightscuttingaswathinthepitchdark.

“Youwereshotat?”shesaid.“Bythepolice?”

“No,bythewomanwhokidnappedme.Shedidn’thaveallheroarsinthe

water,IswearbytheGoddess.Hey,youknowaboutcomputers.”

Joanneglancedathim.Hewasloungingcomfortably,gazingdownthe

highwayasthoughtheyweregoingonaroadtrip,notheadingswiftlyaway
fromacrimescene.

Joanneclenchedthesteeringwheel.“Yes,Iknowaboutcomputers.”She

oughtto.Joannehadtrainedasaprogrammer,becameaverygoodone,andthen
gotluredintothedarksidebyquestionablefriendsincollege.Asaresult,she’d
learnedhowtobeaverygoodhacker.

She’dhackedforthefunofit,untilthedaysherealizeditwasn’tthe

“victimless”crimeherassociateshadclaimedittobe.Aclosenon-programmer
friendhadlosteverything—house,savings,insurance—herwholelife—because
ofahugehackattackthathadtakenheridentity,drainedheraccounts,destroyed
hercredit,andleftatrailofruininitswake.Ithadtakenhertwoyearsto
recover,withJoannehelpinghereverystepoftheway.Herfriendnowlivedin
NewMexico,whereshe’dhadtostartalloveragain.

Fromthattimeforward,Joannewasanti-hacker.Shelandedajobwitha

securitytestingfirmthatworkedtohelpcompaniesandindividualsprotect
themselvesandtheirinformation,andnowshewasafreelanceconsultant,
workingforherself.Joannewasgoodatit,thoughsheknewthattheverybest
thievesouttherewerehardtocatch.

“So,”Broderickwassaying,“Whydoessomeoneneedtencomputersside

bysideinabasement?Compulsiveonlineshopper?”

“No,”Joannesaid,herheartbeatingfasterandherfingerstingling.“Sounds

likethey’resettingupanetwork.Whowasthiswoman?”

“HellifIknow.Wedidn’tstoptoexchangehow-do-you-dos.Shehasblack

hair,blacklipstick,tatts,butshe’sababy,acub.Ibetnotmuchpasttwenty.”

“That’sgettingoldforahacker.”Joannepulledtoastopatacrossroads,

lookingoutfortrafficbeforesheturnedontothebigger,four-lanehighway.
Nothingcameatthembutalonecargoingtheotherdirection.Itsoonpassed,its
passengersheadingwhereveratthreeo’clockinthemorning.

“Thequestionis,whatdoesahackerwantwithaShifter?”Broderickasked.

“MaybeIcananswerifyoutellmewhatthehellhappenedtoyou!”Joanne

saidloudly,herpatiencegone.

Broderickhelduphishands—therewasbruisingaroundhiswrists.“Yeah,

yeah,allright.”HelaunchedintoataleofinnocentlywalkinghomefromSean’s
andwakingupwithhishandscuffedandacanvasbagonhishead.

Hespokematter-of-factly,notplayinguphisheroicsinbreakingaway,

shruggingoffthegunshotwhichhadtakenapieceofhisfleshbutdidnomore
damage.He’dfoundhiswaytotheplant,trickedtheguards,grabbedtheirphone
andranoff,thenka-boom.

Joannelistened,thetingleinherfingersincreasingasitdidwhensomething

bothscaredandexcitedher.SheputtogethereverythingBrodericksaid,which
toherledtooneconclusion.“YousaidtheymeanttograbSeanandgotyouby
mistake,”shesaid.“AuntCorawenttowarnhim.”

“Good,”Brodericksaid.“Themenshehiredwereidiotsthough,ifthey

couldn’ttellaLupinefromaFeline.”

“Notthepoint.”Joannefoundherfootgoingdownonthepedalwhileher

agitationrose.“ShewantedSean.Don’tyougetit?He’swhyahackerneedsa
Shifter,Broderick.Ibetshe’sgoingaftereveryhacker’sultimatedream.She’s
planningtohacktheGuardianNetwork.”

ChapterThree

BroderickstaredatJoanne.Helikedlookingatheranyway,hadsincehe’d

mether.

Whenhe’dfirstseenher,she’dbeenwearinggroupieclothes,atightdress

thatoutlinedeverycurve.Herhairhadbeenasblackasthatofthewomanwho’d
kidnappedhimtonight,butinthenearlytenmonthshe’dknownJoanne,she’d
letthedarkbrownthatwashertruecolortakeover,thoughshekeptherhair
short.Shehadlargebrowneyes,whichshe’dchangedtobluewithcontacts
whenshe’dbeenindisguiseasagroupie,butshe’dsincediscarded.

Brodericklikedhernaturallookbetter.Nowshewasallher.Ontheother

hand,hewouldn’tmindifsheworetheskimpypinkgroupiedressnowand
again.But,shelookedjustasgoodtohiminasloppyT-shirtanddenimshorts.

AllthisflashedthroughBroderick’sthoughtswhileJoanne’swords

penetratedhisbrain.Hestartedshakinghishead.“Noway.Noonecanhackthe
GuardianNetwork.It’sgotFaemagicshitbuiltintoit.That’swhatIhear,
anyway.”

Joanne’slookwasthoughtful.“IbetitcanbehackedifyouhaveaGuardian

tiedupandthreatened.”

“ItwouldtakealottothreatenSean.He’deatthewomanforbreakfast.”

“Well,itsoundstomelikeshewantstohaveagoodtryatbreakingintothe

network.WhatifshethreatensSean’smatetogethimtocooperate?Orhisson?”

“Yeah.”Broderick’suneasinessgrew.“IsaywegetbacktoShiftertownas

fastaswecanandseewhat’sup.”

“Onit,”Joannesaid,andthecarspedup.

***

Joannedidn’twanttogotoofast,becausebeingpulledoverforspeeding,

plushavingtoexplainwhyshewasdrivingaroundwithaShifterinthemiddle
ofthenightwasnotwhatsheneeded.

TherewasnomistakingBroderickforanythingbutaShifter.Hehadthe

look—grayeyesthatboreawildnessthathadneverbeentames,darkhair
buzzedshort,ahardface,andabig,toughbody.TheclincherwastheCollarthat
restedaroundBroderick’sneck,aCelticknotathisthroat.

TheCollarscontainedtechnologyandFaemagicthatsentshocksthrough

anyShifterwhostartedtogrowtooviolent.Shifters,however,hadfoundways
aroundtheCollarproblem.JoannehadseenBroderickbattlehardatthefight
clubwithouttheshocksslowinghimdowntoomuch.Afterward,hewouldhurt
—Collarhangover,hecalledit.Duringthefight,though,hedidn’tlethisCollar
slowhimdown.

DrivingasfastasJoannedaredonthewanderingbackhighwaysputthemin

theoutskirtsofAustininanhour.Atthistimeofnight,trafficwasfairlylight,
andshesooncrossedtownandturnedontothesidestreetsthatledto
Shiftertown.

ThebaronthecornerjustoutsideShiftertownwasdark,closed,everyone

gonehome.Shiftertownitselfwasquietexceptforflashesofbigcatsroaming
theyardsofthetidybungalows.

Broderick’shousewaslarge,two-story,withspaceneededforBroderick,his

threeyoungerbrothers,hisaunt,andnowJoanne’ssisterandhermate,whom
Broderickhadrescuedafewmonthsago.

BroderickhadvolunteeredtoletAleckstaywithhim—therewasnotmuch

roominanyotherShifters’houses,andAleckneededtobeunderShifters’
watchfuleyewhiletheytriedtocurehim.Plus,JoanneknewBroderickhad
doneitforher,becauseofNancy.Shewouldeverbegratefultohimforthat.

Broderickwasoutofthecarassoonasitstopped.Ahumanmanmighthave

comearoundtoJoanne’ssideandopenedthedoorforher,oratleastwaiteduntil
shewasout,beforeapproachingthehouse,butShifterrulesofetiquettewere
different.Shiftermalesalwaysforgedaheadtoscout,tomakesurethewaywas
safefortheirfemalesandcubs.Didn’tmatterthatthiswasBroderick’sown
housewithhisauntandbrothersinside—instincttoldhimtolookanyway.And
whoknew?RivalShifterscouldhavetakenoverhishomeandbewaitingto
ambushhim.

OnceBroderickhadthefrontdooropenandhadcheckedinside,hecame

backoutandwavedJoanneuptotheporch.

Joanneslammedhercardoorandhurriedtohim.BeforeBroderickcould

walkintothehouse,Joanneflungherarmsaroundhisneck,dragginghimclose.
“Damnit,Broderick,Iwassoworriedaboutyou!”

Shefelthimstart,thenstill.Joannehuggedhimtighter.Afteramoment,

Broderick’sarmscamearoundher,hesitant,thenstronger.

“I’mokay,sweetheart,”hesaid,soundingpuzzled.“Itwasjustanick.She

missed.”

Joanneliftedherheadandthumpedherfistssoftlyonhischest.“No,you

idiot.Imean,youwereabductedandtakenprisoner.Imightneverhaveseen
youagain.”

Broderickhadastunnedlookonhisface,asthoughsurprisedshecared.

Verysurprised.“I’mallright.Igotawayeasy.”

Joannepushedfromhim.“Youareso…”Shemadeanexasperatednoise.

“Andwhatyoucalleasyscarestheshitoutofme.”Sheshovedpasthimandinto
thehouse,feelinghisstareonherbackalltheway.

Joannedidn’treallyblameBroderickforbeingsurprisedatherreaction.

Theydidn’thavethatkindofrelationship,notoneinwhichJoannekissedhim
hellowhenhecameoverandaskedhowhisdaywasthenfixedhimahotmeal
beforetheywenttobedforall-nightpassion.NorwasitonewhereBroderick
broughtherflowersandexpensivejewelryandtookhertofancyrestaurants—
beforereturninghomeforall-nightpassion.

GoingoutwithaShifterwasalittlemorecomplicated.Shiftersweren’t

allowedintomostfancyrestaurants,andtheydidn’tunderstandthatflowersand
jewelryweregiftsawomanwouldwant.AShifter’sideaofshowingaffection
waskeepingthewomansafefromenemies.Gifts—presentingherwithanobject
treasuredintheirfamilyforcenturies.ThatwasShifter-styledating.Thegift
givingusuallyonlyhappenedaftermating,though,whenthemaleShifter’smate
ofchoicehadjoinedthefamily.Thewholefamily.Shifterslivingalonewith
theirmateswasaweirdideatothem.

Nancy,Joanne’soldersister,lovedeverythingaboutShifters.Joannewas

learning,littlebylittle,howtoappreciatethem.

BroderickstrodeinbehindJoanne,hisvoicegruff.“AuntCora,didyoutalk

toSean?”

“OfcourseIdid.”AuntCora,whowassmallerthanhernephewsbutwho’d

managedtokeeptheminlinebeforeandaftertheirmotherhadpassed,cameout
ofthekitchen.Shehadcoffee,whichJoannefellupongratefully.“Why
wouldn’tI?”AuntCoraasked.“Seanthankedme,butdidn’tsoundunduly
worried.”

“Felines.”Broderickgrabbedacupanddranknoisily.“Humanmenwith

weaponsmanagedtograbmeinthemiddleofShiftertown,andhe’snotworried.

Joannethinksthey’reaftermorethanjustmessingwithShifters.”

“Allright,thenyoutalktoSean,”AuntCorasaid.“Nowthatyou’rehome

safe,I’mgoingtobed.”

Broderickwenttohisauntandcaughtthesmallwomaninatight,

smotheringhug,holdinghiscoffeeoutoftheway.Hehadnoshameinshowing
affectionforAuntCora.FromwhatJoanneunderstood,afterBroderick’sfather
hadbeenkilledyearsago,hismotherhadlostalotofstrength,andAuntCora,
hisfather’ssister,hadtakencareofthemall.Broderick’smotherhadpassedin
thelastyear.Whenthematebondwassevered,Joannehadseen,theremaining
Shiftercouldsuccumbtohardgrief.

Broderickreleasedhisauntandswungaway,liftinghiscoffeetohislips.

AuntCoragavehisbackanaffectionatelook.

“IsNancyup?”Joanneaskedher.

AuntCoranodded,herexpressionturningsympathetic.“Probably.Aleck’s

havingabadnight,andNancy’sworriedaboutyou.”

Joannethankedher.ItwastypicalofNancytositupwithhermate,who

mightdieandseverhermatebond,butyetspareplentyofworryforherlittle
sister.

Joannesethercoffeecupdown,saidgoodnighttoBroderickasheheaded

fortheporch,andwentupthestairs.ShefeltBroderickturntowatchher,buthe
saidnothingotherthantorumblegoodnight,didn’tfollowherortrytostopher.

Typicalofhim.Broderickcouldbeaffectionate,butmuchofthetime,he

actedasthoughhedidn’tknowwhattodowithJoanne.Itwasmaddening,but
thenagain,BroderickhadbroughtJoanne’ssisterandmate,Aleck,home
withoutfuss,makingsuretheywerelookedafter.

Well,maybenotwithoutfuss,butBroderickcouldhavefoistedthemoffon

anyoftheotherShifters,andhehadn’t.Hehadnoobligationtolookafter
Joanne’sfamily,andyet,heneverinsistedtheyleave.

Joanneknewwhichbedroomupstairshadbeenredoneforhersisterand

Aleck,whobattledwithgoingferal.

WhenaShifterwentferal,heorsherevertedtothewildcreatureinsideand

forgothowtobehuman.ShiftershadoriginallybeenbredbytheFaeasBattle
Beasts,animalswhocouldfightwiththeswiftnessandstrengthoflarge
predatorsbuthavethesentienceandcunningofhumans.

Shiftershadcomealongwaysincethen,fightingfreeoftheirFaemasters

andsettinguphomeinthehumanworld.They’dlivedmoreorlesslikehumans
forcenturies—movingintohumanhomes,embracingtheirfashions,food,
entertainment,andculture.

Atthesametime,Shifterswouldneverbecompletelyhuman.Theanimals

insideweretheirtrueselves.WhenaShifterwentferal,herevertedtotheBattle
Beast,livingoninstinctalone,becomingadangertoeveryonearoundhim,even
hisownfamily.

Aleckwasaspecialcase,evenforaferal.Aleckdidn’thaveaCollar,hadn’t

wornoneinhislife.He’devadedthehumanswhoroundedupallShiftersinto
ShiftertownsandhadlivedwithagroupofShiftersinhissamesituation.Ledby
awhitetigercalledKendrick,whowasalsoaGuardian,they’dfoundplacesto
hide,movingwhenevertheirstrongholdswereindangerofbeingdiscovered.
Joannehadhelpedontheraidthathadfoundtheun-CollaredShiftersand
Nancy,whohadstayedwiththemtobewithAleck.

NancycameoutofthebedroombeforeJoannereachedit,herabdomen

protrudingwiththecubshecarried,Aleck’s.Shewasduesoon.

NancyenclosedJoanneinanembrace,warmandscentedwiththehoney

shampoosheliked.“Youokay,Jo-Jo?”

Asalways,Joannewastornbetweenrelief,love,andangerwhenshewas

withNancy.ThefactthatNancyhadn’tconfidedinheraboutAleck,leaving
JoannehangingandbelievingNancyhadbeenabducted,stillrattledher,even
thoughNancy’sreasonsforkeepingquiethadbeensound.Ontheotherhand,
havingNancysafeandbackinherlifeagainmadeJoannerejoice.Sisterstuff
wascomplicated.

“I’mfine,”Joannesaidastheyendedthehug.“Broderick…He’sfinetoo.

How’sAleck?”

Nancy’seyessoftenedatthementionofhermate’sname,thenshelooked

worried.“Hedidn’tknowwherehewasforawhiletonight.He’sbetternow,but
Ican’tbeawayfromhimlong.”

Joannesqueezedhersister’shands.“I’msorry,Nance.Iwishtherewas

somethingIcoulddo.”

“He’sheldonthislong.”Nancysoundedconfident,thoughhereyeswere

moist.“SeansaysheandAndreamightbeclosetoabreakthrough.”

Joannewouldbelievethatwhenshesawit.AndreawasSean’smate,ahalf-

Fae,half-Shifterwomanwhohadhealingpowers,butsofarthosepowershad
notbeenenoughtojoltAleckbacktosanity.Sheknew,though,thattheShifters
weretrying.

“Wantmetostaywithyoutonight?”Joanneasked.“I’malreadyhere.”

Nancyshookherhead.“Youhaveyourownlife,Jo-Jo.”

SoNancyclaimed.ButJoanne’sparentshadchargedJoannetolookafter

NancywhenthesistershadmovedtoAustintoattendUT,findjobs,andbegin
theirlives.WhileNancywastwoyearsolderthanJoanne,she’dbeenthewild
one,youngerJoannemoreresponsibleandstable.Eveninherhackeryears,
Joannehadbeencareful,reliable,andhadheldagood-payingjobwhileNancy
touredtheworldwithhermusicianboyfriendandthenbecameaShiftergroupie
afterthatbreakup.

“Notmuchofalife,”Joannesaid.“I’mhappytolookoutforyou,Nance.”

NancyrubbedJoanne’sshoulders.“Don’tsaythat.Brodericklikesyou,and

you’rewelcomehere.Nomatterwhat,Shifterswillalwaysopentheirhomesto
you.You’veprovedyou’retheirfriend.”

Nancylivedwithstarsinhereyes.“Notreally,”Joannesaid.“Whenyou

weremissing,IwasarealpainintheasstotheShiftershere.Iputthemin
danger.NotunderstandingthedangerIwassendingtothemisnoexcuse.They
putupwithmecomingherebecauseofyou.”

Nancygaveherawiselook.“Ithinkyou’rewrongaboutthat,butIknow

youwon’tlisten.Ifyoustayheretonight,youcanusetheextrabedinAunt
Cora’sroom.Shewon’tmind.”

NancyhadthisideathatShifterswereone,big,happyfamilyandwould

opentheirhomesandtheirheartstoNancy’sfamilytoo.Itmustbenicetobeso
certainoflife.

“I’llaskher,”Joannesaid,morecautious.WhileAuntCorahadmadeit

clearshelikedJoanneandNancy,Broderick’syoungerbrotherswerenotas
thrilledwithhavinghumansintheirhouse,nottomentionahalf-feralFeline.
AndwhoknewwhatBroderickhimselfwouldthinkofherstaying?

NancyhuggedJoanneagain.“Goodnight,then.HavetogetbacktoAleck.”

Joannesaidgoodnightafterthehugandwatchedhersisterslipbackintothe

bedroomattheendofthehall.Inspiteofmovingawkwardlywithheradvanced
pregnancyandhavingamatewhowasslowlygoinginsane,Nancylooked
happy.Happierthanshe’deverbeen.IfJoannecouldexperienceevenhalfthat

contentment,herlifewouldbegood.

***

BroderickstrodeoutontothefrontporchafterAuntCoraandJoannewent

upstairs.He’dfinishedoffhiscoffee,whichmadehimrestless,asdidthe
aftermathofhisescape,hisrunthroughthewilderness,theincidentsattheplant,
andfinallymakingitbackhome.Hislowercalfhadanewgash,buthe’dbe
fine.

Heshouldcrashnow,sleepingoffthenightandthepainhisCollarhaddug

intohimwhenhe’dfoughthiswayoutofthehouse.

Instead,hekeptfeelingJoanne’sarmsaroundhim,hearingthethrobinher

voicewhenshesaidDamnit,Broderick,Iwassoworriedaboutyou!

NooneworriedaboutBroderick.AuntCora,maybe,butinadifferentway.

Noonecaredmuchaboutthehard-assLupinewhofoughttough,talkedloud,
andwenthomealoneeverynight.

Hismouthsaidthingsbeforehisbraincouldgethimtoshutup.He’dalways

thoughttheonlywaytofindamatewastomate-claimawomanandthenmeet
anyChallengeforher.Howelsewashegoingtogetafemaletoactuallymove
inwithhim?

Andthen,he’dmetJoanne.Fromthebeginning,he’dbeendrawntoher.

MaybebecauseallofShiftertownwasangryather,andBroderick,knowing
whatthatfeltlike,haddecidedtostandupforher.

She’dactedagainsttheShiftersfromfear,notmalice.OnceJoannehad

understoodthattheyhadn’tabductedhersister,she’ddoneallshecouldtomake
itright.Shifterswerestillpissedoffather,buttheyunderstoodthey’dhaveto
gothroughBrodericktoachieveanyretaliation.Andhewasn’tgoingtolet
them.

Brodericksawmovementinthedarkness.Hecamealert,painforgotten,but

herecognizedSpikeattheendofthewalk.AnotherShifterhulkedbesidehim,
andBroderickgroanedinwardly.

SpikeandTigerwaitedforBrodericktoallowthemontohisterritory.

Broderickwasknownforbeingunforgivingtothosewhocrossedtheline
withouthispermission.

Hewavedthemuptotheporch,tootiredtoplaybelligerentalphatonight.

Spikeapproachedwithhisusualsaunter,whichbeliedhispowerfulswiftness.
Tigerneverhidanything.Hewasbig,strong,andcouldbreakeveryoneof

Broderick’sbonesifhechose.

BothShiftersclimbedtotheporch.Spikeleanedagainsttherailing,crossing

hismotorcycle-bootedfeet.StarlightgleamedonSpike’sshavedhead,the
tattoosthatcoveredhisarmsblendingintothedarkness.Spike’sentirebodywas
tattooed,withtheexceptionofhishandsandfeet.

Tigersimplystoodtherelikeamonolith.Hisunrulyhairwasblackstreaked

withorange-red.HewasbiggerthanmostShiftersexceptthebears—hewas
aboutthesamesizeasRonan.TigerwasthestrongestShifterBroderickknew,
andmanyShifterswerestillwaryabouthim.Hismate,ontheotherhand,loved
himtopieces.Tigerwasn’tanaggressivealpha,inspiteofhissizeandstrength,
wasn’thostile,threatening.Tigerwasn’tanything.Hewas…Tiger.

“JustcamefromSean,”Spikesaidafterthey’dbeenquietamoment.“He’s

nothappy.”

“Didn’tthinkhewouldbe.”Broderickrestedhishandsontheporchrailing.

Itneededpaint—he’dhavetotaketimetodothat,orelseorderhisbrothersto
sandandrefinishit.“Joannethinksthiswomanwiththecomputersistryingto
hacktheGuardianNetwork.”

Spike’sbrowswentupatthat.“Huh.Thatcouldbevery,verybad.”He

hesitated.“Dylanwantstoknowhowthehellyouletsomeonesneakuponyou
andbagyou.”

“FuckifIknow.”Broderickhatedthefactthatsomeonehad.“Theydidn’t

followustoShiftertown.We’dhaveknown.Ibettheysnuckinherewhileallof
uswereatthefightclub,thenwaited.AskDylanhowthehelldidhelethumans
hangoutheretoambushme?Theytranquedme—musthave.Theywerefast.”

“I’mnotaskingDylanthat,notinthosewords,”Spikesaid.“Butit’sagood

question.”

Broderickgrunted“Dylan’sdistracted.Whatwithchasingaroundun-

CollaredShiftersandhavingamatethatdriveshimnuts,Ican’tblamehimfor
slipping.”

Spikechuckled,whichwasunbendingforhim.“I’mnotsayingthattohim

either.Hesaysweneedtofindthiswomanandherlair.Couldyougetbackthere
ifyouhadto?”

Broderickconsidered.“Maybe.Takemeawhiletobacktrack.Idon’twant

togonearthatmunitionsplantanytimesoon.IfthecopsthinkaShifterwas
nearby,we’reallindeepshit.”PolicewouldswarmintoShiftertownand

questioneveryone,fromDylanallthewaydowntothenewestborncub.

“HelpingyoubacktrackiswhereTigercomesin,”Spikesaid.“Hecantrack

anything.”

TigerfixedBroderickwithastare.“Ineedascent.”

Broderickshrugged.“AlltheclothesIwaswearingareintattersinher

basement.Shehasmywalletandphonetoo.Thewomanknowseverything
aboutme.Whichmakesmeuncomfortable.”Theunderstatementoftheday.

“Don’tneedyourclothes,”Tigersaid.“Justthescent.”

Broderick’sheadcameup.“Aw,nowayamIlettingthecrazysniffme.”

“Suckitup,”Spikesaid.“Youfighthiminthering.What’sthedifference?”

“Bigdifference,andyouknowit.”

Spikewasenjoyinghimself.Broderickhadn’tseenhimthischuffedsince

he’dbroughthomehiscubandgothimselfamate.

Tigerdidn’twaitforpermission.HesteppedtoBroderick,puthisgianthand

onthebackofBroderick’sneck,andpulledhimclose.

ChapterFour

BroderickfeltTiger’sscaldingbreathonhisneckthenhisshoulder.

Broderickverycarefullystoodmotionless,notjerkingaway.

IfanyotherShifterhaddraggedBroderickcloseandinhaledhisscent,said

Shifterwouldbeontheground.ButTigerwasn’tlikeotherShifters.He’dbeen
madeinalab,createdbyamishmashofgeneticmaterialandtheGoddessknew
whatelse.He’dbeenpartofanexperimenttomanufactureaShifterarmy,which
hadn’tworkedatall.Thefirsttwenty-twoexperimentshaddied,leavingTiger
alone.Thepoorguydidn’tevenhavearealname,andnofamilyorclan.
Broderickcouldn’timaginetheloneliness.AsmuchasBroderick’sbrothers
drovehimspare,hewouldn’ttradeanyofthemforwhatTigerhadgonethrough.

TigerfinishedwithBroderick’sneck,thenhestoopedandtookthescentof

Broderick’sthroat.Finally,hestoodupandsteppedaway,innowayawkward.

Spikewatched,hisarmsfolded,anamusedlookonhisface.“WishIhada

camera,”hesaid.“Didyougetenough,Tiger?”

Tigernodded,offeringnoapology.

Spikewenton.“Dylanwantsthiswomanbroughtin.Assoonaspossible,he

said.WithDylan,thatmeansrightnow.”

Broderickrubbedthebackofhisneck,wherethesensationofTiger’sultra-

stronghandlingered.“Shewon’tbeatthathouseanymore.She’llhaverunby
now.”

Tigershrugged.“Thenwe’llfollowher.”

“Tomorrow,”Brodericksaidfirmly,althoughthatwasonlyafewhours

away.“Iwanthertoo,butI’vebeenshot,needtorecover,andI’mhalfdeadon
myfeet.”

“Andyourmateishere,”Tigersaid,perfectlyserious.

Broderickgrowled.“She’snotmy—”

“Yes,sheis.”TigergaveBroderickhisunnervingyellowstare.

“That’snothowitworks.”Broderickdidn’tknowwhyhegotsquirrelly

everytimesomeonementionedmatesandJoanne,buthedid.Probablybecause
hewasprettysureshe’drefusehim.“Youmate-claimafemale,thenifnoone

Challenges,youhavethesunandmoonceremony,andthatmakesheryour
mate.”

TigerlistenedasthoughBroderickofferedprofoundwisdom,thenhegavea

slightshakeofhishead.“She’syourmate.”

Broderickabruptlychangedthesubject.“DoesSeanknowtokeephisass

hidden?”heaskedSpike.“Incasethekidnapperstryagain?”

Spikeshrugged,histightshouldersmoving.“Sean’snotsurewhatto

believe.That’swhyDylanwantsthegirlbroughtin.”

“Sure.We’llabductahuman,tieherup,draghertoShiftertown,and

questionher.Idon’tmind,becauseshepissedmeoff,butwhycan’tDylando
hisowndirtywork?”

“Becausehe’sDylan,andwe’rethelowlytrackers.”Spikepriedhimself

fromtherailing.“Getsomesleep—we’llgorightafterbreakfast.Mosthumans
areattheirjobsbythenandmaybewewon’tgetstuckinasmuchtraffic.”

“So,whatiftheGuardianNetworkdidgethacked?”Broderickasked

curiously.“Isitthatbigadeal?It’sjustadatabaseofinformationaboutShifters,
right?ShifterBureaualreadyhasallourdeetsonfile.Whatelsecouldshefind
out?”

“HellifIknow,”Spikesaid.“It’sabigGuardiansecretwhat’sreallyinthat

database.Maybethere’snothingtosteal.Shemightbechasingrainbows.”

“Orseesthemfloatingaroundherhead,”Brodericksaid.“Shewasstark-

ravingbonkers,butaren’tmosthumans?”

Spikeonlymadeanoncommittalgesture.Hewasmatedtoahuman,and

she’dbringinhissecondcubsometimethissummer.Tigerdidn’tanswer,buthe
didn’talwaystalk.

BroderickandSpikeagreedonthetimetomeetinthemorning,andSpike

andTigermadetodepart.Atthebottomoftheporchsteps,Tigerturnedback.

“TheGuardianNetworkholdsthesecrets,”hesaid.Thenhewalkedaway,

passingSpikeinthedarkness,andwasgone.

Spikeflashedanoideawhathe’sonaboutlookoverhisshoulder,and

joggedacrossthestreetinTiger’swake.

Broderickremainedontheporch,enjoyingthecoolairforawhile,

wonderingwhatthehellTigermeant.Tigerlovedtospringthesecrypticpieces
ofinformationonBroderick,tomakeBroderick’sheadhurttryingtofigurethem

out.Tigeralwaysprovedtoberightnomatterhowobscuretheproblem,and
Broderickhadlearnednottoarguewithhim.

ButifheconcededTigermightberightabouttheGuardianNetwork,then

he’dhavetoagreethatTiger’sconvictionthatJoannewasBroderick’smatewas
trueaswell.

Noquestion.Damnthefurry,tiger-stripedbastard.

***

“Hell,yes,I’mgoingwithyou,”JoannetoldBroderickoverherfirstcupof

coffee.AuntCorahadbeenupwiththesun,inspiteofthelatenight,handing
Joanneawelcome,steamingmugasshestumbledintothekitchenafter
showeringanddressing.

Broderick,thebiglump,waspolishingoffaheapingplateofbaconand

eggs,tellingAuntCorathatheandSpikeandTigerweregoingafterhis
kidnappersthismorning.WhenJoannesaidshewantedtoaccompanyhim—she
couldlookatthewoman’scomputersandfigureoutwhatshewasupto—
Broderickcameonallalphamale.

“No,”hesaidinasternvoice.“Toodangerous.”

Joannethumpeddownacrossfromhim.Thesunnykitchensportedalong,

oldwoodenfarmtable,scrubbedandscrapedovertheyears.AuntCorakeptit
strewnwithstrawplacemats,andshe’dtiedbrightred-ginghamcushionstothe
seatsoftheheavywoodenchairs.Thekitchenwasalwayswarmandgleaming,
copperpotshangingoverthestove,thesmellofsomethinggoodbakinginthe
oven.Joannehadspentheryoungestyearsinhergrandmother’sfarmhouse
kitcheninnorthTexas,andAuntCora’salwaysfilledherwithnostalgia.

Thismorning,however,Broderickwaspushingnostalgiaawayandfilling

Joannewithirritation.

“Doyouknowanothercomputerhackerasgoodasmewhocanhelpyou?”

Joannedemanded.

“Yes.”Brodericktookacalmmouthfulandswallowed.“ThewomanPablo

Marquezliveswith.Forgethername.She’ssupposedtobeverygood.”

Pablowasacrimelord,aleaderofsomeverybadmen,who,itwastrue,

keptothersevenworseinline.PablohadhelpedShiftersatimeortwo,but
alwaysreluctantly.FromwhatlittleJoannehadseenofhim,hewasvery
protectiveofhisfamily,matchingeventheprotectivenessofShifters.

“Right.”JoannescowledatBroderick.“Pabloisgoingtoloanouthis

girlfriendtohelpyougoafteradangeroushacker,becausehe’ssoinlovewith
Shifters.”

Broderickhesitated.“Well,Ihaven’texactlyaskedhimyet.Wewantedto

grabthewomanfirst.”

“Whywait?”Joanneplunkedhercoffeemugtothestrawmat.“I’mthebest

personbesidesSeanyouhaveonhandforanythingcomputer-related.Andit’s
notlikeI’mbadatgoingintodanger.Ihelpedyoufindmysister,didn’tI?”

AsBroderick’sbrowsdrewtogether,Joannethoughtmaybethathadn’tbeen

thebestargument.Joannehadletherselfbetakenbytheun-CollaredShifters
backtotheirbunker,withatrackerinherpocket,wherethey’dfoundNancy.
Thetrackerhadn’tbeenBroderick’sidea—thathadbeenWalker’sinstinct
duringthesituation.WalkerwasaSpecialForcesguy,who’dbeenassignedto
thehuntforNancyandhadcomewithallsortsoftoysthathelpedthembreach
thecompound.

BroderickhadbeenveryupsetatWalkerforleavingJoannewiththe

Shifters.“Yeah,”hesaidnow.“AndI’mstillnothappyaboutthat.”

Inspiteofhisbadtemperandhavingbeenabductedandshot,Broderick

lookednonetheworseforwearthismorning.Infacthelookedgood,atreatfor
theeyes.Hisshortdarkhairwasdampfromashower,andhe’dshaved,which
emphasizedthestrongbonesofhisface.Hisbodywasjustasstrong,biceps
stretchingtheshortsleevesofhisT-shirt.Hehadtattsonhisarms,flamesand
oneofadragonthatloopeditstailaroundhiswrist.Shifterslikedtattoos,which,
forsomereason,didnotremainwhentheybecametheiranimals.

Broderick’sgrayeyeswerefreefromthepainJoannehadseeninhimlast

night,thoughtherageabouthisabductionremained.Heextendedthatangerto
Joannenow,hisprotectiveinstinctsrising.

AuntCorashoveledalargemountainofscrambledeggsontoaplatefor

Joanne.Shiftersdidn’tbelieveinskimpyportions.“Takeherwithyou,”shesaid
toBroderick.“I’llworryaboutyoulessifJoannegoesalong.Icanatleasttrust
hertokeepyoualiveandoutoftrouble.”

Broderickgavehisauntawearyglanceassheapproachedthetable.“Aunt

Cora…”

AuntCorafirmedhermouth.“Eithershegoes,oryoutellDylantofetchthis

girlhimself.”

Broderickhadastare-downwithher,whichhelost.Onpurpose,Joanne

knew.Broderickwasthealphaofthegroupwithoutquestion,butAuntCorawas
specialtohim.Hesnarledunderhisbreathandreturnedhisfocustohis
breakfast.“Ican’tbelievetheshitIputupwith…”

“You’llputupwithalotmoreifyoudon’ttakeJoanne,”AuntCora

growled.SheshovedJoanne’sbreakfastinfrontofherandwentbacktomaking
moreforBroderick’sbrothers,whohadn’tappearedyet.“IfJoannedoesn’tgo,I
will.”

Brodericksentheranalarmedlook.“Youcan’t,”hesaidflatly.

“Tryandstopme.”

Broderickheavedalong,heavy,aggrievedsigh.“Allright,allright.Joanne

cancome.”Hepointedathickfingeracrossthetableather.“Butyoustayback
andstaysafe.Norunningoffonyourowntryingtofindthewomanorcatchher.
Yougotthat?”

“AmIsupposedtosay,Yes,sir?”Joanneliftedherforkandbattedher

eyelashes.“Or,Yes,dear?”

“Yeah,yeah,you’refunny.”

Joanneflashedhimatriumphantlookandattackedhermeal.She’dnevereat

itall,butsheknewthatBroderickorthethreebrotherswhopushedtheirway
intothekitchenwould.

Broderick’sbrotherswerestilluncertainaboutJoanne,andshewasn’t

entirelycomfortablewiththemyet.TheMcNaughtonswereaclosefamily,but
theywererough-and-tumbleclose,whichJoannewasn’tusedto.Herown
upbringinghadbeensedate.SheandNancy,thoughverydifferent,hadnever
hadaproblemshowingtheirloveforeachother.Broderickandhisbrotherstook
adifferentapproach,usuallyaloudone.

TheyoungestwasMason.HewasjustpasthisTransitionandreadytotake

ontheworld.Hewalkedinarestlessslouchtoplopdowninachairnextto
Joanne,givingherhisunnervinggraystare.

ThenextbrotherupwasDerek,whowasaroundfifty,whichwasstillyoung

foraShifter—Broderickwasahundredsomething.Hewasthewildestofthe
brothers,Joannehadcometolearn,disappearingfordaysatatime.Noone
worriedabouthim—evenAuntCoraknewhe’dturnup,hungryandexhausted
andsleepforadayandahalf.Broderickgavehimgrief,sayinghecouldgetthe
family,maybeallShiftersindeepshitifhewasn’tcareful,andDerekwould

growlathimtomindhisownbusiness.

NextupwasCorey,nearlyahundred.Heneversaidmuch.Heresembled

Broderickthemost,buthehadacompletelydifferentpersonality.Where
Broderickblustered,Coreywasquietlycompetent.Hewonplentyoffightsat
thefightclubwithoutmuchfuss.He’dnevergoupagainstBroderick,though.

Noneofthebrothersfoughteachotheratthefightclub,andBroderick

wouldn’tletMasonevenentertherings.Whileitwasaruleoftheclubthat
winningafightdidnotchangethedominancelevelofaShifter,therewas
alwaystheunderlyingawarenessthatitdid.Broderick’sfamilywasuneasy
enoughasitwas—challengingeachother’sdominanceatthefightclubwould
stiruptroubleathome,andallofthemknewit.

Privately,JoannethoughtthatthebrotherssimplyknewthatBroderick

wouldalwaysbeabletokicktheirasses.Theydidn’twanttheirfacesrubbedin
thattruth,sotheyobeyedhimwithoutfuss.

“Hey,Joanne.”Derekpausedtorubhershoulder.

JoanneknewenoughaboutShiftersbynowtounderstandthatDerekwasn’t

comingontoher.Shifterscommunicatedalotbytouch,usedittosoothe,andas
asignofacceptance.Derekwasshowingheapprovedofherbeinghere.

Broderickglancedathim,butsaidnothing.Derekcontinuedhismassage,

whichJoanneadmittedfeltgood.MasonandCoreysaidnothingtoJoanneatall,
thoughtheybothgaveherperfunctorynods.

Joannewasrightthatthebrothersfinishedherhalf-eatenplateoffood.After

breakfastwasdone,sheranupstairstohurrythroughteethbrushingandsaying
good-byetoNancy,whobrieflyemergedfromAleck’sroomtoseeher.Joanne
raceddownstairsagain,certainBroderickwouldleavewithoutherifshe
dawdled.

Broderickwaitedforherontheporch.Alittlesurprisedhe’dnotditchedher,

Joannesmiledathim.“Let’sgokicksomehackerass,”shesaid.

Broderickdidn’treturnthesmile.“Youleaveasskickingtomeandthe

Shifters.Anysignoftrouble,yougetdownandstaydown.”

“I’mnotcompletelystupid,”Joannesaid,herfrowncomingon.“Then

again,I’mnottheonewhogotshotlastnight.”

She’dmeantonlytoteasehim,butBroderick’sfaceturnedaninteresting

shadeofred.Hecameather,wrappedstronghandsaboutherwaist,liftedher,
andsatherbuttontherailingoftheporch.

“Thisisn’tagame,Jo-Jo.Youcouldgethurt.Ifyouthinkitdidn’tkillme

whenWalkerleftyoualoneinthatShifterbar—andIknewImightneversee
youagain—you’dbewrong.”

ThegrowlinBroderick’svoicewasfierce,hiseyeschangingfromdarkgray

tolightlikemistashepushedhisfaceclosetohers.

“ButIwasallright,”Joannesaid,gentlinghervoice.“WalkerknewIwould

be,orhewouldn’thaveleftme.”

“Idon’tagree.Walkerwouldhavedoneanydamnthingtofulfillhismission

andtoimpressthatKodiakshe-bearhepantsafter.”

“AndIknewyou’dcomeforme,”Joannesaid.

Broderickstilled,hiseyeschangingbacktothesmokycolorsheliked.

“You’redamnrightIdid.”

Broderickkissedher—ahard,rawkissthatscrapedherlipsandmadethem

ache.Joanne’sheadwentbackundertheonslaught,caughtbyhisstronghand.

Asquicklyasitstarted,thekissended.Broderickreleasedher,breathing

hard,asheranhisfingertipsdownJoanne’scheek,thecaressfirm.

“Spike’shere,”hesaidabruptly.Broderickbrushedanotherkissoverher

burninglipsthenturnedandwalkeddownofftheporch.

Joannegulpedair,herheartpoundingasshegrabbedtherailingtosteady

herself.ShewatchedBroderickstridingtowardtheedgeoftheyard,raisinga
broadhandingreetingtoSpike,Tiger,andanotherShifter,Seamus.LikeAleck,
Seamusdidn’twearaCollar,neverhadone.Thefakehe’dbeengivengleamed
onhisneck.

“Don’tmindBrod.”Mason’svoicesoundedabruptlybehindher,making

Joannegivealittleyipofsurprise.Masonstoodbehindthefrontscreendoor,its
meshsofteninghisbulk.“Heneverknowswhichwayhisheadisscrewedon.”

Joannefumbledforwords.“I…Yeah.He’sfine.”

“Hegoeshotandcold,becausehe’sprettysureyou’lldumphimintheend,”

Masonwenton.“He’sreallybadatrelationships.”

“Mason.”AuntCorajoinedhimbehindscreen.“Whenyoutrylookingfora

mate,boyo,you’llunderstandhowtoughitis.Bettergoon,Joanne.Andtake
careofhim.”

AuntCoralaidherhandonMason’sshoulder,moreorlessdraggedhim

backintothehouse,andshutthefrontdoor.

Joanneletoutabreath,takinginMason’sdeclaration,thensheturnedand

ranonsneakeredfeettomeetBroderick.

BroderickwaslookingoverthecollectedShiftersandthebatteredblack

trucktheywereapparentlytouse.

“Great,”hesaid.“I’mgoingouthuntingwithanempath,afightclub

champion,acrazytiger,andmygirlfriend.Wecan’tlose.”

ChapterFive

Tigerwasafrigginggeniuswithautomobileengines,sothetruck,while

outwardlyratty,ranwithapurr.Spikedrove,andTigerandSeamussatinthe
bed.ThecabwastechnicallytoosmallforSpike,Joanne,andBroderick
together,butBrodericksqueezedin,notwantingJoanneridinginthecab
withouthim.

NotthatSpikewasathreat—themanwashappywithhismate,Myka,his

cub,Jordan,andacubontheway.Brodericksimplydidn’twanttotakehiseyes
offJoanne.Thelasttimeshe’daccompaniedhimonamission,Broderickhad
nearlylosther.Hedamnwellwasn’tgoingtoletthathappenagain.

Broderickrecalledthesmash-and-grabraidWalkerhadledonthebunker

containingtheun-CollaredShiftersandBroderick’sgut-punchingreliefwhen
he’dfoundJoannecurledupinachairinthebunker,unhurt.Broderickhad
wantedtoputheroverhisshoulderandhaulheroutofthereimmediately,but
Joannehaddraggedthemtohersister,whomshe’dfoundtendingAleck.

Broderickhadgotallthreeofthemoutofthere,miraculously.Okay,so

maybeWalkerandRebeccahadhelpedalittle,butthepointwas,they’dmadeit
out.

BroderickslidclosertoJoannewhereshesatbetweenhimandSpike.

Joanneglancedathim,andBroderickwarmedwhensheputherhandonhis
thigh.

Spike,unawareoforuncaringofBroderick’smessedupthoughts,drove

them,atJoanne’sdirection,tothehighwaywhereshe’dpickedupBroderick.
Thismorning,theroadlayquietlyunderawidesky,theoccasionalcarortruck
rumblingpastwherethey’dpulledover.Wildflowersdottedthesideoftheroad,
bluebonnetsbrushingthegrasses.

Broderickemergedfromthetruck,Joannerightbehindhim.Broderick

stretchedhisbackfromthecrampedride.“Thatdirection,”hesaid,pointing
overemptyland,tingedgreenandblue.“Icameacrossthefieldsfromthe
munitionsplant.Anyonehearwhythatblewup?”

Seamushadslidoutofthetruckandnowloungedagainstit.“Breewas

listeningtothenewsthismorning.Shesaystheydon’tknowwhathappened,but
suspectafireinoneofthelabs.Thereweresomeinjuries,butnoonewaskilled,

fortunately.”

WhichmeantthattheguardBroderickhaddraggedtowardtheambulance

hadn’tdiedeither.HepausedamomenttoexpressthankstotheGoddess.Those
men,justdoingtheirjobs,hadn’tdeservedsuchafate.

“Canyoubemorespecific?”SpikeaskedBroderick,hisgazeontheempty

fields.“That’sahellofalotofspacetoexplore.”

“Thatway.”TigerhadclimbedoutbehindSeamus,andnowhepointedwith

abluntfingertothesouthwest.

“Yeah?”Spikeaskedinirritation.“HowdoIgothatway?”

Tigershrugged,thebigmanripplingmuscle.“Theremustberoads.”

“Oh,forheaven’ssake.”Joannehadherphoneout,manipulatingthescreen

withherfingers.Brodericklookedoverhershoulderatthemapshebroughtup.

“Thisiswhereweare,”shesaid,pointingtotwowhitestreaksofroadsthat

crossed.“Themunitionsplantisthere.”Sheswipedthescreentoshowalone
building.“Goaroundthatwaytogettoit.”Joanneindicatedagrid.

Spikeglancedatthemap,asmystifiedasBroderick.“Younavigate,”Spike

saidtoJoanne.“Justtellmewheretoturn.”

Theypiledbackintothetruck,Joannekeepinganeyeonherphone.

Followingherdirections,Spikereachedthemunitionsplant,whichinvolved
milesonaseriesofdirtroads.

Spikestoppedwhentheplantwasinsight,butfarenoughawaythatthey’d

notbespottedbyguards.Theplacewasstillsurroundedbyemergencyvehicles
andtoomanycopsforBroderick’staste.Thepolicewouldhavetoinvestigate,
ofcourse.Afactorythatmadebulletsandexplosivesblowingupmightmean
badluckoritmightmeananoutsideenemywastryingtodestroyit.

Spikedrummedhisfingersonthewheel.“Allright,sohow’dyouendup

here?”

Broderickgotoutandlookedaround.He’dbeenheadingeast,thesetting

moonathisback,whenhemadeittotheplant,buteastcoveredalotofarea.He
didn’tpickupanyscentofhimself,sohehadn’tcomeoutatthisspot.The
otherswaited,sayingnothing,butBrodericksensedtheirgrowingimpatience.

Whatdidtheyexpecthimtodo—shifttowolfandsniffhimselfoutinthese

milesofnothing?Theswathofdriedgrasses,touchedwithgreen,spreadtothe
horizon.Theskywasendlesstoday,asoftbluethatdwarfedtheShifters,the

factory,theland,andthebatteredpickup.

“Kindofthatway,”Brodericksaid,flutteringhisfingers.

Tigerwalkedaroundthetruck,andarounditagaininawideningcircle.He

scannedtheground,land,horizon,hisgoldeneyestakingineverything.

Tigerfinallystoppedandpointedtowardafieldthatlookedlikeallother

fields.“There.”

Brodericksteppedtohim,sightingdownTiger’sarm.“Howthehelldoyou

knowthat?”

Tigerglancedathim,hisbig-cateyesinhishardfacesteadyandsure.“Ijust

do.”

JoannecameuponTiger’sotherside.“Ihearalotaboutyourfamous

trackingability,”shesaid,interested.“Whatexactlydoyousee?Orsmell?How
canyoupickupatrailsofarout?”

“I’dliketoknowthattoo,”Seamusputin,hisScottishaccentsoftmusicin

thedryair.“Tigertrackedmethroughthecity,whenIwasinacar.”

TigergaveSeamusanexpressionlesslook.“Itrackedyoutothecar,andthe

carthroughthecity.Itwasold,theenginefallingapart,andhadadistinctive
smell.”

SeamusexchangedaglancewithBroderick.Broderickhadbeenonthat

missiontotrackdownSeamus,andBroderickstilldidn’tknowhowTigerhad
foundhim.

JoanneshotTigeragrin.“AreyousayingBroderickhasadistinctive

smell?”

“Yes.”Tigerreturnedhisgazetothehorizon.“AndIsee…”Herestedthree

fingersonthesideofhishead.“Coordinates.Numbersthatcorrelatetothescent.
Thenumberstellmeexactlywheretogo.”

“Interestin’,”Seamussaid.Thelionmanwasrattledbythat,Broderick

couldsee,andsowasBroderick.

“Itisinteresting,”Joannesaid.“You’reunique,Tiger.IcanseewhyCarly

likesyou.”

Tigergaveherapuzzledlook,thenbeforeBroderick’seyes,thebigman

blushed.Colorspreadacrosshischeekbonesandfloweddownhisneck.His
pupilsflickedtocatslitsandbackagain.

“Yeah,he’sarealsweetheart,”Brodericksaid.“Anyideashowtofollow

thistrailhe’spointedout?”

JoanneleftoffpurringatTigerandbroughtoutherphonewiththemap

again.“Notalotofroadsouthere.”Herfingersworkedoverthescreen.“We’ll
havetogoaround.Butthere’sahousingdevelopmenthere.Alongwayoutof
anytown,butpeoplestartedbuildingbedroomcommunitieslikecrazyouthere
beforethelasthousingcrash.Goodplacetotry.”

Tigertouchedtheclusterofhousesonthescreen.“Yes.Inthere.”

“Fine,”Brodericksaidimpatiently.“Let’sgo.”Heshoulderedhiswaypast

Tigertothetruck,whichincidentallypushedTigerandJoanneapart.

Joannewalkedabsentlytothepickup,studyingherphoneassheclimbed

intothepassengerseat.TigerfixedBroderickwithalookbeforesettlinghimself
intothetruckbedwithSeamus.

Tiger’slookhadbeenknowing,evenamused.“Don’tpushit,cat,”

Brodericksnarled,thenhegothimselfintothecabnexttoJoanne,closingthe
doorasSpiketookoff.

***

ThehousingdevelopmentJoannehadfoundlaysereneandartificialunder

thewarmTexassky.Ithadbeenbuiltaroundagolfcourse,andthesign
advertisingthehousesatitsentrancesaidYourownpieceofthecountry,
convenienttothecity.

Halfthehouseswereempty,for-salesignsannouncingPriceReduced.The

peoplewalkingaroundtheneighborhoodoralreadyoutonthegolfcoursewere
older,likelyretiredwithabitofmoneyputby,withnoneedtocommuteto
distantAustinorSanAntonio.

Aperfectplaceforahackertosetupshop,Joannereflected.Anempty

housethatwasn’tsellingsittingamongotheremptyhouseswouldbeagood
hidingplace.Ifthewomancameandwentatnight,theearly-risingneighbors
wouldbefastasleepandnoticenothing.

“Thetroubleis,allthesedamnedhouseslookalike,”Brodericksaidafter

theycircledthroughafewstreets.“Howdohumanseverfindtheirwayhome?”

“Wemanage,”Joannesaid.“ButIknowwhatyoumean.”Thedeveloper

hadcomeupwithtwoorthreevariationsonthefacadesthatmostlylookedthe
same.Therewereslightdifferencesbetweenmodels,butnotmany.Ahome
owners’associationwouldbeinplacetomakesurethatthesamenessnever

changed.

“Downthere,Ithink,”Brodericksaidafteratime.“Yeah,thatlookslikeit.

Itwasthelasthouseonaroad,kindofisolated.”

SpikeswungthetruckdownthestreetBroderickindicated.Joannenoticed

theyweren’ttryingtosneakupontheplace,butthen,whyshouldthey?The
Shifterswouldstormthehouse—outofsightoftheneighbors,ofcourse.
Whoeverwashidinginsidewouldn’thaveachanceofgettingaway.Evenifthe
womansawthemcomingandtriedtoflee,she’dneveroutrunaShifterorbe
abletohidefromthem.Tiger,withhisuncannytrackingability,wouldfindher
inaheartbeat.

Or,thewomanwouldalreadybegone,whichwaswhatJoannesuspected.

Onceahackerwassussedout,sheorhewenttogroundimmediatelytosetup
shopsomewhereelse.

Broderickpointed.“That’sit.Prettysure.”

Spikeswungthetruckalongsideahouseattheendofthestreet.Theroad

continuedaroundinaslightcurveforanothertwentyyardsorso—theintenthad
obviouslybeentoextendtheroadanddevelopmentatsomepoint.

Theresultwasastreetthatranbehindthehouse,outofsightofthe

neighbors.Spikekilledtheengine.Allwasquiet.

Thehouseinquestionwasbig.Itrosefromaslighthill—artificial,probably

fromfill.Thelandaroundthedevelopmentwasflat,flat,flat.Thehousewas
ultramodern,withstraightsidewallsandacurvedbackwallthatwasfilledwith
floor-to-ceilingwindows.Throughthese,theresidentscouldtakeinthegreat
viewofallthenothingbehindthehouse.Theroofofthecurvedwallformeda
balconyforthesecondfloor,moreopportunitytogazeacrosstoemptyhorizon.

Exceptforthatfeature,thehousewasasflatastheland,coveredwithfalse

stuccoandpaintedanearthybeige.Someonehadtriedtolivenupthebackwith
potsofflowers,mostofwhichhaddriedupanddied,noonehavingbotheredto
waterthem.Theywereforlorn,abandoned,unloved,andJoanne’sheart
squeezedinpity.

Thegiant,undrapedwindowsensuredthatanyoneinsidethehousewould

seeapickupparkbehindit,andfourShiftersandayoungwomanpileout.There
wasnomovementbehindtheglass,however,nofigurefurtivelypeekingthrough
thebalconydoor.

Awindowonthebasementlevelhadbeenbroken,theframeandglass

shatteredonthegrass.Broderick’sgazewentrighttoit,andashudderrippled
throughhim,whichvanishedthemomentafteritbegan.

“Gone,”Tigersaid,staringupatthehouse.

Brodericknodded.“Yep.Thoughtshewouldbe.Let’scheckitout.Not

you.”HeglaredatJoanneasshefellintostepwithhim.“Thatwomanhadagun.
I’mnotriskingthatshestillisinthere,readytotakeshotsatyou.”

“I’llhide,”Joannesaidstubbornly.“Forgetit,Broderick.Youneedmeto

checkoutthecomputers.Idoubtshehadtimetopackthemallup.She’dhave
runassoonasyouwereoutofthere.”

Broderickgrowledunderhisbreath,butJoannestaredhimdown.Shifters

lowerinhierarchythanthealphaweresupposedtodroptheirgazeswhenhe
staredatthem.Theyweretoobeywithoutquestion,toletthealphabetheir
guideinallthings.

Well,screwthat.Thealphawasn’talwaysright—beingtougherthan

everyoneintheroomdidn’tmeanyoumadegooddecisions.Joannehadnever
beenonetodowhatshewastoldwithoutquestion.Whatifthepersongivingthe
orderwasanidiot?

“Nooneishere,”Tigerrumbledquietly.“It’ssafe.”

Broderick’sgrowlingincreased.Seamusstartedgrowlingnowtoo,butnot

becauseheagreedwithBroderick.

SeamuswasaShifterempath.Joannewasn’tquitecertainwhatthatmeant,

butsheknewfrombecomingfriendswithBree,hisgirlfriend,thatSeamus
pickeduponverystrongemotionsfromotherShifters.

Seamusdidn’tpickuponeveryemotion,onlytheonesthatburstoutin

intensesurges.SeamusreactingtoBroderickmeantthatBroderickwasseriously
upset.

Joanne’sannoyanceevaporatedasunderstandingtookitsplace.Lastnight,

Broderickhadbeentranqued,draggedoutofShiftertown,druggedandbound,
andhadfoughthiswayfreeonlytobeshotat.

Couldn’tbeeasyforhimcomingbackheretothesceneofwhereit

happened.Everysightwasareminderofpain,fear,hishelplessnessandanger.
HewasShifter,protective,andhedidn’twanttowatchJoanneandhisfriendsgo
throughwhathehad.Allthereassuranceintheworldwouldn’tcutthroughthat
memoryandhisdread.

JoannetookBroderick’shandinhers.Hiswerelarge,skintoughfromthe

workhedidonhishouseandvehicles,keepingoldthingsrepairedsohisfamily
couldusethem.

Shestrokedhisbluntfingers.“I’llstaybackuntilyougivemetheall-clear,”

shesaid,softeninghertone.“Promise.”

Broderick’sgrowlswounddown,andatthesametime,sodidSeamus’s.

Seamusturnedaside,sweatonhisface,hiseyestight.

BrodericksqueezedJoanne’shand,hisfullofstrength.“Allright,

sweetheart.Igotthis.”

Hiswordsweremerelysomethingtosay,Joanneknewthat.Broderick’s

eyestoldherhisreliefthatsheunderstoodhisneedtokeephersafe.

Joannereleasedhim.“Thenwhatareyouallwaitingfor?Getinthere.”

BroderickgrippedJoanne’sshoulder,thetouchcontainingacaress.He

turnedfromher,pushedpastTiger,whowasrunninghishandsdownonesideof
thedoorframe,andkickedinthedoorwithhisheavyboot.

ChapterSix

“Tigerwascheckingforalarms,”Spike’sdryvoicecamebehindBroderick.

Broderickdidn’tacknowledgehim.Hisheartwaspounding,hishead

hurtinguntilhewasdizzy.Joanneunderstood.She’dlookedathim,andshegot
him.Thatfact,thatknowledge,wasfarmoreimportanttohimthantheGuardian
Network,hackers,andevenfiguringoutwhohaddonethistohim.Althoughhe
wasstillgoingtofindthemandpoundthemuntiltheybeggedformercy.

Broderickdidn’trememberthegroundfloorofthehouse—he’dbeen

draggedthrough,unconscious,withabagonhishead,andhe’descapedstraight
throughthebasementwindow.Noneedtolingerandadmirethedecor.

Theechoingroominsidethefrontdoorwasobviouslymeanttobealiving

room.Thecloselyspaced,tallwindowsrenderedthecurvedalcovethey’dseen
fromoutsideessentiallyawallofglass.Alonesofaandachairreposedinthe
middleofthevasttilefloor,buttherewasnootherfurniture,nopicturesonthe
walls.

Anopenstaircaserantothesecondfloor,thestairsnothingbuttreadsfixed

tothinwoodenstrips.ToBroderick,havinglivedinasolidlybuiltbungalowfor
solong,thestairslookedflimsyandunstable.

Two-footsquaresoftileinalightbeigecolorcoveredthefloor,addingto

thebeige-nessoftherestofthehouse.Dull.EvenBroderick’shousefullof
smellyLupinemaleswasmuchmorecolorfulandvibrant.MoresowhenJoanne
wasthere.

Nexttothekitchentheyfoundtheentrancetothebasement.Thedoorwas

highlypolishedwood,prettytolookat,itshingesandhandleshinybrass.

Itwasalsounlocked.Broderickyankeditopen,standingasideincasean

enemylingeredhere,butnooneappeared.

Broderick’sbreathingcamefastashechargeddownthesteps.Hedidn’t

knowwhyhewasgoingallPTSD—he’donlybeenaprisonerashorttime,and
he’dbrokenhiswayoutjustfine.

MaybeithadtodowiththedayswhenhumanswereroundingupShifters.

Broderickandhisfamilyhadn’tgonewillingly.He’dlivedinWyoming,upin
themountains,wherewinterswereharshandneighborswerefewandfar

between.ThatsuitedtheMcNaughtons,who’dexistedtherewithoutbeing
botheredforahundredorsoyears.Broderick’sfatherhadmovedtothe
AmericanWestfromthenorthofScotlandinthemiddleofthenineteenth
century,andBroderickandhisbrothershadbeenborninthiscountry.

They’dallfoughtbeingroundedup.Broderickrememberedtheshocksticks

thathadkepthimdownwhilehe’dbeentryingtogetMason,nineyearsold,to
safety.ThehumansfromthenewShifterBureauwerecapturingcubs,taking
themawayforexperiments.

Broderickhadbeenkicked,chained,shocked,andstillhe’dbeenfighting

whentheshotgunhadgoneoffinhisdad’schest,killingthemanoutright.

TheechooftheshotroseinBroderick’sheadasheenteredthebasement.

Lastnight,whenhe’dfoughttogetaway,hiswholebeing,hiswolfinstinct,had
focusedonbreakingfreeandfindinghiswayhome.Nowthathehadtimeto
registerthedetailswithhishumanside,bilefilledhisstomach.

Thebasementwasempty—freeofpeople,anyway.Itsmelledempty,the

onlyscentthatofdamplintandwarmcomputers,whichhadcloggedtheroom
lastnight.

Morningsunlightcamethroughthebasementwindows,andwinddidtoo,

courtesyoftheoneBroderickhadsmashed.Thesunthroughthedustypanes
wasn’tenoughtoilluminatethebasemententirely,soBroderickflippedona
light.

Whoeverthesquattershadbeen,they’dclearedoutinahurry,though

Joannehadbeenrightthatthey’dleavemostofthecomputerequipmentbehind.
Thelaptopsweregone,butmonitorsandarackofCPUshadbeenleft,along
withboxesandcables.Plasterhungfromthewallwheretheplatecoveringthe
telephonelinehadbeen.Lookedlikethewomanhadrippeditoutofthewall
whenshe’dscrambledtounplugeverything.

Thejumblelookedlikeapileofjunktohim,butBroderickknewcomputer

peoplesawthingsdifferently.Theymightlookathisworkshop,fullofhand
tools,woodshavings,andboxesofmetalbits,andthinkitamesstoo.To
Broderick,hisworkshop,withitsscentsofwoodandshellac,wasaplaceof
beauty,eventranquility—well,whenMasonwasn’tgrumblingwhenhecouldn’t
getsomethingtogoright.

Nearthewashingmachine,Broderickfoundtheremnantsofhisclothes,and

alsohiswallet—withoutthecashbutwiththeIDShifterswererequiredtocarry.
Nophone,though.

“Hey,Spike!”Broderickcalledupthestairsbehindhim.“TellJoanneshe

cancomedown.”

Spikedidn’tanswer,butsoonBroderickheardJoanne’squicktreadonthe

stairs,thenow-familiarslapofhersneakers.

ThesoundinstantlymadeBroderickfeelbetter.Strangethataninnocuous

noiselikeJoanne’sfootstepscouldhaveaneffectonhisentirebody.His
breathingslowed,hismusclesloosened,andthepaininhischesteased.

“Whatamess,”Joannesaid,thesoundofhervoicecompletingthewarmth

insidehim.

“Yeah,that’swhatIthought,”Broderickanswered,notlookingather.He

studiedthetangleofwires,unabletomakeoutwhatwentwhere.Blackplugs
filledapowerstrip,withanorangelightindicatingthestripwasstillon.
“Probablywecan’tdoanythingwithit.”

“Oh,Iwouldn’tsaythat.”Joanne’stonewaslight,butBroderickheardthe

interest,thecuriosity,theeagerness.ShemovedpastBroderick,bathinghimina
scentofroses,andstartedflippingswitches.Thecomputersbegantohum.

“Howdoesthisplaceevenhaveelectricity?”Broderick’smouthaskedwhile

therestofhissensesenjoyedherscent,hernearness.“Emptyhousesdon’tget
hookeduptopower.”

“I’msuretheydivertedsome.”Joannewasn’tbotheredbysuchtrivial

matters.Herbrowneyessparkledasshedraggedaplasticchairinfrontofthe
tableholdingthemonitorsandkeyboards,andsheflexedherhands.“Let’ssee
howgoodIreallyam.”

Themonitorsflickeredtolifeathertouchbutinsteadoftheprettyphotosor

iconsthatlitteredcomputerscreensthesedays,therewasonlyablack
backgroundandafewpulsingletters.

“So,”Joannesaidsoftlytothescreen.“Didyouencrypteverything?Orwere

younotworriedaboutanyonefiguringoutwhatyouweredoing?”

Broderickleanedoverthebackofherchairasshetyped.“Youknow,you

talkingtoinvisiblepeopleontheotherendofthecomputeriskindofcreepy.”

Joanneignoredhim.“Youwanttoplay,eh?”sheasked,herfingersmoving.

Arowofletterswentacrossthemonitor,thenmorerows,andthenJoanne
chuckled.“Gotcha.”

“Youknowwhatthehellshe’sdoing?”Spikeaskedbehindhim.He’dcome

downthestairs,andnowstared,asmystifiedasBroderick,atthecomputers.

Broderickhadtoshakehishead.Joanneglancedupatthemassherolledher

shoulders,stretchingthem.“Youknow,thiswouldbeeasierifyouguysweren’t
breathingdownmyneck.”

Broderickcaressedtheneckinquestion,butheunderstood.

HeturnedandfollowedSpiketodowhattheyweregoodat—checkingout

theroom,searchingitforcluesastowherethehackerandhergoonshadgone.
TigerwasstillupstairswithSeamus,bothofthemlookingaround.Tigerwould
nodoubtgetabeadonthebadguysandhavethecoordinatesorwhateverof
wherethey’dgonetogroundwithouttoomuchtrouble.

Regardless,Broderickmadehimselffeelbetterturningoverboxesand

rippingapartthedrywalltoseeifthevillainshadhiddenanysecretsbehindit.
Spikehelped,themanlikingdestructionasmuchasBroderickdid.

Behindhim,Joannemadeanoiseofdisappointment.“Theywiped

everything,”shesaidmournfully.“That’swhytheyleftallthisstuffbehind.But
…”Shetrailedoffasthekeysstartedclickingagain.

Justasshesaid,Eureka!Broderickcaughtaglintofsomethingbehindthe

loosewallboardhe’djustpulledfrombetweentwostuds.

Hebentdowntoexaminewhateveritwas,sniffingcarefully,incasehewas

abouttosetoffaboobytrap.Anystupidwolfcouldjamhispawintoacrevice
andtripawirethatblewupthebuildinghewasin.

Broderickdidn’tscentanythinguntoward—nodetcordorblastingcaps,no

scentofexplosivesoranythingthatwouldmakeaspark.Notevensomething
simplelikethesteelofamousetrap.

Hemadedoublesureallwasclear,thenhestretchedhisfirsttwofingersinto

thecrackandpulledoutaround,silverdisc.

“What’sthat?”Spikeasked.Likeallcats,hewasinstantlycuriousabouta

shinyobject.

Broderickresteditonhispalm.Whatheheldwasamedallionintheformof

aCelticknot.Itwastruesilver,polishedtoadullsheen,andlookedveryold.
ThesymbolresembledtheoneontheirCollars,butitwaslarger,thinner,and
hadasecondcirclearoundit,whichhadbeencarvedinadelicate,scalloped
pattern.Thedisclookedfamiliar—otherthanresemblingtheCollarpendant—
butthiswasn’tfromaCollar.

“Noidea,”Brodericksaid.“Whatdidyoufind,Joanne?”Heaskedoverhis

shoulder.“YousaidEureka.Didyouhackin,orwhateveryoucallit?”

“No.”Joannestoodup,hermovementsanimated.“Theywipedallthedata

fromthesecomputers,butIfoundevidenceofwheretheywent,ortriedtogo.
Theyleftatrail,aprettycrypticone,butIfoundit.”Shesoundedpleased,proud
ofherself.“TheyweretryingtohacktheGuardianNetwork.Iknewit!Oh…”
Joanne’sbreathtouchedBroderick’sarm.“Whatdidyoufindthere?”

BroderickfeltajoltgothroughhimassoonasJoannesaidGuardian.The

wordmadehimrealizewherehe’dseenthismedallionbefore,quiteoften—or
onejustlikeit.Hisbloodwentcold.

“Holyfuck,”hesaid,hisvoicefillingwithbothamazementandforeboding.

“Iknowwhatthisis.It’sapiecefromtheSwordoftheGuardian.”

***

JoannestaredattheinnocuoussilverdisconBroderick’spalm.She’dseen

theswordSean,theAustinShiftertown’sGuardian,carriedaround,butshe’d
neverhadachancetolookatitclosely.

BothSpikeandBroderickweregazingatthemedallionasthoughitwould

bitethemanysecond.Thetwobig,bad,fearsomefightershadwideeyesand
rigidstancesofterror.

“Whatareyousaying?”Joanneaskedthem.“TheyhadaSwordofthe

Guardianhere?Sean’ssword?”

“Ididn’tseeasword,”Brodericksaid,nottakinghiseyesoffthedisc.“Not

lastnight,andIdidn’tfindonetoday.You,Spike?”

“Nope,”Spikesaid,thecurtwordfilledwithworry.

BroderickandSpikehadtornupthewholebasement,Joannesaw.Pipes

wereexposedbehindshreddeddrywall,andwireshunglikeblackandred
spaghetti.Thefloorwassolidcement,thoughshesawwherethey’dgougedit.
They’dhavefoundanythinghidden.

“Itmusthavebeenstashedthere,”Brodericksaid.“Theboardswerealready

loosewhenItookthemoff—theymadeacrevicetheycouldreachinahurry.
Theygrabbedtheswordoutofthereanddidn’tnoticetheendpiecehadcome
off.”

“Buthowdiditcomeoff?”Spikeasked.“Ithoughttheswordsweresolid

pieces.Theydidn’thavesuperglueinthethirteenhundreds.”

“No,buttheyhadwelding,”Joannepointedout.“Orsoldering.I’mnota

silversmith,butIbettheyknewhowtostickthingsontootherthings.”

Broderickdidplentyofsolderinginhismetalworkingcrafts,butheshook

hishead,hishandunwavering.“TheswordsweremadebyaShifterswordsmith
andaFaewoman.Thebladewasshapedbyfoldingandbeatingthesilver,over
andoveragain,butthehiltwascastasonepiece.”AsthoughfeelingJoanneand
Spikestaringathim,Broderickshrugged.“Mydadusedtotellmethatstory.He
knewaboutforgingandcasting.”

Joannenotedthecatchinhiswordsashementionedhisfather.Broderick

rarelytalkedabouthisfamily—atleastnothisdadorevenhismom.Toomuch
pain,she’drealized.

“So,howdiditcomeloose?”Spikerepeatedthequestion.

Broderickclosedhishandoverthemedallion.“We’regoingtohavetoask

anexpertaboutthat.Youknow,aGuardian.”

“Fine,”Spikesaid,stillgrayaboutthemouth.“Let’sgo.Seanalwayshas

beer.”

***

Thelaptop’sscreenflickeredwiththestrangewhitestaticthathadwoken

CillaGilbourneoutofasoundsleepamonthbefore.Shesnatchedherhands
fromthekeyboard,herfingershot.

“What?”sheaskeddesperately.“Whatdoyouwant?”

She’dthoughtshecouldhideoutfromhiminthistrailerinanobscurearea

ofthecity,butshe’dbeenwrong.Cillacouldhideherphysicalbody,butshe
couldn’thidefromthemaninthecode.

Herfeargrewasthescreenclearedtheslightestbittoshowthefigurewho’d

beencontactingher.Shecouldn’tmakeouthisface,butsheknewitwasaman
fromthewayhewasshapedandmoved.

Hewasanapparition,ashadow,aflickerofpixels.Andheterrifiedher.

Didyougethim?Thewordshiddenincodescrolleddownthescreen.

Itried.Cillakeyedback.ThestupidthugsIhiredgrabbedthewrongShifter.

Alongpause.Cillaheldherbreath.Whoeverwasontheothersideofthis

communicationkneweverythingabouther.He’dthreatened,notonlyherlifebut
thatofanyoneshe’deverloved.Cillawasaloner,butevenlonershadtheir
connectionstothepast.

WhenCillahadcalledhimonit,insistinghecouldn’thurther,ayoungman

she’dknown—allright,hadbeeninlovewith—hadfallensickofamysterious
illness.Hisdoctors,Cillalearned,suspectedpoisonbutweren’tcertain.

Cillahadlosttheprivilegeofrushingtohisside,butshe’dpromisedthe

ghostlyhackeranything—hadhastenedtoobeyhim.Herexhadrecovered—
verysuddenly—butCillacouldn’tbesurethatthemanwouldn’thavehim
poisonedagain.

Whycan’tyouusetheswordyourself?heasked.

Cilla’sfingerswerealreadymoving.Itried.Idon’tthinktheswordlikesme.

ItwantsaGuardian.

Anotherhesitation,thenwordsincodeblazedacrossthescreen.Ofcourseit

doesn’tlikeyou!YouKILLEDAGUARDIAN!

Ididn’t…

Cillacouldn’tfinish.Themenshe’dhiredhadshottheGuardiandead,

slaughteringamanandtriumphantlypresentingCillawiththesword.She’d
thrownupforaday.

Istillhavethesword,shetyped.IjustneedaGuardiantouseit.

You’llnevermakeonehelpyou.Forgetit.

Iwill,Iwill!Cillatypedfrantically.Givemeachance.

Anotherpause,andthestaticsolidified,deletingtheoutline.Thescreen

remainedsolidwhiteforalongtime,thenblacklettersandnumbersstreamed
acrossit.

IneedtheswordorIneedaccesstotheGuardianNetwork.ThatiswhatI

want.Nothingelsewilldo.

Iknow.Iknow.I’mworkingonit.

FinishSOON.

Afewmorecharactersflittedacrossthemonitor,thenthesolidwhitestatic

faded,leavinganemptyblackscreen.Themonitorblinked,waitingforCilla’s
nextcommand.

Shestaredatthecomputer,herchesttight,uncertainshe’dtrulyseenthe

verylastcharactersthathadcrossedthescreen.They’dbeendifferent,acode
shewassureonlythemilitaryused.Cillaranthecodethroughhercomputer-like
memoryuntilshedecryptedit.

Thefinalmessagehadread—Helpme.

ChapterSeven

Seamus,Spike,andBroderickpackedupeveryscrapofcomputerequipment

inthehouse,loadingitunderJoanne’sdirectionintothebackofthetruck.They
coveredthepilewithatarp—nousesomeonereportingShifterscarryingaround
astackofCPUsandmonitors.Joannewasmostlyinterestedintherouterbox
shecarried,atinythingonlyafewinchessquare,butshesaiditwasimportant.

Broderickhungontothedisc—holdingitinhishand,ratherthanshovingit

intohispocket.Hewantedphysicalcontactwithitforsomereason,thesame
wayhewantedtostaynexttoJoanne.

MaybelivingwithaferalShifterwasrubbingoffonhim,hethoughtasthey

droveaway,hisfingerscaressingthesilverpattern.Nextthingheknew,he’dbe
batshitcrazyandhavetobestrappedtoabedrightnexttoAleck’s.

Tigerwasstillhuntingforascentbythetimetheywerefinishedfillingthe

truck.BleachandsomeotherstinkingchemicalBroderickcouldn’tidentifyhad
beenusedtowipethehouseclean,butTigerfoundtracesofhumanmalesinthe
driveway.They’dpiledintoavehicleandgoneawaywithoutthewoman.

Shehadcoveredhertracksbetter,probablyknowingShifterswouldbeafter

her,butitwasclearshe’ddrivenoffinacarortruckthatwasfairlygeneric,he
said—thousandsofthemoutthere,andlikelystolen.Tigerthoughthemightbe
abletotracethemen,butshewouldbemoredifficult.Ofcourse,oncethey
caughtthethugs,theycouldbemadetotelltheShifterswherethehacker-
womanmightgotoground.

Tigerdidn’tlikebeingstymied,Broderickcouldsee.Tigerclimbedsilently

intothebackofthetruckandhunkereddownunderthetarp.

TheywereallsubduedastheyrodebacktoShiftertown.Joanne’s

pronouncementthathackerwomanwastryingtoaccesstheGuardianNetwork
wasbadenough,butitwastheproblemoftheswordthatcausedthefour
Shiftersdisquiet.

ASwordoftheGuardianneverlefttheGuardian’sside.Hemightditchita

fewhoursifhewantedtoplaywithhiscubsorhangoutwithhisfamilyorhole
upwithhismate,butSeankeptitstrappedtohisbackatallothertimes—atthe
fightclub,travelingbetweenShiftertowns,checkingoutaproblemforLiam,
evengoingfortake-out.TheGuardianhadtobepreparedincasetheswordwas

needed,andbesides,itwasavaluableShifterartifact,whichtheGuardianwas
chargedtoprotect.

TheoneconcessionthehumansmadetoShifterswhentheywererounded

upwasthateveryShiftertowncouldhaveaGuardian,andthattheGuardianwas
allowedtocarryhisswordaroundwhereverhewent.Thathadbeenadeal-
breaker.ThehumanshadfiledtheswordandGuardianunder“religious
practices”whichwastheonethingtheShifterBureauhadbeenanxiousnotto
stifle.

AswordwithoutaGuardianattachedtoitwaswrong.WhatGuardiandid

theswordthathadlostitsmedallionbelongto?AndwherewastheGuardian
now?

NoneoftheShifterslikedwhatthatanswermightbe.

OncetheyreachedShiftertown,SpikedrovetothehousewhereSean

Morrisseylivedwithhismate,hisfather,hisfather’smateGlory,andSean’s
babyson,Kenny.Spikepulledtheblackpickuptoahalt,killingtheengineand
slidingoutofitinonemovement.Tigergotoutofthebackandwalkedwithout
stoppingtothehousenextdoor,wherehewouldfillinLiam,theShiftertown
leader,andstarttrackingthethugsifLiamorderedhimto.Hadnothingtodo
abouthismatewaitingforhimthere—oh,no.

Joanne,typically,refusedtostayinthetruck,orgotoBroderick’sandcheck

onhersister,ortovisitKimnextdoororEllisonandfamilyacrossthestreet…

“I’mnotawiltingflower,”shesaidtoBroderickassheclimbedout,looking

straightintohiseyesasshelikedtodo.“Notwaitingforthemenfolktocome
explaineverythingtolittleoleme,iftheyevenrememberto.”Shewalkedright
pasthimanduptotheporch.

Broderickgrowled.“Goddesssavemefrompushyfemales.”

HelikedthatJoannedidn’ttakeshitfromanyone,butontheotherhand,it

washardtoprotectawomanwhowentchargingaheadbeforeBroderickcould
checkthatthewaywassafe.Theyneededtohaveatalkaboutthat.

SeanhimselfopenedthedoorasJoannereachedtheporch,Broderick

directlybehindher.Sean’sblackhairwasdampandhisT-shirtclungtowet
shouldersasthoughhe’djustpriedhimselffromtheshower.Helettheminat
once,hisfacegrim.

Hismate,Andrea,satintheirlarge,airykitchenwithbabyKennyina

highchair,havingtheirmorningmeal.ItwaslateforbreakfastforBroderick’s

taste,butthiswasaFelinefamily—nevermindthatAndreaandGlorywere
wolves.Felineswentstealthilyaboutallnightanddroppedofftosleepinthe
weehoursofthemorning.Catswereweird.

Spike,ontheotherhand,wasFeline,andhestayedupallnightaswell,but

hemanagedtolookalertandrestedanytimeofdayornight.Broderickalways
feltlikedeathwarmedoverifhedidn’tgotosleepforatleastsomeofthedark
hours.

Kenny,one-and-a-halfyearsold,watchedwithintelligentgrayeyesasthe

Shiftersenteredhiskitchen.Thekidwasgoingtobealphaallright,Broderick
decided,lookingathim.Alsowolf.

WhenaFelineandLupinemated—anyShiftercrossingspecies—thecub

wasborninhumanformandstayedthatwayforacoupleyears,untiltheShifter
insidehimdecideditwasreadytoshowtheworldhistrueform.Thenthecub
turnedintoeitherafullFelineorfullLupine.Butnooneknewwhichwaythe
DNAhadgoneuntilthen.

Kenny’sgazefixedonBroderickwithasteelygraystare.Nodoubt.This

cubwouldbeLupine.

Kenny’sdarkhairwastousled,asmearofeggaroundhismouth,buthis

eyeswereunafraid,meetingBroderick’swithoutanysubmission.Kenny
growledlowinhisthroat.

Broderickreturnedthegrowl.Hebroughthishandsupandmimickedclaws,

lettinghisrumblesdeepen.

Kenny’sfinebrowswentup,andthegrowlstopped.Thecubstaredat

Broderickinshockforafewseconds,thenheburstoutlaughing.Kennybanged
hisspoonontothetrayofhishighchairandwhoopedwithlaughter.

Yeah,thiskidwasgoingtobeaforcewhenhegrewup.PoorSean.

Hismother,Andrea,whoalwayslookedsleekandwellgroomednomatter

whatthecircumstance,hergrayeyesamatchofherson’s,pointedto
Broderick’sraisedhand.“What’sthat?”

Broderick,evenwhilehewasmakingclawfingersatKenny,hadmanaged

tokeepholdofthedisc,securingitinplacewithhisthumb.Nowheloweredhis
handandlookedatit,buthewouldn’tputthedisconthetable.

“Wefounditatthehacker’slair,”Joannesaid.Shesatdowninthechair

Andreaslidoutforher.Lair,she’dsaid.Nothouseorhome.Becausesheknew
thehackerhadstolenthehouseaswell.

Andreapeeredcuriouslyatthemedallion,thenherbreathcaught.“Is

that…?”

Seanhadpushedforward.Hereachedforthemedallion,butBroderick

closedhisfingersaroundit,loathetogiveitup.

Seanshothimaglancebutliftedhishandaway,nottakingit.“It’sfroma

SwordoftheGuardian.Thehiltpiece.”

Seanbroughtuphissheathedsword,whichhe’dfetchedwhilethey’dpaid

theircourtesiestoAndrea,turnedtheswordaroundandshowedthemthetipof
thehilt.

Sean’sswordwastheoldestGuardianswordofall.Itwastheoriginal,

forgedinIrelandinwhatwasnowCountyKerry.TheMorrisseys’ancestorwas
NiallO’Connor,theswordmasterwho’dforgedthisoneinhissmithyonthe
wildcoastofIreland.Broderickvividlypicturedthescene—theShiftermanwith
barearms,bangingawayintheheatofhisforge,theFaewomanholdingher
handsoverthehotbladeandchantingspells.

Atouchjerkedhimtothepresent.Joannelookedupathim,herbrowsdrawn

togetherinworry,herhandrestinglightlyonhisarm.Foramoment,thetwoof
themweretransposedontheShifterswordsmithandtheFae,thebrutishman
andthedelicatewoman.Brodericksmelledthehotashandburningwood,the
tangofsilver,heardthewhisperofspells.

Themomentpassed.BroderickfoundhimselfinSean’skitchenagain,

Joannewatchinghim,Kennystudyinghim,hislaughtergone.

Broderickshookhimself.Therewassomethingunsettlingaboutthe

medallion.Guardianswordshadtoomuchstrangemagicinthem,andthispiece
ofonelikelyhadplentyofresidualspellsinittoo.Broderickshouldgivethe
damnedthingtoSeanandbedone.

Buthecouldn’topenhisfingersandgiveitaway.Somethinginthe

medallionwascallingtohim,asthoughthesilverknewhisname.Protectme…

ThehiltofSean’ssword,onitsend,wascappedwithamedallionidentical

totheoneBroderickheld.ThemedalliononSean’sswordwasmoreworn,the
silverpolishedwithtime.Itwasalsodefinitelypartofthesword—itflowedinto
thebronzehiltratherthanbeingaseparatepieceontheend.

Seamusaskedthequestion.“Sowhyhasitcomeoff?Spikehadagood

point—theydidn’thavesuperglueinthethirteenhundreds.”

Seanlaidtheswordacrossthecounter,welloutofreachofhisson’stiny

hands.TherewasnoguaranteethatKennywouldbethenextGuardian—the
Goddesschosethesuccessorinaceremony,andshemightpickaShifternot
evenrelatedtothecurrentGuardian,whowouldbebusydyingatthispoint.It
wastruethatmostofthetimethechosenwasintheGuardian’sfamilyorclan,
butitdidn’talwayshappen.TheGoddessdidasshepleased.

WhenSeanturnedback,hiseyeshelddeepanger,andhelookedmore

troubledthanBroderickhadeverseenhim.“Youallneedtopromisemetokeep
thisquiet.Dadwillprobablyhavemyballsonaplatefortellingyou,butsince
youfoundthepiece—I’mthinkingyouneedtoknow.”Heletoutabreath.“A
Guardianwaskilled.TheonefromtheWesternMontanaShiftertown.Hissword
hasdisappeared.”

Shit.“Killed?”BroderickdemandedatthesametimeSeamusandSpike

weresayingsonofabitchandholyfuck.“Bywho?’

Andrea’seyeswerequiet.“Tellthemtherest,”shesaidtoSean.

“Therest?”Broderickdemanded.“Youmeanit’snotalreadybadenough?”

Seangavehimathinsmile,butitwasgestureofsorrow,amantryingto

understandagravesituation.“NoGuardianhasbeenchosentoreplacehim.The
swordisgone,andtheGuardian’sbodyliesinstate.Theybroughtinthe
GuardianfromthenextShiftertownovertosendhimtodust—anditdidn’t
work.Thebodyremainedintact.SotheyhadaChoosing,figuringithastobe
thenextGuardianwhoreleasesthepreviousGuardian’ssoul.Butnothing
happened.TheGoddessdidn’tchoose.Sofornow,theWyomingShiftertownis
Guardian-less.”

***

Adeadsilencefilledtheroom.

Joannedidn’tknowenoughaboutGuardianstounderstandwhya

Shiftertownnothavingonewasbad,butfromthelooksontheShifters’faces,it
wasdire.EvenKennyputhisspooninhismouthandhelditthere,watching
themworriedly.

JoannefeltsorrowandangerattheGuardian’splight,butsherealizedthis

was,totheShifters,somethingmorethanthedeathofacolleague.

Theywereshocked,stunned,horrified,evenafraid.Broderickstaredat

Sean,hissmokegrayeyesfulloffury,whichishowBroderickdealtwith
badness—heragedatit.

“Howthehelldidallthishappen?”Broderickasked.“Andwhyarewejust

hearingaboutit?”

“TheGuardianwascapturedbyhumansandkilledaboutaweekago,”Sean

saidgrimly.“Daddidn’twantanyonetoknowuntilheinvestigatedmore.And
nowyou’vefoundapartofhissword.”

“Butwhywasn’tanotherchosen?”Broderickdemanded.“TheGoddess

alwayschooses—I’veseenithappen.”

“SohaveI,”Seansaid,wordsdry.“Nooneknowswhy.Everyoneinvolved

iskeepingitonthedown-low—Dadaskedthemto.Nouseinanyonepanicking
orspeculatingthattheGoddesshasabandonedus.”

Andreaputin,“OrthatthereisnoGoddessatall,andeverythingaboutthe

Guardianandswordsissuperstition.ThereareShiftersouttherewhowantto
overthrowtheorderofthings.”

BroderickhadtoldJoannethat,acoupleyearsago,whenAndreahadfirst

cometothisShiftertown,therehadbeenaShiftersforShiftersmovement—
morespecifically,FelinesforFelines—whichhadonlyledtotheradicalShifters
beingdupedandnearlygettingallShiftersinAustinkilledorenslaved.Thathad
beenanastyfight,Broderickhadsaid,andhe’dshowedherthescars.

“Someassholealwayswantstooverthrowtheorderofthings,”Broderick

growled.“Butyeah,aGuardian-freeShiftertownandaChoosingthatdoesn’t
work…Icanseeshithittingfanseverywhere.”

“Sokeepitquiet,”Seansaid,stern.

“LikeI’mgoingtoblabShiftertrackerbusinessalloverthecountry.”

Broderickscowledathim.“Whereisyourdad,anyway?”

Dylanwasn’tinthehouse—evenJoannehadknownthatwhenshe’dwalked

in.Themanhadpresence,andthehousewasemptywithouthim.

“HeandGloryareoutdoing…”Seanshrugged.“Whatevertheoverseerof

SouthTexasShiftersandaLupinepackleaderdo.Hedidn’tgivemehis
itinerary.”Sean’stonewassharp,unusualforhim.

“Well,wecanguesswhohastheswordfromMontana,”Brodericksaid.

“Thelittlebitchwiththehackingfingers.I’mstillnotsurehowthisfelloffthe
swordshestole.”Heheldupthemedallion.“Anychanceit’safake?”
Broderick’squestionlackedconviction.Heknewitwasn’t.

Seanshookhishead.“It’srealallright.I’mthinkingtheGoddessdidn’t

completetheChoosingbecausetheswordwasmissing.Maybeshehastowait

foritsreturn.”

“LikeKingArthur,”Joannesaid.

Seanlookedthoughtful,butBroderickstaredather.“KingWho?”

“KingArthurofBritain,”Joannesaid.“Therewasasword,Excalibur.

Whoeverpulleditfromthestonewasking,andonlyArthurcoulddoit.When
hedied,theswordwastakenbytheLadyoftheLake,hiddenaway.Thelegend
isthatshestillhasit,waitingforthetruekingtoreturn.Presumably,she’llgive
Excaliburtohimagain.”

Brodericklistened,mystified.“WhathasthatgottodowithShifters?”

“It’sjustastory,”Joannesaid.“Butmaybeit’sthesamekindofthing.You

can’tchooseaGuardianifthere’snoswordforhimtopickupandwield.”

Seanhadhisarmsfolded,listening.“Youknow,Shifterhistorianssaythat

thelegendofExcaliburwasactuallyaboutaGuardianandhissword—itgot
mixedintoArthur’sstoriesinthelatemiddleages.TheLadyoftheLake—the
Goddess—decideswho’stheonetowieldthesword.TheFaehavetheirhandin
Arthur’stalestoo.I’vealwayswonderedhowmanymagicswordstorieshumans
telleachotheractuallycamefromShifterhistory…”

Broderickclearedhisthroatloudly,moreofasnarl.“Canwegetbackto

today?LeavethisArthurguyandhisbloodyswordinthemiddleages.Wehave
aproblemnow.Howarewegoingtofindthishackerwomansowecantake
backthesword?”

Andrea’sclearvoicecuttingthroughhiswaslikesoothingrainonahotday.

“FromwhatIknowaboutFaemagic,I’mwillingtobetthatwithoutthe
medallion,theswordwon’tdowhatthiswomanwants.”

“She’stryingtoaccesstheGuardianNetwork,”Joannesaid.“Ifoundclear

evidenceofthat.Doyouthinkshethoughttheswordwouldhelp?”

“Probably,”Andreasaid.“Iwonderiftheswordshedpartofitselftoprevent

her.”

“Nowthey’retalkingaboutapieceofmetallikeitcanthink,”Broderick

saidinexasperation.

“Hey.”Seanpinnedhimwithaglance.“Ifyou’dlivedwithaGuardian’s

swordforasmanyyearsasIhave—you’dknowtheycanthink.”

“Inaway,theycan,”Andreabrokein.“They’vefreedsomanysouls,have

beenwieldedbysomanyGuardiansdownthegenerations.Westilldon’tknow

whatalltherunesonthemmean,andtherunesseemtomove.It’slikethe
swordshavemindsoftheirown.”

BothBroderickandSeamustookminutestepsbackfromtheswordlyingon

thecounter.Spikeremainedwherehewas,alwaysstoic,butevenheseemed
unnerved.

JoanneansweredAndrea.“So,thishackerisobviouslyverydesperateto

hackintotheGuardianNetwork.ShestoleaGuardian’ssword—wentsofaras
tokillhimorhavehimkilled.Iftheswordwon’tworkwithoutthemedallion,
I’mwillingtobetshe’lldoanythingtogetthemedallionback.Oranythingto
haveaGuardianatherdisposal.”ShelookedatSean.

Seangaveheranod.“Yemeansetatrapforher.Withmeasbait.”

“No,”Andreasaidatonce.“No,Sean.”

SeanandAndreaexchangedalook.Kennychosethatmomenttotakehis

spoonoutofhismouthandemitanoisethatwasalmostaword.“Dah—”

KennyhadbeennamedforSean’sbrotherwhohadbeenbrutallykilledbya

feralShifteryearsago.SeanandLiamhadn’tbeenabletosavehim,whichhad
hauntedthebrotherseversince.

Sean’sgazeflickedtoKenny.Offeringhimselfasbaitwasdangerous,

especiallytoacrazy-madwomanwithagun.EvenBroderickhadbarelygotten
awayfromher.

“Yourmateisright,”Brodericksaid,ballinghishandoverthemedallion.

“Thiswomanisonemessed-upchickwho’dshootyoufullofholesandpluck
theswordoutofyourstill-warmhand.Yourcubdoesn’tneedthattohappen.
KennyjustsaidDad—didn’tyouhearhim?WhichmeantDon’tbeanidiot,
Dad.”BrodericklookedaroundatthecollectedShifters.“Ihavethemedallion.
I’llofferittoher,andwhenshemeetsmetogetit,wecangrabher.”

ChapterEight

Joannewasimmediatelyonherfeet,herbrowneyesfulloffury.“Wait,Sean

can’tbebait,butyoucan?Whatmakesyousureshewon’tfillyoufullofholes?
She’salreadytriedonce.”

Broderickwenttoher.“Thedifferenceis,I’mexpendable.”Joannetooka

sharpbreath,readytoargue,butBroderickputhishandonherlips,stillingher
words.“No,Iam.I’mnotapackleader,notaGuardian,Idon’thaveamateor
cubs.Ihavethreeyoungerbrotherswhocanstepupifsomethinghappenstome.
TheycantakecareofAuntCora,andyoursisterandhermatefine.I’mjusta
trackerwho’sbeenascrew-upandapainintheass.I’mtheperfectbait.”

Joannestaredathimashespoke,hersoftlipspartedunderhisfingers.Her

eyeswerebeautiful,catchingthelight,eveninheranger.

Broderickexpectedanargumenttocomepouringoutofhermouth,oraat

leastascolding.AuntCoragavehimthesamelookwhenshewasabouttodump
rebukesonhishead.

Instead,Joannejerkedaway,pivotedonherheel,andmarchedouttheback

door.Broderickwatchedthroughtheglassonthedoor’supperhalfasshe
stormedacrossthegreeninthedirectionofhishouse,sunshinedancingonher
shorthair.

“You’resupposedtogoafterher,”Andreasaidbehindhim.“Andhavea

loudargument.Joanneleftsoyoucouldhaveitinprivate.”

Broderickturnedaroundtoseetheothersregardinghimwithamusedlooks,

evenKenny.Theshitthey’dbeendiscussingwasdeadlyserious,andherethey
werehidinglaughteratJoannebeingpissedoffatBroderick.Joannewas
generallypissedoffathim,sothiswasnothingnew.

“Letherwin,”Seansaid.“It’sthebestway.”

SpikeandSeamusweremanfullykeepingtheirfacesstraight,butthetwoof

them,matedandlovingit,haddecidedtojoininthefunatBroderick’sexpense.
Somefriendstheywere.

TigermadethedecisionthatBroderickwouldgoafterJoannebythemeans

ofbarrelingbackintothehousefromhisjauntnextdoor,andshovingBroderick
outthekitchendoorwithhim.TigerpropelledBroderickalonguntilthey’d

reachedthestripofcommonlandthatstretchedbehindthehouses.

Downthegreen,totherightofSean’sbungalow,wasastandofthick-

trunkedliveoaks.Intherightmoments,whenmistsroseinthatgrove,thewalls
betweenFaerieandthisworldthinned,andAndrea’sfather,ashitofawarrior
calledFionn,couldcomethrough.Broderickwasn’tsurehowitworked,buthe
knewShiftertownwasonaleyline,thoseplaceswheremagicflowedandgates
couldopen.

TigermovedinfrontofBroderickandstoodlikeasolidbarricade.“Joanne

isafraidoflosingyou,”hesaidinhisbluntway.“Becauseyouarehermate.”

Brodericktriedtokeephistemper.“Itoldyou,Ihaven’tmate-claimedher.I

haven’tevenmentionedmatingtoher.Joannehasbetterthingstodothantie
herselftoShiftertown.She’smadethatclear.”

Broderickclosedhismouth,sayingmorethanhemeantto.Tigersimply

listened,hisgoldeneyesfixed.

“Sheisalreadyyourmate.”HegesturedattheairinfrontofBroderick’s

body.“Icansee.”

Tigerhadanuncannyabilitytoknowthingsthatweregoingonwithpeople,

evenatadistance,andhewasusuallyright.Tigerclaimedhe’dknownright
awaythatCarlywashismate,nomatterhowmanyShiftersexplainedthatthe
insta-matethingonlyhappenedinstories.

Carlyhadbecomehismate.WasthatbecauseTigerhadbeenrightallalong?

OrdidithappenbecauseTigerhadconvincedhimselfofthisearlyonandthen
dideverythinginhispowertomakehisconvictioncometrue?

TigerreturnedhisgazetoBroderick,hissteadystareunnerving.HowCarly

putupwithhim,Broderickdidn’tknow.

“Ican’tgoafterherwithyouinmyway,”Broderickpointedout.“ButI’m

notlockingherinwiththeyouaremytruematewhetheryoulikeitornot
garbage.Ithastobeherchoice.”

“Itisn’tyourchoice.”Tigerheldouthishand.“Givemethemedallion.”

“Huh?”Broderickopenedhisfingers,whichhadclosedaroundthesilver

discashe’dbeenhurriedfromSean’shouse.“Why?”

“Giveittome.”

Broderickshuthishandarounditagain.“No.I’llhangontoit.I’mgoingto

betheoneofferingittothehacker-woman.”

Tigerloweredhisarm,lookingsatisfied.“Ithaschosenyoutobeits

protector.JustasyouarechosentobeJoanne’smate.”

Broderickswalloweduneasily.“Whateverthehellgoesoninyourhead,big

guy,it’sfuckedyouup.MaybewhenCarlybringsinyourcub,thatwilldistract
youfromthinkingupthiscrypticshit.You’reworsethanDylan,andthat’s
sayingsomething.”

ThementionofCarlyandhisimpendingfatherhoodsoftenedTiger’sfacein

abigway.Hiseyeslosttheirintensity,andhelookedalmostnormal…fora
giantofamanwithmottledredandblackhairandbizarregoldeneyes.

“Thecubwillarrivesoon,”Tigersaid.“Itwillbeaboy.”

Hesoundedsocertain.CarlyandTigerhadanongoingargumentaboutthe

genderofthecub—Carlyhadn’tgoneforanultrasound,decidingshewantedto
besurprised.Shiftersdidn’tmuchlikedoctorspokingattheirmateswhilethey
carriedcubsanyway.CarlyenjoyedtheargumentswithTiger,Brodericksaw,so
maybeitwasjustaswell.

“Tiger,youareonecrazy-assShifter,”Brodericksaid,gentlinghistone.

“Notyourfault—thoseresearchersreallymessedwithyou.Fine.I’llgotalkto
Joanne.I’llevenarguewithher.Andsetituptocatchthiswomanbeforeyou
havetostayhomeandbeadad.Okay?”

Tiger’sgazewasshrewd,themansmarterthanheleton.Communication

wasTiger’sbarriertotheworld,notignoranceorslowness.

“Okay,”heanswered.

HegaveBroderickasatisfiednod,thenturnedaroundandwalkedaway,no

good-byes,nopartingshotsorwordsofadvice.ThatwasTiger.

Broderickshookhisheadattheencounterthenjoggedoffintothegreen,

whereaslightfogwasrising.Joannehadgoneinthedirectionofhishouse,and
Broderickheadedthere,thesilvermedallioncomfortablywarmagainsthispalm.

***

Broderickwasgoingtoyell,Joanneknew.Hewasgearinguptoblusterand

swearandactliketheworldwasdumpingshitonhisshoulders.

ThatwashowBroderickargued,howhedealtwiththingsoutofhiscontrol.

Hewasupsetaboutbeingabducted—menhadsneakedupbehindhimand
knockedhimoutbeforehe’dknownit.Hehadn’tbeenabletostopthemor
defendhimself.Thatwasfreakinghimout,evenmorethanbeingboundand

takenaway,evenmorethanbeingshot.

Joanneheardhimstormingupbehindherinthewarmafternoonair.The

greenwasunusuallyempty,nocubschasingeachotheroradultswarming
themselvesinthesunshine.Joannecouldn’tblametheparentsforkeepingtheir
cubsinsidetoday—Broderick,oneofthetoughestShiftersaround,hadbeentoo-
easilyabducted,andtheywerewaitinguntilShiftertownwassafebeforeletting
thecubsgorunningaroundagain.

“Joanne,”Broderickcalled.

Atleasthestartedwithhername,notHey!Stop!

Joanneturned.Shefoldedherarmsacrossherchestandpreventedhim

startinghisblusterbybeatinghimtoit.

“Don’tyoudaretellmeyou’reexpendable,”shesaidheatedly.“Iagreethat

you’reapainintheass,butthat’snoreasontostandinfrontofabarrageof
bulletssootherShifterscancapturethiswomanandherthugs.Iwon’tletyou.”

Broderick’sgrayeyesflickered,andhestrovetomaskhissurprisethatshe’d

launchedintohimfirst.“Ididn’tsayI’dletthemtakemedown.Ionlysaidthat
iftheydid,itwouldn’tbetheblowtoShiftertownthatlosingSeanwouldbe.Or
Dylan.OrTiger.Hell,evenSpike.Shiftersalloverwouldbeseriouslypissedoff
atmeforlettingSpikegetkilled.Allthatmoneytheycouldn’twinonhim
anymore…”

“Thisisn’tfunny!”Joannecutacrosshiswords.“Believeitornot,some

peoplecareaboutyou.Youraunt.Yourbrothers.HowisAuntCoragoingto
keeptheminlineifyou’regone?Andthenthere’sme!”

“AuntCoraneedstokeepyouinlinetoo?”Broderickscowledashesaidit,

destroyinghisattemptathumor.

“No,youdumb-ass.Imeanifsomethinghappenstoyou,whatdoIdo?I’ll

haveabigholewhereyouusedtobe.I’mtiredofholesinmylife.Idon’twant
toloseyou!”TearsbegantoslidefromJoanne’seyes,andshebrushedthem
awayinirritation.“Justbecauseyou’vedecidedyoudon’tmattertoanyone
doesn’tmeanyou’reright.”

Shecouldn’ttakeitanymore.JoannehadbeenonherwaytoseeNancy,to

checkuponher,butshenowwantedtogetthehelloutofShiftertownandgo
home.Nancywasfine—shewashappytakingcareofhermate.Joannewasthe
messed-upone—fallinginlovewithaShifterwhocouldn’tseehowspecialhe
was.

Joannestartedwalkingagain,butshe’dmakeforhercarinsteadof

Broderick’shouse.She’dgohomeandsleep,erasingthisexhaustionandanger.
Maybelatershecouldfunction,help,givethiswomanpaybackforhurtingthe
manshe’dcometocaredeeplyfor.

“Hey.”Broderick’svoicehadsoftenedmanydegrees.HishandonJoanne’s

shoulderstoppedher,butshedidn’tfacehim.Shecouldn’t.“Hey,sweetheart.
Wait.”

Joannerefusedtoturnaround,sohecircledinfrontofher,layingboth

handsonhershoulders.Hisstrengthcametoherthroughhistouchalongwith
theheatthatmadehermelteverytimeshewasaroundhim.

JoannehadstartedfallinginlovewithBroderickwhenhe’dstoodupforher

againsteveryotherShifterinShiftertown.BecauseofBroderick,Joannehadn’t
hadtofacethewrathoftheMorrisseybrothers.BecauseofBroderick,the
Shifters’initialangerwithJoannehadturnedtosympathyandthencompassion
andhelp.

Broderickstillheldthemedallion.WhereitpressedJoanne’sshoulder,she

feltatingle,asthoughsomethingelectricpassedthroughittoher.

Thestrangenessofthatflittedthroughherhead,butitwasadistractiononly,

becauseBroderickdrewherclose.

Shefelthisheartbeatinghard,hisbodyflushedwithwarmth.Broderick’s

fingerswerecallused,hiseyeshardandgray.Amusclemovedinhisjaw,his
mouthafirmline.

“Don’tkissme,”Joannewhispered,herheartaching.“Pleasedon’t.”

Broderick’seyesclosedforabriefmomentthenopenedagain.Inthat

second,shesawvastpain,deepdowninsidehim.

Butifhekissedherrightnow,Joannewouldn’tbeabletostandit.She’d

melttohim,giveinlikeasissyheroinewithnobackbone,lethimtakeheron
thegroundrighthere.

Thethoughtmadeherpulsethrobandwarmthflowtoeverypartofher

body.Shetriedtoreininherreaction.Ifshedidn’t,she’dsuccumbtothe
confusedfeelingsinsideher,theonesthatmadeherwanttothrowherarms
aroundhimandneverlethimgo.

“Fine,”Brodericksaid,agrowlinhisthroat.“Iwon’tkissyou.”

Hepressedhishandsdownonhershoulders,hisjawclenched,thenreleased

herandstartedtowalkaway.

Everylineofhisbodyheldanger,hurt,furiousbeliefthathe’dbeenright

abouthimselfinthefirstplace.

“Damnit.”Joanneranafterhim,speedingonsneakersthatsprangeasilyon

thenewgrass.“Broderick.”

Hedidn’tstop.Joannewrappedbothherhandsaroundhiswristandheldon,

butstillhewalked,pullingheralongwithhim.“What?”hesnapped.

“Comehomewithme.”

Broderick’seyesnarrowed.Thedarkgrayinthemturnedtosilver,his

wolf’seyes.“Why?”

“Please.Ineedyouto.”

Broderickglancedathishouse,whichwasquiet,thedoorsshut,everyone

inside.JoannesawAuntCorainthekitchen,workingonsomething.AuntCora
didn’tlookoutside,butJoannesuspectedshewasfullyawareofBroderickand
Joanneintheyardandeverymovetheymade.

“Sweetheart,wehaveamaniactocatch,”Broderickbegan,butwithoutas

muchconviction.

“Wecantalkabouthowtodoitatmyhouse,”Joannesaid,herwords

tumblingout.“Ihaveabetterplacetosetupallthecomputerequipment,good
stuffofmyowntodosomehackertracking.Please,Broderick.Let’sgohome.”

ChapterNine

BroderickstudiedJoanneforalongtime.Sheheldherbreathwhilethe

springbreezetouchedher,andBroderick’shandclenchedaroundthemedallion,
workingthemuscleinhistattooedforearmunderJoanne’sfingers.

Broderick’seyeseasedbackfromlightsilvertodarkergray,andhegaveher

abriefnod.“Allright.”

Withoutfurtherargument,hestartedforhercar.Joanneletgoofhim,but

joggedtokeepup.Broderickwentstraighttothecarandopenedthedoor,
checkingoutthatthecarwassafe—nokidnappersinthebackseatortrunk—
beforehemotionedhertogetin.Broderickthengotintothepassengerseatand
foldedhisarms,intendingtoradiatetotheworldthathewasseriouslypissed
off.

Joannewouldneedtheequipmentthey’dpackedupfromthehacker’splace.

ShedrovearoundthroughquietShiftertownstreetstoSean’swherethetruck
withalltheequipmentwasparked.Brodericksaidnothing,onlygruntingwhen
sheexplained.

Apparently,themeetinginSean’skitchenhaddispersedafterJoannehad

stormedout.SeamusandSpikewerealittlewaydownthestreetalready,
walkingtotheirrespectivehouses,butreturnedwhenBroderickstartedshifting
theequipment.TigercameoutfromLiam’shouseandhelpedwithoutaword,as
didSeanfromhisownhouse.NoonearguedwithJoanne,andveryquickly,she
andBroderickweredrivingoutofShiftertown,aloadofcomputersinher
backseatandtrunk.

JoannelivedinwestcentralAustin,onthenorthsideoftheriver.Sheliked

herneighborhoodandthehouseshe’dboughtonceshe’dstartedworkingwith
ITdepartmentstotestsystemsecurity—hackingforthesideoflight.Itwasn’ta
glamorousplace,justanolderhouse,longandlow,onaquietstreet.Shehada
yardwithtalltrees,alawnshepaidaneighbor’skidtomow,andaviewdowna
hilltootherhills.Atnight,shecouldseethecitylitup,glitteringorbsoflight
shimmeringinthedarkness.

Joanne’sneighborshadseenBroderickvisitatimeortwoandnoonestared

asshepulledintoherdrivewaywithhiminthecar.Iftheneighborshadbeen
lookingtoday,theywouldn’thaveseenmuch,inanycase.Joannepulledintothe
garage,shutofftheengine,andclosedthedoorbeforesheandBroderickstarted

haulingcomputerequipmentintothehouse.

Broderickhadn’tspokenatallonthedrive,andhesaidnothingashecarried

boxesintothebackbedroomJoannehadturnedintoanoffice.Joannewasnowa
consultant,workingforclientswhentheyhiredher,returningtoherofficehere
tosetupmoreclientsandlearnmoreaboutsecurityweaknessesbetweengigs.
Withsomuchfilesharing,onlinestorage,andvulnerabilitiesoutthere,shenever
stayedunemployedforlong.

“It’swarm,”Brodericksaid,breakingthesilence.

“Isit?”Joannethoughtthetemperaturejustrightinside.“Iusuallydon’tturn

ontheACuntiltheheathitsinMayandJune.”

“No.”Brodericksetdowntheboxinhisarmsandfixedherwithhisgray

gaze.“Imeanithaswarmth,notlikethatemptyhouseinthedevelopmentoutin
themiddleofnowhere.Youlivehere.WhenIwalkin,Iknowthishouseisall
aboutyou.”

JoannestartedsettingouttheCPUs,herheartsqueezingattheregardinhis

voice.“Iworkedhardtosavethemoneytobuyit,”shesaidquickly.“When
NancyandImovedtoAustinyearsago,wehadnothing.Butjobswerehere,and
wefiguredwe’dsurvive.Ofcourse,shetookoffandlivedlikeahippiefora
while,andIscrewedaroundbeforeIfiguredoutwhatIneededtodo.Butwe
madeit.Thishousewasmyrewardtomyselfforworkinghard.”

Broderickdidn’ttakehisgazefromher.“StillnotwhatImean.It’snotjusta

buildingtoyou.Youfillitup,likemybrothersfillupourhouse,butinamuch
betterway.”

Joanneshruggedassheleanedtopluginacable.“Yeah,thanks,”shesaid.

ShestraightenedtofindBroderickrightagainstherback.Joanneturned

aroundawkwardly,pinnedbetweentheedgeofatableandhim.Sheswallowed.
“Yeah,”sherepeated.

“It’ssofthere,”Brodericksaid,hisvoiceanythingbutthat.“Pretty.Like

you.”

Hedidn’ttouchher.Hedidn’thaveto.Broderickkeptherinplacesimply

lookingather.Joannecouldhaveduckedpasthim,butherbreathhitched,and
shestayedput.

Pretty.Likeyou.NotmanypeoplewerearoundtocallJoannepretty.She’d

beenworkingwithITguysalongtime,andwhilemostwerejustasinterestedin
womenasnon-computer-geeks,theyalsoweren’tforthcomingwiththe

compliments.TheyweremorelikelytopraiseastringofJoanne’scodethantell
hershelookednice.Thelastguyshe’ddatedhadbeenintodrawinghisownX-
ratedManga,starringwomenwhosebreastsweresoimpossiblylargethey’d
neverhavebeenabletowalkinreallife.He’daskedJoannetoposeforhim,
thinkingshe’dbeflattered.

“Pretty,”Joannesaid,hervoicestrangled.

Broderick’sfacesoftened.Whenhedidthat,whenhisbad-assfacadefell

away,hewasthemostabsolutelygorgeousmanwhowalkedtheplanet.

No,notaman,aShifter—who’dtakeninhersister’smatetonursehimback

tohealthagainsthisbetterjudgment,andwhocalledherpretty.

“Yeah,”hesaid.

“I’msorryIyelledatyou.”Joannelethervoicebecomeasgentleashis.“I

knowyoumustbefreakedoutaboutwhathappenedtoyou.”

Abitofhisferocityreturned.“Youthink?”

“Itwasn’tyourfault,”Joannesaid.“Ifyoudidn’tseeorhearthem,oreven

scentthem,Ibettheytookyououtfromalongwayoff—maybewithatranq
riflewithascope.”

Broderick’shandsballed.“Doesn’tmatter.I’masorryexcuseforatrackerif

Ididn’trealizesomeonehadstakedouttheGuardian’shouse.Seanwasjust
luckytheyshotthewrongguy.”

“Well,Seanshouldhavenoticed.OrDylan—Dylan’ssupposedtobethe

smartestandscariestofalltheShifters,isn’the?Wherewashe?”

Broderick’sfingersunclenchedslightly.“Youhaveapoint.Butitwasmore

thanthat.”Ashiverwentthroughhimbeforehecouldstopit.“Wakingupnot
knowingwhereIwas,listeningtopeopletryingtodecidewhattodowithme,it
waslike…likebeingroundedupagain.Onlythistime,itwasmethatwas
gettingshot.”

“Shot…”Joanneputherhandsonhisarms,notlikinghisgrimlook.“She

missed,thankGod.”

“Theydidn’tmissmydad.Shotdead,rightinfrontofhissons,rightinfront

ofhismate.Mymothernevergotoverit.”Broderick’seyestookonahunted
look,thegraygoinglightagain.“Shewasneverthesame,thoughittooktwenty
yearsforhertodie.Shewentlastspring,rightbeforeImetyou.”

“Iknow.”Joanne’sheartfeltlikeasolidlump.“Youraunttoldme…”

Broderickhadnevertalkedabouthismother,butAuntCorahadtoldJoannethe
story,sayingsheneededtoknow.

Broderickhadn’teveroncementionedhismother,butnotbecausehedidn’t

loveandmissher,Joanneunderstood.Becausehecouldn’t.Thiswasapainhe
keptburied,incaseitroseupandconsumedhim.

“Iknow,”Joannerepeatedsoftly.

“Damnit.”Broderick’svoicewasawhisper.Hetouchedherface.“Jo-Jo

…”

Thepetnamewaswhatdidit.Joanneleftherrigidstanceandcameathim,

buryingherfaceinhischestasshegrabbedhandfulsofhisshirt.

Brodericksmelledclean,inspiteofhimtearingupthehacker’sbasement,

thoughhedidsmellofdrywalldustaswell.

Hisarmswentaroundher,andheletoutalong,shudderingbreath,as

thougheverypaininsidehimcameoutwithit.

JoannedugherhandsintohisT-shirtandliftedherfacetohis.Hedidn’t

resistatallwhensheroseandpressedakisstohismouth.

Broderickmadealowsoundinhisthroat.Hisarmstightenedaroundher,his

lipsunmovingforamoment.Thenhemetherkisswithhisown,partingher
mouth,sweepinghistongueinside,sealingthemtogether.

Thekisswentonforsometime,heattransferringfromBrodericktoJoanne.

She’dbeencold,sherealized,butnowshetingleddowneverylimb.

Broderickbrokethekiss.Hedidn’tletgoofher,andshefelttheCelticknot

discpressingintoherback.“No,”hesaid.“Ican’t…”

“Can’tkissme?”Joanneletgoofhisshirttotracehislips.“You’redoing

fine.”

“There’sthisthingcalledmatingfrenzy.”Hisvoicewaslow,fierce.“Ever

heardofit?”

“Yes.”Herheartbeatfaster.“I’vehungaroundShiftertownawhile.”

“Ifyoudon’tletgoofme,ifyoudon’trunthehellaway,Iwon’tcareabout

helpingwithyourdamncomputers.ScrewtheGuardian,thesword,thestupid
medallion,thehacker.Ijustwantyou.”

Joannecouldn’tmove,asthoughaforceotherthanthetablebehindherkept

herinplace.Herbodythrummedwithhisnearness,theheatofhimthroughhis

clothes,thehardnessthatpushedatherfromtheothersideofhisjeans.

Joanneslidherbodyuphis,cuppedhisneckwithonehand,andpresseda

longandpassionatekisstohislips.

***

Goddess,no,no,don’tdothistome.Broderickhadbeenheatingupsincehe

walkedintotheplace,andhelpinghercarryallthisshithadn’tcalmedhim
down.

Joanne’slipsweresilkenagainsthismouth,herbreathlikeanafternoon

breeze.Herkisswasasquietasthehouse,anoiselessplace,thehushunfamiliar.
Hewasusedtochaos,raucouslaughter,yelling,arguing.Thishousewaslikea
calmintheseathatragedaroundhim.

Damnit.

BrodericklacedonearmaroundJoanneandjerkedherclose.Hismouth

openedhers,lipssliding,tastingherwithhistongue.

Joannereactedbypullingherselfharderagainsthim,herabdomenbrushing

theridgeofhiscock.Shewasneedy,seeking.

Theyhadn’thadsextogetheryet—Broderickhadheldhimselffromher,

knowingmatingfrenzycouldcomeuponhim,thathewouldn’tstophimself
spillinghisseed,wantingtoputacubinsideher.Politehumanmenandeven
Shiftersnowadaysusedcondomswhentheyhadawoman.Screwthat.Sexwas
formakingcubs—andforbeingbareinsidebeautifulJoanne.

Joannewrappedonelegaroundhisthigh.Broderickskimmedhishandsup

hershirt,findingthehooksofherbra,wantingherunclothed,now.

Hewasstillholdingthemedallion.Broderickslappedittothetablebehind

Joannewitharingingsound.Forthefirsttimesincehe’dfoundthedamned
thingitwasoutofhishand.

LefthimfreetoskimJoanne’sshirtupward,tofindherwarm,bareflesh.

Joannesmiledathimwhenheliftedtheshirtoffoverherhead,thebra
following.Hereyeswereavelvetbrown,sodarkhefelthimselffallinginto
them.

No,hewasjustfalling,hispassionmakinghimclumsy.Joannelaughedas

theyendeduponthefloor,herontopofhim.

Broderickcushionedherfall.Adeeprubberpadcoveredthetilejustbehind

him—anti-static,Joannehadexplained.Broderickrolledheroverontoit,

cominguponhishandstobracehimselfaboveher.

“MatingfrenzymeansIstaywithyoufordaysifIhaveto,”Brodericksaid,

hisvoicelosingclarity.“Weekseven.Untilyou’reheavywithmycub.Ifyou
don’twantthat,kneemeintheballsandtellmetogetout.”

Joannedidn’tappeartohearhim.Broderickhadabuzzinginhisears,likea

frequencytryingtodrownoutsounds.MaybeJoanneheardittoo,becauseshe
gavehimalanguidlookandpulledhimdowntoher.

Herbreastswereasoftplacetoland.Tohellwithit.Tigerwasright—

Joannewashismate.

Broderickbrushedkissestoherface,herlips,herchin.Heworkedhisway

downherthroat,featheringkissesashewent.Atherbreasts,hepausedto
admirethem,firmandround,hernipplesdark.Heknewherbreastsembarrassed
her—toolarge,shesaid.Peoplehadmadefunofher.

Shehadtobekidding.Thosepeople,whoeverthey’dbeen,wereassholes.

Joanne’splump,fullbreastsbeckonedhishands,hismouth,andBroderickgave
in.

Heinhaledhergoodscent,lickedthetipofhernipple,drewitbetweenhis

teeth.Joannemadeasoftnoiseandarchedherback,drivingintohismouth.

Broderickenjoyedhertaste,theglideofhernippleagainsthistongue,the

contrastofthehardeningtipwiththesoftoftheareola.Herhandsmovedinhis
hair,thendownhisback,Joanne’sfingerspluckingathisshirt.

Broderickraisedupenoughtoslideoutoftheshirtanddumpitbesidehim.

Betternowthattheywereskintoskin.

Hekissedherlipsagain,whilesheranherfingertipsdownhisbareback.

“Well,”sheasked,breathless.“Whatnow?”

Broderickcouldonlygrowl.Hisvisionchangedtohiswolfone,wherehe

sawlightandshadowdifferently,ingraysandwhites.Heforcedhimselfto
remainhuman.

“Nowismewantingyou,”Brodericksaid,hisvoiceguttural.“Lastchance,

sweetheart.”

Joanneliftedherselfandbithisearlobe.

Theworldwententirelygray.Broderickfelthimselffumblingopenhisbelt,

hisjeans,kickingtheclothesoutoftheway.Hegrabbedherjeansandripped
themopen,gettingridofthemandherunderwear.Shewasstillwearingher

sneakers,butnotforlong.Theymadesplattingsoundsastheylanded
somewhereintheseaoftile.

Broderickmadehimselfslowdown.JoannehadnotbeenwithaShifter

before,andShifterswerebig.Frenzycouldmakethemforgettobegentle.

Joanne’srelaxedsmilewelcomedhim.Hereyesweresoft,hertouchlighton

hisroastingskin.

“Ican’tstop,”Broderickwhispered.“Iwon’tbeabletogoslowly.”

Joanneranherfoot,stillinasock,downhiscalf.“I’mprettytough.”

“Notforthis,you’renot.Buttoolate.”

Broderickknewhecouldn’tmakehimselfriseandwalkaway.Thehumin

hisearsincreased,likemusicpoundingthroughhisbrain.

HerealizedasheslidhishandbetweenJoanne’slegs,massagingthere,that

whatheheardwasthedamnedmedallion.

ChapterTen

StupidFaeswordmagiccrap.

Thepieceofmetalwasvibrating,singing,urginghimon.Asthough

BroderickneededapieceofaswordtotellhimhewantedJoanne.

Joannewasreadyforhim.Broderick’sfingersslideasilyintoherheat,

findingherhotandopen.Hewithdrewhistouch,positionedhisachinghardness
atheropening,andslidinside.TheCelticknotonthetable,asymboloflove
andjoining,madeasilvertingsound,asthoughsomethinghadbeencompleted.

Somethinghadcompletedallright.Brodericksuckedinabreath,dazzled.

ThejoyofbeinginsideJoannefloodedallhissenses.Shewashot,tight,
welcominghim.Joannenibbledhisjawasherarmswentaroundhim,fingers
strokingdownhisback.

“Youfeelgood,”shesaid,eyeswidening.Herhipsmoved.“Damngood.”

She’dthoughtitwouldhurt.Brodericksawthat.Joannewasastonishedit

didn’t,andverypleased.

“Youfeelgoodtoo,sweetheart,”Brodericksaid,thewordsbecominga

growl.“MyJoanne.Mate.”He’dneverthoughthe’dsayitoutloudtoher,butit
thiswasright,real.

Broderickheldhisbreathandslidfurtherinsideher.Joannegroanedasshe

openedforhim,butshewantedhim,encouragingwithherarmsaroundhim.

Shewasbeautyitself,thelinesofherfacedelicateevenintheglaringlight

she’dflippedonoverthecomputers.Joanne’sdarkcurlsfannedoutoverthe
darkerpad,hermouthtwistingasshefelthim.

Broderickslowlywithdrew,easingmostofthewayoutofher,beforeheslid

allthewaybackinside.Joanne’sheadrockedback,herAahhhofpleasure
soundingdeepinherthroat.

Broderickleanedtoher,hisfaceclosetohers.“I’vewaitedalongtimefor

you.”Heinhaledherscent.“I’mnotlettingyougo.Hangontome.”

Joannegaveashortlaughthatendedinagrowl.Herhandswerestrongon

hisback,herlegsentwininghis.“Aslongasittakes.”

Withhersqueezinghimlikethat,itwouldn’tbelong.“I’llloveyoutherest

ofmylife.Nevergoingtostop.”

Joannewentsuddenlyquiet,eitherbecauseshedidn’tknowhowtorespond

orbecauseshewaslostinaplaceoffeeling,hedidn’tknow.Nothingexisted
nowbutsensation,eroticandamazing.

Broderickgroanedwithit.Joannewasonewithhim,thetwoofthem

movingtogether.Noresistance,confusion,fear,anger.Onlyincrediblefeeling,
heat,need,hunger.

Nosilence,either.BroderickandJoannelettheirvoicesringout,nooneto

heartheminthishouseJoannehadmadeherhome.

Brodericklostalltrackoftime,theurgencyofwhathe’dcomeheretodo—

hisentirelife.TherewasnothingbuthimandJoanne,joined.Broderickached
wheretheymet,thefrictionmaddeninghim,buthedidn’tstop.Noreasonto
stop.

Broderickspedhisthrusts,andthemedallionkeptonsinging,theentire

tableandallthecrystalsinthecomputersringingwithit.Broderickcouldn’ttell
ifJoannehearditornot—shewaslostinherplaceofjoy,herbodywindingup
forrelease.

Joannecameapartunderhim,suddenly,beautifully,herheaddroppingto

oneside,eyesclosingtightly.Shecriedoutherpassion,liftingagainstBroderick
ashethrust.

Broderickcouldn’tseeverywellanymore,hisvisionbecomingwolfwhile

hisbodystayedhuman.HekeptlovingJoanne,couldn’tgetenoughofher.His
bunchedfistsonthefloorkepthimfromcrushingher,hisbodytightashedrove
intoheragainandagain.Joannewounddownintohappymoansbeneathhim,
thenroseonanotherwave,comingapartonemoretime.

Aftershecamethethirdtime,Joanneopenedhereyesandlaughed.“Best

dayever.”

Broderick’svisionhadgoneentirelygray.Heheardonlythemusicofthe

medallion,feltJoanne’sheataroundhim.Hiseyesclearedenoughtoseeher
lovelyface,herbeautifulbrowngaze.

Broderickgroaned,heartfelt,hisheadrockingbackashelosthisseedinside

hismate.Joannemadeahumofpleasure,wrappedherarmsaroundhim,and
drewhimdowntoherwarm,invitingbody.

***

Joannewoke.Shewasonthefloor,thewindowthatgaveoutontoherback

yarddark.Theoverheadlightwason,glaringintohereyes.

Shetriedtomovebutcouldn’t.Thatwasbecausealarge,hard-bodied

Shifterwasrightontopofher.Stillinsidehertoo.Andsoundasleep.

Broderick’sheadlayonhershoulder,hiseyesclosed,hischestrisingand

fallingwithanevenbreath.

Joannerealizedshe’dneverseenhisfacethiscalm,thisrelaxed.Broderick

waseveronedge,theprotectorofhisfamily,ofthoseheloved—theprotectorof
allunderhiscare,actually,nomatterhowcrazytheydrovehim.Broderickhad
beenguardinghisfamilyalongtime.

Hisbuzzedhairwasstartingtogrowout,becomingshortdarktangles

againsthishead.Joanneresistedsmoothingthem,notwantingtowakehim.
She’dcradleBroderickinherarmsandlethimrest.

Joannedidn’tmeantosleepagain,butwoketofindablanketfromherbed

coveringher,Broderickonhisfeetandmovingaroundthecomputers.Hehadn’t
botheredtodress,andforamoment,Joanneenjoyedwatchinghistall,nude
bodyashepokedatbuttonsandbenttoexaminethings.

Joannesatupandwrappedherarmsaroundherblanketedknees.“Youknow

whatyou’redoing?”

“No.”Broderickdidn’tturnaround.He’dtakenthemedallionfromthetable

andcuppeditinhishandagain.“It’sabunchofplasticjunktome.”Heranhis
fingersovertheplainedgeofaCPU.“Noartistry.”

JoannehadneverthoughtofBroderickandartistryinthesamecontext,but

hehadapoint.Computersweremadetobesleekandfunctional.Thebeautywas
inside,bothinthehardwaredesignandtheprogramming.

Joanneuntangledherselffromtheblanketandclimbedtoherfeet,groaning

alittleassheunfolded.HersessionwithBroderickhadleftherstiff,and
sleepingonthefloorhadn’thelped.Shewrappedtheblanketaroundherlikea
sariandjoinedhimatthetable.

Tobehonest,thepileofcomputerswasaseaofplasticjunktoheratthe

momentaswell.Shestartedconnectingcables,slidingconductorsintoslots,
switchingonrouters.

Broderickprovedtobeagoodhelp.Hewasstrongenoughtoshovethings

aroundandstackthemhowJoannewantedthem,andputtherightplugsintothe
rightplaces.Shetriednottoextrapolateonhowgoodhewasaboutpushingtabs

intoslots,butshecouldn’thelpit.

“Whatareyousmilingabout?”heasked,eyesnarrowing.

Joannereachedupontiptoeandkissedthecornerofhismouth.Broderick’s

eyeslosttheirsharpness,andtheyspentalongmomentinahot,after-loving
kiss.

WhenJoannefinallysettleddownonachairinfrontofalaptop,Broderick

pausedtopullonhisjeans.Alittledisappointing,butstillhelookedgreatin
nothingbutlow-slungjeansandnoshirt.Hisbighandsmovedashehelpedher
adjusttheboxesonthetablesoshehadroomtowork.Broderickstillheldthe
medallion,whichhefidgetedwithasshetyped.

Hisbodyandwhatthey’djustdonewasdistracting,butJoannemadeherself

focus.Sheplowedthrougheverybitofdataleftonthedrivesthentracedpaths
towherethehackermighthavemovedstuffoffsite.Everythingleftapath,no
matterhowhardapersontriedtoerasetheircode.Acasualcomputeruser
wouldn’tbeabletofindatraceorevenbeawaretheycouldlookforit,buta
goodprogrammerwhocouldhackherwayintoforbiddenplaceswouldknow
whattodo.

“ShewasdefinitelytryingtoaccesstheGuardianNetwork,”Joanne

announcedafteratime.Itwascomingonmidnight.Herstomachgrowled,butas
usual,Joannecouldn’tbebotheredwithtrivialmatterslikefoodwhenshewas
closetoabreakthrough.“IfIcouldgetintothenetworkmyself,Icouldpossibly
figureoutwhatshe’safter.”

“Seanwouldshitabrick,”Brodericksaid,soundingdelightedbythe

prospect.Hepeeredatthescreen,hisreflectedfacenexttohers,andscannedthe
linesofcodewithnocomprehensioninhiseyes.“Youreallyknowwhatallthat
means?”

Joannekissedhischeek.“Yep.”

“It’ssodifferentfromwhatIknow.IlikethingsIcanhold,cantouch.”

“Itseemsephemeral,butit’snot,”Joannesaid,tryingtoexplain.“Codingis

likeatool—youuseittomakethingswork,todowhatyouneedittodo.WhenI
wasakid,IlookedatacomputernotlikeamysteriousboxIdidn’tknowhowto
work,butassomethingIwantedtoreachinside,tounlockitssecrets.Iasked
myselfhowIcoulduseacomputertobuildsomethingforme—likeagamefor
metoplay—andIstartedlearning.”

“Couldyouteachme?”

Joannestartedatthequestion.Broderick’svoicewasgruff,butshecaught

thewistfulnotehetriedtocover.

“Youseriouslywanttolearnprogramming?”

Broderickshrugged.“Whynot?EveryonethinksI’madumb-ass,notmuch

goodforanything.Ijustfightpeopleandgivemybrothersandauntgrief.”

“Youtakecareofyourfamily,”Joannesaidfirmly.“You’retakingcareof

myfamily.That’syourthing,whatyoudo.Takingcareofpeople.”

Hegrunted.“Soundsglamorous.”

“Programmingisn’teasy,”Joannesaid.“Basicstuffisn’ttoobad,butasyou

getintoit,youhavetolearntothinkinadifferentway,inadifferentlanguage.
It’sfrustrating,andsometimestotallyboring.”

“Huh.Soundslikemywholelife.”

“Thinkaboutit,”Joannesaid.“Ittakesdedication.”

“Ihavededication,sweetheart,trustme.”Hestudiedherquietlyamoment.

“Ijustwanttounderstandwhatyoudo.”

Thewordsweresincere,andsowasthelookinBroderick’sgrayeyes.

Joanne’sheartsqueezed,warmthflowingthroughher.“Youknow,Ithink

that’sthesweetestthinganyone’seversaidtome.”

Broderickbarkedalaugh.“Inthatcase,youdon’tgetoutmuch.”

Joannetracedthebackofhishand.“Idon’tmindstayingin.”

Broderickrumbledunderhisbreathandbrushedakisstoherneck.The

caressledtoanotherintensekiss,thenJoannetookherattentionreluctantlyback
tothescreen,startingtorunprogramsthatwouldtellhermorespecificallywhat
thehackerhadbeenupto.

“IfyougetintotheGuardianNetwork,”Broderickaskedafteratime,“will

youknowwhatshewasdoing,whyshewantedin?Willthathelpuscatchher?”

“Maybe.”Joannesighed.“Idon’tknow.Idon’twanttopromiseanything.”

“Thenlet’sgetyouin,”Brodericksaid,voicebrisk.“Iwanttofindthisbitch

andputheroutofourmisery.Ihavemoreimportantthingstodothanworry
aboutgettingtranquedintheassagain.”

Joannesharedhisanger.Shewantedtofacethewomanwho’ddaredhurtthe

manshewascomingtolove,andwho’dcausedanotherShiftertodie.

“Seanmighthavetogivemeapassword,”Joannesaid.“Ifthat’sevenhow

theGuardiansaccessthisthing.Maybethat’swhythehackerneededthesword.”
Shedeflated.“I’mthinkingSeanwon’tletmein,inanycase.Idoubtheorany
otherGuardianwillwantmepokingaroundtheirdatabases.”

Ifshecouldgetinherself,withouttheirhelp,however…

Joanne’sfingersprickledinanticipation,andhersenseofadventureand

curiosityrose.Mountainclimbersgotexcitedaboutattemptingthenexthigher
peak,thenthehighest;hackershadthesamethrillwhendeterminedtobreakinto
theunbreakable.Joannerecognizedthesymptoms—increasedheartrate,
quickeningbreath,sweatingpalms,coldfingers,asmilethatstretchedacrossher
face.

Broderickwaswatchingher.Joanneflexedherhands,wrigglingherfingers.

“Letmetrysomething…”

Shestartedtyping,highwiththebuzzofthechallenge.

Halfanhourlater,shesatback,tiredanddisgruntled.“Damnit.Ishould

probablyjustcallSean.”

“Willthishelp?”Broderickopenedhishandtorevealthemedallion.“It’s

connectedtotheGuardians,andthehackerkilledtogetit.”Hismouthhardened,
hisragefresh.

Joanneliftedthemedallionfromhispalm,andBrodericksurprisinglydidn’t

stopher.HekepthisgazeonJoanneassheexaminedthedisc,turningitoverin
herfingers.OnesideofthemedallionheldthecarvedCelticknot,surroundedby
athin,scallopedcircle;theotherwasflat,unadornedsilver.

“Idon’thaveaslotforthis,”Joannesaid,makinghervoicelight.Shelifted

herlaptop,showingBroderickthethinslitsinitssidesforeverythingbuta
roundpiecefromaGuardian’ssword.

Broderickshrugged.“Idon’tknowhowyouwoulduseit…Wait…”His

gazeflickedbacktothescreen.“Ithinkyou’rein,”hesaid,pointing.

Joanne’shandhadmovedabsentlytothekeyboardwhileshe’dexamined

themedallion,butnowshesnappedherattentiontowhatwashappeningonthe
monitor.

Herlinesofcodeweredissolving.Intheirplacerosesoftgreenlettersthat

tookuptheentirescreen.Thelettersandsymbolslookedlikethemarkingsshe’d
seenonthehiltofSean’ssword,representingalanguageJoannedidn’tknow.

Then,assheandBroderickwatched,therunesfaded,andEnglishletters

tooktheirplace.

YouhaveillegallybreachedtheGuardianNetwork.

Thosewordsvanished,andanothermessageblossomed.

Welcome,friend.

ChapterEleven

BroderickheardJoannegasp.HepeeredatthescreenbutsawonlyFae

runes,largeandpulsing.Hehadnocluewhattheysaid.

Joannewasstaringatthem,open-mouthed,hereyesmovingacrossthem

withperfectcomprehension.

“Youunderstandthat?”Broderickasked.

“Sure.”Joannenodded,enraptured.“It’sinEnglish.”

“No,itisn’t.”Broderickleanedforwardandpeeredattherunesasthough

thatwouldmakethemintelligible.

“Yes,itis.”Joannegavehimapuzzledlookthensheswitchedhergazeto

themedallioninherlefthand.“Wait…”Shesetthedisconthetablewitha
clickandstaredexcitedlyatthescreen.“NowIseeonlyrunesagain.Youholdit,
andtellmewhatyousee.”

Brodericksnatchedupthemedallion.Nothingonthescreenchanged.

“Nope.AllIseeisFaewriting.Shiftersshouldn’tuseFaescript—I’venever
understoodGuardians.”

Joanneheldherhandoutforthemedallionagain.Shedidn’tsimplytryto

grabitfromhim,andforthatBroderickwasgrateful.Hewashappytohanditto
herwillingly,butsomethinginsidehimwasreadytofightifanyonetriedtotake
itwithouthispermission.

Joanneheldthemedallioninonehandandtouchedthekeyboardwiththe

other.“Englishagain.”Joannecouldn’tmaskherelation.“Maybeitonlyworks
ifyouholditandareaprogrammer.”

Broderickshookhishead,notbothered.“TheGuardianNetworkisfullof

bizarremagic,liketheswords.Ithasamindofitsown.Ireallydon’twantto
knowwhat’sinthere,soit’sjustaswell.”

Joannelookedrelieved,andBroderickwarmed.Joannehadbeenworried

Broderickwouldbeupsetifshecouldreadthewordsandhecouldn’t—thatthe
medallionhadchosenher.

Shecaredabouthisfeelings.Thatfactwasworthmoretohimthanwhatever

thehellwasintheGuardians’secretfiles.

Joanne’sfingershoveredoverthekeys.“NowthatI’min,I’mnotsurewhat

toask.Thesecrettolife?”

“Oh,Goddess,don’taskitthat,”Brodericksaidquickly.“Itwilltellyou

somecrypticshitthatwillhaveyoujourneyingtothetopofamountainortothe
middleoftheoceanlookingforsomethingnoonereallywantsfound.Ordyinga
horribledeathjustastheanswerhitsyou.”

“Goodpoint.”Joannestartedtyping.“Howabout—Whathackerattackshas

thedatabasehasbeenexperiencing?Wherearetheycomingfrom,andwhatis
thehackerlookingfor?ExceptIdon’tknowhowtocodeinthislanguage…
Oh.”

“Oh…what?”Broderickcamealert.“Whatoh?”

“It’stranslatingforme.”Joannesmiledhappily.“Whatahandynetwork.”

Broderickwipedsweatfromhisupperlip.“Shit,don’tscaremelikethat.

What’sitsaying?”

“Notmuch.”Joannehadstoppedtyping.LinesoftinyFaerunesmovedon

thescreen,scrollingupwardinfitsandstarts.“Ithinkit’sthinking.”

“Becarefulwhatyousaytoit.Faemagicistricky,andsoareGuardians.”

Joannecockedherheadtolookathim.Herhairwastangledfromtheir

lovemaking,hereyeswarmwithafterglow.“Youallwereveryupsetthatthe
Goddessdidn’tpickanotherGuardianupinMontana.Why?Whathappensif
thereisn’tone?”

Broderickfeltaqualmofdisquiet.“Idon’treallyknow.Thishasnever

happenedbefore.Atleastnotinmylifetime.”Heliftedhishandandstrokedone
sleekcurlonherhead,unabletokeepfromtouchingher.“Everygroupof
ShiftershastohaveaGuardian.Intheolddays,thatmeanteachclanhadtheir
own.Eveniftheclanwasscatteredoverhundredsofmiles,theGuardianmade
thejourneytosendsoulsofdyingShifterstotheGoddess.Whenwewere
roundedup,thingsgotshakenaround.Clansweresplitoverdifferent
Shiftertowns,andnowtheGuardianofeachShiftertowndoestheritualfor
everyonethere,notjustShiftershe’srelatedto.Acrossspeciestoo,whichnotall
Shiftersarehappywith.”

“SowhathappenedtotheextraGuardians?”Joanneasked.“Ifeachclanhad

itsownGuardian,andtherearenowseveralclansinaShiftertown,wouldn’t
therebemoreGuardiansthanShiftertowns?”

“No.”Broderickhadneverthoughtaboutitbefore.Mostly,he’dstayed

awayfromGuardianbusinessanddidn’tlethimselfhaveanycuriosityabout
whattheydid.Seanwasafriend,butBroderickneveraskedhimanyquestions
abouttheGuardiansideofhislife.Saferthatway.“ThereisoneGuardianand
oneswordforeveryShiftertown.Itjustworkedout.”

“How?”

Shelovedthequestions,didJoanne.“HellifIknow.Whydon’tyouaskthe

network?”Broderickgesturedatthelaptop,whichwasstill“thinking.”

Joanneturnedtothescreen,herhairmovingagainstBroderick’sfingers.“I

havethefeelingit’sonlygoingtogivemeanswerstoveryspecificquestions,
andclamupifIgetgreedy.Likeageniewhograntsthreewishes.Youhaveto
askcarefully.”

Broderickgrunted.“Shiftersdon’thavegenies,butwehaveacoupleof

trickstergodswhoaresimilar.Becarefulwhatyouwishfor…”

Joanne’seyeswentsoft.“YouknowwhatIwish…?”

Broderickseriouslywantedtoknow,butatthatmoment,thelaptopbeeped.

Joannejumpedandfacedit,allbusinessagain.“A-ha!Gotcha,bitch.”

Brodericktightened.“Youfoundher?Youknowwheresheis?”

“YoubetIdo.Orrather,thenetworkknowsandtoldme.I’vegotheraccess

logs,thecodessheran…”

“Whereisshe?”Brodericksurgedtohisfeet.“I’mgoingtograbherandpry

someanswersoutofher.”

Joanne’scoolhandonhisarmbroughthimbackdownagain.“Idon’tmean

Iknowwheresheisphysically.ButIknowwhatcomputershe’shackingfrom,
howshe’stryingtogetin,whatshe’slookingat—andshedoesn’tknowIknow.”

Herexcitementmadehercheeksflush,hereyesshine.Broderickcaught

Joanne’selationbutatthesametime,didn’tlethimselfbecometoohopeful.
“Howdoesthathelpus,exactly?”

“IthelpsbecauseIcannotonlyfigureoutwhatshe’slookingforbutblock

herfromfindingit.”Joanne’sfingersbegantodanceonthekeys.Sheclutched
themedallion,usingtwofingersofthathandonthekeyboardsoshewouldn’t
havetoletgo.“Shehasn’tmadeitinyet,butshe’sclose.”

“Waitasec.”Brodericksettledbackinthechairbutleanedforwardtowatch

whatJoannedid.“Thishackerchickhasthesword.Wehaveonlyalittlepieceof
thesword.So,whyareweinsidetheGuardianNetworkandshe’snot?”

Joanneshrugged.Hereyeswerefixedonthescreen,herfingersflying,and

Broderickrealizedshedidn’tcareatthemoment.“Thenetworklikesus?”she
suggested,offhand.“Itknowswe’rethegoodguys?”

Broderickscrubbedathisclose-croppedhair.“Allthisismakingmyhead

hurt.IlikeditbetterwhenIwasadumb-assfighter.”

Joannelaughed,asparklingsound.“Broderick,youaresonotadumb-ass

fighter.Butbasedonthecodeshe’swriting,itlookslikeshe’ssearchingfora
specificthing.Letmefindoutwhat…”

Shetrailedoff,herfocustightonthescreen,herfingersmoving.

Occasionally,Joannemutteredthingslike—“Oh,really?Youthoughtyoucould
hideyourtrailthatway?Youhavenoideawhoyou’reupagainst…”

Joannetypedcode,growledinfrustration,orsaidHa!ingleewhenshe

figuredsomethingout.Broderickwatchedherastheclockonthetablemoved
frommidnighttoonea.m.totwo.

FinallyJoannepaused,frowning.“What’saportal?”

Broderickcamealert.He’dbeenstudyingJoanne’ssoftshoulderandthe

breastherslippingblanketwasbaring.

“Portal?”heaskedsharply.

Joannenodded.“She’slookingforanythinginthedatabaseonportals.

Portalstowhat?Shecan’tmeancomputerones—she’dalreadyknowthat.
MaybeplacestheGuardianNetworkleadsthatshecan’taccessanyotherway?”

“No.”Broderickwasonhisfeet,aleadenknotinthepitofhisstomach.

“Shutherout.Shutheroutnow.”

***

Joannelookedupinsurprise,herfingersstilling.Broderick’sfacewasgray,

hiseyeswide.

“What’swrong?”sheasked.“IfIshutherout,Iwon’tfindexactlywhat

she’sgoingfor.”

BroderickreacheddownandjerkedJoanne’shandsfromthekeyboard.“She

meansportalstoFaerie.That’sthekindofmessed-upinformationtheGuardians
wouldprotect.”

Joanneblinked.Shedidn’tunderstandmuchabouttheFaeandthemystical

placetheycalledFaerie—sheonlyknewShiftershatedFaeformanyandvarious
reasons.

“TherearealreadyportalstoFaerie,aren’tthere?”sheasked.“Andreavisits

herfatherthroughone.Therearealsostandingstones,right?Connortoldmethe
storyaboutthefirstsword—theFaewomancametotheswordsmiththroughthe
standingstones.”

“Yeah,thereareknowngates,”Brodericksaid.“TheoneinShiftertownis

protectedbyAndrea’sdad,andIdoubthe’dletahumanhackerwomanthrough
it.Forstandingstonegates,thebiggestproblemthereis—youneedstanding
stones.Ihaven’tseenmanyofthoseinthemiddleofTexas.”Broderickdrewhis
fingerandthumbdownthesideofhismouth.“Ibetourhackeristryingtofigure
outhowtoopenorbuildaportaltoFaeriefromanywhereshewants.”

Joanne’seyeswidened.“Isthatpossible?”

“Ifitis,theGuardianswouldknow.Theyprobablyhaveconferencesabout

it,orkeepspreadsheetsonit—that’sthekindofcrazyshitGuardianswoulddo.”

“Ifshesucceeded,whatwouldhappen?”

Withoutwaitingforhisanswer,Joanneturnedbacktothecomputer,

drawingonhernewest,mostinsidiouscodetoblocktheotherhackerandchase
herbacktowhateverholeshewashidingin.Attachingabugwouldshutthe
womandownforgood.

“Whothehellknows?”Broderickshrugged,fistsballed.“TheFaemight

comepouringthrough,readytoslaughterusall.Theymadeswordsthatwork
withtheCollarstotortureusintoobedience.FaewantShifterstobetheirslaves
again,todragusbacktoFaerieandmakeustheirfightingbeasts.”Hebrokeoff
andmadeascoffingsound.“Theyseriouslyneedtogetoutmore.”

Joannekepttyping.“Whywouldahackerwanttohelpwiththat?”

“Idon’tknow—maybetheFaepromisedherrichesandfameoreternallife

orsomeotherstupid-shitrewardahumanwouldbelieve.They’lluseherandkill
her,butshewon’tunderstandthatuntiltoolate.”

“Well,noneofthatsoundsgood…Oops.”

Broderickleanedclose,hisbreathhotonherneck.“You’vegottastop

sayingthingslikethat.Oops,what?”

“SheknowsI’mhere.She’stryingtosabotagemeinreturn.”Joannesucked

inabreath.“Man,she’sgood.”

“Don’tsoundsoadmiring.”

“Can’thelpit.It’showyou’dfeelaboutagoodfighteratthefightclub.

Whoa…”Joannejerkedherfingersfromthekeyboard.“Pullthecables.Allof
them.Fast,fast,fast.”

She’dalreadypulledtheEthernetconnectionoutofherlaptopandshut

downtherouter,butsheknewheractionswerelikelyfutile.Computersnever
closeddownthatcompletelyuntilyourippedtheirinsidesout,andeventhen…

Broderickwasbusilyjerkingoutallthecableshe’dsopainstakingly

pluggedin.Joanneshutdownallthepowerstrips,disconnectingthem,undoing
anycables,everythingsheandBroderickhadsetup.

Sheblewoutherbreathwhenitwasdone,plunkeddownintoherchair,and

buriedherfaceinherhands.

“Didyoustopher?”Brodericksatdownclosebesideher,hisbodywarming

hers.

“Fornow.”Joanneloweredherhands,feelingasmallmeasureof

satisfaction.“AndIgavehersomethingtothinkabout.”

Brodericklacedanarmaroundher.Afterthevirtualworldofcoldnumbers

andsymbolsitwasnicetoleanonawarm,realperson.Noonecouldbeasreal
asBroderick.

Heflexedhishand.“Ihateallthiscomputerstuff.IneedsomethingIcan

punchwithmyfists.”

“Iguessyoumightgetthechance,ifsheopensagate,likeyoufear.”

Hisbodyvibratedwithhisvoice.“Don’tevenwanttothinkaboutthat.Fae

arenastybastards,andtheyfightdirty.TheymadeShifterssotheycouldloose
usontheirenemieswhiletheysatbackandkepttheirhandsclean.Idonotwant
anythingtodowiththosedirtbags.”

Joannesnuggledagainsthim,andBroderickputhisotherarmaroundher,

enclosingher.Shefeltineffectual,fightinganinvisibleenemy.Thebugtheother
hackerhadfiredatJoannewouldhavedestroyedeverythingshe’deverdoneif
shehadn’tblockeditintime—andJoannewasn’tcertainshehad.She’dhaveto
waitandsee.

Somehow,atthismoment,noneofthatmattered.ShehadBroderickbeside

her,hissolidstrengthsupportingher.IfJoanneneverwroteanotherlineofcode
inherlife,shehadtherealityofBroderick’sarmstoholdher,hisgruffvoiceto
warmher,thememoryoflyingbeneathhimtobringherpurejoy.

HisworldwassodifferentfromJoanne’s.Brodericklivedclosetothebone,

takinghiscomfortfromhisfamily,whowerealwaysthereforeachother.
Joanne’sworldwassecurityholesandelectronics,facelessenemiesattheother
endofawirelessconnection.

Broderickhadbeenshuntedawayfromtherestofhumanity,buthislifewas

morerealthanJoanne’severhadbeen.

HepressedakisstothetopofJoanne’shead.Sheallowedherselftogetlost

inthefeeling,thensheletoutabreathofhalfcontentment,halffrustration.

“Ifthehackerhasthesword,”shebegan,“butit’snothelpinghergetinto

theGuardianNetwork,whydidshebothertakingitwithher?Shecouldhave
leftitatthehousewhensheran.Shedidn’tneedtohangontoit.”

“Mmm.”Anotherkiss.“BecauseaswordisaFaerelic,whichsheneedsto

gothroughagatetoFaerieifshemakesone.”

ColdworkeditswaythroughJoanne’sbody.“Willitworkevenifapieceis

missingfromthesword?”

“Ihaven’tthefaintestfuckingidea.”Broderickshrugged,hisbodymoving

hers.“I’mlearningmostofthisshitmyselftoday.”

“Itdoesn’tmatter.”Joanne’senergyforachallengereturned.“Wecantell

herthattheswordwon’tworkwithoutthemedallion.Youwererightinthefirst
place.Iofferthebait,andwetakeherdownwhenshecomesforit.”

ChapterTwelve

BroderickuntangledhimselffromaroundJoanneandstoodup.Hestudied

her,sittingtherealldetermined,theblankettuckedaroundher,baringher
shouldersandswellofherbosom.Shewouldneverunderstandhowimpossibly
sexyshewas.

Shestillcouldenragehimfast,though.“Nowayinhell,”Brodericksnarled.

“Wecameherebecauseyouweremadatmeforwantingtooffermyselfasbait.
WhydoyouthinkI’llletyoudoit?”

Joannelookedupathim¸hereyesfilledwithresolve.“She’snotgoingto

comeifshethinksabunchofShiftersarewaitingforher.IfIoffertomeether
alone…”

“No!”Broderickclenchedhishands.“Welureherout,sure,butsomeplaceI

cangrabholdofherandturnherupsidedown.She’lltrytobringherthugs—so
youbringyours.”

Joannemadeasoundofexasperation.“Ididn’tplantomeetherinadark

alleyinthemiddleofthenightalone.We’llsetupaplaceshe’llfeelsafe,
somewhereverypublic.LikethecoffeehouseIgotoatthelake.”

Broderickfrowned.“Shiftersaren’tallowedthere.”

“Exactly.Soshewon’tthinkthey’rethere.Youhideoutsomewhere,I’ll

bringherpastyou,andyounabher.”

Joannelookedhappywiththisidea,readytodobattle.

“Iseesomany,manyflawsinthisplan,”Brodericksaid.

“Yeah?Youhaveabetterone?”

“Iwill.”Broderickputhishandsunderherarmsandhauledhertoherfeet.

“Butlater.Whenit’sdaylight.Fornow…”

Heabruptlyliftedherintohisarms.Joanneletoutayelp,surprised,which

wassilencedbyhishardkiss.

Broderickheadedoutoftheroom—she’dneedarealbedthistime,notthe

floor.Beforeheleft,hesnakedhishandbackandsweptupthemedallionfrom
thetable.

***

Theanswerlayinsidethathouse.Cillastudiedthelongbrickabodewithits

neatyardforalongtime,tryingtomakeuphermind.

Doit.Go!Thecracklecamefromthetablethalfoutofherbag,words

sizzlingonthedarkscreen.Ithadfoundawaytofollowher.

Insidethehousewasthewaytodowhatthiscreaturewantedherto—in

theory.AllCillahadtodowascommitmoremurder,andaccesstotheGuardian
Networkwouldbehers.Onlythistime,shehadtodothekillingherself.She’d
dismissedtheguysshe’dhired,hadlosttrackofthem,andnowshewasonher
own.Justaswell—they’donlybeeninterestedinmoney,nothingelse.

Cillahadnointerestinfinancialgainotherthanwhatsheneededtosupport

hercomputerhabit.Shegotbyonverylittleanddidn’taspiretolivein
penthousesanddrivefancycars.Thosewereuselessthingsthatboggedher
down.Atruehackerdidn’twritecodetoownsomethingstupid-asslikeasolid
goldtoilet.Theydiditforthebeautyofthecode,tobeabletocreatesomething
andexecuteitbetterthananyoneintheworld.

Thatwasthedraw.Unfortunately,theambitiontodosomethingnooneelse

couldhadbeenwhathadgottenCillacaught.

CanIhacktheGuardianNetwork,themostun-hackabledatabaseofall

time?EveryhackerknewabouttheGuardianNetwork,theultra-secretdatabase
oftheShifters.Accesswasliketheholygrail,thegoalofeveryunderground
hacker.Sofar,noonehaddoneit.

Cillaknewshecould,ifshehadtherighttools,whichincludedaFae

artifact,likeaSwordoftheGuardian.AsCillahadroamedthevirtualworld,
tryingtosetupawaytostealasword,anotherhacker,strangeandterrifying,
hadcaughther.

He’dshowedherhecouldhavethoseshelovedkilled,andimmediately,she

wasdoingeverythinghesaid.

Nowhewastellinghertokillanotherhacker,awomanshemighthavebeen

friendswithinanotherlife.

Now!Thereisnotime!

Cillaslippedacrossthedarkyardandaroundthehouse,heftedthecrowbar

she’dstolenfromajunkyard,andjimmiedopenawindow.

***

Joannecameoutofasoundsleeptofindawomanoverher,crowbarraised.

Broderickhadhisarmswrappedaroundsaidwomanfrombehindandwas
danglingherafewfeetofftheground.

Joannescrambledoutofbedtoherfeet,grabbingtheblankettowraparound

her.“Whatthefuck?Isthisher?”

“Yep,”Brodericksaid.“Iheardheropeningthewindowandgrabbedheras

shewasclimbingin.Youmightbeagoodhacker,sweetie,butyousuckat
breakingandenteringinreallife.Don’tworry,Itookthegunoffherandbroke
intopieces.”

Thewoman’sfacewasfamiliar,triggeringamemory.Shehaddyedblack

hair,skinpalefromstayingindoorsallthetime,sloppyclothes,heavy-heeled
boots,andherlipsboretheremnantsofblacklipstick.Sheclutchedthecrowbar
inonehandanddesperatelyheldontoabackpackwiththeother.

“DoIknowyou?”Joanneasked,tryingtoremember.“HaveIworkedwith

youbefore?”

“AtUT,”theyoungwomansaid.“Yoututoredme.”

Joannehadtutoredmanyundergraduatesasshe’dgoneworkedonher

advanceddegree.“Yeah,nowIremember.”Joannepicturedayoung,verythin
girlwithenormouseyes,difficultyspeakingtoanyone,andlotsoftalent.“You
werereally,reallygood.Yourname…”Memoryfailedher.

“CillaGilbourne.”

“That’sright.Cilla.Irememberlikingthename.”Joanne’seyesnarrowedas

shelookedCillaupanddown.“So,whatthehellhappenedtoyou?”

Cilla’sfrightenedlookturnedtooneofself-admiration.“Igotbetterthan

you.I’vedoneamazingthings.”

“Sure,Ibetyouhave.”LookingatCillagaveJoanneachill.Joannehad

beensomuchlikeheronce,readytocommitallkindsofcomputercrimesjustto
sayshouldcoulddoit.

Broderickgrowled.“Enoughwiththehappyreunion.”HeshookCilla.

“Where’sthesword?”

“Safe!”shesnarled.“Ididn’tbringitwithme.I’mnotthatstupid.”

“Youcameforthemedallion,”Joannesaid.Shereachedforitwhere

Broderickhadlaiditonthenightstand.“Well,toodamnbad.I’mnotgoingto
giveittoyou.I’vealreadyusedittogetintotheGuardianNetwork,sothanks
forleavingitbehind.”

Cilla’seyesfilledwithrage.“Thatshouldhavebeenmegettingin.Iworked

myassofforthat,Istolethesword,youjustgotlucky!”

“YoukilledaGuardianforthesword,”Joanneremindedher.“Ihavethe

feelingtheGuardianNetworkwasn’tthrilledwiththat.”Joannewassurprised
howcalmshesoundedinspiteoftheshakingrageinsideher.Thiswomanhad
hurtBroderick,hadkilledanotherShifter.“Ididn’tbreakin.Theyopenedthe
doorforme.”

“Why?”Cillashouted.“Whyyou?”

Broderickshookheragain.“Becauseshe’snotademented,murdering

lunatic.Whereisthesword?”

Cilla’sfacechanged,hermoodslightningswift.“I’lltellyouifyoupromise

tohelpme.”

“Helpyouwhat?”Joannedemanded.“You’renotinanypositionto

negotiate.DidyouthinkI’dhelpyoubreakintotheGuardianNetwork?Forget
it.”

“Ihaveto.Ihavetoopentheway.Ihavetolethimout.”

Joannestared,Cilla’sdesperationtearingoutofher.“Letwhoout?”

Broderickgrowled.“YoumeansomefuckingFae?Hell,no.”

“Idon’tknowwho.He’shere.”Cillatriedtoreachintoherbackpack,but

Broderick’sstrongarmclosedaroundher,andshegaveacryofpain.“No,I
needthetablet…”

“I’llgetit.”Joanneyankedopenthehalf-zippedbackpackanddrewouta

tabletcomputer,alargeone.Itwasoff,black,blank.

Joannetouchedtheswitchtoturniton.Theusualiconscameup,nothing

more.“Where?”

“No.”Cillamoaned.“It’sdifferentnow.He’stherewhenhewantstobe.I

needtofindhim.”

“She’scrazy,”Brodericksaidwithcertainty.“Trustme,I’vebeenlivingwith

crazy;Iknowthesigns.”

“Please.”Cilla’simploringlookwasallforJoanne.“I’llshowyou.Letme

showyou.”

Joanneconsidered.Sheflippedthroughthescreensonthetabletbutfound

nothingunusual.

Finallysheletoutabreath.“Takeherintomyoffice,”shesaidtoBroderick.

“ButI’msittingrightnexttoyou,Cilla,andyou’renottouchingakeyboard.
Youtellmewheretogo.”

Broderickdidn’twanttoletCilladoanything.Hiseyesweretight,gray-

white.Hewantedtoshiftandkillthewoman,ordragherbacktoShiftertownto
faceretribution.

HegaveJoannealonglook,thenheturnedandcarriedCilladownthehall

tothecomputerroom.

JoanneknewBroderickdiditonlybecausehetrustedher—Joanne.She

understoodthatandacknowledgedit.ForaShiftertotrustahuman,especially
withsomethinglikethiswas…agift.

BroderickdidnotsetCilladowngently.Hejerkedthecrowbarfromherand

rippedthebackpackfromhershoulder,tossingbothoutofreachbeforehe
dumpedherintothechair.Hestoodbehindher,holdingherarmssoshecouldn’t
grabsomethingelseanduseitasaweapononJoanne.

JoannesatdownnexttoCilla,pretendingtheyoungwomandidn’tunnerve

her.Assherememberedmoreabouther,sherecalledthinkingCillawasbrilliant
butundisciplined—someonewhocouldaccomplishmuchbutdidn’thavethe
focustosucceed.

Betweenthenandnow,Cillahadfoundthedrive,butshe’dletambitionplus

smartspushhertoofar.Cillahadconsideredherselfunbeatable,andassoonasa
personbelievedthat,sheleftherselfwideopen.

Broderickwasabulkofunforgivinganger.Buthe’dhelpJoanne.Joanne

knewthatatthemoment,herpresencewastheonlythingkeepingCillaalive.

Joannelaidthemedallionnexttothekeyboardandrestedherfingersonthe

keys.“Tellme,”shesaid.

Cillaexplained,inachokedvoice,whattotype.Thecodewasunfamiliarto

Joannetobeginwith,thenitveeredoffintoevenmorestrangeness.

Joanneheardthemedallionhumming,asilversound,thoughnotwiththe

surgeshe’dfeltwhenshe’daccessedtheGuardianNetwork.Thenetworkwasn’t
goingtolettheminthistime,butJoannehadthefeelingtheyweren’theading
there.Sureenough,theyswervedtoanotherdatastream,usingnumbersand
wordsJoannehadneverencountered.

“Here,”Cillasaid.“Iknowit’shere—Iknowit.”

Shewasscared,almostinsanewithit,asBroderickhaddecided.Joanne

stoppedtyping.“Whatarewetryingtodo?”

“Reachhim.I’mhere.”Cillatappedthescreenasthoughitwereawindow

tosomethingbeyond.“Cometome.Theycanhelp.”

JoanneexchangedaglancewithBroderick.Hemouthed,“Crazy.”

Asecondlater,thescreenfilledwithstatic,whitingoutthelinesofcode.

Withinthestatic,Joannethoughtshesawthefaintoutlineofaman.“Whatthe
hell…?”

Cillabentforwardandspoketothescreen.“Ifoundthem.Ifoundthepiece

ofsword.Wecandothis.”

Broderickcutintoherwords.“Dowhat?Shutitdown,Joanne.Thisisbad.”

“No,wait.”Joannestudiedthescreen.“IsthataFae?”

SheheardBroderick’sgrowlashestartedtosayYes,thenhestopped.“I

can’ttell.Idon’tseeanypointyears.”

“Howdoeshecommunicatewithyou?”JoanneaskedCilla.“Imean,

besidesyouyellingatthescreen.”

“Ihaveto…”CillanudgedJoanne’shands.“Hewon’ttrustyou.”

Joannehesitated,thenfinallymovedherfingers.ShecouldwatchthatCilla

didn’tsayanythingsheshouldn’t,stopherifshedid.Risky,buttheyneededto
knowwhatwasgoingon.

Cillastartedsendingletters,numbers,symbols.Thefiguredidn’tmove.The

screenfilledwithwhiteagain,thesilhouettedisappearing.Thestaticfaded,and
thecodecameback.

Joannewatched,fascinated.She’dneverseensomeofthecodethetwowere

using,butshefollowedalong.

Youhavethesword?Allofit?

Yes,Cillasentback.WhatdoIdonow?

Takeittoaplacenoonewillknow.Setupthecoordinates,thenusethe

swordasIsaid.

Okay,Cillaanswered.

“Youwereright,”JoannesaidtoBroderick.“Hewantstoopenagate.”

BrodericktightenedhisholdonCilla.“LikehellI’mgoingtoletherdo

that.”

SomethinginthecodecaughtJoanne’seye,somethingthatmadeherlean

closeandwatchcarefully.

Thehacker,orwhoeveritwasbehindthescreen,wassendinganother,and

hidden,message.Odditiesstartedcomingthroughthecode,bitsandpiecesthat
hadnothingtodowiththeongoingconversationbetweenthemanandCilla.She
sawCilla’slipsmoveeverytimeapieceshowedup,shenotingthemtoo.

Puttogether,themessageread,Don’topen.Destroyit.Greatdanger.And

morethanonce,Helpme.

JoannefixedagazeonCilla.“Didyouknowaboutthis?”

Cillalookedscared.“Hestartedsendingthepleaforhelplastnight.This

messageiswhyI’mhere,notthedemandtoopentheportal.Idon’tknowhow
tohelphim.Idon’tknowwhattodo.”

Broderickleanedbetweenthem.“We’renothelpingaFaeshitdoanything.”

Joannedidn’tanswer.Cillawasterrified.Theyoungwomanhadbeen

confidentenoughtodealwithillegalhacking,theft,evenlettinghumansmurder
aShifter,butshehadnoideahowtohelpapersonintrouble,orevenifshe
should.

Cillahadcomehere,Joannerealized,partlytodumptheburdenofthe

decisiononJoanneandBroderick.IfCillawasoutofthisconversation,she
couldgobackhometohackawaytoherheart’scontent,herconsciencecleared.
Shewouldhavepassedofftheproblemtopeoplewhocared,gottenoutfrom
underthepowerofwhoeverwasforcinghertohelp,andthinkherselfjustified.

JoannegaveCillaabigsmile,onethatheldachill.“You’renotgoing

anywhere,sweetcakes.Onceuponatime,Ilearnedthateverythingyoudo
comesbacktobiteyou.Callitkarma,callitthewayoftheuniverse,whatever
youwant.Youpayforthebadthingsyoudo,norunningaway.AndI’mgoingto
makesureofyoupayforthisfirestormyou’vestarted.”

Cillastilllookedscared.“Youdon’tunderstand.He’shurtingpeople—he

musthavesomeonedoingthingsforhimhere.Themanwho’saskingforhelp
isn’tthesameperson—he’sbeingforcedtosendthemessages.”

“I’mgettingthat,”Joannesaid.“Butitdoesn’tmatter.We’llputastopto

everything…”

Broderickleanedtothemagain.“AresayingwhatIthinkyouare?”heasked

Joanne.“Youagreewithher.Youwanttoopenaway?”

“Yes.”Joannemethisgaze.“It’stheonlywaywecanhelpwhoever’s

trappedinthere,andbreaktheFae’sholdoverCilla.”

Broderickstaredatherforalongtime,thenhiseyesturnedwhite-gray.

“YoumeanIcanreachinandkillthesonofabitch.”

Joanne’shearthammered,butshedidn’targue.BroderickwasShifter,and

he’ddealwithhisenemiesinaShifter’sway.

Broderickgaveheragrimsmile.“Now,I’mlikingwhatyou’resaying.”He

spokequietly,whichhedidwhenhewasvery,veryangry.Thelookinhiseyes
andtoneofhisvoicewasmorefrighteningthanallhisbluster.“I’mgoingto
takeyoutoaspecialplaceIknow,wherewecanfinishthisinprivate,away
fromyournicehouse.Jo-Jo,grabwhatyouneed.”

***

Joanne,mystified,followedBroderick’sdirectionsacrossAustintoa

warehousedistricteastofthefreeway.Theyweren’ttoofarfromShiftertown,
Joanneknew,butshe’dneverventuredintothispartofthecity.

Shewasn’tsureshelikedventuringherenow,thoughshedoubtedanyone

wouldbotherthemwithalarge,ready-to-be-violentShifterinherbackseat.

Eveninthepitchdark—itwasthreeinthemorning—Broderickguided

Joanneunerringlytotherearofasmallerwarehouse.AllJoannesawwasthe
blanksideofabuildingandadoorwiththreeconcretestepsleadingtoit.She
sawthislitbyherheadlights,becausetherewasn’tanyotherkindoflightdown
thisrow.

BroderickexitedthecarwhenJoannepulledtoahalt,anddraggedCillaout

withhim.Hetookheruptothedoor,pinningCillaagainsttherailingwithone
handasheopenedthedoorwithakey.

“Comeon,”hecalleddowntoJoanne.“It’ssafe.”

Cilladidnotwanttogoinside.ShewasafraidBroderickwasleadingher

intoatrap,andtobehonest,Joannewasn’tcertainwhatthisplacewasherself.

Joanneslidoutofthecarandlockedthedoors,shovingherkeydeepinto

herpocket.Sheranuptheshortflightofstairs,followingBroderickashepulled
Cillainside.ThedoorswungclosedbehindJoanne,andshestoppedinstunned
amazement.

Theroomshestoodinwasaboutfortyfeetbythirty,withahighceiling,and

windowsneartheroofline.Atypicalwarehouse.Butwhatfilleditwasn’twhat
Joanneexpected.Woodenworkbencheslinedthewalls,andpowertoolsstood
onstandsinthemiddleoftheroom—adrillpress,awoodplaner,acoupleof
saws.Notsimplygiantpowersaws,butsawswiththinbladesthatcoulddo
delicatework.

Arefrigeratorhummedinacornernexttoasinkandcounterwitha

microwaveandcoffeemaker,alongwithacouplechairssowhoeverworkedhere
couldhavelunchordinner.Orbreakfastiftheystayedallnight.

Theworkbencheswerecoveredwithwoodshavingsandmetalscraps,

sandpaper,andallkindsofhandtools—punches,knives,handsaws,carving
tools,woodclamps,files.Sheetsofmetalhungfromarack,andwoodplanks
werestackedeverywhere.Overallwastheclean-smellingodorofsawdustand
thetingeofvarnish.

Broderickhadn’tbeenentirelyaccuratewhenhesaidtheplacewouldbe

private.Hisyoungestbrother,Mason,stoodataworkbench,scowling,asmall
solderingironinonehand,ascrewdriverintheother.

“Whatthehell,Brod?”hedemanded.“Whatdoessecretmeantoyou?”

“Itwasnecessary,”Brodericksaidwithoutapology.“ThisisCilla.She’s

helpingus.Youwantcoffee,Jo-Jo?”

Joannemovedtooneofthetables,onwhichstoodtheproductofallthe

tools,wood,metal,andworkmanship.Sherealized,asshegazedatit,thatshe
wasseeingapieceofBrodericksheneverknewexisted.

ChapterThirteen

Broderickbusiedhimselfwiththecoffeemachine,notwantingtowatch

Joanne’sreactiontowhatheandhisbrothersmadeinthisplace.Shiftersweren’t
supposedtoownanytechnologyasadvancedascoffeemakersorpowersaws,
butBroderickalwaysfiguredthatwhatthehumansdidn’tknowwouldn’thurt
them.

Joannewasleaningoverthedelicatestringedinstrumentonthetable,a

guitarmadeofkoawood.Broderickhadjustfinishedthatoneforaclient.Orat
least,itwasalmostfinished.Hehadtodosomefinalpolishing.

Theswellofthebodyrippledwiththeexoticwoodgrain,andtheinlay

aroundtheedgeswasofblackmahogany,astheclienthadordered.Broderick
hadworkedonthisoneforaboutayear.Joannestaredatit,enraptured.

Broderickcouldn’tmove,butMasonlaiddownhistoolsandshambledover

toher.MasonmightbepasthisTransitionbuthestillhadn’tquitemastered
controlofhisbigbody.

“It’sgotaprettysound.”Masonpickeditup,tunedthestrings,andplucked

afewnotes.Asweet,mellowtonewoundthroughtheair.Aguitar’ssoundgrew
deeperandfuller-bodiedasitaged,butthisonewasgoodalready.

Joannelistened,hermouthopen,thenshelookedaroundattheother

instrumentsinprogress—amandolin,twomoreacousticguitars,onepolished
bird’s-eyemapleelectric,andaharpguitarthatwasforanotherwell-paying
client.

Andthentherewastheirhobby,themusicboxes.InMason’ssparetime,he

tookleftoverwood,carveditintricately,andBroderickcreatedmusicwithbrass
cylindersandcombswithvariousnotes.OnethatcaughtJoanne’sattentionwas
madeofonyxinlaidwithgoldandatinylineofgarnetarounditstop.Broderick
couldn’trememberthenameofthetuneitplayedbuthelikedit.Masondid
researchonthemusic,andBroderickcraftedthecylinderthatwouldplayit.

JoannetookeverythinginthenspuntofaceBroderick.“Youmadeallthis?”

Whywerehumansthesedayssoastonishedwhenathingwasmadeby

hand?Notbeatentogetherinafactoryordownloadedfromacomputer?Notso
longago,everythingwasputtogetherbyhuman—andShifter—hands.

“Yes,”Broderickanswered.“Whodidyouthinkdidit?Littlefluttery

pixies?”

“But…”

“Yeah,yeah,thebigbadasscancarvewoodandbuildsomethingpretty.”

Broderickthunkedemptycoffeemugsnexttothecoffeemaker.“Howdoyou
thinkwemadealivingbeforewewerecrammedintoShiftertowns?Ordidyou
thinkweranaroundinthewoodshuntingrabbits?Instrumentmakingisacraft,
passeddownfrommastertoapprenticeforgenerations.Mydadtaughtme,and
hisdadtaughthim.NowI’mteachingMason.Hedoesn’tsuckatit.”

Masonsnorted,shutoffthemusicbox,andmovedbacktohisworkbench.

“Youdidn’tanswer,Brod.Whatthehellaretheydoinghere?”

“Ineededaprivateplace.”Andtherewasnoplacemoreprivatefor

Broderick.NotevenotherShiftersknewexactlywherehisworkshopwas.Most
ofthemdidn’tevenknowhehadone.He’dtoldSpikeandthenSeamus,thetwo
heconsideredhisfriends.AndTiger.

BroderickriskedmuchbringingCillaandJoannehere—heknewthat.But

Joannewastheotherhalfofhim,heknewthataswell.AsforCilla,hedidn’t
worryaboutherblabbing,becausehewouldn’tgivehertheopportunity.

Joannehadmoveddownthebenchtooneoftheguitarsinthemaking,the

woodbentarounditsframe,waitingtodry.Thatonewaszebrawood,which
wouldbebeautifulwhenhefinisheditwithFrenchpolishing.Shepausedat
anothermusicboxBroderickandMasonhadrecentlystarted.Broderickenjoyed
makingtheinnardsoftheboxes,gettingthesprings,cylinders,andgearsright.
Theembellishments—stoneinlay,lamination,andcarving—whichMasonwas
provingtobeskilledat,wouldmaketheoutsidebeautiful,buttheheartofit
intriguedBroderick.

Joannestudiedthebeatenmetal,thetinycogsthatfittogethertomovethe

cylinder.Broderickhadlefthistoolsstrewnallover—heneverputthemintoa
logicalorderlikehisfatherhadinsisted,buthecouldreachoutandputhishand
onanyhewanted.

“Thesearebeautiful.”JoannegazedatBroderick,eyesshining.“Why

haven’tyoutoldmeaboutallthis?”Shewavedherhandaroundtheroom.

Masongrowledfromhiscorner.“Because,secret.”

“I’mshowingyounow,”Brodericksaid.Thecoffeemakerhissedand

steamed.Broderickmadehimselfabandonitandmovetoher.“Ifyouneed

spacetoworkonyourcomputerstuff,Icanclearoffatable.Plusthereare
plentyofpoweroutlets.Thebuilding’sownerisusedtousworkinginthe
middleofthenight,sonooneevercomestoseewhatwe’redoing.”

Joanneturnedreluctantlyawayfromthescrapsonthetable.“Anycorner

willdo.”Shestudiedhim,asthoughseeinghimforthefirsttime.“Youknow,
musicboxesarelikecomputers.Thebumpsonthecylindersareliketheholesin
punchcards…”

Broderickgaveheragrufflaugh.“It’snothinglikeit.RememberIsaidI

likedrealobjects,notthesesoullessplasticboxes.”

“Yeah,”Joannesaid,hereyessoft.“Iremember.”

Heknewshewasrecallingwhattheyhaddoneafterthatconversation,and

hismatingfrenzystartedtoriseagain.

Broderickneededtotouchher.Hewantedthefeelofherskinbeneathhis

fingers,ofherlipsonhis.HewasalsoawareofMasonwatchinghisbigbrother
carefully,andCilla,standingalone,uncertain,inthemiddleoftheroom.

BrodericksettledforsmoothingJoanne’shair.“Overthere.”Hegestured.

“Plentyofspace.”

Onthetablebesidehim,oneofthemusicboxesbegantoplay.

Broderickswungtoit.Thisonewasn’tfinished,theinsideslaidinplaceand

theboxonlyroughedout,butthecylinderwasplayingrapidly,themusicmore
silverythantinny.

Herealizedhe’dlaidthemedalliondownnexttoittotouchJoanne’shair.

Joannestaredatbothmedallionandbox,hereyeswide.

“That’sinteresting,”shesaid.“Andkindofcreepy.”

“That’swhatFaemagicis,creepy.”Brodericksnatchedupthemedallion.

Themusicboxcontinuedtoplayuntilheflickedtheswitchthatstoppedit.“I
don’tcareifaShiftermadetheGuardians’swords,heletaFaetouchthem.”

Cillawaslookingaroundinfearbutalsowiththefirstflickerofinterest

Broderickhadseeninher.SheaddressedherwordstoJoanne.“Howdoyou
plantoopenaportalandgrabtheguyinsidewithoutgettingsuckedin
yourself?”

Masonjumped.“Openaportal?What?”

“Noone’sopeninganything,”Brodericksaidsternly.“ButifwhateverFaeis

jerkingyouaroundtriestogetthrough,IwanthiminaplaceIcancornerhim

andendhisFaelife.Icancontainhimhere.”

AndifBroderickhadtokillthebastard,hehadplentyofwaysofdisposing

ofabody,hidingitsoithadnothingtodowithShiftertown,notracebacktohis
familyorotherShifters.Broderickhadn’trentedthisplaceusinghisactualname
—hewasn’tthatstupid—soitwasniceanduntraceable.Theownerknewhewas
aShifter,andsodidtheirclients,buttheywerecoolwithShifters.Plus
Broderickwouldn’tkilltheFaeinawaythatmadeitobviousaShifterhaddone
it.

“Dowhatyougotta,”BrodericksaidtoJoanne.“I’lldotherest.”

Joannegavehimalookthatsaidshewasn’tsurewhathehadinmindand

maybedidn’twanttoknow.

Broderickclosedhishandaroundthemedallionassheturnedawayand

startedtellingCillahowtosetupthecomputers.Heknewatsomepointhe’d
havetogiveoverthemedallion,andhedidn’twantto.Helookedatit,sitting
innocuouslyinhispalm,theCelticknotshimmering.

Heslidthemedallionintohispocket.Broderickturnedawayandleftthem

toit,thoughhewatchedCillaclosely.Theyshouldputaleashonher,tetherher
tothewall.Fromthelooksofthings,Masonagreed.

Joannewouldn’tagree,asmuchasshewouldmakeCillahelpthem.She

wastoosoftatheart,ormaybeshestillcarriedguiltformakingShiftersthe
focusofpolicesearcheslastyear.Wallowinginguilttoolongwasn’tagood
thing,Broderickhadcometoknow.Itmadeyoumakebaddecisions.Bestto
suckitupthatyoudidsomethingwrongandmoveon.

Sure,’causethatwassoeasy…

Hewatchedthetwowomenashefinishedupthecoffeeandpoureditout.

JoannewasmaybefiveyearsolderthanCilla,butCillahungonJoanne’swords
asthoughsheweresomekindofguru.Theybusilysetupthelaptopsandother
piecesofequipmentBroderickdidn’tunderstand,JoannedirectingandCilla
obeying,ifshakily.

Ironicthatthemusicalinstrumentsinthisroomwerecraftedbygiantsof

menwithhugehands,whileJoanne’sandCilla’sdelicatefingersworkedthe
squareplasticpiecesthathadnobeautytothematall.Brodericklikedwatching
Joanne’shands,andhegotcaughtinthatforawhile,astheystartedcoding,
arguingastheywent.

Thestaticmandidn’tappearonthescreenthistime.Hehadn’tlookedFae,

Broderickthought,thoughhe’donlyseentheman’soutline.Faeweretalllike
Shifters,buttheylookedstretchedratherthannaturalandtheyhad,asBroderick
hadmentioned,pointedears.Fionn,Andrea’sfather,wasaquintessentialFae,
withlongwhite-blondhairinbraidswovenwithbeads,alwaysinarmorofsome
kind,weaponsnearby.Fionnwas,firstandforemost,awarrior.

“Whatcoordinates?”Joannewasasking.

Cillatyped,thenshereadoffthegibberishthatflowedupthescreen.Must

beinterestingtoknowwhatthatallmeant.

JoannelookedupatBroderick,herexpressionamixtureofexcitementand

worry.“FromwhatIlearnedfromtheGuardianNetwork,weneedtocreatea
physicalpropthatcanrepresentwhatweneedtodo.Canyoufashionsomething
likeadoorframe?Evenacouplealuminumpoleswoulddoit.”

Broderickwavedatallthestuffaroundtheroom.“Whatdoyouthink?I’m

onit.”

Easytocutsomeboardstosize.Broderickwasn’tabouttousehisexotic

hardwoodstomakeaplaythingforaFae,buthecouldsacrificesomeless
expensiveboards,whichhecoulduseforsomethingelselater.Iftheyweren’t
taintedbythisexperiment.

Masoncamechargingover.“Youaren’tseriouslygoingtotrytoopena

gatewaytoFaerieinourworkshop,Brod.Areyouinsane?Ordidyoucatcha
feraldiseasefromourhouseguest?”

Broderickpluckedgogglesfromtheracknexttohistablesawandslidthem

overhiseyes.“Joanne’sright.Ifthere’ssomeonestuckinthere,wehavetoget
himout.Hismessagewasprettydesperate.”

“YoubelieveaFae?”

“Idon’tthinkhe’sFae.Letmeputitthisway—ifIweretrappedinside

Faerie,I’dbegandpleadandscreamtogetout.Ican’tturnmyback,ontheoff
chanceit’salegitcryforhelp.”

“Areyousurethat’swhyyou’redoingthis?”Masonasked.“Orareyoujust

outtoimpressyourgirlfriendsoshe’llgoallmatefrenzywithyou?”

Broderickgavehimagrowl,buthedidn’tgrowasbelligerentashemight

haveaweekago.“Maybealittlebitofboth.Nowstandback.Sawdustinyour
eyesisn’tpretty.”

Masongloweredbutceasedarguing.Brodericksetaboardinplaceonhis

tablesaw,pressedtheOnbutton,andslidtheboardthrough.Helovedthissaw.
Itcutsmoothlythroughthewoodandwasamazinglyprecise.

HecuttwomoreboardswhileMasonwatched,thencarriedthethreepieces

backtothecomputers.“Hereyougo.Let’sgetthisoverwith.”

“Itmightnotwork,”Cillasaiddarkly.

“We’llneverknowuntilwetry,”Joannesaid.“No,youdon’t.”Shelatcheda

handaroundCilla’swrist.Broderickhadn’tseenthewomantrytorun,but
Joannemusthavecaughtthehintofit.“Youstartedthis;you’reseeingit
through.”

“Mason,watchher,”Broderickgrowled.

Mason,whowaslargeandstrong,steppedclosetoCilla,makinghermore

nervousthanever.ButMasonwouldstopher,nomatterwhat.Hewasnotfond
ofhumans,andifheeverfoundoutshekilledaGuardian…Bestnottotellhim.

Broderickheldtheboardsintheshapeofadoorframe,thecrosspieceresting

onthetwouprights.Healreadyfeltaqualm.Doorways,evenonesthatlooked
liketheywenttonowhere,weredangerous.Youneverknewwhatwouldcome
through.

JoanneandCillahadtheirheadstogether,talking,arguing,bothmaking

soundsofdelightwhentheycameupwithasolution.

“Ithinkthat’sit,”BroderickheardJoannesay…andthenhewentblind.

Maybenotblind.Tinyreddotsmarkedtheroom,wheretheemergency

generatorswere,which,bytheway,didn’tstartup.Thecomputerswere
completelydark,nolittleglowinglightsonthepowerstrips.

“Whathappened?”Masoncalledout.Hekepthisvoicesteady,but

Broderick,who’dtaughtthekidhowtowalk,heardhisfear.

“Idon’t…”Joannebegan,thenherwordsweredrownedbyaboomof

thunder.Windhowleddownonthewarehouse,screamingandwailinglikealost
soulonawinter’snight.

Afterasecond,Broderickrealizedthatthesoundsofthestormweren’t

outsidethewarehouseinAustin.Theycamefrominsidethedoorwayheheld.

Broderickrippedhishandsfromthedoorframe,readytoletitfalltopieces.

Buttheplanksremainedupright,standingbythemselves,supportedbynothing.
Thewindwhippedthroughtheopening,ice-cold,withthetouchofdeath.

“Shit,”Brodericksaidoverthenoise.“Iknewdoorwaysweredangerous.”

Therewasatinkleofmetal,andabruptlyallthemusicboxes,finishedand

unfinished,begantoplay.Thecylindersspunfasterandfaster.Thesilverymusic
vibratedthestringsofthefinishedguitars,andtheguitarharpbegantowaft
melodioussounds.ThemedallioninBroderick’spocketgrewhot.

“Broderick!”Joanneyelled.“Whereareyou?”

Mason’sshoutsgrewfaintuntiltheywereentirelysnappedoff.Broderick

couldstillhearJoanne,andthestorm,andthedamnedmusicboxes,butnothing
else.

Someonefellintohim.Broderickrecognizedthecrushoffemaleagainsthis

body—Joanne,hismate.

Healsorealizedanothertrickythingatthesametime.Thewindwasathis

backnow,notinhisface,andrainslappedhisskin.Thescentwaswrong—
almostbriny,andcold,asthoughhestoodbytheocean,notinthewarmthof
Austinonaspringnight.

Hewasonthewrongsideofthefriggingdoorway.Joanneplasteredherself

againsthim,andBroderickwrappedonearmaroundher.Themusicboxesand
guitarsgaveonelastjanglingtinkleandthenweregone.

ChapterFourteen

Joannefeltherselffalling,butatthesametime,therewassolidearthunder

herfeet.Earth,notconcrete.Slipperydirt,likesand.SheclungtoBroderickand
letherselfpanic.

Thevibrationofhisvoicecutthroughherfear.“IfyouthinkI’mgoingto

sayIt’sallright,sweetheart,youstickwithme,andI’lltakeushome,Ihaven’t
thefaintestfuckingideahowtodothat.”

Joannehuggedhimtighter,happyforthecontact.“Somealphaboyfriend

youturnedouttobe.”

Thewindwasfreezing.Granules,eithersandorsnow,stungherface.The

onlywarmthcamefrom,ofallplaces,Broderick’spocket.

“Themedallion!”sheshouted.

“Yeah.”Brodericksoundedresigned.“Figures.”

“Whatdoesthatmean?”Joanne’sheartpumpedhardwithfearandcold.Her

short-sleevedtop,jeans,andsneakersweremadeforwarmer,softerclimates.

“It’saFaeartifact,whichletsyougothroughgates.Damnthingtrappedus

here.”

Joannecouldseenothinginthedarkness,butsheknewlightwouldreveal

onlyswirlingsnoworasandstorm.Orice.Whatslappedherfacewasneedle-
like,coldandgrim.

Broderickgaveasuddenshout,andhisCollarlitupwithanarcofblue.He

madeachokingsound.

TheCollarswentoffonlywhenaShifterwasfighting—fightingforreal,

tryingtodefeatanenemy.ButBroderickwasn’tfighting,hewasstruggling,
writhing.Hefelltohisknees,takingJoannedownwithhim.

Thenextthingsheknew,handswerepryingherfromBroderick.Shefought,

needingtokeepholdofhim,buthisstrongbodyslippedfromhergrasp.

Herhandswereboundbywhatfeltlikerope,somethingbitintoherneck,

andshegaspedforbreath.Theice-stormspunaroundher,theblackness
becomingblacker,herlungsstrainingforair.Intheend,shehadtogiveupand
collapse.

***

Shewokeinwarmthandlight.Joannetookalongbreath,smellinga

patchouli-likespice,herskintouchedwithpleasantheat.Shemusthave
overslept.Herdreamshadtakenhertothecornerofawarehousewhere
Broderickandhisbrothermadeexquisitemusicalinstrumentsthenthrougha
gateofboards,propelledbymagicfromacomputer.

Crazy.Sheneededtostopdrinkingmartinisbeforeshewenttobed.

Joanneopenedhereyes.

Shejerked,herfearfloodingback.Thedreamwascontinuing.

Joannelayonhersideonapileoffoldedclothsofmanycolors—blue,

fuchsia,gold,purple,thebrightestgreen.Themakeshiftbedwasthick,soft,and
surprisinglycomfortable.

Thewallssurroundingher,aswellastheceilingabove,weremadeofa

purplematerialwithwideblackstripes.Atent,sheassumed,butlikenotent
she’deverbeeninside.

Theplacewashuge,high-ceilinged,andround.Thetentpoleswerecarved

blackwood—ebonyperhaps—inlaidwithmotherofpearlandsilver.Low-slung
woodenchairscoveredwithcushionsandsilkthrowslitteredtheroom,and
intricatelycarvedtablesstoodbesidethechairs.Herbedfilledanalcove,
cushionsstackedbehindher.Someonehadtakencampingtoitselegantextreme.

Thatsomeonecamethroughthedoor.Hewastallandhadthebulkofa

Shifter,buthishair,whichhadbeencutshort,waspurewhite.Notthewhiteof
anoldman—butthewhite-blondsomeoneofScandinavianextractionmight
have.

WhatJoannenoticednext—beyondtheblackninja-likeclotheshe’dcovered

withasilverandblackcloak—wastheman’seyes.

Theyweredarklikeobsidian,impenetrable,andfixedonher.Hehadahard

face,sharp,hismouthafirmline.Hisears,asBroderickhaddescribed,were
tippedwithpoints.Therefore,she’deitherbeentransportedintoaStarTrek
episode,orthismanwasaFae.

“Where’sBroderick?”sheasked,tryingtosoundsternandunafraid.

TheFaesaidnothing,onlywatchedher,hiseyesneverflickering.

“TheShifterIcameinwith,”Joannewentoninaloudervoice.“Whereis

he?”

Again,silence.Maybetheguydidn’tspeakEnglish.Well,Joannedidn’t

speakFae,sothereitwas.

TheFaeapproachedher.Joannescrambledtoherfeet.Nowaywasshe

goingtobeflatonherbackwhilethisbeingcameather.

Hethrustouthisstrong,black-glovedhandandgrippedJoannebythe

throat.Notsqueezing,justenoughtoholdherstill.TheFaetiltedherheadback
andforth,examiningherwithhishardblackgaze.

Finallyhereleasedherwithajerk,andJoannefoughttoretainherbalance.

“Iaskedyouaquestion.”Shespokeslowly,thoughsheknewheeither

didn’tunderstandordidn’tcare.“WhereisBroderick?Andwhothehellare
you?”

TheFaeswungaway,thefoldsofhiscloakbrushingJoanne’sbody.The

fabricwaswarmandsurprisinglylight.Asthemanmoved,thesilverinthe
cloakcaughtthelamplightandconfusedtheeyebeforethedarkpartofthe
fabricrippledtocoverit.Camouflage,Joannerealized.Faeversion.Outside,in
darknessandmoonlight,sheguessedhe’dbeprettymuchinvisible.

Thinkingofthat,Joannewonderedwhattimeitwas.Thetentwaslitby

glowinglamps—electricity?oil?kerosene?SomeFaechemical?

Thefactthatsheacceptedstraightawaythatshe’dleftAustinandlikelythe

planetEarththroughamagicdoorandwasnowinaplacecalledFaerie,spokea
lotabouthowfarshe’dcomeinthelastyear.

Shedidn’tregretinfiltratingShiftertownthough.Ifshehadn’t,she’dhave

losthersisterforeverandnevermetBroderick,agrowling,pain-in-the-ass,and
incrediblylovingShifter.Joanne’slifewouldhavebeennothingbutemptiness.

Now,herlifewasfilledwithaFaewhostrodeoutofthetent,shouted

somethinginagutturallanguage,andreturnedwithanothermanintow.

Joanne’sbloodwenticy.ThemanwhocameinsidewiththeFaewas…

dead.

Shewasn’tsurehowsheknewthat.Hestoodupright,walkednormally,

listenedtowhattheFaewassayingtohim,turnedtostudyJoannewitheyesthat
couldobviouslyseeher.HewasnearlyaslargeasBroderick,worejeansanda
T-shirt,andhadaCollararoundhisneck.Hiseyeswerelightgreen,Felineeyes,
andhishairwasadarkgoldencolor,brushedwithblackinplaces.Aleopard,
Joanneguessed.

Buthewasdead.Notinazombieway—hewaswholeandreal.Butnot

breathing.Behindhiseyes,Joannereadpainanddeepfear.

“Whoareyou?”sheblurtedout.

TheShiftershookhishead.“Kianbroughtmeintotellhimwhatyouwere

saying.Nottotalktoyou.”

“Butyou’reaShifter.”Joannestoodupstraight,hermouthdry,fingers

curling.“Whatareyoudoinghere?Whathappenedtoyou?Whyareyou…?”

“Dead?”TheShifter’slipsquirked.“Iwasshotandkilledbysomehumans

whostolemysword.Withoutthesword,mysoulbecametrapped,ripetobe
enslavedbyFaewhoknowhowtodoit.”

Joannesuckedinabreath.“Holyshit,you’retheGuardianfromthe

MontanaShiftertown.Howareyou…walking,talking?”

TheFaegrowledafewwords,andtheShifterlistenedwithouttakinghis

eyesfromJoanne.“Hedoesn’twantmetalkingtoyou.Hewishestoknow—
whoareyouandwhatdoyouwant?”

“WhoamI?I’mJoanneGreene,aprogrammerfromAustin.Whocares?

Whothehellishe,where’sBroderick,andwhydidthisguybringushere?”

TheShifterspokeintheFae’slanguage,andtheFaegaveJoanneamirthless

smile.Hesaidafewwords,andtheShiftertranslated.

“Kianisageneral,abad-asswarriorwho’sinthemiddleofacampaignand

lookingtomoveupthefoodchain.HefigurestrappingafewShifters,onea
Guardian,canonlyhelphim.”

“Ishedoingallthis?”Joannedemanded.“Tryingtogetustobreakintothe

GuardianNetwork,gettingyoukilled,manipulatingCillatoworkforhim?”

TheShifterwatchedherwithhisunnervinglystillgreeneyes.“Youthink

he’sresponsibleformydeath?”

“Idon’tknow.Ishe?”

“Noidea.I’mherebecauseanotherGuardianwassupposedtocomealong

anddustmewithmyownswordsoIcouldflyawaytotheSummerland.”He
openedhishands.“Obviously,thatdidn’thappen.”

Kianlistened,butitwasclearhedidn’tunderstandaword.AtKian’sbarked

command,theGuardiantranslated,andKiangrowledalotofwordsinreturn.

TheShifterlookedalmostamused.“Hesayshedoesn’tgivearat’sassabout

theGuardianNetworkorhavinghumansinthehumanworldworkforhim.He
didn’tactuallysayrat’sass,buttheFaeequivalent.He’sanopportunist.
Grabbedmewhenhefoundme,hadhissoldiersgrabyouwhenyoucamein.He
wantstolearnallaboutwhereyoucamefromandifotherShiftersareavailable
forhimtoenslave.”

JoanneglaredatKianinindignation.“I’mnottellinghimthat.”

TheGuardianshrugged.“Betterpretendtocooperatesoyoucanstayinhis

cushytent.Andyoumusthelpme.”

Headdedthelastinasteadyvoice,notbetrayinghisdesperationtotheFae,

butJoannesawitinhiseyes.

“Fine,”Joannesaid,keepingherirritatedtone.“Whatdoyousuggest?”

“Getfreeofthisplace.Findmysword.TakeittomyShiftertown,driveit

intomyheart.OrI’mtrappedhereforever.”

“Icandothelastthreethings,”Joannesaid.“Thefirstoneisgoingtobe

tough.”

“Doitanyway.”

TheGuardianmightbedead,buthewasstillformidableandcompelling.

Thegreeneyesboredintohers.

“What’syourname?”Joanneasked.“Ican’tjustcallyouTheGuardian,or

ShifterGuy.”

Hepausedamoment.“Youknow,IalmostforgotIhadaname.Itdoesn’t

seemtomatteranymore.ButIwascalledDaragh.”

“Where’sBroderick?”Joanneaskedhim.“TheShifterwhowaswithme?”

“Idon’tknow,”Daraghanswered.“Ionlyknewhe’dtakenyou.”

Kianbarkedsomething,clearlygrowingtiredofnotknowingwhatthey

weresaying.Daraghreplied,andthenKiangrabbedhimbytheneck,hisfingers
landingpreciselyontheCollar.

TheCollarwentoff,theGuardian’salreadygrayfacewentgrayerstill.He

collapsed.

Joannerushedforward.“Leavehimalone!”

KianshovedJoannebackwithsteelystrength.Joannefoughtbutonly

landedonherbuttonthebed.

Daraghwasonhishandsandknees.Kiandrewhisswordandtoucheditto

Daragh’sCollar,whichwentoffagain.Kiandrovehimbackwardinthisway,
Daraghscuttlingonallfours,tryingtoevadethepain.Thentheywereoutofthe
tent,andgone.

Joannewatchedthemgo,herheartpounding.HadDaraghbeentheone

beggingforhelpthroughthecode?HewasaGuardian—he’dknowhowtouse
theGuardianNetworktosendthemessages.

Butthen,Cillahadbeentryingtobreakintothenetworkandlearntomakea

gatebeforeshe’dhadDaraghkilledandtheswordbroughttoher.Soshe’dbeen
workingtotheinstructionsofsomeoneelse.Who?Kian?ButKiandidn’tseem
toknowwhatwasgoingon.TherewasmuchmoretothisthanJoanne
understood.

Firstthingsfirst.Asaprogrammer,Joanneknewthateachstephada

solution,aneither-orpossibility.Solvingonewouldleadtothenextdecisionand
thenext.Eventually,iftherewerenobugs,alldecisionswouldbemade,andthe
programwouldrun.

First,Joanneneededtoleavethetent;next,findBroderick.Ifshecouldn’t

getoutofthetent,thenshe’dfindawaytomakeKianrevealwhereBroderick
was.If,then,else.Simple.

Leavingthetentshouldn’tbetoohard.Thiswasatent,forcrap’ssake.

Joannecouldpullupastakeandrolloutunderthecanvas.

Sheeasilyfoundalooseenoughsectionatthebaseofthetentandpulledup

aswathoffabric.Joannepeeredthrough,andherheartsqueezedin
disappointment.

Hertentbedroomledtoanotherroominsidethetent,thisonewithanopen

doorwaythatshowedhermoreofthetentbeyond.Shemustbeinapavilionof
somesort,withmanyroomsinsideit.

TheotherdifficultyshesawwasthatplentyofFaesoldiers,armedwith

swordsorlongknives,movedinandoutoftheroomandhallwithquick
efficiency.Ifsheslitheredunderthecanvas,they’dsimplytripoverherandtoss
herbackatKian.Thatis,iftheydidn’tdecidetokillherorinflictotherhorrors
uponher.

Joannesighed,replacedthestake—loosely,incaseshetrulydidneedto

leavethatway—andsatdownonthebedagain.NowfortheElsepart.

***

Broderickalwaysknewhe’dendupstuckinaFaecage.Thisonehadwires

thattriggeredhisCollarifhetouchedthem.

TheFaemillingaroundoutsidethecageinwhatlookedlikeabarnwere

soldiers.Garden-variety,working-for-a-livingsoldiers.Theywerehappyfrom
timetotimetocomeoverandstickstubbyswordsintothecageofareallive
Shifter.Broderickputupwiththempokingathimafewtimesbeforeheshucked
hisclothesandshiftedtowolf.

TheybackedoffsomeasBrodericksnarledandsnappedatthem,evenmore

whenhehookedhisclawsaroundonesolder’sshortswordandjerkeditintothe
cagewithhim.Comealittlecloser,shithead.

Atonepoint,aFaewhoappearedtobealittlehigherinrankthanthe

ground-pounders,orderedthecageopenedandBroderickdraggedout.The
soldiersthenproceededtobeatthelivingcrapoutofhim.

Broderickclawedandbitanythinghecould,feelingsatisfactionwhenaFae

snarledinpain.Eventuallytheytossedhimbackinsideandlockedthedoor.

Brodericklayonthebottomofthecageinapoolofhisownblood.He

couldn’tunderstandtheFaelanguageenoughtoknowwhatthey’ddonewith
Joanne,iftheyevenknew.Theseguyswereatthebottomofthefoodchain,
livingweaponstobepointedattheenemy.

AsBroderickconcentratedontryingnottogroan,heassessedhiscaptors,

buthecouldn’ttellifthesoldierswereonacampaignorjusttrainingforone.

Theanimalsinthebarnweren’tlikeanyhe’deverseen.Atfirstglance,they

werehorses,butwhenoneofthebeastslookedoverapartitionathim,Broderick
jumped.Theneckandheadthatturnedtohimwasdistinctlydragon,witha
snoutandteethtomatch.Itseyeswereblackwitharedglowfromwithin,as
thoughithadbeencreatedinhell.

Well,heshouldn’tbesosurprised.TheFaehadgeneticallyandmagically

engineeredShifters,sotherewasnothingtosaytheyhadn’tputtogetherabunch
ofotherkindsofanimalsaswelltoservetheirpurposes.Maybeonedaythese
dragon-horseswouldturnaroundandfighttheirwayfreeoftheirenslavers,as
theShiftershad.Wouldbefuntowatch.

Thedragon-horsethatglaredatBroderick,however,lookedmorelikehe

regardedBroderickasacannedsnack.Broderickgrowledathimforgood
measure,pretendinghewasn’tinaboatloadofpain.

HeprayedtotheGoddessthatJoannewasn’tinasimilarcagesomewhere,

withtheFaetreatingherasbadorworse.Broderick’sfearforhergratedthrough
him,strengtheninghim.Hewouldlivetosavehismate.

Hehatedthatthey’dtakenhimdownsoeasily,triggeringhisCollarlike

he’dneverfeltittriggeredbefore.Theswords,hethought.Theonesthey’dused
tomakeShiftersobey,damnthem.He’dgetfree,findJoanne,anddosome
slaying.

Thesoldiers,likeallsoldierswaitingforsomethingtohappen,werebored.

AfteraboutanhourbyBroderick’scalculation,theydraggedhimoutofthecage
andbeatonhimagain.Broderickrefusedtoscreamorhowl,andhefoughtback
withfervor.Anotherhour,anotherbeating.

Theyshouldn’tbesopredictable,Broderickmusedashelayinthecage

afterthethirdtime,insomuchpainhecouldbarelysee.Heclosedhiswolf
eyes,andlaidhisplans.

Beforethenexthourwasup,however,Broderickreceivedtheanswertothe

questionofwhethertheyweretrainingoroncampaign.Thebarndoorswere
thrownopen,sunlightstreaminginthroughthickmist.

Morethanascoreofthedragon-horseswereledin,thebeastswetwith

sweat,blownandexhausted.Theirriderswerejustasweary,buteveryoneofthe
Faeshitshadtriumphintheirblackeyes.Shoutsandwhoopssoundedfromthe
Faewho’dbeenwaitingforthem,friendsgreeted,somekindofbeverage
broughtoutandsloshedalloverthereturningsoldiers,thefloor,thehorses.
Someoftheliquidevengotdrunk.

TheseFaehadbeentobattle,andthey’dwon.

AcoupleofthesoldierspulledFaecaptivesintothebarn.ToBroderick,the

captureddidn’tlookmuchdifferentfromtheoneswho’dcaughtthem—theonly
distinctionwasdifferentbadgesontheirsurcoats.

Twoprisonersweredumpedtothefloor,thenthesoldierswho’dbeaten

BroderickdrewtheirshortswordsandhackedtheunluckyFaetodeath.

Theytooktheirtimeaboutit,makingsurethecaptivesscreamedandbegged

fortheirlivesastheirbloodandentrailsgushedfromtheirbodies.Oneprisoner
rolled,struggling,untilheslammedagainstBroderick’scage.

ThelookoffeartheFaeturnedonBroderickwasterrible.Thepoorshit

mustthinktheyweregoingtoletBrodericktearhimtherestofthewayapart.

Brodericksawthethoughtoccurtohisguards,andtheylikedit.Gleefully,

theyreachedoutandunlatchedBroderick’scage.

Broderick,inthecage,shiftedtohuman,caughtuptheswordhe’dcaptured

andhiddenunderthedirtystraw,andstabbeditbetweenthebarsandintothe
dyingFaesoldier’sheart.Acleankill.TheFae’seyesclouded,thenhisface
relaxedintoreliefanddeath.

ThevictorioussoldierswerenothappywithBroderickatall.Theycutthe

Faecaptiveapart,thenturnedaroundtotrytofeedthebitsofhimtoBroderick.

ButBroderickwasn’tthere.Hetookadvantageoftheirrage,distraction,and

vengeancetobanghiswayoutofthecagethey’dunlatched.Broderickusedthe
swordtoslicehiswaypastthestragglersandthentoloosenseveralofthe
tethereddragon-horses.Thefreshonesspooked,justlikeregularhorses,and
startedchargingaround,relievingtheirtempersbytryingtobitethosetheyran
down.

Amidtheconfusion,Broderickshiftedtowolf,droppingtheFaeswordashe

went.

Hehadthemedallion,though.He’dshoveditintohismouthbeforehe’d

shiftedthefirsttime.Itrestedpainfullyagainsthisteeth,butnowayinhell
wouldheleaveitfortheFaetofind.Heclosedhisjawsarounditandraninto
thebrightmists.

***

Theblack-and-silvercloakedKianreturnedforJoanne,withoutthe

Guardian,butwithafewofhispersonalguard.TheguardsyankedJoannetoher
feetandhalfpulled,halfcarriedherthroughthemazeofthepavilion.They
exitedthetentforamist-soakedmorning,andaclearingthatheldanumberof
similarpurple-and-blackstripedpavilions.

TherewerehundredsofFaemillingaboutaroundthetents,withmore

streaminginfromthesurroundingwoods.Somerodeodd-lookinghorses,while
othersmarchedonfoot.

Notallthesoldierswereupright.Somewerebloody,limping,carriedby

others.Someweredrapedoverthehorsesorpulledinonlitters.

NoonepaidmuchattentiontoJoanne,thoughthosesoldiersKianpassed

closelycametoattention,well-trained.

TheguardspulledJoannequicklyintoanotherpavilion,Kianstriding

rapidlyaheadofthem.Inthecenterofthispavilionwasasolidwall,builtof
somekindofstone,andinthiswasadoor,whichlookedtobemadeofcopper.

Aguardopenedthedoortorevealalong,narrowroomofthesamestone.

Joannerealizedafterasecondthattheroomwasmobile—itrestedontheground
now,butwheelscouldbeattachedtoaxlessoitcouldbemoved,likethe
containeronasemi-truck.Amobilestrongroom,oraprison.

Thatwasn’tthemostsurprisingthing,however.Themostsurprisingthing

wasahumanmanwearingtheraggedremnantsofaUSArmycombatuniform,
whostoodatthefarend.Nearhimlayallkindsofjunk—cables,ropes,metal
boxes,pilesofquartz,wires,andwhatlookedlikehandmadepaperclips.

ThesoldiersbehindJoanneparted,andDaragh,thecapturedGuardian,was

pulledin.

Daraghspoke,hisvoiceragged.“TheycapturedhimfromtheFaearmy

Kian’smenjustwipedout.Imean,wipedoutdowntothelastFaestanding.The
headoftheleaderisdecoratingapoleoutfront.Kianwantsyoutotellhimwho
thismanis,andwhyhewassovaluabletotheex-leaderoftheenemyFae.”

ChapterFifteen

BroderickhadnoeffingcluehowtogethimselfoutofFaerie,thoughhe

figuredifhebuiltanothermakeshiftdoorandshovedthemedallionfromthe
Guardian’sswordatit,thatmightwork.HemightendupindowntownChicago,
starknaked,butohwell.Atleasthe’dbeoutofthisplace.

ButlikehellhewasgoingtotrywithoutJoanne.He’dfindherandtakeher

thefuckhome.Thenmatewithher,letthefrenzytakehim,anddragLiamoutof
hishousetoperformthesunandmoonceremonies.Thenthey’dbetogether
always.

First,Broderickhadtofindher.He’dkilleverysingleoneoftheFaeif

they’dtouchedher.Hell,hemightjustkillthemanyway.

Brodericktookcoverinastandoftallforestthatseemedtobeeverywhere.

Theclearinginthemiddlewasfulloftents,thoughthebarnlookedlikea
permanentstructure—likelythearmyhadkickedoutahaplessFaefarmerand
takenitover.

Thetentsweremadeofwhatlookedlikecanvas,moststripedinablackand

purpledesign,andeachhadpennantsflyingattheentrancesandfromthetop.
Thepennantsdidn’tflapmuchinthestillair,buthecouldmakeoutthatthey
werebluewithagolddragonemblem.

Thetentsalllookedalike,buthefiguredtheleaderstayedintheonewith

themostguards.Atleasttheguywasn’tstupidenoughtomakehistentmore
lavishlydecoratedandobviousfromtheothers.Anyonewithagoodprojectile
weaponwouldknowwhichonetotakeout.

Infrontofthiscompoundoftents,soldierswereerectingawidepolewitha

spearlashedtoitstop.AcoupleFaeclimbedthis,thentheonesbelowhanded
somethingupwithgreatdelight.AFaeatthetopsmashedtheobjectontothe
spear.

Ahead,Broderickrealized.Bileroseinhisthroat.StupidFaedickheads.

Shiftershonoredtheirdead,eventhatoftheirenemies,sendingthemoffwith
dignity.TheFae,who’dbeenbarbaricforcenturies,defiledeverythingthey
touched.Theyhadnocompassioninsidethem,onlybrutality.

Brodericksettledinbetweenthetreesandwaited.FelineShiftersmightbrag

aboutwhatgreatstalkerstheywereandhowlongtheycouldliestill,but

Broderickwasgoingtogivethemarunfortheirmoney.Wolveshadinfinite
patience.BroderickwasalsowillingtobettheFelinessimplyfellasleepand
wokeupwhensomethinginterestinghappened.

Ontheotherhand,Broderickwasitchingtocharge,kill,teardownthefancy

tentsanddigthroughtheirshredsuntilhefoundJoanne.Ifshewaseventhere.

Shewas.Theentrancetotheheadhoncho’stentopened,andoutcameaguy

dressedallinblackandsilver.TwoguardshadJoannebetweenthemandthey
pulledheralongbehindtheblack-and-silverguy.

Joannelookedallright.Shewasn’tcoveredinbloodorcontusions,or

staggering,limpanddefeated.Shestruggledevennow,givinghercaptorsafiery
look.Goodforher.Nowtogetherawayfromthem.

Broderickcalculatedthatifhecharged,he’dmakeitaboutahundredfeet

beforehewasshotfullofarrowsorslashedapartwithswords.Thefieldwas
flowingwithsoldiers,andmorejoinedthemeveryminute.

Stealthitwas,then.

Broderickchosehistargetandslunktowarditonhisbellyacrossmudand

deadleaves.Hehatedthestink—itwouldtakehimdaystowashthesmellofFae
fromhisfur.

Thesoldierwatchingtheperimeterwasdisgruntled,Broderickcouldtell,

havingtostandguardwhilehisfriendscelebratedbycuttingmorecaptivesto
bitsandsplashingeachotherwiththeirblood.Faeweresickbastards.

Broderickpausedtoshifttohumanbeforehemadehisfinalapproach,not

trustinghimselftobeabletochangequicklyenoughwhenhegotcloser.

TheFaesoldierneverheardhimcoming.Broderickhadhisarmaroundthe

man’sneckinachokeholdbeforehecouldreact.TheFae’shalfheartedshout
becameagurgle,theguystrugglingforbreath.Brodericksmackedhimhardin
thetemplewithhissolidhand,andtheFaewentdowninatangleoflimbs.

Broderickhadchosenthisparticularsoldierbecausehewaslarge.Broderick

wasn’tthrilledwiththeFaefashionofleggings,surcoats,andchainmail,buthe
plannedtostealoneofthedragon-horsesanddidn’twanttorideitbare-assed.

Hedraggedtheguyoutofsight,strippedhim,andpulledontheclothes.

Theyweremadeofalightgrayandblackfabricwhichrestedeasilyagainst
Broderick’sskin.Theleggingswerealittletootight,andthetunictore,butwhat
thehell.BroderickalsotookalltheFae’sweapons,bucklingthemaroundhis
torso.

Heskulkedalongforawhile,thegrayandblackcoloringoftheclothes

helpinghimhideinshadowsandmists.Manyofthedragon-horsesweretiredor
injured,cominginfromthebattle.Thosewouldn’thelphim.Broderickneededa
horsethathadbeenheldinreserve,onewithplentyofenergy.

Thatmeantthatthecrazydragonthingwouldtrytofighthim.Oh,well.For

yearsBroderickhadmanagedtokeepinlinethreeseriouslyangrywolfShifter
maleswhobarelyacknowledgedthattheiroldestbrotherwastheiralpha.
TamingahorsethatcouldslashBrodericktobitswouldbeapicnicin
comparison.

Hekepttotheshadowsofalargetreewithfeatherygrowthshangingfrom

it.Thosestunktoo.Goddess,howcouldtheFaestandthisplace?

Asoldiercameoutwithahorsethatwasnearlydancingonitscloven

hooves.TheFaedressedlightforriding,withnoarmorandonlyashortsword.
Amessengerofsomekind,Broderickdeduced.

Thehorsewaskeyedupfromtheexcitementandprobablywantedtostay

withitsfriendstopartyjustlikethesoldiersdid.TheFaeguycursed—Broderick
understoodthegistifhedidn’tknowthewords.TheFaeturnedthehorseina
circle,tryingtocalmit.

ThehorsereachedoutwithitssharpcaninesandrippedtheFae’stunicfrom

hisshoulder.Themansnarled,smackedthehorseintheside,andthehorse
attackedhim.

Broderickwasoutfromunderhiscover,runningforthem.TheFaesawhim,

mistookhimforanothersoldiercomingtohelp,andopenedhismouthtoshout.
ThentheFae’seyeswidened,shockonhisface,asheregisteredthatBroderick
wasnoFae.ThehorsetookadvantageoftheFae’sdistractiontotrytotearoff
halfhisarm.

TheFaescreamed,thescreamcuttingshortwhenBroderickclampedhis

handaroundtheman’smouth.Asmashwiththebuttofoneofthehandyknives
hadtheFaeontheground.

Thehorse,loose,wentinsane.Ittriedtotramplethesoldier—Broderick

shovedthehorseuntilitshooveslandedondirtandleaves,androlledtheFae
backunderthecoverofthetrees.

ThedragonheadthencameatBroderick,fireinthebeast’seyes.Mason

lookedkindoflikethatifyouwokehimuptooearly.

Thedragon-horsewentforBroderickwithitsteeth.Broderickducked,

grabbedtheleatherytendrilsofitsmane,andlaunchedhimselfontothedragon-
horse’sback.

Thecreaturedancedaround,buckingandtwisting.Broderickheldon

grimly,loweringhimselftowraphisarmsaroundthething.Iftherewerearodeo
eventwithoneofthesedemons,Broderickwouldbeonhiswaytobagginga
trophyforit.

Broderick’shandbrushedthemedallionhe’dthrustintothepocketofthe

leggings.Stillclingingtothehorse,heworkedthediscoutwithhisfingers,
needingtoholditforsomereason,evennow,ofalltimes.

Oncethemedallionwasinhispalm,hepressedittothehorse’sside.The

horserearedandbucked,screaming,thensuddenlyitsettleddown,shying
sidewaysandtrembling.

“That’smorelikeit,”Broderickgrowled.Keepingthemedallioninhishand,

heturnedthehorsewithhislegsanditsmane,androdeoffintothewoods.

***

Joanneblinkedatthemanwhofacedher.Hewasn’tmucholderthanshe

was—latetwenties,earlythirtiesatmost—thoughhisfaceheldthegrimlinesof
someonewho’dseenthehardsideoflife.Hisuniformwasdesertcamouflage,
ragged,hisnametagtornoff.Hehadstripesonhissleeve,butJoannewasn’t
familiarenoughwithrankinsigniatoknowwhattheymeant.Asergeantofsome
kind,sheassumed.Thetagthatremainedread“U.S.Army.”

Themanstaredbackatherinsuspicion.Thatshewasafellowprisoner,

therecouldbenodoubt,buthewasn’tgoingtotrustherblindly.Joannedidn’t
blamehim—he’dlikelybeenthroughtoomuchtoeasilytrust.

“Whoareyou?”sheasked.SheglancedatKian.“Hecan’tunderstandus.”

“Whoareyou?”themancountered.HisaccentwasSouthernthoughnot

Texas.

“Myname’sJoanne.I’mfromAustin.IgotcaughtwhenIstumbledinhere

…”Hergazewenttothemakeshiftequipment,thewires,clampshe’dshaped
fromthewires,piecesofclearquartz.“Wereyoutryingtobuildaradiofrom
crystals?”Shewentdownonherkneestolookatitallinwonder.

“Whatdoyouknowaboutit?”themandemanded.

“Notalot,”Joanneadmitted.“IusedtoreadaboutthisstuffwhenIwas

younger—IwantedtoknoweverythingIcouldaboutelectronics.Wheredoyou

getelectricitytorunit?”

Theman’seyeswereblue,hishairsandcolor,aswerehiseyelashes.He

studiedherforatimebeforeheanswered.“TheotherFae,theonewhocaught
mebeforethisbunchslaughteredhim,hadasmallgenerator.Usedfriction,
usuallyfromenslavedpeoplepumpingit.Butenoughtosparkabatteryandrun
asignal.”

“Why?”Joannetouchedoneofthequartzcrystals,thenshesnappedher

gazebacktotheman.Shethoughtaboutthesignalshe’dseenonhercomputer
screen,andtheoutlineofamaninthestatic.“You’retheguyinthecomputer!I
mean—theonesendingmessagesinthecode.Right?Youdiditwiththis?”

“Isentpulses.”HeshotaglanceattheGuardian,whowaswatchingthem,

Kian’sbighandonhisshoulder.“Areyougoingtotellhimallthis?”heasked
Daragh.

“Onlywhatheneedstoknow,”Daraghsaid.HeswitchedtotheFae

languageandbegantotalk.

Kiangruntedafewtimes,hisshrewdeyesrunningoverthemanandJoanne.

“Hewantsyoutobuilditagain,”Daraghsaid.“Whateveritis.”

“We’dbetterdoit,”Joannesaid.“I’llhelpyou.IfCillaisstilloutthere,

waitingforyoutosendanothersignal,shemightbeabletodosomethingtohelp
us.”

“Cilla?Isthathername?”TheyoungmangaveJoanneahalfsmile,which

madehisfacesuddenlyhandsome.“Ionlyknewheraswildkitty287.”

“Oh,shehasaname,allright,”Joannesaid.“Plusshe’soutofcontrol.

Don’tgetanywarmfuzziesabouther.”

“Shewasscared,”theyoungmansaid.“Desperate.Caught.Likeme.”He

startedlayingoutthecrystalsandwiresagainsttheelectronicsboardhepulled
outofhispack,somethinghe’dobviouslybroughtintoFaeriewithhim.“The
Faewhocapturedmewastryingtoopenawaytoourworldwhereverhe
wanted,notjustonleylines.Heplannedtoleadhisarmyacross,grabShifters,
andtakeover.Short-sighted,butwhatdoyoudowithguyslikethat?Hemade
mesendthemessages.So,thankthisFaehereforstoppinghim.”Hejerkedhis
chinatKian.

JoanneglancedatKian,who’dfoldedhisarmsandsettledintowatch.

“What’stosayhewon’ttrythesamething?”

“He’snotinterested,”Daraghsaid.“Ihaven’tstudiedhimlong,buthe’sall

aboutpowerwithinFaerie.TheotherFaetookupterritoryhewanted.SoKian
stoleitandwipedtheotherfactionout.Faelogic.”

“Hmm,”Joannesaid.ShelookedupatDaragh.“WhydoesKianwantthis

radiotoworkthen?”

TheGuardianandKianexchangedafewphrases.“Anythingtohelphimin

hisconquest,”Daraghsaid.“Ifhecan’tuseit,he’lldestroyit.”

“Goodtoknow,”Joannesaid.Atleast,withtheotherFaedead,Cillawould

befreeofthethreattoherfriends…well,ifwhoeverworkedforthedefeated
Faedidn’ttakehisrevengeonCilla.JoannewouldhavetoalertDylan,ifthey
couldgetback.“Wewon’thavelongtocontactCilla,I’mthinking,”Joannesaid
totheman.“Ifweevencan.”

Heflashedheraresignedlook.“Handmethatclamp.Myname’sRemy,by

theway.Fayette.StaffSergeant.Didn’tmeantoberude.”

Joannehidherstartbydroppingasetofwiresandscoopingthemupagain.

Shesaidcasually,pretendingtoaskhimaquestionaboutwhatwentwhere,
“You’reBree’sbrother.”

Hiseyeswidenedslightly,andhelookeddownsoKianwouldn’tnoticehis

expression.“Nowhowthehelldidyouknowthat?”TheSouthernaccent
deepened.

“IknowBree.ShelivesinAustinnow.Shethinksyoudiedwhenyour

helicopterwasshotdowninAfghanistan.”

“Ishouldhave,”RemyFayettesaidashebentovertheboard.“Ireally

shouldhave.Issheallright?Andmymom?”

“They’rebothgreat.They’reinAustinnow.Bree’slivingwithaShifter.

Yourmomlivesinyourgreat-uncle’shouse.”

“Man.”Remy’seyesopenedandclosed,moistureonhislashes.“Youget

shotatanddraggedintoFaerieforafewmonths,andlookwhathappens?”

“We’llhaveabigpartywhenwegetback.Now,let’sbuildusacomputer

outofscraps.”

“Sure,”Remysaid.“Howarewegoingtopowerit?”

“HeckifIknow.”Joannehelpedhimtwistwiresintoholes.“I’llthinkof

something.IfIcanhacktheGuardianNetwork,Icanhackabunchofquartz
crystals.”

DaraghgrowledwhenJoannementionedtheGuardianNetwork,buthesaid

nothing.

Kiangotupandcameovertowatchwhattheyweredoing.Hepointedand

askedaquestion.Daraghtranslated,buttherewasn’tmuchneed.“Whatdoes
thatdo?”

Remyexplained.“Itcansendandreceivesignalsoverlongdistances.If

therearesignalstoreceive.”

KianfollowedDaragh’stranslationwithinterest.Hereacheddownand

touchedacrystal,thensnatchedhisfingerbackasthoughworrieditwouldbite
him.

“Signalsarealloverourworld,”Joannesaid.“Allkindsofwaves.Why

shouldn’ttherebesomehereaswell?”

“Thereare,”Remysaid.“Differentones.I’minthesignalcorps—

communicationswaskindofmyraisond’ȇtre.There’splentyofstuffinthe
atmosphereheretoo.Faerie’sanalternateworldtoours—likewhatwould
happenifthetimelinehadveeredoffcenturiesago—notadifferentplanet.Near
asIcanfigure,anyway.”

“Whichiswhywecanpassbackandforthonleylinesandthroughmagic

doors,”Joannesaid,thinkingitthrough.“Worldsrunningalmostinsync,then
growingmoredissimilarwiththepassingyears.Huh.Willgivemesomethingto
thinkaboutinthemiddleofthenightwhenI’mbackhome.”

“Yeah,metoo.”

“Westillneedelectricity,”Joannesaid.ShelookedupatDaragh,amuscular

ShifterinT-shirtandstainedjeansandmotorcycleboots.“There’spowerinyour
Collar,”shesaid.“Ifyou’renolongertrulyalive,can’tyoutakeitoff?”

“Now,there’sanidea.”Daraghgaveherawrylook.“Imightbedead,butit

stillhurtslikehell.Asyousaw.”Heputhishandtohisthroat.“Itried.Ican’t
getitoff,nomatterwhatIdo.”HeglancedatKian,whowastracingthewires
andclipswithhisgaze,asthoughmemorizingthepattern.“HowaboutifIpiss
himoff?I’msurehe’dbehappytotriggermyCollarforyou.”

“No,”Joannesaidquickly.Shealreadyknewinherheartshecouldn’thelp

Daragh—nottosavehislifeanyway.Butsherefusedtostandthereandwatch
himbetorturedontheoffchanceitwouldsendasignaltotheirsideoftheether.

Remysaid,“Withoutpower,thiswillbejustaprettycollectionofrocksand

wires.Icantrytomakeabattery.Gotanysaltwater?”

Joannewasabouttoanswerwhenthewallsshook,shoutingsounded,and

smokepouredthroughthedoorwayintothestoneroom.Joannecoughed.Remy
caughtheranddovefortheground,pushingherunderneathhim.

Kiandisappearedintotheboilingsmoke,hisswordmakingaringingsound

ashedrewit.Daragh,unaffected,walkedcalmlytothedoorandout.Kian
wasn’tfarbehindhim,andthentheroommoved.TheFaeweregoingtotryto
makeitmobile.

JoannestruggledoutfromunderRemyandwasup,runningforthedoor,left

open,Remyrightbehindher.Soldierswereeverywhere,yelling,silhouettesin
thesmoke.

Joanneheardthescreamofahorse,hoofbeats,andthenademon-creature

waschargingthroughaslitinoneofthecanvaswalls,rightthroughthesmoke
andfire.

Thebeastwasahorse—atleast,halfofitwas.Itsneckandheadwere

sinuous,coveredwithscales.Itseyeswerered,itsteethsharppointsinawide,
dragon-likemouth.

OnitsbackwasBroderick,dressedlikeaFae.

Broderickrodestraightather,likeaknightinshiningarmor,grabbedJoanne

bythearm,andhauledherupontothehorseinfrontofhim.

ChapterSixteen

“Wait!”JoanneyelledasBroderickturnedthedragon-horseandpreparedto

chargebackoutthroughthetentwall.“Wecan’tgowithoutRemy.Andhisradio
—weneedthat!”

“What?”Broderickshoutedback.HavingtheweightofJoanneagainsthim

wasallheneeded.“NoOh,Broderick,myhero!OrevenHowthehelldidyou
findme?WhoisRemy,andwhydoIcare?”

“He’sBree’sbrother,andhehasawaytogetusoutofhere.”

Broderickgrowledevenasheturnedthehorse.“Damnit,Iknewthis

couldn’tbethateasy.”

Herodethroughthesmokeatthewallwiththecopperdoor,asamaninan

armyuniformcarryingarmfulsofjunkcameout.Joannesliddownbefore
Broderickcouldstopherandwenttohelphim.HowJoanneexpectedBroderick
totakethemanandallthestuff,andJoanne,somewheresafehehadnoidea.

Brodericksmotheredmoreastonishmentwhenanothermanbulkedthrough

thesmoke.

HewasaShifter.Hehadthebuild,thetake-no-shitgreeneyesofaFeline,

theattitude.BroderickwouldhaveknownhewasShifterevenbeforehesawthe
Collar.

TheShifterwastoopaletobehealthy,andhiseyeswerehaunted.Hemet

Broderick’sgazewithaskeweringstare—analpha.

“Whothefuckareyou?”Broderickdemandedwithhisusualdirectness.

TheShiftercarriedlightweightpacks,whichhetossedatRemyandJoanne.

Withoutquestion,thetwostartedstuffingtheequipmentintothem.

“DaraghO’Sullivan,”theShifteranswered.“Guardian.Dead.Longstory.”

“Youdidn’tgetdusted,”Brodericksaid,dreadandamazementcreeping

throughhim.ThiswastheGuardianwho’dbeenkilled,whosebodystilllayin
stateupinMontana.“Craponacrutch,yoursoulgottrapped.”

“Yep.”DaraghgaveBroderickaslownod.Thestoicacceptanceofhisfate

onlymadeBroderickshudderagain.“I’dappreciateitifyoulocatedmysword
anddroveitthroughmyheart.”

Orhe’dbehereforeternity,Broderickknew.Hesawthehorrorofthatin

Daragh’seyes.TheFaenotonlywantedtoenslaveShifterbodiesbuttheirsouls
aswell.

“Yougotit,”Brodericksaid.“Joanne,weneedtomove.”

“Stopyelling.”Joannecamerunning,aclinkingbagoverhershoulder.

“Whatisthatthing?”Shepointedtothehorse.

“Transportation.”Heyankedthedragon-horse’sheadasideasittriedtobite

Joanne.BroderickhauledJoanneontoitsbackwithhim,thebagswinging.

Remycameafterher,andDaraghhelpedboostRemyupbehindBroderick.

Thehorsedancedbutwasstrongenoughtocarrythemall.AslongasBroderick
couldkeepitundercontrol,allwouldbewell.

RemyheldontoBroderickfrombehind,andBroderickheldJoanne,amuch

nicerarmful.Heturnedthedragon-horseandchargedbackout,throughthetent
andthesoldiersandthesmokefromthefireshe’dlit.Therawalcoholofthe
soldiers’celebratorydrink,whichtheycarriedinhighlypressurizedbottles,had
madeniceexplosives.

Broderickmadeforthewoods.Theonlywayhecouldseegettingoutofthis

wastokeepaheadoftheFaelongenoughtoletJoanneandhernewfriendwork
outawaytotakethemhome,iftheycould.

“Whydidn’twebringtheotherguy?”Remyyelledastheychargedthrough

thecamp.“He’saprisonertoo,right?”

“He’snotreallyhere,”Broderickcalledback.“Theonlywaywefreehimis

ifwegethome.Whataboutyou?Bree’sbrother,eh?Don’ttellmeyou’redead
too.”

“Idon’tthinkso,”Remysaid,hisaccentlikeBree’s.“Isawthemissile

comingatthehelicopter…andthenIwashere.Iwascapturedinlike,three
seconds.Fellrightintothepathofsomeseriouslycrazydudes.”

“That’swhatFaeare.Seriouslycrazydudes…Aw,shit.”

Broderickswervedthehorse,butadozenFaehadrisenfromamongthe

thickscrubinthewoods,arrowsnocked.Theydidn’tbothertowarnBroderick
orgivehimachancetosurrender,theyjustletfly.

JoannescreamedasBroderickslammedhisbodyoverhers,protectingher.

Remyslidoffthebackofthehorse,headingforcover.

ArrowsplinkedoffthechainmailonBroderick’sback.Afewarrowsstuck,

penetratingthelinkstocuthimbeneath.

ThenoneoftheFaeshotstraightatthebellyofthehorse.Thearrowwent

throughit,andthedragon-horsediedunderneathBroderick.

Itscreamedandthrashedasitwentdown.BroderickgrabbedJoanneand

jumpedclearofthehorsewithher,propellingherintothewoods.SixmoreFae
roseinfrontofthemwithswords.

BroderickshovedJoanneoutoftheirpathandattackedthem,hiswolfclaws

comingoutasherosetotheheightofhisbetween-beast.

TheFaewereafraidofhim,butthey’dalsojustwonabattleagainstother

insanelyviolentFae,andtheydealtwiththedragon-horsesallthetime.They
hadfear,buttheyfoughtthroughit.

ThearmorBroderickworetoreandsplit.Histeethandclawshelpedhim

fight,butintheend,hisexhaustionandtheiroverwhelmingnumbersbrought
himdown.Hefell,swordscuttinghim,aspeargouginghimthroughthe
loosenedchainmailintohisback.

HesawJoanneheldbyFae,andRemyaswell.Atleastwe’retogetherthis

time,Broderickthought,rightbeforeaswordhiltsmackedhimintheskull.

***

KianinsistedRemyandJoannecontinuebuildingtheirmakeshiftcomputer.

Theyweretakentoanothertent,nolongerconfinedtoasolid-walledroom,
thoughguardswereeverywhere.

“Kian’snotworried,”Remysaid.“Hejustsawthatwecan’tescape,thatwe

havenowheretogo.Theyonlyhavetograbusandpullusback.”

“I’msosorryyouwerecaughtinallthis,”Joannesaidinalowvoicetohim.

Theywereleftrelativelyalone;evenDaraghwasn’tthere.

Remygaveamirthlesslaugh.“No,youwerecaughtbecauseofme.Iwas

mindingmyownbusiness,offonamissionthousandsofmilesfromhome,and
bam,Iwasinthisplace.TheFaeguywhocapturedmewasthrilledtohave
someonefromourworldfallintohislapanddecidedtousemetohelphim
invade.Heforcedmetostartbuildingaportalhecoulduseanywhere…whichI
guessworked.”

Joannehelpedconnectwireswhileshelistened,butsheknewshewas

hearingonlyhalfthetale.“It’snoteverydaysomeonefindsthemselvesina
worldtheydidn’tknowexisted,”shepointedout.“Didn’tyoufreak?Andhow

didtheytalktoyou?Ihaven’tunderstoodasinglewordanyone’ssaidtome.”

“HeknewafewwordsofEnglish,enoughtogethispointacross,”Remy

said.“I’dalreadybeeninaplaceunfamiliartome—atfirstIthoughtIwasjust
somewhereelseinoraroundAfghanistan.ThenIthoughtI’dbeentakento
Russiasomewhere,thenIfinallyfiguredoutIwasn’tinKansasanymore.ThenI
focusedongettinghome.I’velearnedtocompartmentalize.”

Remyworkedefficientlyashetalked,quicklysettingupwhathehadbefore.

He’dexplainedtoDaraghthatheneededpowertoworkit,butsincethey’dbeen
leftinhere,noonehadcome.

“Yoursisterishappy,”Joannesaid.“She’swithSeamus,now—he’saFeline

Shifter.”

OnecornerofRemy’smouthtiltedup.“Yeah,Breewasalwaysinto

Shifters.”

“He’sagreatguy,andreallycaresforher.Ithinkthey’llbematedsoon.”

“Goodforher.”Remy’stonetoldJoannehemissedhissisterwithhard

intensity,buthewasbravelytryingtoholdittogether.“Whatabouttheother
Shifterwithyou?Youtwotogether?”

“HellifIknow.”Joannegaveashortlaugh.“We’vebeengoingout,andI’m

inlovewiththelummox,butno,we’renotmatedoranything.Ithinkheenjoys
beingapaininmyass.”

“Hesuretookabeatingoutthere.”Remysaid.“Hehasalotofcourage.”

TearsstungJoanne’seyes.Thelastshe’dseenofBroderick,he’dbeenstuck

fullofarrows,withFaebeatingonhim.He’dbeenalive,roaringandcursing,
fightinghard.ThenJoannehadbeenpulledaway,andshecouldgetno
confirmationthattheyhadn’tkilledhim.

ShefoundRemy’stanned,callusedhandonhers.“Hey,we’llgetoutofthis.

Andwe’llfindhim.Idon’tleaveanyonebehind.”

“Neitherdoeshe.”Joanneblewoutherbreath.Sheneededtolearnto

compartmentalize,likeRemywasdoing,soshecouldfocus.“Whatdowedo
now?”

Remyglancedattheboardsthey’dsetup,thequartzreadytovibrateand

producesignals.“Wejustneedpower,andthenwecancontacttheotherside.”

JoannerememberedsomethingBreehadtoldher.“Wasityouhauntingthe

attic?Yourmomisconvincedyourghostwasupintheatticofhernewhouse,

whichisonaleyline,Seamussays.”

Remystaredather.“Ididtrytofigureouthowtogetbackacrossacouple

times,triedtocommunicate,beforeIwascaught.ButIcouldn’tdoit.”

“Hmm.Well,maybewecanworkthatoutonceweopenanothergateand

gethome.Canyoumakesurenooneisabouttocomeinhere?”

ShespokesocasuallythatRemydidn’tcatchwhatshesaidforamoment.

Thenhe,ascasually,rosetohisfeet.“Whatdoyouhaveinmind?”

“I’llshowyou.Justmakesurewehaveprivacy.”

Remywenttotheslitinthetentthatwasthedoortotheroom,lifteditwith

afingerandpeeredout.Hestoodmotionlesslyamoment,awell-builtmanin
fatigues,hisbuzzedwheat-coloredhaircatchingthelamplight.Again,Joanne
hadnoideawhatpoweredthelamps,buttheyweren’telectric—theyflickered
withflame.

Remystrolledbacktoher.“Guardsmillingabout,keepinganeyeonus,but

noKianorDaraghheadingthisway.”

“Good.”Joanneslippedthemedallionoutofherpocket.WhenBroderick

hadslammedhimselfoverherwhentheFaewerefiringatthem,he’dpressed
thediscintoherhand.

Heknewhe’dbecaptured,stripped,searched.He’dhavenowheretohideit.

Joanne,theythoughtharmless.They’dshovedherandRemybackintothetents
andignoredthem.

Remystaredatthedisc.“Whatthehellisthat?”heasked,makingsurehis

voicedidn’tcarry.

“Thisishowwecameoverhereinthefirstplace,”Joannesaid.“Ithinkso,

anyway.Broderickhadit,wehadthecodeinplaceandadoorframe,andit
broughtusthrough.I’mhopingitcantakeusback.Ithasmagicinit,soI’ve
beentold.”

Remypluckeditfromherhand,examinedtheCelticknot,andsetitdown

carefullyontheboard.Heletoutabreath.“I’vebeenherelongenoughto
believeinanything.Sowhynot?”

Joannerepositionedafewcrystalstorestaroundthesilver,andtheywaited.

***

I’mgettingbloodysickofcages,Broderickthought,lyingaswolfonthe

floorofanotherone.Itsdoorwasmoresecurethantheprevious,withachain

andalock,andmorewirestomakehisCollargooffifhetouchedthem.

Broderickdidn’tknowwhattheyplannedtodowithhim,butatleastthe

headFaehadn’tkilledhim.ProbablyhewantedtouseBrodericktofightfor
him,likeFaehadsinceShifterswereborn.

ThethoughtpercolatedanideathroughBroderick’sbrain,buthe’dhaveto

waittoactonit.

He’dgivenJoannethemedallion.Shewassmartenoughtofigureoutaway

touseit.Shemightbeabletogetherselftosafety,andthenshecouldroundup
DylanandafewgoodShifterslikeSpikeandRonantocomebackanddrag
Broderickoutofhere.

EvenifDylandidn’twanttorescueagood-for-nothingshitheadlike

Broderick,Joannewouldinsist.SowouldAuntCora.Itwasnicetohavetwo
feistyfemalesathisback.

Ofcourse,ifBrodericksawTigerrightnow,he’dembracehimlikea

brother.TheFaewouldn’tknowwhathitthemiftheyhadtofaceTiger.

TheideainBroderick’stiredmindbegantosolidify.Hewasafighter—why

notusethattohisadvantage?

Ofcourse,hehadtohaveenergyandstrengthtomakehisplanwork,and

Broderickwasfreshoutofboth.Beinggougedbyarrows,spears,andswords
didthattoaShifter.

Helayinthecage,bidinghistime,thinkingofJoanne.Hethoughofevery

nuanceofher—herwarmlips,herbodyslidingbeneathhisinthedark,hersmile
thatwasonlyforhim.Broderickhadatreasureinher.Shelookedathimwitha
lightinhereyesthatwasbothtenderandsexy.

Broderickpicturedherlyingonthefloorwithhim,surroundedbythe

computerssheloved,herhairagainsttheblackmatting,hereyeshalfclosedin
pleasure.Sheknewhim,understoodhim,welcomedhim.

Mate.

Tiger,Goddessblesshim,wasright.Matingdidn’thaveanythingtodowith

thesunandmoonceremoniesorthemate-claim,orfightingChallengesforher.
Eventhematingfrenzywasn’tthewholestory.

Amatewastheotherhalfofhiswhole.Whenbothpartsmet,theysealedas

one,didn’tmatterifaShifterleaderpronouncedit,orBrodericksaidtheright
words.Theyweretogether,bound.Thematebond,themysticalpartofthe

joining,didn’tunderstandwordsorrituals.Itjustwas.

ThenuggetofheatinBroderick’schestspreadtohislimbs,soothinghim,

helpinghisShiftermetabolismhealhim.Thetouchofamate.

Broderickgaveagrowlingwolflaugh.Evenwhenthemateisn’twithhim.

Kian,theFaegeneralofthisbunch,andDaragh,thedeceasedGuardianof

theMontanaShiftertown,enteredtointerruptBroderick’sbeautifulthoughts.

Broderickpulledhimselftohisfeet,movingstiffly,thewolfsnarling.Time

toputtheplaninmotionandhopethatDaragh,eventhoughhewasonlya
Feline,wouldbesmartenoughtocatchon.

Broderickpushedhimselfup,nomatterhowmuchithurt,andwilled

himselftoshifttohisbetween-beast.Hecouldspeakinthisform,ifraggedly.

“I’llkillyou,”hesnarled,pointingatDaragh.“Enemy.Feline.Youdragged

mehere.”Heslammedhimselfagainstthecage,puttingupwiththeshocksthat
jerkedthroughhisCollar.“Enemyofmyclan—I’lltearyouapart.”

ChapterSeventeen

KianlookedinterestedatBroderick’sdeclaration,asBroderickhopedhe

would.ThoughtheFaecouldn’tunderstandthewords,he’dunderstandthetone
ofvoice,thehatredinBroderick’seyeswhenheglaredatDaragh.

Daraghblinkedafewtimes,thenhisbodystiffenedashecaughtontowhat

Broderickwasdoing.Well,Felineswereslow.

HetranslatedwhatBroderickhadsaid,thenDaraghsentaferociousand

veryFelinesnarlbackatBroderick.“Stupid-assfighter,”hesaid.“That’sallyou
Lupinescando.Meetmeinthering—andwe’llsee.”

“Toughwordsfromamanoutsidethecage,”Brodericksaid.“Tellhim—tell

himwhatabastardyouareandthatIwantachancetoripyouintotinyFeline
pieces.Idon’tcareifyou’redeadalready—Icanstillhurtyou.”

DaraghrapidlyspoketoKian,whocontinuedtolookinterested.Kiansenta

floodofwordsbacktoDaragh.

DaraghkeptthehostilelookonhisfacewhilehetranslatedtoBroderick.

“Hesayshewantstowatchusfight.Inaringwecan’tescapefrom—aFae-style
challenge.Hesayshismenneedsomethingtoentertainthemaftertheirvictory.”
Daraghsnarled,andaddedforthebenefitofanywhomightunderstandthem.
“Bepreparedtodie,Lupine.”

Broderickonlygrowledback,slidingdownintohispurewolfform.Good

answer,Feline.Youmightactuallybeintelligent.

Broderickhadboughtawayoutofhiscage.Nowtofindoutifhecould

escapewhattheFaethoughtofasanentertainingfight,grabJoanne,andhaul
assoutofhere.ThatJoannewasbusydoingherparttofreethem,Broderickhad
nodoubt.

Hecouldcountonhismate.

***

Asparkcrackledaroundthequartzandmakeshifttubes.Joannejumped,

havingdozedoff.They’dsatforhourswaitingforsomethingtohappen,and
Joanne,exhausted,couldn’tkeephereyesopen.

Remy,asalertandfreshasever,staredwithclearblueeyesatthemedallion.

“Damn,”hewhispered.“Thatcan’twork.”

“It’smagic—justgowithit,”Joannemurmuredback,tryingtokeepthe

excitementoutofhervoice.Noneedtoalerttheguards.

Remypickeduptwowires,strippedtheends,andstartedtappingthem

together.“ThisissortofwhatIdidbefore.Ilosthalfmyequipmentwhenthis
bunchofFaeslaughteredtheotherbunchofFae.Thatwasfun.”Hisbleaklook
toldherithadbeenanythingbut.

“Thishastodosomething,”Joannesaid,sittingsothatherbodyhidhisfrom

anyguardwhomightpeekintotheroom.“Code,Sergeant.Codelikethewind.”

Remytappedrapidly,sendingsignalsJoannecouldn’tidentify.Whatthey

werewasn’tthepoint.Thepointwouldbehavingthemreachsomeonewho
couldhelpthem.

Sheheardcommotionoutsidethetentandmovedtolookout.FiveFae

guardsstoodsolidlyattheentrance,butbeyondthem,inthecorridorsofthe
pavilion,soldiersweretalking,laughingexcitedly,givingeachotherahardtime,
inthewayofmaleseverywhere.

Joannekeptwatch,readytoalertRemyifanyoneheadedforthem.Remy

keptonmakingsparks,sendingpulsestowhoknewwhere.

He’djustsetdownthewireswithasigh,rubbinghisarms,whenthe

medallionrangonitsown.

Joannehurriedlycrossedtheroom,hoveringovertheboard.Themedallion’s

musicfaded,thenitstartedagain,butinexactbursts.

“Isither?”shewhisperedexcitedly.“Cilla?”

“Idon’tknow,”Remyanswered,asexcitedasshewas.“Atthispoint,I

don’tcare.”

“Tellthemtobeready,”Joannesaid.“Tellthemtoputtogetherthedoor

frame.WeneedtofigureoutawaytogetBroderick.”

Remystartedin,butafewsecondslater,Joanneheardvoicescomingtoward

them,andthenguardssnappedbackthecanvas.

Remydroppedthewiresandyankedthemfromthesocketsatthesametime

Joannesnatchedupthemedallionandshoveditbackintothepocketofher
jeans.

Theguardspointedswordsandknivesatthemandmotionedthemtofollow.

AssoonasJoannecametothem,onecaughtherarmanddraggedheralong,the

pointofadaggerprickingthroughhershirttoherside.

Remywaspulledbehind.Hedidn’tfight,andneitherdidJoanne.Betterto

findoutwheretheywerebeingtakenfirst.

Insteadofenteringanothertentinthisseaoftents,theywerepropelledinto

thewoods.Joanne’sheartbeatfaster.Weretheybeingtakenouttobekilled?

Afteraboutfiveminutesofwalking,theyemergedintoanotherclearing,this

onepackedwithFae.TheFaemadeacirclearoundalargeopenarea,andthe
energywaselectric.TheFaesoldierswereavid,eager,drunkwiththeirtriumph
overtheirenemiesandwhateverliquidtheypassedaround.

Ononesideofthecirclewasacage,inthecage,Broderick.Hewasinwolf

form,glaringoutwithhiswhite-grayeyes,earsback,snarling.

Ontheothersideofthecircle,Daragh.

Daraghhadstrippedoutofhisclothes,andnowstoodnakedandupright,his

Collargleaming.HefacedBroderickacrossthebarespaceandgrowledbackat
him.

“Whatthehell?”Joannecried.

Daraghheardherandglancedover.“Battle.Hechallengedme.Ihadto

answer.”

Joanne’smouthhungopen.Shewantedtoaskmorequestions,suchaswhy?

butsomethinginDaragh’seyesmadeherfallsilent.

AnotherFae,thisonewithredbeadsbraidedthroughhislongwhite-blond

hair,steppedintothemiddleofthering.Heshoutedsomething,pointingto
Broderick.Whenhepaused,thesoldierscheered,raisingfists,thenoisesurging
toawildness.

Thered-beadedFaeshoutedagain,thistimepointingatDaragh.Again,the

Faescreamedandyelled.Daraghwasthefavorite,Broderickthechallenger.

“Doesn’tseemfair,”RemysaidinJoanne’sear.“Broderickhastofighta

manwho’salreadydead.KindofgivesDaraghanadvantage.”

“Yeah,IthinktheFaearelovingthat,”shesaidback.

TheFaeinthemiddlehelduphisarms,whilethesoldierswentcrazy.Amid

thenoise,theannouncersteppedbackoutoftheway—rapidly—andanotherFae
flungopenthedoorofBroderick’scage.

Broderickchargedout.Daraghranathim,shiftinghalfwayacrossthe

makeshiftarena,andthetwo—wolfandleopard—clashedtogetherinaballof
clawsandfur.

TheFaearoundthemscreamed,shouted.KianwasonBroderick’ssideof

thering,lookingonfromamonghismen.Hehadasatisfiedsmileonhisface.

AsthenoisefromtheFaesoldiersrose,Joannewasdistractedbyajangling

hum,ahotvibrationintheareaofherlefthip.Themedallion.

Shethrustherhandintoherpocketandclosedherfingersaroundit.It

burnedher,butJoanneheldontight.

Inafewseconds,shecouldn’theartheFaeandthesnarlinginthemiddleof

theringastheShiftersfought.Thetinklingofmusiccametoher,andthethrum
ofvibratingstrings,whichrosearoundheruntiltheyblottedoutallelse.

***

Broderickfoughtandbit,tumbleddownintothedirtwithacouplehundred

poundsoffightingleopardontopofhim.Daraghwasgoingtomakethisasreal
aspossible.

Ofcourse,theFaewouldwanttoseethetwoShiftersfight.Theyloved

watchingwhattheythoughtofaslesserbeingsbattletothedeath.

Well,they’dgetashow.Broderickshiftedtohisbetween-beastandsodid

Daragh.Theyfacedeachother,armsspread,ahugewolfcreatureandanequally
largeleopardcreaturereadytofight.Daragh’sgreeneyeswerealight,touched
withgold,andDaraghsmiled.

“Bringit,Lupine.”

Hewasenjoyinghimself,theshit.Daraghmusthavebeensomethinginhis

fightclub.Beingaprisonerherehaddeniedhimthat—hadtakenhimfromhis
family,hisfriends,everythinghelovedandcaredabout.Broderickdetermined
tochangethat.

AtleasthewouldifDaraghletBrodericklivethroughthefight.Thesoldiers

woundupwithnoiseasDaraghchargedBroderick.ThetwoShiftersmet,
grunting,sweating,grappling.

Broderick’sCollarwentoff,bitingpainintohim.Asecondlater,sodid

Daragh’s.Kianwatched,eyesgleaming,waitingfortheShifterstogodownina
washofagony.

BroderickbaredhisteethatKian.“Suckonit!”heyelled,thenhewas

fightinghardwithDaraghagain.

InthisformthetwoShifterscouldusefistsaswellasteethandclaws.

DaraghgotBroderickinalock,rakingbigcatclawsdownhisside.Broderick’s
furturnedmostofit,butbloodflowed.

TheFaelovedtheblood.Theycouldn’tgetenoughofit,judgingfromthe

noisetheymade.BroderickclawedaholeinDaragh’sside,butnothingcameout
—hewasfightingacorpse.

“Don’tthinkyouhaveanedgebecauseyou’redead,”Brodericksnarled.

“Shit,Icanonlysaysomethinglikethatinthisfuckingplace.”

Daraghdidn’twaitforhimtofinish.HeattackedBroderick,andtheymet

again,fighting,tearing,biting,whiletheFaewentcrazyaroundthem.

Outofthecornerofhiseye,whenthefighttookhimintherightdirection,

BrodericksawJoanne.Shewasstandingslightlybehindtheblondsoldier,hein
aprotectivestanceinfrontofher.Whateverthehellshewasdoing,Broderick
couldn’ttell.Shehadthemedallion,andshewassmart.Joannewouldthinkof
something.

DaraghspunBroderickinacircle.Brodericklockedhandsaroundtheman’s

furryneckandspunhimback.

Ashedid,BrodericksawJoanne’soutlinedistinctlywaver.Hefocusedon

thefight,pretendinghedidn’tnotice.

Remysidledtohisright,effectivelyblockingKian’sviewofJoanne,but

Brodericksawher.Herentirebodyflickered,asthoughBroderickwereseeinga
weakprojectionofamovie.Then,Joannewinkedout.Gone.

Broderickroared.EveryFaehead,includingKian’s,turnedhisway.When

Broderickchancedanotherglance,Remytoohadvanished.

Theyweregone.AscanoftheFaeshowedtheywerenolongerinthe

crowd,orintheclearing.They’dbeenatthefront,whereKiancouldkeepan
eyeonthem.Anysecondnow,Kianwouldlookoverandrealizetheywere
gone.

Broderickroaredagain,drawinghimselfup,lettingDaraghtacklehim.The

Faeyelledfortheirfavorite,surgingforward.Broderickfoughtback,hard,for
hislife.Daraghcouldn’tafforddogivehimanyquarter.

Itwasworthit,adimcornerofBroderick’smindreflectedastherestofhis

bodyfocusedonthefight.HischallengehadcreatedthediversionJoanne
neededtogetaway.EvenifBroderickdiedhere,hewouldn’tregretwhathe’d
done.Joannewouldbehome,safefromthesebloodthirstybastards.She’dgoon

withherlife,herwork,wouldbethereforhersister,wouldliveandlove,asit
shouldbe.

Ofcourse,ifBroderickcouldgetoutofherealive,somuchthebetter.

Hewasn’tsurehowhewasgoingtomanageit.Unlesshecouldrunaway

fromthiscamp,findhiswaythroughaworldheknewnothingabout,stumble
uponaleylineandfigureouthowitworkedtolethimthrough,hewaspretty
muchstuckhere.

AshegotDaraghintoanotherlock,DaraghbitingthehelloutofBroderick’s

arm,Kianturnedhishead,lookedtowhereJoanneandRemyshouldbe
standing,andsawthattheyweremissing.

Kiancamealert,searchingthecrowdforthem.Hisamusementatthefight

diedandragetookitsplace.

Kianstrodetotheguardswhoweresupposedtohavebeenwatchingthe

two,tookouthisknife,andheldituptothem,yellingsomething.Theguards
lookedsuddenlyterrified—likelythey’dpayfortheirlapsewiththeirlives.

Kianwasshouting,stridingthroughtheranks.BroderickandDaraghfought

on,theFaestillcallingforblood.Kianbrokethroughtothecenterofthering,
raisedhisknifehigh,commandingallattention.Hethenloweredtheknifeto
pointstraightatBroderick,furyineverylineofhim.

Heshoutedoneword.Broderickdidn’tunderstandit,butfromtheblood-

lustfilledeyesthatturnedonhimfromeverysingleFae,hedidn’tneeda
translation.

Kill.

Daragh,who’dbeentryingtorakehisclawsacrossBroderick’sabdomenthe

secondbefore,releasedhimandstoodshouldertoshoulderwithhim,facingthe
onslaught.

“Hey,youtried,”Daraghsaidtohim.

“Mymateisfree,”Broderickansweredwithconviction.“That’sallthat

matters.”

“Onething.”DaraghsnarledashefacedtheonslaughtofarmedFae.“If

we’dbeeninafightclubathome,I’dhavekickedyourass.”

“Thatfightwasn’tover,cat-breath,”Broderickmanaged,andthentheFae

wereuponthem.

ChapterEighteen

Joannefoundherselffallingtoacementfloor,surroundedbythemusicof

theboxes,thehumofcomputers,thebrightlightofdaycominginthroughthe
highwindows,andShifters.

Masonpulledherupright,thelookinhiseyesoneofterribleworry.

“Broderick?”

“Stillinthere.Hangon.”

Joanneswungaround,shivering,grippingthemedallion.Behindherwasthe

doorframe,twouprightwoodenpostsandalintel,heldinplacebySpikeand
Seamus.Tigerstoodbeyond,hiseyesahotyellow.Cillasatinfrontofthe
computers,breathinghard,terrified.

Joannereachedbackthroughtheopening.Instantly,shefeltthecoldofthe

Faenight,heardtheroarofFaeurgingonthefighters,smelledtheblood,the
rankdampnessofthewoods.

Shealsosawthebroadfatigue-coveredshouldersofRemyFayette.Joanne

grabbedhimanddraggedhimtoher.

RemyjumpedthroughandnearlyfellontopofJoanne.

Instantly,thesoundsofthefightfaded,andthewarmthofanAustinspring

morningreturned.JoannespunaroundoncewithRemy,asthoughtheydanced,
Remy’sbluegazetakingeverythingin.

Herecognizedcomputers,powertools,fluorescentlights,oldbrickwalls,

andtheveryhumanCilla,everythingtotellhimhewasbackintheordinary
humanworld,inanordinarywarehouse,thesoundsofacitycominginthrough
thewindows.

Remyletoutastrangledcryofdelightandrelief,thenhefellfacedownon

thefloor.“ThankGod,”hesaidfervently.Hekissedthecementfloorwithan
audiblesmack.“ThankGod!”

Seamuslookeddownathim.“Goddess,aretheyalllikethat?”

“Seamus,thisisRemy,”Joannesaidbreathlessly.“Bree’sbrother.Hewas

trappedinFaerie—willtellyouallaboutitlater.Rightnow,weneedtoget
Broderick.Tiger,helpmovethisdoorframe.Overtherealittle.There’sabouta
thousandangry,armedFaebetweenusandhim.”

SeamusgaveRemyashockedlookthenhehelpedSpikeandTiger

repositionthedoorway.Joannesaidaprayer,hopedtohellshewasright,
clutchedthemedallion,anddovebackthrough.

***

Broderickwasgoingtodie.Heknewit.ItwasamatteroftimebeforeaFae

swordwentrightthroughsomevitalpartofhim.

DaraghprotectedBroderickthebesthecould.Kniveswentintohim,theFae

beatonhim,butDaraghcouldn’tbekilled.He’dtakeitaslongashewasable,
thoughDaragh’sCollarwasgoingoffandhewasinterriblepain.

Broderickwasinpainaswell,andhisCollarwasbuzzinglikecrazy,but

damnedifhe’dlettheseFaeknowhowmuchhehurt.

Inthemidstofallthisheheard…music.Familiarmusic.Sonofabitch.

JoannewalkedoutofthinairintoameleeofFae.Broderickshouted,triedto

gettoher,butthereweretoomanyonhim.

Joannedisappearedinstantly,thenafewsecondslater,shematerialized

again,onlycloser.Broderickroaredandthrewoffhisattackers,tryingtoreach
her.

Hesawhertakeastep,andanother,thenKian,thebastard,reachedoutand

seizedher.

Broderickhadthesoldiersoffhimbeforeheknewhe’ddoneit.Hethrew

bodiesaside,hisberserkerragefillinghisblood.

Hewasafewfeetaway.KianhadafirmholdofJoanne,andhisknifewas

cominguptoherthroat.

“Getyourfuckinghandsoffmymate!”Broderickyelledasheflunghimself

atthem.

Thewordsgottangledinhismouth,andallthatcameoutwasMy!Mate!

BroderickreachedKian,grabbedhim.AtleasttwentyFaeatBroderick’s

backseizedhim,readytokill.Joannescreamedandstruggled.Shelatchedher
handaroundBroderick’sarm,tugginghim.

Broderickfeltthethrumofthemedallionthroughhertouch.Heclampedhis

handaroundhers,hangingon.

TheFaedidn’twantthat.TheyroseuparoundBroderickandJoannecutting

offtheirretreat.

Broderickfought,butheknewtheyweredone.Theyweregoingtodiehere

inFaerie,fuckitall…

…andthentwothingshappenedthatchangedeverything.

DaraghsurgedupinthemiddleoftheFaelikethewrathoftheGoddess.

He’dgottenholdofasword,andheslashedthesoldiersoutofBroderick’sway.

He’dwieldedaswordsincehisChoosing,andthoughtheSwordofthe

Guardianwasamagicalbladethatreleasedsouls,itwasalsoadamngood
weapon.Daraghprovedheknewswordsmanship,turningasidebladesand
fightingaroundtoengageKianoneonone.

Thesecondthingthatsavedthemcamethroughthedoorframeafew

secondslater,agiantofaShifter,halfchangedintoaverypissedoff,biggerthan
hellBengaltiger.

TigergrabbedtheFaeinhisway,threwthemasidelikesomuchusedtissue,

andclampedonebighandeachonBroderickandJoanne.

“Go!”Daraghshoutedbehindthem.“Anddoit,Lupine.Promiseme.”

Broderickmethisgaze,theFelineoneholdingdesperation,butoverthat,

grimdeterminationtogodownswinging.

“Yougotit,bigguy,”Brodericksaid.“Goddessgowithyou.”

Hebarelygotoutthewords.Kian,withskillthatmatchedDaragh’s,slashed

intoDaragh’sgut,thenhepressedhisswordintoDaragh’sCollar.Daragh
screamedinagony,fallingtohisknees.

BrodericksawtheotherFaegoatDaraghtocuthimtopieces,rightbefore

Tigerthrewthemboththroughthedoor.

Brodericklandedoncoldcement,surroundedbyhisbrother,Spikeand

Seamus,andthenTiger.Broderickkickedatthedoorframeanditfellapart.The
humofthemedalliondied,andthemusicboxesstopped.

Brodericksimplylayonthehardfloorandbreathed,bloodflowingoutof

him,everylimbaching.

ButhehadJoanne.Herolledoverontohisback,andJoannedroppedtoher

kneesbesidehim,takinghisfacebetweenherhands,kissinghimrepeatedly.

Broderick’smatingfrenzyrose,fedbythefight,hisfearandanger,hisneed.

Joannewasallright.Broderickhadn’tlosther.

Broderickclosedhisarmsaroundherandpulledherdowntohim,pinning

heragainsthim.“JoanneGreene,”hesaid,thewordshoarseinhisrawthroat.
“BytheGoddessandinfrontofwitnesses,Iclaimyouasmate!”

Thelastphraseranghighagainsttheceiling.Masonsaid,“Holyshit,”and

Spikechuckled.“Abouttime,dickbrain.”

Joanneignoredthem.ShesmiledintoBroderick’seyes,herownfulloflove

andrelief.“Okay,”shesaid.

Thematefrenzykickedinhard.Broderickrolledoveragain,puttingJoanne

underhim,takinghermouth.Heneededher,now,now—screwthosearound
them.Theycouldleaveordeservewhattheysaw.

Ithurt—itnearlykilledhim,toreininhishunger.Broderickraisedhishead

andgazedatJoanne,herbeautifulface,andtheknowledgeinhereyes.She
understood.

“Imadeapromise,”Brodericksaid,andJoannenodded,asadnessentering

herexpression.Daraghdeservedtorest.

BroderickpointedasternfingeratCilla,whowatchedthem,wide-eyed.

“Now,youtellmewherethefuckingSwordoftheGuardianis,soIcankeepmy
word.”

***

Cillahadstashedtheswordunderthefloorboardsinanoldtrailerhouseon

thenorthernoutskirtsofSanAntonio.Seanaccompaniedthemonthetrip,which
madeCillanervous,butJoanneonlyhadsomuchsympathyforher.

Tiger,Sean,Broderick,andJoannesqueezedintothetrailerwithher,

waitingwhileCillapriedupthefloorandremovedthesword,whichshe’d
wrappedinablanket.

Seantooktheswordandunwrappedit,brieflyclosedhiseyes,and

whisperedaprayeroverit.ThenhereachedouttoBroderick,expecting
Brodericktogivehimthemedallionthatfitontheendofthehilt.

Broderickstudiedthemedalliononhispalm.“Ican’t.”

Sean’sbrowswentup.HelookedBroderickupanddown.Tiger,who

usuallywasanenforcerfortheMorrisseys,steppedtoBroderick,supporting
him.

Seanletouthisbreath,turnedtheswordblade-down,andhandeditto

Broderick.“Iguessit’suptoyou,”hesaid.

Broderickheldtheswordinhislefthand,andwithhisright,cuppedthe

medallionagainsttheendofthehilt.

Joanneheardahiss,thenahum.WhenBroderickliftedhishandaway,the

silverofthedischadfusedwiththatofthesword,makingitawholepiece,
withoutaseam.

Broderickloweredhisarm,butJoannesawhimwince.Joannegrabbedhis

wristandturnedhishandoveragain.Inthecenterofhispalm,etchedasthough
burnedthere,wasthesymboloftheCelticknot.Themedallionhadbrandedhim.

“Canyougetoutofherenow?”Cillaasked,voicesullen.“Ihavethingsto

do.”

“Nope.”Joannelatchedherhandaroundthegirl’swrist.“Youarecomingto

Montanawithusandseeingthisthrough.”

Cilla’sdarkeyesfilledwithtears.“InevermeantfortheGuardiantobe

killed.Ididn’ttellthemto.”

“Youcanexplaintohisfamily,”Joannesaidfirmly.“Theydeservethat.”

Seansaid,“We’vealreadyroundedupthemenyouhired.Dadhadaword

withthem.”

Seanleftithanging,butCillapaled.Joannedidn’tknowDylanwell,butshe

hadcometolearnthatwhenDylan“hadaword”withsomeone,thatword
tendedtobepermanent.ThosewhoincurredDylan’swrathoftenwerenever
heardfromagain.

Ontheirwaytotheairstripwherethey’dmeetthecargoplanetotakethem

north,JoannedirectedSeantostopatBree’smom’shouse.They’dleftRemy
thereontheirwaytoSanAntonio,buthe’dexpressedawishtogowiththem,to
payhisrespectstoDaragh,who’dsacrificedsomuch.

Whentheyarrived,itwastofindBreeandhermotheroneithersideof

Remyonthecouch,thetwowomenclingingtohim.Seamuswasthere,leaning
onthenewelpostofthestairway,watchingthemfondly,butgivingthefamily
roomtoconnect.

“Decidednottogowithyou,”RemysaidwhenSeamusletthemin.He

lookedhappywithhisarmsaroundhissisterandmom,allofthemwithred-
rimmedeyes.“Weneedtobetogetherforawhile.”

Seamus’seyeswerewetaswell—hewasanempath,andtheemotionsof

Breeandherfamilycaughthimtoo,rollinghimoverinfeeling.Hesharedtheir
joyasnooneelsecould.

BreeuntangledherselffromthetrioandcametoJoanne.Bree’shairwasthe

samehoneycolorasRemy’s,hereyesasblue.

BreepulledJoanneintoahug.“Thankyouforbringinghimhome.”

“Mypleasure,”Joannesaid.“Ibethehasalongandbizarrestorytotell

you.”

“Ifhecantalkwhilemymomstuffshimfulloffood,”Breesaid,grinning.

“That’sherwayoftellingusshelovesus.Plus,shehasn’tlitacigarettesince
Seamusbroughthiminthedoor.”

JoannehuggedBreeagain,wavedatRemy,whowouldbeplantedonthat

sofaforsometime,shesaw,anddeparted.Timetopayonelastvisit.

***

TherideinthebackofthecargoplanetoMontanagaveBrodericktimeto

havehisarmsaroundJoanneandsimplybreathe.

Herhairsmelledlikeroses,sinceshe’dshoweredbeforetheyleft,withthe

bathproductsshelikedtouse.Masoncomplainedthattheirbathroomsmelled
likealady’ssalon,butMasonwouldunderstandwhenhestartedlookingfora
mate.Plus,BrodericktoldMason,Joannesmelledahellofalotbetterthanhis
threesweatybrothers.

Theplanebumpedalong,themakeshiftseatsuncomfortable,butBroderick

didn’tmind.HehadJoanneonhislap,snuggledagainsthim.Everythingwas
good.

Daragh’sSwordoftheGuardianlayinasheathnexttoBroderick.Seanhad

offeredtocarryit,butBroderickinsisted.Hedidn’twanttoletitgo,notyet.His
reluctancebuggedhim,andhedidn’tlikewhatitmightimply.Butfornow,
Broderickhadtodowhathehadtodo.

Cillahuddledinaseatbyherself,underthewatchfuleyesofSpikeand

Tiger.Shelookedmiserable,butBroderickunderstoodwhyJoanneinsistedshe
comewiththem.

Thegirlneededtolearnthateveryaction,largeorsmall,hadconsequences.

JustbecauseCillacouldn’tseethepeopleshewashurting,didn’tmeanthey
weren’thurt,anddidn’tdeservesomereparation.ThefactthatCillahadhelped
dragRemyandJoanneoutofFaerie,plushadbeencoercedbyoneofthe
scumbagFae,gavehersomepointswithBroderick.Thoughweighedagainst
Daragh’sdeath,thebalancewasstillnotinherfavor.

BroderickatfirsthadwonderedwhetherCillaandhercrew,ortheFae,had

beenbehindblowingupthemunitionsplantaswell,butDylansaidno,
accordingtoSean.Dylanseemedtoknowallaboutit,buthewouldn’tsay
anythingmore.

TheleaderoftheShiftertowninMontana,EoinLyall,metthemattheplane

anddrovethemintoShiftertownhimself.Itwasdeepinthewoods,citiesfew
andfarbetweeninthisarea.Ranchersandfarmersdidn’twantShiftersnearby,
sotheylivedinaplacethatwasremote,dimlylitbecauseofthethickcanopyof
trees,andabitwild.

ThelargehouseDaraghandhisfamilyoccupiedlayinthecenterofthis

Shiftertown.ShifterscameouttowatchEoindriveBroderick,Joanne,andSean
throughthetwistingroadstotheheartoftheircommunity.SpikeandTigercame
behindwithCilla,drivenbyEoin’ssecond.

Daraghhadbeenlaidoutinthelivingroomofthehouse,onaplain,single

bedthatwaslikelyhisown.Helayinstate,withcandlesburningaroundhim,in
thispublicroomsothatotherShifterscouldcometopaytheirrespectsandsay
prayersoverhim.They’ddressedhimintheclothessimilartotheones
Broderickhadseenhimin,jeansandT-shirt,asthoughtheywantedhimtobeas
comfortableaspossible.

Assoonastheywereadmitted,JoanneslippedherhandfromBroderick’s

andwenttoDaragh’sstillbody,layingherhandonhisshoulder.“Ihateseeing
himlikethis.”

Broderickjoinedher,lookingdownattheShifterwho’dsacrificedhimself

tosavetheirlives.“I’mthinkinghe’snottoothrilledwithiteither.”

JoanneglancedupatDaragh’sfamily—hismother,hisbrother,andasister.

Daraghhadn’tbeenmated,hadnocubs.Broderickburnedinside.Daraghshould
havehadthechancetofindamate,fallinlove,beadad.

“Hewasagoodman,”Joannetoldthem.“Fearless.”

Hismother,adignifiedFelineShifter,gaveJoanneanod.“Weknow.Thank

you,child.”

Tigercameforward,hisfingersonCilla’sshoulder.Hedidn’tdragher,but

BroderickknewCillahadnochoicebuttogowhereTigerwantedherto.

Daragh’sfamilyobviouslyknewwhoCillawas.Seanwouldhavefilled

theminwhenhetoldthemBroderickandpartywerecoming.Thebrotherand
sisterhaddeepangerintheireyes,butDaragh’smothersimplylookedatCilla.

“I’msorry,”Cillasaid,tearsinhervoice.“I’msosorry.”

Daragh’smotherreachedoverfromwhereshesatandtookCilla’shand.

“I’vehadachancetothinksinceDaraghwaskilled,”shesaid.“Youcanwastea
lotoftimeonguiltandgrief.Youwerecaughtinambitionandgreed,whichcan
enslaveanyoneofus.YouwereforcedintoaidingtheFaebutthendecidedto
helpanothercaughtinhispower.Daraghdiedforthat,gavehislifesoaman
couldbesaved.ThatisthememoryIwillkeep.”

Cillasatdownnexttoherandcried.Daragh’smotherputasoothingarm

aroundher,butshewatchedBroderickandJoanne.

Broderickrumbled,“Hegavehislifeseveraltimesover.I’mgoingbring

himalittlepeace.”

Withoutwaitingforanythingelse—nospeeches,prayers,orrituals—

BroderickunsheathedDaragh’ssword.

Thebladerangsoftly,therunesdancinginthecandlelight.Thecandle

flamesaroundDaraghrosehigherasBroderickpassedtheswordabovethem.

BroderickplacedhishandoverDaragh’sheart.“Resteasymyfriend.And

yeah,maybeyouwouldhavekickedmyass.Wecanhavearematchinthe
Summerland.”

HecurledhisfingersonDaragh’schest,thenwithdrewhishand.Flipping

theswordover,BroderickresteditpointdownoverDaragh’sheart.Hedrewa
breath,andthrustithome.

Thecandleflamesshothighthendroppedbackdowntothemerestflicker.

BrodericksworehesawDaragh’sbodystiffen,thenitshimmered,became
nothingbutdustmotesthatglitteredinthecandlelight,thencollapseddownonto
theemptybed.

Broderickheardasigh,feltabreathofwindtouchhisface,faintlaughteron

thebreeze.Thelaughterheldreliefandnotanounceofpain.

Thankyou,awhispersounded,andthenfadedtosilence.

ChapterNineteen

“Stay.”EoinLyallstoppedBroderickoutsideDaragh’shouseastheAustin

Shiftersheadedbacktothevehicles.

JoanneslippedherhandintoBroderick’s,feelingthewarmtharoundthe

burnthemedallionhadleft.Herhearthadlightenedonceshe’dseenDaragh
becomedust—hissoulfreed.Shewishedshecouldhaveseentheexpressionson
thefacesoftheFaewhenhedisappearedfromtheirclutches.

“Stay,why?”BroderickaskedEoin.“Ihavethingstodoathome,amating

toschedule,brotherstoyellat.”

“We’llhaveanotherChoosing.”EoinpinnedBroderickwithhisFelinestare.

“WehavenoGuardian.YousentDaraghtotheGoddess,notSean.Shemight
chooseyou.”

ThelookinEoin’seyestoldJoannehebelievedwithallhisheartthatthe

GoddesswouldtouchBroderick,thatShe’dsimplybeenwaitingforhimto
appear.

“No,”Brodericksaidsharply.HeheldDaragh’ssword,whichhestill

carried,upbyitshilt.“Notonlyno,buthellno.Doublehellno.I’mnotgoingto
beafuckingGuardian.”

Sean,who’dstoppednexttohim,blinked,butofferednocriticism.

“Here.”BroderickpushedtheswordatEoin.“Takeit.Idon’teverwantto

seeitagain.”

Eoinhesitated.Broderickletgoofthehilt,andEoincaughttheswordbefore

itfell.

Broderickhadnotroublegivingtheswordback,Joannenoticed.Whenhe’d

hadthemedallion,andwhenthey’dretrievedtheswordfromCilla,he’dbeen
veryprotective,notwantinganyoneelsetotouchswordormedallionunlesshe
letthem.Thatcompulsionseemedtobeover.

“Let’sgo,”BrodericksaidtoSpikeandTiger.“Wehaveaplanetocatch.”

“Waitasec.”Joannelookedbacktotheporch,whereCillastoodnextto

Daragh’smother.Hismotheralreadylookedmorerelieved,herworryabout
Daragh’ssoulgone,thoughhergriefwoulddoubtlessneverleaveher.“Cilla,are
youcoming?”

Cillashookherhead.“I’mgoingtostayhere.I’lltrytohelpthem—for

whateverthat’sworth.”

Daragh’smothernodded.“We’lllookafterher.”

Andtheywould,Joanneunderstood,withanintensityonlyShifterscould

manage.Cillaneededthat,Joannerealized,adisciplineherlifehadlacked.

JoannenoddedatCilla,acknowledgingherself-imposedpenance.Seanhad

toldthemthatDylan,withthehelpofFionn,hadbeensearchingfortheFae
who’dhurtCilla’sformerboyfriend,butsofarthey’dfoundnothing.Eitherthe
FaehadgonebacktoFaerieorwashidingverywell.Nowthathismasterwas
dead,helikelywouldstayhidden.

“Allright,”JoannesaidtoCilla.“Butthenexttimeyougetinoveryour

hackerheadcallme.”Joannemimickedholdingaphonetoherearandgave
Cillaasternlook.

“Iwill,”Cillasaid.“Promise.”

Oncetheplanewasrumblingunderthem,headinghome,Joannelaidher

headonBroderick’sshoulder.

“Iguesstheswordchoseyou,”shesaid.

“What?”Broderickrousedhimselffromahalfsleep.Theplane’sdronewas

soothing,alltheShiftersdrooping.Spikewasstretchedoutonahardbench,one
tattooedarmoverhiseyes.

“Isaid,theswordchoseyou.”Joannerepeated.

Broderick’sgrayeyesflickered.“Whatthehellisthatsupposedtomean?”

“Youfoundthemedallion,whichfelloffthesword,nooneelse.Youdidn’t

wanttoletitgo.YougotintoFaerieandfoundDaragh,andthenyousenthimto
dust.NotSean,notTiger,notSpike.You.”

“You’retheonewhogotusintoFaerie,”Broderickremindedher,“whether

welikeditornot.Ijuststumbledin.”

“Becauseyouhadthemedallion,whichalsoletmeintotheGuardian

NetworksoIcouldlearnhowtoprogramtheportal.ItwantedustofindDaragh
andreleasehim.”

Broderick’sarmstightenedaroundher.“Huh.Ifitwantedustosavehim,

whynotsimplyleadustotheswordsowecouldgotoMontanarightaway?
WhywastetimewithFaerie?”

“SoyoucouldmeetDaraghandwanttohelphim,insteadofjustsending

Seanuptheretodoit.Plus,wehadtofindandfreeRemy.”Joannetapped
Broderick’schest.“Faceit,bigguy,youweretheChosenOne.”

“GodandGoddessspareme,”Broderickgrowled.“Nexttime,someoneelse

canbechosen.AndI’mnotgoingtobeaGuardian.Noway,nohow.The
Goddesscansuckitup.”

“Notyou.”Tiger,who’dbeenasleep,orsoitseemed,openedhiseyesand

bathedBroderickinayellowstare.HeflickedthegazetoJoanne,thenbackto
Broderick.“Yourcub.”

Broderickstopped.SodidJoanne.“Wait,wait,waitasecond,”Broderick

said.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”

“Joanneiscarryingyourcub.TakethatcubtoaChoosing,andhewillbe

Guardian.”

Joannestaredathiminshock.“Cub?No,wejust…”Shebrokeoff,face

heating.

“Fromthatmatingwillcomeacub,”Tigersaid,unembarrassed.“Hewill

onedaybearaGuardian’ssword.”

Spikewasawakenow,listeningavidly.Seanburstintomusicallaughter.

“You’reforitnow,Brod,”Seansaid.“Tiger’sneverwrongaboutthesethings.”

JoanneplacedherhandonherabdomenandleanedagainstBroderick,her

heartbeatingrapidly.Acub.WithBroderick.Terrifying…andso,sowonderful.

Broderickstared,open-mouthed.“Tiger,youareoneseriouslyscaryShifter,

youknowthat?”

Tigerlookedannoyedamoment,thenhisexpressioncleared.“Notscaryto

Carly.Ortomycub.Comeandseehimwhenhe’sborn.”Hisbrowsdrew
togetheragain.“Butnottooclose.”

Joannepealedwithlaughteratthat.Seanjoinedher,Spikegavehissilent

smile,andonlyBroderickwentongrowling.

ButthatwasBroderick,andwhathedid.Joannewouldtakehimandhis

snarlinggrowlsoverallthelaughterintheworld.

***

“Whydidyoubringmebackhere?”JoanneaskedBroderickadaylater.

Theystoodinhiswarehouse,trulyalonethistime,becauseBroderickhad

threatenedhisbrotherswithdirefatesiftheywentanywherenearitthis
afternoon.Andevening.Maybeallnight.

BrodericklikedthewayJoannelookedadmiringlyoverallhe’dcreated,

marvelingattheworkmanship,intricacy,artistry.

Butnowshewasdonewiththetourandwantedanswers.

“WhydoyouthinkIbroughtyouhere?”heaskedher.

“Privacy,”Joannesaid.ShegaveBroderickalittlesmile.Well,shewasn’t

naive.“Butwecouldhavehadprivacyatmyhouse.”

“There’smorehere,”Brodericksaid.“Noneighborstocallthepoliceifit

getstooloud.”

Joanne’ssmilewidened.“Willitgetloud?”

Broderickgaveupbeingsubtleandsteppedagainsther.“I’mbarelyholding

itin,Jo-Jo.I’vebeeninmatingfrenzyforyoufordays,butI’vebeenbusy
fightingformylifeandsavingpeopleanddoingwhateverastupid-asspieceof
metalwantedmeto.Butnowthat’sover,andIgettodowhatIwantto.”

HeseizedJoannearoundthewaistandliftedhertoahighworkbench,which

he’dmadesurehe’dcleanedoffbeforehebroughtherhere.

Joannerestedherarmsonhisshoulders.“Yeah?Andwhatexactlydoyou

wanttodo?”

“HaveyoueverseenaShifterinmatingfrenzy?”

“No.”Joannerubbedthebackofhisneck.

“It’snotpretty.It’snotchampagneandroses.It’sraw,andreal.Whatwedid

beforewastame.”

Joanneleanedforwardandpressedakisstothetipofhisnose.“You’remy

mate.Soyoukeepsaying.Iassumematingfrenzyleavesbothmatesintact?”

Broderickcouldbarelynod.Thefrenzywasgrippinghim,dissolving

anythingcivilized.

Joannewrappedherarmstighteraroundhim.“Thenstopworryingaboutit,”

shesaid.

Thenextmoment,shesquealedasBrodericktorehershirtstraightoff.She

woreathinsilkyshirtwithspaghettistrapsunderneathinsteadofabra,and
Brodericktorethatofftoo.

Sherockedbackinadenimskirtandbarechest,herstartledcriesturningto

laughter.

Broderickhadherplantedfartherbackontheworkbenchbeforeheripped

offherskirtandpanties,thenpausedtoclawoffhisownclothes.

Hepartedherlegsandsteppedbetweenthem,pullinghercloseand

growling.

Mate.Mymate!

Thefirstplungeintoherwassweet.Joannespreadherlegswider,urging

himin.Broderickloweredherbackontothehighworkbenchwhilehestood,
thrustingintoher.Helovedhowherheadrocked,herbodyarched,howshe
clungtohiswristswithfingersthatleftmarks.

Thesexwasbasicandprimal.Beautiful.Joanneshriekedandyelled,

laughedandscreamed.Broderickwasn’tsilent—heshouted,groaned,lethimself
plungeintoeverybrilliantsecondofit.

“Iloveyou!”Joannesaid,herwordsringingthroughtheroom.

“Loveyou,Jo-Jo.Loveyousomuch.Youbeautiful,beautifulwoman.”

Broderickheldherthighs,fingerstight,ashethrusthard.Joanne’swords

grewincoherent,asjumbledashisthoughts.

Mate,love,fuckingsweet,wanttobeinyouforever…

Withoutaconsciousdecisiontodoso,Broderickliftedhishand,theone

imprintedwiththeCelticknot,andlaiditbetweenJoanne’sbreasts,overher
heart.

Ahotsensationjumpedfromtheretohisownheart,andJoannesuckedina

sharpbreath,lookingstunned.

Thematebond.Heknewit.Tigerhadknownit.

ThejoythathadeludedBroderickallhislife,theonehe’dpursuedwithout

understanding,foldeditselfaroundhim.HisJoannecarriedhiscub,and
Broderickwascomplete.

Didn’tmeanhewasgoingtoabandonthematingfrenzyandweepwith

happiness.Broderickkeptthrustingintoher,theeroticsensationstwiningwith
loveandmakingeverythingthreetimesashot.

Theybothendedupontheworkbench,Joanne’slegswrappedaround

Broderick’storsoashejoinedwiththewomanheloved.

Whentheycame,itwasintense.Broderickcouldbarelybreathe,hadlostall

powerofspeech,andonlygroanedwhenhisseedlefthimtoburyitselfinside
Joanne.Joannelaughedandcriedout,wrappedherselfeventighteraroundhim,
andheldonastheyrodeitout.

Afteralongtime,theywounddown,holdingeachother,kissinglightly,then

morestronglywithhot,lovingkisses.Thematebondheatedtheairbetween
them.

Broderick’spalmtingled,andthenthemusicboxesbegantoplay.Notwith

thejanglethathadannouncedtheopeningofthegatetoFaerie,butwithasoft,
mutedtonethatsweetenedtheair.

TothemusicofwhatBroderickandhisfamilyhadcreated,heandJoanne

heldeachother,touching,kissing.Itwasthebeginningofalongtimeof
happinesstocome,butthehappinessofthemomentwasoverwhelming.

Joannekissedhim,hersmilewarm.Thesilverymusicwoundwiththemate

bondandsealedtwohalvesintoawhole.

End

Readonforanexcerptof

WhiteTiger

ShiftersUnbound,Book8

ChapterOne

Itwasalmosttime.AddisonPriceslidthecoffeepotbackontheheater,

unabletokeephereyefromtheclock.Thedinerclosedatmidnight.Everynight
atelevenfifty-fiveonthedot,hecamein.

Tonight,though,elevenfifty-fivecameandwent.Andelevenfifty-six,fifty-

seven.

She’dhavetocloseup.Theownerlikedeverythingshutdownrightat

midnight.He’dcomeinaboutfifteenminuteslaterandstartgoingthroughthe
accountsfortheday.

Elevenfifty-eight.Thelastcustomer,afarmerinaJohnDeerecaphemust

havepickedupfortyyearsagofromallthegrimeonit,grinnedatherandsaid,
“Night,Addie.Timetogohometothewife.”

Hesaidthateverynight.Addieonlysmiledathimandwavedgood-bye.

Elevenfifty-nine.Inoneminute,she’dhavetolockthedoor,turntheOpen

signaroundtoClosed,helpwiththecleanup,andthengohome.Hersisterand
threekidswouldbeasleep,schooldaytomorrow.Addiewouldcreepinasusual,
takeasoothingshower,playontheInternetalittletounwind,andthenfall
asleep.Herunwaveringroutine.

Tonight,though,shewouldn’tbeabletoanalyzeeverysinglethingthe

white-and-black-hairedmansaidtoheranddecidewhetherhelikedherorwas
justmakingconversation.

Thesecondhandontheanalogclockabovethepasstothekitchenswept

downfromthetwelvetowardthesix.Eleven-fiftynineandthirtyseconds.Forty.
Forty-five.

Addiesighedandmovedtotheglassfrontdoor.

Whichopenedassheapproachedit,bringinginwarmthofaTexasnight,

andtheman.

Addiequicklychangedreachingforthedoor’slocktoyankingthedoor

openwideandgivinghimhersunniestsmile.“Hello,there.Y’allcomeonin.
Youmadeitjustintime.”

Thebigmangaveherhispolitenodandwalkedpastherwithanevenstride,

theblackdenimcoathealwaysworebrushingjeansthathuggedthemost
gorgeousbuttAddiehadseeninallherdays.Becausethisdiner’sclientelehad
plentyoffarmers,utilityworkers,andbikersjustpassingthrough,she’dseenher
fairshareofnot-so-goodbacksidesinjeans…orslippinginappropriatelyabove
waistbands.

Hermanwasdifferent.Hisbehindwasworthasecond,third,andfourth

look.Hewastallbutnotlanky,hisbuildthatofalinebackerinfinetraining,his
shouldersandcheststretchinghisblackT-shirt.Thefootwearundertheblue
jeanswasalwayseithergraycowboybootsorblackmotorcycleboots.Tonight,
itwasthemotorcycleboots,suppleleatherhugginghisankles.

And,asalways,Addie’smancarriedthesword.Hekeptitwrappedindark

cloth,alongbundleheheldinhishandandtuckedbesidehisseatwhenhesat
downandordered.AtfirstAddiehadthoughtthebundleheldagun—arifleor
shotgun—andshe’dhadtotellhimthattheowner,Bo,didn’tallowfirearmsof
anykindinhisdiner.She’dlockitupforhimifhewantedwhileheate.They
hadaspeciallockerforthehunterswhowereregulars.

Themanhadshotheraquizzicallookfromhisincrediblysexygreeneyes,

pulledbackthecloth,andrevealedthehiltofasword.

Asword,forcrap’ssake.Abigone,withasilverhilt.Addiehadswallowed

hardandsaidthatmaybeitwasokayifhekeptitdownbesidehischair.He’d
givenheracurtnodandcoveredthehiltbackup.

Butthatwasjusthim.HewaslikenomanAddiehadevermetinherlife.

Hiseyeswereanincrediblegreenshecouldn’tlookawayfromoncehecaught
herwithagaze.Theeyeswentwithhishardface,whichhadbeenknocked
aroundinhislife,buthestillmanagedtobehandsomeenoughtoturnthehead
ofwhateverwomanhappenedtobeinthislate.Which,mostnights,wasonly
Addie.

Hishair,though,wastheweirdestthing.Itwaswhite,likeaScandinavian

white-blond,butstripedwithblack.Asthoughhe’dgoneinforadyejobone
dayandleftithalffinished.Ormaybehesimplylikedthelook.

Except,Addiewouldswearitwasnatural.Dyesalwaysleftanunusual

sheenorlookedbrittleafterawhile.Hishairglistenedunderthelights,each
strandsoft,weavingwiththeothersinashortcutthatsuitedhisface.Addie
oftenstudiedhisheadashebentoverhispie,andshe’dclutchheraprontokeep
fromreachingoutandrunningherfingersthroughhisinterestinghair.

Insum—thismanwashotterthanaTexaswindonadrysummerday.Addie

couldfeelthesultryheatwhenshewasaroundhim.Atleast,shesurestartedto
sweatwhenevershelookedathim.

Forthelastmonthorso,he’dcomeineverynightneartoclosingtime,order

thelastpiecesofbananacreampieandtheapplepiewithstreuselandeatwhile
Addielockedthedoorandwentthroughherritualsforthenight.WhenBo
arrivedthroughthebackdoor,themanwouldgooutthefront,takinghissword
…andtheotherthingshealwaysbrought.

Theycameinnow,walkingbehindhimasalways,threelittleboys,the

oldestonefollowingthetwoyoungerones.Theoldestone’snamewasRobbie,
andhebroughtuptherear,lookingaroundasthoughguardinghistwolittle
brotherswithhislife.

“Hello,Robbie,”Addiesaid.“Brett,Zane.Howareyoutonight?”

ThetwolittlestwouldchorusFine,butRobbieonlygaveherapolitenod,

mimickinghisfather.IfhewasRobbie’sfather.Theyoungestonesdidhavethe
man’sgreeneyesandwhite-and-blackhair,butRobbiedidn’tlooklikeanyof
them.Hehaddarkbrownhairandeyesthatweregray—astriking-lookingkid,
butAddiefiguredhewasn’trelatedtotheothers.Adoptedmaybe,oranephew.
Whatever,theguylookedafterallthreewithprotectivefierceness,notletting
anyonenearthem.

Theytookfourstoolsatthecounter,asusual.Robbiesatontheseatfarthest

fromthedoor,ZaneandBrettperchedinthenexttwoseats,withtheirdadnext
tothem,hisbulkbetweenthemandwhoevermightenterthediner.Theseseats
werealsonotinfrontofthediner’swindows,butattheveryendofthecounter,
almostinthehalltothebathrooms.

Addietookupthecoffeepotandpouredacupoffullycaffeinatedbrewfor

black-and-whiteguyandthreeicewatersfortheboys.She’dofferedthemcokes
whentheyfirstcamein,buttheirdaddidn’tlikethemhavingsugareddrinks.

Consideringhowmuchpietheyputaway,Addiedidn’tblamehim.Sweet

sodasontopofthatwouldhavethemwiredtothegillsallnight.

“Youalmostmissedthepie,”Addiesaidtotheboysasshesetthedripping

glassesofwateronthecounter.“Wehadarunonittoday.ButIsavedyouback
afewpiecesinthefridge.”Shewinkedatthem.“I’lljustrunandgetthem.
That’sthreebananacreamsandanapplestreusel,right?”

Shelookedintothefather’sgreeneyes,andstopped.

She’dneverseenhimlookatherlikethat.Therewasahungerinhisgaze,

powerfulandintense.Heskeweredherwithit,andAddielookedbackathim,
hermouthopen,herheartconstrictingbeforeitstartedpounding.

Menhadlookedatherwithsuggestionbefore,butthey’dalways

accompanieditwithahalf-amusedsmileasthoughlaughingatthemselvesor
tellingAddieshe’dhaveagreattimeifsheconceded.

Thiswasdifferent.Black-and-whitemanstudiedherwithawantingthatwas

palpable,asthoughanysecondhe’dclimboverthecounterandcomeather.

Afterasecond,heblinked,andthelookwasgone.Hehadn’tintendedherto

catchhim.

TheblinkshowedAddiesomethingelse.Behindtheinterest,hiseyesheld

greatdistractionanddeepworry.

Somethinghadhappenedtonight,somereasonhe’dcomeheregoingonfive

minuteslate.

Addieknewbetterthantoaskhimifeverythingwasallright.Hewouldn’t

answer.Themanwasnotoneforcasualconversation.Theboystalked,butkept
theiranswersgeneral.Theyhadnotbetrayedwithonewordwheretheywere
from,wheretheywenttoschool,whattheylikedtodoforfun,orwhytheirdad
keptthemupthislateeverynight.

Addiesimplygavethemallhersmile,said,“I’llberightback,”andducked

intothekitchentofetchthepieshe’dheldbackforthem.

Shetookoutpieces,alreadyslicedontheirplates,andsprinkledalittleextra

cocoapowderonthebananacreamonesfromthedentedshakerontheshelf.

Theguywhowasheddishes—Bowentthroughanewoneabouteverytwo

weeks—wasn’tthere.Helikedtoduckedoutforasmokerightatclosingtime,
comingbackinwhenBogottheretofinishthecleanup.Addiehummed,alone
inthekitchen,herpulsestillhighfromthatlookblack-and-whitemanhadgiven
her.

IfAddiemarchedoutthereandsaidtohim,sure,shewasinterested—ina

discreetwayinfrontofhiskids—wouldhebreakdownandtellherhisname?

Orwouldhetakehersomewhereandmakelovetoherwithsilentstrength,

thesamewayhewalkedandate?WouldAddiemindthat?

Shepicturedhimaboveherinthedark,hisgreeneyesonherwhilesheran

herhandsalloverhistight,beautifulbody.

Nope,shewouldn’tmindthatatall.

Shepickeduptwopiecesofpie,stillhumming.Atthesametime,sheheard

ascratchingatthebackdoor.

Bo?Addiesetdownthepieandwalkedover.Boalwaysusedhiskeytoget

in—theykeptthebackdoorlocked.Eveninthissmalltownthatwasprettysafe,
robberspassingthroughmightseizeanopportunity.

Booftencouldn’tgethiskeyintothelock—hishandsshookwithapalsy

thatraninhisfamily.Thedishwasheroftenhadtohelphim,orAddiewould
openthedoorforhim.

Bowasabitearly,buthewassometimes.Addiereachedforthedoor,justas

somethingbangedintoit.

“Bo?Youokay?”Addieunlockedthedeadbolt,carefullypulledthedoor

open,andpeekedout.

Thedoorfellinward,aheavyweightonit.Addielookeddown.

Acuriousdetachmentcameoverherasshesawthedishwasher,aguyof

aboutthirtywithgreasybrownhairandbeardstubble.Hewasdead,hisbrown
eyesstaringsightlessly.Sheknewhewasdeadbecausehehadagapingredhole
wherehisheartusedtobe.

Ifthishadbeenamovie,Addiewouldbescreaming,fainting,sobbing,

sayingOh,myGod,orrunningoutsidecrying,Somebody,help!

Instead,shestoodthere,asthoughcaughtintreacle,unabletomove,think,

talk,orevenbreathe.

Afaintnoisesoundedoutside,andAddieraisedherhead.Shesawtheround

muzzleofagun,oneoftheautomaticonesthatshothowevermanyroundsa
minute.Herbreathpouredbackintoherlungs,burning,andsheknewshewas
lookingatherowndeath.

Arushofairpassedher,andthedoorslammedclosed.Atthesametimea

pairofstrongarmsclosedaroundher,propellinghertothefloor,themanwith
black-and-whitehairlandingontopofher.

Inthefrontofthediner,everywindowshatteredasbulletsfiredthroughit.

Glassflewthroughtheopenpassbetweenkitchenanddiningarea,asdidbullets,
shardsofcupsandplates,tattersofnapkins.

Thekids,Addiethoughtinpanic.Whereweretheboys?

Theretheywere,huddledagainstthedoortothefreezer.Howthemanhad

gottentheminheresofastandoutofsightandthencomeforAddie.shedidn’t
know,butherbodywentlimpwithrelieftoseethem.

“Who’sdoingthis?”Addiesqueaked.“What—”

Themanclampedhishandoverhermouth.“Shh,”hesaid,hisvoicealow

rumble.“Ineedtoyoutobeveryquiet,allright?”

EndofExcerpt

BooksbyJenniferAshley

ShiftersUnboundSeries

LionEyes

WhiteTiger

(shortstory"prequel")

Andmoretocome!

RidingHard

Adam

Grant

Carter

Tyler

Ross
Kyle

Ray

ImmortalsSeries

(byJenniferAshley)

(byRobinPopp)

(byJoyNash)

(byJenniferAshley)

(byJenniferAshley)

(byJoyNash)

(byRobinPopp)

(byJoyNash)

(byJenniferAshley)

StormwalkerSeries

(w/aAllysonJames)

Dreamwalker(forthcoming)

“ALittleNightMagic”

inHotfortheHolidays

(shortstory“prequel”—JamisonandNaomi’sstory)

AbouttheAuthor

NewYorkTimesbestsellingandaward-winningauthorJenniferAshleyhas
writtenmorethan75publishednovelsandnovellasinromance,urbanfantasy,
andmysteryunderthenamesJenniferAshley,AllysonJames,andAshley
Gardner.HerbookshavebeennominatedforandwonRomanceWritersof
America'sRITA(givenforthebestromancenovelsandnovellasoftheyear),
severalRTBookReviewsReviewersChoiceawards(includingBestUrban
Fantasy,BestHistoricalMystery,andCareerAchievementinHistorical
Romance),andPrismawardsforherparanormalromances.Jennifer'sbooks
havebeentranslatedintomorethanadozenlanguagesandhaveearnedstarred
reviewsinBooklist.Whenshe’snotwriting,Jenniferenjoysreading,hiking,
playingguitar,andbuildingdollhousesanddollhouseminiatures.
MoreaboutJennifer’sbooksandseriescanbefoundat

http://www.jenniferashley.com

OremailJenniferat

jenniferashley@cox.net

Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thenames,characters,places,andincidents

areproductsofthewriter'simaginationorhavebeenusedfictitiouslyandarenot
tobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetopersons,livingordead,actual
events,localesororganizationsisentirelycoincidental.

AllRightsareReserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybeusedorreproducedin

anymannerwhatsoeverwithoutwrittenpermissionfromtheauthor.

JenniferAshley

CoverdesignbyKimKillion

Document Outline

Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
White Tiger Excerpt
Books by Jennifer Ashley on Kindle
About the Author
Copyright

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