Chapter 2
Islipped back inside my house, tiptoeing and closing the door as quietly as possible behind me. Caden had been asleep when I’d left to help with an emergency kitten rescue, and I’d wanted to avoid waking him.
A low growl sounded behind me. I spun around, pressing my back to the door.
Caden was sitting in his black panther form, his golden gaze freezing me in place.
You went out after midnight without me. Do you want to get eaten? His voice filled my head as clearly as if he’d spoken aloud. He stood, his body of midnight silk slinking towards me.
Heat rose up in me and I shivered. This was a game we played often after Caden realized being a little scared got me revved up. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, but there was no arguing with the jolt of adrenaline when he shifted into this form and looked at me like I was a snack.
“Want is a pretty strong word here.” I squeezed my thighs together, craving the pressure on my clit.
Caden stood on his hind legs, bracing a paw on each side of my head. He growled, low and dangerous, and it reverberated in my chest as if I were standing next to an amp at full volume. Goosebumps covered every inch of me, my skin hot as he growled again.
Foolishness must be punished.
I reached out and buried my hand in his fur. It was velvet soft, inky black, and my fingers disappeared into the thickness of it. I scratched carefully and Caden’s golden eyes closed slowly. His purr rumbled in response.
That’s cheating.
I leaned in, nuzzling the underside of his massive head with my face, getting my other hand involved in the scratches. A ripple wavered his muscles and the purring grew louder. If he was going to punish me for taking unnecessary risks, then I was at least going to get him in a better mood first.
Caden shook his head and glared down at me. This isn’t funny. You have no sense of self-preservation. I’m not letting you get taken out because you stopped to pet a shifter without realizing.
“I’m sorry. We got the call, and they’d have died if I hadn’t gone. You were sleeping so deeply I didn’t want to wake you.”
Caden wasn’t a huge fan of my work with fosters for an animal rescue for the very reason that had saved his life: I couldn’t tell the difference between a shifter and a regular animal, and I was willing to foster just about anything. Five years ago, that had meant I’d happily taken in Caden and his younger brother when they’d shown up injured in my front yard. I hadn’t found out they were shifters until almost two months later.
Now he insisted on sniff-testing any animal that came into the house to make sure I hadn’t hauled in anything dangerous.
“Besides,” I continued, “these are in the baby potato stage. Even if they were shifters, they’re newborns, so I’m not that concerned.”
Newborns have parents, he pointed out. They’d smell me on you.
“Quit being so stanky, then.” I laughed and gave him a squeeze. “I came back in one piece so there’s no need to be so fussy.”
Protective isn’t fussy. Caden shifted position and dropped us both down to the ground, his massive cat form hovering over me. He settled further, his whole weight draped across me. My bones protested with a series of crackles, and inhaling became a chore.
“You’re killing the spicy vibes.”
Magic made him shimmer and his fur slipped away in favor of skin until his human form stretched out on top of me. Butt naked. Shifting didn’t accommodate for clothing, unfortunately.
Or, fortunately, depending on your mood.
It was usually a very fortunate occasion in my house.
I grinned, lifting my wrists over my head and spreading my thighs so he could settle closer to me. He pinned me down, a hand on each of my wrists, his hips tucked firmly against mine. His hazel eyes watched me expectantly. I wanted to trace my fingers over the dark stubble at his jaw, but he only held tighter when I tried to move.
“Better?” he asked.
“Mhmm.” I looped my legs around his waist. “Much better.”
“Did you save the kittens, at least?”
Caden dipped down to my throat, his fangs sliding against my neck. He nipped carefully, not quite breaking the skin, and lapped his tongue over the spot. I shivered, need pulsing through me. Bastard knew what those fangs did to me. I strained against his hands and let out a startled moan as he braced me in place, the tips of his fangs resting at the pulse point in my throat.
As much as I love you making that sound, it’s not an answer to my question.
It was too hard to think with my heart hammering and my pussy clenching.
Words.
You know words.
Use them.
Why didn’t the telepathy work both ways? I could think so much easier than speak in these situations.
“Yes.” I shuddered as he ground his hips down. “The kittens are with Kayla.”
“Mmm,” he murmured against me. “Good, then I have you all to myself.”
His growl turned my insides to liquid fire and I squeaked, clit pulsing, as he freed my hands and laid a palm over my throat to keep me in place. Gods. I was too weak for him.
“Now, about that punishment.”
A patterned knock struck the door and Caden froze.
The sound of it kicked my sexy mood right down the drain.
“Who the fuck is that at two in the morning?” I asked.
He slid into his house cat form—a sleek, black domestic shorthair—and dashed towards the door, poking his head through the curtains. A wordless groan from his telepathy filled my head, followed by a hiss.
“Who is it?”
Seth.
The name sent a pang of loss through me. Caden’s younger brother had left my care when he was well enough after I’d taken him in—despite my protests—but came to visit every so often, at least. The brothers weren’t particularly close. I still wasn’t sure why. Caden had told me I should ask Seth, but I’d never wanted to sour the infrequent visits, so I’d left it alone.
He’d been here a couple of months ago to celebrate Caden’s 100th birthday—we’d told friends he was turning forty—and I hadn’t been expecting to see him again so soon.
“What does he want?” I picked myself up off the floor and looked through the peephole.
I’d have to ask him to know and I don’t want to let him inside. He’s here too early. He probably pissed off the wrong people.
“Maybe he’s hurt?”
“I can hear you through the door, Logan,” said Seth. “And I can see Caden in the window.”
Caden did that weird cranky growl cats do right before they take a swing at you when you’ve pissed them off.
I sighed and pulled open the door. “Hey, Seth!”
He swallowed me up in a hug and I froze for a moment. He wasn’t usually so openly touchy with me, but the warmth of him sank into me and I dug my fingers into his shirt.
Seth stepped back and gave me a big smile. “Can I come in?”
“Yeah, of course.” I stepped aside and Seth kissed my cheek as he swept inside, scooping up mini-Caden before he had a chance to shift. “Hey, cutie.”
I ignored the burst of warmth where Seth’s lips had touched my skin. He looked so much like Caden. Seth had the same gorgeous, sun-kissed skin, black hair, and hazel eyes that turned my knees to jelly. If I didn’t know one of them so intimately, I’d easily be able to mistake one for the other at a distance. The only immediately discernible differences were that Seth had a more cheeky, playful vibe than Caden did, and a slimmer build.
Caden hissed and wriggled free from Seth’s grip, shifting back to his human form before he hit the floor. “Fuck off.”
“You know, I really thought he’d be in a better mood after he started living with you,” said Seth.
“He hates happiness,” I joked, shooting a wink at Caden. “We weren’t expecting you back so soon.”
“I need a place to crash for a couple ni?—”
“No.” Caden spat out the word before Seth could even finish his sentence.
“Come on.” Seth turned to me, ignoring Caden. “Please. I’ll be good. I’ll even pay for the privilege.”
I raised an eyebrow. I’d never, ever made him pay to stay with me. “You’re always welcome here. You know that.”
He turned his brilliant smile onto me. My heart fluttered happily.
“Have you been hanging around in people-form?” I asked. “You showed up in clothes this time.”
Seth laughed. “Yeah, I’ve been spending time with a few buddies. I figured you’d both appreciate it if I popped up while wearing pants.” He looked pointedly at Caden. “Some of us would appreciate it if everyone was clothed.”
Caden’s hackles rose and he stalked away long enough to grab a pair of sweatpants from our bedroom, returning half dressed. “Why are you back early?”
“You’re out of the loop with shifter shit.” Seth shoved his hands in his pockets. “I figured you probably hadn’t heard about the attacks.”
Caden’s nostrils flared. “What attacks?”
“See, exactly,” Seth said. “You have no idea what’s going on with you playing human in Logan-land.”
I snapped my fingers in front of Seth’s face. “Focus. What’s going on?”
“Right, sorry.” He swung an arm around my shoulders. “I was at a club tonight and something killed two of us. I figured Caden should be aware since it was only like an hour from here.”
“What killed them?” Caden asked. He tugged me out of Seth’s grip and into his own. I stroked a soothing hand down his back until he relaxed.
“Not a fucking clue.” Seth shrugged. “It was invisible to me and I didn’t stick around long enough. I think it might be the same thing I’ve felt the last couple of months.”
“So, something is probably tracking you, and you’re bringing it here instead of calling?” Caden looked pissed as hell.
Seth looked down at his feet. “I don’t have a phone right now and I wanted you to know. And I figured if I ended up having to run from something, the safest place would be with you.”
The words softened Caden a little, but he was still tense under my hands. “I need you to leave,” he said to Seth.
I bristled at Caden’s words.
“Dude, this is Logan’s house, not yours,” said Seth, a panicked edge sneaking into his voice. “If she wants me out, she can tell me herself.”
I barely got Seth around to begin with. I certainly wasn’t going to kick him out when he was spooked. “You can stay.”
Caden’s face pinched.
“Quit looking like you bit into a lemon.” I patted his chest. “We can’t send your little brother out into the night when something might be after him.”
“See, she gets it,” said Seth.
Caden dropped into his house cat form and hissed. He tended to shift when his emotions got the better of him. Complex feelings were easier to manage with a little walnut brain. He paw-slapped Seth’s leg and I scooped him up.
“Back off, babe.” I scratched behind his ears. “Seth, you can stay for tonight so we can figure things out. Caden, I need you to deal with it.”
He couldn’t quite pout in any of his cat forms, but his displeasure was clear as day. Caden huffed and stood in my arms, rubbing his cheeks against mine while glaring at his brother. I did my best not to giggle at him staking his territory in such an adorable way. I might as well be wearing a neon sign that said Caden’s Human.
I snorted. At least he’s content with being a cuddlebug instead of trying to piss on me to keep his brother at bay.
“Thanks, Lo,” Seth said, offering me an apologetic smile. “I promise I’ll be out of your hair soon. Could I bother you for some snacks? It’s been a while since I’ve eaten.”
Caden growled in my arms, but I booped his nose to cut off his cranky sounds.
“There’s leftover lasagna in the fridge. Help yourself.”
Caden looked up at me with wide eyes. That’s mine.
“I’ll make you some fresh tomorrow. How’s that?” I kissed the top of his head. While Caden handled the vast majority of the cooking, lasagna was one of the few items I did well and made for him on occasion.
Acceptable. He purred too quietly to hear, but I could feel it against my hands.
I gave him some good scritches behind his ears and carted him into the kitchen. Seth was already microwaving the leftovers. Caden stood carefully, laying one cat paw on each of my shoulders before headbutting the underside of my chin.
Also mine.
I giggled and gave him a solid hug. Caden ran his cheek along mine, deliberately scenting me again in front of Seth.
“Oh my gods.” Seth drew out the last syllable. “I’m not trying to crawl up Logan’s ass like I did with Rachel. I just need a place to crash. I’m not going to take her.”
I froze and stared at Seth. Caden sat stiff as a board in my arms at Rachel’s mention. I only had vague details about Caden’s ex-wife. They’d been together only a few years in the early ’60s, and she’d disappeared—presumably died, since from the sounds of it, the shifter community had completely lost track of her—barely a year after she’d left Caden. Had Seth and Rachel…?
Focus, Logan. Something hunting shifters was more important right now.
I rubbed a soothing hand down Caden’s back, getting the spot he really liked at the base of his tail until he started to relax again.
“Seth, be nice or get the fuck out.”
Heat flickered in Seth’s gaze, but he didn’t challenge me.
That finally made Caden melt, and he settled properly against me. I was more than ready for bed now that sex was off the menu for a bit, but first we needed information. I sat down at the kitchen table and Caden got himself comfortable on my lap in a position where he could watch Seth over the edge.
“Tell us everything you know,” I said.
Seth sat down across from me with his steaming lasagna. “I’d heard bits through the grapevine. A coven went radio silent. A few lone shifters here and there disappearing without warning. Seems like the nests are okay, at least. I never saw anything, just kept feeling that ‘predator is watching you’ kinda vibe ever since I was here last.
“I was at a bar in Rochester earlier tonight and felt it sweep through. Crowd parted like the fucking Red Sea, but there was nothing there, at least not that was visible. A shifter we didn’t know got snatched up, the normies started freaking out, everyone was screaming. So, we ran. The friend I was with decided to head to the New York nest, and I got him to drop me here on his way.”
Can you grab my phone? Caden asked me. I carried him into the bedroom to get it and punched in the code for it, letting him paw swipe on the screen on the way back to the kitchen. Here, see what the forums are saying.
I read over the most recent posts for our state. Hundreds of messages from today were people panicking over the attack in Rochester. “It doesn’t sound like anyone knows what the attacker was, only that the shifters who were targeted died before reaching the hospital. The first was a Rochester local, owl shifter, one-hundred-and-sixty years old. The second was a deer shifter passing through, aged thirty-nine.” I scrolled a little more, seeing a familiar town mentioned. “Another shifter was killed in Fairport about an hour afterward.”
“It’s heading this way,” said Seth. He squeezed the fork, his knuckles turning white. “Shit.”
We should be prepared to leave. We need a safe house if it shows up. Caden looked up at me, his claws digging into my thighs. I can’t protect you from something I can’t sense.
“What kind of safe house would protect from that, though?” I asked.
Seth shoveled lasagna into his mouth and chewed quietly.
I don’t know. Caden shivered, his fur poofing out. But it’s coming this direction and people have already died. We shouldn’t risk it. If it was tracking Seth, he could have led it here.
I absorbed his words. I didn’t want to go anywhere, but I also didn’t want to get eaten by some unknowable entity. “Where would we go?”
“You could take her to the nearest nest,” suggested Seth. “New York is the closest.”
Caden’s little body was like steel in my hands. I looked down at him, stroking a reassuring hand over his fur.
I hadn’t been anywhere near a nest for years. “I thought those were to get your documents and stuff to reintegrate into people-adjacent life.”
“They can help with that, but it’s not their main purpose,” said Seth. “They’re gathering places, and they have super strict hierarchies.”
They’re shifter strongholds, said Caden. Some are better than others, but they’re not usually pleasant places to dwell.
“Why do shifters stay there, then?” I asked.
Protection. The strong gather the weak. It’s an exchange of services. Those weaker provide whatever the strong require without question, and the strong protect them from the outside world.
“Well, that sounds like a barrel of laughs.” I held on to Caden tighter than necessary, and he let out a squeak.
“It sucks,” said Seth between bites. “I stayed at one in Orlando after I left here the first time. Can’t say I recommend the experience. But I guess it’s preferable to dying.”
Caden’s claws dug into me again. He guesses. Such a vote of confidence for his suggestion.
“Quit with your picky toes!” I detached his claws from my flesh and turned to Seth. “Is New York the best option?”
“Hard to say for sure,” Seth said. “Smaller ones move around and might be closer, more undetectable, but if you want a big one, they’re more permanent, and based around big cities. New York has strong protectors.”
We can’t go to a nest, Caden insisted.
“Is it really that bad?” I asked, petting Caden to soothe myself as much as him.
“Entry into a nest is implicit consent,” Seth explained. “The Protectors could do anything they wanted to you and your only recourse is to leave.”
I swallowed hard. “When you say anything…”
“Well, they won’t kill you,” said Seth. “That would defeat the point of going, but they could feed off you, demand sex, separate you from Caden, make you lick the bathrooms clean. I dunno. Some of the Protectors are pretty sick fucks. Power goes to their heads. The nest I was in did exotic animal fights to fund things.”
“What?” I stared at Seth. “Were you involved?”
“I…unwillingly participated in a few.”
Gods. The thought of Seth in a bloody fight like that made me shudder, revulsion turning my stomach. I’d always wished he’d stayed with us, and now the guilt over not demanding he stay was a lead weight in my gut. “I’m so sorry.”
Seth shrugged, but he wouldn’t make eye contact with me. “I survived. Not every nest is bad, but it’s hard to know what it’s like until you’re in it. You’d want to lay low and not attract attention. Good fucking luck with that, though.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re human. And you smell like a snack.”
Caden hissed and leapt on the table, planting himself between Seth and I. Fuck off.
“I’m just saying.” Seth rolled his eyes at Caden. “You’d never hide her in a nest. The Protectors would know about her the second she walked through the doors.”
Caden growled.
“Oh, shush.” Seth turned to me. “In all likelihood, they’d take you as a pet. I’ve heard some of the Protectors are pretty nice to their pets. I don’t know what they’d do with us.”
She’s not a pet. Caden walked across the table and shoved the plate of remaining lasagna into his brother’s lap. Seth squawked and managed to save the plate before it clattered to the floor. The same couldn’t be said for his jeans, which now sported a smear of tomato sauce.
“Little shit,” Seth growled. He reached for Caden, but I shot out of my seat and scooped my boyfriend back into my arms.
We were all exhausted, and it wouldn’t help anything to let Caden and Seth get snippy with each other.
“Seth, there’s blankets in the linen closet, and the couch is yours. Soap is above the washing machine, and I’ll set out a spare change of clothes for you.”
He gave me a tired smile. “Thanks, Lo.”
“We’ll see you in the morning.” I carried Caden into the bedroom, closing the door behind us, and sprawling out on the bed. Caden loafed on my chest.
“What are we going to do?”
We run. I’m not willing to take chances with your safety.
“Run where?”
I wish I had an answer.