Jade Read online

  “You might want to consider separating Emily from the rest of the pack for her first few shifts. Her first instinct will be to establish her place in the pack and any wolf that will not accept her dominance is going to be torn to shreds.”

  Size and strength in a shifters beast shape is a direct result of the amount of pack magic they have. In Emily’s case she was going to be huge, probably three or four times larger in mass. Most pack members keep just a slightly larger mass when they shift; it is different for Alphas. Most shifters are wolves, somewhere along the lines of ninety-five percent. Rolfe was one of the other five percent, a Kodiak bear, eight feet and nine-hundred pounds of muscle when he shifted. Wolves also dominate most packs, being more numerous and often inclined to want the pack life. A lot of the indies were other animals.

  “Yes, that will need to be avoided,” James said. “She will have to adjust to her instincts and learn control before I let her run with the pack.”

  I could see Lily was already thinking along these lines. “I will need to be there with her, and I will bring several of the less dominant females with me. I am thinking of the eastern section of the territory, but it may be difficult to keep her from seeking out the rest of the pack.”

  “I can probably help you with that,” I said. “I could set some wards marking a line that should keep her contained in a certain area.”

  “I’ll help Smith with that.” Rolfe said. “She is unfamiliar with the area and I can show her where to set the wards.”

  “It is settled then,” James said. “Rolfe, take her up to Butler’s cabin on Friday morning and get started. Lily and those she selects can meet you there Friday afternoon.”

  “We will do our best.” Rolfe said. “Smith might have landed us in a bit of trouble today. The good news is we have had our first major break in the case.” He went on to explain what had happened and I could see that the Pack Alpha was very interested in the day’s events. Shifters and vamps don’t care for each other and maintain an uneasy truce in most areas. Shifters are fast but not as fast as vamps. Vamps are strong but not as strong as shifters. They generally hate each other.

  “It is probably time I got you that audience with Luca,” James said. “Let me see if I can get you over there tomorrow morning. I will make the call tonight after sunset.”

  Luca was one of the vamp leaders, controlling the smallest vamp territory in Winston. Still, Winston being the provisional capitol of the Southern Territories (after Raleigh was leveled a few decades ago in the fae wars of the seventies), that was an indication of great strength in a vamp. Luca was also one of the more reasonable vamp leaders and generally tried to work with both human and supernatural factions in the Capitol area.

  “Sounds like a plan,” Rolfe said. “Call me tonight if you can get this done.”

  “There is still the issue with Emily,” I said. “I can feel her magic building up again and she might be dangerous to others. It will only get worse as her first change approaches.”

  “She beat up two boys at school today,” Lily said. “If James had not been able to force the change in them, they would be in a hospital for weeks.”

  Shifters were great healers, as were vamps, but a shift pretty much wiped out any damage immediately.

  “She could stay with me at my place until Friday,” I said. “I have plenty of room and I can keep her magic grounded.”

  “Those boys were getting a little too friendly,” Emily interjected.

  “You didn’t have to beat them to a pulp. Where are you staying?” Lily asked me.

  “The Portmeirion,” I said.

  They all were staring at me now. “What?” I asked. I wondered what I did wrong, yet again.

  “Nobody but bazillionaires live there,” said Rolfe.

  Jeepers, and so what? I wondered. I had picked the Portmeirion because it was walking distance to the station. I hated driving. My one experiment in driving had resulted in major damage to several vehicles, traffic signs and mailboxes.

  ‘Let’s eat,” I said. “Is anybody going to take our order?” I started digging around in my purse for one of the dark chocolates I had stuffed in there this morning.

  “Emily will need a bodyguard from the pack,” James said.

  “I will go with her,” Lily said. “Besides, the security there is the best and you forget that the twins are in charge of that security.”

  The twins were Markus and Hans. I had met them briefly yesterday when I had arrived. They both insisted on calling me Ms. Smith despite my insistence on just Smith. I would describe them as dangerously handsome bookends, almost striking. My brief visit to the bar on the fifth floor the previous night showed me they were the subject of much talk and gossip among the female residents. Hans was said to have some connection to the giant PR conglomerate that made up the entire tenth floor and they stayed there in one of the suites the PR folks maintained there for visiting dignitaries to the capitol.

  “I will feel better if I call ahead and confirm Smith’s status there–no offence intended,” James said, looking at me.

  “None taken,” I responded. I knew he would find that my place, the fiftieth-floor penthouse, was the most secure floor of the building. It had become available a few years back and I had purchased it in anticipation of my future employment.

  James stepped away from the table, cell phone to his ear and the waiter finally came by to take our order. I was becoming a bit agitated from hunger and the spot of blood on Rolfe’s (now completely healed) neck was calling out to me, becoming a distraction.

  Lily said, “Our treat, Smith. Order whatever you want.”

  “I will take the biggest steak you have, seared on the outside and red and juicy on the inside.”

  “All they serve here is big steaks,” Rolfe said. “It is a shifter restaurant.”

  “Are we off the clock?” I asked Rolfe. I needed red wine to go with my steak, that and blood were about the only liquids I could hold down and even though alcohol had only a momentary effect on a shifter it was the same rules for all the members of the police force.

  “You are,” he replied. “I still have to go in and file our report. You are going to owe me for this one.”

  He almost seemed a bit pleased by this. Interesting, and exciting in some ways. There were more than a few reasons I had wanted him as a partner.

  Lily ordered for James before he returned. I was so glad nobody ordered their steak really cooked very much. It should not take too long to prepare.

  “Do we need to bring sleeping bags?” Emily asked. I could tell she was excited about the adventure ahead.

  “I have plenty of room,” I replied. If I remembered correctly from the remodeling plans, I had three bedrooms, fully furnished. I had hired the best shifter designer-decorator in the business, sparing no expense, telling her to go for shifter comfort above everything else. I had just taken a brief walk through yesterday before exploring the rest of the building areas. The Portmeirion had everything, self-contained. Restaurants, bars, shopping, services. All running twenty-four-hours a day. Not having to have a car, perfect for me.

  The meal finally arrived and I thought the steak, and three glasses of red wine, were exceptional. James had eventually returned, saying my place would be secure, giving me a curious look. “I will take Lily and Emily back home to get their things and then have one of our teams drive them over to your place,” he said.

  “That will work,” I said. “Rolfe is dropping me off on the way in to the station.”

  Chapter Three

  I enjoyed the drive back into Winston. It was a pleasant evening and Rolfe had rolled the windows down. For a shifter, the smells this time of night were fantastic, better than just being able to see the surroundings. Rolfe seemed pretty calm, not upset with me as he had been earlier.

  “Don’t worry about the Captain,” he said. “I have friends at IA, they know you couldn’t have held those vamps down and shot them at the same time and they also know me well enough to
know I wouldn’t help with something like that. They will want your gun to match the ballistics, however.”

  “Remind me to leave it with you, then. I have three more just like that one.” Guns were not my favored weapon as I preferred edged weapons. I had become proficient with this model during training, so I decided to have a few backups.

  “Of course you do. Why am I not surprised?” He smiled, I could tell he was enjoying himself.

  We pulled up in front of the Portmeirion. I was surprised to see Rolfe hand one of the attendants his keys. “I am going to have a look around before I head back to the station,” he said. “Just to make sure Emily is going to be safe here.”

  Sure, I thought, but day one, and Rolfe is going to be in my apartment. Not everything is going wrong today. It does seem as if things are becoming rather crowded, however. Can’t have everything, I suppose.

  As we were escorted through the big double doors into the lobby, I could see both Markus and Hans waiting on us. My understanding is they split their shifts and only worked together when something big was happening or to meet new residents, as when I had arrived yesterday.

  “H&M,” I said. “Good to see you both again so soon.”

  “It’s no problem, Ms. Smith,” Markus said. I could tell it was Markus only because of a slight difference in the smell of shampoos they used, not by their looks. “We understand you have some company tonight and we take the security of that company very seriously.”

  “Have you met Rolfe?” I asked, tugging him forward. He had been looking around, like a shifter at the zoo for the first time, smelling many strange and exotic scents.

  “Of course,” Hans said. “How could we not know who Rolfe is? We sometimes work out together.”

  It figures, I thought. Everybody knows everybody in the shifter community, even those not part of the Pack. The Grayson Pack was a large one compared to many Packs in other territories, but still only a few hundred strong. Shifters were strong, and lived a long time, but not many children were born and turning someone in the old way was strictly prohibited, although as many accidents in this way happened as kids, in the long run.

  “Yes, we are friends,” Rolfe said. “Although I have never been important enough to rate a visit to this place.”

  Hans proceeded to give us the security tour. The one I had yesterday didn’t feature many of the things he was explaining to Rolfe as we walked around. Markus stayed near the door, waiting on the mate and daughter of the Pack leader to arrive. All the employees in the Lobby area doubled as security in an emergency and all had extensive training. Video cameras marked every person arriving and leaving and a computer program even tracked visitors, workers, and residents alike. If a visitor did not return to leave as scheduled, the resident in charge of that visitor would get a call from security. Workers had to obey a strict schedule or check in with security.

  As we started up the elevator, Hans showed the key and ID system. A resident’s fingerprint was required on the pad, as well as both a key from the elevator operator and the resident. Visitors and workers had to be escorted up by security personnel. The interior of the elevators was also monitored and if anything unusual happened the elevator was stopped. Workers had certain shifts to maintain and were escorted in groups at their scheduled arrival and departure times. Failure to arrive or leave on time was grounds for dismissal.

  Hans pushed the button for the top floor, number fifty, the penthouse and my new home.

  Rolfe watched the floor indicator the whole way. Being on the top floor meant several stops along the way and I was introduced to a few more of the residents, all of whom were very curious about me. They had heard the penthouse had been purchased a few years back and were wondering if the owner was ever going to do anything with it. Hans made introductions each time, very formal and polite. They could see I was with Rolfe and all had heard of him. I could see they were itching to find out why one of the two shifter cops (now three but they didn’t know that yet) in the Capitol was riding with me up to the penthouse. Great fun, and I left them in the dark.

  The doors opened to the penthouse, just a small foyer to the doors labeled ‘50, J. Smith.’ Three crates of wine were parked by the big door and on the table was a small package, wrapped in brown paper.

  “Wow!” I exclaimed. “My package is here already.”

  Hans replied, “Yes, special delivery. The delivery guy gave Markus a hard time and would not leave until we provided him with a certified copy of your power of attorney giving us the okay to accept packages on your behalf.”

  “This is really awesome,” I told Rolfe. “My day is getting so much better.”

  “X-Rays showed it to be a knife of some kind, Ms. Smith,” Hans said. “Don’t open it if that is not what you were expecting.

  “This is no ordinary knife,” I exclaimed. “It is a dagger and a very valuable one.”

  About that time Hans got a call over his earpiece, one that both Rolfe and I could hear with our shifter hearing. Our party had arrived.

  “Come on in,” I told Rolfe, hitting the palm plate and keying my security code at the same time. “Two-inch-thick solid wood with a half inch of steel plate in the middle of this door, by the way.”

  Rolfe looked at it as if he could break it open with his pinky finger. Maybe he could–the man was almost unstoppable.

  “Welcome to my home,” I said.

  Company already and I was feeling giddy and excited. I was proud of what I had done here and didn’t mind showing it off. The entrance room was the main living area, hardwood floors, wood and various leathers made up the furniture. All looking comfortable yet tasteful and well made. I was very pleased with the choices my decorator had made, and had actually fallen asleep on the main couch last night. Paintings of forest and nature scenes decorated the walls, I had selected these from pictures the decorator had sent me. A large-screen TV, and a big solid wood coffee table sat between couches and chairs. A few throw rugs adorned the floors, all natural and neutral colors. It was dark but a quiet and peaceful presentation. I loved it.

  On the coffee table was a large fishbowl full of various dark chocolates, I had to have this around and had grabbed a few on my way out this morning. Hans was bringing the wine in as the elevator arrived and I rushed to the door to welcome my other visitors.

  “Please come in,” I told Lily and Emily as they came out of the elevator. “My home is yours.”

  I proceeded to give everyone the tour, even Hans, Markus, and Rolfe who looked like he was in no hurry to leave. To the left, was a door leading to a hallway with the two guest bedrooms and a room I had set up as a workout room. To the right was another hallway to the master bedroom and a room I used to hold and display my various knives, swords, and other sharp instruments. All three bedrooms had their own bathrooms. Behind the living area was a bar separating the living room and the kitchen/dining area, a standard kitchen with a few extras. Two commercial espresso makers, the automatic kind, and a large industrial size coffee grinder with brewer and large air pots adorned the counter. Giant jars and hoppers of various coffee and espresso beans littered the counters as well. I was definitely not going to be short on coffee. A Starbucks barista would be jealous of this set up. Big windows laid out a view of the city in all directions. Retractable blinds for privacy and security were also wooden, that is, wood covering steel slats.

  All the while I was carrying that package around. Lily and Emily were very complimentary of my place. Rolfe just had a funny look on his face.

  “I really have to get going,” Rolfe said. “Lily, it looks like the security here will be fine. However, Smith, I do want to see that dagger you are so excited about before I leave,” he said, looking at me expectantly.

  Chapter Four

  “Has anyone ever heard of the Sicam Tenebrarum?” I asked.

  We were gathered around the large coffee table, my package sitting next to my bowl of chocolates.

  “One of my teachers talked about it in class,” Em
ily said. “She said it was a dagger thought to be from a battle between angels of light and darkness that was left behind.

  “Excellent,” I said. “I hope you got an A in that class. The story goes that a young man traveling upon a deserted path came upon two angels fighting, one from Heaven and one from Hell. There was a great clashing of swords and furious fighting and the light was so bright the boy had to look away. When he looked back they were gone, leaving the dagger in the dirt. This was about five-hundred years ago and the dagger has been the subject of much fighting and controversy since. Stolen numerous times, bought and sold numerous times, all owners trying to solve the mystery of this dagger. It is made of an unknown alloy that nobody seems to be able to replicate and it was assumed to be a magic blade as that is what is thought such creatures use. Only a magic blade would be capable of killing such a creature and it was thought that any supernatural being would be subject to its magic.”

  I paused, everyone was staring at the package now. “Eventually, as technology advanced and many witches and magical creatures tried to use it, the theory became that although it was an artifact of unknown metal there was nothing magical about it and the boy just found it but did not witness a fight between angels. It no longer became the subject of theft and fighting, instead being bought and sold among collectors and the curious. The owner I got it from was a scientific think tank running low on funding. They had this thing for the last six years and sold it to avoid shutting down. I was fortunate to get this for just a few million dollars.”

  Rolfe looked at me sideways. “Smith,” he said, “I could have got you a really nice dagger for just a few hundred.”

  “I have many daggers, Rolfe. You assume that the current theory is the correct one. I happen to know that the dagger is the real deal and its magic just needs to be activated. I also know the secret of how to activate it.”

  With that, I proceeded to open the package. It was wrapped in soft leather, which I laid on the table and unfolded. The dagger was beautiful in its simplicity. The metal was a very dark color, almost black with just a tinge of blue, said to be the color of midnight.