Shay's Shifters [Mountain Men of Montana 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 11

  “I thought werewolves and shape-shifters were the same thing.” She turned loose of Myla’s hand as a butterfly glittering with tiny diamonds on its wings flew by. “Oh, how beautiful!”

  “Werewolves are a kind of shape-shifter, but a true shifter like my daughter and me can change into any animal.”

  Flowers in colors Shay had never imagined lined the area behind one tent. “What about people? Can shifters change into other people?”

  “Shape-shifters have the ability to transform into people, but we have a rule against that. If we didn’t, all kinds of chaos would break out.”

  She stopped as an idea struck her. “What about the children and the nudity? I mean, don’t you worry about what they’ll see?” Her gaze dropped to her crotch then lifted back to Myla with arched eyebrows. “You know. Men’s dingalings and women’s yoo-hoos?”

  “Dingalings and yoo-hoos?” Myla clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggle. “What silly names. You mean penises and vaginas?”

  “Sorry. A friend of mine calls them that.” She had to tell Tatum to stop using euphemisms so they wouldn’t rub off on her.

  “Being naked is the natural way for us. Our children learn from the very beginning that everyone’s human body is as beautiful as their animal form. I don’t think they even notice any longer.”

  “But you sent them inside a cabin when everyone got involved in the orgy.”

  “I don’t mean this in a critical way, but you really have a lot to learn. That wasn’t an orgy. To us, an orgy is for sexual pleasure and doesn’t always involve love or caring. What you saw was spontaneous lovemaking. Everyone was with their mates and expressing their love for one another. But we don’t allow the children to see or hear us. They must grow up and learn the other ways to show love such as helping one another and treating everyone with respect and kindness. Once they’re adults and have found their special ones, only then can they join in and express their love in a sexual way.”

  “That’s good. So let me get this straight. Nudity is okay, but no sex in front of the kids.”

  “That’s about it.”

  “Then why do any of you wear clothes at all?”

  Myla blinked at her then touched her on the arm. “We don’t. Not usually. But we knew you’d feel more comfortable if we did. Just as when we disappeared the day you came awake. We didn’t want to overwhelm you.”

  Myla bent to brush her palm over the tops of the flowers. The flowers moved, not merely swaying from her touch but bobbing up and down as though they were dancing.

  The buck that had blocked her way out of the hut the first day bent over to allow a small boy to climb onto his back. The boy whooped and hollered, hanging on to the buck’s antlers as the buck lifted his front legs into the air.

  “Is he one? The buck? He wouldn’t let me leave the hut.”

  Myla giggled, sounding much like her daughter. “I heard about that. They didn’t want you to run off and get hurt, so they chose Nicolas to stand guard. They figured a buck wouldn’t frighten you as much as a bear or wolf would.”

  “They were right about that.”

  Myla waved to a group of women. “I’ll leave you to look around on your own. But please, because of The Cursed, don’t wander off.”

  “I won’t.” She’d promised she wouldn’t, and besides, she was too curious to leave. How had she fallen into a fairy tale filled with mystical creatures and amazing people? Not to mention three men who wanted her. She turned in a slow circle, taking in everything. What would it be like to live here? Right now, it all seemed wonderful and new, but would the beauty and allure of The Hidden fade?

  And what about Renkon, Walker, and Rosh? She’d never felt as close to any man as she did with each of them. Especially not in such a short time. Her gaze drifted to Myla, who helped braid a child’s hair. Was true love real? If she let herself believe, would she realize that she’d fallen in love at first sight with three men?

  Suddenly, she wished she could call Tatum. Although many of her friends had enjoyed ménages, none of them lived with more than one man. Except Tee. “If only I had my cell phone.”

  “It wouldn’t do you any good.”

  She spun around and found an old man standing behind her. His face was weathered and wrinkled and covered with his long white beard, and his blue eyes held a kindness that made her trust him. “I’m sorry?”

  He held on to the top of a cane that showed many rings to denote the age of the tree it had been carved from. “My name is Charlton, Shay.”

  “How do you know my name?”

  The laugh lines around his eyes deepened with his smile. “We all know your name. It is you who have not learned ours.”

  She didn’t take offense at the gentle rebuke. “I’m learning a few today. Don’t you have any cell phone reception here?”

  “No. We don’t have electricity here, either. Or cell phone towers, television, tablets, or even e-book readers.”

  “I guess I should’ve guessed judging from your homes.” At his lifted eyebrow, she hurried on, careful not to offend him. “I mean, they’re nice and all, but this girl likes her cable television.”

  He pressed the tip of his cane to the bottom of her chin. “Young one, the comforts of The Outside are nothing compared to the treasures The Hidden gives us. You’ll learn that and many other things in time.”

  “But why not have the modern comforts and the treasures, too?”

  He leaned on his cane again. “Once you have the fruits of this world, those other comforts become meaningless.” He winked, patted her on the shoulder, and shuffled past her.

  She watched his slow progress across the camp, noting how the others bowed with respect whenever he drew close. I feel like I just met Obi-Wan Kenobi. Who’s next? Yoda?

  “Take him inside the cabin!”

  A nude Rosh and Walker burst out of the trees. They carried Renkon, his head hanging low, his feet dragging on the ground, and a long line of red tracking over his broad chest.

  Chapter Seven

  Shay’s breath caught in her throat, and her first instinct was to reach into a nonexistent pocket of her dress. “This is why you need cell phone service,” she grumbled.

  Taking off at a run, she followed the crowd of people helping the men carry Renkon up the slope and into the first cabin. Everyone milled around them as they strode through the open living room and through the adjoining huge kitchen. Rosh pushed his shoulder against a door, banging it open before hauling Renkon inside.

  The interior of the cabin was rustic with wood-carved furniture. Candles and lanterns rested on rough ledges and mantels. Large beams crossed the expanse of the ceiling while blankets not unlike the ones she slept with covered the walls. Shutters lay against the walls next to the windows, ready to block the view at night.

  Shay made it to the bedroom door, but too many people prevented her from entering. Peeking around the others, she watched as Rosh and Walker gently laid Renkon on top of a four-poster bed. Blood seeped from a long wound running from his neck to below his rib cage. His face was pale and his eyes were closed.

  “Is he dead?”

  Anger flashed through her at the unknown speaker. She couldn’t fathom why anyone would tempt fate by asking the question.

  He can’t be dead. Not now. I can’t lose him.

  “No. He’s alive,” answered Walker.

  Her knees almost buckled with the flush of relief. Thank God. I don’t think I could stand it if he died.

  “What happened?” Charlton eased past her, and the crowd parted for him like subjects making way for their king.

  “Burac and a couple of his pack jumped him as he changed into his human body. He didn’t have a chance to defend himself.” Rosh stepped back, allowing Charlton to bend over Renkon.

  “It was a premeditated attack.” Walker’s expression hardened as those around her gasped. “They must’ve tracked us and waited until we split apart. We were trying to flank a deer when it happened.”
<
br />   “Planned? Since when do The Cursed plan attacks?”

  Charlton’s blue eyes latched on to her. “Since Burac is desperate to get what he wants.”

  A chill swept over her as those around her turned to look at her. “This is my fault? But why attack Renkon? Why not try and abduct me instead?”

  “There’s no way to know for sure, but I believe he’s sending us a message.” Charlton’s tone was harsh, but controlled.

  “Charlton’s right.” Walker pivoted to face the crowed. “He’s sending us a warning. We know what he wants. Either we give it to him or else.”

  He wants me. “Or else what?” She wasn’t sure they’d heard her whisper until Rosh answered.

  “Or else it’s war.”

  She glanced at Myla, who stood near her. “No. I don’t want anyone else hurt because of me. I-I’ll give him what he wants. I’ll go to him.”

  Rosh and Walker both shook their heads, their eyes blazing with amber, fangs slipping from between their lips. Rosh strode to her and took her arm. “Don’t even think about it. We won’t let you.”

  “He’s right.” Walker scanned the crowd. “We’ve let them get away with far too much already, but no longer. It’s time we fight back.”

  Everyone started talking at once. Shay stood, her arm still held by Rosh, as emotions whirled inside her. She’d give her life for not only her men, but for the people of The Hidden.

  “No.”

  He hadn’t raised his voice, but Charlton’s words brought silence. “We don’t do anything. The Council will meet and come to a decision. Until then, stay in the campground and keep your children close to you.”

  She opened her mouth to resist, to demand he let her make the sacrifice, but he held up his hand to stop her.

  “You will stay with one of your men at all times. If not, we’ll have to find another way to keep you here.”

  Rosh’s tightening of his hold warned her to stay quiet. She gritted her teeth against the rebuke on the tip of her tongue.

  Charlton waved his hand over Renkon’s forehead. “He has a fever. Look at this wound. Burac must’ve cut him with a knife tainted with poison. That can only be Burac’s doing. The rest of The Cursed don’t have the intelligence to handle poison.” The old man grimaced as he straightened up. “Where is Penn?”

  People turned to look back out of the bedroom. Shay did the same even though she wasn’t sure who Penn was.

  A woman dashed toward them carrying a large wicker basket. She had long white hair that was twisted into one braid that bounced as she ran. She moved away from the door as the others did, giving the short, broad woman room to enter.

  “I’m here, Charlton. I gathered my herbs first. Lena, bring me cool water and some cloths.”

  A young girl at the edge of the group spun around and headed toward the adjoining bathroom.

  “Are you kidding me?”

  The others pivoted to stare at her.

  “What do you mean, Shay?” Yet she had the impression that Charlton knew exactly what she was thinking.

  “We need to get him to a hospital. This isn’t the time for herbs and voodoo.”

  She’d have felt better if they’d laughed at her. Instead, they responded with grumbles and more than a few snarls. Lena returned with a pitcher of water and white cloths. She put them on the side table and backed away, leaving Penn to take charge again.

  “Penn has the power to heal.” Walker held out his hand for her to bring her closer to Renkon. “It’s not voodoo, and it’s much better than any doctor or hospital. Trust me on that.”

  The closer she got to Renkon, the worse she felt. A knot twisted in her stomach and a stabbing pain splintered into her chest. She slid her hand out of Walker’s and took Renkon’s as she settled onto the side of the bed.

  Tears sprang to her eyes, blurring everything, and she held on tight, praying her touch would make him open his eyes.

  Penn took the other side of him, bent over, and placed her hand on top of his wound. He moaned then settled as she drew her hand to her nose and sniffed. “It’s poison, all right, and it’s moving through his blood toward his heart.”

  Shay wiped away a tear and forced herself to not let another one fall. “Can you help him?”

  Penn’s bright hazel eyes pierced into her. “I can. But your love can do more than any medicine I have. Perhaps together, along with his werewolf blood, we can. Let’s hope it’s enough.” She stood and flung her braid back behind her. “Everyone, get out of here.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Shay jutted out her chin, but she needn’t have worried.

  “I wouldn’t expect you to.” Penn flicked her hand at Rosh, Walker, and Charlton. “You men get out. This is for Shay and me alone.”

  She focused on Renkon, only vaguely aware of the others moving out of the room and someone closing the door. Penn pulled out several plants, none of which she recognized, and started mixing them together in a bowl. Who knew what kind of magic the woman could work? She didn’t care as long as it made Renkon better.

  Closing her eyes, she put Renkon’s hand between her two and said a prayer, easing the horrible feeling of helplessness churning inside her. If she could think of anything else to do, she’d do it. If Penn told her to jump off another cliff, she’d happily run to the edge and fling herself off.

  How had she come to care for him so much? She’d barely spoken to him, and yet she sensed that she knew him as well as those few close friends she’d had her entire life. And she didn’t feel that way just for Renkon. As though the attack had opened a gate inside her, feelings flowed outward. Walker, Renkon, and Rosh were as much a part of her as the breath she drew. Myla had spoken the truth. Love had nothing to do with knowing what foods a person liked or if they had siblings or a great job. Love came from a sense of connection, a primal instinct that foreshadowed the ability to learn and grow together. Those in The Outside had corrupted what true love meant and could no longer recognize it without needless trappings like romance and sex.

  It didn’t matter that she didn’t know much about them. Their hearts had somehow recognized each other amid all the stubbornness and struggle. She opened her eyes, ready to believe in the unbelievable.

  Renkon’s blue eyes were the best thing she’d ever seen. “Hey.” She glanced up at Penn, who had her eyes closed and continued to chant words in a language she didn’t recognize.

  He tried to speak, but no sound came out. She shushed him and caressed his cheek. “Don’t talk. Just rest. I want you back on your feet as soon as possible.”

  Even as ill as he was, he managed a grin, but it faded all too fast. He slicked his tongue over his lips and, this time, managed to speak. “What for?”

  She pressed her lips to his and hated that he felt so warm. “So I can get you back off your feet as soon as possible.”

  He rewarded her with another grin then closed his eyes. Alarm stiffened her neck.

  “Let him rest. You can stay with him, but don’t let him talk.” Penn added water to the crushed ingredients in the bowl and stirred it until it became a thick soup. “Now lift his head.”

  Shay cupped the back of Renkon’s head while Penn poured the foul-smelling substance into his mouth. Renkon groaned but swallowed. She repeated the process until all the soup was gone.

  “I don’t understand. He reminds me of my friend Willa and her husband. That’s why I came to the mountain. They were very ill, but it seemed like something else had happened to them. No one, not even the doctors, knew what was wrong.”

  “Did they have scratches or bites on their bodies?”

  “Yes. Both.”

  “And they were in a stupor or hallucinating, yes?”

  “Yes. So you think The Cursed attacked them, too?”

  “Yes, it sounds like it. But only Burac can go to The Outside. Your friends were lucky he didn’t kill them.” Penn passed her palm over Renkon’s midsection then made circles over his crotch.

  “He’s killed humans bef
ore?”

  “Not yet, but he’s getting more and more violent. He’s different than the rest of The Cursed. He’s truly evil, not simply a brutal animal. He’s smart and cruel. He ventures outside in hopes of bringing back a human female, but he’s never been able to bring one through. It angers him that he can’t. I think he’s started attacking humans just for the sake of wanting to inflict pain on anyone he can.”

  “Then how did Rosh bring me through?”

  She shrugged as if they were talking about inconsequential things. “We can bring humans though, but The Cursed can’t. I don’t know why. Perhaps it’s the Universe’s way of keeping your world safe.”

  “But my friends didn’t say anything about a creature attacking them.”

  “Humans don’t remember the attacks. The Cursed’s venom seeps into their minds and makes them forget.”

  “But they lived, so Renkon will live, too, right? They were sick a lot longer before they got medical help.” Could she call what Penn did medicine? But if it helped, who cared what it was called?

  “The Cursed’s venom that seeps from the end of their claws can cause hallucinations and erratic behavior along with extreme flu-like conditions in humans, but it’s not life threatening. Some humans are even immune. But with Renkon, Burac used more than just venom because he knows a werewolf’s blood will counteract the venom. He used another poison on his knife that he knows is deadly to supernaturals.”

  “Is he going to be all right?” She inhaled as a shudder racked his body. “You’re not saying he’s going to die, are you? Please don’t.” She’d give anything to keep him alive. But what could she do? She was helpless, lost in a world she didn’t understand.

  Penn shook her head. “That’s for him to decide and for you to help him.”

  “What do you mean? How can he decide anything in his condition?”

  Penn mumbled a few words then passed her hand over his forehead again. “The poison takes away a werewolf’s will to survive. He has to want to live. He has to know that he has a future worth fighting for. You can give him that reason to live.”