Knight Shift (6 page)

One of the charms of this cabin was the exceptionally high, vaulted ceiling. That feature now gave him amusement when Penny climbed up on the counter to reach a large bowl perched like a bird on a high shelf. He got a crooked grin seeing that she wasn’t wearing any underwear underneath the silk and lace. Ignoring the wonderful view, he found himself reaching out as if to catch her if she fell, but his movements weren’t to save her from injury. If her body was damaged in any way before the hunt began, it would slow her down and he wanted a good, long hunt before he stopped to feed. He exhaled in relief when her feet were firmly back on the floor, knowing that he got to watch her show a little longer.

As she continued to work, she kept glancing into the living room with an odd stare—as if sensing something. After she finished baking, she cut up the treats and stacked them on a brightly colored paper plate, shoving them to the back of the counter.

After putting everything away, she walked into the living room, stopped, and stared into the corner where Ice was now hiding. When he moved to a new location to see what she would do, her eyes followed him, although she made no outward signs that she actually saw him.

He said to himself in astonishment, “
Somehow this insignificant Human can sense me.
”

While staring at his newest perch, she squinted her eyes and said to the wall, “I know someone is here. I can feel your stare.” After listening to the silence, she asked, “Are you a ghost?” The prospect of her cabin being haunted made her pulse race with excitement. She closed her eyes and tried to sense the spirit’s intention. Feeling nothing but a pleasant, tingling sensation she said with a smile on her face and with pure curiosity, “You feel nice, so I’m going to guess that you’re a friendly ghost.”

Ice had to cover his mouth to hold back his laughter, knowing that she couldn’t be farther from the truth. Her internal antenna was malfunctioning, because there was no ghost more deadly than he.

A brilliant smile lit her face and her bright green eyes twinkled. “Since you’re friendly, I think I’ll name you Casper.” She chuckled at her humor. She curtsied politely and said, “Welcome to my home, Casper. I hope you decide to stay. Having someone to talk to at night will be very nice.” Pointing to the television she suggested. “You have perfect timing. All of my electronics were recently hooked up so come watch a show with me.”

She walked over to her tiny couch, grabbed a white, fuzzy pillow with buttons positioned in a way that made it look like eyes. She fluffed the make-shift companion next to her and clicked on the television. She called into the air, “What would you like to watch tonight, Casper?” After a quiet pause, she announced, “Good choice. Disaster movie it is.”

Ice was surprised that his prey settled in with her ghost to watch a movie about a meteor hitting New York City. But he was even more shocked that he stayed and watched her every move until the movie ended.

As the light from the rising sun started to touch the horizon, Penny stood. She stretched, gave the pillow a hug and a kiss, and said, “Good night, Casper.” With hope in her voice, she added, “I’ll see you the same time tomorrow.”

Ice wasn’t sure what she meant by her statement, but he let her go to bed unharmed, justifying his actions by saying that he would have plenty of time to kill her tomorrow night.

The next day, the twins decided to take a trip into town to visit Penny at work. When they arrived in the store, they spotted her standing by the main office.

Quinn, standing next to Penny, let out a groan and announced, “Your favorite customers are here.”

Penny looked up at the recent arrivals, smiled, and waved them over.

Seeing the twins approach, Quinn couldn’t stop every muscle in his body from tensing with unease. He said, “They’re all yours, Boss,” and he made a quick exit. Others followed his lead and disappeared into back rooms or found something else to do.

Seeing that she was now standing alone, she called to her workers, “You’re all a bunch of chickens!” and let out a giggle. Once the twins were in front of her she said, “You two really know how to clear a room. I’ve never seen everyone so eager to find work to do.”

Tadd shrugged and replied, “It’s a gift. They’re just intimidated by my devastating beauty.”

Taylor whacked him in the arm and said, “No way ugly. It’s me that has them in a spell.”

As they started to rough house, Penny stepped in between them and said, “Boys, knock it off. If you’re going to fight, take it outside.”

They gave each other one last whack and said to Penny in unison while pointing at each other, “He started it.”

Penny rolled her eyes, but then jumped slightly when she remembered something. “I’m glad you stopped in. I made something for you last night.” She stepped back into the office and came out carrying a paper plate covered in a tower of treats.

“Excellent!” Tadd exclaimed and then shoved an entire treat into his mouth. “What’s the occasion?” he mumbled with his mouth full.

“I couldn’t sleep last night so I decided to bake.”

Tadd wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and said, “Feel free to bake for us anytime.”

Taylor, as if on cue, leaned down toward Penny and said, “If you can’t sleep, we would be happy to come over and keep you company. I bet we could find some activities that would wear you out.”

She pushed him back. “Thanks for the offer, but I wasn’t alone.”

Tadd stopped chewing on a second treat and snarled. “Who’s invading our turf?”

“If you must know, his name is Casper and he’s a ghost.” Seeing the confusion on their faces, she added excitedly, “My cabin is haunted.”

Taylor asked with a chuckle, “What?”

Penny replied, “My home is haunted by a ghost. I could sense his presence last night.”

“Is he rattling chains and moaning?”

Penny giggled. “No, he’s nothing like that. I find his presence quite calming and its’ nice to have someone to talk to.”

Taylor asked, “How do you know it’s a ‘he’?”

Penny shrugged. “I just know.”

Not liking any man near Penny—dead or alive—Taylor suggested, “If you’re lonely, maybe you should get a dog.”

Tadd smiled and added, “Or a boyfriend with beautiful brown eyes.” He batted his dark eyes at her.

She laughed at his silly expressions and said, “I don’t need a pet or a boyfriend. Casper is the perfect companion. He’s a great listener, never interrupts me when I talk, and never argues with me over watching silly movies on the TV.” Looking at the clock on the wall, she said, “I have to make my rounds.” Not wanting to leave them on their own to harass workers, she said, “If you promise to behave, you can come with me. We recently inventoried some new motorcycle gear that you might be interested in.”

After they promised to not attack anyone, she led them through the store and they teased her endlessly about her new imaginary friend. As they left with several large bags in tow, they yelled, “Later, Apple Dumpling. Say hi to Casper for us.”

The twins arrived at home carrying a few leftover treats and tossed them on the counter. Seeing the familiar paper plate pattern that Penny had used, Ice knew instantly where they got them. Although angry that they once again went to see the Human he warned them away from, his curiosity was piqued. He walked over to the counter, picked one up, and asked, “You didn’t go see Penny again, did you?” Remembering the way Penny looked when she made the treats, he smiled and took a bite, silently nodding his approval.

Knowing that Ice could most likely smell Penny’s scent on the plate, Taylor replied innocently, “We stopped by the store to pick up a few things we ordered and she was working.”

Tadd added, “We were only there for a few minutes and, when she saw us, she gave us these treats as we left.”

Ice grunted in disbelief, grabbed another treat, and left the kitchen with his typical unreadable expression on his face.

Neither of the twins liked the look he was giving and they instinctively knew he was up to something. They decided, for Penny’s sake, to be extra discrete about their friendship.

*~*~*~*

As the night before, Ice arrived at Penny’s cabin several minutes before two o’clock. And, per her previous night’s routine, he watched her stir from her sleep shortly after he arrived. Puzzled by her behavior he watched her get up. The sweat on her body again twinkled as he stared unblinkingly at another very sexy outfit—this time a white lacy tank top and matching panty. He liked this one even better than the last. After a quick check to confirm that she was alone in bed, he watched her turn in his direction.

She said with a yawn and a stretch, “Thanks for coming back, Casper. No movie tonight. I think I’m going to paint.”

He understood her statement when she came back from her bathroom in a paint-spotted t-shirt and shorts—both with holes and rips in the right places that kept his attention. Wanting to know what she was planning on painting, he used his stealth abilities to remain hidden even after she turned on the lights and laid out her painting supplies.

Over the next few hours, he stared at his prey working on the mural of a tiger ripping through the wall. She painstakingly focused all of her attention on the animal’s eyes. While she painted, she told Casper of her day at work and of the twins, which she spoke of with great affection. Ice knew she was getting too close to the twins and he would have to resolve the situation before it got any worse—that is, after she was done painting for the night.

By the time she stepped back to examine her work, even he felt the intensity of the animal’s stare. She explained to her invisible friend, “I always start with the eyes. Somehow it helps bring them to life and the rest of their internal nature just seems to flow out of my paintbrush.” Penny proceeded to explain to Casper in detail her plans for the room.

Ice listened intently to every word she said. Now wanting to see the tiger completed in his future room, he decided that her death could wait for a few more days.

*~*~*~*

Ice continued to visit Penny’s house and the days quickly turned into weeks. Like an internal alarm clock, she woke at the exact same time each night and crawled out of bed wearing different sexy lingerie. In the few weeks that he’d been watching, she hadn’t repeated the same outfit twice. Given the intriguing nightwear, he decided to investigate further while Penny was at work.

The next day after he saw her leave, he walked into the cabin. As he rummaged through her bedroom, he opened her closet to find a large collection of nighties in every color of the rainbow. When he went to her dresser, he found a drawer full of the same lace and silk. When he glanced in the corner, he found a partially opened box crammed full of even more. He laughed at the sight and exclaimed, “She’s a lingerie junkie!” As he continued to snoop through every drawer, box, and cabinet in the cabin, he didn’t find any signs that a man had ever been in the home with her. This also matched the research he had done online that showed that she had never been in any kind of serious relationship. He wondered out loud. “No male audience…she’s just a lace addict.” The thought that he may be the only male on the planet that had seen the fashion show for some reason made him protective of the collection. He pitied any fool that attempted to become personally familiar with his now claimed territory. They wouldn’t live to share the tale.

Each night he watched this odd Human. Besides the nightgown parade, where he was keeping track of his top five, he was learning more about Penny. He had already learned the basic things like what she liked to eat, movies she watched, and her favorite hobbies—the selection matching her mood. One of his favorite night time activities was when she would paint. He would sit along the wall and watch her work for hours at a time, transforming her bedroom into a jungle theme which was quite realistic and very beautiful. Initially he planned on how he was going to redecorate once the Human was gone, but those thoughts slowly faded away. Although her cabin full of color and life was a stark contrast to his dark, monotone world, Penny’s reality called to him. Even if she needed to be removed from his world, he wanted this cabin as she made it to keep a part of her alive, like a distant whisper in the dark.

*~*~*~*

As the weeks went by and Penny opened up more and more to her ghost Casper. He listened to her talk excitedly about her success with the first overnight hiking group she took into the woods. Ice had watched the entire event while hidden in the shadows, but he kept his distance because he knew that to kill her, he had to kill them all and he couldn’t risk the investigation that would provoke.

As Penny continued to talk and began to share her inner thoughts and private feelings, Ice was shocked to listen to the growing words of affection that she had for the twins. Although he knew he needed to stop their growing friendship, he repeatedly extended her execution. He justified his actions by saying that she hadn’t finished his future bedroom yet and she was a temporary reprieve for his boredom.

As Ice positioned himself for another nighttime show, Penny awoke, got up, and said her normal “Morning Casper,” to the shadow. Tonight she wore his favorite outfit so far. It was a short pink number made of sheer lace and tied loosely up the front. It showed off just enough to tease him into wanting to undo each tie to reveal what was underneath. He was going to enjoy the view, thinking it was a perfect balance between nice girl next door and a porn star. He cursed when she exited the bathroom wrapped in a robe.

Looking at the clock she announced, “Almost time, Casper.” As she was leaving the bedroom, her phone beeped, informing her she had received a text. After typing a quick response, she rummaged through a packing box in the living room and pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniels and a shot glass. She wiped off a layer of dust, telling Ice that she didn’t drink very often. She set the items next to her computer and started up a chat session. After sending a computer generated call, a man’s face appeared on her screen, saying “I see by your quick response that my text didn’t wake you.”

“I wish.”

“Still can’t sleep?”

“No, but did you think that moving here would change that?”

“I was hoping a new location might change things.”

“Maybe it’s because I miss that ugly mug of yours.” She giggled.

Ice adjusted his position so that he could see the computer screen. It was obvious that the man Penny was talking to was very attractive and the twinkle in Penny’s eyes showed that she cared a great deal for him. When he wondered if he was the intended target for her nighttime wardrobe, his anger flared. They were now his and, if she took off her robe to show him his pink number, he wasn’t sure he would be able to control his actions.

While Ice’s agitation grew, a second face, exactly the same as the first, pushed in front of the screen. “Do you miss me too?” he asked.

She acknowledged the second man with, “Hey Max. I guess I miss even you.”

Max asked, “Hey sis. How’s our little lingerie model doing?”

Ice now knew that she was talking to the twin brothers that he read about in her profile.

Penny shrugged her shoulders and replied, “I’m fine, I guess.”

Morgan asked, “So how many have you bought since moving out there?”

“Only a few,” she replied innocently.

Max laughed and said, “Somehow I doubt that. You should join LA.”

Penny asked, “What’s LA?”

Morgan explained, “Lingerie Anonymous.” After clearing his throat, he imitated Penny’s voice and said, “I, Penny Blanchard, am hopelessly addicted to thong underwear.”

In mock disgust she exclaimed, “You started it with that birthday party gag gift of yours that you sent to me from a secret admirer. All of which you did for the sole purpose of embarrassing the hell out of me in front of my friends.”

Max replied with a laugh, “I never knew anyone could turn that shade of red. I think you glowed, but I had no idea that you would become hopelessly obsessed.”

Morgan suggested, “If you wore them hunting, I bet the animals would come running to you.”

Max asked, “Speaking of hunting, how’s the terrain out there?”

Thrilled that they had moved on to a new subject, Penny replied, “Great! You would love this place. I spent a weekend in the woods a few weeks back and took a small group of hikers on an overnighter. While out in the woods, I scoped out a great hunting spot.” Penny suggested, “Why don’t you two come visit and we can go out and give the spot a try?”

Max replied, “We’re trying to make that happen. I hate that you’re out there alone and unprotected…especially in the woods. Those mountains are full of lethal creatures. They’re lying in wait for someone tasty like you to come alone. When you drop your guard, they’ll strike without warning.”

Ice chuckled to himself at the truth in Max’s words.

Although the image of the shadowed creature she saw at the edge of the store’s parking lot flashed in her mind, Penny squared her shoulders and replied, “Don’t start the same old ‘you’re too weak to be on your own’ lecture again. The two of you taught me well and I know how to protect myself.”

Morgan said, “We know you can, but we would both feel better if someone was there watching over you.”

Max added, “Speaking of watching you. Have you shared your collection with any male visitors yet?”

Penny shook her head and said, “I’ve recently become good friends with a set of twins that remind me a lot of you. And before you ask, we aren’t dating. Who needs a boyfriend anyways? I have something much better.”

“A girlfriend?” Morgan teased.

When she rolled her eyes with a huff, Max suggested, “A dog?”

Penny shook her head. “Not even close. My cabin is haunted by a ghost that I named Casper.”

The twins laughed and Max said, “You always were a sucker for supernatural stories.”

Penny replied with a hint of anger in her voice, “You should pay attention to those stories. Ghosts do exist. I thought your mind would have opened up since the world learned about Changelings.” Staring off into the air, she added, “I wish they hadn’t gone into hiding.”

Hearing the longing in her voice, Max said warningly, “I wish you weren’t so eager to find them. Not all of them are friendly.”

Morgan added, “Remember the story about the Chicago gang whose bodies were ripped into tiny pieces by what they think were teeth and claws? Given the DNA evidence, they confirmed that it was done by one of those ‘friendly’ Changelings of yours.”

Max said, “Luckily the research shows that they’re naturally sterile so they can’t produce offspring. Could you imagine killer babies?”

Penny shook her head and replied, “But I think there was more to that gang story then what they printed in the papers. I’ve also heard horror stories of Human’s torturing and mutilating Changelings for fun or in the name of research. I can’t imagine the things that gang must have done to make him lash out that way. Human’s fear anything we can’t explain.”

Morgan said, “Some things are best if they remain hidden.”

Penny replied, “I don’t agree. I can promise you that I won’t go out looking for Changelings, but I won’t close my eyes or my doors. I would welcome them into my home. Did you ever think that they may be our future? We can’t stop evolution.”

“But Sis…they weren’t created from nature. It was a genetic abnormally triggered by that flu inoculation.”

“Who’s to say that wasn’t fate leading us toward our next natural step? Research also shows that we all have some kind of genetic abnormality lying in wait within us. Nature just needed a little helping hand to make it come to the surface. Many of them have extraordinary gifts.” After a moment to ponder, she asked, “If I changed, I wonder what my special gift would be?”

Max replied, “Maybe yours would replace your screeching with a great singing voice. It would be a perfect addition to your ability to dance on bar counters.”

Recalling a very embarrassing night in a bar with her brothers before she moved, Penny exclaimed in a huff, “Don’t you dare bring that up. That was all your fault for getting me drunk. Speaking of partying, how was your birthday? Did Mom and Dad throw you a big bash like you’re still their babies?”

Morgan replied, “Of course. Mom doted on us like we were turning 16 instead of 30. She actually cried.”

Penny laughed. “That’s Mom for sure. She gets so sentimental on birthdays.”

After a long discussion about the events of the party, Max asked, “Well, are you ready?”

Penny nodded and filled her shot glass, holding it in front of the screen so that they could see it.

Morgan asked, “Are your doors locked? I don’t want you dancing in the streets.”

Penny rolled her eyes and said, “Ha, ha. I’m safely at home with the doors locked. No one can get in and I can’t get out.”

Ice knew his presence each night negated that theory.

Once the twins had matching shots raised, they toasted to their birthday and downed the liquor. By the time Penny signed off for the night, she had downed several shots too many and was very drunk.

As she swayed, she caressed the cool blank screen and sighed—the pain obvious in her expression. Drinking straight from the bottle now, she put on some music. When she attempted to sing along, Ice instantly understood her brother’s comment about her lack of singing ability.

When Penny spotted the white Casper pillow staring back at her, she toasted him with another drink. After putting the bottle down, she staggered over to the couch and clumsily gave the pillow a curtsy. “May I have this dance, Casper?” she asked.

She took the pillow into her arms and started to dance around the room. When she bumped into the computer side chair, she hiccupped and said, “Oops. Excuse me sir.” She placed Casper on the seat and, when a song came on that she liked, her eyes opened wide. She staggered to the bottle and downed another big drink. With a wicked grin, she turned to her pillow and asked in a sexy voice, “Are you ready for me, Casper?”

Ice watched intently as she dropped her robe, revealing his favorite nightgown. He couldn’t stop his body from reacting as she twisted and turned in snake-like movements that left him almost hypnotized. He thought her moves would have given a professional stripper a run for her money. As his eyes focused on the ribbons loosely tied at her chest, willing them to undo, her fingers obeyed his unspoken demands. He let out a low growl as she undid each bow, slowly revealing more of what was hidden underneath. Just when her top was almost fully undone, she lost her balance and stumbled forward, landing with her legs straddling the chair. She leaned against the Casper pillow, too drunk to stand and mumbling things Ice couldn’t make out. Moments later her eyes closed.

When her body went completely limp, Ice cautiously stepped out of the shadows and approached. Then for some reason he didn’t understand, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Casper says time to go to bed.”

She swatted at the air without opening her eyes and managed to slur out, “Leave me be, Casper.”

Her movement made her lose her balance and Ice caught her to prevent her from hitting the floor. While she lay in his arms, he couldn’t believe how warm her body was, even for a Human. It was as if she had a fever, but she wasn’t sick. He assumed that it was how her body reacted to alcohol. Now that he was holding her, he wasn’t sure what to do with her. Going against every hunter instincts he possessed, he lifted Penny up, noticing that her fingers still clutched onto the Casper pillow with a death grip.

She pressed herself against his cool chest, letting out a “Mmmm,” noise. He was naturally very cool to the touch, much like a reptile, and she loved how it felt against her hot skin.

He carried her into her bedroom and laid her on the bed. Before he could back away, she unexpectedly leaned toward him. Without opening her eyes, she said clearly and with all humor gone, “Stay with me, Casper. I’m so lonely.” When he started to back away, she grabbed into the air trying to catch her ghost. With real need in her voice, she begged, “Please don’t go.”

In a panic, he tucked the body pillow she held each night into her arms. She accepted the gift and wrapped her arms and legs around it tightly. Just before she passed out, she whispered, “You’re my best friend. Don’t ever leave me.” Soon the room filled with her even breathing, informing Ice that his prey had fallen into a deep, alcohol induced sleep.

Ice remained squatted next to Penny’s bed for a very long time. At first he cursed profusely at himself. He had her in his arms and could have killed her in seconds. But as he stared down at her sleeping form, his mind swirled with unfamiliar emotions and his arms already ached to touch her again. Seeing her hugging the pillows with such affection, he actually wondered what it would feel like to be that pillow.

While he continued to watch her sleep, he recalled her discussion with her brothers. He was envious of the closeness she had to her family—a sensation that would be forever unknown to him. Although she said she wanted to meet a Changeling, he knew that if she was aware that she stood face to face with one, she would run in fear, as everyone else had done. But he couldn’t stop himself from wondering if the twins were right. She was unlike any Human he had ever met. Maybe she would embrace their racial differences.

Just before he stood, he reached out and caressed a line down her cheek. When she naturally leaned into his touch, he shook his head in a futile attempt to remove new and extremely intimate images that were quickly filing his mind. In a flash, he was gone.