Scarlet (12 page)

"You do know your training is scheduled tomorrow bright and early, right?"

"Yes," Demery said, grinning past the dreadlocks that had fallen into his face. "That's why we're drinking tonight, mon. Care for some synth-rum?" He laughed and drank the shot in front of him, slamming the cup down when he was done.

Red considered the offer. She really shouldn't drink with the recruits. It would make it harder to gain their respect, but after the day shed had. she could really use a drink. "What else do you have besides rum?"

Takeo lifted the synth-scotch, so she could see the bottle. It certainly wasn't the good stuff, but in Nuria, you couldn't be too picky.

"Sure, why not," she said with a shrug.

The men split, giving her space between them. Takeo grabbed another bottle, then made quick work of the top before sliding it over to her. His expression was unreadable as Red clutched the bottle and wiped off the top. She tipped it back and took three very long swallows before placing it back on the bar.

All three men were watching her, waiting for God only knows what to happen. "Boys," she said. "I was a tactical team officer for years. If you're expecting me to spit this crap out or gasp over the taste, then you're going to be waiting awhile. My guess is that I could drink you all under the table."

All three men burst out laughing and raised their bottles in salute. They drank amiably for the next two hours, until Red called it a night. "See you tomorrow, gentlemen, and don't expect me to take it easy on you just because we've put back a few."

Juan's eyes glittered in speculation. "Need company?" he asked.

Red's brows shot to her hairline. "No, I think I can handle getting to my rest pad on my own."

Demery and Takeo hit him in the arms, bouncing the man back and forth between them. "She shot you down, mon," Demery said, chuckling.

Takeo didn't laugh. He met Red's gaze evenly. She didn't miss the longing in his eyes or the calculation. Red shook her head in warning. He grinned, flashing fangs that were larger than any she'd ever seen. A wave of awareness struck and Red suppressed a shiver.

She kept her eyes on Takeo as she walked up the stairs. It had been a mistake to drink with them. It gave them ideas that she didn't want rattling around in their heads. Red thought about Maggie's accusation. She hadn't done anything wrong.

It wasn't her fault more men seemed to take notice of her now that Morgan was gone. She rubbed her forehead. Did it have something to do with Morgan leaving, or was some-thing else behind their change of behavior?

Red glanced down at her appearance. Her breasts were still small, her legs were still long, and her stomach was still flat, thanks to her irregular eating habits. She sniffed. Her scent had changed a little. Grown sweeter perhaps, but it was still nothing particularly remarkable as far as she was concerned. To her, she looked and felt the same as she always did. Yet no one had seemed to notice her before. The wolf inside of her swished its tail, sending delicious tremors up her spine.

"It's a little late to show yourself now," she muttered.

Red pressed her palm on the panel outside of her door.

"Credits running low," a computerized voice intoned.

Great. Her shoulders slumped as the door slid open. That warning meant she had a week, maybe two if she was lucky, before she'd be creditless and locked out of her room.

"Morgan, you'd better be back by then," she warned as she shut the door behind her.

chapter nine

The vidcom lit up at five in the morning. Red blinked, momentarily blinded by the bright light. "Who is it?" she asked, her voice sleep hazed.

"You are a sight for sore eyes," Morgan said.

Red came awake in an instant and threw the covers off. She stumbled forward to stand in front of the screen. Morgan's eyes were bloodshot and he had several days' growth shadowing his jaw. His dark hair protruded and his skin had lost much of its bronze color. She barely recognized him.

"It's so good to see you. Are you okay? Where are you?" she asked, touching the screen. "You don't look like you've been eating or sleeping."

He touched the screen where her hand rested. Red could almost feel the warmth of his skin brushing hers.

"I know I don't look it, but I'm fine," he said, gazing at her. "I've been working security for the Santa Fe Cloning Lab. I have to go in later today. How are things with you?"

Red bit her lip. She debated whether to lie, but she didn't have the energy. "Things here aren't working out. People are unhappy with your decision to leave me in charge. Really unhappy. They think I've driven you off. There's talk of appointing a new alpha. Although goodness knows where they'll get one."

Morgan's eyes grew frosty and a rumble tore from his chest. "That would be a mistake."

"I know that, and you know that, but they need a leader and you're not here."

'"But you are. And I left you in charge," he said, as if that should solve all the problems.

"I know, but a lot of people don't agree with your decision." She wasn't about to tell him that Maggie seemed to be leading the charge to have her run out of town. Power had clearly gone to her head. She was acting like she was the new sheriff. Red didn't tell him because Morgan would never believe it. Hell,
she
barely believed it. She'd always been so mild mannered when Morgan was around and had gone out of her way to make Red feel welcome.

Morgan scrubbed a hand over his face. "I'll be back as soon as I can. I have to have time to locate ...You have to give me more time. Can you hold the town together until I get back?"

Gee, he wasn't asking for much. What did he expect her to do? Lock them up until they agreed to accept her as their new leader? She blinked back tears. There was no way she was going to cry in front of him. "This isn't a tactical team unit, this is a town. They aren't going to drop everything and listen to orders. I'm doing the best I can. It's hard, since you didn't tell them about Sarah and Joshua. I won't be able to put them off for long. They don't understand what's happening. All they know is that their alpha left them vulnerable." Heck, she didn't understand what was happening and she knew why he'd left. Red let out a frustrated breath that smelled like last night's synth-scotch. Her nose crinkled and she groaned.

"It can't be that bad," he said. "I haven't been gone long."

He wasn't listening or maybe he didn't want to hear what she had to say. "Morgan, like it or not, I am still considered an outsider by most. The fact that I can't control my change only makes it worse. They don't trust me. And to be honest, at least when it comes to the wolf, I can't blame them."

His expression drooped, making him appear even more exhausted. "I take it that means you haven't had any luck with transforming since I left? I thought maybe I'd been holding you back."

Red pulled her hand away from the screen and planted it on her hip. "Don't you think I would've told you?"

"Sorry," he said. "It's just been a long week."

"You're telling me," she said, as the comlink by the bed beeped. Red frowned. "Hang on a sec. Someone's trying to contact me."

She grabbed the device, pushing the button on the side to activate the two-way communication. "Red here," she said.

"It's Maggie." Red glanced at the time. Only five minutes had passed since Morgan called. There was only one reason Maggie would be contacting her this early—to convey bad news. "We've found a body." And there it was.

"I'll be there in fifteen," Red said, then flicked the switch disconnecting the call. She turned back to Morgan.

"Is everything all right?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Nothing I can't handle," she lied. "But I do have to go." Red stared at the face she knew like the back of her hand. She loved this man more than she'd ever loved anyone, and she had no idea if she'd ever see him again. What he planned was dangerous and beyond foolish, but there was no way she could talk him out of it. This was something he had to do.

"I'll call again when I have a chance," he said, reaching for the screen once more.

Red placed her hand on top of his and choked down a sob. "Be careful. I want you back in one piece."

He smiled. "I'll be back as soon as I can. Do your best to keep them in line."

"I will."

"I love you," he said, passion burning in his amber eyes.

Red sniffled. "I love you, too. Got to go." She disconnected the call before she humiliated herself by begging him to come home.

The sheriff's station was abuzz by the time Red reached it twenty minutes later. Maggie sat at her desk, commanding the chaos. For a little woman, she did a terrific job juggling the troops. The three recruits she'd been drinking with waited quietly in the corner.

"Head out to the obstacle course. I'll catch up with you as soon as I can," she said, handing them the coordinates.

The men nodded and took off.

"Now what do we have?" Red asked Maggie.

"Dead male found out in the valley." she said, staring at the report in front of her. She traced a finger over a map and then back again. Her eyes widened.

"What?" Red asked.

'The body looks to be near the location you frequent." she said, not bothering to hide the accusation in her voice. "You got in pretty late last night."

Red replayed the evening in her mind. She was sure she hadn't forgotten anything, but that didn't prevent doubt from rearing it's ugly head. She'd shifted multiple times without ever being aware it had occurred. What if this was one of those times? She recalled her bloody claw. Had there been more? She wouldn't know until she examined the body. "I have nothing to hide."

"We'll see." She cocked her head. "Sure you didn't come across anyone while you were out there?"

"Positive." Red's jaw clenched. "I was out there
alone.
Didn't realize I needed an audience to vouch for me."

"No crowd, but as I recall, you do need a spotter since you're not aware of when you shift. Without someone to beat witness, how do you know you didn't succeed?" she asked.

The station grew quiet as everyone awaited her answer.

Red's mouth open and closed. She'd been alone. Could she be certain she'd failed? She looked into Maggie's assessing eyes. The coldness she saw chilled her. It didn't matter what she believed. Red needed to convince the people listening that she could lead. And the only way that would happen was if she stood firm on her answers. "I would've remembered," she said loud enough for all to hear.

Maggie's lips pursed. "Well since you don't have anyone to vouch for you, then I guess we'll just have to take your word for it."

"Yeah, I guess you will."

Red's body vibrated with barely leashed anger as she drove to the scene. Not even Morgan's call could help her sour mood. How dare Maggie accuse her? She didn't even know who'd been killed. And even if it turned out to be someone she knew, she didn't have anything to do with this death.

Or at least Red didn't think she did. Had she shape-shifted without knowing it? No. She'd woken up in the same condition she'd gone to bed in. That never happened when she changed during the night.
What if she 'd changed before she left the valley?
Red couldn't be sure. Fear lingered in the back of her mind.
Please don't let him he ripped apart.

Jim Thornton had already been called and was on his way.
He might even arrive before she had a chance to look at the scene. He was professional enough not to touch anything, or at least he had been when Morgan was around. These days, she didn't know for sure what he'd do.