Jennifer Ashley - Wild Cat

Diego moved down the common, away from the activity. Nell lifted the curtain of her kitchen window and looked out at them as they walked by.

When they stopped, Diego took a small white business card out of his pocket. “Whenever you and Eric are ready to stop bullshitting me,” he said, tucking the card into the neckline of Cassidy’s shirt, “you call me.”

Diego’s fingers didn’t touch Cassidy’s skin, but the swift heat of his hand, the scrape of the thin card, made her mouth go dry.

“Diego, believe me when I say that I’m as confused about what’s going on as you are.”

“Maybe, but you’re not telling me everything. I want to know what you know, and even more than that, I want you to stay the hell home and don’t leave again. Finish your probation. Understand?”

The alpha tendencies in him stirred the dominant in her. Cassidy was second in command of Shiftertown, not only because she was in Eric’s family, but because she was that high in the dominance order. Jace was plenty old enough to be Eric’s second, but he was third, conceding second to Cassidy. Jace didn’t seem to mind always letting Cassidy know that, as third, he had her back.

Cassidy poked a gentle finger at Diego’s chest. “I don’t take orders from anyone but Eric, policeman.”

Diego’s eyes got warmer, and she could feel the rise of his body heat. “Right now, you have to take a few orders from me,” he said. “My price for not arresting your ass again.”

His mouth was firm. Cassidy imagined it against hers, the hot pressure of his lips. Would he open her mouth right away, or would he linger at her lips? Kiss her softly or slant his mouth across hers, demanding access? Their bodies were nearly together now, except for a small sliver of space between them.

“Seriously, Cassidy, be careful.” Diego’s voice dropped to its velvet tones, and she thought of wine again.

“I will.” She slid her arms around his waist, flowing to him.

Diego stiffened. “What are you doing?”

“Saying good-bye.”

“This is good-bye ?” He looked surprised. “I thought it was come up to my place and see me sometime. ”

Cassidy grinned. “You’re already at my place. This is how Shifters take leave of each other. I won’t hurt you, Lieutenant Escobar.”

“You hurting me wasn’t what I was afraid of. And anyway, I’m staying. Your brother asked me to watch whatever ritual you’re going to do.”

“He did?” Eric hadn’t mentioned this. Shifter rituals were very private, meaning that humans weren’t welcome.

Then again, perhaps Cassidy did want Diego there. She wanted him to see what losing a Shifter meant to them, and the things Shifters went through.

“All right, then,” she said. She took both Diego’s hands in hers and raised them to her lips. Then she skimmed her touch to his shoulders and put her arms all the way around him. “This means, The blessing of the Goddess be with you. ”

Diego came against her without resistance. His breath touched her face as he let her pull him close, and his unshaved whiskers brushed her cheek.

Diego drew back after a minute, but his eyes were darker than ever as he looked down at her. “Thank you. What am I supposed to say back?”

“You can say, May the Father God watch over you. Or you can say nothing and just nuzzle me.”

Diego leaned down, brushing his nose across her hairline. Cassidy felt his breath, his warmth, which both confused and elated her. “I can see why Shifters like their religion.”

“You’re an unusual man, Diego. Humans don’t always acknowledge that we have a religion. They say we follow primitive rituals without really knowing what they mean.”

Diego’s hands on her back were strong. “I’m Roman Catholic. We have a lot of rituals that people don’t understand either. Some of them were borrowed from the Celtic pagans, which is where I bet you got yours too.”

“You’re saying we have something in common?”

“I’m saying doing a ritual makes sense to me. You can find a lot of comfort in it. Your life might be hell, but to stop for a quiet minute and light a candle for someone you cared about helps.”

He did understand. Five minutes of simple prayer could calm the soul. “Maybe that’s why Eric asked you to stay.”

Diego shook his head. “I think your brother wants me to know exactly what I’m dealing with and wants to watch how I react to it. Your brother is pretty damn canny.” He glanced at Cas-sidy’s house and released her. “Looks like you’re ready to start.”

The Shifters were gathering around the bonfire. They formed the circles, close friends and family in the inner one, the rest of the Shifters in the outer.

Donovan’s mother was there in the inner circle, with his three brothers. This Shiftertown’s Guardian, Neal Ingram, who had stuck his broadsword into Donovan to render him dust, joined them. The sword stuck up behind his back, a silent symbol of death. Shifters believed that their souls would not be sent to the Summerland unless the Guardian slid his sword through the dead Shifter’s heart-the Fae magic in the blade made the Shifter’s body crumple to nothing. Guardians lived lonely lives, because very few females wanted to mate with a man who was a walking reminder of mortality.

Eric came out of the house, no longer looking tired and hurting. He was alert, rested, ready. Cassidy didn’t miss how every unmated female turned her head his way. The females always watched Eric.

Diego faded back as Cassidy walked toward the bonfire and her family. He was giving her space to do what she needed to do. Cassidy felt a little warm spot in her heart for that understanding.

Eric put his arms around Cassidy, his strength comforting. Jace embraced her from her other side. Eric and Jace had been there for Cassidy every second. Goddess, she loved them.

The Shifters quieted as Cassidy approached the bonfire. Eric handed her the photograph she’d saved for the ceremony, the one of Donovan grinning at the camera in the dark of a bar, one hand around a beer bottle, the other giving a thumbs-up sign. Donovan, I’m so sorry.

Donovan’s mother met her, also clutching a photo. The circles of Shifters closed behind them. The Guardian started chanting a prayer in the ancient Shifter language, a cross between Celtic and Fae.

Cassidy pressed a light kiss to the photo, her lips touching Donovan’s face. Rest in peace, big guy.

Donovan kept smiling as Cassidy dropped the picture to the flame. Donovan’s mother, tears streaming down her face, took her photo, another of Donovan at a party-he’d loved a good party-and fed it into the fire.

Neal Ingram came forward, drawing his sword. He touched the blade to the fire, and the Fae runes on it lit up, seeming to chase up and down the metal. Eric put his hand on the hilt, over Neal’s.

“From this side of the veil,” Eric said, his voice deep and solemn, “we honor Donovan Grady.”

There was a moment of pure silence, the only sound the crackling of the flames. Then someone yelled, “Donovan!”

The cry was echoed in every Shifter’s throat. They screamed, they cheered, they toasted Donovan Grady, beloved friend, brother, son, cousin, and nephew-now partying in the Summerland.

Donovan’s mother closed Cassidy in a crushing hug, then turned away to be comforted by Donovan’s brothers.

Cassidy wiped tears from her eyes and found a cold bottle of beer pressed into her hands. Her friend Lindsay released the beer and dragged Cassidy into a hug. “Goddess be with you, honey.”

Cassidy choked out her thanks. Music blared out, and lights strung through the trees twinkled in the darkness, the memorial segueing into the party. The dead were always celebrated with joy. The music was country, because that’s what Donovan had loved.