Shift - 02 (16 page)

The windows that weren’t smashed or boarded up were covered with years of dust. The grout between the bricks was sporadically missing, causing some to crack and fall from their respective places.

A small group of people gathered around the entrance of the building. Looking abandoned, like so many things in the Underworld, the club was covered in glamour. As I broke the glamour down, the red bricks turned to metal panels–clean gray sheets that covered the building. All the windows were whole, each tinted black so you couldn’t see past the setting sun's glare. A purple neon sign flashed,
SHIFT
, and hung above two glass doors, with a large man standing in front of each of them.

The two bouncers stared down at us and sniffed the air simultaneously as we approached, disgust taking control of their features.

“Forget it, Garrett. They smell like mutts,” one of them said.

Garrett turned and looked at both of us.

“They're here on request of Charlie,” he said politely.

“If I let them in, there will be a riot. I can’t do it.”

Garrett stared up at the man twice his size and locked eyes with him. The bouncer struggled at first, trying to claim dominance before tearing his gaze away. He sighed and reached into his back pocket, pulling out a small unlabeled glass bottle.

“They have to put this on. I don’t need everyone inside getting worked up.” The bouncer tossed the bottle towards me and I grabbed it out of the air.

“Cologne? Really?” I asked.

“Pheromones. If you want in, that’s the deal, hunter. Besides, I’m doing
you
a favor. You don’t want to go in smelling like a wolf. It tends to get the kitties all worked up.”

“If you say so.”

I pushed the cap down and sprayed it a few times. I expected an overpowering scent to take over my senses, but there was nothing. Just a clear, odorless mist that sprayed over my body. Rayna rolled her eyes when I passed her the bottle and gave it a few sprays. She grimaced immediately and coughed. “That’s horrible,” she said, tossing it to the bouncer.

“Oh no, that’s what heaven smells like, sweet cheeks.” The bouncer grinned and took in the scent. His dark eyes turned back to me and his smile faded. “Don’t cause any trouble, hunter, or you’ll be dealing with me.”

Past the first set of glass doors were two solid steel ones. Garrett pulled the handle and the bass poured from the darkness, music rocking through the entrance. Flashing neon lights exploded and the beat picked up speed. The crowd of demons, who covered the dance floor, screamed and machines poured smoke over the room, making it hard to see and even harder to breathe.

Karissa weaved through the crowd of people, past a row of booths lining the wall, and around the dance floor. When we reached the DJ booth, she moved up the steps and pulled open a door that read,
VIP ONLY
.

As the door shut behind us, the techno music stopped and softer music started. Leather couches and dark tables lined the walls. There were men in suits holding clear glasses full of dark liquor in one part of the room, and on the other side, guys in torn blue jeans and stained white t-shirts. Beautiful women wearing skimpy, tight dresses swarmed from group to group, giving off fake laughter and empty promises. Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves.

At the end of the room was another door marked,
Employees Only
. It was made of heavy wood and Karissa pulled it open with unnatural ease. This room was quiet, with people sprawled out over the furniture. The dress code varied from dress shirts and ties to completely nude. Strangely, the ones wandering around naked seemed to be the most comfortable.

We stopped in the center of the room in front of two vacant leather couches with a small, wooden table in between.

“Make yourselves comfortable,” Karissa said, and disappeared through another door.

My nerves clenched as all eyes turned to us, but when Garrett took up post behind us, everyone diverted their attention.

“What’s going on?” Rayna whispered as we settled onto the couch.

“I don’t have a clue.”

Karissa returned, followed by a smaller native man. He was short, with long black hair that hung to the middle of his back. He wore blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a red and black flannel jacket that was open and drifting around him. His steps were silent on the tile floor and he moved with grace, giving off a vibe of calming energy. His thick lips curled into a smile as he approached, extending an oddly large hand for his size.

“Welcome, my friends,” he said, and his voice was deep but gentle.

“Thanks…I guess,” Rayna said.

“What exactly are we being welcomed into?” I asked, shaking his hand. His skin was hot to the touch and extremely soft.

“To Shift!” He smiled and sat across from us. “I hope Garrett and Karissa were welcoming.”

“They were,” I said.

“I’m glad. My name is Charlie Tanamay, but everyone here calls me Chief. I’m the leader of Stonewall’s Hollowlight pride, and a proud were-tiger.”

“And why are
we
here?” Rayna asked.

“We’ll get to that, but first, I’d like to tell you a little about our pride. We’re not like most, after all.”

“Okay…” Rayna said.

“Unlike most, we are a conglomeration of many shifters. Mostly cats, of course, but we do have a few more unique types.” His smile grew, revealing less than perfect teeth. Some crooked, some straight, and most of them stained yellow.

“Other breeds? Do you take werewolves?” I asked.

Charlie’s smile disappeared. “I’m afraid not. The Shadowpack would never allow such a thing. Werewolves’ blood in general runs a little hotter than most, but especially so when it comes to the Shadowpack.”

“They won’t allow it?” I asked.

“They’re an organization that relies on its hierarchy. They rule with a heavy hand and force their members to live in fear. As such, they would never allow a wolf in Stonewall to be free of their pack. This is simply not our way.”

Fear for Willy ran through my veins, but as Rayna spoke, I pushed it aside. This was an opportunity to get help for Rayna; I didn't want to muddle it with anything else.

“What exactly is
your
way?” Rayna asked.

“Werecats are a peaceful creature, but our strain of the virus is highly selective. Our kind is fading from the world, and as our numbers drop, we need now more than ever to come together. Our goal is to unite all the werecats under one banner.”
 

“If it’s so hard to transfer the virus, how did I become so lucky?”

“I’m afraid we have yet to find any rhyme or reason for why the transfer occurs in some and not others.”

“Wonderful.” Rayna rolled her eyes.

Charlie didn’t seem bothered by Rayna’s reluctance. He managed to keep the smile on his face even as the uncomfortable tension set in around us. “You’re here because I can help you.”

“With what?”

“There is no need to play coy. I can help you bring out your beast,” he said.

“I don’t need help with that. I don’t want it out.”

“Rayna…” I started.

“Don’t, okay? Everybody is so keen on helping me control this. I don’t want to control it; I want to be rid of it.”

“Whether you wish to have the gift or not is not of importance. It is yours to have. You should feel proud, Rayna. The werecat is a strong and independent creature. The other animals respect it.”

“Gift? More like a curse.”

“Oh, but it is, child. With my help, we can move past the pain it causes you. I can teach you to control it so it comes only when you call it. As you learn control, the shift becomes less painful.”

“I already told you I don’t want to control it, so unless you can help me get rid of it, we’re done here.” Rayna stood up and looked at me. “Let’s go.”

I didn't move. I didn’t trust random strangers, but I also wasn't about to blow off the only help we'd been offered. I knew Rayna was scared, but I wouldn't let her fear stop us from hearing our options.

“There is more for you to know. Please sit.” Chief gestured back to the couch.

“And if I refuse?”

“You are not a prisoner. I simply want to help you. This can be a revealing and positive experience if you let it, but if you fight it, there is a high probability it will be the last experience you ever have.”

“Are you threatening me?”

Chief shook his head. “The shift you’re experiencing is deadly, even to a pureblood if not properly handled. You are a born shifter, yet you are not a pureblood. As such, your beast is wild, and requires even more attention than most.”

I waited for Rayna’s quick remark, but she stayed silent, the defiance in her eyes fading slightly.
 

“You’ve helped others?” I asked.

Chief nodded.

“Other half-demons with hunter’s blood?”

“To my knowledge, there is no other exactly like Rayna, but there are hunters who’ve been granted this gift whom I’ve been able to help.”

“And they survived?”

“It isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible. The shifter
virus
does not blend well with hunter DNA. With training, however, we can increase the chances of a successful change.”

“So you can help her?” I smiled.

“How is that great news?” Rayna snapped. Her eyes were fierce and her tone, frosty.

“What do you mean?”
 

“I’d think you of all people would have my back on this. I don’t want to shift. Can’t you understand that?”

“Yes, I can, but you don’t have a choice. If you don’t get help, you’re going to die. Do
you
understand that? I don’t want to lose anyone else. I won't…” I let my voice trail off and diverted my eyes. “The shift will kill you.”

I could feel Rayna watching me, and although she wasn’t pleased, she sat back down. “What can you do for me exactly?

“We need to bring the beast out slowly. You must learn to call it to the surface, and push it back down. Once you’ve mastered that technique, we can move into the specifics about shifting.”

“That’s it?” Rayna sounded unimpressed.

“It sounds simpler than it is. A painless shift is about being centered in your world, and understanding the beast. In order to accomplish this, you must connect with it, and be able to command it. I can teach you, and help keep your beast controlled.”

“What makes you think I can’t do that alone?”

“It’s dangerous. If you don’t know how to work with your beast, it will tear itself out and rip you in half in the process. These violent transformations are what take so many young lives. Plus, you shouldn’t have to be alone. The first shift is painful. As you become more experienced, it gets easier. As a shifter, we don’t rely on the cycle of the moon, but we do run on a monthly cycle. Once per month, from the date of your first full shift, you must release your inner animal. Some of the older shifters can change at will without suffering the side effects; the younger ones aren’t that lucky.

“What side effects?”

“A young shifter needs hours of sleep after a shift. It’s an exhausting process. When they finally wake, their appetite is tremendous and they’re oversensitive to smell and noise. It doesn’t happen to everyone, but there is an adjustment period.”

“That’s not so bad,” I said, but those words earned me a glare from a still unhappy Rayna.

“This is a big change, Rayna. I understand that. Nobody is here to force anything on you. I simply want to extend the invitation. Our pride is leaving in a few days for a retreat. It’s a perfect opportunity for a young shifter to get in touch with their beast in a safe environment.”

“How exactly do you even know about me?” Rayna asked.

“Shifters are always aware of their own kind. Especially when they are of the same pride,” Chief said.

“You said yourself you’ve never dealt with anyone like me. What makes you think you can even help?”

“I have helped many through this. Some were purebloods, others were hunters, and the rest were bitten.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Your situation is different because you were never bitten. Without knowing when the first major shift is coming, we don’t know how much time we have to work with.”

“I’ve just met you and you’re telling me you have a
feeling
you can help me. Not to mention, you haven’t said what you want in return. Forgive me if I seem a little unsure.” Rayna’s sarcasm was thick, but the confidence she tried for wasn’t there. She sounded confused.

“I understand. I am a stranger to you and I’m asking you to trust me. All I can do is tell you I wish to help, not harm you. And I want nothing in return. You are a shifter in need, and as such, I wish to help. I cannot promise any more than that.”

“I need to leave,” Rayna said.

“It may seem strange to you, but the werecats are peaceful people who take care of their own. Please consider my offer.”

“I said I want to go.”

Chief nodded, looking disappointed. “Garrett will take you.”