Page 61 of From the Shadows
“Did you know Ranna is a wendigo princess?”
“Mhm. She told me a few weeks ago when I teased her about her being a royal pain in the ass. She swore me to secrecy when she asked if I meant it. I assured her I hadn’t, and that seemed to satisfy her. I’ve never met royalty before. Glad I don’t have to bow or curtsy or any of that stuff.”
The thought of royal protocol ignited in Diego’s mind. Ranna was royalty, but not of his species. Would he need to defer to her? Probably not. If so, she would have made it clear a long time ago. Ranna, at least the one who lived with them, was a beer-swilling, vegan-pizza-loving whirlwind of destruction. He couldn’t see her wearing a ball gown, dancing the waltz, or wearing makeup. Yeah, especially that part.
“She begged me not to treat her differently. She said the day you brought her here? That was when she started to discover her purpose. It wasn’t to fall in love with someone her parents expected her to marry, but to get down and dirty in the trenches with the rest of you. She gets more satisfaction from saving a life than she ever had on any day as a princess.”
In the years they’d been together, other than some general BS conversation, Diego didn’t really know much about any of the people he worked with. Yeah, he knew the bare bones basics, but not anything about their hopes and dreams, what they wanted out of being a hunter, their families, or anything else. That needed to change. They weren’t just a team. Like Shay had said, they were a family.
Empatia? No, I’m sorry. Patrice?
Who is this?
Don’t make me regret reaching out to you.
He could hear her light chuckle in his mind.What can I do for you, Diego?
I know I’ve been a pain in the ass since we met, and I want to apologize for that. You’ve always had our interests at heart, and I should have shown my appreciation.
Okay, now I know something is wrong.
You’re not mistaken. This thing about being blood-tied to Shay is giving me perspective. I guess you could say it’s opening my eyes to what’s before me. It’s something I’m trying to wrap my head around, but I think these people—all of you—are worth the work.
First off, yes, you were a pain in the ass, but that’s only because you were protecting yourself. You worried what we’d all think if we knew about your past. So you’re aware, Mr. Biggs has looked into that hospital and tried to find surviving family members. He’s intending on reaching out to them and offering recompense for their loss.
What? Why?
Because you’re one of us. We take care of our own. Always. Yes, it might have been hundreds of years ago, but it still has a hold on you and brings you pain. Mr. Biggs wants to alleviate some of that angst for you.
It won’t work.
And I’ve told him that, but he’s going to do it anyway. Because, my prickly little cactus, we all care for you, and we want to help you find happiness again. Now, go back to Shay. Tell him I said hello.
He felt her withdraw from his mind, and then he turned to Shay, whose eyes were fluttering. He reached down for the cover and pulled it over them, smiling when Shay sighed and snuggled against him.
He kissed Shay’s forehead. He would tell him what Patrice said tomorrow.
Right now, he wanted to hold Shay and get his own rest.
Chapter 19
A few mornings later,Shay was in the kitchen putting breakfast together for everyone. He had quite the list of things to do when they all went their separate ways, including helping Jeremy with his shifting practice. He found it fascinating to watch Jeremy, his forehead crinkling as he focused on reading detailed descriptions about a snake, then closing his eyes. Depending on the size of the reptile, it could take anywhere from ten seconds to two minutes, but when he was done, Jeremy would hiss and give Shay a snakey smile.
It didn’t matter how many times Shay saw it happen, it was always endlessly fascinating for him to see. Especially seeing a four-foot kid become an eight-foot snake. The best part, though? When Jeremy shifted back and Shay praised him. There was utter adoration in his expression, and it warmed Shay to know the dream job he always wanted? He had it now, and they’d have to carry his cold, dead corpse out of the house before he gave it up.
“What’s for breakfast?” Ranna asked, her voice scratchy.
“Pancakes. I’ve got blueberry and chocolate chip. Unless you’d like something else?”
“Can you make a couple or ten with blueberry and chocolate chip? That sounds gross, but also yummy.”
“Of course.” He went back to making Ranna her own stack. “Sleep okay?”
She grumbled and gave a half-shrug.
“Let me guess. Jakar and Hal?”
She pursed her lips and nodded. “How’d you know?”
