“Hey, Craeg.Sorry for the interruption,” Grisham stated, striding forward.“Heard from the front desk you were here.Was hopin’ for a minute of your time when you’re done.”His dark eyes narrowed as he added, “It’s about that matter of your mate’s past you wanted looked into.I think I found something.”
From Grisham’s words, Craeg guessed the detective was referring to his request for him to look into the social workers and caregivers from Silas’s past.The information had to be damn hot for Grisham to miss the tension in the air.
Grisham had barely finished speaking when John frowned at Cameron.“What are you doing here, Officer Ricci?”He narrowed his eyes as his attention flickered to the human’s drawn weapon.“Put that away, Officer.”
“Not until I show everyone the truth,” Cameron declared, sounding completely deranged.He pointed his gun at Silas.“Do it, freak.”Cameron glared at him.“Show them all just what kind of monster you really are.”
Craeg growled low in his throat, hating anyone calling his mate such things.“He’s not a monster,” he declared, taking a step in front of Silas.“Youare.”
Cameron sneered.“Fucking faggot.”He lifted his gun in Craeg’s direction and fired.
Craeg shoved Silas sideways, hoping to keep him clear.A second later, pain sliced through his right side, telling him the bullet had managed to skim him.The momentum caused the real issue, sending him spinning.His foot slipped on the wet cement, and he flailed for balance that didn’t come.
As Craeg splashed into the pool, he heard Silas’s high-pitched scream as he called his name.Through the water’s ripples, he spotted Silas’s clothes tumbling to the ground.A second later, a large bat streaked toward Cameron’s screaming and shouting form.
The need to help his mate mixed with pain, causing his senses to muddle.His minke whale was more than happy to take over, and Craeg shifted.
* * * *
WHEN CAMERON HAD SHOVEDthrough the doors and started waving his gun around, screaming about what a monster he was, Silas had frozen.His mind had blanked.Even his body didn’t seem his own as he trembled and clutched at Craeg’s back.
Then the crazy officer had shot Craeg, and the scent of his mate’s blood perfumed the air.Rage, unlike anything Silas had ever felt before, surged through him.This jerk-store had hurt his mate, and he and his bat were on the same page.
Hurt...him...back.
Silas shifted in seconds.With a twist and jump, he shot from the sleeve of his shirt.He spread his wings, flapped hard, and sped toward Cameron.
No one tried to stop him, even as shouts and curses went up around him.Someone moved to stand between the girls, guiding them toward the bleachers.Some of the security seemed to be advancing on Cameron while others were trying to track or warn Silas away.
Screw that.
With the loudest screech Silas had ever issued from his tiny lungs, he dive-bombed Cameron.He extended his talons and sliced across the cop’s face.Silas felt the air swirl around his wing, telling him the douche had swung at him, and he pivoted and flapped.Silas attacked again, forcing Cameron to stumble backward and flail, the gun flying from his grip.
Satisfaction flooded Silas that he’d managed to disarm Cameron, but it was short-lived.The asshole’s hand wrapped around his furry body, probably by accident.A second later, Cameron reeled and tilted sideways as he fell into the pool.
Silas screeched in surprise and fear as water enveloped his body.Only his human brain reminded him to hold his breath.He waved his wings and kicked his claws, but considering he’d never even learned to swim as a human, Silas didn’t get anywhere.
Fear coursed through Silas as his lungs began to burn.The realization that he was about to drown spurred him to flail even more.His desire to inhale grew, and he knew fighting it was a losing battle as dark spots began to creep over his vision.
Just as Silas felt his mind begin to drift, a soft lowing bellow danced across his senses.Slightly bumpy skin rubbed against his underside.Silas felt himself begin to rise up...and up...and up.
Silas’s head broke water, and his bat sucked in a deep breath of fresh air.He lay there, gasping, for a moment, getting his bearings.When Silas lifted his head and looked around, he realized he was riding a whale...hiswhale.His minke whale, Craeg, had saved him.
With a simple thought, Silas began to shift.He returned to his human form, sprawling on his stomach over Craeg’s whale’s back.Silas settled his rear against the whale’s dorsal fin, while breathing deeply and stroking along his whale’s sides.
“Are you okay, Craeg?”Silas whispered, looking over every inch of gray flesh that he could see.There was a lot of it.Still, he did spot a bit of red blooming in the water off to the right side.“You were shot.”
Craeg lowed softly, his gray eye soft as he turned a little and peered back at him.
Silas guessed that Craeg was trying to reassure him.
With a sigh, Silas murmured, “Are you sure?”
Offering another reassuring bellow, Craeg moved toward the side of the pool.
Silas hesitated, unwilling to draw away from Craeg just yet.His instinct told him to stay close to his man until the danger was clear.Hearing a shout, Silas spotted Cameron hollering for help as he tried to dodge the large tiger shark that had been in the show.
A laugh escaped Silas.He knew the shark was the shifter, Tort.Tort was toying with the asshole human, dodging to and fro, keeping Cameron from moving toward the side of the huge pool.If the guy wasn’t such an asshole, Silas would’ve felt a little bad for him.
