Shifter's Dance Read Online Free

compromised?” Rekkus folded his arms across
his chest and stared Stephen down.
    “Me? No. But whoever it is knows someone is
listening, and so they put out plenty to overhear.”
    “So what did you overhear?”
    “A lot of nothing, trying to sound suspicious. But
under the nothing, I’d say that you’ve got unlikely suspects
working together—shifters and vamps maybe. I think they’re going to
make a move here on the island, but I think they want to fake me
out. And by doing that, fake you out.”
    “Here? No way.” Rekkus shook his head. “They
wouldn’t dare.”
    “For the right price, I think they would. Want me to
have my brothers look into your guests?”
    “No. Not now. Probably not ever. They didn’t come
here to be spied on.”
    “I’m not really a spy, Rekkus.”
    “Close enough for government work.” Rekkus scrubbed
a hand over his eyes before piercing Stephen with a wary glare.
“Thank you, for the information. I know you risked your cover to
come here.”
    “No thanks necessary.” He stood and held out a hand
to shake, but Rekkus wasn’t done with him.
    “The dancer, she’s not involved, is she? That’s not
why you’ve taken such a keen interest in her?”
    “No. She’s something else.”
    She’s my mate.
    “What? Is she some sort of threat?”
    Stephen bristled, a low growl rising in his throat,
and he fought the urge to get in Rekkus’s face and roar.
    “She’s not a threat to anyone but me.”
    “What—oh. It’s like that.”
    Stephen avoided the other man’s gaze, still trying
to calm his protective instincts, but when Rekkus started
laughing…?
    “Go to hell.”
    “No, Stephen, I’m sorry.” Rekkus held up his hands
in a placating gesture, even though his shoulders still shook. “I
shouldn’t laugh. It hasn’t been that long since I was in the same
position. I just think maybe you should look at this as a good
thing. You know, being mated has some advantages.”
    “I’ve got Ed and Bruno back at home. You really
think that bit of a woman would be safe in a house with three
bear-sized tempers? Hell. Having cubs would break her in two.”
    “So you’re planning to avoid her then? Tempt fate?
Good luck with that.”
    Stephen snarled again. “Tell me something I don’t
know.”

Chapter Six
    Romy couldn’t quite identify the noise she heard as
she stepped off the elevator. Something slapping. It took a moment
to realize it was playing cards. Someone playing solitaire?
    “Hi, Romy.” The voice was familiar. What was the
woman’s name who showed her to her room yesterday? It was difficult
not being able to place faces with names, instead having to try to
match a voice. Finally, it came to her. Myron.
    “Hi, Myron,” she answered, sweeping her cane in
front of her.
    “Are you going for a walk in the gardens? They smell
amazing with all of Sage’s herbs blooming.”
    “I was just going to find someplace to sit and
listen to some music. The gardens sound nice actually. Which way do
I go?”
    She followed Myron’s directions carefully, using her
cane to make sure she didn’t stray off the path. Myron was right,
the gardens did smell amazing. She could hear insect noises and the
herb smells were heavy in the air, a blanket of scent and sound.
She stopped for a moment just to breathe it in and enjoy it. She
wondered if she’d enjoy it so much if she could see. You
wouldn’t be here if you could see.
    “Are you Romy?”
    She startled at the voice beside her. “How did you
know?”
    “The cane. We don’t have blind guests all that
frequently. I’m Sage, one of the owners. Don’t worry; you don’t
need to shake my hand. Would you like to sit down? I can lead you
to the bench.”
    “Please.” She let Sage take her elbow and guide her.
The bench was in the shade and was slightly cooler than the air out
on the path.
    “If you don’t mind my asking, does that ointment
help at all?”
    Romy felt a prickle of annoyance. As if she would
choose to put the