A Shifter's Curse, Raven Steele [the top 100 crime novels of all time .TXT] 📗

surface and fur erupted on the tops of my fingers. I held my hands out by my side, ready for an attack.

It would take me exactly two seconds to shift, but that would be two seconds too slow for a vampire like her. I had to be ready in half a second. I just hoped throwing a coffee table at her face would slow her down long enough for me to shift.

Instead of fighting, she inhaled a sudden breath and stepped back, breaking the tension in the room. I stared at her in shock. There was no doubt she could break my neck—I could see the raging power in her eyes stronger than any ocean storm—but for some reason, she decided to back down. I was hella impressed.

I followed her lead and relaxed, knowing no good would come from us fighting. She wasn’t my enemy, not yet. She just had plans that didn’t align with mine.

She attempted a smile, but it only served to show her sharp teeth. “We’re roommates and must be civil. At least for tonight, stay away from the Silver Claws."

“I have to work anyway. What do you have going on with them?"

"I have a meeting with Dominic and Silas."

My eyebrows lifted. "You have a job?"

"I'm the Silver Claws’ accountant."

I stared at her, blinked a few times. "Okay, so the whole accountant thing doesn't surprise me. Well, maybe a little. You’re an old vampire. Don’t you have enough money to avoid the general work day in your life?"

"I have more wealth than you could ever imagine, but I happen to like numbers. Plus, it helps me get close to certain people in the city."

"And there's the part I don't understand. Why would you ever want to work with someone like Dominic?"

"That’s something I cannot tell you. Just know, I am no friend of his, just like I sense he is no friend of yours."

I nodded. "That’s one thing we can agree on. I’ll stay away from Dominic’s place tonight."

She stiffly lowered her head in acknowledgment. So formal. I wondered what she’d act like drunk, if she'd be able to let loose. I’d have to try it once, just as an experiment.

I left Samira and headed to my room. Whatever she had going on, I needed to figure it out to make sure it wouldn’t interfere with my plans. I couldn’t have Dominic or Silas disappearing. I needed to get inside the Silver Claws and fast. Maybe I would go visit them tonight, despite what I told Samira. Maybe I could even spy on her and learn what she's up to.

I’d have to be a better spy than before though. Damn those witches.

As soon as I arrived at work, I walked straight to Eddie's office with my paperwork. He stared out a big window that allowed him to look over the club below.

"Every 'T' is crossed and every 'I' dotted. No IRS bastard will be bothering you." I held out the paperwork.

When he didn’t take it, I shook the papers. “Jeez, with all the grief you’ve been giving me, I thought you’d have filed them in two seconds.”

He looked up. “Huh?”

I raised my eyebrows. “The IRS. My papers.” I gave him a ‘duh’ look.

“Oh.” He took the papers from me. “I wish it was just the IRS who I had problems with."

I frowned, intrigued he was actually speaking to me about this. "When did Luke’s boss become such a problem for you?"

He went back to staring out the window. “It's not just me. It's every business in the city. They insist on taking a portion of our profits in the name of security, saying it’s to protect us from outside gangs. Of course, we all know they're just taking our money.” He had this weird look on his face, like he was surprised by his sudden confession, but he didn’t stop. “And there’s nothing we can do. Especially since they have the Morgans on their side."

The hopeless look in his eyes fanned the flames I already had simmering within me.

Eddie may not be a model citizen in the community, but he was one of the best bosses I’d ever had. I could tell only after a few days that he was going to treat me right.

“What about the police? Can't they do anything?" Even as I said it, I knew the answer. What could a human police force ever do to stop a large pack of werewolves and a power-hungry witch family?

He laughed and shook his head. "As if the police mean something in this city. All they're good for is writing parking tickets and altering police reports.”

"Maybe things will change soon."

“I hope so, but it’s unlikely. Not unless someone with real power challenges them.”

I lowered my gaze. I had real power, instilled upon me when I had shifted at an early age, not that I really understood it. But was it enough to break a whole pack and destroy a witch coven? Maybe, but only if I could fracture it from within. An outside attack would never work.

His head jerked up. “Don’t get any ideas in that hard head of yours. There’s nothing you can do to help. Too big of a problem.” When I didn’t say anything, he glanced to the bar and stood up. “Bar’s getting busy. You’d better get going before butterfingers gets into too much trouble.”

We shared a chuckle. So even he knew how much Peeper sucked.

I headed downstairs, thinking about what he’d said. I really liked him. Even if I didn’t stay long enough to get to know him well, I’d stay long enough to help him. I was going to have to do something about this.

Because it was a Friday night, the crowds came early and ready to party. Their excitement rubbed off on me, and I had more fun than usual, inviting people from the audience to join in my show. I even let a couple of guys take a shot from my belly button. This got me a disapproving look from Eddie, but he had to admit, the energy in his club had gone up ten notches.

As the night wore on and it grew closer to the end of my shift, I began to feel antsy. A job to earn money was important, but not as important as my real job.

The bar was settled. I had primed the crowd, and all Peeper had to do was deliver. His tips should be better than ever.

I really wanted to get off early and be more proactive against the Silver Claws. People were being hurt, specifically my supercool boss. I know what I had told Samira, but surely, she would understand this. Besides, I’d be careful.

As soon as I saw Eddie at the bar, I snagged him. "Hey, I know I still have an hour before the end of my shift, but do you think I could get off early? I bet butterfingers can handle the rest of the night.” I pointed my thumb back at Peeper, who was trying to throw one of the plastic bottles into the air. I’d given up trying to teach him, but he was intent on learning.

Eddie glanced at Peeper and then looked back at me. "Everything okay?"

"I just have something important to do."

"I guess. This is the largest crowd I’ve had in a long time, and I think having you here had something to do with that. Even if I may not always agree with your methods.” His eyes narrowed, but he was also trying not to smile.

"Thanks, boss. I’ll work extra on my next shift or something." I removed my apron and shoved it under the counter.

I was just about to walk out the front doors when I spotted Lynx up on the balcony with her mother. She looked especially upset. Her mother did too, but I had a suspicion that was her permanent expression. Torn, I almost turned around to check on Lynx. She’d already helped me a lot more than most people would’ve, but the pull to get out of there was greater. I had to get to the Silver Claws and see what I could do to destroy them.

One problem at a time.

Ever since Eddie had told me how businesses were being targeted, I knew I had to do something. This wasn’t just about me anymore. I clenched my jaw.

Survival had been the name of the game for a long time. Until revenge became a sweeter option.

And soon, Dominic and Silas were going to see how sweet I could taste.