The Wolf Fount (8 page)

“Yes.”

“What do you need?”

That was easy. She’s serious about wanting out
. Cal smiled. “Full name, place and date of birth, driver’s license and Social Security numbers.”

“How much will it cost?” was her next question.

He laughed. “Nothing. It’s part of my job. I take care of my people.”

She blinked, before a small smile curved her lips. “Got a pen and paper?”

Feeling better, Cal reached for her. “I’ll get things rolling in the morning.”

M
organ opened one eye, focusing on the clock. It was after seven AM. Calhoun was asleep, one of his arms lying across her lower back. Her stomach growled, and he muttered something, but she couldn’t make out what he’d said.

Sliding free, she sat up and stretched before ambling to the bathroom. Her morning urge was briefly ignored as she stepped into the room. It was a wonderland of white-streaked, gold-flecked black marble. All of the fixture handles were gold, even the toilet’s.

There was also a lot of red present; the linen- and under sink-cabinets were a rich, red wood, while blood red rugs lay before the toilet, sink, shower stall, and huge corner tub. Morgan took care of business before peeking into the linen cabinet. The towels were also black, red, and white. “Guess he likes this color scheme a lot.”

“For a reason.”

Startled, she turned to find him standing in the doorway. “You’re quiet.”

“You’ll be the same way.”

Morgan turned back to the linen cabinet and chose a red towel. More high quality, silky Egyptian cotton. “What’s the reason?”

“Red for blood, black for death, and white for hope.” He nodded at the toilet. “If you don’t mind me joining you in the shower in a few minutes, I’ll explain further.”

“Are you going to wash my back?”

Calhoun grinned. “Sure.”

“Okay.” She moved toward the shower stall and hung the towel on a handy hook. Stepping in, she shut the frosted glass door and turned on the water, discovering there were dual shower heads, one on each end of the stall. Steam was rising by the time he joined her.

He didn’t waste time making good on his promise. “Blood is interwoven into everything. It’s food for the vampires, their method of creating more of themselves, and they spill it often. For us, it’s a tie of kinship, and a reminder of our duty.”

“Black for death,” she prompted when he paused.

“Black represents the loss of innocent lives, our own dead, as well as our duty to exterminate vampires.” He leaned back to wet his hair, and slicked water from his face while straightening. “White—hope—is for our future. Hope that we’ll eventually win this war, rid our world of the vampires completely.”

Morgan frowned. “Then what happens? If there’s no more vampires, there’s no more reason for us, right?”

U
s
. She’d come along further than he’d expected her to, in such a short time. Pleased, he smiled. “We’ll continue to guard, in case others come.” And then he changed the subject. “I’d like for you to stay here until your Awakening is complete. You’ll be vulnerable in the final hours.”

As he’d expected, she didn’t like that idea. Morgan lifted her chin and looked him directly in the eyes.
Challenging little minx
. “I can take care of myself.”

“Of course you can. Against humans.”

“I took that vampire down.”

Cal nodded and kept his tone neutral. “You were lucky, had a surge of strength because you’d begun Awakening. There’s no guarantee it’ll happen again when you may need it to.”

Gold gleamed into life around her pupils. “I can take care of myself without super strength.”

He leveled his most patient look at her. “Morgan, even the men stay in safe places during the final stages.”

“Oh.” She frowned, and began scrubbing her left arm. “Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to play it safe.”

He repressed a smile. “Thank you. I’ll take you home after breakfast, to pick up whatever you need.”

Turning around, she presented her back, and the soapy washcloth over her shoulder. “What about bad Morgan’s disappearance?”

Cal took the cloth and went to work on her back. “I’ll get your info while we eat, and start the ball rolling before we leave.”

He didn’t feel guilty over having already gotten the work started. Morgan was definitely the sort of person who’d be angry, learning someone had stuck their nose into her business. Now he had her permission, after the fact as it may be.

Later, he’d show her the records, and ask about the problem with the drug dealer. That could be handled as well, one way or another.

They ate breakfast downstairs, at the west bar. Cal finished his first and ducked into the office to make a few calls after Morgan gave him her information. Having already started the process, he simply checked on how much progress had been made. Such things took time, as there were always paper files involved, not just digital ones.

After that, he left the office with a smile. “Ready?”

“Sure. Okay if we take my car?” Morgan slid off her bar stool.

“If you like.”

L
ess than thirty minutes later, he was surveying her “apartment” with a half-grin. “Awful decorating job, darlin’.”

“Not everyone’s a werewolf with a personal color scheme.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough, but we can provide something more comfortable for you.”

Morgan was pulling a small, fireproof safe out from under the kitchenette’s sink. She set it on the table, her brows drawing slightly together. “Your place at the club is more comfortable.”

“And you’re welcome to stay there as long as you like, but it’s not where I usually live. Our headquarters include a few levels of apartments.”

She absently patted the safe’s top. “Why does it sound like becoming a Were means no more freedom?”

“Everyone’s free, Morgan. We tend to stick close by choice. Wolves and lions are pack animals by nature. Tigers and leopards, not so much, but humans are pack animals too. That has its effect on them.”

Morgan went to the bedroom, and he followed. She asked, “Are those the only kinds?”

“Yes.” All except one, but he’d introduce her to Thane at some point.

“Why?”

“Those are what the Guardians chose.” He leaned a shoulder against the door frame to watch her pack. “You don’t seem to have much.”

“I ran away when I was sixteen. From a foster home,” she said. “I’ve learned it’s better to travel light.”

“Oh.” Though he knew the answer, he figured she expected the question. “Why were you in a foster home?”

“My mother decided I was cramping her style when I was six, so she dumped me in the system.” There wasn’t any bitterness in her tone.

He grimaced. “Ouch. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Food was regular after that.” Morgan finished emptying the dresser’s contents into the duffle she’d taken from the closet. She bent to pull a box out from under the bed.

Cal sniffed, getting a fairly clear picture of what the box contained from the mingled scents of rubber, cleaning chemicals, and her. “Use that a lot?”

“Nosy.” She went into the small bathroom then stuck her head back out. “How did you know what’s in there?”

“I have a fantastic nose.” He smiled. “And personal experience with how you smell.”

“That’s kind of gross.”

“You won’t think so, in other day or two,” he assured her. She huffed and withdrew her head.

Five minutes later, he carried her duffle to the main room, where Morgan collected the safe and said, “That’s it.”

“Then let’s head back and get you settled in, darlin’. I’ll work up the job proposal I promised you.”

“S
eventy thousand a year, clothing allowance, medical care, and a free roof over my head.” Morgan looked up from the sheet of paper lying on the coffee table. “Sounds like a lot for someone who hasn’t ever done this job before. You can afford that, just from this club?”

Calhoun smiled, sitting back. They were in his suite, on the couch. “We’re a corporation. Well, a network of corporations, but they’re all tied to the main one, WatchWeres Inc. Our fingers are in more pies than the Church’s.”
Because we’ve been around longer than the Church
.

“WatchWeres Inc.” She dropped her head into her hands, elbows on her knees, and her shoulders began to shake as she fought laughter. “Seriously?”

“Yes. It takes a lot of money to fund a secret war, not to mention keep a few million people fed, clothed, and housed. Everyone has a job to do, according to what suits their talents.”

Morgan’s urge to laugh died and she straightened. Wiping the smirk off her face took a few more seconds. “What if my talents don’t include being able to do this job?”

“Then we’ll find something else for you.”

She looked at the paper again. “What if all I’m good at is being a whore?”

“It’s not.”

“What if it is? It’s how I’ve earned a living since I was seventeen. It’s what I’m used to. What I know.”

“You’re not incapable of learning new things. We’re made to adapt.” He leaned forward, scooting closer to put his arm around her. “This is only your first chance to put your past behind you. If being my personal assistant doesn’t suit, there will be other chances. All the chances you need, until you find the right fit.”

Morgan didn’t look up. He had to be joking. No one would take multiple chances on someone who constantly failed. “Until you give up on me.”

“I don’t give up on anybody. Ever. My people are the most important thing in my life. That includes you.” He kissed her shoulder. “You’re home now, Morgan. You have a gigantic family waiting to back you up, in any situation.”

She turned her head, looking at him from the corner of her eye. “I’ve never been good at fitting into a family.”

“You will into ours.” He’d lost his smile. “It’s a sure thing, something that can’t go wrong, can’t be messed up. You’re one of us. You will always be one of us.”

Feeling moisture gathering in her eyes, Morgan looked away. “I guess I’ll take the job. When do I start?”

“In a few weeks, once your Awakening’s complete and you’ve adjusted to the changes. Right now, consider yourself on vacation.” Cal tumbled her into his lap. “And vacations are for fun, darlin’. Let’s have some more.”