Zora's Dawn (Defender Book 1) Read online

  Zora stared, her golden eyes huge in her face. “Go on,” she urged. “Clearly there’s more. What did I sense?”

  Powers took both of her hands, rubbing his thumbs in circles on her palms. It felt good in a way that was very distracting, but it was also comforting so she left her hands there.

  “Zora, the creature that you sensed, it was a werewolf.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Zora snatched her hands away, took several steps back and stared at him, her natural disbelief warring with some deep seated instinct. Disbelief – or maybe denial – won and her eyes flashed scornful fire at him as she snapped, “A ‘werewolf’. Right, there was a big hairy animal here striding around on its hind legs, teeth gnashing, drooling at the prospect of human flesh. And nobody noticed! And shouldn’t there be some sort of gamey smell here?” She sniffed again, smelling only clean air scented from the flowering native trees. There was no wild creature scent, no creature scent at all.

  Swinging around she stared at the spot where Powers had said the murder occurred and wondered exactly what had happened to the victim. And jumped as once again Powers answered her unspoken question. He had come up behind her and his voice vibrated against her eardrums as he said softly, “He was beheaded and eviscerated. His heart, intestines, liver and kidneys were missing. His head was left beside him, but the eyes were gone.”

  Shuddering at this mental picture Zora felt her legs weaken and didn’t resist when Powers slid a supporting arm around her waist and began walking her back to the car. “Come on Zora, we’ll go get that coffee and donut, and when you’re ready I’ll explain more of this to you.”

  Zora shook her head weakly, her hair sliding across her shoulders and brushing the side of his neck. Neither of them noticed the strands begin to glow, stopping abruptly as she slid a hand under her neck and flicked her hair back into place. “I don’t want to know Powers. I don’t know if this is real or if you are slightly insane. But I don’t want to know any more.”

  His expression serious Powers helped her up into the car, catching her gaze as she settled into her seat. “I know, but something is coming, and you need to know. Whether you want to or not is no longer important.”

  Sudden fire lit her eyes and turned them to liquid gold. “God Powers, stop sounding like one of those paranormal novels! I’m beginning to feel a little two dimensional here!”

  He smiled slightly, closed her door and went around to the driver’s side. Saying no more he turned the car, heading back into town. Zora relaxed with each kilometre they drove. Something about getting closer to civilisation made the whole episode seem more like a freaky dream and less like an actual event in her life. She was no doubt over reacting since werewolves were one of her ridiculous phobias. By the time they entered her favourite coffee shop and placed their order she felt she had the whole thing in perspective.

  Excusing herself she went to the ladies room to freshen up. She needed to scrub the trip to the murder scene off her hands, and she just knew her hair was a wild and frizzy creature. Looking at her reflection in the mirror she sighed, yep her hair looked like it was alive, and she looked…different. She peered more closely, trying to pinpoint the difference. Her hair was a wild nimbus around her face, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were huge and shining. She looked again, no, they seemed almost to be glowing. She thinned her lips, she looked like she had just run a marathon, or had some amazing sex. Zora watched her eyes get even wider at the unexpected thought - where did that come from? Switching off unwelcome thoughts like that she began to repair the damage, starting with taming all that hair.

  Sometimes she gave serious consideration to cutting it all off, it was so wild and curly and hard to manage. But her mother had loved her hair and had spent a lot of time combing and styling it, and it was the memory of this that always stopped her. Even though she knew it was impossible, often when she fought with her hair she could feel her mother’s hands smoothing the frizz and easing out the knots.

  Her hair restored to order she splashed a little cold water on her face and patted it dry with a paper towel before checking her reflection again. Her cheeks were still flushed, but her eyes seemed to have lost some of that weird glow which was a relief as that had looked freaky. Deciding that was probably as good as it was going to get she went back out to hear whatever it was Powers thought he needed to tell her. She figured she should do him the courtesy of listening since he was providing the treats, and she was starving. Mentally rehearsing her scoffing responses she sat down at the table, delighted to see the coffee and donuts had beaten her there.

  Powers said nothing while he watched her eat the foam off her coffee with a spoon and break the first donut into several pieces. He winced mentally as she dunked the piece of donut into her coffee before popping it into her mouth, but kept his expression bland. Once she had finished he asked mildly, “Were you feeling very hungry?”

  Reaching for the next donut Zora nodded and said absently, “Starving, and these are the best donuts I have ever had!”

  “Using your power is very draining for you, you need to eat more food to sustain your energy. Sugar is a good way to give you immediate energy but when we leave here you need to eat a proper lunch with protein, like chicken salad or something.”

  Zora glared at him, eyes narrowed. The severe expression was marred somewhat by the sugar dusting her upper lip. She took a big mouthful of her coffee and licked the remnant of foam off her upper lip, taking the sugar with her tongue into her mouth. Powers was momentarily mesmerised by this simple action, images entirely inappropriate to the occasion searing his mind and making his pupils dilate. He should not be having such thoughts at this time and especially not about this woman. He tried to push the images away; that he failed to hide his reaction was evident in the way her eyes widened. Powers blinked, thought desperately of fluffy kittens and put his mind back on track.

  Zora stared at Powers, too startled to look away. For a second there something had flared in his dark eyes, something hot and primitive. Zora felt her entire body react, a tingling that went from her breasts down through her stomach and into her groin like a fire tipped arrow. An image of a naked Powers poised above her flashed into her head causing her mind to momentarily stop. Shocked at her own thoughts she closed her eyes and thought of coffee, mmmmmm, coffee. No that wouldn’t do, too sexy, coffee. Paperwork, that should do it. Feeling more normal she opened her eyes and found Powers staring at her quizzically, no sign of that searing look that had turned her insides to mush. Zora blinked, confused, had she even seen it or was it imagination?

  “Tell me Zora, do you often feel hungry around me?” Powers gazed seriously at her while Zora’s thoughts flipped back to where they were a few seconds ago.

  Hungry? Is he kidding? A woman would have to be dead not to feel stirrings after that look from him. Seeing him still gazing at her, waiting on her answer, Zora was about to speak when she realised belatedly that he was referring to actual food hunger. She could feel an embarrassing blush sweeping up her throat and over her face, making even her ears burn. The curse of the redhead, pale skin that showed absolutely everything. Gazing steadfastly down at the table she gave his question unnecessary focus. Did she feel hungry around him?

  Actually, she realised, she did. But then she usually saw him in the mornings and she often skipped breakfast so to be precise she was hungry before she saw him rather than because she saw him. Shaking her head in irritation she realised that she was actually taking his question seriously. Looking up she caught the traces of a smile hovering around his full lips and remembered that her face was still flushed. She was sure he could not possibly have guessed the direction in which her thoughts had gone, yet that was a decidedly male gleam in his eye and the hint of a smile seemed definitely to be smug. Groaning under her breath Zora remembered that uncanny way he had of reading her mind and her face flamed even more in response. Well attack was always the best defence.

  “What on earth are you on about n
ow Powers? Why would I be hungry around you? It’s not like you suck the energy from me or anything.” Satisfied that her tone was suitably derisive Zora picked up her coffee, noted it was almost empty and wondered if they would be here long enough to justify a second one, and maybe a few more donuts, or they made a great red velvet cupcake here too, and she really was still hungry.

  Powers deep voice cut through her thoughts of red velvet cake. “I’ll get you some more coffee soon and a red velvet cake too, to go. You need to come with me Zora, there’s something I need to show you that will explain so much more easily than words can.”

  Zora blinked in astonishment. Go with him? Go where? And dammit how did he know she was thinking about the red velvet cake? And oh my lordie lord maybe he knew exactly where her thoughts had gone before. Was that why he wanted her to go with him? What exactly did he want to show her? Opening her mouth to ask that question she was forestalled by Powers standing up and reaching out a hand to help her.

  “Come on Zora, time to go. Let’s get you your coffee and cake, and go to my place. I’m afraid what I have to show you is not nearly as much fun as you are imagining.”

  Gobsmacked, Zora allowed herself to be herded over to the counter. She did not once look at him while she waited for her coffee refill and her cake, to go, but she was all too aware of the amusement seeping from him. Deciding it was ok to be dignified while clutching a giant takeaway coffee and a bag containing not one but four of the delicious little cupcakes she stalked past him out of the shop.

  Then of course she had to wait because since her sense of direction was minimal to zero, she had no idea where the car was parked.

  Powers joined her on the footpath. “We’ll go get your car and you can follow me to my place, ok?”

  Zora nodded, it would be good to have her own transportation. She waited unobtrusively for him to take the lead and accompanied him to his car. It was only a short drive back to the car park. Once there Powers said, “I’ll go first and you follow ok?”

  Zora shrugged, it was certainly easier than trying to remember where his house was. Powers lived in a rambling old house on the other side of town, very close to the beach. He was lucky enough to have no back neighbours, and a gate set in his back fence opened to a path that led to the beach. It was a beautiful spot and very serene.

  Once there Powers led her through to the veranda and disappeared back inside. Zora sat in one of the chairs and gazed appreciatively at the view. Sipping her coffee she slipped one of the cakes out of the bag and proceeded to break it up into little pieces and had consumed half of the cake by the time he returned. Zora’s eyes widened a bit when she saw that he had changed into board shorts and a loose shirt. She had never seen him in informal clothes and it gave her an unwelcome sense of intimacy.

  Pulling a chair around until he was sitting facing her Powers stared at her soberly for so long that Zora became self-conscious and wondered if she had cake on her mouth or cheek, or maybe some icing stuck on her teeth. She ran her tongue as unobtrusively as she could over her teeth and reached for her coffee to wet a mouth suddenly gone dry.

  Powers looked uncertain, as though he was trying inside his head several ways of saying something to see which one was the best fit. That was exactly what he was doing. There was so much to say to her, he didn’t know quite where to begin.

  “Zora, remember I asked if you were hungry whenever you were with me?”

  Mouth full of cake, Zora just nodded. Her eyes were narrowed and suspicious.

  “Remember when you felt the werewolf at the murder site, and how hungry you were afterwards? I told you then that you can sense supernatural beings but that it drains your power and makes you hungry. By the way I’m going to give you lunch soon, to make sure you get the proper mix of protein and minerals.”

  Zora blinked at this apparently random off topic statement, but still said nothing.

  “Ok, here’s the crux of the matter. You sensed the werewolf, a supernatural being. But you can sense other supernatural beings also. That’s why you get hungry around me. Your senses, your extra senses, are stimulated and that uses up a lot of energy.”

  Zora stared at Powers. He was serious about all of this, she could see he really meant it. But supernatural creatures? A werewolf? Powers? Wait a minute, Powers?? She mentally replayed the conversation, before turning puzzled golden eyes to Powers.

  “What exactly are you saying Powers? I’m having enough trouble fathoming that you want me to believe there is a werewolf, and now you are saying you are supernatural too? I mean I know your skin almost glows it’s so white, but a lot of people are like that.”

  Powers smiled a little at her reference to his skin colour, then sighed. “There’s really no easy way to tell you. I’m going to have to show you. And after I do I have to explain a lot to you. So I’ll show you, make you some more coffee and some lunch and I’ll tell you the rest over lunch, ok?”

  Zora frowned. He seemed so serious, it was making her feel anxious. His skin was white and almost glowed and he was a beautiful man. Maybe he was a vampire. Even as she thought it her mind rejected the idea that vampires might exist. And anyway, didn’t vampires spontaneously combust in the sun? So surely not vampire. She racked her brain but couldn’t remember any other supernatural creatures but fairies. With that thought came a mental image of Powers wearing a tutu, pink wings on his back and a sparkly golden wand in his hand. The image was so absurd that she relaxed and picked up her coffee. What was the worst he could do?

  The coffee hit the floor and she shrieked and shrank back in her chair when he showed her. Powers hadn’t moved from his seat, but the hand that he rested on her arm wasn’t a hand, it had claws. And when she looked up at his face in shock his eyes had changed, turned unmistakably feline and golden. The hand on her arm was a paw, slender and golden and scattered with black spots. The claws were short and a little blunt, only half retracted. It looked like…

  She looked back at the weird feline eyes. “What did you just do? Is this a cheetah? Why is it only your eyes and one hand?”

  Even as she watched the eyes kind of blurred and returned to the dark beautiful eyes of Powers. She looked down at his hand and it was just as it always was - a strong hand with long artistic fingers, resting on her arm.

  Eyes wide she stared back at his face. “Well?”

  Powers met her gaze squarely. “I’m a shapeshifter. I can take on the characteristics of just about anything, but some forms are easier for me. I didn’t want to change into the whole animal and have you freak out on me! So, I will make you a new coffee since yours is now on the floor, and some lunch and then we will talk.”

  And all Zora could do was nod dazedly. He had partially turned into a big cat. Her favourite cat, but still… Powers was rising out of his chair, his face worried as he studied her. She supposed she was a little pale now, she was feeling a little pale, even insubstantial. As he turned to enter the house a thought occurred to her. “Powers, wait a minute.”

  He paused and looked at her enquiringly, one black eyebrow raised.

  “Can you read minds? Is that one of your supernatural abilities?”

  Powers looked a little uncomfortable. “I can pick up thoughts and images from you, sometimes I can see you in my mind. It is necessary for me to have a strong connection to you, and I will explain why over lunch. Other people, not so much. I guess you can describe it as an extra dash of empathy.”

  Zora opened her mouth, but his raised hand forestalled her. “No more yet, first more coffee and lunch, then we will talk. You need food.”

  Glancing down at the coffee spreading over the floorboards Zora reached over to pick up the now empty cup. “Well at least let me clean up this mess while you do that.”

  Powers smiled, “Deal!”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Over lunch, which Zora devoured with an appetite she couldn’t conceal, Powers kept the conversation light and she was happy to go along with him. She really didn’t want to know wh
at he seemed so hell bent on telling her. But once they had eaten and had taken yet more coffee out to the veranda his expression turned serious. Zora swallowed hard, she just knew she wasn’t going to like this at all.

  Powers hesitated, how to begin a conversation like this? At the beginning he supposed. “Zora, do you remember your mother ever tell you anything about our families?”

  Zora looked at him blankly. “What do you mean, our families? How would she know you?”

  Sighing, Powers closed his eyes briefly. It was as he thought. Her mother had died when she was so young, and she remembered nothing. He knew that her father was completely ignorant about who his wife was so he would not have been able to tell Zora anything.

  “Zora, our families have always known each other. If that accident hadn’t had happened you would have learned about your heritage. My family decided not to tell you anything since you were so young and had no memory of that day, and your father did not know anything about who your mother really was. We had always planned on telling you one day, and I have been monitoring you.”

  Zora stared at him blankly. She didn’t understand what he was saying. Their families knew each other? Then why didn’t he say something when she started this job? What was it her mother didn’t tell her and what was it about the day of the accident? Zora’s hand went automatically to her pendant. She had not once taken it off since the day her mother placed it around her neck and told her to wear it always as it would bring her good luck. Whether it did or not, it was the last thing her mother had ever given her, she would never part with it. Powers watched her hand movement and stared at the pendant.

  “Ah, your pendant. Did you mother tell you anything about it that you can remember? Tell me Zora, what does it feel like right now?”

  Frowning in puzzlement she looked down at the gleaming oval. Mostly gold in colour it was shot through with streaks of brown and dotted with darker gold stars. It was beautiful but that was not was Powers was looking for she was sure. Tentatively she replied, “Smooth, I guess. It’s a tiger eye, mum said it was like my eyes.”