Chinktah, I really don’t think we have time to argue the point.
Okay, okay.
Surlock felt the familiar pain grip him, but held steady. The pain wasn’t so bad he couldn’t stand it. Over the years, shifting had become more of a discomfort.
“What’s going on? Where did this fog come from?” Mr. Spencer jerked his gaze from side to side.
“This is what happens when a Symtarian shifts,” Surlock managed to tell him before everything went dark. He closed his eyes. The change was taking place. Hands became paws, a thick coat of fur covered his skin.
It is good to be out again, Chinktah said.
Surlock opened his eyes and blinked. As always, it was as if he saw through Chinktah’s eyes.
Mr. Spencer eased behind his chair, using it as a shield. “How did a wolf get in here? If this is some kind of trick—” He rubbed his hands over his eyes. “This isn’t happening. Lack of sleep, that’s all it is.”
Chinktah jumped to the desk, and papers scattered to the floor.
Don’t scare him to death, Surlock warned.
Well, I don’t see what’s so hard to believe. You told him the truth, and now here it is, staring him in the face.
I think that’s the problem. Can you look a little less menacing, and stop staring him in the face?
Whatever.
Chinktah lay down on the desk, then lowered his head to his paws.
“There’s a wolf on my desk. A really big wolf. This isn’t a trick. It is real.” He took a deep breath. “Okay, I believe you, I think.”
Chinktah stood and jumped to the floor. Good enough?
Very well done, Surlock told his guide.
Then find your soul mate so we can leave this planet. I tire of people who refuse to accept anything they cannot see or touch. Besides, you were quite depressing when you thought she was lost forever.
The fog began to roll in again. Surlock felt the change taking place.
The fog began to dissipate. He blinked. He was always a little confused when he returned.
“You’re naked,” Mr. Spencer said.
Surlock rose to his feet, casually reaching for his clothes. “On my planet, we don’t perceive the naked body as something embarrassing or shameful.”
“You are what you say you are,” he mumbled as if he were still digesting everything.
“I am, and now I need to find Darcy. She is with one of the rogues.”
Mr. Spencer’s face drained of color. “The ones who kill people like my daughter.”
Surlock grimaced. “Yes.”
He reached for the phone. “I have to call the FBI.”
Surlock grabbed Mr. Spencer’s hand. “No, it will only give the rogue more reason to kill her.”
“But how can you find her by yourself?”
Surlock’s smile was grim. “I’m not alone.” He took the small device Kristor had given him and pushed the button. It would lead his siblings to him. “Help will soon arrive. Then we will find her.”
Mr. Spencer wearily rubbed his forehead. “Darcy, my baby girl, is part alien.”
“That’s one way to look at it,” Surlock said. “If you came to New Symtaria, you would be the alien.”
The door to the office opened and Ms. Abernathy poked her head inside. “You’d better come quick. We have company.”
“I think my brothers and sister have arrived,” Surlock said as he hurried out of the room.
“I should’ve known,” Ms. Abernathy said. “They look as handsome as you.”
He followed Ms. Abernathy out back.
His sister was holding Ralph’s gun, examining it actually.
“Careful, sister.”
“It’s very antiquated,” she said, looking up.
“But it will still kill.”
She handed it back to Ralph, who took it with a grateful sigh.
“You summoned us?” Rogar said.
“Darcy may still be alive. The rogue who has her asked for ransom money.” He nodded toward Mr. Spencer. “This is her father.”
“I found a warehouse not far from here,” Kristor said, nodding toward the east. “There were signs of rogues, and a female.”
“That warehouse has been vacant for years,” Mr. Spencer said. “You didn’t find Darcy, though?”
Kristor shook his head. “No, I’m sorry, she’s been moved. The rogue who has Darcy probably guessed we would eventually find out Darcy was alive and come looking for her. They must have left in a car because I lost the trail quickly.”
Mr. Spencer’s shoulders drooped. “Then she could be anywhere.”
“We’ll find her,” Surlock said.
“Our animal guides can find her easier,” Rogar spoke quietly so only Surlock and his other siblings heard.
Surlock turned back to Mr. Spencer. “Do you have something of Darcy’s?”
He stuck his hand down in his pocket and brought out a necklace with a silver heart. “She wears this a lot. I thought if I kept it close she would be okay.”
Kristor took the necklace, then looked between Mr. Spencer and Ralph. Ms. Abernathy had also joined them outside. “We’ll find her and bring her home, but we need a private place to … change. You can understand our need for privacy.”
Mr. Spencer nodded. “The guest house. You can leave through the back,” he said quietly. Then he said louder, “Ralph, give me that gun and go inside. Ms. Abernathy, do you think we could have some of that coffee now?”
“Yes, of course.” She hurried inside.
Surlock quickly led his brothers and sister inside the guest house, then looked at each one of them. “We have to find her. Do you think you could give us a little magic, sister?”
He handed Karinthia the necklace. She closed her eyes, holding it close, then passed it to Rogar. He did the same, then Kristor, before he gave it back to Surlock. Surlock placed it in the center of their circle.
“I’ll do my best.” Karinthia took Surlock’s hand, then Rogar’s. Kristor clasped his brothers’ hands and the circle was joined. “Spirit of the goddess, go with us as we search for Darcy.” The sound of thunder roared around them even though the sun shone brightly outside.
They each called their animal guide. The fog rolled in, thick and heavy as the four shifted. When it cleared, a hawk, a jaguar, a wolf and a unicorn stood in a circle. They each left in different directions as they began their quest to find Darcy.
And heaven help the rogue if Darcy was harmed, Surlock thought. Maybe he would break his father’s law after all.
Surlock had to believe she still lived, though. She was his life, his love, and soon they would be together.
CHAPTER 29
Darcy was definitely going to kill Excoria. After the pretty swirling lights had gone away, she was left with a headache the size of Texas, and a damned humming in her ears that could have vibrated the walls.
Where the hell was Surlock? He should have saved her by now. She sniffed. If he was still alive, that is. Oh, Lord, he had to be alive. She loved him.
What if he didn’t love her?
She didn’t care. Well, she did, but it would be enough to know he was alive.
“I hate tears,” Excoria snarled. “You’re not going to start crying, are you?”
“No, I’m not going to cry.” Darcy sniffed. She’d be damned if she’d let the bitch see one tear slip from her eyes.
“Good.” She flipped open her cell phone and punched in a number. Then waited. “Have you got the money?” she asked the person on the other end. Excoria gripped the phone tighter, her mouth turning down. “Your daughter might not have a few more hours.”
Darcy’s heart skipped a beat. Excoria was talking to her dad. At least, she hoped Excoria was talking to her father and not her mother. She groaned. Her mother would probably know what was going on, though. She would be hysterical. No, she would be beyond that by now. Her mom would have taken to her bed, trying to escape her worst nightmare. Maybe the doctor had given her a shot to knock her out.