Page 7 of Fight (Kitsune #2)

I was on my way out the door for work the next morning when my PCD rang. I blindly pulled it out of my bag and answered without bothering to check the screen.

"Hello?" I started down the stairs.

"Nickie, I didn't wake you, did I?" Alexis asked, on the other end of the line.

"No. Actually, I'm on my way out. I'm headed into work."

"Good. I didn't want to wake you, but I wanted to let you know. Hank talked to Lauren a couple of days ago. He told her that you thought you could shift her, if she wanted to try. She gave him her decision last night."

"And?" I was glad to hear from her, but I continued out to the parking lot while we spoke, otherwise I'd be late.

"She's decided not to try." Alexis said matter-of-factly. "She said she's happy with her life and sees no need to change it, at least not right now. She said she might change her mind if one of her kids happens to shift, but the chances of that, are slim."

"I thought that would be her decision, especially after watching her with her family the other night."

"You don't mind?"

"No. Though I'll admit, I'd kinda like to know if what's keeping her from shifting is the same thing that kept Devon from shifting, or if it's something else."

"Me too, but I'm sure the opportunity will arise, eventually, with someone."

"You're right." I sighed, as I thumbed the lock on my car door. "In the meantime, I've got to get to work. I'll catch you later?" I waited in the driver's seat, not wanting to drive while talking.

"Sure, I just wanted to let you know what she'd decided."

"Thanks, I appreciate it." I hung up, dropped the device in the top of my purse, and started the car.

That afternoon, a delivery girl from a local florist came into the office carrying a large vase of flowers. She stopped in front of my desk.

"I'm looking for a Nickie Daniels?" She asked.

"That's me."

"These are for you." She set the vase down on one corner of the desk.

I stood and looked through the beautiful arrangement of roses and carnations for a card. Unable to find one, I turned back to her and asked. "Does it say who sent them?"

She checked the small device she kept in a holster on one hip. "Nope, just to deliver them to you."

"Hmm, how odd. Do you need a signature?" I asked.

"Nope, I'm good." She turned and headed for the door.

"Thanks!" I called as she stepped out the door. I looked through the explosion of colorful blooms again, but there was no card to be found. I sat back down in my chair, confused. Who would spend the kind of money it costs to have flowers delivered without including a card or a note?

I reached for my PCD and quickly dialed Devon's number.

He picked up after a couple of rings. "Hey, babe. What's up?"

"You didn't have anything delivered to my office today, did you?"

"Um, no. Why?" He sounded curious.

"Because I just got a big vase full of flowers, and there's no card."

"That's strange. Do you have any idea who they could be from?"

"You were my only guess. Since it wasn't you, I have no clue."

"Hmm, have you received anything else? Notes, cards, candy, anything?"

I thought for a second before replying. "Not that I can think of, and it's uncommon enough, I'd like to think I'd remember."

"Then it's probably nothing. Someone who you helped out in some way, sending an anonymous thank you."

"You really think so?"

"I do. So enjoy them."

"If you say so." I trailed off.

"What are your plans for tonight?" He asked, moving on.

"Bill asked me to stop at his place on my way home, but I don't have anything planned after that. You want to do something?"

"Yeah, but I don't know what. I just don't feel like spending another evening alone in my apartment."

"Let me think about it a little and see what I can come up with."

"All right. I'll see you tonight then."

"Later."

"Later."

I disconnected the call and looked back at the flowers on my desk, wondering who could have sent them. With nothing to even give me a hint, I put it out of my mind and went back to work.

I knocked on Bill's front door and waited.

I recognized the distinct rhythm of the footsteps on the other side of the door and smiled, knowing Terry would let me in.

The door swung inward and I looked up at him, knowing he was friendly despite his large size.

Terry was nearly twice my age, but other than his graying hair, he didn't look it, he worked out often and it showed.

"Nickie, come on in. The Anikitos is on a call, but he'll be right with you." He closed the door behind me.

"No problem Terry. I know I'm a few minutes early."

He smiled back and laughed softly. "At least you're not late, that makes him really cranky."

"It does me too, so I don't do it to others. Especially those I respect."

"Which leads them to respect you, in return."

"Exactly." I gave him a wide smile. "How have you been doing?"

"No complaints," We started moving slowly down the hall as we talked, giving Bill time to finish his call before we got to him. "Not that complaining would do any good."

"Too true. Complaining does no one any good and wastes time and energy to boot."

"How are things going with you?" He asked, genuinely interested.

"Good. I'm adjusting pretty well, I think. I'm seeing someone now, that was a bit of a surprise."

"Why such a surprise?"

"No one told me anything about mating, until I shifted Devon and he told me we are potential mates. I'm not complaining, and I don't disagree with him about it, but the whole concept was a bit of a shock."

He chuckled. "I guess it would be, under the circumstances. I'm only surprised someone hadn't explained the mating thing to you before that."

I grinned in return. "Well, I have to admit, we've been kind of busy working on learning to control my talents. Anyway, it's working out, Devon and I are doing good so far."

"That's good to hear, if that changes, you just let me know, girl, and I'll help you take care of things." He patted me on the back like a daughter.

"Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I'll need it. I don't think Devon would ever do anything that I couldn't handle on my own, or at least that I would need to call in the enforcers for."

"And I'm not saying he would, and I'm not making the offer as an enforcer. Just keep it in mind."

"I will. Thanks." I was starting to think of Terry like a member of the family. I don't think my dad even knew Terry, but he was very close with Bill, and he treated me much like Bill did. It felt natural.

We were almost to the door to Bill's office, when Bill himself appeared in the doorway.

"There you are. I heard you come in and was just coming to get you.

Come on in, Nickie, have a seat." He lead the way to the seating area at one end of the long narrow room.

I chose one of the two overstuffed leather chairs, my longtime favorite of the set, and sat down, resisting the urge to curl up and get comfortable, like I normally would.

Bill had asked me to come in as the Anikitos, not as an old family friend, and it seemed appropriate to keep it at least a little bit professional.

Terry backed out of the room, leaving us to our discussion.

"Alexis told me that you felt like you could shift Hank's sister but that she's decided not to try." He began. "I want to make sure you're still willing to meet other non-shifters and, provided you think you can shift them, make the offer to do so."

I shrugged. "I am." I said, nodding.

"Even if it's not here?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm asking if you're willing to travel, to go to the non-shifter, most likely under false pretenses, at least at first, meet them, see if you think you can shift them.

After you make your assessment, if you think you can shift them, I'll send Alexis out, and together you can make the offer and attempt the shift.

If you don't think you can manage the shift, you come home, end of story.

No one needs to know why you were really there. "

"I'm open to the idea, though I have some reservations." I said cautiously.

"That's why we're here now, to discuss any reservations, second thoughts, reluctance you might have."

"This is gonna sound stupid and weak, but I'll just come out and say it.

I've never lived anywhere but here, and other than the occasional family vacation, I've never even been anywhere else.

When I have traveled, other than a day or two in Tucson or Phoenix, I've never gone alone.

I'm barely becoming comfortable within our pack.

I'm not at all comfortable traveling to someplace I've never been, and dealing with a pack I don't know when it's all so new to me.

I'm still unsure of so many pack customs and protocols.

I'm afraid I'll inadvertently do, or say something, to insult someone and start a pack war. "

"It's not stupid or weak, it's realistic, and surprisingly insightful.

Admitting that you have reservations, and being able to put them into words, is intelligent.

Never doubt your instincts. You have them for a reason.

But rest assured, I wouldn't send anyone as new to the Kindred as you are, into another pack's territory alone.

"On top of that, I wouldn't send you alone anywhere, any more than I would send Alexis alone.

You're skills are too rare, and too valuable to the pack, just as you personally are too valuable to me.

Any time I send you out of town on pack business, I'll assign an enforcer to go with you.

That enforcer's job will be two-fold; the first being to act as your protector, the second will be to help you learn Kindred etiquette and diplomacy. "

I was quiet a moment, thinking. "Under those circumstances, I'd be willing to go. My other big concern is more that the non-shifter not be pressured to make the decision that the family, or pack leader, wants. You know that I believe it's a decision that's entirely up to the non-shifter involved."