Page 18 of Waste (Legendary Shifters #4)

Ghoul/Drew

“W hat did you just say?” Ghoul asked incredulously.

“We can be friends,” Shelley urged. Ghoul studied her in disbelief.

“I’m a monster,” Ghoul replied.

“I don’t believe that. You showed kindness in saving me. And then you came to warn me. You wouldn’t have done that if you’d been evil,” Shelley argued softly.

“What is the matter with you? Look at me,” Ghoul pushed.

“That’s all surface appearance, but not what matters. It’s what’s inside you that counts,” Shelley retorted.

“Lady, I eat rotten flesh.”

“And? I eat dead animals, although they’re cooked.”

Ghoul gaped at Shelley. She couldn’t be for real. Did Shelly really just compare consuming dead flesh to eating meat? A chuckle escaped before he could stop it; this situation was ridiculous.

Shelley smiled sweetly as Ghoul tried to figure out what to do. Scaring her clearly wasn’t working as she’d rationalised his actions in her mind.

“You’re an idiot,” Ghoul said, and Shelley looked offended.

“Because I refuse to take your word that you’re vile and evil?”

“Yes.”

“Something I learned a long time ago, Mr Ghoul, is that looks mean nothing. They only matter to the vainglorious and the shallow.”

“Mr Ghoul? It’s Ghoul. Listen carefully, Shelley.

You’ve stumbled across a situation that will end in your torture and death.

I’m not joking. Too many of my brethren have been murdered, and you are drawing attention to yourself.

Just because you’re human doesn’t mean you’re safe.

Stop researching, calling, and looking for me.

I can’t and won’t protect you from Hunters. ”

“Why do they want to murder you?”

“Because, despite your opinion, they recognise me for the monster I am.”

“Rubbish!” Shelley exclaimed, and Ghoul shook his head.

“If they got to know you—” “They’d still kill me.

Harpy had her feathers plucked one by one and hot pokers shoved into the wounds left behind.

They blunted her beak with files and declawed her daily.

And my sister healed every night, and in the morning, they repeated the torture.

Basilisk, they locked him inside an iron bull and heated it while he was within.

Being immortal, Basilisk healed and was reborn daily.

We could hear him screaming as his insides cooked, and we couldn’t find him. He was insane when we finally did.”

Shelley was pale, but Ghoul didn’t let up. He continued to tell her several more horror stories of what had happened to his siblings. At last, Shelley held her hand up as tears streamed down her face.

“Why would people do that?” she whispered.

“Because humans have cruelty in spades. Can you imagine what they’d do to you to find me?”

“Yes.”

“Then cease this idiocy. You’ve already been in a car accident that they might have caused.

The Hunters are determined to ensure that we are isolated from anyone who may help us.

Stop, Shelley, do you understand? Because next time they won’t fail, and your parents and Charlie will be burying you,” Ghoul hissed.

Shelley nodded but looked sad. “Sorry, I wished to get to know you.”

“What’s to know? I’m a monster; remember that. Leave me the hell alone,” Ghoul spat. “You’re endangering me as well as yourself. And should they capture you, I won’t come to rescue you, not at the cost of my life,” he repeated.

Shelley flinched again, and her eyes flicked away. “Okay,” she whispered. A noise made them both jump, and they turned around and saw movement coming from Mirry’s. Mirry stood on the chalet’s porch and gazed open-mouthed at Ghoul. Ghoul stared right at her, red eyes gleaming.

“And this is what I mean by danger,” he hissed and began moving off.

Mirry’s mouth opened, and she screamed.

Shelley

Shelley darted back inside her room and closed the window. She heard footsteps as Charlie and Drew woke to Mirry’s screams, and Shelley headed for her bedroom door.

“What is that?” Shelley insisted innocently.

Charlie met her gaze. “Sounds like it’s coming from Mirry’s chalet,” he said.

Drew appeared, wearing a pair of sweatpants and nothing else. Shelley’s eyes went slightly wide, and she averted her eyes.

“What the hell is that noise?” Drew demanded, rubbing his chin and yawning.

“Mirry,” Charlie replied.

“That dratted woman. Probably saw a spider and is attention-seeking,” Drew snapped grumpily as the three of them headed for the front door. He yanked on his jacket and opened the door. Mirry’s cries hadn’t faded, and she was staring straight at them.

“What the hell is the racket about?” Charlie demanded loudly.

“There was a creature, a monster!” Mirry cried, pointing to where Ghoul had stood.

Shelley looked over suddenly, realising his footprints would show even though it was snowing. To her puzzlement, there were no signs of prints or anything else.

“Jesus, you had a nightmare,” Charlie scoffed, and Mirry’s eyes narrowed.

“She was talking to it! You should know who you’re getting into bed with!” Mirry accused. Shelley turned red as heat hit her cheeks.

“Don’t be so crass,” Drew shot back. “This is probably another attention-seeking scheme from you!”

Several people around them who’d come to watch murmured in agreement.

“I’m not lying! That bitch was talking to a monster. A pale white male-looking thing with red eyes!” Mirry shrieked.

Charlie rolled his eyes. “Where was she chatting to it?”

“Right there,” Mirry said and stormed across the road to point at Shelley’s bedroom window. “Where the snow is pristine?” Drew asked sarcastically.

“What? No, I saw it,” Mirry insisted.

Shelley started to feel bad.

“You are a scheming liar. What did you do? You’re trying to make me look awful. Well, it won’t work! I’m Mirry Moor, and you’re insignificant!” Mirry yelled at Shelley. And Shelley didn’t feel terrible anymore.

“Miss Moor, I don’t need notoriety and plastic surgery to be content in my life,” Shelley retorted, and several watchers chuckled.

Mirry turned puce. “At least I’m not a nobody!”

“And I’m quite happy being me. The people surrounding me want to be around me for me, not for whatever fake fame I could bring them. You do you,” Shelley said. “Can we go inside now? I’m cold, and her attention-seeking woke me up out of a sound sleep.”

“Sure, come on. I’ll make some hot chocolate,” Drew offered. He wrapped an arm across her shoulders and began leading her back away.

“This isn’t over. I saw a monster, and I’ll prove it,” Mirry yelled after them.

“Mirry, grow up. No one here believes your tall tales or pathetic attempts at recognition. Jesus, you’re a TV star, not a Hollywood star. Talk about ego,” Charlie stated, shaking his head. He followed after them as people murmured and began moving back to their own chalets.

“I’m not lying!” Mirry shrieked, but nobody was paying her a blind bit of notice. If Shelley had turned around, she’d have seen Mirry’s eyes narrow.

Drew/Ghoul

“Shit!” he muttered as he stared at the link Marie had sent him. He ground his teeth together and peered out of the chalet window to see if the paparazzi had descended yet.

“What’s wrong?” Charlie asked. Without a word, Drew passed him his phone.

“What the hell?” Charlie exclaimed as he read the article.

“Mirry Moor is named as the informant,” Drew growled out. “I’ll be contacting resort management and having her thrown out.” “That little bitch. The damage is done,” Charlie stated.

There was a picture of Shelley leaning against the door, her broken arm and ankle in their casts.

She was smiling at Drew and Charlie, who were standing with their skis.

Drew was closest to her, and his hand was touching her face.

Drew recalled the moment. It had happened the day after he’d visited Shelley as Ghoul.

A strand of hair had blown in her eyes, and Drew put it back.

But it looked like a tender moment between them.

The headline screamed, ‘Drew Martin’s cosy love nest.’ It went on to state that Drew had been seen in Charlie and Shelley’s company, although it didn’t include their surnames or Shelley’s name.

It also didn’t mention they were siblings.

The inference could be that Drew was having a raging orgy, or he’d shacked up with one or the other of them.

Drew gritted his teeth. The whole scenario had been portrayed as a dirty secret. Mirry had spoken about how close he and Charlie had appeared, while the mysterious woman was rarely seen, which caused Mirry concern.

Mirry came across as a reasonable, decent human being. Drew and Charlie both knew better. They realised that Shelley’s whereabouts were now known, too.

“We’re going to have to leave,” Drew said grimly. “But not before I watch that bitch tossed out on her ass.” He picked his phone up and dialled a number.

“Brother,” Killian answered. “I’ve seen the article.”

“Killian, I want her forcefully removed and in full view of the media. Make it known Mirry’s a lying snitch,” Drew ordered.

“Done and done,” Killian replied.

“Thank you,” Drew said, and meant it.

“You’re welcome.” Killian hung up.

Drew and Charlie both looked up as Shelley hobbled into the living area.

“What’s wrong?” She demanded to see their faces.

“Take a seat, Shels,” Charlie muttered, rubbing his face.

“Uh oh,” Shelley murmured and sat down.

◆◆◆

Two hours later, the three of them sat on the porch with popcorn, watching as Mirry was escorted from the chalet.

Mirry was screeching about who she was and how dare security remove her.

Drew looked up as Killian appeared, standing with his arms folded across his chest. Behind him stood Shay, who filmed the whole debacle.

“Who are you?” Mirry yelled upon seeing Killian.

“The owner of this resort.” “Why are you throwing me out?” Mirry screeched.