Flesh and Fury (U.S. Marshals I.S.R. (Interspecies Response) #3)

Chapter Two

ARI

When they walked into the armory, Wordy was sitting at his desk working on something. He looked up and waved.

“Be right there, fellas.”

“Take your time, Wordy.” Ari really liked the older man. Freddy Wordsmith was brilliant at figuring out how alien tech worked, but he also spent some time coming up with new and more innovative weapons. Wordy was always thinking about the marshals’ safety in the field which made him universally adored for that very reason. He pushed a pair of magnifying goggles up to his forehead and got up from his desk chair, walking over, carrying something in both hands. Ari stared down at it, noting it looked almost like some sort of fossilized shell.

“Is that an ammonite?” Eoghan asked.

“That’s what I was about to say,” Ari said. When he was a kid, he loved fossil hunting. To this day, he stopped flipping channels on the TV whenever a show on dinosaurs or fossils came on. The ancient world fascinated him.

Wordy frowned at him for a minute, holding out the shell-like thing so they could see better. It looked like a rock encrusted cinnamon roll and was about the same color, fitting perfectly in Wordy’s hand. “When it first came in, that’s exactly what I thought it was. Now, I’m convinced it’s not.” Wordy tapped on one of the swirly sides, holding it up to his ear, presumably to see if he could hear something.

“What convinced you that it’s not a simple fossil?” Ari asked, frowning down at the thing.

“This, of course,” Wordy said, pointing to the opening. As he held it up, a clear, gooey drop slid from it. It looked like slime.

“What the hell is that?” Eoghan asked, taking a step back.

Wordy glanced up with amusement dancing in his eyes. “I think it’s a spaceship.” The moment he said it, a tiny four-fingered appendage appeared at the slimy opening. It was a peachy pink color with almost translucent skin. The tips of the teeny fingers were a darker color, appearing to be itsy-bitsy fingernails.

“What the hell?” Ari whispered.

Eoghan immediately clamped his hand over Ari’s mouth, shaking his head as a tiny forearm emerged. They all watched in fascination as a flat head with wide set black eyes appeared. The creature had no nose, only two small openings where one would be. They flared as the creature’s eyes focused on them. A wide smile split the face from side to side, but upon closer examination, Ari knew the thing wasn’t smiling. That was just its mouth. He saw three pairs of what looked like feathery, purple gills on the smooth, pink head and noted how every inch of the thing glistened with moisture. The creature stared back at them, looking from one to the other as it cocked its head. Ari realized he was looking at a salamander, but this one had a particularly strange name that he couldn’t remember, though, it was on the tip of his tongue.

“Is that a mud puppy?” he asked.

“I believe they’re called axolotls,” Wordy said, holding the shell up to his eye level so he could get a better look at it.

“That’s it!” Ari said, as the name came back to him.

A moment later, the thing disappeared and in its place stood a very naked woman. She had curly, purple hair that ringed her head in a coronet and the blackest eyes Ari had ever seen. Her skin was the same translucent coloring with a graceful, slender body, and small, high breasts. They were tipped with tiny pink nipples and the expression on her face was murderous as she stared at Ari.

“Mud puppy?” she asked.

“I-I’m sorry,” Ari stammered. “I didn’t realize—”

“That I’m a shifter or that this dullard couldn’t leave well enough alone?” She hooked a thumb at Wordy.

“I’m so sorry.” Wordy pointed to the shell. “I didn’t realize that was—”

“My home?” she asked furiously.

“I really didn’t know,” Wordy rushed to explain. “Two of our marshals brought it in when it washed up near lifeguard tower number seven in Huntington Beach.” He glanced over at Eoghan and shrugged. “I swear, I thought it was an alien ship. I didn’t expect a shifter, especially an axolotl. From what I understand their species can tolerate some sea water but have become most comfortable in fresh water such as the water found in lakes.”

“Humph,” the axolotl said. “I suppose I should be impressed that you know at least something about something, so, I will give you that much credit. Shifters are different, however. We can live in either environment. Besides, I was minding my own business. I will report this to the Agency. The I.S.R. is meddling in salamander culture which is strictly forbidden under your own charter.”

Wordy set the shell gently on the counter before glancing back at her. “It really was a mistake, ma’am, but if you feel like you have to do that, then please, by all means, do so.” He paused and Ari watched his sweeping glance over her body. “You must be cold. Please let me get you a blanket.”

She stared at him like he was a total idiot, and Ari bit his lower lip to stop himself from laughing. Someone wasn’t up on his salamander facts.

“I haven’t a drop of warm blood in me, cretin. I don’t need a blanket,” she snipped.

“You know, you don’t have to be so confrontational,” Eoghan said.

She turned to him and narrowed her eyes. “And why not, may I ask?”

“Because Wordy made an honest mistake, ma’am,” Eoghan said. “He’s really very kind. He thought your shell—I mean, home—was either a fossil or an alien craft until you stepped out. That’s no reason to punish the man.”

“You called me a mud puppy,” she said, looking more unhappy than angry.

Ari thought she’d lost some of her righteous indignation and was being more reasonable. He was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. Inside, though, he was doing the happiest of happy dances. He couldn’t believe he was looking at an honest to God, axolotl shifter. He didn’t even know they existed. Then again, half of the stuff he ran into on this job was new to him. It’s one of the reasons he loved it so much.

Ari blinked several times before he bowed his head and put his hand over his heart. “Please forgive me. I meant no insult. I just didn’t know you were a shifter. I thought—”

“That I was just some brainless animal?” she asked. “Well, I can assure you, I am not an animal. In fact, I’m descended from one of the most ancient lines in the world. Where I come from, they call me queen.”

“My partner really didn’t mean any insult,” Eoghan rushed to reassure her. “How can we make it up to you…Highness? Sorry, I don’t know your name. Mine is Eoghan Sapphire and this is Aristotle Brown, my partner. The man who was holding your shell is Freddy Wordsmith.”

“You may call me Reba. I’m quite sure you couldn’t pronounce my full name.”

Eoghan chuckled. “Now, who’s being insulting, Reba?”

Ari thought she looked slightly cowed as his partner laid it all out there on the table. He knew how hard it was to be angry with someone, especially when they were being apologetic.

“Yes, you’re right.” She glanced around, spotting her shell on the counter before looking back at them. “I’m going back to sleep.” She turned to Wordy. “Would it be possible to find me a nice, cold fish tank? Water is my ideal habitat and I desperately need some shut-eye.” To punctuate her sentence, she yawned widely. “And, if you have any brine shrimp or small aquatic worms lying around, those would be great.”

“Oh, sure, ma’am,” Wordy said. “I’ll get on that right away and even make sure your aquarium habitat has filtered water, a rock cave, and some cool hiding places for when you want to get out and do some exploring.”

She smiled at him, and Ari was amazed at how much it looked like the smile she wore when she was in her axolotl form.

For the first time since they’d walked into the armory that morning, the weapons master blushed deeply. His rosy cheeks got red, and he smiled as though he’d been hit by cupid’s arrow. Ari exchanged a glance with Eoghan and noted his partner’s difficulty in controlling his expression. His full lips were pressed so closely together, you’d have thought he was trying to keep a straight face. Ari sure as hell was.

They both watched the axolotl queen shift in an instant, becoming a small, translucent, pink salamander with those amazing bright purple gills again. She looked up at them and closed her eyes as if to wish them farewell before walking over to the shell and disappearing inside it.

Ari smiled at Wordy, reaching out a hand and squeezing his bicep. “You never cease to impress me or to teach me something, Wordy. Thanks for the entertainment, my friend.”

Wordy snorted as he gingerly picked up the shell and walked over to his desk, setting it down gently on the blotter.

Ari couldn’t imagine how annoying all that effort Wordy put in to get the shell to open had been to Reba, the axolotl queen. He walked back to them, looking a little frayed around the edges.

“Well, now that she’s settled, what can I do for you two?” Wordy asked.

“Did Priest tell you we’re going out to meet some werewolves?” Eoghan asked.

“Oh, yeah, here.” Wordy bent over to grab something from under the front counter and then hefted two backpacks onto the top of it. He unzipped one and pulled out a box of shifter ammunition. “There’s a box of less lethal darts here but I also threw in a box of regular ammo.” He held up his hands. “Don’t scold me now. I know the chief would if she were here. Even so, I know our policies, but the lives of our marshals come first and we both know how unpredictable werewolves can be, Marshal Sapphire.”

Ari watched his partner cautiously.

“Well, we truly appreciate your thoughts on the matter, Wordy,” Eoghan said. “Thank you.”

Wordy nodded. “There’s also this.” He pulled out a can and held it up. “Werewolf repellent.” He leaned in close, lowering his voice. “I call it dog spray.” He threw back his head and laughed maniacally. “Anyway, this is my own personal formulation. It’s a little stronger than the usual. I reserved this can just for you two. I’m making more but until I do, this is all I have. Let me know how it works…if you have to use it, that is.”

“Thanks, Wordy. I really hope things don’t come to that,” Eoghan said as the weapons master shoved the can back into the backpack along with the ammo. He waved a hand at the shell still sitting on the desk. “And good luck with Reba.”

Wordy glanced over at the axolotl’s shell and then turned back to them with a silly grin on his face. He reached up and scratched his head. “Yeah. Who’d have thought a gorgeous, naked chick would just appear out of the blue? I gotta say, I really love my job, though.”

Ari and Eoghan laughed, hefted their backpacks in salute, and bid the older man goodbye before heading out. Rick and Dick were waiting in the garage, as usual, wearing their typical completely blank expressions. After thanking them for a red Charger, they secured the backpacks in the trunk with all their other gear and drove into the tunnel. In a matter of moments, they were outside in the bright sunshine, heading toward Bishop.

“Why is it that we can never take a plane?” Ari asked, pushing Faraday cages into their phones as Eoghan drove. He set both phones in the console between them and picked up his coffee. “I mean there are I.S.R. satellite offices all over the place, right? They have to have all the equipment we carry around in our trunks, so what’s the deal there?”

Eoghan glanced over at him and then took a sip of his own coffee. “Yes, we have a few satellite offices, not a whole bunch of them, but a few. They’re not as well equipped as ours and even if they have everything we need, they don’t have the vehicles we have. It’s not like we can pick out some random rental from an airport and have the capability to escape an attacker the way we can with this baby.” He patted the steering wheel.

“That makes sense,” Ari said. He sighed and leaned back against the headrest, rolling his head to look out at the passing traffic.

“What is it?” Eoghan asked. “Please don’t tell me you’re tired of the road already, Ari? Because that is kind of a big deal with this job. We spend a hell of a lot of time in the car. It’s one of the reasons we have full-time mechanics at the I.S.R. They keep the whole place humming and keep us safely outfitted on the road.”

Ari nodded. “I get it.” He reached over and Eoghan took his hand, glancing at him for a few seconds, glad that they had privacy with the cages in place. He adored the look of affection on his face. The smile lines around his eyes were charming.

“I never tire of working with you, Ari, or being with you. I was a little worried about getting involved with you initially because I realized we’d be spending a hell of a lot of time together at work. I was concerned that we’d be in each other’s pockets almost too many hours of the day and night if we were involved.”

Ari squeezed his hand. “But you don’t feel that way now?”

“If I did, I’d tell you,” Eoghan said. He glanced away, returning his regard to the road. When Ari got quiet, he looked back.

“What is it?” Ari asked.

Eoghan dragged his eyes away from the road again. “I have something to tell you and it’s really important.”

Ari frowned. “Okay, go ahead. You have my full attention. I’m listening.”

“Not here. Not now. When we stop for the night, we’ll talk,” Eoghan said.

Ari nodded, knowing that whatever it was, had to be extremely serious. The fact was, he had something extremely important to tell Eoghan as well. He’d even packed something very special in his duffel before leaving the house this morning. He pressed his lips together, not wanting to spoil the surprise by giving it away. Eoghan could read his expressions pretty well by now and if he didn’t give in and tell him what was going on in his head, he’d just bug him like crazy until he finally gave up and spilled the beans. The best thing to do was to change the subject.

“So, what do you want to talk about?” Ari asked.

“Tell me about your life as an Army brat,” Eoghan said. He glanced over at him as Ari let go of his hand and smiled.

“Aren’t we supposed to call the chief?”

“We can do that in a few. Go ahead, tell me about your life.”

“ Hmm …okay, let’s see. My life as an Army brat didn’t take me as many places as it took a lot of kids growing up, mainly because my dad was a drill sergeant, as you know.”

“Where in the U.S. did you live?” Eoghan asked. “You said you moved around a bit.”

“Not as much as some families. My mama inherited her parents’ big house in Lexington and that’s still their home, when they’re there, that is. Daddy’s retired and Mama’s happy with her church folk as I told you. Lou is only twenty-four so she just got through raising him, although if you tried to call him a kid, he’d probably deck you. Well, no, that’s not true. He’s a lot better mannered than that and besides, being a Ranger himself means that he’s not home a whole lot. They send him different places and keep him busy.”

“And you? How did you decide to join up?”

“I guess I inherited the family business, for lack of a better term. I joined up when I was young and got tapped to be a scout sniper once they saw how I could shoot. Afghanistan and Iraq were both underway at the time and apparently the Rangers liked what they saw and offered me a job in the Special Forces.”

Eoghan nodded, watching the road. “But that’s all you can say about that.”

Ari chuckled. “Pretty much. Like I said, Rangers’ assignments are guarded about as closely as the president’s schedule. It was the same with Lou as it was with me. In any case, I haven’t talked to him in a while, actually since I started this job.”

Eoghan smiled. “But you talk to your mama every week.”

Ari laughed. “Yeah, that’s mandatory. The last thing I need is to have her show up on my doorstep unannounced because her little boy hasn’t been in touch in a while.”

“Does she do that often?” Eoghan asked.

“No. She hasn’t so far, but who knows? She hasn’t been to California since we lived out here when I was a teenager.”

“I didn’t know you ever lived in California,” Eoghan said, sounding somewhat surprised. “Where?”

“Fort Irwin in San Bernardino County, not that far from Barstow actually. My daddy got a four-year assignment out here, just before I was about to start high school. Let’s just say I was less than impressed with my father’s job. When you’re fourteen years old and all you ever wanted to do was hang out with your friends, the last thing you want to do is move literally across the country and try and make new ones. For it to happen right as I was about to start high school, made me contemplate running away for the first time in my life.”

“Wow, what made you stay?” Eoghan said.

“Discipline, and I guess some sort of loyalty to my parents. I was raised as the son of an officer in the U.S. Army, so I had to be a good kid. There was no other alternative. Lou was little, not even five years old and I couldn’t see myself hurting my mom like that. I thought she was vulnerable with a little kid, although Lou bugged the shit out of me at the time. But, I admit, I was furious with my dad for a long time. I don’t think I even forgave him until I joined up myself. I was kind of an asshole.”

“What teenager isn’t an asshole at some point?” Eoghan asked with a chuckle. “You didn’t have the market cornered on that one.”

“I should say not.”

“So, you moved back to Lexington after that?”

“We had to do a two-year stint in Rhein-Main Air Base near Frankfurt after that and then came back to the States.”

“Wait, you lived in Germany?”

Ari nodded. “For two years, yeah. My brother is over there now…at least that’s what we’re told. He is technically a recruiter, so he works about three hours away in Grafenwoehr but that’s probably not where he actually works.”

“Where does he actually work?” Eoghan asked.

“That would be classified,” Ari said with a laugh.

“Of course it would,” Eoghan said, smiling at him. “So, when you told the grizzlies that you’d lived all over the place, you were exaggerating just a little tiny bit?”

Ari grinned back, holding up his finger and thumb showing little space in between. “Maybe a little tiny bit.”

Eoghan laughed. Ari loved it when he laughed. He had the most perfect dimples and every time he grinned, they punched into his cheeks, making him look unbelievably attractive. Beyond that, they gave him a boyish quality that charmed Ari beyond measure. He loved the easy camaraderie with Eoghan on the road. It felt effortless and simple and he truly liked him as well as being attracted to him. He pointed out a sign for Starbucks coming up at the next exit and then lifted his empty paper cup which he’d brought from the office. The fact that they both liked coffee was a huge bonus.

“What do you say we stop for a refill?” When he glanced over, Eoghan was grinning as he tapped his watch.

“We’ve been on the road for a sum total of an hour and you already need a refill.” He held up his own cup, shaking it to let Ari hear that it was also empty. “You’re a man after my own heart, Aristotle Brown…a man after my own heart.”

Yes, I am .