Huntsman - Morgan Brice Page 0,27

He perched on the edge of the desk, facing Liam. “Don’t let him bother you. No one listens to him—that’s part of what got him riled up in the first place. Everyone’s excited to have you here.”

Liam nodded, swallowing hard. He stuck his neck out for me. If I tell him now, he might regret his choice. Maybe the Huntsman won’t track me. Maybe he’ll find an easier target. If I think he’s found me, I’ll say something then.

Liam finished signing the papers and handed the folder back to Jeffries. “Thank you. I promise I’ll do my best.”

Jeffries laid a hand on his shoulder. “I know you will. That’s why I supported you as a candidate. You’re also a shifter, which is good for the community.”

Liam startled because he hadn’t confided that secret to his old mentor. He’s psychic—remember?

“Fox Hollow is a place of sanctuary. We watch out for our own.” The intensity of the look Jeffries gave him made Liam wonder if the other man already suspected—or knew—the truth about the Huntsman.

Liam dropped his gaze, feeling too exposed. “Thank you. I won’t let you down.”

“That possibility never crossed my mind,” Jeffries replied, relaxing enough to smile. “Monday, I’ll come by the library after lunch, and we can go over budgets and all that fun stuff. Enjoy tomorrow and go exploring.”

Liam half expected to find Roberts waiting for him in the corridor, but to his relief, he didn’t catch a glimpse of the angry man. Still rattled, Liam tried to let the cool breeze and the waning afternoon sun clear his mood.

We need to run, his fox told him, pacing in his mind. Let me out.

For once, Liam agreed whole-heartedly.

Everything he had seen today made him feel sure he was going to like it here. And despite his misgivings and his vow to avoid “man trouble,” Liam had to admit that Russ challenged his resolve.

Liam wasn’t ready to trot through town in his fur just yet, so he decided he would walk over to the woods behind the cemetery across the street, find a place to stash his clothing and shift, and then have a nice run before it got too late. The sun was low in the sky, late afternoon but not yet twilight, and while it was a bit early for his fox, Liam didn’t feel comfortable enough to go exploring after dark.

He cut through the parking lot behind the church, then walked quickly along the edge of the trees, looking for a good place to hide his clothing. He found a large tree not far inside the edge of the woods, in a spot he felt certain he could find again.

Spring in the Adirondacks didn’t lend itself to outdoor nudity for a lot of reasons, which began with the temperature and moved right on to deer flies. Fortunately, Liam shifted quickly, so the discomfort and risk of frostbite and insect bites was minimal. He just had to concentrate to make the change, something that seemed as natural as breathing.

It felt good to be back in his fur. Several days had passed since the last time Liam shifted, and it reminded him how important it was to keep both sides of his nature in balance.

You know you need me. I’m too fabulous to ignore, his fox snarked.

Humble fellow, aren’t you?

Never. Why hide it when you’ve got it?

Liam just shook his head and trotted off, reveling in how sharp his senses were like this. Sight, sound, smell all took on an entirely new dimension, coupled with fox speed and agility. Liam could feel the earth’s magnetic field coursing beneath everything, imparting a sense of direction, telling him where to find prey and how to judge distance.

His whiskers quivered, reading the air around him, alert for food or danger. Liam couldn’t pick up the scent-marking of any other foxes, which meant no one was likely to pose a challenge to the territory. At some point, he’d go looking for the “real” foxes, get to know all the neighbors. But for now, he just wanted to shake off his cares and lose himself in a good run.

Liam sprinted, feeling his heart pound and his breath quicken. He pounced a few times at piles of leaves just for the sport of it, not intending to actually catch the mouse or chipmunk hiding beneath. He rolled on the ground, breathing in the loamy smell, listening to the wind in the trees and the song of the birds.

Joy. That was the only word Liam