Corrigan Fire Bloodfire - Helen Harper Page 0,16

her being one of the shifters like Johannes who’d joined this pack late from another part of the country.

‘Are you using mind tricks again?’ Tom asked, his voice drifting in from across the beach.

‘I don’t need to, your body does all the talking.’

‘I’ll practise in the gym when we get back.’

Even from this distance, I could see her expression hardening. When she spoke, and I registered her words, hackles rose up across my spine. ‘Tom, about the Brethren.’

‘Don’t. I know you’re going to try to talk me out of it, but don’t you see I have to try? John is gone, there’s no reason to stay.’

‘It’s because John is gone that you have to stay,’ she snapped. ‘We need shifters who can guard against whatever got him.’

‘Mack, if you couldn’t track it and John couldn’t survive it, I don’t think I’ll do much good.’

‘And what good do you think you’ll do in London, then? You’re my friend, Tom, I need you here,’ she pleaded.

‘I asked you not to try to change my mind. Not everything in this world can be done to suit you, Mack. I want to go and if they’ll take me, then I’m leaving.’

He stormed off. Instead of tracking him, however, I kept my attention on Mack. So Tom wanted to join the Brethren and she didn’t? I felt amused; it might be fun to try and change her mind. When she showed the rest of the Brethren what she could do during the necessary physical bouts tomorrow morning, all of them would be hanging off her side and begging her to come to London with us. Not only that, but I’d add her name to the list of shifters I personally wanted to interview. I grinned. Modesty aside, I could be pretty darn charming when I wanted to be. She’d be putty in my hands.

Chapter Six

The next morning I avoided breakfast in favour of sitting down with Mel, the Brethren’s Human Resource Manager, Staines and a long list containing the names of every Cornish shifter.

‘I’ve spoken to several of them,’ Mel said. ‘There are a number who would be keen to take the opportunity to join us. We need to be circumspect, however. We can’t simply take them all.’

Staines nodded. ‘The Brethren is about the best and the brightest. We need to make sure we adhere to that. There are more than a few who I’d strike off the list straightaway.’

I frowned. ‘Let’s not be too hasty. The fights will really show who’s capable.’

Mel tutted. ‘It’s not just about physical strength.’

‘No,’ I agreed, ‘but it’s a good start. We need shifters in the Brethren who are capable of defending themselves – and attacking others should the need arise. As much as I’d like to fill our ranks with intellectuals, I feel like we already have that covered.’ I tapped Mackenzie’s name. ‘She’s a good bet.’

Mel looked surprised. ‘That’s strange. In all the conversations I’ve had, her name has never come up. Not once. What is it about her that you think will make her a good fit?’

I smiled. ‘She’s probably one of the strongest shifters I’ve ever seen.’ I gave Staines a sly look. ‘She might even give you a run for your money.’

He raised his eyebrows. ‘Then this will be an interesting contest.’

Mel had put together the pairings for the fights. I glanced in her direction. ‘Who is she up against?’

She wrinkled her nose and checked her notes, then her expression cleared. ‘Ah, Theresa. Yes, I met her yesterday.’

‘What’s her shift?’

‘Weresquirrel, I think.’

‘Too easy,’ I scoffed. ‘That fight will be over in about three seconds flat.’

Staines eyed me speculatively. ‘Is this the brown-haired woman you were talking about before?’ I nodded distractedly. ‘The one who smells like a rodent?’

‘She can’t be,’ I uttered with absolute conviction. ‘Mack’s far too strong.’

‘Mack?’

Feeling slightly embarrassed, I shrugged. ‘I heard that’s what her friends call her.’

‘Hmm.’

I could tell Staines was curious but I knew he wouldn’t question me further with Mel in the room. Instead he changed the subject. ‘And the alpha?’

I scratched my chin. ‘Julia is definitely the one. She cares for all these shifters but I got the distinct sense she won’t take any shit either.’

‘Shall we announce it then?’

I shook my head. ‘I don’t think it would be appropriate. John’s corpse is barely cold and these people are still grieving.’

‘It might give them something else to focus on.’

I sighed. ‘That will only delay the process. With another day, they will have time to pay their personal