1. Chapter One

Chapter One

J asmine

"Dad, please. Do we have to discuss this now?"

I can't recall when I've been so tired, so emotionally and physically drained. Why my father wants to revisit this argument now is beyond me.

"Honey. There's no better time. You just testified before the California lawmakers requesting an inquiry into Nature's Edge Expeditions and others like it. You went on the record stating that a group designed to help wayward teens is abusing the youngsters under their care."

"Right. I said it because it's true. I lived it. Now that I've gotten my act together, got a counseling degree, I think it's time to speak up to stop their abusive practices because they're still doing it."

"Jazz, I've apologized a hundred times. If I'd known half of what they did to you, I would have taken them to court long ago. It breaks my heart that you didn't tell me how they treated you until recently."

"I know, Dad. I love you for saying it. But maybe it's better this way. Doing this myself rather than letting you fight my battles for me is empowering."

"I'm glad this feels like a step toward healing, but here's why I'm so concerned. Nature's Edge isn't some penny ante program. They've got multiple facilities in eight countries. They're a multi-national corporation pulling in over a billion dollars a year, not to mention other programs of their ilk."

He reaches across the table and grips my hand. I know what he's trying to do, show me how much he loves me even as he hits me with the hard facts.

"If they were willing to starve you, lock you in your room for days, use corporal punishment that would have landed them in jail if they hadn't figured out how to inflict pain without leaving marks, they're willing to go to any lengths to keep you from toppling their empire. Your public testimony today might have just put a target on your back."

My dad and I have gone round and round on this and I just don't have the bandwidth to debate. I simply huff out an exasperated breath and shake my head.

"Jazz, humor me. Let me hire a bodyguard for you. Just until we see which way the wind blows."

Instead of engaging in the same argument for the umpteenth time, my gaze drifts to the TV over the ornate mahogany bar. We're in our hotel's dining room. It's filled with white tablecloths and wait staff in starched black pants and white shirts. On any other day, the TV would be off; it's probably only used by staff when the place is empty.

But today isn't any other day. We're in Sacramento, the state's capital, but our home is in Los Angeles. Yesterday, L.A. was hit by a devastating tidal wave after an earthquake struck several miles out to sea. It's likely that the majority of this fancy restaurant's patrons either reside there or have family ties to the area. We're all watching during every spare moment, aghast at the amount of destruction and the number of years it will take to rebuild.

My father's gaze follows mine and we both stop arguing, mesmerized by the havoc unfolding on the screen.

"Look. At. That!" My dad isn't easily impressed, but I can tell by his tone that he's astounded by LSTV's news.

Over a quarter of a century ago, five thousand orcs, nagas, minotaurs, and wolf-guys—infants to seniors—simply dropped into the Mojave Desert one day. They were as shocked as we were. Our best and brightest scientists still haven't figured out where they came from or how they got here.

"The arrival of the Others was a world-changing event," Dad muses, shaking his head. "I remember the panic, the confusion. No one knew what to make of them."

His gaze is glued to the screen as he continues talking. "After the government determined they weren't the first wave of an invading force of aliens, the military gathered the ragtag bunch, herded them into the crappiest slum in L.A., fenced them off, and tried to forget about them. They're not allowed to live outside what's called the Integration Zone, but they can leave to work."

If my dad's jaw wasn't dropping, I'd ask if he sees what I see, but I guess my eyes aren't deceiving me. The LSTV helicopter has pulled close and is capturing every dramatic moment as three orcs in knee-high water are climbing to stand on top of each other's shoulders as they form a living totem pole to get close enough to rescue a human woman about my age who is desperately hanging on the bottom rung of a broken fire escape ladder—she's three stories high.

The camera zooms in to show the terrified expression on her face—eyes so wide the white shows all the way around her irises, she seems to be whimpering in fear.

"Oh crap, dad. Is this live? They're not tall enough to reach her and jumping seems like a surefire death wish."

"Look at that!" My dad points at the screen. Obviously, I've missed something.

"Turn on the sound!" A guy in a thousand-dollar suit shouts from his banquette at the back of the room.

We all watch, mesmerized, as a wolf-man—they call themselves wolven—climbs the tall stack of shirtless orcs. The big, green orcs are brawny, while the wolven is wiry, muscular, and lean. His shoulders are covered in sleek, brown fur that travels in a V down his back.

Shaggy hair, lighter than his fur, brushes his shoulders. His face is human except for the sharp fangs visible below his upper lip. A well-trimmed beard darkens his lower jaw, framing full lips. His pointed, alert ears grace the top of his head. His bushy, constantly moving wolfy tail is twitching in agitation through a strategically placed slit in his tight-fitting jeans.

He stands on the top orc's shoulders and is now close enough for the woman to drop into his arms. The entire restaurant heaves an audible sigh of relief when he catches her, scampers down the living tower of orcs with the woman in his grip, and deposits her into one of the orc's waiting arms.

I'm in for another shock when she kisses the orc who was highest on the totem pole. I've never given a thought to the possibility that humans and Others might actually… well, I still can't wrap my head around it, though the way they're clinging to each other it appears they're well acquainted with each other… in the biblical sense.

The television cuts to Andrea Hernandez, channel LSTV's anchor, who is dramatically fanning herself with her notes.

"Our research team says that was a wolven Other named Bold who works with the Integration Zone's Security Team. They call themselves the Wolven Warriors. I'll tell you, ladies, that male could rescue me any time, if you catch my drift."

When a commercial comes on the screen, my dad launches directly into the argument I thought we'd set to rest.

"Jazz, I won't sleep well at night knowing these corporate psychopaths might decide you're in the way of their eight-figure profits. Take me up on my offer to hire you a bodyguard."

While I got my Masters in Counseling, I did my own therapy work, healing from the abuses I suffered in the Nature's Edge Program. If Dad knew half of what really happened to me, I think he would have found a way to kill Everett Wright, the CEO.

But instead of nursing my rage, I channeled it into my goal, which was getting my degrees so I could work with clients who've been abused by people in power, just like me. People of all walks of life deserve to heal from their abuse, and I'm determined to make that happen.

Dad's right, though I hate to admit it. I work in a crappy little office building in a questionable part of town. I'm not exactly safe. After I went on the record at the state capital asking them to investigate unscrupulous corporations that have more money than God, I probably do have a target on my back.

The announcer's words ring in my ears. That wolven has security experience and I need a bodyguard. Why not Bold? There's something about him that resonates with me.

Sure, he's good-looking enough to make Andrea Hernandez fan herself, but there's more than that. There was something about the way his fang-filled face gentled when he rescued that woman. With his experience and compassion, he might be perfect for the job.

Because of their past abuse, most of my clients feel disenfranchised—more "other" than mainstream themselves. This male's presence in my office, combined with his skills, might be the perfect match.

"I think you're right about the bodyguard, Dad."

The shocked look on his face at my sudden change of heart almost makes me laugh out loud.

"That's such a relief to hear, Honey. I'll get one of my best men to meet with you…"

"Wait, Dad." I interrupt him, which I know is beyond rude, so I put my hand over his as a silent apology. "What about that wolven? He has security experience, and if he and I get along, I think it would be a good fit."

He pauses for a moment, still as a statue. I know what's going on inside his head when he gets like this. He didn't get to be a titan of industry by making impulsive decisions. His brain is whirling faster than a supercomputer as he considers all possible permutations and repercussions of this decision.

Finally, his gaze meets mine and he nods. "I'll reach out to him tomorrow, but I want you to meet him, get to know him a bit. The final decision is up to you, but let's not take this fellow at face value."

He's right. If Bold is interested, I'll spend some time with him and make sure we're a good fit.