Chapter One

From the Epilogue of Not That Kind of Demon

"Storm, your phone is ringing," Flint yelled. "I'm sure you're stuck on that rock. You haven't moved in an hour, laying there with your mouth wide open like you're catching flies."

Ugh. Storm snapped his mouth shut and shifted, standing as he regained two feet instead of four. "I was enjoying the sun, something you did for more than four hours yesterday, so don't grumble at me because I got here first this morning."

"My new rock is coming next week, because you won't share." Flint was wearing a floppy sun hat, but even with that on, his nose was pink. The summer weather had hit, and Storm was enjoying the long sunny days and the heat. "Besides, I'm busy with my garden."

Storm admired the greenery evident through the glasshouse Devon had built and Flint tended. "Are those strawberries ripe yet?" he asked, peering in the door.

"No, and they won't be if you keep picking them before they're completely ripe. Listen. That's your phone again. It'll be Cyrus with a job for you and no" - Flint held up his hand - "it's your turn. Now move and leave my strawberries alone."

Making a mental note to inspect those strawberries later, Storm loped over to the small porch of his house, swiping his phone from the rail. "Cyrus. How's it hanging?"

"To the left, thanks for asking." Cyrus chuckled. "I thought I was going to have to come and find you. It's only a small job this time, about an hour's drive or so away. In the Yellowstone National Park region. I'll send you the coordinates."

"Who am I looking for this time?"

"I've had word that a bear shifter has taken a young man hostage and won't let him go. They're camping near the coordinates I'll send."

Storm frowned. "Has anyone considered the two men are mates? Most bear shifters are solitary, unlike our Devon, but most are."

"This is not the first young man this guy has taken – but at the moment, he's the only one I've been told is still alive. Chances are that won't be the case in the morning. How soon can you get there?"

"I'll leave in ten minutes." Storm strode into his house, heading for the bedroom. "Is there any reason you're not sending Devon on this job?"

"I got told to send you. Word from on high if you get my drift. I don't question that."

Storm whistled. Thanks to Python, it was a badly kept secret that the work they did had the occasional godly overtones – ancient gods like Hades and Zeus who weren't allowed to interfere in the affairs of mortals. "Fair enough. I'll call when it's done. What do I do about the captive? I assume you don't want me to leave him there alone after what he's likely been through, but we're not supposed to have witnesses to what we do either."

"I know. And the message doesn't say. All I was told when I asked was that it would become evident when you got there. Maybe there's a local law enforcement nearby. Use your senses, trust your instincts, and above all, stay safe. An angry bear with nothing to lose is no joke."

"Aww, you care about us. Will do." Storm disconnected the call and threw his phone on the bed. He had enough time for a two- minute shower, but as promised he was on the road in just under ten minutes. Should be back in time for dinner. Hopefully, Levi is making barbecued pork again.