Page 6 of Flesh and Fury
“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 thatringed 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 EoghanSapphire 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.