"You boys show me what you need," Alex said. "I'll make it happen."
The cool nightair carried hints of pine and loam as Tyr strode toward the tree line, his boots silent on the packed earth. He extended his vampire senses, scanning the surrounding area. No heartbeats except for small wildlife. No human scents on the breeze. Perfect.
Rolling his shoulders, Tyr let his body flow into his alternate form. Bones shifted and realigned as feathers sprouted across his skin. His vision sharpened dramatically as his eyes transformed to those of a raptor. Within seconds, a peregrine falcon perched where the vampire had stood.
Tyr spread his wings, the moonlight gleaming off his plumage, perfect camouflage against the night sky. With a powerful downstroke, he launched himself skyward.
The air currents caught his wings, lifting him higher above the warehouse. His keen raptor eyes picked out every detailbelow - the construction equipment scattered across the lot, the fresh tire tracks from their motorcycles, even a mouse scurrying along the foundation.
Banking into a thermal, Tyr soared higher, letting the peaceful solitude of flight wash over him. Up here, he could think clearly without the distractions of scents and sounds from the ground. The night belonged to him, a creature of air and shadow.
From his vantage point high above the city, Tyr's keen falcon sight caught a familiar flash of green - Beth's Prius parked in the driveway of her home. His wings tilted automatically, adjusting his flight path before his mind fully registered the decision.
The cool night air rushed past as he spiraled lower, his keen vision picking out every detail of the property. Security lights illuminated the wraparound porch. The French doors to Beth's room stood partially open, gauzy curtains shifting in the breeze. He'd have to talk to her about that; those needed to be closed and locked once she went to bed.
He folded his wings, dropping into a controlled dive toward the rooftop. His talons clicked softly against the shingles as he landed on the peak. The angle gave him a perfect view of both the front and back of the house. From here, he could monitor all approaches to Beth's room while remaining completely hidden in the shadows. In the stillness, his enhanced hearing picked up three steady heartbeats from within - Beth, Naomi, and Liam.
He told himself he was just doing his job - assessing security vulnerabilities from all angles. But the way his heart quickened when he caught Beth's scent drifting up from her open window suggested otherwise. His falcon ruffled its feathers, settling in to watch over her sanctuary.
A flash of white caught his eye as another bird landed beside him. Tyr turned his head, then did a double-take at the sight of his brother's chosen form. The white gyrfalcon stood out starklyagainst the dark roof, its pale plumage almost glowing in the moonlight.
Really?Tyr sent the thought to his twin.An arctic raptor? Could you be any more conspicuous?
Tyr watched as Tobi meticulously groomed his ridiculous white feathers, taking his time before acknowledging Tyr. The gyrfalcon's movements were deliberately slow and precise, drawing out the moment in that particularly annoying way only siblings could manage.
Stalker, much?Tobi's mental voice dripped with amusement as he surveyed the house below them.
Rage and embarrassment flooded through Tyr. With an indignant screech, he lunged sideways, his sharp beak finding purchase in Tobi's pristine plumage. He yanked, satisfaction coursing through him as several feathers came loose in his grip.
Tobi's wings slammed into him, nearly knocking him off his perch.You absolute ass!
They grappled on the rooftop, wings beating and talons scraping against shingles as each one tried to get the upper hand. Tyr managed to pluck another few feathers before Tobi's wing caught him square in the face.
Finally, both breathing hard, they settled back onto their perches side by side. A small scatter of white and blue-grey feathers drifted away on the night breeze, evidence of their brief battle.
Tyr shifted his weight, talons gripping the shingles as he stared at his twin's pristine white form.You're going to get yourself shot.
Actually...Tobi's thought held that particular tone that always meant trouble.Think about it. Humans are all worked up about shifters now. They see an unusual bird, especially one that's not native to the area, and what do they assume?
Understanding dawned as Tyr processed Tobi's logic.They'll think you're a shifter.
Exactly.Tobi preened with smug satisfaction.They'll be so busy trying to trap the mysterious gyrfalcon shifter, they won't notice the actual shifters right under their noses. Perfect distraction.
Tyr gazed at his brother in stunned appreciation. Trust Tobi to turn what seemed like a liability into a tactical advantage. Tobi's mind had always worked in wonderfully twisted ways.
Devious,Tyr acknowledged, impressed despite himself.But if you get yourself stuffed and mounted on someone's wall, I'm not explaining it to Lord Damien.
Speaking of conspicuous...Tobi preened a pristine wing with his beak, the deliberate motion emphasizing his point.Hawks aren't exactly nocturnal, brother. Any human with basic bird knowledge will notice that.
At least my feathers blend with the night sky,Tyr countered, ruffling his rich brown plumage. The moonlight barely caught the soft blue-ish tones, letting him fade into the shadows. Unlike his brother's ridiculous white form that practically glowed like a beacon.Besides, peregrine falcons are common enough around here that no one looks twice.
Tobi's snicker rippled through their connection.Keep telling yourself that. At least I have an excuse - white gyrfalcon "shifter" and all that. You're just a lovesick vampire mooning around in falcon form at night.
Tyr's wings flared in annoyance. He wasn't mooning. He was doing his job, assessing security vulnerabilities. The fact that Beth's peaceful heartbeat below drew him like a lodestone had nothing to do with it. Nothing at all.
Tyr shifted his weight on the rooftop, his talons scraping against the rough shingles. The night breeze ruffled his feathers as he kept his gaze fixed on Beth's patio below.
Speaking of trouble...Tobi adopted that insufferably knowing tone that made Tyr's talons twitch.What are we doing here, anyway?
