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She enjoyed the rest of her shower in peace as she washed her hair. Twice. She toweled off, then took her time drying her hair before she left the bathroom.
She wrapped herself up in another towel just in case Sharon was still hanging around. Sure enough, when she moved back into the bedroom, Sharon floated as though sitting on top of the headboard, her leather-clad legs crossed.
I changed when I became a wolf. I didn’t used to be so crude or even so mean. When I look back, I can see that I was arrogant during my human and later my alter life. I didn’t appreciate what I had. Not even a little. Fergus put up with a lot.
Mary sensed the shift in the woman’s attitude and for that reason stopped to listen to what she had to say.
Sharon met her gaze but she remained on top of the tall, upholstered headboard. She shook her head, sighed a ghostly sound and turned her gaze toward the window. I hated becoming an alter wolf. I mean I loathed it. I wished I’d become anything else, but turning into an animal? It still sickens me, and I think you might have felt the same way if it had happened to you. I can sense your disgust of wolves generally and that has to be hard on Fergus.
“You’re right. I am disgusted. But I’m not happy about being an alter fae either. I miss being human. I think everyone who lands here feels that way.”
Sharon turned to meet Mary’s gaze. I disagree. Fergus took to life here pretty easily. And I think men like Sydon are thrilled to be whatever kind of beast they want to be. By the way, that man won’t rest until he’s secured the Gordion Pack.”
Mary frowned. “Haven’t you heard? He’s alpha right now.”
Sharon floated off the headboard and dropped to stand in front of Mary. I know what’s going on and what Fergus intends to do. But one of the reasons I’m here is to tell you that Fergus won’t succeed in reversing Sydon’s rule without you. He needs your help, badly.
At that, Mary laughed. “You’re kidding. But what can I do? I’m a fae woman that likes taking caring of small animals. Which reminds me, I need to buy more bird seed.”
Sharon made a disgusted, ghostly sound. Wake up, Mary. Your life has changed forever, but you’re not owning up to it. Listen to me. Fergus needs you and no, I don’t get why that is. But he does. You’ve already saved his life once, and you may have to do it again. And again.
Mary felt Sharon’s sincerity, but she found it hard to process what she was saying. “It sounds like I’m supposed to be his bodyguard or something.”
Yeah. Sharon nodded several times which caused the mist to float around and blur her features for a moment. When she pulled her ghostliness back together, once again she looked almost real. I think that’s exactly what I’m saying. Fergus is damn powerful, as you know. But Sydon will do everything he can to secure the pack. Gordion is his point-of-entrance for his larger plans to rule Savage. Fergus, thinking like a man of honor, won’t be able to see the treachery Sydon intends to throw at him tonight.
What treachery? Do you know what Sydon will do?
Sorry. I don’t have the specifics.
Mary turned around and moved slowly to her dresser and pulled out fresh underwear.
No, not that. Sharon said. When Mary glanced at her over her shoulder, Sharon added, This. She then whipped across the room and with a profound show of kinetic ability for a ghost, pulled a long negligee from Mary’s closet. It flew through the air, landing at Mary’s feet.
“I don’t get it. You want me to seduce Fergus?”
Sharon laughed, another windy sound. Tell me you’ve been thinking anything else since you fed him a couple of ham steaks.
Mary picked up the fairly sheer nightgown. It had a small leaf-pattern on a cream background. She’d bought it on impulse a couple of weeks ago. “How did you know?” She lifted the nightgown up. “About this, I mean. About how I’m feeling.”
Sharon pinched her nose. Like I told you earlier, you reek of wolf-lust. Her gaze fell to the nightgown. Fergus will love you in it.
“I can’t do this, Sharon. I’m not going to seduce Fergus, and I can’t be his bodyguard.”
Yes, you can and you have to. Otherwise, he’ll be dead for real by morning.
Mary stared at her. “You’re serious.”
As hell. And now the ball’s in your court. But don’t take my word for it. Access your fae sense of the future and you’ll know exactly what needs to be done.
She snapped her fingers and with a quirky smile disappeared.
Mary didn’t move even an inch as she held the gown in both hands, her heart pounding in her ears. She could feel that the ghost was gone. A few minutes ago, she’d been planning her night, ready to take care of some sick pets and get on with her life. Maybe make a trip to the store to buy bird seed.
The problem was that the things Sharon had told her made way too much sense. Already her faeness was speaking to her, pointing her toward Savage and toward a very different immediate future.
Mary crossed the room to sit down on the far side of the bed, the negligee in hand. Glancing out the window, she saw that the sun still hovered in the west and wouldn’t set for at least another forty minutes or so, which meant Fergus would be under her roof during that time. Wolves were as sensitive to sunlight as everyone else in Five Bridges. It was a terrible pay-off for a long life.
She could hear him in the guest room talking to someone. When Warren had dropped off the satchel with a change of clothes for Fergus, he’d included a cell phone.
