First Mission (Fire & Rescue Shifters 0.50)

Lyla stared from the cat to Ash, her expression confounded. “How did you do that?”

“I am the Phoenix. There is nothing I cannot burn.” Ash lifted one shoulder in the smallest of shrugs. “There was a great fog of confusion clouding her mind. Now there is not.”

Dai exchanged a glance with Chase. From the pegasus shifter’s expression, Chase didn’t understand this any better than he did. Lyla was looking equally baffled.

Griff, on the other hand, seemed to understand whatever it was Ash had done. “So she can shift now, if she chooses?”

“My fire can purify, but not restore.” Ash gazed down at the purring Ms. Cat, his eyes unreadable. “I cannot heal her mind. There are absences there beyond my power to change.”

Lyla nodded, sadness softening her face. “Her broken mate-bond.”

Ash looked up sharply. “Broken? Her mate bond is not broken.”

Lyla’s eyes widened. “But…we assumed her mate had passed away. Are you certain?”

“Very certain.” Ash’s voice dropped, roughening. “I know the feel of a dead mate bond. I assure you, this lady’s mate is very much alive.”

Chase pursed his lips thoughtfully. The pegasus shifter reached out, putting a hand on Ms. Cat’s small, striped head. She flicked her ears, but didn’t draw away.

Chase drew in a sharp breath. Delight spread across his face, his black eyes lighting up.

“He is alive,” he confirmed. His grin widened in triumph. “And I can find him.”

6

“This is the place,” Chase announced, stopping in front of a set of thick iron gates.

Dai peered through the wrought-iron bars. The building beyond was squat and drab, a brutal slab of cheap gray concrete. Narrow, dingy windows stared blindly out at the high enclosing walls. There wasn’t a sprig of greenery anywhere. The overall effect was of a prison block…despite the sign proclaiming Sunset Grove Retirement Home.

Dai repressed an uneasy shiver. “Not exactly welcoming, is it?”

“Between this and Green Acres, I know where I’d prefer to spend my senior years,” Griff agreed.

“Well, my pegasus is certain that the man we’re looking for is up in that room.” Chase gestured at one of the upper windows. “Now what?”

“Now what indeed.” Griff frowned at a rusty intercom bolted next to the gate. “We’re going to sound like raving idiots if we knock and ask if they’ve got a man here who’s lost his cat, when we don’t even know his name.”

“Dai could smash down the wall and grab the guy,” Chase suggested, with what Dai felt was far too much enthusiasm.

Dai glared at him. “Would you be serious for once?”

His friend gave him a wounded look totally at odds with the mischief sparkling in his dark eyes. “Just trying to make you feel useful.”

“I don’t think we need to leap straight to breaking, entering, and kidnapping, thank you,” Griff said dryly. “Let’s start with the police. I know some shifters on the local force. If we call them and explain the situation, I’m sure they’ll be able to find some excuse to go in there and talk to the man.”

Ash was already on his phone, speaking in a soft, low voice. He finished the call and put the device back in the holster at his belt.

“I have summoned assistance,” Ash said. “He should be here shortly.”

“Police?” Dai asked.

Ash shook his head. “Someone who I suspect will be of more use in this situation. Brief him when he arrives, and wait for my return.”

“Where are you going, Commander?” Dai asked as Ash turned away.

Ash didn’t glance back. “To scout ahead.”

“But-“ Dai started.