Bound to Shadows (Riley Jenson Guardian 8)

"It'll go direct to Perth. That's our closest main office. "

"Meaning if an Australia-wide alert hasn't yet gone out, then it'll be classed as low priority. You may not hear anything back for a few days. "

Curiosity stirred through his expression. "You seem to know a lot about the Directorate for someone who works as a pack border guard. "

"That's the thing," I said, crossing my arms and leaning against the countertop. "I really don't think I'm a border guard. "

"Meaning your brother is lying?"

"No. " I blew out a breath. "Maybe. I don't know. "

"If Evin is lying, that means your pack leader is, also. And that's one pretty big fabrication. " His gaze slid down my body then rose to meet mine again. I had absolutely no idea what was going on behind those blue eyes. "I'd have to ask, why would they bother?"

His words stung, though I don't think he meant them to. "That's what I need to find out. If this is all part of a fabrication, then why me, and why here?"

"Well, Dunedan is the middle of nowhere. If you wanted to get someone away from everything and everyone, then this is a pretty good start. "

I took another sip of coffee and briefly wondered if they sold other brands in the local store. This one, whatever it was, sucked. Although Harris didn't seem to mind it.

"Dunedan is also wolf owned. For some reason, that strikes me as odd. If my memory loss is due to the machinations of others rather than an accident, then why not erase the memory of being a wolf?"

"Because you may erase the memory, but you can never erase the fact. A wolf - regardless of whether they remember what they are or not - will be affected on the onset of the full moon and will still change shape on the actual night. "

"True. " I took another drink, then winced and shoved the disgusting stuff from me. It was making my headache worse, not better. "But what if the whole object of the fabrication was to destroy and terrify? What if it was an act of vengeance designed solely for that purpose?"

"Then I'd have to say, that person has some pretty powerful enemies. " He studied me intently. "Do you have enemies that powerful?"

I snorted softly. "Are you really expecting an answer to that given the state of my memory?"

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I guess not. "

"Good. " My own smile faded. "It makes the whole situation even more frustrating, though. And there's no guarantee I'll ever remember everything. "

"I doubt it's possible to erase someone's memory so completely. At least, not when that someone is as strongminded as you seem to be. "

I smiled at the jibe. "I think I've been called strong-minded - and worse - a few times in my life. "

"Why am I not surprised?"

I laughed. "The thing is, it is possible to erase someone's memory. It is possible to give that person a completely new identity and life. "

He raised his eyebrows. "You've witnessed this?"

"No. " I hesitated. "Yes. " I threw up my hands in confusion.

"Either way," he said, "if all this is planned, then it means that either the erasing wasn't entirely successful, or it was meant to be half-assed, to add to your frustration. "

I hope you enjoy the week you have remaining, that arrogant voice had said, but I very much doubt you will.

"You could be right," I said gloomily.

"I usually am. " He finished his coffee and pushed the cup away. "Tell you what - I'll do a more general search on your identity. I'll search police, tax, and government records, and see if I can find anything untoward that will help clear up this situation one way or another. "

"That would be great. " At least then I might know whether this was a plot or merely the imaginations of a very sick mind. Mine, specifically. "But do me a favor?"

"That depends on the favor. "

"Don't tell my brother. "