Submitting to the Shadow (Kindred Tales)

“I don’t,” Meg said. “But I do know that he’s a Shadow Twin.”

“A what?” Sammi shook her head. “Is that a special kind of Kindred or something?” Come to think of it, she had wondered what kind of Kindred Roark was. He didn’t have fangs like a Blood Kindred or golden eyes like a Beast Kindred or a twin like a Twin Kindred—at least none she’d seen hanging around.

“A shadow twin,” Meg repeated. “It’s what happens sometimes when a woman who’s mated to Twin Kindred gets pregnant. It’s a one in a million kind of thing but every once in a while instead of two babies, she’s carrying three.”

“So she has triplets instead of twins, right? What’s so strange about that?” Sammi asked.

“Nope—they’re not triplets. Two of them are regular Twin Kindred,” Meg explained. “But the third—the Shadow Twin—is kind of a loner. They don’t have a twin to bond with or help them along so it’s kind of rough for them. Also, they have really dramatic coloring.”

“Well, I noticed that at least,” Sammi remarked. “Roark has such black hair. And those pale eyes—I’ve never seen anything like them!”

“Well the thing is, they don’t start out that way,” Meg said. “They’re actually born with white hair and black eyes. Then when they hit puberty, it switches. Isn’t that strange?”

“Wow…” Sammi shook her head. “That is weird. So…is that the reason Commander Roark is so, uh, stern and demanding? Because he’s a Shadow Twin?”

“Ooo, stern and demanding? Sounds sexy!” Meg fluttered her eyelashes and put one hand to her cheek. “Oh, Commander Roark…what’s that you say? You want to chain me to the bed and spank me? Oh dear, I suppose if it’s part of my job, then I can’t refuse…”

“Stop it!” Half laughing/half serious, Sammi gave her friend a playful nudge. “It’s nothing like that!”

“Oh? What is it like, then?” Meg raised an eyebrow.

Sammi found herself strangely reluctant to disclose the details of the contract she’d agreed to sign—even to her best friend.

“He just wants my exclusive and undivided attention, that’s’ all,” she said uneasily. “He said there were going to be a lot of early mornings and late evenings—that kind of thing.”

“Well, that’s nothing new for you, though,” Meg objected. “I mean, I remember how hard it always was trying to pry you away from the lab! I could hardly ever get you to go out!”

“Because when I did, I wound up falling down drunk,” Sammi laughed.

Meg giggled.

“You never did have a head for any kind of alcohol. Remember that time back in grad school when you danced on the table and sang The Star Spangled Banner at One-eyed Joe’s?”

“Hey—you were right up there with me!” Sammi reminded her, laughing even harder. “And it was your idea to go on an all-you-can-drink Margarita night!”

“Well, well—and what are you two lovely ladies laughing about?” Berik came through the front door of the suite, smiling widely.

He had the glowing, golden eyes of all Beast Kindred and he was an exceptionally nice guy, Sammi thought. She was so glad her best friend had ended up with Berik—especially considering some of the losers she’d dated in college.

“Oh, nothing,” she said, smiling at him. “Just remembering old times.”

“And celebrating new times!” Meg exclaimed. “Honey, Sammi got the job!”

“She did? Wonderful!” Berik smiled at her with genuine enthusiasm. “Congratulations, friend of my mate.”

“Thank you.” Sammi smiled. “I’m so glad I get to stay up here where it’s safe!”

“And honey, I told her you would go get her things. You will, won’t you?” Meg put in quickly.

“No problem,” Berik said easily. He frowned. “Of course you can’t go back down to your home world when some evil male is trying to hurt you.”

“Thanks for being so kind and understanding,” Sammi said gratefully. “I promise there won’t be much and I’ll have my Aunt Vicky pack it all up and have it waiting for you.”

“But not right away,” Meg said anxiously. “Because tonight, we celebrate!”

“I’d say celebrations are definitely in order,” Berik agreed, putting an arm around Meg’s waist and pulling her in close for a kiss on the cheek.

“All right—but no alcohol,” Sammi said. “I don’t need to be hung-over on my first day at work tomorrow.”

“Ah, come on, Sammi!” Meg protested. “What’s a celebration without champagne?”

“Well…” Sammi sighed. “Maybe just one glass.”

“Just one bottle, you mean!” Meg grinned at her and Sammi smiled back. Her best friend was incorrigible but she couldn’t help loving her.

I really do have a lot to celebrate, she told herself. I can stay here on the Mother Ship and I have a new job anyone in Embryology would be envious of!

Well, anyone who didn’t mind working with the stern and somewhat scary Commander Roark, that was.

I don’t mind, Sammi told herself firmly. In fact, I’m sure I overreacted and imagined that weird tingling warmth I felt when I touched him. I was probably just nervous and on edge and I let my imagination run away with me. We got a bit of a rocky start, but once we start working together, everything is going to be wonderful—I’m sure it is.