Bad Moon Rising: Skinwalkers, #1

Taming the beast can be so dangerous, but such a delight!

Mya Reynolds lives a painfully ordinary life - that is until she makes the mistake of looking into the eyes of the Sinapu alpha, discovering an all-consuming love that threatens to destroy her and everyone near her.

David Bray has sworn to do everything he can to protect the people. But when his duty requires that he kill the one woman that has managed to capture his heart, he is torn between love and what he knows must be done.

The Skinwalkers are an ancient race - practitioners of the dark arts and the living vessels of demons. They have the ability to take the shape of animals and humans alike, and never for good.

The Sinapu are the earthly incarnations of the wolf spirit. It is their duty to protect the heart of the people, but the Skinwalkers want access to the heart and will stop at nothing to get it.

When Mya Reynolds agrees to take an internship with the tribal police, she unwittingly steps into the middle of an epic battle between good and evil. But too often the lines are blurred and she cannot be sure whom she can trust.

Chapter One

Everyone knows that one day they will leave this physical realm of existence, but only an unlucky few ever actually stare into the eyes of death and know they will probably never see another sunrise.

Mya wondered if she were already dead. Had she met her fate and failed to realize it? If she wasn’t dead, then why was her whole life flashing before her eyes. The years – days – hours, and in fact, every millisecond of her life was replaying in her head like a late night rerun of some classic movie.

The images moved so fast that it would seem impossible to absorb them, but contrary to this, she experienced every feeling - every moment of her life as if she were reliving it all over again.

Before that moment, Mya had never thought about how she would die, though maybe she should have. She’d known the risk of loving him, but had made the fatal decision to ignore that risk.

But was it really her love for him that brought her to this moment?

Even as she went over her every decision from the time she was a young child, she still couldn’t be sure what had brought her to this end. Was it the day that she made the decision to take that internship in Arizona, or was it when she decided to pursue the truth of who she was?

As much as she wanted to blame her fate on these decisions, deep down she knew the truth. She could mark the beginning of the end the moment she stared into his eyes - eyes so wild and untamable that it had been foolish to believe he could ever be anything other than what he was by nature.

Though the shadow of death loomed over her, she placed her bleeding heart before him - hoping the love and passion that they’d shared would overcome his instinct to kill.

Hasn’t this always been their fate?

She’d known almost from the beginning that it was his duty to kill her - she was a threat to his kind. Maybe it was hope that led to her death. She had stubbornly held out hope that they could defy fate and triumph over the evil that had purposely led them down a path of destruction.

* * *

From where Mya stood on the corner, she could see the heat shimmering off the blacktop. A reminder of just how hot it could get in Arizona, as if she needed reminding. The droplets of perspiration that were steadily making their way down the back of her neck were reminder enough.

The light was still green. If they hurried, they could make it across before it turned red. She’d just put one foot into the street when she heard the deafening roar of motorcycles coming right at them. The light was red for the bikers, but it didn’t appear as if they would stop.

Mya felt a hand tugging at her arm. Donny pulled her out of the way just as the four bikes pulled up to the intersection. As fast as they were going, it was a wonder they were able to stop for the light, but they did.

There were four of them, but Mya only noticed the one closest to her - the one on the shiny red Harley. Mya’s eyes strayed to his hard muscular chest, visible beneath the open - sleeveless vest he was wearing.

She then glanced up at his face, and that’s when she realized that he was watching her. He wasn’t even bothering to disguise his interest. It was in that instant that their eyes locked.

Mya could feel herself being drawn into those eyes - those fascinating - disturbing eyes. They were like silver pools of moonlight gliding over her skin - caressing her - seducing her. Like a deer hypnotized by oncoming headlights, she was frozen in place - unable to look away - incapable of rational thought.

Unlike the dark eyes of so many of the people she’d encountered on the reservation, his eyes were the color of pale moonlight. Those beautiful - magnetizing eyes stared at her with such intensity, it was as if she could feel them burning into her soul - stripping away the outer shell of her body until he was staring right into the very essence of her being.

For Mya, time stood still. It was a moment that would be forever seared into her memory. She was aware of nothing but him, and the certainty that there wasn’t anything that he did not know about her. Those mysterious eyes reached out to soothe the turmoil in her soul, while at the same time they were boring into the deepest recesses of her mind to discover her darkest secrets.

Then it hit her like a ton of bricks.

She’d seen those eyes somewhere before!

Mya had no time to think about it. The light turned green and the four bikers took off. She watched him as he drove away, quickly disappearing in the afternoon traffic.

A sharp whistle brought her back to the moment. She must have been standing there in a daze - staring at him for a long time.  The light for them to cross had already turned green.

If we don’t cross now we’ll be waiting for another light, Donny advised.

Feeling like she had just come out of a strange dream, Mya stepped back into the crosswalk. Sorry, I guess I was a little distracted. Who were those guys?

The truth was that she really only wanted to know about the guy with the strange eyes. She couldn’t even recall what the other bikers looked like, but she could remember what he looked like, right down to the very last detail. In her mind’s eye, she could still see his ruggedly handsome face and the way the wind tussled with his long dark hair as he was driving away.

By the time they reached the other side of the street, Mya realized that Donny hadn’t answered her. Do you know them? she asked again.

Donny’s good-humored smiled seemed strained. They’re just a group of guys that come through here once in a while.

Are they some kind of motorcycle gang? she pressed, sensing that he was trying to keep something from her.

Not really. They’re just a few guys that hang out ... that’s all.

Mya wasn’t satisfied with his answer, but decided to let the subject rest, at least for the moment. They had reached their destination - Gordy’s Coffee House.

Though she hadn’t been in town long, she’d gotten used to Donny’s routine, which was lunch at Gordy’s. It made sense; it was the closest café to the police station where he worked. It was also where she worked - temporarily.

The first week that she’d worked with Donny, they’d gone to Gordy’s every day for lunch, but that had changed recently. The last couple of weeks had been hectic, leaving little time for leisurely lunches.

Donny pulled open the glass door and let her enter first. The coffee shop was nearly empty. There were only three other people. An elderly gentleman that sat at the bar drinking coffee, and two teenagers in a corner booth, near the front of the café. The old man looked up when they entered, but the two kids completely ignored them. They appeared to be too engrossed in conversation to care who came or went.

Donny pointed to an isolated booth at the back of the café. Let’s sit there.

They had no sooner settled in the booth and the waitress was standing at their table - a notepad in hand to take their order. The Navajo woman looked to be about thirty something, but she still hadn’t lost her looks or that sparkle of youth that can be so difficult to hold once the ravages of everyday life had taken their toll.

Mya didn’t miss the way the woman’s dark eyes sparkled when she spoke to Donny.

It’s been a few days. The chief keeping you so busy that you can’t come and visit us? she asked him.

Donny’s lips twitched in what was suppose to pass for a smile. Well you know Tina ... sometimes things can get hectic. It’s been bad lately.

Mya knew that Donny was indirectly referring to the body that had been discovered near Chinle a couple of days ago. He would never just come right out and say what had been keeping him busy. Making casual talk about the deceased was a taboo. Speaking of the dead would invite that person’s spirit to haunt you. Although Donny was a police officer, the traditional beliefs of his people ran deep. He wouldn’t talk about the dead unless his job required it.

So will it be coffee or soda? Tina asked, moving on to a safer subject.

Coffee, Donny told her.

How about you? The woman’s eyes rested on Mya.

Iced tea with lemon, Mya said, painting a smile on her face.

It wasn’t so much that she disliked the woman. Tina just had a way of making her feel uncomfortable.

Tina scribbled something on the order pad before looking back at them. Okay ... be right back with your drinks.

I still don’t think she believes that I’m your niece, Mya whispered after Tina left.

Donny’s dark eyes twinkled with laughter. "Sure she does. The Dineh family structure is a little different than what you are used to, and besides ... everyone knows that my brother married a Bilagáana."

Donny’s brother was Mya’s stepfather, and the only reason she was in Arizona in the first place. Steve had talked to Donny and made arrangements for Mya to do a sort of internship with the tribal police.

Steve was a down to earth kind of guy, and he believed that no matter how much schooling you had, it just didn’t compare with hands on experience. Mya couldn’t really argue with her stepfather’s reasoning. As far as she was concerned, working with the tribal police for the summer was a great opportunity.

When Steve mentioned the idea to her, Mya was ecstatic. After she was done with college, she wanted to become an FBI profiler, but still - working with the police would look good on her resume after graduation.

It was true that most of her work had been mundane - a lot of domestic disputes and missing sheep, but a couple of weeks ago that had all changed. That was when the first murder occurred.

Donny Begay was the investigating officer on the case, and that meant that it was Mya’s job to help him.

Tina returned with their drinks. As she walked toward their table, she put a little more swing into her hips. Mya had to fight to keep from smiling. It was obvious that the waitress had more than a casual interest in her step-uncle.

She set the drinks down in front of them and gave Donny a flirtatious smile. Will there be anything else I can do for you? she asked. It was clear that her question had a double meaning.

Donny’s face darkened. I think we’re good for now.

Tina gave him a curt nod before leaving them to their conversation.

Mya could understand why women tended to flirt with her uncle. His round face and angular features gave him a certain rough appearance that many women seemed to like. Sure he was older, this was evident in the little gray that showed in his short-cropped black hair, but he wasn’t bad looking for his age.

Mya gave her uncle a teasing smile. So what’s the deal with you and the waitress?

Nothing, he said, lowering his eyes.

Deciding it would be best not to poke fun at him too much, Mya took a drink of her tea and waited for Donny to say something more, but he didn’t.

Mya decided that if she didn’t push him a little, they would go through lunch without accomplishing anything. There’s been two murders in less than a month. They are obviously connected. Are you ready to admit that it might be a serial killer now?

Donny finally looked up from his coffee, all traces of embarrassment gone. He was now Officer Begay - all business. "Don’t jump to conclusions. We haven’t heard back from the coroner on the Chinle guy. He could have succumbed to exposure ... and then torn apart by scavengers after he was dead."

Mya shook her head, disagreeing with him. It was true that she had no formal police training yet, but her gut instinct was telling her that the deaths of the two men were connected somehow. You’ll see. He was murdered just like the other guy.

To Mya it was obvious that the two victims were connected, and she couldn’t understand why Donny was so hesitant to call it like it was. The first murder happened right in Window Rock. Ben Metzger’s body was discovered in the auto repair shop where he’d worked. He was in the same condition as the latest victim that had been discovered off the side of the highway, near Chinle. Just like the latest victim, Metzger appeared to have been attacked by an animal, but there was something that didn’t make sense.

How did the animal get into the building?

Of course it wasn’t entirely impossible. It was plausible that the animal had snuck in during the day while the garage doors were open, but not probable. You would think that Metzger might have discovered the animal long before closing time.

Don’t you think that the best way to proceed right now would be to just assume that the same person killed the two men? That way we could start looking for a suspect. Mya asked before taking another drink of her iced tea.

Leaning back against the cushioned bench, Donny let out a loud sigh. You still have a lot to learn about police work. You don’t cut corners. It’s okay to follow your gut feelings, but do it by the book.

But ... Mya interrupted.

Donny cut her off. Even if we knew exactly who killed those guys ... without evidence there isn’t a thing we could do right now.

Mya knew he was right. If they didn’t have evidence, the killer could be standing right in front of them and there wasn’t a thing they could do. Okay, so now what? Do we wait for the autopsy report?

That’s exactly what we do. He gave her a tolerant smile. But if you are anxious to be doing something ... you could drive out and talk to Ben Metzger’s brother. He lives near Red Canyon. That’s about thirty miles north of here.

Mya shrugged. Okay, but how come you are not coming with me?

Donny’s eyes shifted to the window where he pretended to be engrossed in a flock of birds that had gathered on the sidewalk outside the coffee shop. I’m going to stick around the station today and catch up on some paperwork.

Mya was excited at the prospect of doing something other than shuffling paper, which is all she’d really done since coming here. So far Donny hadn’t let her get too involved in the case, but she had a feeling that was about to change. Even if she didn’t accomplish much with her drive to Red Canyon, at least she’d get some fresh air. Anything had to be better than sitting in that closet they called a filing room.

After finishing their drinks, they headed back to the police station across the street. It was then that Mya eyed her little red Nova skeptically. She’d hate to get stranded out in the middle of nowhere if it broke down.

Can I use the patrol car? she asked.

Donny followed her gaze and guessed what she was thinking. He threw her the keys to the patrol car. "Just make sure that you bring