Page 70 of Waste
Drew placed her plate in front of her, and she dug in even as Drew stared at her in disbelief.
“Am I wrong?” Shelley asked, taking a bite of sausage.
“About?” Drew asked, and Shelley chewed, swallowed and smiled.
“That your personality remained the same despite which form you’re in?”
“Yes and no. As Ghoul, I’m more heightened in my emotions. I experience them more powerfully, so if I’m protecting you, Ghoul will be overly vigilant. If I’m angry, then Ghoul is enraged. Also, Waste is stronger in Ghoul because it was Waste who changed my body to Ghoul’s. The Sin corrupted my warrior body.”
“Yes. But you control Waste now, and I don’t believe Ghoul will allow the Sin to hurt me.”
“Hell no. Ghoul would rip his own head off first,” Drew confirmed as Ghoul stirred. His shifter didn’t enjoy this conversation.
“Is Ghoul a separate entity from you? Like a wolf shifter, they talk about their wolves having a mind of their own. Well, they do in books.”
“Kind of. Ghoul and I are the same, but I’d do things as Ghoul I wouldn’t as me. Also, I can tell when Ghoul wants to shift and take over. We are distinct, yet the same. It’s very hard to understand. We both share this personality, but Ghoul has his own urges and thought processes even though he remains me. It’s complicated.”
“Sounds it,” Shelley said and bit into her toast. Drew noted how she’d devoured the food in front of her.
“Want more?”
“No, I’m good, thanks. I hadn’t eaten since lunchtime yesterday, so I was starving.”
“Yes, you were late home. Why?”
Shelley realised Drew had no idea that DI Wilson had footage of Ghoul. She quickly explained, and a scowl descended.
“Liadun will get it, and wipe it and Wilson’s memory,” he stated.
Shelley sat up. “Liadun is one of you?”
“Banshee. Liadun shifts into Banshee.”
“Damn! Well, her Irish name makes sense now,” Shelley commented and wiped crumbs from her fingers onto her plate.
“Yeah.”
“Who else remains of your siblings? Are they all famous?”
“Yes. A lot of mythological monsters and creatures sprang up around us. We are the base of most legends.” He stood. “Come on. Let’s shower, get some clothes, and I’ll tell you about my brothers and sisters. I’ll also tell you about Refuge, as that’s an option for your family.”
“What do you mean?” Shelley demanded as she paused in walking across the floor. Worry darkened her demeanour, and Drew hurried over to hold her.
“Should Hunters discover that you’re a mate, they’ll target you. If they can’t reach you, they’ll attack your parents and Charlie to draw you out.”
“We need to fetch them!” Shelley exclaimed in panic.
“They’re safe. They’re being watched, and at the first sign of danger, they’ll be whisked away to somewhere secure. We can, however, offer them a place to stay in Refuge. Another of my sisters, one of the most powerful, Tisi, created a pocket dimension where Saviour Families can live and thrive. Because time also moves much more slowly there, your parents and Charlie would have their lives extended.”
“Oh, that sounds good! But I don’t know.”
“Shelley, you don’t have to decide today. We’ve got time. All we need to concentrate on is getting you some clothing and finding out who wants you dead.”
“That was blunt, Drew!” Shelley exclaimed, and Drew chuckled.
“But no less true. Come on, my love. Let’s greet the day.”
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