Calder by Allyson James

treating the Shareem like insects has spread.”
    Katarina felt herself blush. “I just do my job.”
    “No, you treat them like they’re human beings, give them their dignity. I’m trying to change the laws that say they aren’t human, but it’s slowgoing. Fears and prejudices die hard.”
    “I’m not as brave as you are,” Katarina said. “Braden asked me to move in with him, but I told him no.”
    “Courage has nothing to do with it. I live with Aiden and Ky because I love them, and I need to be with them.” Brianne grinned. “Besides, I’ve seen how Braden keeps his rooms. I wouldn’t live there either.”
    After Aiden and Ky left, Brianne sandwiched between them, Katarina felt a bit depressed. Brianne had sacrificed her old life and reputation to be with Shareem, and Aiden and Ky showed every indication of being besotted with her.
    Calder had pushed Katarina away. She hadn’t seen him in weeks. How many “clients” had he entertained since then?
    Katarina’s heart burned.
    Anger and jealousy wasn’t getting her anywhere. She needed to act. She needed help—and she knew just where to get it. Chapter Eight
    Calder slammed out of his apartment for his nightly prowl.
    The streets were crowded. Pas City came alive after the heat of the day was done.
    Lights glared but he could still find shadows to walk in, moving like darkness itself.
    He ached with need. He’d put his services on hold, not wanting to touch another woman, least of all the silly cows who paid to be chased and ravished by The Beast.
    Gods, did they have nothing better to do? After listening to Katarina’s laughter in the artificial rain, he couldn’t stand the thought of letting another woman into the lair.
    Idiot. It will kill you.
    Shareem needed to release every day, several times a day. If they didn’t, their body temperatures rose to unbearable levels, their metabolisms spiraled out of control and they died.
    The ever-resourceful Shareem had invented all kinds of pleasure toys for those days when a woman wasn’t available. But toys and Calder’s own stroking could only satisfy for so long. He needed relief.
    Judith’s bar was full tonight, with patrons spilling out onto the street around it.
    Calder strode into the noisy crowd, making his way toward his usual table in a dark corner.
    Someone had already claimed it, another Shareem called Rees. On Rees’ lap was the pretty red-haired woman who had consented to be his lifemate, Talan d’Urvey.
    Calder didn’t mind Rees, the only other Shareem who understood what Calder had gone through at DNAmo. Rees had been created to be the ultimate Shareem, all the levels rolled into one. Unpredictable, uncontrollable. He’d been separated from other Shareem at DNAmo and tested and tortured.

Rees had been the only Shareem who’d managed to escape DNAmo before the company went under, and some said DNAmo had been shutdown because they’d created Rees. He was smart, resourceful, dangerous and mysterious. The pint-sized redhead on his lap loved him to pieces.
    Rees looked up as Calder slid onto his stool in the corner. Rees had blond hair, which he wore gathered into a ponytail at the base of his neck. His irises were wide and blue, a Shareem aroused. After nodding once at Calder, he went back to nibbling on Talan’s neck.
    Talan gently elbowed Rees. “Be civil, we have company.”
    “Calder likes to be ignored,” Rees said, transferring his teeth to Talan’s earlobe.
    Rees was right, but Calder made himself nod to Talan. “Lady d’Urvey.”
    “How are you?” Talan asked him.
    “Thirsty.” Calder signaled a harassed-looking waitress and tapped the empty table in front of him. The waitress jumped when she saw who he was, then faded back toward the bar.
    Talan continued to study Calder with her warm brown eyes, a little smile hovering on her mouth. Calder tried to ignore her but it was like being stared at by a puppy. A determined puppy.
    “What?” he growled.
    “You haven’t