Dark and Damaged: Eight Tortured Heroes of Paranormal Romance: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set by Colleen Gleason Page B

Bureau didn’t understand was that Shifters were more than animals. Eons ago, when Shifters had been created as fighters for the Fae, those Shifters were more primal. If he’d lived back then, Seamus might have said to hell with his responsibilities and Bree’s family, grabbed her, and headed off. They’d go somewhere remote, lose themselves, never return.
    But since then Shifters had learned about communities. Didn’t matter about Collars, no Collars, or what species each Shifter was—another thing humans, and even the Collared Shifters, didn’t always understand. Seamus could be as protective of those in his community—the Lupines, bears, and Felines not remotely related to him—as he was with his own family.
    Who were all gone. Kendrick’s band of Shifters had been made up of those left on their own. Kendrick had known how to draw them together so they formed one big clan, no matter what their origins.
    Now the clan had dissipated, each Shifter having his or her designated responsibilities to carry out before they reunited. Kendrick seemed to have vanished off the face of the earth for now, but it didn’t matter. He’d be back. He always came back.
    Come away with me
. Seamus wanted that more than anything. For Bree to become part of his family, part of his pride.
    Seamus opened his mouth to tell Bree he had a better idea when a huge noise sounded behind the attic ceiling in the stairwell above them.
    With a rush and a roar, the plaster and boards of the ceiling came down, along with a deluge of water, the entirety of it crashing into the stairs and the floor below.

CHAPTER 9
    Bree screamed. Dust, boards, sheetrock, and water poured down the stairs, and Seamus slammed himself over Bree, feeling debris pound his back. He smelled dirt, water, blood.
    Tiger was the first one out of the kitchen. He was a full tiger now, giant paws sending up plumes of water as he bounded across the flooded living room, shoving aside wood and pieces of wallboard to get to them. Once they were free, Tiger stood over them, staring down with intense yellow eyes.
    Bree was coughing, but unhurt. Seamus felt a sting on his face and wiped away blood, but it was only from cuts from the exploding pieces of wallboard and plaster.
    “We’re all right,” Seamus said.
    Tiger turned from them and leapt up the stairs. Dylan and Sean had emerged after Tiger and had already started for the attic. Reder was close on their heels, slipping on the now soaked rugs and floorboards. One of the uniforms followed, his weapon drawn, Nadine coming behind. What had happened to the second uniform cop was unclear.
    “You won’t want to go up there.” Nadine called after them as Reder and the cop headed upstairs. “It’s dangerous.”
    “Whoever is up there is coming down,” Detective Reder declared.
    “It’s my son,” Nadine said. She’d stopped at the foot of the stairs, resting her hands on the newel post.
    Reder glared down at her. “Then you tell him to come out quietly.”
    “Can’t. He’s passed. Killed in action. I mean it’s his ghost. He’s watching over us.”
    Reder’s face was a mixture of sympathy and anger. “I’m sorry to hear about your son, ma’am. But whoever is up there is no ghost.”
    She turned away leaving Seamus, Bree, and Nadine alone.
    “Mom.” Bree signaled her mother over and spoke in a rapid whisper. “We need to go. Me and Seamus. He has things he has to do.”
    Seamus brushed debris from his shirt. “Bree doesn’t want to leave you behind. Come with us.”
    Nadine looked him over in surprise, then she gave a snort, her short curls bouncing. “Like I’m going to go running through empty lots or hiding in the back of Remy’s pickup. You do what you need to,
but
—” She stuck two fingers against Seamus’s chest. “You look after my daughter. Bring her home in one piece. You got me? I know you didn’t kill those men, so you prove it. Now go.” Nadine glanced at the ceiling and smiled. “You know