Pride Before the Fall

  Pride Before the Fall

  Gesa’s Menagerie Book 4

  Kaye Draper

  Copyright 2019

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Coming Soon

  Sign up for Kaye Draper's Mailing List

  Also By Kaye Draper

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  My boots slipped on the light dusting of snow that covered the sidewalk and I slid around the corner, praying I wasn't about to fall on my ass. "Come back here, you little shit!" I called after my prey. If they wouldn't run, I might go easier on the supe bounties I took. But the idiots always thought pissing off the gryphon bounty hunter was a good idea.

  This one threw a muddy slush ball at me before it took off. My hair was plastered to one side of my head with grimy water, and the slush trickled down inside the collar of my new leather jacket. I pounded down the alley, following the brief glimpse of a fiery red tufted tail.

  "You have got to be fucking kidding me," I huffed when it disappeared, and I realized where it was hiding. Not slowing down, I ran at the brick wall at the end of the alley and jumped. Planting my feet on the wall to give myself leverage, I grabbed the top of the tall metal dumpster and flipped myself over the edge.

  I landed heavily in a pile of garbage bags. Something squished under my feet, and my nose burned. This thing hadn't been emptied in a while.

  "Come out, come out, you little fuckstick," I called sweetly, more than a little breathless from chasing the damned thing down the street. My workouts had been limited lately due to all the drama in my life. And what little time I had, I spent with my human at the shooting range, trying to make sure he could defend himself. Looked like I could use more cardio.

  My only answer was a rude chattering sound, like I'd just pissed off a really big squirrel. Imps. They came in a rainbow of shapes, sizes and colors. But they were all annoying. They got pure joy out of causing mischief.

  I bent and started heaving garbage bags out of the dumpster. "Look," I said as I kept clearing space. "I know you're in here. You know I'm going to catch you eventually. And when I do, I'm going to kick your ass. Why postpone the inevitable?"

  More chittering.

  "Yeah, well, fuck you too. You almost got a bunch of kids sent to jail. Not as funny as you think it is, dickhead."

  I saw its tail and made a grab for it, but I was too slow.

  "And you asked why we weren't helping," a silky voice commented, further down the alley. "This is why I only step in when she's actually in danger."

  Hisashi replied to Oisin, but I didn't catch what he said, just the low rumble of his bass voice. He was probably trying not to startle the prey. At least someone was trying to be helpful.

  "Oh, don't worry," Oisin said, raising his voice to make sure I heard him. "She actually enjoys getting filthy. Usually she's rolling around in the mud with some criminal like she's more pig than gryphon."

  I snorted and tossed an especially soggy trash bag his way. "Fuck you, fae."

  I heard the bag land with a splat, and Oisin huffed. It probably got his shiny shoes all wet.

  When I turned back, I saw the imp's tail slinking over the back of the dumpster as it tried to escape. "Oh, hell no," I said, lunging for it. I tripped over a trash bag, slipped on something slimy, and slammed my face into the metal wall of the dumpster with a loud bang.

  "All right there, gryphon?" Oisin called, laughter in his voice.

  I gripped the imp's tail as it squealed and chittered. It was like a thick rat tail—nearly hairless—but with a big pouf of red fur at the end. I dragged the thing back into the dumpster, ignoring the squeal of its claws against the metal and hoping its tail didn't just pop off or something. Jesus, Buddha and Odin, the thing just didn't know when to give up.

  I stood on top of the remaining trash bags so I could see over the edge of the dumpster. Holding out the imp by its tail, I gave it a good shake. It had a round-bellied, scrawny-limbed body, like an old man with wrinkled red skin. It glared at me from yellow eyes and yanked at its own horns and beard in frustration, baring its sharp teeth at me.

  "Here," I told my companions. "Someone take this for a minute."

  Oisin and Hisashi shared a glance that said, "not it."

  "For fuck's sake," I bitched. "Man up. It stinks so bad in here my sense of smell is never going to come back."

  Hisashi sighed, stepped forward, and took the squirming imp by the tail. "Oh, stop complaining," he told it. "You knew this was going to happen when you took off running. And the snowball? Really dude?"

  I snorted. "Just keep ahold of its tail. And don't let it bite you."

  I grabbed the edge of the dumpster with both hands and hauled myself up and over, landing on my feet on the other side.

  Oisin had a hand over his perfect upturned nose. "Well," I told him, gesturing at the garbage. "You're my assistant. Assist."

  He rolled his emerald green eyes, and what I could see of his face said I'd regret this later. But he moved, daintily grabbing a couple of bags of garbage and tossing them into the dumpster. The asshole made even that look graceful. "I can't believe I've been demoted to garbage man," he muttered.

  I threw four bags in with one hand and turned to grin at him. "I thought it was a promotion."

  "Ouch! Damn it." Hisashi danced around, trying not to drop the imp as it twisted about, biting and clawing. A couple drops of bright red blood stood out on the albino-white skin of his hand.

  "Told you," I said, heaving the last of the garbage bags back into the dumpster and wiping my hands on my jeans. "Vicious little fuckers."

  Hisashi had insisted on coming with me to see what we did on bounty runs. Now he knew just how glamorous the job was. We didn't get paid to chase real criminals—that's what the police were for. And I wasn't a detective—my only skills were being strong and bull-headed. And desperate enough for cash to spend my days doing this shit.

  The imp paused long enough to wave his middle fingers at me as he spun, dangling from Hisashi's hand by the tail.

  I laughed. "Right back at ya, buddy."

  I took the imp from my poor, maimed fox, and headed back down the alley. We crossed the street to retrieve the warded burlap bag I'd left tucked under a shrub. I unceremoniously stuffed the Imp into the bag and pulled the drawstring shut, knotting it a few times for good measure. Then I slung the bag over my back, confident the thing's claws and teeth couldn't penetrate the magical fabric.

  I turned to head to the police station and noticed a guy standing on the front steps of one of the brick row buildings—probably an apartment building. He was dressed in slacks and a perfectly pressed shirt under his long wool coat, his blond hair slicked back, a coffee cup in one hand and a briefcase in the other. He gaped at us.

  I nodded. "Morning."

  He opened and closed his mouth a few times. "That's not a raccoon," he finally managed, gesturing at me and my squirming sack with the hand that held his coffee.

  I grinned. "Nope."

  He shook his head and let out a short laugh. "I knew it. I told the cops it wasn't those kids who were trashing cars!"

  I laughed. He was completely human, if his dim aura was any indication. "You can see things other people can't, right?"

  His cheeks flush
ed, but he kept his chin up and gave me a terse nod. "I can. Lot of good it does. Couldn't tell the police I saw a little red man-thing breaking off mirrors and... pissing on windshields."

  Hisashi chuckled. "Wow."

  I shook my head. Imps were the worst. "Well, you were right, for what it's worth. It's an imp. And I'm taking it to a cop who can see things like you, so it won't be back. He'll make sure those kids are released."

  He grinned at me, his hazel eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, don't worry. I'll make sure of that myself." He held up his briefcase.

  "You're a lawyer?" Oisin said, coming to lean against the handrail on the steps.

  The man nodded, then glanced at his watch. "I am. And I've got to go! I'm going to be late." He made his way down the steps. "Thanks for...that," he said, gesturing at the squirming bag. "And don't worry, I'm being paid big bucks by a local philanthropist to help those kids out. The authorities are treating them like a gang, but they're just a bunch of neighborhood kids who like to hang around in a flock. They get a little loud, but they're good kids."

  He smiled at me. "That's the best thing about working in a city with small-town roots like this, you know? The community. It's good to know people like Mr. White are looking out for the greater good."

  He nodded and walked away down the street, whistling.

  I shared a glance with Oisin. "Derek fucking White?" I hissed.

  He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "Probably. Helping the masses makes him look like a hero and all."

  I gritted my teeth. "Let's get this asshole down to Oswald so we don't miss our flight."

  Because as much as I loved the excuse of having a bounty to run down before I could leave, I knew I couldn't put it off much longer. My sister was sick. And gryphons never got sick. My mom implied she might not make it. I had to get there and see what the hell was going on.

  Even if I'd rather go back and spend the day in the dumpster with the rotting garbage.

  Chapter 2

  Once we deposited our imp with Oswald, who was trying out a new system of banding minor supe offenders for easier tracking, the three of us headed back home. I was going to have to finish packing and round up the crew, since they all insisted on going with me.

  I didn't want to take them with me into clan lands, where they would most likely be the butt of my family's snide commentary. But they wouldn't take no for an answer. And a part of me had to admit I was selfishly glad I wasn't going back there alone.

  We had to leave Kaimana behind though. She didn't have a driver's license, a passport...no real identity, since she never lived on land until she was kidnapped and forced into work at the shop where we found her. She was not happy about this prospect. And I didn't like leaving her here where anything could happen while we in Lionheart lands.

  The vast plains and mountains of Moffat county, Colorado allowed both the gryphon side and the lion side of my nature to feel at home. But the nearest airport was almost two hours from here, and the flight was another three hours. We just couldn't get back quick enough if she needed us.

  Oisin held the bookstore door open for Hisashi and me, the bells above it jangling merrily as we entered. I stooped to pick up a pile of mail that had been shoved through the mail slot and into the waiting basket below, then I paused to take in the place I'd called home for the past few months.

  The bookstore still looked a little shabby, but it was clean. Hisashi had taken over a corner in the back, by one tall, stained glass window. He had dragged some old thrift shop furniture over into the space and arranged it for his tarot readings. He took over the bookshelves nearby, and they were slowly filling with books about the occult and supernatural, as well as colored crystals and incense and other random things he convinced his awed patrons to buy. I smiled when I saw he had added a fake stuffed black cat, some ceramic pumpkins and a couple of skulls for the All Hallows Eve holiday. He'd only been here a couple of weeks and already he was making himself at home.

  Oisin crossed the room, running a graceful hand over the glossy old wood of the front counter where the antique cash register stood, before ghosting out of the room. He did this every time we'd been away, quietly checking the store, my office and our apartment to make sure nothing had been tampered with. It was so ingrained in him; I didn't think it was even a conscious thing anymore. He'd been on high alert most of his long life.

  Hisashi ruffled my hair in passing. "I'm all packed. Con's probably driving Kaimana crazy with his fussing, so I'll go save her."

  I nodded but didn't speak. It was fine. We'd be fine. If the stupid gryphon inside my head wanted to be all riled up at the thought of leaving one of its people behind, that was the damned beast's problem. I certainly wasn't that freaking possessive and insecure.

  I strolled through the shop and into my office, breathing in the scents of old books and home. Panic clawed at my chest at the thought of leaving this place, but I pushed it down. It was one little trip. I had promised myself I would never go back there, not after how they'd treated me. But it had to be done. And I had my new family to remind me of who I was. "Man up, gryphon," I muttered to myself.

  I touched the desk Oisin had given me when I first moved in, then closed my office door and headed up the wooden spiral staircase to the apartment.

  I found Con, Hisashi and Kaimana in the kitchen. Con was showing Kaimana where to find all the food he'd cooked for her and stored in the fridge and freezer in individual containers that she could reheat. She was giving him a tolerant smile that said she thought he was ridiculous for fussing so much, but that she'd allow it because this was just who Con was.

  I sat at the kitchen table and sifted through the mail, which was mostly junk. There was one giant yellow envelope with no address. It simply had my name scrawled across it in looping, calligraphic script.

  Oisin wandered in and leaned a slender hip on the table to peer at my find. "What have you got there, beastie?"

  I frowned. "I have no idea."

  I undid the metal clasp thing on the envelope, then slid a talon under the flap to unstick it. Peering inside, I blinked at the contents, then glanced at Oisin. He arched a red brow at me, and I dumped the contents of the heavy envelope onto the table.

  A driver's license. A shiny new passport book. I shifted them aside and picked up a birth certificate with Kaimana's name on it. Her last name was listed as Lionheart—my last name. I set the paper down and gingerly picked up a hand-written note like it was a ticking bomb.

  The others wandered over to see what I was up to and I read the letter out loud. "Dear Miss Lionheart. It has come to my attention that a member of your pride has misplaced some of her possessions. As your employer, I feel it is my duty to assist in any way possible. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to obtain copies of the needed items. Enjoy your trip. But please, do hurry back. Sincerely, Derek."

  I set the letter down and scrubbed my hands over my face. "Motherfucker."

  My employer? He was delusional. I did not work for Derek fucking White. Sure, I'd promised him I would tell him about the bounties I worked on, since he insisted. And since he was currently protecting Oisin and some other, undisclosed fae in what White considered his city. But this....

  On one hand, Kaimana really needed this. If she chose to stay on land, she was going to need to build a life for herself, which, much as I hated the thought, meant she would need to move out, get a job, lease an apartment...all things she couldn't do without an identity.

  But I didn't like it. This felt too much like White doing me a favor. And I had absolutely no desire to be in the debt of a murdering psychopath. Or at least, not any more than I already was.

  I glanced up as Kaimana reached out and touched the driver's license with her picture on it. She picked it up and studied it, then glanced at me, her dark blue eyes hopeful and her bottom lip clenched between her teeth.

  I sighed. "Take it. It's not like you don't need it. And... I guess I'll deal with the consequences later."

 
She clutched the piece of plastic like it was a precious gift, then lunged, flinging her arms around me and nearly toppling my chair as she sat on my lap. The guys laughed as she hugged me so tight, I thought I would choke. "Yes, okay," I said, patting her back and trying not to enjoy the feel of her soft curves pressed to my body. I was the worst. "I know. It's awesome. But remember, that guy is an asshole. So, I'm sure we'll all pay for it somehow."

  She drew back, her dark brows tilted in a frown as she once again studied her driver's license. She held it out to me and tapped the line where her name was spelled out. Then she took my hand and pressed it to her chest. She touched my chest, over my heart, then hers and nodded imperiously. She slowly mouthed a "thank you."

  I smiled at her. "You are absolutely insane."

  She grinned back, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek, then sliding off my lap to twirl about the room with her new identity clutched to her chest, the long skirt she favored spinning out around her like a whirling tornado.

  "Does this mean she can come with us?" Hisashi asked, leaning his elbows on the island as he watched our roommate with an amused look on his face.

  Kaimana stopped dancing around immediately and stared at me with wide, pleading blue eyes. I sighed. "You do realize, this isn't going to be a fun trip, don't you? My family is awful. They are probably going to treat you all like complete shit because you aren't gryphons and I'm not coming home to pop out gryphon babies."

  Kaimana stomped her foot and her eyes glinted as she narrowed them at me. I held up my hands. "I'm just being honest."

  Oisin slid off the table with a graceful hop and glanced at all of us. "I know you don't like this, Gesa, but it might be better if we all stay together. Safer that way." Of course he thought that. The freaking fae was nesting. He didn't want to let his new clan out of his sight. He was as bad as a damned gryphon.

  Hisashi straightened and put his hand over his heart. "Where you go, we go, babe."

  I narrowed my eyes at him. I wasn't his babe. But I let it slide. He had been acting a bit...off...the last couple days, quiet and more withdrawn than usual. I thought the fox might be nervous about this trip.