Free Circe's Recruits: Gideon: A Multiple Partner Shifter Book by Marie Harte

natural.” Roane sighed. “Took us all a while to adjust, and we had years being Circ before it hit. I get the feeling you don’t have that long. Don’t wait, whatever you do. You feel that itch, scratch it. Or it’ll turn violent. We know. We’ve been there.”
    “You seriously fucked each other? Even having women around?”
    Hale nodded. “Being Circ is like another label altogether. Not gay or straight or bi. You’re Circ. Therefore you do Circs. But it’s a pack mentality, man. We’ve met lots of Circs, but I belong with Roane and the guys. No one else. You’ll see. It’s instinctive.”
    Gideon thought about that as they walked out of the house. “Where are we, by the way?”
    “Outside Cape May, New Jersey.”
    Gideon stopped. “What?”
    “Your fight was in Philadelphia, right?” Hale asked. When Gideon nodded, he said, “Well, we found you in Portland, Oregon. That’s where U-Ground had that satellite lab.”
    “Satellite?”
    Roane answered. “It’s not the head of the snake. We cut off a tail that will just grow back. Lang and his scientist buddies escaped. We only managed to shake up their security, who of course knew jack shit about anything. But we’re tracking the money, the person who funded the lab. Once we get him, we’ll know a hell of a lot more.”
    “Good.” Gideon would start with that guy and work his way back to Lang.
    “So you and the others will be staying in the house we just left. I’m thinking Carter might need to stay isolated.” Roane glanced at him with curiosity. “Seems like you and the others are more than just Circ. You guys are all psychic too, aren’t you?”
    They walked toward the large building housing the gym.
    “Why do you ask?”
    Roane gave him a knowing look. “You fried us the way McKinley does. A mind hammer, as the big guy calls it. Carter seems to be able to talk people into doing whatever he wants. Alex can read impressions off inanimate objects. Elijah we’re not sure about. But Doc’s got a theory that you four were able to withstand the EL13 serum because you’re psychic. Something in your brain chemistry helped you bond with the formula.”
    “Huh. That’s a theory, all right.” One that could make sense. Why else would he survive and not Ollie or Rod? “So where’s Alex?”
    “Probably with McKinley and Paige.” Hale guided them to a smaller house north of the gym. “That’s the gym, like we said. You’re free to go whenever you want. The house will have everything you need. Food, supplies, clothes.”
    “I can’t pay for any of it yet. I—”
    “Uncle Sam is covering the cost, trust me.” Roane grimaced. “If they hadn’t funded the project so many years ago, or at least cleaned up their messes, you wouldn’t be here now. Edwin Lang is their problem.”
    “Why are you helping me?”
    “Because we’re the guys who clean up the messes they can’t handle,” Roane answered, all teeth. The look in his eyes put Gideon on alert. Clear threat in the man’s entire being. Then Roane relaxed. “We’ll take care of you and your guys, Gideon.” From one alpha to another.
    Gideon started at the thought that felt…right.
    “Those houses,” Hale continued, pointing out a few more residences, “are off limits. They belong to us and our mates. We’re not kidding about killing you if you go where you’re not allowed. Not there. Not in any of those homes.” Hale vibrated with tension. “It’s no joke. You go where you’re not invited, you stop breathing. Permanently.”
    Gideon nodded. “I understand. I’ll make sure the others do too.” He wondered if there were any children around. Circs would be ferocious about guarding mates. Kids too, no doubt. He didn’t ask though.
    “We’re going to my place because that’s where Alex is. Paige and McKinley—my mates—took a liking to him. Alex is a decent guy and worried about his sister.”
    “Sister?” Hale had two mates? Paige and McKinley?
    Hale sighed. “Come