“We’re offering a ten-thousand-pound reward,” the tall man said.
“Whoa!Big money.Shame I can’t help.We could use a windfall.”
“If you hear anything useful, you can find us in town,” the man said.
Liam nodded and shut the door.This time, they let it close.
He didn’t move.Instead, he listened.
“Did you believe him?”one asked.
“Yeah, he looked like he’d stumbled out of bed.If that’s the woman I saw yesterday, she’s a looker.Can’t blame him for staying in.”
“Let’s go.We have three more cottages to hit tonight.”
Liam listened to their retreating footsteps before joining Tamsin and Sienna in the kitchen.“They’ve gone, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they show up again, at odd times.We need to stay alert.”
“At least they didn’t ask about Hedrek,” Tamsin said.
“They asked who else lives here,” Sienna added, “but didn’t push.”
“No outsider has the right to question locals,” Liam said.“They’re not the law and have no business asking personal questions.I’d like to know who told them about the sightings, or if they’re here to debunk the whole thing.”
“We wouldn’t have known if Jamie hadn’t warned us,” Sienna said.“That’s what irks me the most.”
“But maybe the situations are separate,” Liam said.“Whoever chose not to warn you might’ve seen it as a chance to push you out of the village—make it impossible for you to stay.Maybe they didn’t have the stomach to tell the hunters you’re feline shifters.”
“Perhaps you should avoid the pub tonight,” Sienna said.
“I agree.We’ll leave it another two nights and go as a couple.That way, we can see the reactions of locals and hunters.”
“Makes sense,” Tamsin said.
“This is a disaster,” Sienna said.“The longer the hunters stay, the more danger everyone is in—us and the other feline locals.”
“I wonder how hard it would be to learn who’s funding the hunt.”Liam frowned, trying to think it through, but his head throbbed.“If we knew that, it might answer some questions.Are they trying to debunk the myth, prove shifters exist, or is it really about animal collecting like they claim?”
“Good point,” Sienna said.“I wonder if they’ve hunted elsewhere—in the UK or abroad.This group seems well-funded.The organizer has serious resources.Knowing more would help us plan.”
Tamsin nodded.“Makes sense.Let’s make a list of what we need to find out and tackle this methodically.We can split up, ask our questions, and compare notes later.”
“Oh, I didn’t think you’d attend the market,” the organizer said, her tone suggesting she’d hoped they wouldn’t.
“Don’t trouble yourself finding us a spot,” Tamsin said before the woman could offer excuses.“We’re setting up by the car park again.”She stalked away, leaving Liam to navigate the cart over the cobblestones.
“I’ll visit the council offices to make it official,” Tamsin said once they were out of earshot.“Will you set up?”
“Of course.”He squeezed her shoulder.“But Tony offered to share his site permanently.”
Relief flooded her face.“At least someone in this village is decent.I’ll check with the council anyway.”
She strode away, a woman on a mission.The Teagues had enveloped him into their family, and he’d come to appreciate their love and humor despite the obstacles they faced.And Sienna—he admired the woman who’d abducted him for her kin.She’d risked everything to help them, even when the odds were slim.
Tony had already set up his stall and was chatting with customers, who sipped lemonade.
Liam waited until he was free before approaching him.“The woman organizing the market didn’t keep our stall again.”
“I told you.Share my site and pay half the costs.It’s a win-win for both of us.My customers loved your mugs; several have brought them today for refills.”
