“Do not growl at my mate,” Rhys commanded, his voice so low and dark that it was like listening to a volcano rumble. Tiny sparks of electricity emanated from his hands as he crossed them over his chest. “Ava is going with Macgrath,” he paused. “But they’re both coming with us.”
Some of the fight went out of the wolf then. I understood that it wasn’t just jealousy riding him, but worry. He worried that I would take advantage of Ava when she was defenseless. I nearly laughed at the thought. The witch would never be defenseless. I doubted very much that anyone would be able to kill her even when she was unconscious. No one lived as long as she and I had without being paranoid in the extreme.
“You’ll stay with her?” he asked Rhys, his gaze intent.
The male nodded, his shoulders relaxing. “Until she wakes up.”
Harrison relented. “Very well.” He looked around at the mess that the explosion had created. “I’ll clean up here. Please text me when she wakes.” I could tell he didn’t want to stay behind, but he also didn’t want Ava to have to face the destruction in her shop when she woke in the morning.
Savannah stepped forward and rested a hand on his arm again. “She’s going to be fine, Harrison. I’ll keep you updated,” she said. Her touch was hesitant, but her words seemed sincere. I recognized what she’d done then. It seemed little Savannah had discovered that she was capable of much more than just empathy. She could exert her influence over other creatures if she wanted.
I nearly felt sorry for the male when he finally moved, his eyes dropping to where Ava was cradled in my arms, her face against my chest. He reached out and brushed a long blonde lock away from her cheek. It took every ounce of willpower I possessed to remain still and not jerk her away from him.
His gaze lifted to mine and I saw the promise of retribution should I not protect her with my very life. Though shifters were difficult to read, he projected the thought loud and clear, wanting to be sure I heard him.
I nodded once, short and sharp, to let him know I understood and that I intended to follow through.
As the shifter walked away, Rhys turned toward me. “Okay, I’m going to trace us all out of here. I’ll have to touch both of you. Don’t pull away or you might end up in a place where you’ll never be found.”
“Understood,” I stated.
He glanced at Savannah. “Hold on to me, Van.”
She stepped into his side, wrapping her arms around his waist and tucking her face against his neck. He lifted both hands and placed one on my shoulder and the other on Savannah’s arm.
A dizzying blink later, we were standing in a living room. It took me a moment to recognize the interior of Savannah’s house.
A small black feline came running into the room, heading straight for Rhys. She meowed and purred as she rubbed against his legs briefly. When the greeting ended, she sat on her haunches and stared up at me with unblinking eyes.
“Ignore Satchel,” Savannah said. “She’s a traitor.”
“Van,” Rhys began but he stopped when Savannah lifted a hand.
“I don’t want to hear all your excuses about how you didn’t steal my cat.” He sighed, but the look in his eyes was affectionate.
She turned back to me. “Let me show you where you can lay her down,” she offered, turning and walking down the hall.
As I followed her, I heard the telltale padding of small feline feet. A quick look over my shoulder confirmed what I heard. The sleek cat followed behind me, meeting my eyes with a gaze that appeared more human than animal.
Disconcerted, I twisted my head back around to ask Savannah why she was keeping a shapeshifter as a pet. Before I could speak, sharp claws dug into the hem of my pants, grazing my flesh. When I looked down the cat stared up at me and shook her head. Her tail twitched nervously, as though she were afraid I would out her for what she was.
I narrowed my eyes and asked, “Savannah, how long have you had this cat?” The animal’s eyes mirrored my expression, turning into threatening slits.
“Several years. Why?”
“Just wondering,” I commented. I followed Savannah into a room to the right off the hallway. A queen-sized bed dominated the small space but there was enough room for a chair in the corner and a dresser. The colors and furnishings were plush and soothing, inviting you to stay a while and rest.
I laid Ava on the bed as Savannah tugged the comforter back. Gently, she tucked the blanket back around her friend.
“I hate seeing her like this,” she murmured.
The cat hopped onto the bed and I nearly reached out to pluck her from the mattress and hurl her against the wall. As though she read my thoughts, the feline butted her head against Savannah’s hand, demanding a stroke.
Savannah’s face softened into a smile. “You know just when Mama needs some comfort, don’t you, Satchel?”
Once again, it was on the tip of my tongue to ask Savannah if she knew the cat was a shapeshifter, but something about the way Satchel looked at her mistress changed my mind.
Staring at me, the animal cautiously moved away from Savannah and curled up next to Ava’s hip, placing one paw on her abdomen.
