Rourke didn't reply.Instead, he held the door open for Ezra.He hurried forward, but when Rourke followed, he walked right into him.Ezra had ground to a stop right inside.Rourke wrapped an arm around him to make sure he wouldn't fall from the impact.He was a tiny little thing after all.But Ezra didn't appear to have noticed Rourke having collided with him.His gaze was locked on a smallish woman with a million long braids hanging down her back who stood by the counter.
It took way longer than it should have for Rourke to realize it was Shixyll.She turned to look at them, disgust all over her face, and her dark eyes so like Ezra's turned black.
Without thinking, Rourke pushed Ezra in behind him.Eyes shouldn't shift to black.He was used to wolf eyes peeking out from a human face, but this...No.
"Shixyll."Ezra bowed, and Rourke wanted to snarl.
Shixyll ignored him while holding onto Rourke's gaze.Hatred bubbled underneath his skin, and he had to force his hands to remain human.This was the woman who had whipped Ezra, who had killed his cat.
"What are you doing here, Flint?"He wasn't sure if she dropped the Alpha because they were in the company of humans or if it was a lack of respect.He didn't much care.What he cared about was getting her away from Ezra who was more or less quaking in his shoes.
"Imagine running into you here, Shixyll.Did you lose a cat?"
She raised her hands a fraction and part of him wanted to recoil, but then she only shook them a little, making her many bracelets jingle.The sound made Ezra flinch, and Rourke looked between them.Did it mean something?A warning?
"I let it out too soon.It ran back here, the poor little thing."She grabbed a cat carrier from the counter, and inside Rourke could see, what he believed was the same black kitten they'd found in their woods.Damn, they should've found another solution for it.
Ezra stepped closer to him until he was more or less plastered against Rourke's back.He didn't mind.He wanted Ezra out of harm's way, but with witches, it was hard to accomplish.
"What areyoudoing here?"she sneered at him."There is no use in giving him a cat, he can't use it.Useless."
Rourke glanced at the woman behind the counter who was frowning at them.He ignored her for now."Did the children enjoy the cookies?Ezra's lacy oatmeal cookies hit just right, don't they?"
Her eyes turned black again, and he held his breath.Maybe they didn't turn black, it was more as if they grew.He'd have to ask Ezra about it.
"What are you talking about?"Her voice was strained, and she white-knuckled the cat carrier.
"Jiprix came around for some cookies.Didn't he tell you?It was nice of him to visit.We enjoyed his company."
Ezra's fingers dug into his side, but Rourke didn't look away from Shixyll.He believed it was fury he was seeing, but he wasn't sure.Ezra was shaking, and he took the hand not clawing at him and soothingly caressed his skin.
"Disgusting filth."Then she turned and more or less sprinted toward the door.Ezra didn't move, and Rourke didn't either, but he watched her through the window as she headed for her car.
"How can I help you?"The woman behind the counter sounded nervous, so Rourke tore his gaze away from Shixyll and focused on her.
"We'd like to adopt a cat."
Her smile was a little forced."A black?"
"I don't think the color matters, does it, Ezra?"He met Ezra's gaze, but Rourke wasn't sure he heard him.
* * * *
Ezra looked at the wall covered with cages.Inside each was a cat.Some watched them with interest, others ignored them.
Rourke and the woman talked, their voices going back and forth, and he heard Rourke reassure her.He wasn't sure of what.
When he stepped forward a red tabby with a round face tried to swipe at him with its paw through the gap in the bars.He stopped and reached for it.The claws curled around his forefinger but didn't scratch.Ezra stepped closer, and the cat butted his head against the cage.Poor thing.
Rourke and the woman walked away, but Ezra remained.He poked his finger between the thin metal bars and petted the cat by the ear.It turned around on its back and tried to bite him, though more of a nibble than a real bite.When Ezra pulled back, it was on its feet again and poked its paw out.
Grinning, Ezra caught it in a gentle hold and caressed the furry leg.The cat ground its forehead against the bars again, and Ezra wanted to open the door.
When he looked up at the lock, he became aware of Rourke and the woman standing next to him."Oh..."He grimaced.Damn, he should've paid more attention.
The woman grinned, and Rourke had a soft look in his eyes Ezra had never seen before.
"This is Harold.The vet estimated him to be about four years old.He was found by the dock and might've been a ship's cat.He kept trying to board different vessels until someone grew tired of having to catch him and brought him to us."
