12
Ryu
As much as both of us wanted to stay home and take care of Angel, Scar and I faced the real responsibility of returning to work. But having separate jobs meant only one of us at a time would be caring for Angel, and that wouldn’t work out if our attention was divided between our child and our customers. I knew I had a difficult decision to make.
“I think it’s best if I take a break from my magic school, at least until we figure out a better way to deal with all of this,” I told Scar.
His eyes widened in surprise. “What? But you love your job.”
“I know,” I said with a sigh. “But it’s not exactly as if business has been booming lately. My last student was Henry, and he couldn’t even do a little bit of magic. Probably because I’m a lousy teacher.”
Scar growled and pointed a finger at me. “You shut up. You taught Gabriel everything he knows, and look how he turned out! He ended up doing high-level clear magic with your help.”
“Gabriel was exceptionally gifted,” I admitted.
“Doesn’t matter. Without a good teacher, he wouldn’t know what to do with his abilities,” Scar retorted.
“I suppose you’re right.”
“I am.”
“But I am serious about taking a break. Your bar is filled with more customers in a single night than my school is in a week. This way, we’ll both be in the same place to watch Angel,” I continued.
Scar made a face. “Isn’t it kind of weird to bring an infant to a bar? Is that even, like, allowed?”
“Youarethe owner of the facility, not some drunk customer lugging their baby along. You can keep her behind the counter, or I can babysit her in the back room. She won’t get into any drinks with us watching her, I promise. Just think of it as an extended take-your-kids-to-work day,” I said.
“You’re nuts,” Scar said, but he was grinning. “Fine. I was getting stir crazy sitting in your apartment all day, anyway. A little time outside will be good for all of us. The bar opens at eight.”
Angel happily slapped Scar’s prosthetic arm, enjoying theclunksound it made. Scar blushed but was obviously amused.
My phone rang and I fished it out of my pocket. Scar’s amusement faded. “That’s not Henry again, I hope.”
“No, I’m done with him. You don’t ever have to worry about that. But it’s not him—it’s Lorenzo.”
Scar’s face turned serious and interested. We’d been waiting on his call since we asked his mate Raja for his help.
I put the call on speakerphone and said, “Hello?”
“Ryu? How are you?” Something crashed in the background, then I heard a young girl’s laughter—it must have been his daughter, Charlotte Kali. “I have some things to discuss. I’d prefer to do it in person—” His voice was interrupted by the sound of sharp claws on a hard surface, then quickly followed by Raja’s exasperated voice as he called his daughter’s name, “— for obvious reasons. Sorry, Charlotte recently discovered how fun it is to ruin furniture in her panther form.”
I grimaced at Lorenzo’s dismay but couldn’t help but be entertained. “That’s fine. You’re welcome to come over.”
“Great. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
After I hung up, Scar turned to Angel and gently said, “I’ll always love you no matter what, but whatever you are,pleasedon’t turn into a cat shifter.”
* * *
Both Scarand I were surprised to find that Lorenzo didn’t arrive alone.
Little Charlotte Kali, who, like all shifter children, grew quickly compared to humans, was already old enough to walk—she stumbled confidently right into the apartment as soon as I opened the door.
“Sorry,” Lorenzo said with a shy smile. “Raja—and the furniture—really needed a break from her. I’ll make sure to watch her so she doesn’t claw anything up.”
“That’s okay,” I replied. “We’re happy to have her here.” I bent down to Charlotte, who was watching me intently with her violet eyes. They matched Lorenzo’s. “Do you want some applesauce, Charlotte?”
She nodded.
