In the end, though, perhaps she had to meet Margot where she was at. It was clear that Margot was happy to say whatever she felt like saying, normal conversational etiquette conventions be damned, and so maybe Poppy just had to be equally forthright.
“I’m not a shifter,” she said eventually. “Or a half-shifter. I don’t actually know what that is, but I’m pretty sure I’m not one. And I don’t know what a mate is, either.”
Levi’s expression shifted into something that Poppy instantly recognized asoh shitmode, and she felt a little sympathy – she had the feeling it wasn’t the first time Margot had made an assumption and said something she shouldn’t have.
But before Levi could open his mouth, Margot jumped in.
“I didn’t mean thatyouwere a half-shifter – I meantMaxwas.”
Levi winced, and then Margot seemed to realize, half a second too late, that it wasn’t so much the question ofwhothe shifter was that was of concern, but the question ofwhata shifter was.
“Oh,” she said, her eyes wide with dismay. “I’m sorry. It’s just that you had your eyes open when Levi landed and shifted back into his human form, and you didn’t say anything, so I thought you already knew. And, I mean, you and Max are so obviously mates, so of course you would knowhewas a shifter as well.”
Levi closed his eyes and rubbed at the bridge of his nose for a moment in obvious mild despair, apparently deciding it was best to just let Margot get it all out rather than trying to stop her, given that the cat was already out of the bag.
Poppy tried to ignore the fact that Margot had said thathehad not only ‘shifted’, but also ‘landed’. The idea of Levi gettingairborne and zooming around was not helping her mental state right now.
“So,” Poppy said, staring at the concussion test poster on the wall and trying to count how many symptoms this particular conversation could conceivably cover, “you’re saying that Max is the half-shifter here?”
Margot’s face relaxed into a relieved smile.
“That’s right!” she exclaimed.
Poppy almost felt bad for what she knew she had to say next. She just seemed like such a – acheerfulperson that it felt mean to burst her bubble.
“But I don’t know what a shifter is,” she said. “Could you please explain it to me? And also what a mate is, while you’re there. And why I was attacked by a magical avalanche.”
Margot’s face fell once more, and Levi, mercifully, stepped in. Orsatin, really, as he pulled up his own chair, which Poppy had to admit she was grateful for – he’d kind of been towering over her, and what with sitting in a hospital bed while not feeling her best, she’d been feeling mildly intimidated, even though it was clear he hadn’t meant it.
Levi took and released a deep breath, before raising his head to look her in the eye.
“Sorry about the confusion,” he started. “Since we’ve already said too much, I’ll just get down to it. There are some people in the world who can turn into other animals and mythical creatures. What you might think of as shapeshifters.”
“Okay…” Poppy said slowly, trying to take it in. The concussion poster on the wall helpfully listeddazed or vacant stareas a possible sign, and she knew that if Doctor Wu showed up right now and saw her expression, she would definitely be getting sent in for some kind of brain scan.
Eventually, she got her mouth working again. “And so you’re saying that Max is… also able to change into an animal? Or half an animal?”
Which half?she thought inanely.Is it a horizontal or vertical split? Or just random bits?
Margot shook her head. “He said that he can’t shift at all.”
“Half-shifters are unpredictable,” Levi added. “They seem rare, but there are probably more of them in the world than anyone realizes, since a lot of them might not have any powers and therefore come across as regular humans.”
“Powers,” mumbled Poppy. Could Levi, like, shoot laser beams from his eyes? That would be cool.
Okay, maybe Iamconcussed. Or still unconscious, and this is all a dream?
Apparently her addled state was obvious, because Levi’s expression was becoming concerned.
“I think maybe we should go,” he said, moving to stand up. “You need to rest.”
“No, stay,” Poppy said, holding up a hand. “I need explanations. Or… for you to pinch me? I think I must be dreaming. None of this is making any kind of sense!”
Theyhaveto be just messing with me. But… didn’t Levi sayMaxhad told them he can’t shift?! Why would he tell them, and not me? I mean, if hedidsay it. Because this has to be a joke. Not nice to mess with a lady with a possible head injury!
Levi lowered himself back down slowly, and Poppy thought hard for a moment. Either the two of them werereallygood actors, or they were telling the truth – or thought they were.
I really have to find Max and ask him what actually happened.
