“Little guy there is a shifter?” Russell asks.
Deciding Russell isn’t much of a threat, Ansel lowers his wand. “I think he might be.”
“What does he have to do with Kit?”
“They’re bonded.”
“That’s not possible.” Russell laughs like it’s a joke…and then his face goes slack when he puts all the puzzle pieces together. “Wait.”
“Give him a minute,” Ansel says wryly. “He’ll get there eventually.”
“How?” Russell demands.
“I accidentally merged their magic when I was working a metamorphosis reversal.”
“So, you’re saying Kit’s not a shifter…she’s justbondedto a shifter?”
“Correct.”
“If Rowan is a shifter, why couldn’t he change back while he was an owl before?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” Ansel replies.
I look at Rowan. “Can you change back now?”
My owl-mate peers at me, looking annoyed—which I’m going to take as a no.
“Maybe you just don’t know how,” I say to him.
He flaps his wings, not liking to be told he’s not skilled at everything under the sun.
“It’s not criticism,” I argue. “How are you supposed to know how to do something you’ve never learned to do?”
He screeches.
“Don’t get your feathers all ruffled,” I snap. “I’m justsaying.”
“This is weird,” Russell says to Ansel. “What kind of girl is attracted to a tiny dude? Kinda freaky, am I right?”
“Shut up, Russell,” Ansel growls. “What are you still doing here?”
He shrugs. “I don’t have anywhere better to be, and you guys are just hanging out.”
“Leave before I call the sheriff.”
“Calm down; no law enforcement is needed. I’m not going to ask Kit for more magic.” The mage turns to me, grinning in the smarmiest way imaginable. “Unless you want to get rid of some, and then I’d be happy to help you out.”
“Feed him to the pigs,” I say.
“Fine!” He walks toward the door. “I can tell when I’m not wanted. I’m going. You’re welcome, by the way. Glad I could help you out completely and totally for free, and with no gratitude bestowed upon me whatsoever. We’re even, right? No hard feelings?”
“Sure,” I say, “but only if I never see you again.”
“Your loss, summer bunny. You’re gonna miss me. I won’t hold it against you if you end up giving me a call. Do you want my card again, just in case?”
“No.”
“Suit yourself. You know where my lab is if you need me.” He has the audacity to wink, and then he’s out the door.
