"The Collector—yeah, that's what the witches are calling it—has been picking off bonded practitioners for decades. Pairs like our Delilah and her wolf. Like the new ones. The librarianand her grumpy investigator." Jinxie's tail lashed once. "When the humans fall, who do you think feeds us? Who keeps the warming spells on the shop stoops? Who bribes us with the good salmon?"
Murmurs rippled through the assembled felines. A sleek Siamese from the mayor's office narrowed her eyes. "You're saying this threat could disrupt the entire treat economy?"
"I'm saying this threat could end it entirely."
Silence. The kind of silence that preceded either violence or unprecedented cooperation.
A shadow detached itself from the water tower's support struts. Raven landed on the platform with the grace of a familiar who'd spent years perfecting dramatic entrances. Her green eyes swept the gathering with barely concealed disdain.
"I hate working with cats," she announced. "But desperate times."
"Youarea cat," the tabby pointed out.
"I'm afamiliar. There's a difference." Raven's tail curled around her paws. "My witch is one half of the partnership this thing wants most. The grimoire chose her. The prophecy named her. Which means I need—" The word seemed to pain her physically. "—assistance."
Jinxie hobbled closer, her three-legged gait somehow more dignified than most cats managed with four. "The black queen admits she can't do it alone. Mark your calendars."
"Don't push it, tripod."
"Wouldn't dream of it, princess."
Their eyes locked. Something passed between them—not friendship, exactly. Recognition. Two cats who'd each chosen to protect humans too stubborn to protect themselves.
A bark shattered the moment.
Every cat on the water tower platform bristled as a Border Collie scrambled up the maintenance ladder, tongue lolling withthe enthusiasm of a creature who'd never experienced an ounce of self-doubt.
"Did someone say intelligence network? I'mgreatat intelligence! I once found a tennis ball that was hidden for THREE WHOLE MINUTES!"
"Absolutely not." Raven's fur stood on end. "This is a feline operation."
"But I heard there's danger! Danger means PROTECTING! I'm excellent at protecting! Watch, I'll protect this platform right now—" The collie began circling, herding invisible threats toward the edge.
Jinxie sighed. "Someone get the dog a task before he vibrates off the tower."
"I could patrol! I could sniff things! I could?—"
"You could watch the bakery," Jinxie interrupted. "Report anything suspicious. Strangers. Strange smells. Strangeanything."
The collie's entire body wagged. "A MISSION! I have a MISSION!" He scrambled back down the ladder, barking coordinates to himself.
"He'll blow our cover in an hour," Raven muttered.
"He'll also notice if anyone approaches from the south side. Dogs have their uses." Jinxie turned back to the assembled cats. "We divide the town. Each of you takes a sector. Watch the magical hotspots. The library. The theater. Zelda's cottage. Report back here at midnight tomorrow with everything you've seen."
The cats dispersed like smoke, melting into shadows and drainage pipes and the secret highways that ran between Assjacket's buildings.
Raven remained.
"You know something," she said. "Something you haven't shared."
Jinxie's mismatched eyes reflected the yellow moon. "I know lots of things. Comes with being underestimated."
"The watching presence. The one that's been tracking the magical pairs. You've sensed it too."
"Sensed it?" Jinxie's laugh was dry as autumn leaves. "Honey, I've beenhidingfrom it for six months. Whatever The Collector is, it's old. Patient. And it's already got agents inside this town."
The wind shifted. Both cats went still.
