Page 80

Kane finally stops and waits for me and Nero to catch up.

When we get to him, the shifter clears his throat. “This is how the evening is going to go,” he says softly, “You’ll meet the pack, they’ll ask a few questions of you, and at the end of it all, you’ll be formally recognized as a friend of the pack.” Whatever bitterness Kane might personally harbor toward me, it’s wiped free from his voice as he speaks.

“How many people are inside?” I ask, glancing again at the cabin. The shifters out front have now noticed us, and they’re avidly watching my exchange with Kane.

“Almost everyone who is able to make the meeting will be inside,” he says. “This is a big deal,” he adds.

I dip my head, even as my nerves spike. I don’t know what I’m doing here. This is terrifying, and I’ve already pissed off the one shifter I’m closest to. I don’t want to be the center of anything that the pack considers abig deal.

I sense Kane’s gaze on me.

“I can hear your heartbeat,” he says quietly. “You don’t need to be nervous. Forget the shit between us. You saved one of my pack mates. You have the gratitude of me and everyone else in that building.”

I swallow and nod, and then, almost shyly, I look at him and force a smile. “Thanks,” I say softly. I pet my familiar’s dark fur, drawing in a few stabilizing breaths. “Is Nero going to be a problem?” I ask offhandedly.

Kane gives the creature a speculative look. “I guess we’ll find out.”

And with that extremely unreassuring answer, we head for the cabin.

Nero is, in fact, a problem.

That becomes massively clear seconds after the three of us step into the house.

The vast living room is filled with dozens—if not hundreds—of shifters. Most sit in foldable seats that have been brought in, though others stand along the edges of the room, packed in as close as they can get. At the sound of our entrance, they look over at me, Kane, and Nero.

For a second or two, all is well. But then, from around me, low vocalizations rumble from the shifters nearest us.

“It’s all right,” Kane reassures the crowd. “The panther is her familiar. His name is Nero.”

Kane glances at me, like he expects me to speak.

Okay, right. Public speaking. I’m a badass witch who has defied death to be here. Talking to a crowd doesn’t scare me one bit.

“Yeah, Nero. His name is Nero,” I echo woodenly. My hands are beginning to shake. “He’s really the sweetest cat.”

Nero takes the room in with steady, unblinking eyes. He doesn’t look like the sweetest cat. His body is tense and rigid, and that stillness that I associate with hunting has fallen around him.

The shifters must sense it as well because, if anything, the growls in the room only grow louder.

I really, really want my panther by my side right now. He makes me feel safe and steady. But he seems to be drawing out these shifter’s instincts, so?—

I crouch down in front of Nero and try my hardest to ignore the people around us.

“I know you wanted to be here for me,” I say softly, “but your safety is more important to me. Everyone in this house is my friend,” I reassure him. “I will be okay,” I promise.

I can’t read his expression, but his tail flicks like he’s considering my words.

“You can head back to our room or remain out in the woods near Henbane. I’ll be fine, and I’ll call to you if anything changes.”

Nero butts his head against my shoulder then, rubbing himself against my side. I don’t know if he’s being affectionate or marking me just to make it clear where we all stand, but I smooth my hands down his sides and give his forehead a kiss.

Rising to my feet, I open the door and let my familiar out.

“Stay safe,” I call after him.

His only response is to twitch his tail, like my concern is annoying. I guess if I were an apex predator, I might be annoyed too if a puny human fussed over me.

I close the door behind him and turn back to the room.