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I crossed my arms, unwilling to cower before another attempt to force me into a life I wasn’t sure I wanted. “Are you here to bully me out of my life here in Willow Creek, Mr. Steele?”

“Certainly not, Dr. Carter, but ifIcould tell you used your magic in your vet practice, any other shifter in the vicinity would have as well. It’s a secret, is it not?”

“Sure.”

My stomach flip-flopped as the reality hit me. How was I going to keep from using my healing abilities in my day job? The magic would keep a target on my back.

He ducked his head. “Then consider this a friendly reminder that nothing you do—ordon’tdo—will ever again impact you alone. You’re now as integral to our lives as we are to yours. Keep that in mind as you consider my offer of protection.”

“I’m not interested in your protection, Mr. Steele.”

I didn’t buy his nonchalant attempt to convince me he was only doing me a favor by pointing out how I couldn’t stay secret or hidden. Nevertheless, his admonishment nearly scrambled my brain.

Was this how it was going to be from now until I died? Or some crazed shifter decided to end the life of the multimorph? Or what if the sorcerer Logan hadmentioned found me instead? If the sorcerer bought into the prophecy, too, he wouldn’t want me around to mess up his plans.

Riley joined me at the front desk, her head swiveling between Marcus and me. “Things okay up here?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine,” I muttered.

Marcus tipped his head. “Of course,” he said. “I have several exotic pets, and I was looking for input from the best vet in town.”

“I’m not interested in taking you on as a client, Mr. Steele.” I leaned forward over the desk. “You might try Dr. Rod in the next town over. I believe he has more experience with exotics.”

“Very well,” Marcus said. “Have a nice day, Dr. Carter. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.”

“You too,” I said. “Say hello to Dr. Rod for me.”

Then he exited, leaving an oppressive silence in his wake. All I could do was stare through the window even after he zipped away in his slinky black Jag.

“Man, that dude was intense,” Riley said after Marcus left. “You never refer anyone to Dr. Rod. Where do you know Mr. Intense Douchey Dude from?”

“I don’t,” I said, forced-cheerful again, even though I wanted to throw up.

“I’ve never seen him around,” she added, fishing for more information.

“Me, neither.”

My attempt at happiness had faded, and I couldn’t resurrect it, not even for Riley’s sake. My heart sank as acold sweat slicked my skin. I was trapped in a fucking mess not of my own making.

And I never wanted to see that particular asshole again.

Yet I knew it wouldn’t be the last time Marcus Steele stepped into my life.

CHAPTER TWENTY

logan

Monday Afternoon

Cicadas screamed in the trees, so loudly Olivia and I could hear them from inside the manor where we worked on construction company business. The creatures outside always chorused in the hottest part of the afternoon, and today had been more summery than the weekend had been.

Normally, the large insect calls made me feel at home. However, today, the cacophony grated on my nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard, giving the day an edge, and I made another agitated lap around my study.

My phone chirped with a text from an employee, asking for approval on a change order for a project. My work crews mostly managed themselves depending on the day and the tasks ahead of them. Change orders required my input.

I answered succinctly and let them know I’d drive intomorrow to check on the progress to the repurposing of the commercial building. The job was large enough it required the whole workforce. Originally, it had been an abandoned skating ring until a big-box retailer bought it, gutted it, and hired Six-Mile Construction to run the remodel.

Olivia looked up from proofreading a printed contract. “What’s wrong?”