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“No need to summon yer magic, lass,” he said. “Ye can get redressed if ye like. I’m sure we can find ye some clothes around.”

“What a silly, stupid prank,” I hissed, “but no, I’m not putting my clothes back on now. Logan and Olivia made such a big deal over nudity making me uncomfortable, there’s no way I’m going to show nerves like that.”

“As ye like,” he said. He turned to another shifter and struck up a conversation. While he spoke to her, I studied the space.

The entrance to the gathering space reminded me of entering the rear of a theater. It was higher than the forward portion of the area. The natural slope had been stair-stepped into a cavea, and the seating areas which all pointed toward the stage, or arena, area. Anabnormally huge magnolia tree grew to the right of the stage, scenting the air with the sweet fragrance, almost of roses.

“It’s the wrong time of year for magnolia blooms,” I said, catching Jasper’s arm. “Why is it blooming?”

Jasper looked uncomfortable and took a sip from his coffee. “Not sure I should tell ye.”

“Why? What’s going on with the tree?”

The shifter who had handed the java to Jasper stopped on her way by, handing me my own caffeinated joy which I gladly slurped down. I hadn’t had any this morning since we had to get off property before Marcus rolled through.

She studied me. “You know, it’s said that the magnolia blooms to remind us of the sacrifice of the last multimorph, a lovely Creole woman from long ago. She was the one who created this protected meeting place and made it a place of peace and entreaty. It’s there so we never forget her.” She gave me a long look as if to ask if they’d remember me, and then she returned to her task of passing out coffee.

“Umm.” I cleared my throat and stepped closer to Jasper. “Exactly why does it bloom at this time of year?”

“It blooms year-round,” he said as though it answered my question.

“But why?”

He sighed.

“Jasper,” I pressed, needing to know. “Tell me.”

His shoulders dropped. “It blooms year-round because the blood of the multimorph seeped downthrough the ground and soaked into the roots of the tree. Her magic brought life to the magnolia, and it’s been in bloom ever since… for centuries,” he added weakly.

“Ah.”

Fabulous.

But it wasn’t fabulous at all.

No, the wind had been knocked out of me, and I’d never get it back.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

emma

Six Nude Hours Later

Olivia strolled into the Conclave, depositing eight large metal pans on the table at the rear. Phil and several other shifters from Six-Mile followed her, carrying more food into the gathering place and spreading it out on the tables the coffee folks had been using for most of the day.

I jumped up from the spot I’d chosen near the multimorph magnolia and jogged up the center aisle toward Olivia. “Hey,” I said, overly eager for another, more familiar face. “Olivia.”

She stopped short, crossed her arms, and raked her gaze over me. “Huh. No clothes. Riveting fashion choice for the prudish baby shifter. Interesting message you’re sending.”

“Well, you can thank Jasper for that.” I glancedaround and leaned closer to her. “Seems like they all already know about me.”

She tipped her head back and forth as though weighing my words. “I’m sure you can thank Jasper for that too. He’s the biggest gossip in the clans, and he gets around.” Her eyes flicked to the side, and her pupils dilated. “Jasper.”

“Is that so?” I asked, knowing he was behind me. I glanced at the ginger shifter.

He shrugged. “Your legend grows bigger than a hurricane.”

“Another wily choice, hmmm?” I asked.