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Meticulously applying a layer of polish to one toenail, Jacinth paused to glance over at the table, her gaze assessing. The bright pink shade sparkled under the light as she admired her handiwork. Lifting the small brush into the air in victory, she shouted, "Yes!" A smile of pure satisfaction spread across her face. Smirking, the pretty, petite Djinn replaced the applicator in the bottle with a practiced twist, and held out one hand, palm up and expectant. "You owe me a hundred bucks, pal."

Next to her, a slender woman with tousled short black hair and wide gold eyes groaned, slumping deeper into the plush cushions of the couch. She dug into her pocket and passed over the money, her movements slow and reluctant.

"Thank you, Katerina." Jacinth tucked the funky ugly yellow bill straight into her bank pile with a flourish, and swept four small green plastic houses off the board, her movements quick and precise. "I'm buying a hotel for Park Place." Her mahogany eyes sparkled with ruthless glee as she placed the bright red piece onto the coveted square.

"So unfair," moaned Talya, the teenage girl sitting hip-to-hip with Jacinth on the white-painted wooden bench they'd dragged into the room from the balcony. She grabbed up a handful of colorful Skittles from the bowl on the small end table beside her, and popped the rainbow into her mouth with dramatic flair. The fruity scent wafted through the air.

"Suck it up, buttercup," Jacinth told her, with an exaggerated sneer worthy of a cartoon villain. Her petite frame radiated smug satisfaction.

The room erupted in gleeful shouts and laughter as Jacinth rolled the dice across the board, the ivory cubes tumbling end over end before landing on the perfect combination to send her straight to jail. Karma, it seemed, had impeccable timing.

"Oh, darn," she grumbled. She snatched a sugar-glazed brownie from the serving dish at the edge of the table. "At least chocolate can mend my wounded spirit."

Alyssa, a Djinn who lived in Manhattan, had come up to the Hudson Valley and rented a room at the West Side Inn for the night. The four friends, Alyssa, Jacinth, Katerina, and Becca, as well as Jacinth’s adoptive daughter, Talya, had seized the opportunity to gather for a girls’ night out. They’d dragged the nightstand out from the wall to hold the Monopoly board, and Jacinth had magicked up a variety of small tables to hold the carafes of tea, lemonade and hot cocoa, and platters of cookies and brownies. A large bowl of popcorn sat on the bed between Becca and Alyssa, and pretzel sticks spilled from an open bag next to it. Next to the bed, a cooler held six pints of ice cream in wildly varying flavors.

The group lounged in an assortment of sleepwear, from comfy PJs to tank tops paired with shorts, while Jacinth had opted for an elegant flowing caftan made of silk. Assorted slippers dotted the carpet surrounding the bedside.

Becca, whose sun-kissed complexion and rich, dark tresses hinted at her Spanish lineage, dipped a spoon into the pint container she held and savored the cool, creamy treat. "Mint chocolate chip," she declared with satisfaction. "Absolutely divine." She then grabbed the dice and tossed them onto the game board, clapping her hands excitedly as she bounced on the mattress, her legs folded beneath her. "Yes! I've acquired the Electric Company."

"Fun fact," Alyssa commented, scooping up a spoonful from her personal container of frozen dessert, "this board game started out as The Landlord's Game about a century ago." Like her companions, she appeared to be in her mid twenties, sporting unruly ebony curls that reached her shoulders and eyes that seemed to shift between azure and emerald. "My Chosen, Damien, actually funded the original creator's patent and marketing efforts."

Jacinth snapped her attention toward Alyssa, her expression animated with curiosity. "Is that so? I had no idea!"

Meanwhile, Katerina scrunched up her features as she rummaged through an assortment of miniature chocolate bars, finally selecting a Snickers bar. She bit into it. "I like the name Monopoly much better," she mumbled around a mouthful of caramel, chocolate and peanuts.

"I still don't understand about monopolies," Becca complained, counting her colorful money and eating another spoonful of mint chocolate chip. The cold dessert melted on her tongue as she glanced around at her friends. Her brow furrowed, and she paused suddenly. "Does anyone else here realize we all have black hair?"

There was a sudden silence as they all looked at each other. Alyssa touched her own dark curls, her lips curving into an amused smile. Katerina snickered, brushing a few errant strands away from her golden eyes. "We should have a group name."

Grinning, Jacinth picked up the bottle of nail polish again, and started to apply the bright pink polish to another toe, her movements precise and delicate. "Two Djinn, two shapeshifters, and a witch walked into a bar..." she began, her chocolate eyes twinkling with mischief.

An alarm, muted but insistent, brought an end to all laughter. The sound reverberated through the air like the hum of a thousand angry bees.

"Where is that coming from?" Becca asked, looking around the bedroom. The noise seemed to come from every corner of the room, pulsing and urgent. The sound crawled up her spine, raising goosebumps along her arms.

"It's magical," Alyssa said, standing up quickly. Her aquamarine eyes narrowed as she scanned the room, her body tense. "Something's wrong."

"Everyone get dressed," Jacinth instructed in a firm voice, her usual playfulness gone. She moved toward the door, her steps quick and purposeful across the plush carpet, but before she could reach it, a firm knock sounded, echoing through the room. Throwing it open, she found the innkeeper, Angus, standing outside in the hallway, the lines of his dark face stern and grim. His normally warm brown eyes held a shadow of worry, and his deep voice carried an edge of urgency.

"You need to come downstairs. All of you. Right now."

Stopping only to don robes and slippers, together the five of them hurried downstairs. Without a word, Angus shepherded them into the lounge, with the inn’s dining room beyond. The large screen television opposite the fireplace was turned on, and was playing a commercial. They looked at Angus.

“Wait,” he said grimly.

From the dining room, Angus' wife, Renee, pushed a trolley filled with carafes and cups. The wheels squeaked against the hardwood floor, a discordant note in the heavy silence. "You'll need these," she said, her usually pleasant countenance equally solemn, dark eyes reflecting concern. "I'm thinking none of us will be sleeping tonight." She began arranging the cups with measured precision, her silver-streaked black hair gleaming in the dim light as she moved with practiced efficiency.

The commercial ended with a jingle fading into silence, and the local news came on with its familiar blue backdrop. The news anchor, a woman in her forties with carefully styled blonde hair, looked serious as she gazed at her audience, but there was an underlying current of barely-suppressed excitement in her widened eyes, the quiver of her jaw. Her manicured fingers gripped the edge of her desk, knuckles white against the polished wood.

"For those viewers joining us, here is a replay of a most unusual rescue, filmed in a national park in northern California this evening." She leaned forward, her pearl necklace catching the studio lights. "This is only one of a number of videos which captured the event, and I must warn you - what you're about to see might challenge everything you believe about our world."

She shifted in her chair as the monitor at her back displayed shaky footage of a guardrail spanning a turbulent stream, while a grass-covered meadow stretched toward a wall of forest, its canopy dark against the blazing dusk sky. The camera panned to capture a dense cluster of pines when a terrified hiker staggered into the frame, fleeing in panic, his expression frozen in horror. He'd made it only partway through the field when an enormous brown bear exploded from the treeline, jaws gaping in a ferocious bellow.

The footage wobbled as it swept sideways, revealing a woman and her little girl gathering blossoms in the meadow near the overpass, perilously close to the charging predator. Panicked voices rang out from offscreen, warning cries of "Bear! Bear!" echoing as the camera operator was bumped and shoved. The mother snatched her daughter and bolted for the bridge. She tripped and fell, curling herself around her child defensively, yet the massive creature paid them no attention, its focus locked on its fleeing male target.

From the trees opposite, a young woman burst into view, her foxy-red hair streaming behind her as she sprinted across the field. Her back remained to the camera while her course swerved to intercept the bear. She flung an arm out, gesturing wildly at the mother. "Go!" she yelled, her voice cracking with urgency. "Keep running! Don't stop!"

The woman's form seemed to waver, like heat rising from summer pavement. Her clothing dropped to the grass in a soft heap as her outline blurred and shifted. Where she had been, a sleek red fox materialized, its russet fur blazing copper in the setting sun.

The fox streaked through the tall grass, a streak of flame against the green. Its paws barely touched the ground as it raced toward the bear, charging through the wildflowers with impossible speed and grace. The setting sun caught each movement, turning the fox's fur into living fire.

Gasps and cries erupted from the gathering crowd. Someone screamed. The camera jerked wildly before steadying on the incredible scene unfolding before them.

The fox flung itself into the air, sharp teeth burying themselves in the bear’s ear, distracting it from its prey. A thunderous bellow of fury erupted as the enormous animal rose up on its back feet. The vixen landed nimbly, prancing away on ebony-tipped limbs, goading its adversary. The bear lunged, but the fox was quicker, leaping to the side, rushing in to snap at the bear’s rear quarters, then springing clear, perpetually evading the swiping, lethal claws. With calculated movements, it lured the bear away from the meadow, towards the trees.

Although the camera remained focused on the two animals, shouts of relief and excited chatter echoed from the bridge, signaling the family's safe arrival. Scattered applause rippled through the crowd of onlookers as they pressed against the wooden railings. With a last, quick glance toward the gathered spectators, the fox leaped away from the bear in a graceful arc, sliding into the thick underbrush where shadows dappled the ground.

The newscaster began to talk as the video ended, but Angus hit the mute button, and a shocked silence filled the room.

The quiet pressed against their ears, broken only by the soft clink of china as Renee began to fill cups with coffee. She moved around the room with practiced grace, passing the steaming mugs to each person in turn.

Like automatons they accepted the coffee, their movements mechanical and stiff. No one moved to drink, the fragrant steam rising unnoticed while they stared at each other with wide eyes, processing what they'd witnessed on the screen.

Jacinth disappeared. One moment she was there, holding her cup, steam curling around her delicate fingers, the next minute she vanished in a whisper of displaced air.

"What the bloody hell?"

All eyes turned to the doorway, to see a stranger standing there, neatly dressed in pressed chinos and a navy cashmere sweater. His accent clearly marked him as British, the crisp consonants echoing in the shocked silence. As he stared at where Jacinth had been an instant before, his knuckles white against the door frame, Angus moved forward.

"We're sorry you were disturbed, Sir," he said smoothly. "There's a... situation."

"I thought there was an air raid." The man's tone was curious as he gazed at the group staring back at him. His eyes went to the television, just in time to see the muted replay of the woman turning into a fox and lunging at the bear. Color drained from his face, his knuckles whitening against the door frame.

"Bloody hell!" The words burst from him in a strangled whisper, his crisp British accent making the expletive sound almost elegant despite his obvious shock.

Katerina tore her gaze from the television screen to look at the newcomer. Mirth welled up inside her, most likely from shock. She recognized how out of place it was, yet couldn't stop the snicker that escaped.

"You're repeating yourself," she pointed out.

The man seemed to pull himself together, straightening his shoulders and smoothing his rumpled sweater. "Ethan Carter," he introduced, his voice steadier now despite the lingering shock in his eyes. "And you are?"

As if hypnotized, his gaze returned to the television screen, his expression a mix of horror and fascination. Katerina waved a hand at the television, where the red fox was again engaged in its lethal dance with the grizzly, darting in and out of range of those massive paws with impossible speed and grace.

"Oh, we're with her," she said with a casual shrug, unable to hide the amusement in her voice at his stunned reaction to the shapeshifter's transformation.

Jolted from his fascination with the video, Ethan's eyes darted between those gathered, his normally composed demeanor slipping. "What?"

He was interrupted as Jacinth exploded back into the room, Douglas at her side, her long black hair swirling around her like a midnight storm. The air crackled with the residual energy, and a faint scent of ozone lingered, reminiscent of lightning strikes.

Ethan stared, his mouth open, face draining of color as he struggled to process what he'd witnessed. He took an involuntary step backward.

"S-she..." His voice cracked, the single syllable trembling in the air. His hand rose to his throat as if to physically catch the words refusing to form.

"Oh." Jacinth bit her lip, looking guiltily at the newcomer. Her chocolate-brown eyes widened with realization. "Sorry." She smoothed down the silken material of her caftan, a nervous gesture which did nothing to diminish the otherworldly aura surrounding her.

A cell phone chirped, and Katerina held hers up, the screen glowing in the dimness of the dining room. "It's my grandmother." She swiped the phone with a freshly manicured finger. "You're on speaker, YiaYia. I'm here at the bed and breakfast with Becca, Talya, and Alyssa, and Jacinth just brought Douglas. Angus and Renee are here, too."

"You've seen?" The familiar voice crackled through the speaker, carrying undertones of authority despite the distance.

Angus came to stand beside her, his tall frame casting a shadow across the polished wood floor. "I'm here, Maroulla. What do you need?"

The voice of the Kazakis matriarch was brisk but calm, with no hint of panic, her Greek accent adding weight to her words. "It's time to circle the wagons. Angus, Renee, can we use your lounge as a kind of command central for a meeting once I can get down there?"

"Of course," Angus assured her, exchanging a meaningful glance with his wife across the room. His dark eyes met Renee's, and a silent nod of understanding passed between them, born of decades together protecting their home and its inhabitants. "And for the foreseeable future."

Renee leaned in to add, “We’ve had our own plans in place for this. We all knew it would happen sooner or later. We’re ready.”

Maroulla's sigh traveled across the phone, laden with the weight of responsibility. "Yes, I know. I wish we had more time, but, as you say, we knew it was coming. We're lucky we had this long.

Through the phone's speaker, Maroulla's voice carried the weight of authority despite its tired edge. "I'll be tied up all day tomorrow with emergency meetings of the Shifter Council. We need to coordinate our response across the Northeast." She paused, and papers rustled in the background. "I can fly down in a few days. Angus, Renee, do you have a room available? It would be more convenient to stay at the inn while we sort this out."

"Of course we do." Renee's warm voice held no hesitation. "Your usual room, the second floor back, is ready whenever you need it." She glanced at her husband, who nodded in confirmation.

"Perfect." The relief in Maroulla's tone was evident. "I'll call when I have my flight details."

"Let me know, too, and I'll come pick you up, YiaYia," Katerina assured her.

Talya leaned forward from her perch on the arm of the couch, her eyes bright with curiosity. She'd been so quiet during the conversation everyone had almost forgotten she was there. "What about the fox? The woman in the video?" Her gaze darted between the adults gathered in the room. "Do we know who she is?"

"Indeed, we do," Maroulla confirmed with a dip of her head. "Her name is Harper O'Neill, and she lives in San Francisco. Her Warden has already been in contact with the North American Council. Since she was turned away from the cameras before transforming, her face was never seen, so she isn't facing any immediate threats. The issue is that Harper's distinct coloring matches her animal form - unusual for our kind - so they're moving her somewhere else. From what I understand, she's reluctant to relocate, but very frightened of discovery. She was described to me as being essentially shy, and rather introverted.."

"Bring her here," Renee told her, her rich voice warm with concern. Angus nodded in agreement, his dark eyes reflecting the same protective instinct as his wife's.

“We’re circling the wagons, she’ll be safe with us," Katerina concurred.

"I'll contact her myself," Maroulla said through the phone's speaker. "The sooner we get her somewhere safe, where she's unknown, the better. The media circus is only going to get worse."

"We can help her find work here too," Angus said. "What does she do?"

"She's a personal finance advisor at a bank in San Francisco," Maroulla explained through the speaker. "She's been there almost six years. According to the Warden, she's devastated about having to leave - she's built up a solid career, and she's worked hard to get where she is."

Ethan cleared his throat, drawing all eyes to him. His earlier shock seemed forgotten as he straightened his navy sweater, his British accent crisp in the quiet room.

"I don't know if this is coincidence, serendipity, or some sort of planetary alignment." He ran a hand through his hair, his expression thoughtful. "But I've come here to take over as president of Carter's Bank. It's been in my family for a century." He paused, glancing around the gathered faces. "And as it happens, one of our personal finance officers retired last month. We've been actively searching for someone qualified and experienced to fill the position."

The room fell silent. Coffee cups froze halfway to lips, steam curling unnoticed in the air. Every head turned toward him, eyes wide with surprise.

Katerina's phone slipped in her grip, and she fumbled to catch it before it hit the floor. "YiaYia?" she asked into the speaker. "Did you hear that?"

"Every word," Maroulla's voice crackled through the connection, her tone carrying a hint of satisfaction. "Sometimes the universe works in mysterious ways."

"That's settled then," she continued briskly. "I'll call Harper tonight and extend the invitation. Angus, Renee, I'll let you know when she's arriving."

With that, she left the call, and Katerina disconnected, her hand lingering on her phone for a moment. An uneasy silence descended as everyone looked at each other, the gravity of the situation settling over them like a heavy blanket.

"Everybody, drink up," Renee advised, refilling their cups cups with swift, efficient movements. "You're going to need it."

"We're going to need something stronger," Katerina mumbled into her cup. She brushed her wild black hair away from her face with trembling fingers. "I better call Troy."

"Tell him to bring some of the good stuff," Jacinth recommended. Katerina nodded, and made a low-voiced call to her husband. After a few minutes, she got off the phone, then bit her lip, glancing back at it with troubled eyes. "Should I call my brother, too? It's after ten, I know he and Tamera are usually in bed by now." Her fingers drummed a nervous pattern on the phone case.

Jacinth dragged her hand through her thick hair, pushing it off her face. Her mahogany eyes were dark with concern as she considered the question. "I think for now, we should hold off on alerting anyone else. If they're asleep, all the better for them. There'll be time enough to catch them up in the morning."

"Joe should know," Katerina added, her golden eyes flashing with concern. "As the wolf shifter alpha..." Her voice trailed off as she rose to pace across the room, her movements fluid and graceful despite her agitation.

Angus nodded at her, his dark features calm and composed in the dim light of the inn's lounge. A log shifted in the lounge's fireplace, sending sparks dancing up the chimney. "Agreed. Go ahead and make the call."

Their British visitor shook his head, as if clearing it, and wrenched his gaze from the television. He appeared fascinated as he regarded them.

"Are all of you..." He waved his hand at the television screen where images of supernatural activity flashed across the screen.

"Not Angus and Renee," Katerina told him, looking up from her phone and tucking a strand of wild black hair behind her ear. "Though they're something else entirely."

Douglas raised his hands, a wry smile playing across his face. "I'm human like you. At least, from the shocked look on your face, I'm assuming you're human?"

"Uh, yes." Ethan seemed bemused. "That's not a question I've ever thought I'd have to answer before."

His gaze fell on Jacinth, who sat curled gracefully in the corner of the sofa. "And you are...?"

At exactly that moment, a vision of red hair, green eyes and porcelain skin appeared at Jacinth's side, luxuriously clad in a long silk caftan in shades of emerald and amber. Jewels trembled at her ears and encircled her wrists, catching the light with every graceful movement. Her rippling waves of dark red hair cascaded to her waist, framing features which somehow managed to combine the elegance of a silver screen goddess with the sensuality of a 1950s bombshell.

"Darling!" She exclaimed, leaning in to kiss Jacinth's cheeks, her perfume a subtle blend of jasmine and roses. "I came as soon as I heard."

Ethan stood transfixed, apparently unable to take his eyes from the woman before him. Her emerald eyes narrowed on him, sparkling with curiosity and perhaps a touch of amusement. "And who is this?"

"Ethan Carter, at your service." Apparently recovering, he stepped forward to take her hand, raising it to his lips with old-world courtesy. "Enchanté."

"Oh!" The vision of femininity smiled at him, dimpling as her eyes sparkled in delight. "Well, it is my pleasure, of course. I am Zahra."

"We're Djinn," Jacinth said bluntly. She added, "And you can forget about us, now that you know. The shapeshifters might have been outed, but no one is to know about the Djinn." She paused, uncertainty flickering across her face as she glanced at her mother. "At least... are they?"

"No, dear one." Zahra's melodic voice carried centuries of wisdom. "That's what I came to tell you. I've spoken with Kieran, and he says the Djinn Council has agreed we are to hold back for now, and watch." Her emerald eyes softened with compassion. "We are allies, however, to our shapeshifter friends, and will lend them what support we can." Her lips parted in a soft sigh, a crease forming between her perfect brows as she considered the implications. "Probably in the form of rescues."

Ethan looked curiously between the two, the honey-skinned Jacinth with her ebony hair and large brown eyes, and the elegant red-haired, emerald-eyed sultress. The pair shared no obvious resemblance, one petite and dark, the other tall and sinuous with her flame-colored tresses. "You're related?"

Jacinth dimpled mischievously, her chocolate eyes sparkling with amusement at his obvious confusion. "She's my mother."

His jaw dropped, and he stared from one to the other in disbelief. "She cannot possibly be old enough to be your mother."

Douglas cleared his throat, shifting with a combination of impatience and bewilderment. "Excuse me? Breaking news, and all that?"

"Oh, right." Jacinth looked apologetic.

There was a stir in the hallway, and a large man, tall and broad, and deeply tanned, with dark blond hair and mossy green eyes, came through the doorway. Katerina darted across the room, her slippers silent on the hardwood floor, to throw herself into his arms. His familiar scent of leather and spice enveloped her as she pressed her face into his chest.

"Troy! I'm so glad you got here fast." Her voice trembled a little, and he held her tighter, one hand stroking her wild black hair.

"Of course I came straight away, kitty cat." He held up a bottle of amber-colored fluid, the light from the window catching its rich golden hue. "I had a feeling we'd need this."

Douglas grabbed it from him, his eyes widening as he read the label. "Whoa! This is Balvenie Caribbean Cask."

"I've been saving it up for a special occasion." Troy's deep voice rumbled through his chest where Katerina still clung to him. "Seems like it might be needed about now."

"It sure is." Douglas cradled the bottle like a precious treasure.

Ethan was staring at Katerina, recognition dawning in his eyes as he leaned forward in his chair. "You're Katerina Kazakis."

She blinked at him, surprise flickering in her golden eyes. "I am. And you are? Oh…" She flushed in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, you said your name before, but I've already forgotten."

"Understandable. I'm Ethan Carter. Er, my sister is a fan. She has several of your designs in her closet." A slight flush crept up his neck.

"Nice to meet you. At least, I think." Her lips trembled as she made an effort at smiling. "And," she added, "this is my husband, Troy Shelton."

Troy reached out a huge hand for Ethan to shake, his moss-green eyes assessing the smaller man. "I take it you're a friend?"

Jacinth snickered from her perch on the arm of Douglas's chair. "He is now." Her dark eyes sparkled with amused interest.

"He and his sister are guests of the inn," Angus explained, his deep voice resonating through the room. "They arrived from England only a few hours ago."

"Er." Uncertainty and anticipation mingled on Ethan's face. His eyes bounced between the gathered people and the steps leading upward. "Actually, about my sister. She'll never forgive me if she sleeps through all of this excitement. Would you mind?" He motioned to the staircase.

Douglas waved a hand, resignation clear in the set of his shoulders. "Might as well. By now the entire world knows..." He sighed, running fingers through his toffee-colored hair. "Or will, soon enough."

Zahra stirred, her graceful movements drawing attention as she glanced at the ornate clock mounted on the wall.. "Dear one, I must return to Qaf. The Council requires my presence for an emergency session to discuss..." She waved an elegant hand at the television screen where the fox-versus-bear footage continued to play on mute. Her jeweled bracelets caught the light, sending prisms dancing across the walls. "All of this."

Jacinth rose from her perch on Douglas's chair, the silk of her caftan rustling as she moved to embrace her mother. "Of course. Will you come back afterward?"

"If I can, dearest." Zahra's musical voice held a note of uncertainty. She cupped Jacinth's face between her palms, studying her daughter's features. "But these discussions may take some time. The implications..." She trailed off, her perfect brows drawing together.

The two women air-kissed, their cheeks barely brushing. Zahra's jasmine and rose perfume swirled around them, mingling with Jacinth's own signature scent. With a shimmer of displaced air and a lingering trace of her perfume, Zahra vanished in a shimmer of air.

Ethan stared at the spot where she'd been standing, his expression a mix of wonder and disbelief. Running his fingers through his hair, he moved toward the carved wooden staircase in the lobby.

He reappeared some minutes later with his sister in tow. Her eyes widened as she took in the gathered group. She was of medium height and slender build, with lovely, waving blonde hair cascading past her shoulders and soft blue eyes the same shade as her brother's.

"Everyone, this is my sister, Kelly." Pride colored Ethan's voice as he made the introduction.

It was clear he'd given her the basics of the situation, because as her gaze took in the people gathered, she cast her brother a wary look. Her slender fingers twisted together, betraying her nerves despite her composed expression.

"Are you having me on, then?" Her British accent matched her brother's crisp tones, though hers carried a note of disbelief.

"Not at all." Jacinth gestured to the television where the video was once more being replayed, this time in slow motion. The footage captured every supernatural moment in excruciating detail, leaving no room for doubt.

Kelly watched with widening eyes, and her mouth formed a perfect O of surprise. Her fingers trembled against the arm of the sofa as the video ended, and her gaze scanned the faces of those in the room. She wavered, her legs unsteady beneath her, and she clutched at Ethan's arm for support.

"And, all of you are..." Her voice trailed off, unable to form the words.

"Most of us," Alyssa said. She'd been standing, silent, near the doorway to the lounge, her aquamarine eyes softening with sympathy. Now she pulled a chair forward, beckoning to Kelly. "You should probably sit down. Troy?"

Troy reached for the bottle he'd brought, pouring a splash of the Balvenie into one of the coffee cups. The rich aroma of aged, thirty year old scotch filled the air as he handed it to Ethan, who passed it to his sister. Kelly's hand shook as she gripped the cup, tossing the expensive whisky back in a single gulp.

Douglas winced, running a hand through his toffee-colored hair. "That's heresy."

She coughed, drew in an audible breath, and handed the cup back to Ethan. "Sorry." She drew another rather shaky breath, her fingers trembling as she smoothed down her skirt. "All right. I'm better. So. Shapeshifters. They're a thing." Her voice wavered between disbelief and hysteria.

"We are," responded Katerina politely, moving to the trolley and pouring herself a cup of coffee, adding a splash of the whiskey.

Alyssa, who'd been dividing her attention between the conversation and the replays on the television, ran her hand through her hair. "I need to get back to Manhattan and let Damien know. He hates television, and anything technology, so he won't have seen this and he needs to. I'll be back, though."

With that she disappeared, the air shimmering where she had been only an instant ago.

Across the room, Kelly turned pale, her fingers gripping the arm of her chair.

"That's impossible," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the crackle of the fireplace.

Katerina, who seemed to have recovered a bit from her earlier shock, snickered. Her golden eyes danced with mischief. "Someone forgot to tell her about the Djinn," she said in a sing-song voice. She moved with feline grace to the nearest loveseat, and Troy sat, drawing her down onto his lap. He picked up her coffee cup and sniffed, then slid her a sideways look. "You laced your coffee with the whiskey."

She grinned woozily at him, her short black hair falling into her eyes. "Yep."

He set the cup down on the side table with a soft clink, grumbling under his breath. His moss-green eyes narrowed with mock severity. "I should turn you over my knee."

"Ohhh, kinky." She wiggled her eyebrows at him suggestively.

"Oh, good grief." Jacinth crossed to the loveseat and took the cup from Troy, placing it on the trolley, and pouring a new cup of coffee from a carafe. She handed this to Katerina. "Here, drink this. We need you with a clear head."

She poured another cup and carried it to Kelly, smiling at the blonde woman's dazed expression. "You may not be tipsy, but you've had a shock. You probably could use this, too."

"Yes, thank you." Kelly held the cup in both hands, which were trembling a little.

Jacinth 's chocolate eyes warm with sympathy. "Let me make proper introductions. I'm Jacinth McCandliss, and this is my husband Douglas." She gestured to the tall man with toffee-colored hair. "He's human, like you."

Talya bounced up from her perch on the couch's arm, her teenage enthusiasm bubbling over. Her dark curls danced around her face as she moved to stand beside Jacinth and Douglas. The warm light from the fireplace cast a golden glow on her tan complexion.

"I'm Talya," she announced, beaming at Kelly and Ethan. "I'm their daughter." She gestured to Jacinth and Douglas, pride evident in her voice. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she added, "I'm a caracal."

She paused, considering her words, then amended, "Well, a caracal shapeshifter, actually."

Kelly's brow furrowed in confusion. "A caracal?"

"It's a really big house cat with these amazing ear tufts," Talya explained, her hands rising to either side of her head to demonstrate. Her movements were quick and animated, reflecting her excitement at sharing this part of herself. "They're native to Africa and India. Super cool cats. Way bigger than house cats, but smaller than lions."

She pointed to the couple on the loveseat, continuing the introductions that Jacinth had begun. "That's Troy and Katerina Shelton. Katerina is a Maine Coon cat shifter, and Troy is human. He's a veterinarian with Douglas."

Kelly's blue eyes widened. "Wait… Aren't you Katerina Kazakis? The fashion designer? I have three of your dresses."

Katerina grinned, her golden eyes sparkling. "That's me. Though I'm taking a break from fashion to focus on pet portraits."

" Alyssa, who just left, is a Djinn like myself," Jacinth said. "she and her husband, Lord Damien, live in New York City. Damien is head of the vampire clan there."

Ethan choked on his coffee. "Vampires? Good Lord."

"And of course, you've met my mother Zahra, who just left." Jacinth's lips curved in amusement at their stunned expressions. "She's also a Djinn." Her eyes sparkled. "Obviously."

"Life is never boring with two Djinn and a shifter in the family," Douglas commented, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners with affection. Jacinth beamed at him, a radiant smile lighting up her delicate features, and leaned over to kiss him softly.

Troy drew Katerina against him, where she nestled in the curve of his arm. Her silky hair brushed against his chest as she settled into his embrace. "Katerina and I were married just last month."

"We eloped to Las Vegas," Katerina affirmed with a grin, her golden eyes sparkling with joy as she remembered their whirlwind wedding. "Becca's engaged, too."

Kelly burst out laughing, and she gave her brother a playful punch on the shoulder. "You'd better run for your life, Ethan, or you're going to wind up with a ring on your finger, too." A blush crept across his cheeks as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

Kelly studied the family trio - Jacinth, Douglas, and Talya - her brow furrowed in concentration. The firelight cast dancing shadows across their faces as they sat together on the plush sofa, Talya perched between her parents.

"But..." Kelly's voice trailed off as she tried to work through the puzzle before her. "If you're a Djinn," she gestured to Jacinth, "and you're human," her hand moved to indicate Douglas, "then how is Talya a shapeshifter?"

Talya's bright smile dimmed slightly, and Jacinth reached over to squeeze her hand. The teenage girl straightened her shoulders, lifting her chin with quiet dignity.

"I'm adopted," Talya explained, her voice steady despite the flicker of old pain in her eyes. "Jacinth and Douglas took me in last year."

Douglas wrapped his arm around his daughter's shoulders, drawing her close. "Best decision we ever made."

"We may not share blood," Jacinth added, her chocolate-brown eyes warm with affection, "but she's our daughter in every way that matters."

Talya beamed at her parents, her earlier shadow of sadness replaced by pure joy. She snuggled deeper into their embrace, contentment radiating from her entire being.

Katerina cast an apologetic look toward her companions while nestling against Troy's solid frame. "I realize we were supposed to stay here tonight for our girls' night out, but... I'd prefer to return home."

"Same here," Becca responded, bobbing her head emphatically.

"We can always have another girl's night out," Jacinth agreed. "It's probably best we get to our respective homes for now. We've a lot to think about."

In mutual agreement, the women scampered up the stairs to change into their street clothes, giggling and chattering among themselves as they went.

As everyone filed out of the inn, Angus locked the front door and double-checked the windows. The protective wards hummed softly, invisible to anyone without magical sight.

Renee gathered the empty coffee cups and dessert plates, stacking them neatly on a tray. "What do you think of all this?"

"Change is inevitable." Angus helped her carry the dishes to the kitchen. "But we've weathered storms before."

"That's for certain." Renee arranged the dishes in the dishwasher with well-honed precision and set it to run. "We need to brief our employees in the morning as well. Even though they're aware of the supernatural side of things, they ought to be informed about these events, assuming they haven't caught the news tonight."

They moved through their nightly routine in comfortable silence - checking the coffee maker was ready for morning, wiping down counters, turning off lights. The old Victorian creaked and settled around them, a familiar sound after so many years.

"Come on, love." Angus held out his hand to his wife. "Let's get some rest. Tomorrow will be here soon enough."

Hand in hand, they climbed the grand staircase to their private quarters on the third floor. The inn grew quiet, peaceful in the late night hours, as if gathering strength for whatever challenges lay ahead.