Page 28

Harper pulled into Nathan's driveway, her heart fluttering with anticipation. The memory of last night's kisses still lingered, making her smile as she walked up to his front door. Before she could knock, Nathan opened it with a warm grin.

"Perfect timing. I'm almost done packing lunch."

She followed him into the kitchen where delicious aromas wafted from an open picnic basket on the counter. Nathan was tucking wrapped sandwiches next to containers of fresh fruit and what looked like homemade cookies.

"That smells amazing," Harper said, peeking into the basket. Reyna perked up at the scent of roasted chicken.

"I hope you like chicken salad. Made it this morning with grapes and pecans." Nathan added two bottles of sparkling water. "And those cookies are my grandmother's recipe."

Harper's mouth watered at the sight. "You bake too? Is there anything you can't do?"

"Many things." Nathan chuckled. "But baking cookies isn't one of them."

He was just closing the basket when the doorbell rang. They exchanged puzzled glances and Nathan shrugged.

"I wasn't expecting anyone."

Nathan walked to the door with Harper trailing behind. When he opened it, Harper was startled to see Lydia, her bank manager, standing on the porch.

"Lydia?" Harper's pulse quickened. "Is everything okay?"

"Jake mentioned you might be here." Lydia shifted her weight. "I hope you don't mind me stopping by."

Reyna bristled inside Harper, sensing something was wrong. Harper's fingers curled into her palms as scenarios raced through her mind - had something happened at the bank? Were there repercussions from yesterday's incident?

"Of course not," Harper managed, though her voice came out higher than intended.

Nathan stepped back, opening the door wider. "Please, come in."

"Thank you." Lydia's heels clicked on the hardwood as she entered. Her eyes darted to the picnic basket on the kitchen counter. "Oh, I'm interrupting your plans."

"We were just heading out for a picnic," Nathan said. "But it's no trouble."

Harper's chest tightened as she studied Lydia's face for any clue about why she'd tracked her down. After yesterday's drama with the fired employees, Harper wasn't sure she could handle more bank-related stress.

"Would you like some water?" Nathan offered, ever the gracious host.

"No, thank you." Lydia smoothed her skirt. "I won't take up much of your time."

Harper's heart hammered in her chest as she watched Lydia, her mind racing with possibilities. After yesterday's incident, the last thing she needed was more work drama. Her fingers twisted together as the silence stretched.

"I-I thought Ethan said to take today off." Harper's voice wavered. "He insisted, actually."

Lydia waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, this isn't about that. You absolutely should have the day off after what happened."

Some of the tension eased from Harper's shoulders, though Reyna remained alert and wary inside her. She glanced at Nathan, drawing comfort from his steady presence beside her. The picnic basket sat forgotten on the counter.

Reyna whispered reassurances in her mind, reminding her that Lydia was a fellow shifter, part of their community. Still, Harper's fingers twisted together as she waited for Lydia to explain her unexpected visit.

Lydia paced back and forth, her posture tense. Harper thought if she'd had a tail she would be lashing it. Finally she paused, turning to face them, running her fingers through her hair.

"I don't know where to start," she confessed. "I feel awful for not knowing this was going on under my very nose. I'm so angry, I could spit! This afternoon I've been in contact with several of our employees who left us abruptly, and every one of them has confirmed that they fled their jobs at the bank because of that trio of harpies."

Harper couldn't help herself. "I called them the Hostile Harpies in my head," she snickered, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

Nathan's eyes crinkled with amusement. "That's probably unfair to harpies the world round."

Her boss's serious demeanor shattered. A sudden guffaw rang through the spacious room as Lydia collapsed onto the sofa, her entire body loosening while she waggled her head in disbelief.

"Oh god, that's perfect." Lydia wiped at her eyes, her professional demeanor abandoned. "Though you're right, Nathan. My cousin dated a harpy once - lovely girl, fantastic cook. Had a bit of a temper, but nothing like those three."

Harper's jaw dropped. "Wait, harpies are real too?" She turned to Nathan, who looked equally stunned.

"Welcome to the supernatural world," Lydia grinned, looking far more like herself now. "There's quite a lot you both haven't discovered yet."

Reyna perked up inside Harper, curious about what other creatures might be out there. Harper made a mental note to ask Katerina about harpies later and see what she knew about them.

Harper watched as Lydia's amusement faded, replaced by a serious expression that made her stomach clench.

"Harper." Lydia leaned forward, her eyes intense. "I wish you had come to me about what those women were doing to you. I understand why you didn't - of course I do. I just wish you had."

Harper's throat tightened. Reyna curled up small inside her, remembering the daily torments.

"I would have shut that behavior down immediately." Lydia's voice carried the sharp edge of authority Harper recognized from bank meetings. "No one should ever have to endure workplace harassment. Not you, not anyone."

Harper's gaze dropped to her hands. "I didn't want to cause trouble, or to make waves. I just wanted them to stop. I thought, eventually they would get tired of it and leave me alone."

"Oh, honey." Lydia blew out a breath and came to sit beside her on the couch. "Bullies like that never stop on their own. And there were three of them, so they had a pack mentality, to keep spurring them on to great and greater effort. It's part of my job to ensure things like that don't happen. I can't do my job, if I don't know it's happening." She sighed.

"As your manager, I should have seen what was happening. I failed you."

"No, you didn't-" Harper started to protest.

"I did." Lydia's tone brooked no argument. "Part of my job is ensuring a safe work environment for all employees. Those women were terrorizing people long before you arrived - I see that now. I should have recognized the pattern when other good employees kept quitting."

Nathan's hand found Harper's, giving it a gentle squeeze. The warmth of his touch helped steady her as memories of the past weeks swirled through her mind - the sabotaged lunches, the whispered threats, the constant tension.

"You're not responsible for their actions," Harper said softly. "And I'm sorry - really sorry," Harper apologized, scuffing her toe against the carpet. "I kept thinking, maybe an opening would come up, and Tiffany, she was the worst of them because she thought I took the job she planned to have. I thought maybe, in time, she'd get promoted, and then she wouldn't bother me anymore."

Lydia laughed in disbelief, shaking her head. "Your job? Seriously? You have a BS in Finance, and certification in Financial Planning, not to mention several years of experience. You came highly recommended, as well. Whereas those three were hired right out of college with no particular training or skills, far less any kind of business-related degree. Nor did they ever indicate any interest in further training or responsibilities. I can assure you, none of those three would ever have advanced past basic customer service or teller positions."

Okay, Harper was feeling better all the time, and she managed a smile. "I like hearing that," she admitted. "I shouldn't, I know. I try not to be a petty person like them."

"What they did to you, and to the others before you, was beyond petty," Nathan defended, his eyes flashing with anger. "They went out of their way to be cruel."

"Far, far out of their way," Lydia agreed. "And so you know, we've put out the word to other banks. Those women may find other jobs, but it won't be in banking again."

"I hope they wind up flipping burgers at McDonald's," Nathan said grumpily.

Harper shot him a reproachful glance. "What did the employees at McDonald's ever do to you?"

"Oh, good point." He considered a minute. "Stocking aisles in Walmart on the graveyard shift?"

Harper grinned. "I can live with that."

Harper watched as Lydia shook her head, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "You haven't lived in a small community like this before, have you?"

"No," Harper admitted. "I've been in San Francisco ever since college."

"Well, let me tell you how things work around here." Lydia settled back into her chair, looking rather pleased. "By now, word of what happened yesterday has spread not just through our town, but through all the little communities along the Hudson. Everyone knows everyone else, and news travels fast."

Harper's eyes widened as Lydia continued. "There were customers in the bank yesterday who witnessed everything. They've already posted about it on social media. Images are being shared, stories are being told."

Harper's heart leaped into her throat. "There aren't... there aren't pictures of me, are there?" The thought of her face plastered across social media made her stomach churn. After everything that happened in California, the last thing she needed was more public attention. And… oh my God! That reporter was out there looking for her!

"Oh, no, nothing like that," Lydia assured her quickly. "Just pictures of your office after they vandalized it. I won't show you - you don't need to see that again. But this post is safe for you to see, I think you'll enjoy it."

She pulled out her phone, showing Harper a Facebook post that already had thousands of shares. Harper's shoulders sagged with relief as she studied the post that documented the evidence of harassment. While there were no pictures of herself, but - was it wrong to feel so gratified? - someone had managed to get pictures of Vanessa, Tiffany, and Janis being escorted out of the bank by a grim-faced Jake. Comments below the post expressed outrage at the bullying, and support for the bank's swift response.

"I didn't realize it would become such a big deal," Harper murmured, still processing the implications.

"That's because you're a kind person who wouldn't want to hurt others, even those who hurt you," Lydia replied. "But they brought this on themselves. Actions have consequences, and in a small town like this, those consequences tend to multiply."

"The community is firmly on your side," Lydia said. "Those women won't find work anywhere around here - not in banking, not in retail, not even at the fast food places Nathan mentioned. No employer in their right mind is going to want to hire anyone who spreads chaos in the workplace. And that, my dear, is all on them."

"Even if they move away from the area," Lydia said, tucking her phone away with a satisfied smirk, "it won't help them escape the consequences. In today's world, this kind of thing follows you. Their names and faces are out there now, linked to their actions. They'll likely be dealing with the fallout for years to come."

Lydia's expression grew more serious, her earlier amusement fading.

"There's something else we need to discuss," Lydia said, straightening her shoulders. "The bank is consulting with our legal team about possible criminal charges against those three."

Harper's fingers tightened around Nathan's hand as Lydia continued.

"What they did goes beyond workplace harassment. The deliberate recreation of your trauma with the fire - that was calculated psychological abuse. And there may be grounds for criminal charges related to the damage they caused to bank property, although that is admittedly minimal."

Reyna bristled inside Harper, wanting to retreat from this conversation. Harper shared her fox's instinct to run and hide.

"Additionally," Lydia said carefully, "our attorneys suggested you might want to consider bringing a civil case against them personally. The emotional distress alone-"

"No." Harper's voice came out sharper than intended, making both Lydia and Nathan jump. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I'm sorry, but absolutely not. I can't- I won't-"

Her chest felt tight at the mere thought of legal proceedings, depositions, having to relive everything in front of strangers. And the publicity... After barely escaping exposure in California, the last thing she needed was her name in court documents and news reports.

"Harper." Nathan's thumb traced soothing circles on her palm. "She's only making a suggestion."

"I understand," Lydia said softly. "And of course, it's entirely your decision. I just wanted you to know all your options."

"Thank you," Harper managed, her voice barely above a whisper. "But no legal action. Not from me. I just want to move forward and forget it ever happened."

Harper released a shaky breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Beside her, Nathan's steady presence helped ground her as Reyna curled tighter inside, seeking comfort.

"Yes," Lydia soothed, her expression understanding. "I imagine your fox needs to feel safe right now. My lynx would too, in your situation."

"She does." Harper's voice came out barely above a whisper. Her fingers tightened around Nathan's as Reyna stirred restlessly in her mind. "Reyna just wants... she needs..."

"To den," Lydia finished for her, nodding. "To hide away somewhere safe and protected until the danger passes. It's a natural instinct for all of us shifters, especially after a trauma."

Relief flooded through Harper at Lydia's understanding. She didn't have to explain the way Reyna was pressing against her consciousness, desperate to retreat to somewhere secure and familiar. Another shifter just knew.

"That's exactly it," Harper admitted. "Ever since yesterday, she's been... we've both been..." She gestured vaguely, struggling to put the feeling into words.

"Which is why you're here with Nathan," Lydia observed with gentle insight. "Your fox recognizes him as your safety."

Harper felt her cheeks warm, but couldn't deny the truth of it. Reyna had been notably calmer since they'd arrived at Nathan's house, drawing comfort from his presence. Even now, with the uncomfortable conversation stirring up fresh anxiety, her fox remained relatively settled thanks to Nathan's steady hand holding hers.

"Yes," Harper whispered. "We both do."

Harper shifted in her seat, drawing comfort from Nathan's solid presence beside her. "About the reporter..." Lydia's voice trailed off questioningly.

"Nothing new," Harper said, absently running her thumb over Nathan's knuckles. "But Jacinth put what she called look-away spells on both our apartments." A small smile tugged at her lips as she remembered the Djinn's mischievous look as Jacinth explained it. "Anyone looking for me specifically won't be able to find either place."

Lydia's eyebrows rose. "A look-away spell? That's some serious magic. And here as well, that's smart thinking."

"Jacinth said it was necessary, especially with Jill being here." Nathan gestured toward the backyard where the jackalope's pen sat hidden from view. "The spell will help protect her too, in case that guy comes snooping."

"Although, I don't know why he would think to," Harper added. "But we'd rather be sure she's safe from discovery."

"Smart thinking," Lydia nodded approvingly. "I wouldn't have thought of that angle, but you're absolutely right. The last thing we need is some enterprising reporter stumbling across a mythological creature while trying to track you down."

Lydia's expression brightened. "Before I go, there is some good news I wanted to share. I managed to track down some of our former employees who left because of those women."

"One had accepted a position in a bank in NYC, but two others, one from accounting and another from the teller line, are returning." A radiant smile spread across Lydia's face. "Both of them were outstanding workers, and they jumped at the chance to come back once I told them those three were gone."

Relief flooded through Harper. At least something good had come from this mess. "That's wonderful news."

"And there's more," Lydia continued, her eyes sparkling. "Ethan and Kelly want to boost morale after everything that's happened. They're organizing a company picnic for the Fourth of July - all employees and their families are invited."

Harper glanced at Nathan, who smiled encouragingly.

"We'd love to have you both there," Lydia said. "It'll be a great chance for everyone to get to know each other properly, without those three poisoning the atmosphere."

Reyna perked up at the mention of a picnic, having had a terrific time enjoying herself at the last one. Harper shared her enthusiasm - the idea of celebrating with her coworkers without looking over her shoulder sounded wonderful.

"That sounds amazing," Harper said. "Nathan?"

"Count me in," he replied, squeezing her hand. "I'd love to meet your colleagues, especially under the new, better circumstances."

Lydia rose from the couch, smoothing her skirt. "I won't keep you from your day any longer. I needed you to understand how sorry I am about everything that happened," Lydia said, her expression earnest. "No employee should ever face that kind of treatment, and I feel terrible I didn't catch it sooner."

"Thank you," Harper murmured, touched by her manager's genuine concern. Reyna purred contentedly inside her, appreciating Lydia's protective instincts.

"Have a wonderful weekend, both of you." Lydia's professional demeanor returned as she headed for the door. "I'll see you Monday, Harper."

Nathan opened the door for Lydia while Harper stood beside him. They watched as she strode to her car, her heels clicking against the driveway. As Lydia pulled away, Harper felt the last remnants of tension from the past weeks dissolve. She had allies at work now - people who would stand up for her if she needed them.