Page 101 of Seer

One chuff. Okay, so the shifter had been trying to help at least, so odds were I didn’t have to worry that they meant Cal any harm.

“Can you change to your human form so we can talk?”

Two chuffs. Double fuck. What the hell had happened?

“Okay, I’m sending his friend Felix over if I can reach him. I don’t think he’s met any shifters, but he knows about you andabout the magic. Is the security deadbolt unlocked from the inside?”

One chuff.

“Good. I’ll call you back if there’s a change of plans.”

One chuff.

I forced myself to drive carefully out of the parking lot, but as soon as I was on the road I told my phone to dial Felix.

“Greg? Hey, what’s up?”

“Felix, thank fuck. Are you home? Do you have a key to Cal’s place?”

“Uh, I’m at Steve’s and yes, I have a key. Why? What’s the matter? I’m putting you on speaker.”

“Is that far from Cal’s apartment? I need you to go over there. He’s unconscious, and I’m 20 minutes out.”

“Unconscious? Does he need an ambulance?”

“No! No ambulance. Are you and Steve alone?” I did not want to have to explain magic to Malcolm or to Steve’s husband.

“Yeah, Baz is out and Malcolm’s back at our house. Steve and I can be at Cal’s in less than ten minutes. What’s wrong with him? Wait, hang on.”

I heard sounds of them getting in a car.

Felix said, “Okay, Steve’s driving. We’re on the way.”

I cursed silently as I was forced to stop at a red light. “Okay, when you get to his place, the security deadbolt is unlocked and there’s a shifter inside.”

Steve shouted, “Ashifter? Like, what kind? Are they friendly? Wait, did they hurt Cal?”

“No, I don’t think so. I don’t know who they are. They managed to answer the phone when I called, but they must not be able to shift back to human for some reason. I got them to make noises and answer some yes or no questions.” I swallowed back my frustration and fear. Cal did not need that coming through the connection right now. “One noise for yes, and two for no. They indicated that Cal is unconscious, but I don’t know anything else. Don’t touch him or the shifter unless the shifter says it’s okay. Something magical may be going on.”

“Got it,” Steve said.

“Okay, call me when you get there, please. And, uh, thanks for doing this.”

Steve huffed. “Cal’s still our bestie, even if he is some sort of magic badass now.”

We hung up, and I concentrated on driving as fast as I dared without drawing attention from the police.

A few minutes later Felix called back and put me on speaker again.

Steve said, “Okay we got off the elevator on Cal’s floor.” I heard the key turning in the lock. “Opening the door—holy fuck!” then, “Sorry, sorry. I was just startled.”

Felix hissed, “Get in here and shut the door!”

Dammit, why hadn’t the Elves given us the ability to teleport?

The sound of the door closing came through the phone. Felix said, “Hi, there. Um, I’m Felix and this is Steve. Can we, uh, take a look at Cal?” He paused. “It’s okay to touch him? Good, thanks. Uh, Greg, Cal is lying on his back between the couch and the kitchen table. His eyes are closed, and he’s not responding, but he doesn’t appear injured.”

Steve said, “His skin is cool, so I don’t think he has a fever, and I don’t feel any injuries to his head.”