Page 39 of Shift of Heart (Shifter Lords #1)
Chapter
Thirty-Three
S omeone or something was watching me. I couldn’t see anything, but the hair on the back of my neck stood straight, and I sensed eyes on me all the way home. Once I was in my driveway, I sat in my vehicle for a few minutes waiting for whatever or whoever it was to show themselves.
But when there was nothing, I slid out of the car, keys in hand, and hurried to my door. Once I was inside, I slumped against the door and let out a shaky breath. Regrets had been playing inside my head for hours after the Shifter Lords, including Caelan, had left the shop.
I should have played ball with Caelan at the very beginning. Kept my head down, performed my duty as a florist, and gray rocked it all the way to easy town. Except I really hated bullies, and I felt like that’s what Caelan was when I first met him.
And now look at me. Jumping at imaginary shadows and under investigation by the Council. Way to go, Evie.
I poured myself an obscene amount of wine, kicked my shoes off, and curled onto the couch.
Ever since that moment with Halvar, my magic had felt off.
Not my Floromancy. That only went wonky when I wasn’t siphoning properly.
The Chimera magic I kept shoved down had been coming in small flares, and I was having trouble keeping my human form.
The others noticed it, and Moira finally forced me out the door, telling me not to come back in until I had eight full hours of sleep.
She was probably right. Restless nights and stressful days often contributed to magical fluctuations, and Hazel had warned me to do my best to keep my emotions steady. Speaking of her, I dug through my pocket for my cell phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found her.
She answered on the second ring. “Evie?”
“Hi Hazel.” It was good to hear her smoky, accented voice.
“What’s wrong?”
I laughed. “Nothing is wrong. It’s been a while since we talked, and I wanted to catch up.”
“You never wanna catch up.” The doubt in her voice was clear.
“I promise. Everything is fine. We’ve had some interesting developments, but my tattoo is still stable.”
“What about fluctuations?”
“Some here and there.”
“Mmm. I feel like there’s much you aren’t telling me.”
“How about a visit?” I asked, ignoring her statement.
“To the U.S.?” She barked a laugh. “It’s a little crazy pants over there right now, ain’t it?”
Hard to deny that. “Not for the magical community. We’re the same, and Joy Springs is full of us. I’d love to see you.”
“You can always come to Scotland.”
Fear skittered up my back. “I’m not ready.”
“There hasn’t been a Chimera sighting since your attack. Everyone thinks they’re gone.”
“I’m still not ready,” I said quietly.
Hazel sighed. “Fine. But you’re missing out on an entire country because of one bad man.”
“He wasn’t a man.” My fingers tightened around the phone. “He was so much worse.”
“Maybe I’ll come,” Hazel said, relenting. “How about a month or so? I have things to clean up around here.”
“A month is good.” If I were still alive by then.
“Done.” Her voice softened. “Whatever’s going on, hang on until then. I’ll bring some of my special magic.” Hazel cackled and disconnected.
That was the thing about her. I never got the chance to say goodbye, and I felt like I should have this time.
After mindlessly bingeing shows for a couple of hours, I headed to bed, hoping I could get some sleep tonight.
Unfortunately, my brain had other ideas and replayed the image of Caelan nipping my neck on a loop for hours.
I woke before the sun came up and immediately felt something off.
Quiet as a whisper, I slid my feet into my slippers and crept out of my bedroom, my eyes sweeping the living room for intruders.
I sensed no one in the house and couldn’t scent anything unusual.
After checking every room and cursing my paranoia, I made a pot of coffee and downed the first cup before refilling my mug and heading outside to grab the mail I’d forgotten to grab last night.
But when I opened the door and glanced down, there was a basket wrapped in cellophane and pretty ribbon and an envelope attached to the top addressed to me.
It smelled like shifters.