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Adam doubted he’d made the best possible decision, but he hadn’t really had the opportunity to think things through. All he knew was that he’d been given a tiny moment in time to get Sydney and Sugarbelle away from Veronika’s insanity.

That was all he’d needed to act. So act he had.

He had Sugarbelle clutched against his shoulder, and she was happily licking his face, unbothered by the fact that Adam now had wings and they were flying. Syd was in his other arm, tight against his chest. It seemed that she had fainted.

Probably for the better. If he got really lucky, she wouldn’t remember any of this. Or she’d think it was a bad dream.

Wishful thinking on his part, he knew. Whatever they’d had, the friendship, it would never be the same. Syd had been forcibly shown the hidden truth of the world she lived in. Something that should never happen to anyone but especially not without their consent.

She’d seen him in his true form, and he knew from the look in her eyes that she’d recognized him. She’d known instantly that he was the gargoyle at the fountain that night. The one Sugarbelle had also recognized.

It made him sick to his stomach to think of how she’d react when she woke up.

This never should have happened. Veronika could not be allowed to get away with this.

The problem was, he wasn’t sure what to do next. Sydney’s house wasn’t safe. She was right next door, and there was every reason to think Veronika would expect him to take Sydney there.

So where could he go? He soared over the town, thinking. Maybe Nick and Willa’s? But he didn’t want to just show up there or put them in the middle of this.

But of course, before he showed up anywhere, he’d have to land. Maybe the park by the house? Or would Veronika be watching that space? It was hard to know how aware she was of her surroundings. How much recon she’d done.

There was one other place he could take Sydney. It would most likely cost him his job and result in him being sent packing, but what mattered was Sydney’s safety. Protecting her from Veronika.

Once she was secure, he’d deal with the consequences.

He held tight to Sydney and Sugarbelle and did a slow loop to get his bearings.

He made a pass over Main Street, staying high enough not to be noticed.

A bright swathe of green marked the park where the fountain was.

Nick would be there, taking Adam’s place.

He had to know by now something was wrong. Adam had promised to relieve his friend as soon as the auction date was over. Maybe Nick could—but no, Nick wouldn’t be able to do anything. He’d be stuck on that fountain until someone came to take his place.

Adam frowned. He’d owe Nick an explanation, too. Adam turned again, going away from Main Street to pass over a different residential area. Another green space appeared, this one darker and quieter, since it was surrounded by homes.

At least Adam had a pretty good idea of where to land now. Wouldn’t be too much of a walk, and he could easily carry his two passengers for the distance.

The park below wasn’t one he was familiar with, but it seemed to have enough open space that he could land undetected. There were a few streetlights but only around the perimeter, and their glow didn’t shed much light beyond the park’s exterior.

He opened his wings as wide as possible, descending for the softest, smoothest landing he could manage. He didn’t want to wake Sydney. It would be better for both of them if she stayed unconscious until they were somewhere more private.

Having her freak out in public would only make things worse.

He was nearly down, his feet inches from the ground. He pumped his wings to hover, slowly, slowly, slowly coming to rest upon the earth again.

He exhaled, thankful he’d managed that much. He eased Sydney to the grass, then set Sugarbelle beside her. “Stay,” he whispered to the little dog.

In her dress, Sydney looked like an angel fallen from heaven. A very fashionable one. He took a quick look around to make sure there was no one watching. Then he shifted back into his human form.

He rolled his shoulders. It had been good to fly, but he wished it had been under different circumstances. He also wished he had a leash for Sugarbelle, but there was no way he could have left her behind.

He didn’t want to think that Veronika was twisted enough to do something to his dog, but with the way she’d acted, there was no telling what she was capable of.

He kneeled down and lifted Sydney into his arms, cradling her gently. Once he had her situated, he nodded at Sugarbelle. “Come on, girl. Up.”

The little dog climbed onto Sydney’s lap. Adam pushed to his feet. “Stay.”

Sugarbelle curled up. Adam started to walk toward town.

He kept to the side streets and shadows, trying to be as invisible as possible. Finally, he found the street he was looking for, Eerie Street. He turned onto it, then slipped through a tall wooden gate between two shops.

It was a little hard to maneuver with Sydney in his arms, but he managed. When he reached the steel door, he was grateful for the fingerprint scanner. Nick told him it had only just been installed. Before that, access had required a keycard.

Adam crouched and got his fingertip on the reader. The red light turned green, and he heard the soft click that told him the door was open.

He pushed through, making sure the door closed behind him. He was certain taking Sydney, a human, into the town’s top secret Basement area would result in his termination, but he didn’t care. He’d take the loss to keep her safe.

He descended the stairs, which ended at a long, well-lit hall.

The hall was easily wide enough to drive a truck through and still allow foot traffic on one side. There were painted lanes on the concrete floor that seemed to designate that very thing. Solid construction, soundproof even to a supernatural’s ears. The whole setup was very impressive.

A directional placard on the wall displayed arrows pointed in both directions. The fountain and something called the depot were to the right, and City Hall was to the left. He headed toward the fountain, because across from the entrance was a breakroom.

He planned to put Sydney and Sugarbelle in there, then find help. As he approached, the door to the fountain room came open and Nick stepped out, giving a wave to someone in the room. “Thanks, Emmit, I owe you.”

He turned and saw Adam taking in Sydney and Sugarbelle.

“I can explain,” Adam said.

Nick nodded. “This I want to hear.”

“Get the breakroom door for me?”

Nick went across and opened it. Adam took Sydney to one of the couches and set her down. He slipped a pillow under her head. Sugarbelle seemed fine to stay with her, snuggling up against Sydney like she was in guard dog mode.

Cute, or it would have been, had the situation not been so dire.

He motioned toward the hall. “Let’s talk out there.”

Nick stepped back outside. Adam followed, closing the door behind him.

“All right. What’s up?”

Adam frowned. “My ex showed up at my place tonight. Used her magic to compel Sydney and me to do her will. Not only did she perform magic in front of Sydney, who is most definitely human, but she forced me to shift in front of Sydney.”

Nick grimaced. “Dude.”

Adam nodded. “Sugarbelle attacked Veronika, which gave me a chance to grab Sydney and Sugarbelle and get out of there.” He glanced toward the breakroom door. “Syd passed out, but she saw me shift.”

“Your ex is still at your house?”

“She was when we left. No telling where she is now.”

Nick shoved a hand through his hair. “This is not good.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t know where else to go. I had to protect Sydney. Even if it means losing my job.”

Nick shook his head. “I meant it’s not good that your ex attacked you guys. Coming here was a smart move. Although you’re going to have a lot of explaining to do when Sydney wakes up.”

Adam exhaled. “Yeah, for sure.”

“Let me make a few calls. We need to get a handle on this situation. A supernatural exposing her powers, and yours, to an unwitting human is a significant offense.”

“Okay, but Veronika isn’t a citizen.”

Nick snorted. “Doesn’t mean she’s above the law. Tourist, visitor, citizen, doesn’t matter. This town takes that kind of behavior very seriously.”

He pulled out his phone and took a few steps away.

Adam pointed at the door. “I’m going to check on her.”

Nick nodded, giving him a thumbs-up. “Evening, Sheriff. This is Nick Hardwin. We have an issue…”

Adam slipped back into the breakroom. Sydney was still on the couch, not yet awake. Sugarbelle’s ears perked up, and she whimpered softly.

“It’s okay, girl,” Adam said quietly. He grabbed a chair from one of the dining tables and set it next to the couch, taking a seat. Sugarbelle put her front paws on his knee. He patted his lap. She jumped over to him.

Sydney stirred. A second later, her lids fluttered open.

She blinked. Her gaze came to rest on him.

She stared like she didn’t know who he was, then her eyes narrowed.

“Where am I? I had the strangest dream…” She pushed up to her elbows, looking at the end of the couch. “Except it didn’t feel like a dream.”

Adam took a breath. “It wasn’t a dream.”

She swallowed and looked at him again. She shook her head. “No, it was a dream. Because that’s the only thing that makes sense.”

This wasn’t going to be easy. “I’m sorry to tell you it was all the truth.”

Her eyes widened slightly, the harsh light of panic making them gleam. “You’re telling me Veronika is really a witch. Who can do magic and force people to do stuff and all of that?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“How? That’s not a real thing.”

“It’s a very real thing.”

“But you—you were—no, that can’t be right.” Her jaw worked from side to side, and she looked like she was fighting back tears. “I want to go home.”

“It might not be safe to?—”

“I want to go home now.” She spoke the words softly but firmly and without looking at him.

Something told him she was doing her best not to fall apart. A sense of loss filled him. He didn’t want to think about what that meant. He nodded and got up. “I’ll see what I can do.”