Page 46 of The Mating Frenzy

Kieran attacked again, but could not get firm purchase on the creature. As Kieran’s jaws sank into the Ed-thing’s leg, or the blob that was its leg, Ella lifted the shovel,aimed.

Using strength she did not realize she had, she sent it sailing into the thing’s head. Instinctively she ducked, avoiding the splatter of blood and brains. It howled and held itshead.

As it fell to the pavement, she slammed the shovel into its skull once more. Again. And again. Finally it laystill.

Panting, the jaguar released its hold on the thing’s leg and backed off. Then it shifted back into Kieran. A very naked Kieran, sweating and infuriated, as if the beast that he’d been still ruledhim.

He drew in a deep breath, waved a hand and clothing appeared on hisbody.

“What was that?” Ella panted, still holding the shovel, her stomach giving a sickeningjolt.

“A Changeling Gnome turned to evil. I believe it was trying to take on another form to fight me and kill you. Hard to tell what, since you bashed his brains in. Goodjob.”

He grinned at her. “I like your fightingstyle.”

She didn’t even know she could fight, let alone kill anything. She, who avoided stepping on ants, had smashed in the head of …what?

“But that… thing… it was Ed. Apreacher.”

“Who will not be preaching much now,” he said dryly. Kieran gently took the shovel from her hands and threw it aside. He raised his eyes skyward. “Gideon, we require a cleanup on aisle 1, if you please. After weleave.”

“He was my boss. A slime, yeah, but not really a… slimy thing.” Ella rubbed her chin with the heel of her hand. Everything was happening too fast, and her brain struggled to processit.

Nothing made sense, except the man standing beside her was solid and real. She focused onhim.

“Every one of your employers except Danica cannot be trusted.” He toed aside the steaming remains of Ed which dissolved into a smellypuddle.

If she ever needed a good reason to trust him, this was it. “Okay.” She rubbed her hands on her jeans, disgusted by the smell. “I’ll go with you to the airport. But you have to tell me everything on the drive toDenver.”

“Deal. Oh, andElla?”

“What?”

He glanced at the slime that had been her employer. “I think it’s time you gavenotice.”