Beth frowned at him. “But she looks old,” she agreed with her sister. “Maybe when she takes on that old lady form, she really is frail, and maybe in pain. We should totally help her.”
“Besides, looks like she’s been out shopping,” Naomi announced, rising to her feet. “There’s a bunch of bags. The least we can do is help carry her things up.”
She and Beth headed outside, and she stuck her tongue out at a grinning Liam as they passed him. He fell in behind them, as they all filed out of the inn, crossing the lawn to the front drive.
“Lady Flora!” Naomi called out as the Uber pulled away.
Turning, Flora smiled at them.
“Good evening, Naomi, Beth, Liam.” She gestured graciously at the sprawl of shopping bags with one hand, almost as if conferring a favor. “Yes, dears, if you please. They’re a bit much for me to handle in one trip.”
From high above came the whoosh of wings, growing louder, like an approaching locomotive. Immediately the back of Naomi’s neck prickled, and that nagging awareness of imminent danger accosted her. Deep within her mind, her cat stirred, hissing with both rage and fear. Next to her, Beth gasped, apparently feeling it as well.
Naomi twisted around, her eyes searching the skies, catching sight of only a blurred motion that might have been wings disappearing over the roof of the inn. Beside her, she was aware of Lady Flora stiffening, waves of danger emanating from her slender figure. All of a sudden, she no longer appeared quite so frail. Her pale eyes flashed with anger, just as Angus burst from the inn, a rare expletive on his lips. He charged toward them across the lawn, reaching them just as a man appeared, walking out from behind the inn.
Lady Flora pushed Naomi and Beth back.
“Behind me,” she ordered, her voice suddenly icy cold, ringing with authority. Naomi gripped Beth’s hand tightly, and together they stepped back. Renee hurried from the inn as well, still wiping her hands on her apron, coming to join her husband and Flora. Liam stepped up to stand shoulder to shoulder with Angus, as the four arranged themselves to present a united front, a shield between the two shifter women and the approaching stranger.
As he came closer, Naomi could see he was a tall man, wearing a long black leather duster and black boots. Ebony hair, blacker than black, spilled down his back from beneath some kind of wide-brimmed hat. His skin was lined, dark olive in color, rather Italianate, but weathered, like one would expect a cowboy off the range. He had a strong nose, and heavy black brows over eyes that were bottomless depths, as black as his hair. His movements were fluid, the gait of someone always alert, always ready. The gait of a predator. His eyes, too, were those of a predator, roaming over the faces of those confronting him.
Beth leaned into Naomi, whispering beneath her breath, “He looks like he just came off the movie set of one of those vampire slayer movies.”
Despite the tension in the air, Naomi had to stifle the urge to giggle, although even that little humor fled when his gaze skimmed over the supernaturals protecting her, coming to rest on her face. She shivered, terror creeping over her, and she felt Beth’s clasp on her hand tighten painfully.
A burst of magic sizzled in the air, and a small ball of hissing, spitting fury landed on her feet. Startled, she looked down, to find the kitten from the barbeque facing off with the unknown man. Her fur spiked in every direction, in a display that would do a puffer fish proud. The kitten… Lacey, Naomi remembered… backed up, until her rump was against Naomi’s ankle, but she kept her gaze on the intruder, her little pink mouth open as she hissed, her ears pressed flat against her skull.
“Easy, little one.” Angus stepped forward, and beyond him, Naomi realized the lights in the lobby and lounge, visible in the early dusk, were flickering, and she could have sworn she saw the building itself tremble. Bending to scoop the kitten up, Angus straightened, passing Lacey to Naomi as he faced the stranger. Naomi cradled the kitten in one arm, holding her close and murmuring soothingly to her, while clutching Beth’s hand tightly with her free hand as they watched.
“You are not welcome here.” Angus voice wasn’t raised, but it seemed to ring in the cool evening air.
The man paused, still some distance away, and raised his hands in the universal gesture for peace.
“I mean no harm.” He spoke in a low voice, but like Angus’s, it filled the air.
Next to Angus, Renee’s back stiffened, her whole body posture screaming outrage.
“We don’t want your kind here,” she said in a stern voice. “Leave.”
Naomi exchanged startled glances with her sister, then returned her attention to the face-off.
“You know what I am.” The man kept the same even tone, apparently not moved by the hostility of the older couple.
“We do,” Angus assented. “Your services are not needed. Now, go.”
The man stood his ground. “I wish merely to speak with the young ones.”
“You will not harm them.” Angus made it a flat statement, yet one that contained a clear threat.
The stranger showed no signs of taking offense. “That is not my intention.”
Angus shared a long look with Lady Flora and Renee, and they seemed to come to some silent accord. They parted ranks, Renee turning to indicate that Naomi and Beth should step forward.
“Stay just a bit behind us,” Renee instructed. “If anything goes wrong, stay put. Don’t run, and don’t let yourselves be separated from us.”
Naomi gulped, as did Beth beside her. Together they moved up to stand close to Angus and Renee. Liam moved from his position beside Angus to Naomi’s side, and she leaned into him as his arm slide about her waist.
Their visitor addressed them without fanfare.
