He was just closing the basket when the doorbell rang. They exchanged puzzled glances and Nathan shrugged.
"I wasn't expecting anyone."
Nathan walked to the door with Harper trailing behind. When he opened it, Harper was startled to see Lydia, her bank manager, standing on the porch.
"Lydia?" Harper's pulse quickened. "Is everything okay?"
"Jake mentioned you might be here." Lydia shifted her weight. "I hope you don't mind me stopping by."
Reyna bristled inside Harper, sensing something was wrong. Harper's fingers curled into her palms as scenarios raced through her mind - had something happened at the bank? Were there repercussions from yesterday's incident?
"Of course not," Harper managed, though her voice came out higher than intended.
Nathan stepped back, opening the door wider. "Please, come in."
"Thank you." Lydia's heels clicked on the hardwood as she entered. Her eyes darted to the picnic basket on the kitchen counter. "Oh, I'm interrupting your plans."
"We were just heading out for a picnic," Nathan said. "But it's no trouble."
Harper's chest tightened as she studied Lydia's face for any clue about why she'd tracked her down. After yesterday's drama with the fired employees, Harper wasn't sure she could handle more bank-related stress.
"Would you like some water?" Nathan offered, ever the gracious host.
"No, thank you." Lydia smoothed her skirt. "I won't take up much of your time."
Harper's heart hammered in her chest as she watched Lydia, her mind racing with possibilities. After yesterday's incident, the last thing she needed was more work drama. Her fingers twisted together as the silence stretched.
"I-I thought Ethan said to take today off." Harper's voice wavered. "He insisted, actually."
Lydia waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, this isn't about that. You absolutely should have the day off after what happened."
Some of the tension eased from Harper's shoulders, though Reyna remained alert and wary inside her. She glanced at Nathan, drawing comfort from his steady presence beside her. The picnic basket sat forgotten on the counter.
Reyna whispered reassurances in her mind, reminding her that Lydia was a fellow shifter, part of their community. Still, Harper's fingers twisted together as she waited for Lydia to explain her unexpected visit.
Lydia paced back and forth, her posture tense. Harper thought if she'd had a tail she would be lashing it. Finally she paused, turning to face them, running her fingers through her hair.
"I don't know where to start," she confessed. "I feel awful for not knowing this was going on under my very nose. I'm so angry, I could spit! This afternoon I've been in contact with several of our employees who left us abruptly, and every one of them has confirmed that they fled their jobs at the bank because of that trio of harpies."
Harper couldn't help herself. "I called them the Hostile Harpies in my head," she snickered, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
Nathan's eyes crinkled with amusement. "That's probably unfair to harpies the world round."
Her boss's serious demeanor shattered. A sudden guffaw rang through the spacious room as Lydia collapsed onto the sofa, her entire body loosening while she waggled her head in disbelief.
"Oh god, that's perfect." Lydia wiped at her eyes, her professional demeanor abandoned. "Though you're right, Nathan. My cousin dated a harpy once - lovely girl, fantastic cook. Had a bit of a temper, but nothing like those three."
Harper's jaw dropped. "Wait, harpies are real too?" She turned to Nathan, who looked equally stunned.
"Welcome to the supernatural world," Lydia grinned, looking far more like herself now. "There's quite a lot you both haven't discovered yet."
Reyna perked up inside Harper, curious about what other creatures might be out there. Harper made a mental note to ask Katerina about harpies later and see what she knew about them.
Harper watched as Lydia's amusement faded, replaced by a serious expression that made her stomach clench.
"Harper." Lydia leaned forward, her eyes intense. "I wish you had come to me about what those women were doing to you. I understand why you didn't - of course I do. I just wish you had."
Harper's throat tightened. Reyna curled up small inside her, remembering the daily torments.
