"Thanks! I'll let Kester know, as he does most of the cooking." Tamera beamed with pride in her Chosen.
After they settled their bill, Becca's phone buzzed with the Uber notification, and they dashed through the parking lot to the waiting car, sliding into the back seat as thunder rumbled in the distance.
"Hi! Thanks for picking us up," Becca said to the driver, who nodded and pulled away from the curb.
Harper watched the familiar streets pass by, mentally cataloging the route for future reference. They turned onto a tree-lined residential street, the houses set back from the road with generous yards.
The car slowed in front of a pleasant two-story brick home with dormer windows overlooking the front porch. The wide porch hosted a couple of rocking chairs, and flower boxes overflowed with cheerful blooms.
"This is Nathan's house?" Harper's brow furrowed as they climbed out of the car. "I thought we were meeting him at the conservatory."
Becca's lips curved into a secretive smile as she led the way up the front walk. "Oh, did I forget to mention? There's someone else here I think you'll want to meet."
"Who?" Harper asked, but Becca just grinned and bounded up the porch steps, her dark hair bouncing with each step.
Fine, she'd play mysterious. Harper released an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes while Becca pressed the bell.
Becca bounced on her toes, practically vibrating with excitement. Harper narrowed her eyes at her new friend. "You're being awfully mysterious about this."
"Am I?" Becca's stormy eyes sparkled with mischief. "Maybe I learned a thing or two from hanging around Jacinth and Katerina."
"Uh huh." Harper crossed her arms, though she couldn't help smiling. Reyna perked up inside her, curious despite herself about who else she might be meeting. After all the surprises of the past few days - Djinn, mages, vampires, discovering brownies were real - who knew what other revelations awaited?
Lightning flashed, followed almost immediately by a thunderous crack that made them both jump. Harper pressed a hand to her racing heart. "That was close!"
"Good thing we got here when we did." Becca peered up at the sky. "It could rain any minute now."
Footsteps approached from inside the house, accompanied by the soft click of a lock turning. Harper's heart skipped as the door began to creak open.
Chapter 5
She felthim before she saw him. Comforting, safe. Like the safety of home and hearth and a snug den. Her fox stirred, raising her nose as if testing the air.
Magic, Reyna told her.
Harper frowned.They said Nathan's not a shifter,she responded.
Not shifter, her fox agreed.But there is magic.
Then the door opened wide, and she got her first glimpse of Nathan. The instant attraction, startling in its intensity, struck her almost like a blow. She dropped her gaze to the floor, unable to look at him, feeling exposed, heated color blooming on her cheeks.
"Hi, Nathan," Becca greeted him. "This is Harper."
Nathan held out his hand. "I'm glad to meet you."
Harper forced herself to take his hand, aware that her fingers were trembling. His clasp was strong, his fingers long and slender. Musician's hands. But they possessed a surprising firmness as they enveloped her hand in a warm embrace. She glanced up fleetingly, to see his smile was just as warm, and again she got that sense of welcome, of safety.
Nathan stepped back, holding the door for them. "Come on in," he invited. As he turned to gesture inside, she was able to sneak a closer look at him.
He wasn't exactly handsome in the conventional sense, but there was an undeniable appeal to his appearance. For those drawn to the lean, quietly contemplative musician type, he was decidedly good-looking. His sandy brown hair complemented a closely trimmed beard that framed his jawline and chin. The beard was more than mere stubble, yet not quite full, striking a perfect balance that added a touch of maturity and ruggedness to his sensitive features. She could easily see him being equally at home strumming a guitar in a cozy café, or composing thoughtful lyrics in a quiet studio.
Her fox, Reyna, pricked up her ears.Mate, she said firmly. It was all Harper could do not to stumble as she stepped forward, surprised by her fox's declaration.
Shifters don't have fated mates,she told Reyna.That's only in fiction.
No fate. Mate.
Okay, this was more than she could deal with. She shut Reyna out as she followed Nathan and Becca into the living room, although aware of her fox giving Nathan yearning looks. As she and Becca sat down, Nathan asked, "Would you ladies like something to drink? Coffee, tea, bottled water?"
