Maroulla's sigh traveled across the phone, laden with the weight of responsibility. "Yes, I know. I wish we had more time, but, as you say, we knew it was coming. We're lucky we had this long.
Through the phone's speaker, Maroulla's voice carried the weight of authority despite its tired edge. "I'll be tied up all day tomorrow with emergency meetings of the Shifter Council. We need to coordinate our response across the Northeast." She paused, and papers rustled in the background. "I can fly down in a few days. Angus, Renee, do you have a room available? It would be more convenient to stay at the inn while we sort this out."
"Of course we do." Renee's warm voice held no hesitation. "Your usual room, the second floor back, is ready whenever you need it." She glanced at her husband, who nodded in confirmation.
"Perfect." The relief in Maroulla's tone was evident. "I'll call when I have my flight details."
"Let me know, too, and I'll come pick you up, YiaYia," Katerina assured her.
Talya leaned forward from her perch on the arm of the couch, her eyes bright with curiosity. She'd been so quiet during the conversation everyone had almost forgotten she was there. "What about the fox? The woman in the video?" Her gaze darted between the adults gathered in the room. "Do we know who she is?"
"Indeed, we do," Maroulla confirmed with a dip of her head. "Her name is Harper O'Neill, and she lives in San Francisco. Her Warden has already been in contact with the North American Council. Since she was turned away from the cameras before transforming, her face was never seen, so she isn't facing any immediate threats. The issue is that Harper's distinct coloring matches her animal form - unusual for our kind - so they're moving her somewhere else. From what I understand, she's reluctant to relocate, but very frightened of discovery. She was described to me as being essentially shy, and rather introverted.."
"Bring her here," Renee told her, her rich voice warm with concern. Angus nodded in agreement, his dark eyes reflecting the same protective instinct as his wife's.
“We’re circling the wagons, she’ll be safe with us," Katerina concurred.
"I'll contact her myself," Maroulla said through the phone's speaker. "The sooner we get her somewhere safe, where she's unknown, the better. The media circus is only going to get worse."
"We can help her find work here too," Angus said. "What does she do?"
"She's a personal finance advisor at a bank in San Francisco," Maroulla explained through the speaker. "She's been there almost six years. According to the Warden, she's devastated about having to leave - she's built up a solid career, and she's worked hard to get where she is."
Ethan cleared his throat, drawing all eyes to him. His earlier shock seemed forgotten as he straightened his navy sweater, his British accent crisp in the quiet room.
"I don't know if this is coincidence, serendipity, or some sort of planetary alignment." He ran a hand through his hair, his expression thoughtful. "But I've come here to take over as president of Carter's Bank. It's been in my family for a century." He paused, glancing around the gathered faces. "And as it happens, one of our personal finance officers retired last month. We've been actively searching for someone qualified and experienced to fill the position."
The room fell silent. Coffee cups froze halfway to lips, steam curling unnoticed in the air. Every head turned toward him, eyes wide with surprise.
Katerina's phone slipped in her grip, and she fumbled to catch it before it hit the floor. "YiaYia?" she asked into the speaker. "Did you hear that?"
"Every word," Maroulla's voice crackled through the connection, her tone carrying a hint of satisfaction. "Sometimes the universe works in mysterious ways."
"That's settled then," she continued briskly. "I'll call Harper tonight and extend the invitation. Angus, Renee, I'll let you know when she's arriving."
With that, she left the call, and Katerina disconnected, her hand lingering on her phone for a moment. An uneasy silence descended as everyone looked at each other, the gravity of the situation settling over them like a heavy blanket.
"Everybody, drink up," Renee advised, refilling their cups cups with swift, efficient movements. "You're going to need it."
"We're going to need something stronger," Katerina mumbled into her cup. She brushed her wild black hair away from her face with trembling fingers. "I better call Troy."
"Tell him to bring some of the good stuff," Jacinth recommended. Katerina nodded, and made a low-voiced call to her husband. After a few minutes, she got off the phone, then bit her lip, glancing back at it with troubled eyes. "Should I call my brother, too? It's after ten, I know he and Tamera are usually in bed by now." Her fingers drummed a nervous pattern on the phone case.
Jacinth dragged her hand through her thick hair, pushing it off her face. Her mahogany eyes were dark with concern as she considered the question. "I think for now, we should hold off on alerting anyone else. If they're asleep, all the better for them. There'll be time enough to catch them up in the morning."
"Joe should know," Katerina added, her golden eyes flashing with concern. "As the wolf shifter alpha..." Her voice trailed off as she rose to pace across the room, her movements fluid and graceful despite her agitation.
Angus nodded at her, his dark features calm and composed in the dim light of the inn's lounge. A log shifted in the lounge'sfireplace, sending sparks dancing up the chimney. "Agreed. Go ahead and make the call."
Their British visitor shook his head, as if clearing it, and wrenched his gaze from the television. He appeared fascinated as he regarded them.
"Are all of you..." He waved his hand at the television screen where images of supernatural activity flashed across the screen.
"Not Angus and Renee," Katerina told him, looking up from her phone and tucking a strand of wild black hair behind her ear. "Though they're something else entirely."
Douglas raised his hands, a wry smile playing across his face. "I'm human like you. At least, from the shocked look on your face, I'm assuming you're human?"
"Uh, yes." Ethan seemed bemused. "That's not a question I've ever thought I'd have to answer before."
