“Who’s Melbie?” Vatten asked.
“So get this,” Jacand said and took a bite of the danish, nearly swallowing half of it in a single bite like only a teenager could. “This coyote shifter named Dewie is just about to have a chosen mate ceremony with this shebear named Melbie. Well, Dewie can’t keep it in his sheath and starts seeing this omega bobcat named Dammi. Melbie finds out and she’s like super pissed and she’s a witch. So, she attacks him at work because that’s where he is when she’s ready for the attack. She nearly takes off this new guy’s head before she gets a few whacks in on him and she’d have gotten a lot more if the new bear guy didn’t haul him over his shoulder and make a run for it. Now, they can’t find Melbie or Dammi. Rumor is they both ditched him and ran away together.”
“I doubt that,” I said as Jacand started on his second danish. “Melbie is probably hiding out somewhere because she knows the guards are looking for her.”
“How did they find out it was her?” Vatten asked.
“One of the vampire guards followed the magic line straight back to her house – to the little altar thing she used to do thespell. She wasn’t there and they couldn’t find her anywhere. Like zero scent trail. She just disappeared,” Jacand said, popping up to sit on the counter.
“It’s called pheromone blocker spray,” I said. “You can take the danishes with you.”
“Where?” he blinked.
I shared a look with Vatten and just when I thought he’d agree with me that it was time for Jacand to leave he threw a curve ball.
“You two should hang out. I should go meet my client anyway.”
“Client?” Jacand asked.
“I’m a dog therapist,” Vatten said.
“Hiss at the kitten until he runs away!”my cat chimed off in my thoughts.
“Cool! There’s this dog shifter in town who works at the temple. He’s Mac and he’s in a wheelchair and he plays basketball and—”
“Jacand, shouldn’t you go home and do your homework?” I asked.
“There’s no school tomorrow,” he shrugged.
“You should get started on it anyway,” I said.
Was he doing this on purpose or was he just so used to occupying my kitchen that he hadn’t connected the dots?
“Where is your client?” Jacand asked Vatten.
“At the farm,” Vatten said.
“Oh cool! I’ll come!” he said.
“I’m walking.”
“That’s a really long walk! Why are you making your mate walk all the way to the farm, Eran? The truck isn’t that precious! Sheesh! Hold on! I’ll call Dad-Mom. They’ll come get us.”
“I’ll drive but you’re riding in the back.”
“I most certainly am not! You’re trying to blow me away!” Jacand said.
“I’ll ride in the back,” Vatten volunteered.
“No one is riding in the back,” I sighed.
Chapter 10
Vatten
Canton Valley Farm
The skies turned grey as we drove back to the farm. Jacand rode in the little backseat. Eran was tense. The muscle in his jaw twitched as he drove. I almost offered to drive but figured the steering wheel would give him something to do with his hands.
