Bec looked at me and then Danzig. “I’m taking Hugo for a walk. I need a little alone time to think. It’s not you guys, okay?”
We stayed in place as she got out of the car. Ysabella and Muggsie were leaving the condo next door. When Hugo saw them, he started barking and jumping, pulling Bec toward the medusa and her dog.
The women and pets moved off to a grassy area.
“At least we know no one’s going to bother her,” Danzig said. I could tell he was trying to be humorous but I couldn’t get there.
“I don’t understand,” I said.
He nodded. “I don’t either, but Bec’s upset, and we need to take that seriously. After she’s had time to gather her thoughts, we can sit down and talk.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “When did you get so wise?”
“I’ve always been smarter than you,” he said. “I’m glad you’ve finally figured it out.”
I rolled my eyes, then we both headed inside the condo to wait for Bec.
Chapter 23
Bec
The moment I got out of the car, I saw Ysabelle and Muggsie leaving their condo. Hugo went a little crazy, wiggling and whining in my arms. I walked over to her and set him down. He barked and jumped at Muggsie, eager to play. The other dog gave him a fond look, then looked up at Ysabelle, as if asking to play with Hugo.
Ysabella laughed. “Of course. Let’s go over to the grass first.”
I swore Muggsie nodded. He was a short-haired dog that reminded me a little of a beagle, but with smaller ears and almost no white. Cora told me that the dog had looked like a cross between a yorkie and a zombie when she’d first met Ysabelle and Muggsie. The dog wasn’t the only thing that looked different then. Ysabella had appeared to be an elderly woman for years.
When Ysabella intervened to save Cora and Pike, she’d remade herself into the young, gorgeous woman I knew. I guess Muggsie had done the same.
When Muggsie trotted to a nearby grassy area with Hugo on his heels, we followed them and watched. Muggsie laid down and let Hugo jump all around him. I laughed at both Hugo’s enthusiasm and Muggsie’s patience.
“Muggsie is selective about which dogs he’ll let get close,” Ysabelle said. Hugo managed to trip himself and went tumbling over to Muggsie. The other dog jumped up with a whine, obviously worried about Hugo.
He seemed relieved when Hugo scrambled to his feet, panting and happy.
“It must be lovely to be so joyful,” Ysabelle said. Hugo ran up to us, as if checking in with me. Ysabella leaned over to give Hugo a pet. “You’re the most cheerful little soul, aren’t you?”
Hugo wiggled his rump at her words, but the moment she straightened back up, he went back to harassing Muggsie.
I met her gaze, only to see her head tilted and her narrowed eyes looking at me. “We should talk.”
She took my hand and turned to lead me to a nearby bench, and we sat down while I kept my eyes on Hugo.
“Tell me why your aura is troubled.”
It was disconcerting to know that there were a lot of people out there that could see my emotions through my aura. I guess the poker face I’d perfected for dealing with clients over the years was useless now.
“I’ve upset you further,” Ysabella said. “That wasn’t my intention. We don’t need to talk, but I’m knowledgeable, and I’ll be honest with you.”
“I’m not upset with you,” I assured her. “It’s just weird for me to find out that you can tell what I’m feeling because of something I don’t have any control over.”
She waved a hand. “I can only see vague things. I can’t tell why you’re feeling them. None of us can. Some are better at reading auras than others, but it often comes down to practice. Think of it like those observant people who are good at reading body language.”
Her words made me feel better. “Um, I’m not sure I can talk about it.”
Her mouth turned down. “Are you in trouble? I’m sure I can help you. If it’s an issue with the human authorities, there are several shifters that might be able to assist you. I’ve also heard that Tobias’s human, Briar, can do amazing things with a computer.”
I chuckled. “I’m not in trouble. Not yet anyway.”
