Page 46 of Siren in the Rain

Once we’ve had our milk and cookies—look, don’t judge, it’s not just for kids—Dallas calls our squad meeting to order.

“We have some updates that everyone should know about.” He turns to Harper. “Do you want to take it from here?”

Harper’s sipping tea and lounging elegantly in an oversized armchair. Today he’s dressed in a stunning hanfu in various shades of jade green, the loose fabric fitting him in a way that emphasizes his natural grace. His long hair is pulled into a complicated updo with a number of matching jade hair ornaments adorning his tresses. Expertly applied makeup enhances his ever-youthful and beautiful appearance. Seriously, he looks like he could have just walked off the set of a Chinese period drama.

Also, I totally blame him because he got me hooked on watching The Untamed last summer and we spent days binge-watching it together on Netflix. Now I’m a total fan and we’ve bonded over our mutual love of watching sexy guys fall in love with each other on television.

He crosses one long leg over the other, his perfect posture something that I can’t help but admire.

My mom always told me I tend to slouch like a slob.

Harper cradles his teacup in his pale hands. “I’ve made contact with the Silverstorm sept.” His dark eyes focus on Shae. “They’ve been searching for you and your mother for the last fifteen years.”

Shae’s eyes widen but his expression remains skeptical. “Are you sure they weren’t feeding you a bunch of horseshit?”

My prickly little porcupine. Even when he’s understandably grumpy, I want to cuddle him and cover him in my happiness pheromones.

Harper favors Shae with an amused smile. “I believe them. They have appropriate documentation of their efforts as well.” His expression turns dark. “Unfortunately, it seems the human authorities did not take their inquiries seriously. They spoke with your father at some point early on. He persuaded them that your mother had run off with you and that he hadn’t seen either of you since.”

My tail bristles in response, and Shae stiffens next to me.

“That’s… just…” I sputter in outrage.

Harper’s gaze softens with understanding. “Tragically, there is a long history of human negligence when it comes to cases of missing and endangered Otherkind. We aren’t high priorities for most of them. Shae’s mother’s sept tried multiple times to push the human authorities to start an investigation, but they refused. When the sept then went to the Otherkind Council, the council’s hands were largely tied. In matters such as these, we typically need joint cooperation with human law enforcement in places that aren’t Sanctuary Havens before we can conduct searches for those who are believed missing or endangered.”

Shae shakes his head and makes a snort of disgust. “Great to know general human bigotry contributed to my enslavement for years.”

I reach over and pet his hair, marveling at the magnificent colors that shimmer in the light. I could do this all day and not get tired.

“Not all humans are bad, Shae.”

Based on the incredulous expression on his face, he doesn’t believe me. Granted, he hasn’t had a lot of positive experiences with the species as a whole, so I don’t blame him.

The thought makes me wonder. Will Shae want to move to a Sanctuary Haven to get away from his past? It would be one way to stay safe from his family. The idea makes my heart stutter for a second, but then it settles. I don’t want to leave my found family behind, but I’d go with him if that’s what he wants.

Harper continues. “Your grandmother is most keen to see you. We did not give her details about what happened as we thought it would be best for you to speak of that with her yourself. If you feel like you’re unable to do so, we will happily step in, but I do believe she would appreciate hearing the story from you.”

Shae gives a reluctant nod. “I understand. Mom was her daughter and I’m her grandson. Seems only right that I tell her the truth.”

“We’ve tentatively arranged for her to come with one of your other relatives in a few days,” Dallas adds. “They’ll visit us here at Casa MEOW since I’ve made them aware of the danger you’re in and the need for the utmost secrecy. We’ll have a security detail with them to ensure they aren’t followed from the island to us. We just need your approval to go forward with this plan.”

Shae’s silent for several moments and then sighs. “If she’s been looking for me and my mother for so long, then she deserves to have some answers. I’ll meet with her. I can’t guarantee I’ll want to see her more than this one time, but I’ll do what needs to be done.”

My heart swells with pride—my mate is utterly amazing. “I’m so proud of you,” I whisper.

He gives me a slightly weirded-out look. “Uh… thanks?”

Shae doesn’t appear to know how to handle compliments, but I plan to praise him every chance I get.

I grin and my ears swivel with eagerness. “Can I meet your grandmother too?”

Shae blinks at me. “You want to meet her?”

“Yep.”

His lips quirk. “Let me think about it, okay?”

I bounce in my seat. “Of course.” My tail’s wagging away.

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