Page 88 of Siren in the Rain

Increasingly restless, I jump to my feet and start pacing by the wall of windows. “So what do we need to do to nab these fuckers and rescue anyone they’re holding captive?”

“Yessss!” Haku hisses in agreement, then extends his wings and gives them a little flap.

“We’re trying to find out where their research laboratory is. They have a building downtown for the legitimate side of the business, but we know there has to be a secret lab where their shadier research goes on,” Ruby chimes in.

Emma, who’s been sitting silently at her side, nods. “I wouldn’t put it past Margaret. But she’s good at covering her tracks. It won’t be easy to find.”

Dallas sighs. “I’m afraid we just need more time. We can’t act too fast on this.”

“Once Harper is able to get a sample of one of the products being sold on the black-market, Ruby and I can analyze its properties,” Emma says. “Even one of these items will give us enough solid proof to nail them.”

“Evidence like that can be used to get a warrant,” Harper adds.

Anemone scowls. “Pardon me, but I don’t trust the human authorities. They care nothing for our kind and are content to let us be abused and degraded because they consider us to be less than human. What if they tamper with or destroy the evidence?”

Dallas strokes his chin in thought. “Anemone makes a good point. Once we have the proof we need, we’ll go straight to the Otherkind Council with it. They can use their power to get the LAPD on board with us or secure approval for us to act on our own.”

I run a hand through my hair as I continue to pace back and forth, my mind racing.

Of course this is exactly the kind of thing that Margaret would do. In fact, now I have to wonder if her own surprisingly youthful appearance isn’t due to the use of illegal products rather than the plastic surgery I had previously believed.

“The waiting game we’re going to have to play until we find the evidence we’re looking for is likely to be incredibly frustrating. However, we ask for your trust and patience in the process,” Harper says.

“We don’t want to have Divine Beauty and Margaret’s associates get wind that we’re on to them. They might escape from our reach entirely,” Dallas adds. “We need to be able to catch them off guard and get irrefutable evidence that even the human authorities cannot disregard.”

I wipe a hand down my face and groan. “You’re right. That’s a smart course of action.” I turn to Anemone. “We need to trust them.”

She inclines her head gracefully. “I’m willing to do so. For now.” She turns a determined take-no-shit gaze on Dallas. “But I won’t wait forever. I’ve been waiting far too long already.”

“I completely understand. This is our top priority right now, and we’re devoting all our time and available resources to it.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Anemone says. “And I’m here to help in any way that I can.”

Dallas grins. “The more the merrier, Madam Siren. We’re happy to have you on board as a temporary member of MEOW Squad.”

Everyone groans and I can’t hold back a smile.

It’s good to be home—and yes, that’s what Casa MEOW, as Dallas calls it, feels like now. I missed it more than I expected to.

“We’ll work on figuring out what you can do to help us,” Dallas continues to tell my aunt. “In the meantime, we stay frosty and focused.”

Griffin gets to his feet and steps behind me, then wraps his arms around my midsection while he nuzzles my throat.

I close my eyes and sigh in relief. Just his touch soothes me.

“Well, well, well,” Ruby drawls, gesturing a hand up and down at us both. “What’s all this? What exactly happened while the two of you were gone?”

I tilt my head back and study Griffin before I nod.

He lights up like a motherfucking Christmas tree and beams at everyone. “We had an amazing time, and Shae’s agreed to accept our mate bond.”

Ruby’s gasp is loud. “Oh my god! You two are too fucking precious. I’m so happy for you guys.” She races over and immediately engulfs us both in a big, squishy hug.

I’m surprised to find I’m actually quite calm in comparison. Serene almost, in fact.

Originally, I thought I might be anxious or nervous about sharing this news so soon, but instead I’m full of contentment and an unexpected sense of satisfaction.

Everyone starts talking over each other to offer us hearty congratulations, but then things get a little more complicated.

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