Page 52 of Secret Shifters Next Door

“Holy shit,” Steff said, “A female in the inner sanctum?”

Blayne laughed. “Yup, looks like it. Mrs. King, you are the first woman Tate here has ever allowed in the man cave. I hope you’re thoroughly impressed, as that’s no doubt the entire reason he brought you.”

“Hey, shut up.” But he was grinning when he looked at me. “I’m not trying to impress you. I’m… just showing you what I do.”

From his tone, I had a hard time believing him. He spoke to them for a couple of minutes, and I saw some pictures and personal items around the office. From the pictures, I assumed this was probably Steff’s. We left and went down the hall, where we entered a sterile and unadorned office.

“This is my office. I don’t spend a ton of time here, but it does get some use between jobs,” Tate said. “You can hang out here for a bit. I’ve got a quick meeting. It won’t be long. Are you cool with that?”

“I’ll be fine.”

He grinned. “Great. Like I said, not long. Fifteen, twenty minutes max. See you in a bit.”

I looked around the office when he left. After seeing Steff’s office, it was a little weird how bare it was. Steff’s office had been positively lively compared to this. No photos, no personal items, not even kitschy little knick-knacks or paperweights. I would have been happy to see the obligatory Newton’s cradle or Rubik’s cube. Honestly, it made me sad.

Tate had told me he was estranged from his family, but I hadn’t realized to what extent until now. Lots of people said they didn’t get along with their family, but even then, their mother or grandmother sent pictures or cards. This looked likea desert. A desert of the heart. While I sat reading on my phone, and occasionally glancing around at the spartan environment, I had an idea. Something the girls and I could to thank Tate for everything he’d done. We could bring some life into this office.

TWENTY-ONE

TATE

Leaving Harley in my office, I hurried back to Steff’s office and stepped inside, closing the door behind me. Steff had his phone on the table and had already dialed Miles. It rang several times before he answered.

“Are we secure?” Miles asked.

Steff nodded to himself. “Yup, this is the secure cell. You’re good.”

“Okay, is everyone there?”

“Here,” Blayne said.

“Right here, Miles,” I said, sitting down beside Steff.

“Okay. I’m on my way back. Not more than ten minutes out, but we need to get started. So, first off, I was able to do some digging on this Emily chick.”

When I’d gone out on the porch that morning, I had called all the guys and told them I’d found a witch. Miles had told us he’d look into her ASAP. I sat forward, eager to hear what he’d found.

“So, first off, Tate, do you want to give us a little more about your interaction with her? You were pretty rushed this morning.”

“Sure,” I said. “When I opened the door, I was hit by the reek of magic. Like it was absolutely mind-blowing. I think she triedto pull it back in some way after she saw me. She must have been caught off guard. As soon as she stepped in, the smell dissipated rather quickly, but I knew what I’d sensed. Pretty sure she knew that I knew, too. She was being coy and giving me these big fake smiles and whatnot. I’m positive she’s a witch. No other explanation.”

“Okay,” Steff said. “But are we sure she is the same witch who has been torturing and killing shifters?”

“No way to be sure,” Miles said. “I have to say, the odds are not good. Two different witches? At the same time, in and around Lilly Valley, Colorado? Seems a little outlandish. Or am I wrong?”

He wasn’t. The money was on Emily being the witch we were looking for. Fear itched up my spine. It chilled me that she’d taken an interest in Harley.

“Something else happened after I got off the phone with you guys.” I pulled the bag of jewelry out and set it on the table.

The bag fell open slightly, and Steff and Blayne both winced and leaned away from it. The stench of magic was not necessarily repulsive to shifters, but it was strong and shocking. Overpowering and easy to spot. It kind of slapped you in the face—or nose, as it was. Again, it wasn’t an altogether bad smell, but potent and unmistakable.

Blayne picked the bag up and looked inside. “Jewelry?”

I nodded. “She gave it to Harley this morning. Whatever they are, they are not safe. She almost put a necklace on before I stopped her. I have no idea what to do with it.”

“I can help with that. I’ve found some help. You guys just need to hold the fort down until I get there.”

“We can do that, but first, we need to figure out what the hell this Emily chick wants with Tate. Why is she targeting Harley?” Blayne asked.

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