Page 124 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

The three of us pretended to not notice their stares, our focus on getting to the Navigator. When my hand clutched the door handle, the falcon flew overhead.

Unable to stop myself, I looked up and saw a mostly white-feathered falcon. He didn’t seem to be paying any attention to us as he swooped down toward the bear shifter couple, who were locked in a lingering kiss.

He landed right in the girl’s thick black hair, causing her to jerk back and swat at him. She yelled, "Ollie! What the hell?"

As I climbed into the vehicle, my body sagged in the seat. I was so paranoid, every bird shifter was potentially evil. That was how prejudice started—but right now we had to be careful. When this was all over, I would befriend some bird shifters and prove to myself that most of them were good.

Dad had told me over and over that the main problem with our supernatural world was that we were still segregated; we lived independently from one another and came together only when necessary. When I first got to Shadow Ridge, I’d found his words hard to believe, especially that first day at the university. The place was full of all kinds of supernaturals, and I knew the council was a mixed bag as well. But the longer I stayed, themore his words began to make sense. Each race was fighting for their best interests and not for the greater good of the community. Shadow City had started as a refuge, but when the angels took over, they’d recruited and let in only the strongest supernaturals in the world. The original intent of a safe haven had been thrown out the door.

"All that, and he came to hang out with bear shifters." Killian shut his door. "I’m not complaining, though. I’d rather we be severely risk-averse and alive instead of the alternative."

"Now that’s something we agree on." Griffin put the car in drive. "I feel like we haven’t been on the same page lately."

"Why? Because of Carter?" Killian huffed.

I didnotwant to hear this argument again. "That’s the only thing you two disagree on. So please, stop. I don’t have the energy to listen to you bicker like an old married couple again."

No one responded, and Griffin placed his hand back on my thigh.

Youbetter be glad I love you,Griffin teased, and pretended to glare at me.Because if I didn’t,I might accuse you of taking his side.

I’vemade it clear that I agree with him on this one.I kissed his cheek, not wanting to truly upset him.So, there.

Yeah, I know.He watched the road once again, and the rest of the ride was silent.

"Where the hell is she?"Griffin paced in front of the couch and loveseat. "You’d think she’d be back by now."

"Chill." Sierra snorted as she plopped next to me on the loveseat, taking Griffin’s usual spot. She smelled of grease fromher shift at the bar. "I’ve only been here for ten minutes, and you’ve already got me so tense that I might snap at any second."

"That’s my spot," he growled and pointed at her.

"You weren’t sitting here." She stuck out her tongue. "That means it’s fair game."

Moments like these were my favorite. These were the small pockets of time where things felt almost normal. They were the ones that gave me enough hope and strength to waddle through the shit. A little bit of clarity among the chaos.

Killian entered the room with the burger Sierra had brought for him. "Did you roll around in the fryer before coming here? We could smell the grease on you before you even walked in."

"Don’t hate." She lifted her head high. "Unlike you two, some of us have to serve bar food in order to make ends meet."

"Hey, we work hard, too." Killian gestured his burger in my direction. "It’s a full-time job keeping this one alive. I swear I’ve never worked this hard, even when Dad was alive."

"Does that mean when things calm down, you’re officially going to take over?" Sierra tugged at her bottom lip. "The both of you?"

I already knew Griffin’s answer, but I’d never directly asked Killian. We didn’t get alone time as we had before, with Griffin, Rosemary, and Sierra always around.

"Sterlyn and I have already discussed this." Griffin winked at me. "When we’ve taken down the enemy, we’re going to continue Dad’s original plans and make some of our own."

"Really?" She faced me. "I love this. You two will make a fierce team." She leaned closer to me and whispered, despite her voice still being loud enough for Griffin and Killian to hear, "Honestly, you’re the one I’m excited to see lead. You keep his head on straight…and girl power."

"I’m standing right here," Griffin deadpanned.

"Oh, she knows." I bumped my shoulder into hers. "She’s trying to get a rise out of you."

"True, but I did mean it." Sierra blew her bangs out of her face and focused on Killian. "Now, what about you?"

"Yeah, I think it’s time I stop being afraid." Killian inhaled. "It’s important that we protect this part of Shadow City, and with Griffin and Sterlyn in charge, I feel like it’s time for me to step up and take my rightful place. How do you think Billy is going to take it?"

Sierra snorted loudly. "He’ll be dancing the macarena."

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