Page 161 of Home to the Hollow

“Looks like ye found another admirer, though I have to admit; I’m a lot more fond of this one than the giant feathered git or the doggies,” I admit as I walk closer. My auntie says my fondness for reptiles and felines comes from my father, but who in Hera’s name knows if that’s true or a misdirect? I only know that my girl wrapped in a giant rainbow python is hotter than fuck, and I’m game to play snake charmer with heranyday.

“Of course you like the snake and my cats. If you were some sort of Wuzzle, you’d be a mix of those animals, Lucky.”

What’s a fecking Wuzzle? Nevermind, I don’t care as long as she’s being feisty.

“Why hasn’t anyone told this bitch? She’s dangerous!” Amy shouts, pointing a shaking finger at my Tíogair. “The Mayor should have herlocked up like a zoo animal!”

That’s awfully close to breaking an oath, and though I’dloveto see this moron fry for it, I don’t want her revealing things before Jolene is ready. I can feel her rage surging again, so I take her hand and squeeze it. My touch seems to prevent her from losing her temper just long enough for the front door to fly open behind us. Boone and the doctors come stomping in like a boy band, and I’m surprised to see the oft henpecked Benjamin from the Speakeasy in tow.

I wonder why he tagged along…

“Amy Behle!” Edgar thunders. “You need to Shut. Your Mouth.Now!”

Lust swamps me, and I chuckle as I watch my Tíogair struggle with whathasto be a mess when her body reacts to the growled command. I don’t know if this woman could be any more perfect for me, but her response to a Dom’s rumble is absolute bliss. I can’t wait to flip the script on her power trip and get her to look at me like she is the hound.

“ButEdgar, her stupid snake tried tokill me!”

The dark-haired judge gives her an irritated look, and Jolene presses her thighs together. This entire situation is pure chaos, and I’m enjoying every second.

Of course, there’s going to be a price, but I’m certain we can handle it for our girl.

“Amy, your father and the Mayor need to see you immediately. Your stunt in the paper has triggered a protocol and they need to speak with you.” The submissive vet is oddly firm, and I tilt my head as he continues. “Don’t dig the hole deeper; you’ll be lucky if you get out of this one without a lot of groveling.”

Hamilton gives the rest of the simpering staff a dirty look as he gestures to Amy. “Get her out of here and to Town Hall. Lock this place up and go home—all of you. I’d suggest looking for jobs, as you may not have one when this is over.”

“They won’t if I have the Mayor’s ear on the topic,” I add, giving every single woman in the room who caused this situation a malicious grin. “They’ll be lucky if they aren’t re?—”

“That’s enough, Haggerty.”

Rolling my eyes at Boone, I sigh dramatically. He’s going to be amajorbuzz kill, I can tell already.

“C’mon, Jolene. Why don’t you and the guys come down to the store and I'll let you in the Speakeasy early? I have the feeling you could all use a drink, and I’m happy to help.” Benjamin looks at my Tíogair shyly and, in that moment, I know why he’s here.

Ladies and gentleman, contestant number five has entered the game!

She nods at him gratefully and turns to me. “I’m going to need another form, Doyle. It doesn’t seem like this snake is going anywhere.”

“Aye, milady. I’ll get one right quick and join you all at the bar once I have it in hand.”

With that, Jolene Athena Whitley spins on her heel and whistles loudly. In less than a second, a cadre of animals and men follow her out the door obediently. When they’ve gone, I smirk at the remaining bimbos before I go.

“You may think you can tear her down, but none of you have acluewhat’s in store for you when my girl comes into her own. I suggest you find somewhere else to peddle your bullshit, because that woman is going to blow every single one of you out of the water.” Pausing, I add, “And even if she never emerged, she’s already worth more than the lot of you covered in platinum and tied up with a bow.”

Choke on that, ye floral printed bints.

Week Four

Magpie left to meet her lawyer about an hour ago. Edgar seemed to be familiar with him, though the look he gave me said he wanted that tidbit to be left unsaid. Jackson Thorn IV didn’t grow up in the Hollow like Lucy or Boone, but his family is intertwined with the Society. Edgar’s warning meant Jolene wasn’t ready to hear about his connections just yet.

I don’t know if he gave Thorn a nudge to call her to the city or if we got lucky, but having her out of town the night of the trial is quite fortuitous. When a large-scale event like this is called, alumni, board members, and many supes are invited to attend and take part in the pomp and circumstance. An influx of people disappearing into the depths of the blacked out storefront that supposedly has a vermin issue wouldn’t exactly be subtle. Our girl would notice and add it to her giant mystery board in the garage.

That’s the last thing we need. We already have to give weekly reports on her progress towards emergence.

The mystery of who applied her suppression spell bothers me. No one in the Society seems to know—or be willing to share—and Andromeda Bane’s notes indicate they placed it before the Whitleys adopted her. Her file doesn’t have any record of where she was found or dropped off, and no information on who completed her medical evaluation. There’s not a damned crumb of information anywhere about where she came from before the adoption. It’s like she fell from the bloody sky.

Based on Lucy’s description from the open house at the school, she’s got at least one inner supe side that calls Boone's hound. Some fire loving shifter or creature lurks within, but the only thing I can say with certainty is that it's not likely to be a phoenix. My bird is interested in her, but she doesn’t evoke feelings of kinship, so whatever kind of supe she is, it’s not avian. The suppression spell is definitely weakening as she finds mates; however, I don’t believe I can simply break it yet. Whichever magic user placed this one is so powerful that I have seen nothing like it, nor have any of the other healers I’ve contacted.

Our girl is an enigma wrapped in a riddle wrapped in tight little yoga pants with a Glock tucked in the waistband.

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