Page 23 of Raven's Instinct
Alan nodded. “We’re afraid she might be a target, if not for purely personal reasons, but also because of her involvementwith the kids at Tiny Paws. She’s also pregnant with a kid who is almost certainly going to be a shifter.”
Kendra muttered something under her breath, then sighed. “Okay, so potentially, this guy walks or talks and Nickel City becomes a target for mad scientists looking for kids like Amy. Tiny Paws looks like a tasty snack.”
“There’s more.”
“Oh,great.”
“There was another attempted abduction just this fall, of a filly-shifting four-year-old who also attends Tiny Paws. We have one of the perpetrators in custody, but we’re again having challenges in making charges stick without having to reveal certain confidential details, and there are some conflicting warrants. We have a home invasion report on this one, but there’s some shady custody and criminal activity that definitely complicates things.”
“You think she was being kidnapped for Stork, Inc?”
Alan hesitated. This was where his explanations went off the rails. “Stork, Inc. isn’t the only player on the field looking to crack the secrets of shifters for nefarious reasons.”
“Another gene company competitor?” Kendra guessed.
“Stork, Inc. is using science for their goals, but there’s another collective that thinks that magic is the key to unlocking the secrets of shifters.”
“Magic?”
Alan found himself prickling at the skeptical note in her voice. “We’re part of a world that science can’t fully explain or understand. We ourselves do things that defy physics and biology. There are powers even beyond shifting that are stronger and deeper and older, but unmistakable. It’s conceited of us to believe we can define everything with our science when there are wonders out there that we should be embracing!”
Alan didn’t realize how vehement he’d gotten until he heard how loud his voice was in the quiet darkness and echoes came back from the gravel pit.Slick,he told himself.Real slick.
His raven was only entertained.Shout dirty words!he suggested.
Kendra was quiet in the wake of his outburst. “Okay, magic. I’ve had to accept weirder things in my life. What do we do to keep our kids safe? Should we leave Nickel City?” She glanced anxiously at the van door. Amy had been quiet for a while, though the hum of her cartoons continued.
Alan wished he had answers for her and wasn’t sure how to ask, “Is it just the two of you?”
Kendra’s sharp look was wary. “Yes. Just the two of us. Living in avan. Are you going to report me to child services? Because it’s safe and sanitary andshe’snot in danger.” Her voice suggested that Alan might be and he guessed that this was a delicate topic for her.
Alan was still trying very hard not to shiver, and his toes were completely numb by now, despite his efforts to keep wiggling them. “I would never report you,” he said firmly. “And Iknowyou’d do what’s right for Amy. We aren’tsurethat Tiny Paws is an immediate target, and I’m there in case anyone tries anything.I will protect you—er, Amy. Tiny Paws.” He recognized that his delivery stuttered at the end, and that it wasn’t helped by chattering teeth.
“You’re freezing,” Kendra said, and she stood gracefully from the low chair. “You’re going to frostbite your ears, and I’ve got to get Amy down to bed or she’ll be impossible for you tomorrow.” She didn’t invite him in.
Alan stood also, nearly folding the chair beneath him as he pushed off of it. “Will you do something for me?” he asked.
Kendra looked up at him, and Alan thought her eyes were impossibly bright in the darkness.Kiss me, he wanted to say. Shelooked so warm and beautiful, and her lips were slightly parted like she might not protest. But he only said, “Take this,” and he took the raven from his pocket and held it out to her.
“What is it?” Kendra made no move to accept it.
“I made it,” Alan said. “It will let me know if you are in danger, and where you are. I think. Oh, but don’t let Amy have it, I’m sure it’s a choking hazard.”
“You weren’t kidding about magic,” Kendra said, as she cautiously took it from his open palm. She did it without touching him, but Alan still thought he could feel the warmth from her fingers. “Okay, that’s a littleweird. It tickles. Youmadethis?”
It was a small bird with outspread wings, carved from moose antler. It was white like her owl, but the distinct shape of a raven. Alan could see every flaw in the execution, every graceless line and imperfect grain. Part of him wanted to snatch it back in shame.
“Is it a…fetish?”
Alan winced. “That word has other connotations.”
“Totem?”
“Same, and even closer to home. I’ve been calling them tokens. I’ve made one for every member of my team.”
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.” Kendra closed her fingers around it and Alan felt like something snapped into place between them. Was it just the act of accepting his gift? His raven was thrilled.
“You’re welcome,” Alan said, teeth still chattering.
