Page 76 of Shadows of the Soul

“How does one come across such rare, powerful, magical objects?” The doc asked.

My lips twitched. I played the part of sheltered little Cora Roberts well. The beast within me would terrify the strongest of men and the scariest of monsters. Being who I was meant I was trusted with items no one else on Earth was capable of protecting. “That is a story for another time.”

I started to close the case. “If we don’t have a deal.”

Lenson reached out and stopped my hand as he cast a longing look at the sword. “We have a deal,” he muttered.

Rockhard sighed. “I told you to let me do the negotiations.”

“She’s giving us The Whisperer. It’s more than sufficient compensation for our help.”

I pressed my lips together and fought a smile. “Fine,” Rockhard said.

I let loose the grin. “Excellent.”

The White Furry Menace shot into the vault carrying a small bird between her teeth. She eyeballed Lenson and Rockhard like she was trying to decide who was more worthy.

“I didn’t know you owned a cat,” Lenson said, kneeling down and offering his hand.

“I don’t,” I said, snapping the case closed. “She does as she pleases. I think she tolerates me because I feed her, but I’m not sure she’s ever been owned.”

“That is true of most headstrong females,” Lenson said.

Bella eyeballed his hand like it was a rattlesnake, pranced over to Rockhard and dropped her offering on his boot.

“That’s odd,” Rockhard muttered.

“She is odd.”

“She should bring you the gift of food,” he said, tilting his head at Bella.

“She never brings them to me. She has an obsession with delivering these gifts to any males that come into the house. Hudson, Dave, Sebastian, and now you.”

She nudged the dead bird with her paw, then began licking her fur.

“Huh, strange cat.”Isn’t that the truth?

I disappeared to the back of the vault, opened a cabinet and retrieved the original priceless ashipu clay tablets we needed for the exorcism. Nothing but the best for the Roberts family.

“Back to business,” I stated as I made my way to the front of the vault. Lenson stroked the case. “It will be safe here,” I assured him as I led the way out of my office vault. I reengaged the locks.

“It’s time,” I said to the doc.

The shifter and two spell casters followed me on my path to the basement. Maggie bounced down the stairs while brandishing a ladle in a big bowl and a squirty bottle.

“What are those for?” I wondered.

“The holy water, of course. The president wasn’t clear on the delivery method, so I thought I’d give her options.”

I opened my mouth, then snapped it closed.

Rockhard chuckled. “We brought protection charms for everyone,” he said, pulling a bag of charms out of his pants pocket.

“Great, let’s put them on before we start. Maximize the time they work for.”

“Prepare yourselves,” I muttered as I swung open the door and followed Maggie into the training room. “Shit’s about to get real.”

The smell flipped my stomach. It was so potent it settled on my tongue like fur on week-old rotten vegetables. “Jesus,” Lenson said, holding his arm across his nose.

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