Page 78 of Shifting Years
"Ah, hell."
"But they're amazing!" Kim threw his arms around his mate, who sighed with relief. "I'm sorry, Jack."
For a minute, two shifters argued, each saying they were the worst and to make sure to do better for the other. Once done, Kim jumped in place, showing us photos. "They're German but more popular outside their country." They were men with an Alpha vibe and heavy black makeup. It was like punk and eighties heavy metal mixed, minus the big hair. They were also unknown to me since music stopped being good after The Grateful Dead.
Kim bit his lip, staring hard at his tall Alpha and back to the table.
He'd stay and finish the story out of obligation to an old shifter pair, but they were both young. My power didn't justsuggest items, but sometimes people. Some mates need each other and nobody else.
"It's okay," I said with a smile. "Go."
He beamed, slightly jumping in place before whistling at his Alpha, but really at the hair. "That is so hot." He cursed a few times as a compliment.
Penny smirked and waited until they left. "The kid didn't last into the eighties." She paused. "I'll have to remember 'Big guy with red mohawk' and 'little Omega with the same.'" She stared at me. "Something tells me, you need to finish the story."
"Yeah," I said. "One of the scrapbooks is almost finished, so you know…"
"Oh." She nodded in understanding. Silence dragged on before she resumed. "Have you thought about what you're going to ask?"
"It's Todd's turn."
Without asking, she slapped her hands over his. Touching another mate was forbidden, but we put that behind us decades ago.
Penny shivered, sensing his fear. "She's old and it's her time. You won't be killing her."
Todd pulled his hand back. "It's not for me to decide. I already did enough."
"So, you'll keep her alive?"
"I ruined her life," said Todd. "Now I have to end it?"
"No," said Penny. "I know what you did for Donna and her husband over the years."
"Talk about something else," said Todd. It couldn't be a command since her mate was the pack leader, but she stopped.
"Fine, then tell me how you got your memory back."
"It involved sex," said Todd dryly.
Penny smirked. "I live in a town of mostly men. I know how that works." She made a circle with one hand and jabbed her finger through it. "Like that, right? Now with Mary and I…" With one hand, she spread two fingers apart and her other finger darted back and forth like a snake. Female Alphas had 'something' that came out of them, but I never felt like asking more. I had my fill of worms and snakes.
"Thank you for the visual," said Todd.
"Oh, you're welcome."
She did it to break the tension, and I appreciated the gesture.
"Seriously, jokes aside, the book's getting filled no matter what. Tell me?"
"Sure," said Todd. "Then I can ask Tina and Dawn… because they'll come."
I've had cranky customers over the years, but nothing compares to a hungry witch.
Especially two.
***
Chapter Twenty-Seven
