Page 24 of Shift of Morals
“She might be the only one who can help you,” Moira said quietly.
“Cliona is not a Floromancer or a Chimera,” I said, slowly testing my strength as I straightened. “I’d never trust her with any information about how my powers work.”
“But she’s your mother,” Tess said, her voice trailing off when she saw my expression. She dropped her gaze. “Sorry,” she whispered.
I could never invite my mother into my life. She’d be the death of me and everyone I loved.
“Evie,” Ash barked. “Your eyes.”
Moira dropped my arms, her mouth open in an oh of surprise. “They’re crimson,” she whispered. “Just like that freaky bird.”
I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the rising Chimera magic to subside. Once I felt the power settle, I opened them to see my friends gathered around wearing identical expressions of concern. Better than horror, I guess.
“I think I should take the rest of the day off. Should we close up the shop?”
Ash shook his head. “No. Tess and I’ve got it. You were taking off early anyway because of the meeting. Stay here and get some rest so you’re ready to face the Shifter Lord this evening.”
I smiled gratefully and pushed the thyme away, so I wasn’t tempted to work on it anymore. “Guess I’ll find someone who can fix that glass, too.”
“Did you get Caelan’s handyman’s number?” Moira asked.
I frowned. “No, but I think I remember the name on his truck. Good idea, Moira.”
“That’s why they pay me the big bucks.” She winked and tugged on a lock of my hair. “I’ll swing by and grab you at six. Good?”
I nodded. “Do you mind grabbing the binder I put together? It’s under the register.”
“The one labeled Foxy?” Ash said, his lips twitching.
“That’s the one.” The automatons I made for one of Caelan’s meetings with the Lords went down in infamy. I’d made several as table centerpieces, each depicting a scene from an old fairytale called The Wolf and the Fox. The moral of the story was basically don’t be a dick, which didn’t sit well with Caelan, and he ended up destroying most of my shop as a result.
Good times.
To his credit, he was genuinely remorseful and paid for the repairs, but the dude was seriously scary when he wanted to be.
As a private joke, Rowan, my favorite Shifter Lord, had started calling me Foxy in our texts.
“I’ll bring it,” Moira said, “but I’d suggest you cover up the binder’s title. We’re trying to be professionals here.”
I stared at her. “Are you serious?”
She snorted. “No. You should make the font bigger and label it that way on both sides.”
“There you are. I thought you might have a fever.”
Moira grinned and waved as she exited the greenhouse. Tess floated after her, but Ash lingered, concern brimming in his mossy green eyes.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I nodded. “Sorry to scare everyone. I’ve been doing a decent job of suppressing the newer power from whatever Finn did to me at that dinner, but the fluctuations are getting worse.”
“You really think Hazel can help?”
“She helped me last time and gave me several years of peace. If she can’t, I bet she’ll know who can.”
Ash nodded, though he didn’t look convinced. “Knock ’em dead tonight, Evie.”
“How about I succeed in not ruining our business or killing anyone?”
