Page 98 of Power Shift
“Are you sure?”
“Poe sure. Poe stay.”
I blinked away tears. Everything was changing. “Okay. You’re happy?”
Poe ruffled his feathers. “Wolves give meat. Hunt with wolves.”
I glanced at the Lord who shrugged. “Poe has excellent eyesight and a bird’s eye view.”
I chuckled. “Isn’t that cheating?”
“Acquiring dinner is never cheating.”
Poe flapped over and landed on Caelan’s shoulder, nuzzling the Shifter Lord’s cheek. “Caelan. Friend.”
Well. Shit. Even the raven was charmed.
“Yes, Poe,” I whispered as our eyes met once again. “Caelan friend.”
Poe lifted off and soared through the air. Fee nuzzled me one more time and followed, spreading her wings wide, a cry of joy shattering the night.
I sniffed away the tears. “They’re both happy.”
“I’m not the dastardly villain you think I am.”
I rubbed my face. “I never said you were a villain. Things are complicated.”
He took a step forward. “They don’t have to be.”
A half sob escaped me. “Says the Shifter Lord. Not everyone has your power, Caelan.” I held my hand up and stepped away. “But that’s not why I’m here.”
He came closer. “Why are you here, flower girl?”
“For two things. One you may agree to. The other will…” I sighed.
“Evie?” Concern brimmed in his eyes.
“The other may sunder us.”
He gripped me by the upper arms. “Have you paid attention to nothing?” His nostrils flared, and anger flashed bright over his handsome face. “Nothing will break this.”
I reached up and touched his face. “Promise me you will care for Poe and Fee no matter what happens.”
“Evie.”
“Swear to me, Caelan. And please don’t take anything out on Moira, Ash, or Tessa.”
His jaw tightened, irises expanding until there was no silvery gray left. “You think me a monster.”
I shook my head. “No. I’m the monster.”
The pendant, lying warm and serene between my breasts, flared with heat. I hissed and pulled it away, and as I did, an awareness came over me. Caelan’s attention snapped to the edge of the clearing.
I pulled my cellphone out and shot off a text to the others.
Caelan’s Keep. Now.
“Moira and the others will be here soon,” I murmured.
