Chapter 38
THIRTY-EIGHT
D espite herself, something warm unfurled in Thora’s chest. She’d never had female friends—bounty hunting circles tended toward competitive rather than cooperative, and her childhood at the orphanage had been marked by isolation.
“I appreciate the thought,” she said carefully. “But I’m not staying in Enchanted Falls.”
“Plans change,” Kalyna shrugged.
“The Falls has a way of keeping those who belong here,” Lucella added. “And pushing away those who don’t.”
“Which is why humans can’t even see the town,” Bryn explained. “The barrier knows .”
Thora’s skepticism must have shown on her face because Kalyna laughed. “Don’t overthink it. Just give yourself permission to enjoy whatever happens while you’re here. Including my extremely eligible, extremely eligible, extremely strong future brother-in-law.”
“You said extremely eligible twice,” Thora pointed out.
“Did I?” Kalyna’s expression turned innocent. “Must really be true then.”
“What she’s trying to say,” Lucella interjected, “is that Artair’s a good man. Serious, yes. Intimidating to some, definitely. But loyal to his core.”
“And protective,” Bryn added. “Bear shifters mate for life, you know. Once they choose someone, that’s it.”
Something in Thora’s chest constricted. “I’m not looking to be chosen.”
“Maybe not,” Bryn’s voice softened. “But have you considered that you might deserve to be anyway?”
The question lodged in Thora’s throat, unanswerable. She’d never thought in terms of deserving anything—only surviving, hunting, moving on to the next target. The concept of permanence, of someone choosing to keep her, felt as foreign as the quaint magical town around her.
Yet the previous night’s dream returned to her—Artair’s arms around her as they both partially shifted, her sabertooth curled contentedly against his bear form. The rightness she’d felt in that moment had terrified her upon waking.
“I should go,” Thora said, reaching for her wallet. “I need to prep for tonight’s stakeout.”
“Stakeout?” Kalyna perked up. “Sounds intriguing.”
“The Maxen jewelry store on Oak Street,” Thora explained reluctantly. “It houses several valuable bear clan artifacts. Prime target for Blackwater.”
“Oh!” Bryn’s eyes widened. “That’s where the ceremonial binding chalice is displayed. It’s been in our family for twelve generations.”
“Binding chalice?” Thora raised an eyebrow.
“Used in mating ceremonies,” Lucella explained. “When bear shifters find their fated partner, they drink honey mead from it together during the bonding ritual.”
“How romantic,” Thora said dryly.
“It’s also worth about six million dollars on the black market,” Bryn added. “Artair will want to know about your stakeout plans.”
“I work alone.” The words came automatically.
“Keep telling yourself that, honey.” Kalyna patted her hand condescendingly. “Meanwhile, your pupils say otherwise.”
“They do not?—”
“Forty-five percent dilation that time.” Kalyna winked. “I’m keeping a chart for scientific purposes.”
Thora scooted Bryn out of the seat and stood, dropping enough cash to cover her meal plus tip. “Thanks for breakfast. It was... unexpected.”
“That’s us,” Bryn beamed. “Your unexpected girl squad. Same time tomorrow?”
Before Thora could decline, Lucella cut in. “We’re having book club at the library tomorrow evening. Nothing fancy—wine, cheese, magical literary discussion. You should come.”
“I don’t read much fiction.”
“Good thing we’re discussing ‘Advanced Tracking Spells for Supernatural Entities’ then,” Kalyna countered. “Right up your professional alley.”
Thora hesitated, caught off guard by their persistence. “I’ll think about it.”
“Progress!” Bryn pumped her fist victoriously. “Next week, we’ll have her at spa day.”
“Don’t push it,” Thora warned, but her tone lacked its usual edge.
As she left the diner, the envelope in her pocket seemed to weigh heavier. The Tiikeri envelope, the strange connection to Artair, the unexpected “girl squad”—Enchanted Falls kept throwing surprises at her. Yet for the first time in her nomadic life, Thora found herself not immediately planning her escape route.
The realization unsettled her more than any magical tether could.