“Will he have a problem with my being in the area?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t think so. He has a reputation for honesty and careful decision-making. But also for being particularly concerned about the reputation of his community, the concerns of the humans around him. So as long as you don’t wreak havoc, you should be fine.”
“Wreaking isn’t really my style,” I said. “But Connor did say there’s some conflict in the clan, and he wanted a second opinion from an outsider.”
My father seemed to visibly relax. “So it’s a working trip.”
“Sure,” I said, well aware that was what he needed to hear. My mother just patted his arm.
“This will be a really good opportunity for you,” she said. “You and Connor can get to know each other better”—my father cleared his throat, loudly—“and you’ll have a pretty amazing learning opportunity. I say go for it.”
“I reluctantly agree,” my father said, but there was humor in his eyes.
“Concur,” Yuen said. “As your employer,” he added with a smile.
I checked the clock on the wall. “In that case, I’d better get going. Only so many hours to travel before the sun comes up.”
“Be safe,” Yuen said. “And check in occasionally.”
“I will, to both.” Besides, I’d have a shifter on my side.
***
The Auto dropped me off in front of the Keene house, and I climbed out as moonlight and shadow raced across the peaks and valleys of the family’s porch-wrapped home. In addition to the immediate family, two or three of Connor’s aunts and uncles—I always forgot the number—lived there, too. If the business was the Pack’s public hub, the house was its private refuge.
The neighborhood was quiet, many of the house’s windows still dark. But the first floor was lit, pale curtains drawn. I’d been afraid I’d find a gleaming Auto against the curb to whisk us north while the landscape passed us by.
But there was no Auto; there was a bike, low and dark and impressively built. Her name was Thelma, and Connor had transformed her from rusted frame to dark siren after god only knew how many hours of work.
I walked closer, ran fingers across the buttery black leather that covered the seat, carefully quilted in a diamond-shaped pattern. There was a second seat behind the first, just a little higher, but still close.
The house’s screen door screeched open, and Connor walked onto the porch, lips curving as he saw me. He wore jeans and a black motorcycle-style jacket that looked like it had already seen a lot of miles.
With his dark, wavy hair and blue eyes, he looked every bit the rakish prince. Gorgeous, devilish, and just a little dangerous.
“I wasn’t sure if you were going to show up,” he said, coming down the steps.
“I wasn’t, either. But I’m here.”
He stopped when he reached me. “Controversy?”
“Beaten out by curiosity.”
“Brave girl,” he said with approval. Frowning, he scanned my face. “And your... enhancement?”
We’d taken to calling the monster my “enhancement” over text message in an effort to keep it secret. And that he felt he had to raise the issue at all put a hard stone of guilt in my belly.
“I’ll be fine.”
He looked at me carefully, judging, considering, and my guilt melted away. There was a softness in his eyes that spoke of concern, not fear; he wasn’t afraid I’d hurt his family, but that I’d be hurt.
“The yoga is helping,” I said. “Letting it stretch, giving it some space. And if there’s an issue, I’ll just run into the woods.”
His smile was canny. “A tried-and-true method for shifters, as well. There will be plenty of woods where we’re going.”
“Which is where, exactly?”
Connor grinned. “Very unvampiric of you to show up without the full details.”