Page 106 of Seas the Reckoning

“What’s that?”

“Who is going to tell Keegan that his favorite dog is once again leaving him?”

Jackal kisses the top of my head, and I laugh.

“You’ll really come, then? And not because you think it’s what I would want?” he asks.

“I truly want to go. I’d like to see your world as well, and get to know your family better when we’re not in the middle of some mission. Although, if you do have some open cases I may also have developed a bit of a taste for investigating. Not the fighting, necessarily, but the detective piece.”

I can’t see him, but I can picture him grinning.

“I can manage all that. I even have a solution for Keegan.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. He expressed a desire to have his own dog, but he was worried about the whole fire thing. Well, there are still several animals we rescued from Leon’s who are in a supernatural foster situation, waiting for their permanent homes.”

“And?” I press.

“One might just happen to be a dog that barks flames, and who does not catch fire. Which apparently the foster found out when the dog leapt into the fireplace on one of the first cold nights this winter. The dog is fine, although I’m guessing he nearly gave the foster a heart attack.”

I grimace. I can only imagine.

“He’d be perfect for Keegan,” I say.

Jackal nods.

“How do you think he’d feel about a Yorkie?”

The others express enthusiasm when we tell them our plans.

“You’re going to have so much fun!” Ginny says.

“Don’t forget you’re on the other side of the road if you drive,” Ji-hwan advises me.

Jackal pulls Keegan aside to tell him about the dog, and I see the volmander’s face quite literally light up as he breaks into a grin.

Brody sighs.

“Another dog behind the bar. He’d better be as cute and well-behaved as this little spitfire.” The red wolf shifter reaches down to scratch Pickles behind his ears.

“I’m proud of you, Leena,” Grammy Pearl tells me before wrapping me into a hug.

The evening is basically perfect.

“What about the rest of you?” I ask.

Shanell shoots Grammy a side-eyed glance.

“I will be retiring, but I’ll immediately be taking up another post.”

“Oh?”

Grammy grins.

“I will be stepping down as coven leader but remaining at the house to support the witches with my seeing abilities. This will give me more time with my beloved granddaughter—and to take on any other fun jobs that come my way.”

Her eyes sparkle, and I have no doubt she’s already foreseen some of these jobs.