Page 17 of Seas the Reckoning

Zyra leans back, a smirk on her face.

“We’re going to go shopping.”

Starla gives an excited squeal.

9

FASHIONABLE CHOICES

Our group exits the vehicles after getting parked at the shopping center Zyra suggested. She’s driving one car, and Exos has borrowed Theodore’s. Jackal’s brother-in-law stayed home with a very excited Lottie, who was more than pleased to have an entire day to play with Pickles.

I do imagine he’ll be given at least one or three too many biscuits on this trip, but since he has an iron stomach to match his fireproof skin, things should be all right. While my thoughts are still insisting he could burn down the house, I’m arguing back that he’s safer there than out in the open, where someone might find us.

I imagine I’ll continue to ruminate on the possibility in the background, but I don’t let it stop me.

Starla’s convinced, and Jackal tends to agree from their history, that Councilman Taylor’s men were attempting to control her but not necessarily harm her. The definition of harm being incredibly loose in that scenario.

I’m not so certain. But I’ll admit that my pattern of thought has gone from overall anxious to a bit cynical, ever since my interactions with Leon and Ivyrn Works. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that her dad truly is just that terrible a parent. It’s not like mine are winning any awards, so I’m fully able to believe that even having his daughter forced into a visit could be his way of trying to get a moment alone with her to clear the air before the rest of us descend.

I run my fingers over my shell necklace. At least my mother got it to me, even if she didn’t make the trip herself.

It’s probably better that she didn’t.

Having decided not to call her father after he sent his welcoming committee, Starla has planned our shopping list around events from years past and added a few things we should get just in case.

Zyra paces in front of the rest of us, reading from Starla’s list and sound as serious as a general giving orders.

“You gentlemen will need suits, but not just off the rack. Something tailored. You’ll also want to get some slightly less-formal but still elegant attire for the weekend.”

Ji-hwan bows at the hips.

“Leave it to me. I promise I’ll ensure these two have something suitable prepared when we meet back at the car park.”

Zyra blushes, smiling behind her hand as she agrees.

“All right, then. That leaves us, ladies. Follow me!”

“After this, we just need to look at makeup and perhaps a few accessories, and we should be good to go,” Zyra says a couple of hours later.

The hyena shifter looks energized, and her expression has brightened the longer we’ve been going.

“I love to shop,” she continues, “but admittedly I haven’t really gone on a true spree in a while. Theodore and Lottie are wonderful, but they’re not exactly clothes hounds, or at least not when it comes to things like ballgowns. And I certainly don’t have anywhere to wear anything like that. Thank you for letting me help you two. This has been fun.”

“Of course. I couldn’t have done it without you,” I say.

Zyra throws an arm around each of us.

“You will come back, won’t you? On a proper visit. One without power-tripping warlocks.”

My cheeks heat.

“I would love to, if you don’t mind.”

“Mind! You’re practically a sister! And you’ll be Aunt Leena. You’re welcome anytime. As are you, Starla, but you already know that.”

Starla responds as I mumble a thanks, some of the tightness in my chest loosening under the warm affection of Jackal’s family.

Between them, I have secured gowns for tonight and tomorrow night’s events, plus shorter dresses for the various things Councilman Taylor may have planned during the days. We’ve chosen things that will still hold up to the chillier weather. It’s not so much an issue for me, but Starla reminded me that her father is likely to invite a large number of witches and warlocks who have temperature tolerances closer to humans, and it could help to blend.