Page 16 of Autumn L.A.W

Ezra shut his kit. “You’re stabilized now, but not safe. I should come with you when you return to the source. I assume you’re not going to give up.”

Rayna shook her head. “That’s correct, but we don’t bring strangers. Even competent ones.”

Ezra didn’t push. “Then take your familiars. They will sense danger faster than you.”

Spirit Lion rumbled, almost sounding like a purr. Desert Fox nodded sharply.

Ezra walked toward the door, but vanished mid-step, dissolving into nothingness like he’d been erased.

The chandelier trembled.

Lioness blinked. “Okay, stealth mode. Is that considered rude? I think it’s rude.”

Sahara groaned. “We are absolutely not bringing that man.”

Rayna pinched the bridge of her nose. “Familiars it is. I just hope it’s enough.”

Park Avenue didn’t feel right. It wasn’t quiet, exactly. New York didn’t know the meaning of the word, but something underneath the noise felt aware. Watching. Waiting. Joell and Rayna had dropped off Lioness and Sahara, warning them not to do anything until they’d found a parking space. That could take a while.

Sahara walked carefully, Desert Fox padding at her heels. Lioness dragged her fingers along the nearest wrought-iron fence, feeling restless. Spirit Lion prowled ahead, mane faintly glowing. No human would see him unless he wanted them to.

“You sure you’re up for this?” Lioness asked.

“No,” Sahara said. “But staying home and hiding from it felt worse.”

Lioness stepped off the curb.

A horn screeched. Tires skidded. A yellow cab missed her by inches. Strong arms grabbed her waist, yanking her back with such force she slammed into a wall of muscle.

Turning, she saw, felt, and smelled Cal Monroe. He smelled vaguely like a bonfire on a summer night.

His expression was a blend of alarm and irritation. “Lioness, seriously? You can’t just stroll into traffic. You want some poor cab driver facing charges of vehicular homicide?”

Lioness stared up at him, dazed and embarrassed, but grateful. “Well, when you put it that way… By the way, hi.”

“Hi?” he echoed. “That’s all I get? I just saved your life.”

“Well, my life’s been saved before. I haven’t given out any medals yet. I don’t see why I should start now.”

Cal’s mouth twitched, impressed despite himself. His hand lingered half a second too long before he released her.

“You two okay?” he asked. “Last time I saw you… Well, yikes.”

Sahara nodded, though her skin was pale and her mouth tense. “Better than we were. Thanks for the ride.”

“I was just heading over to the place you taped off.”

Spirit Lion materialized fully behind Lioness, towering and glowing.

Cal jumped. “Jesus—what is that?”

“Emotional support predator,” Lioness said straight-faced. “What you’re seeing is his spirit. He’s actually in Africa.”

Cal barked a laugh. “Right. Of course.” Then, quieter, “I know you have some mysterious juju, but be careful, okay?”

Lioness smiled at him, something warm catching in her chest. “You too, firefighter.”

She and Sahara crossed the street, carefully this time, with their familiars flanking them like spectral guardians.