Poe squawked. “Better than Cliona.”
The vampire laughed. She stroked Poe’s silky head and stepped away. “I think we should raise it in the shop.”
Ash blinked. “And if Cliona shows up?”
Moira lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “She’s never shown up before, and our shop is warded against her. We can hire Marnie to put a glamour on the bird so she can be out when the customers are here. Lots of places have parrots.”
“And when she doesn’t sound like a parrot?” I asked, wondering if this was a terrible idea.
“Parrots are known mimics, and humans like to believe what’s easiest.” Moira shook her head. “The way the egg came to you is bizarre, and I don’t believe in coincidence. Poe says it should stay, so it should stay. The raven has been right more times than I’d care to admit.”
I looked at Ash. He sighed and threw his hands up again. “Fine. If one of us is grievously injured, maybe it can heal us.”
Tess moaned from her place by the register.
Moira’s lips twitched. “We need a yes or no, kiddo.”
The banshee sighed. “I want to see the egg one more time.”
“Poe.” The raven stood and hopped from the box. Tess floated over and hovered close. She leaned over and held her hand over the egg. Silvery gray magic glittered from her fingers and floated down to settle over the egg.
I held my breath. Tess rarely used her other magic. She’d warded the shop against other spirits and ghosts and had once created a death sigil she wouldn’t discuss, but I’d never seen her do anything like this.
Her eyes flashed white. “Cliona has not touched this egg.”
Ash’s brow furrowed. “How?” he breathed.
Tess’s power saturated the air. “The mother smuggled the baby out. It was meant to find you.”
The power abruptly snapped off. Tess floated to the ground. “I put a silencing spell around the egg. Its magic hums and willattract curiosity.” She gave me a tight smile. “The baby will be safe here now.”
And with that, Tess floated away.
No one said anything for a long moment.
Ash shook his head and exhaled a shaky breath. “Well. Guess it’s staying.”
Poe hopped back into the box and settled back onto the egg.
I rubbed a hand over my face. “Does anyone know where I can find an incubator?”
Guess I was going to be a bird mom.
Monday morning came way toobright and early. The egg was secured in my office with Poe acting as incubator. I wasn’t too worried about it right now. Once it hatched, it would be a different story. Tess was off today, and Ash was in the back growing apples because the bird and the weekend got in the way.
With Moira manning the register, I was walking around the shop, siphoning my magic and giving everything a boost. My orchids were in full bloom, purple, white and pink flowers on full display in the shop’s window. African Violets bloomed on one of the floating shelves, and I had grow lights on a couple of things that shouldn’t be indoors. I was a lot of things, but not sunshine, so even with my magic, some things still needed a boost.
I gave extra attention to those and then went over to the pothos. As I was tending the soil, the bell rang, announcing new customers. Power prickled over my skin.
Moira was usually quick to greet anyone walking into the shop, but when I heard nothing, I poked my head from around the corner to make sure everything was okay.
Caelan stood there with Simone and another shifter, a lean, tall man with amber eyes who did not look friendly. At all. Hishair was blond and shaggy, and his jaw, dusted with five o’clock shadow, could cut glass.
“Lord,” Moira said evenly.
I wanted to disappear around the corner and pretend I’d never seen them, but they were shifters. As one, three sets of eyes found me. Simone grinned.
“Hey Evie!”
