The Shifter Romances The Writer (Nocturne Falls Book 6) (34 page)

“Is there a downside if it doesn’t?”

Pandora handed the silver piece over. “We’re out some time and money and you’re still basically human, but there’s no chance of you accidentally turning into a toad or spontaneously combusting or anything like that.”

“Good to know. And it’s going to transform me into panther like Alex, right?”

“Yep. The magic contained in that metal won’t change you into anything else.”

Roxy studied the claw. It had a spring clip on the back that made it easy to take on and off the chain. The body of the claw was open. Like a ring. “So what do I do? Wear it around my neck?”

“The chain is just so you can keep it on you all the time. The real magic doesn’t happen until you put the claw on.”

“Speaking of which, that thing looks pretty real.” The end of the claw was sharper than she’d expected. “Other than it being silver, of course.”

“It was molded from one of Alex’s.”

Roxy looked at Pandora in amazement. “How’d you manage that?”

“Birdie.”

“The receptionist at the station?” Roxy shook her head. “I still don’t get it.”

“Every supernatural who comes to work for the department and has fangs or claws that can be considered lethal weapons must have them imprinted.” Pandora shrugged. “Birdie snuck me Alex’s molds. There’s not much she wouldn’t do for you.”

“Wow.” Roxy smiled. She’d drop off a signed book for Birdie next time she was in town. “I like it even more now. So, what, I just slip it on my finger?”

“And say the word
verto
.” Pandora looked optimistic. “I hope that’s easy enough to remember, but we figured that it’d be better to use good old Latin rather than an ordinary word you might say one day accidentally. You won’t say
verto
unless you mean to change your shape.”

“No, I like it. I’ll remember.” She laughed. “This isn’t something I’m about to forget, trust me.” She stood. “Can I try it out?”

Pandora nodded. “You need to. If it doesn’t work, we’re back to the drawing board.”

Roxy walked to the open space of the living room. Nerves tripped through her. Happy, excited, uncertain nerves. “Just put it on and say the word?”

Pandora got to her feet. “That’s it.”

“Wait,” Roxy said. “How do I get back to being human?”

“Think the word
verto
. It works both ways.”

“Okay.” She really hoped she remembered that if she actually turned into a cat. “Here goes.” She put the claw over her pointer finger, making sure it was snug. It fit perfectly. She held her hand out. Took a breath. And spoke the word. “
Verto
.”

The air wavered and her muscles tensed at the same time that a flash of light filled her vision. When it was gone an instant later, Roxy glanced down. Two furry black paws sat on the floor in front of her. Her paws. She lifted one and flexed it. Long, sharp claws extended from her new toes.
She was a panther.
She looked at her friend.

Pandora’s mouth was open and her eyes were wide with astonishment. “Holy cats,” she whispered. “It worked.”

Roxy stood. Her line of sight was a few feet lower and a host of different aromas filled her senses. The air seemed crisper. There was an urge to run, too, a desire to use the speed and power this new form had to offer.

But there was joy within her as well. Pandora and Willa had done it. Roxy tipped back her head, opened her throat and let out a growl of happiness.

She couldn’t wait to surprise Alex.

Nearly sixteen hours after leaving his house, Alex was home again. He hadn’t anticipated spending that long at the station, but since he’d had to do the paperwork for Jacob’s arrest, he’d decided to stay and had swapped shifts with Jenna.

The day, such as it was, had been long, but worth it. Jacob Cranberry had been taken care of and was on his way to the country jail. Alex was happy about that, but felt bad for his sister. Marissa had called and explained her side of things. How she’d quit working for Roxy because she’d worried her brother’s interest was too intense, and how he’d disappeared a few weeks ago after she’d begged him to leave Roxy alone.

Jacob had been determined to make Roxy his.

Fortunately, Alex had intervened. And now, best of all, Roxy was safe. A deep, primal part of him took great satisfaction in that.

He’d talked to Diego today too, and so far, his kid brother and Shanna were doing all right. That was good news. Alex wanted his brother to be happy. He also liked having his house to himself and the ability to have Roxy over whenever he liked.

He tossed his keys on the kitchen counter and smiled, then immediately wished he could see her. He thought about calling her to see how her night had been and if she wanted to come over, but she must have heard his car. She knew he was home.

She was probably wrapped up in her writing. That was good. He wanted her to get her book done. She put a lot of pressure on herself and while he understood, he didn’t want her to work so much that she never had time to relax and unwind.

Or maybe she wanted a little time to herself. After all, he’d been with her, keeping an eye on her, almost constantly since the day they’d met.

Could be that she needed a break. He grabbed a beer out of the fridge. He could understand wanting some alone time. He was tired, but he also knew he should use the afternoon to do some more studying. The sergeant’s exam was only two weeks away now and with everything going on with Roxy, studying had fallen to the wayside.

But the truth was, he’d hoped she’d be here. Or would maybe come over when he got home. Text, at least. But those were his expectations and he could be alone in thinking that the last week together had taken this relationship to a new place. A place where things felt more solid. More like they were a real couple. Because the reality was, he loved her. And he wanted to tell her that. But maybe she wasn’t ready. He turned to head to his bedroom and change.

Roxy leaned against the hall entrance, blocking his path. “Hiya.”

“Hey.” His heart clenched and his head told him to stop being an idiot. “How long have you been there?”

“Not long. I was waiting in your bedroom but when you didn’t show up, I figured I better see what you were up to.” She was in yoga pants and a crop top. One of his favorite looks. Her gaze swept him from head to toe. She shook her head. “You do amazing things for that uniform.”

He laughed. “Thanks. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts I didn’t realize you were here.”

She walked out to greet him. “You’re not the only one who can be quiet, you know.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I didn’t think you’d be gone so long. Everything okay?”

He put the beer down to rest his hands on her hips. “Everything’s fine. I took Deputy Blythe’s shift since I had so much to do anyway.”

She planted a soft kiss on his jaw. “Everything squared away with Jacob then?”

He sighed out of the pure pleasure of her touch. “Done. He claims you met him once at a book signing. Talked to him. You remember that?”

She squinted like she was thinking. “I don’t know…wait, I do remember that. It was years ago. He was with Marissa. She didn’t even work for me yet. I might have talked to him for five minutes. I don’t think he said three words back. Is that the basis for him falling in love with me or whatever?”

“Seems like it.” Alex shrugged, using the move to pull her closer. “I can’t say I blame the guy. I’m nuts about you.”

She grinned. “Good thing I like to drive fast, huh?”

“Yeah, good thing.” He bent and kissed her, and the sense of finally being home swept over him. This woman was everything good in his life. Even if she wasn’t a shifter. He leaned back. “You’re something else, Roxy St. James.”

She slid her hands down to rest on his chest. “You don’t know the half of it.”

“Is that so?”

She nodded. “Yep.”

“Then I can’t wait to find out. Did you eat lunch? Actually, it’s closer to dinner now. You want something?”

She tipped her head. “Are you offering to cook?”

“Yes. If cooking can mean heating up one of the many casseroles my mother left in my freezer.”

“I’m game.” Her eyes lit with a curious brightness. “But first, there’s something I want to show you.”

His body responded to her words and a needy ache settled in his belly. “I have a feeling dinner’s going to be late. And I’m okay with that.”

“You don’t even know what it is yet.” She pushed him toward the couch. “Go sit.”

He did as he was told. “So I’m leaving the uniform on, then? I’m okay with that too. Just figuring out the details.”

“Hush.” She stood in front of him, hands on her hips. “This relationship is pretty much perfect. Sure, I know it’s early days, but things are good. Comfortable in a way that isn’t boring and I…” She took a breath. “I’m falling for you. Hard. I feel things for you I didn’t want to feel for any man so soon after my divorce, but you can’t tell your heart what to do, can you?”

Warmth filled him. “That’s for sure. I feel the same way about you, just so you know.”

She smiled, but only for a moment. “The single thing that isn’t perfect between us is you’re a shifter and I’m not anything. Mostly. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, right?”

His internal alarm started ringing softly. “You know that doesn’t matter to me.”

She nodded, her expression slightly sad. “I know you say that—and I really do believe you, but I think it’s the one thing that over time could tear us apart. It just creates such a gap between us. An imbalance that can’t be righted.”

A chill zipped down his spine. “Are you breaking up with me?”

She laughed as she lifted something sparkly from beneath her shirt. “No. I’m trying to tell you that I talked to Pandora and found a solution.”

The chill returned, this time for a very different reason. “Roxy, no—”

Silver flashed in her hands as she said something, then the air shimmered around her and a black panther sat before him.

His mouth came open. He shook his head. “No.”

She butted her head against his leg.

He put his hands on the animal’s shoulders, pain ripping through him. “Roxy, you don’t know what you’ve done.”

A second later, she was human again and staring up at him from where she knelt on the floor. Her face was masked in confusion. “I thought you’d be happy.”

He kissed her, then pressed his forehead to hers. He took a breath, trying to find the right words. What was done was done. His beautiful Roxy had sacrificed for him. There was no way she could know what she’d done, but Pandora ought to have known better. Hell, he’d talked to her about this, asked her not to let this happen. Anger built in him, but it wasn’t at Roxy. This wasn’t her fault. “This spell…it…comes with a great cost. I am so honored that you would do this for me, but…”

She pulled out of his embrace and sat back, staring at him. “It wasn’t that expensive. I paid Willa for the silver and I gave her my parents’ wedding rings—but that’s part of the deal. Her magic requires something personal. And Pandora didn’t charge me a thing.”

“Willa?” He blinked a few times, trying to understand. “What did she have to do with it?”

Roxy picked up the silver claw hanging off the long chain around her neck. “She made this part of it and Pandora did the main spell. It was a team effort.” She dropped the claw. “I just don’t get it. I thought you’d be thrilled.”

“I am. I would be.” He sighed. “My aunt had this same spell cast on her, and I’m so sorry to tell you this, but she died young because of it. The magic takes a terrible toll on the human body. I want forever with you, Roxy. As much time as I can get and –”

“Did I forget to tell you I’m not completely human?”

He went still. “What?”

“Turns out I’ve got more than human blood running through my veins. Mostly some nymph and a little witch, to be exact. And that other spell you’re talking about? Pandora told me about that. She said she’d never perform it on a human, but this spell is different. And it’s safe because I’m not entirely human. In fact, that’s what makes it work.”

His anger faded. “Different how?”

She picked up the claw again. “This amulet holds all the magic and it’s tuned to me so that only I can activate it. I can shift whenever I want. I just slip this over my finger and say the word.”