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  Ari nodded. “Yeah, well, Peggin’s best friend is a spirit shaman. So that would make sense.”

  I was taken aback. “Peggin’s best friend is a spirit shaman? Spirit shamans drive the dead back across the Veil when they aren’t supposed to return.” I shivered. “I had no idea there were any in Washington. But it makes sense. There are towns around the peninsula that are so close to the Veil that the dead find it an easy place to cross back over.”

  Part of me wanted to go over to Whisper Hollow and meet Peggin’s friend. I was always fascinated when I ran into other forms of witches and seers, but I decided to wait and see if it happened naturally. I didn’t want to invite unnecessary chaos into my life, and from everything I understood, spirit shamans were steeped in chaotic energy, though unlike chaos magicians, they didn’t try to summon it.

  “All right, let’s focus on Tabitha and Zoey. We need to figure out whether the baby’s possessed or…” I paused, thinking. “Or is Tabitha off her rocker? I tend to believe the former, but if Tabitha does need help, we’ll have to contact Child Protective Services.”

  With that thought in mind, Ari drove us back to my place. “What do you think about taking a walk in the woods this evening? I can bring Peggin over tonight.”

  I nodded. “Sounds good. Do you mind if I invite Killian to go with us? I’m not certain how safe I feel to go tramping around the Mystic Wood without him with us.”

  “That’s fine. Bring the wolf.” Ari laughed. “I’m so glad you found him. You’ve been so happy, and so much more…yourself…than you ever were when you were with Ellison.”

  “Killian gives me space to be myself. Say, Peggin won’t weird out at being around a shifter, will she?” Even though Killian looked plenty human, his alt-form had a definite presence.

  “She’s used to it. The spirit shaman’s boyfriend is a wolf shifter, too,” Ari said, dropping me off. “I’ll be back with Peggin around seven p.m., if that’s okay. After dinner.”

  “See you then!” I waved. I was inserting my key in the lock when Esmara startled me.

  Someday you’ll meet the spirit shaman, she said. And when that day comes, you’ll have things to learn from each other. And you’ll understand what it’s like to walk with the dead surrounding you.

  On that cheery note, I unlocked the door, relieved to be home.

  Chapter Four

  It was nearly four o’clock. I called Killian, but he was still at the clinic and told me he’d be home around six. “That’s fine,” I said. “Come over as soon as you can for dinner. Ari wants to take a friend of hers out into the Mystic Wood, so I was hoping you’d come along.”

  “You think that’s wise?” he asked.

  “Hey, this woman can handle it—that I’m pretty sure of. So, dress for the weather.”

  “Okay. I’m glad I don’t have clinic hours tonight, to be honest. I’m tired.” He made kissing noises before hanging up.

  Killian was working about seventy hours a week. Establishing a new business usually meant long hours for the first year, and although he had the experience, he still had to establish clientele here and convince them he would handle their beloved pets with care and kindness.

  I didn’t mind the long hours, because I often worked late, too. Although I didn’t usually work on weekends, I still had plenty of chores and activities to occupy my time.

  After hanging my coat on the hall pegs, I went upstairs to move the last load of laundry over to the dryer. I hung up the wet clothes that couldn’t go through a drying cycle, then returned to the kitchen where I poked around the fridge, trying to decide what to make for dinner.

  Lunch had been filling, so I decided to fix something a little lighter. I decided to make grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. I set out all the ingredients and pans I would need, set the table, and then stopped to play with Xi and Klaus for a bit. They bounced around, climbing on my lap when I sat down and turned on the TV.

  I had gotten rid of my landline and cable, opting for a streaming service for my TV. I flipped through the shows, settling for The Greatest Cake Competition. I had no aspirations to become the next big baker, but I did love watching the contestants build their fantastical creations. They were competing in a show for spring cakes, and as I expected, bunnies and chicks abounded.

  Twenty minutes later, the kittens were sleeping and I turned off the TV, thinking about Zoey. I gave my boss, Tad Gelphart, a call. “Hey, Tad, what are you doing?”

  “You really want to know?” he asked, sounding wrung out.

  “Only if it’s G or PG rated, thank you.”

  “I just finished a game of handball at the gym. I did not win. I didn’t even come close. I can run a seven-minute mile, but I don’t have the best coordination,” he grumped.

  “Well, at least you got some exercise in. That’s better than I did. Listen, I was wondering…”

  “That’s dangerous,” he said, laughing. “I’m beginning to believe that when you start thinking, things start to happen.”

  “Oh, shuddup, dude,” I said, but I laughed along with him. “Do you mind if Ari and I borrow a couple pieces of equipment from Conjure Ink? We have a case that frankly…well, I’m not sure what to think.” I sighed, once again feeling torn between whether I thought Tabitha was a little off her rocker, or paranoid with a good reason.

  Tad sobered. “What’s up?”

  “Our client believes that someone stole her baby and replaced the girl with an exact replica. At first I thought it might be postpartum depression that’s led into a worse disorder, but after meeting the child…there is something odd about her, Tad. I’m confused, to be honest. I don’t know what to think.”

  “What do you mean, odd?”

  I sighed. “I can’t give you an exact reason but…the baby scares me a little. She’s only supposed to be a year old, but there’s an alertness to her that speaks to her being much, much older. And she’s crafty. I normally wouldn’t say that about a baby, but damn, she made me nervous. Ari, too. There was a look the baby gave me that I have to say felt threatening.”

  “Could have it been the power of suggestion from the mother?”

  “I suppose anything’s possible. When I first heard Tabitha’s story, I thought she might be off a bit, until I met the child. There’s something wrong, Tad. I’m not sure if the baby’s possessed or what, but there’s a darkness around her.” I paused, then asked, “Have you ever heard of a replacement? I was thinking maybe a walk-in?”

  Walkins were when a spirit walked into a body and took control. It was similar to possession, but more often than not, the spirit who had inhabited that body left, leaving the body alive but without a consciousness, and the walk-in could drive the body like we drove a car. It happened more when people fell into a coma, or went into extreme trauma.

  “What about a changeling?” Tad asked. “That used to be a common thing in areas where the Fae live. And I know that some Fae inhabit the Mystic Wood.”

  Fae…I hadn’t even though about them. Stories about changelings came flooding back.

  “That would track. I kind of thought that changelings were like the boogeyman—stories to frighten kids into being good.”

  “Maybe some stories were used for that, but I’m pretty sure the legend of the changelings is actually a real…thing, so to speak. What equipment did you want to borrow?”

  “A security camera, for one thing. Maybe one of the FLIRs, and an EMF device?” We had all the latest ghost-hunting equipment at the office, but it proved handy for other creatures too.

  “Sign it out, and as long as you pay for it if it breaks, we’re good. When do you want to pick it up?”

  “Tomorrow. I have plans this evening. Thanks.” I hung up and turned back to the kittens. “Well, you two, shall we start dinner?” With both fluffy butts following me, I returned to the kitchen and began fixing the soup and sandwiches.

  Killian arrived with roses and a kiss. “I know you’re good with me working late so often, but these
are just a thank-you for understanding.”

  “Of course I understand. You think I don’t work late every now and then? It’s okay.” I took the flowers and put them in a vase, kissing him. “Thank you, these are beautiful. Dinner’s ready, so help me carry food to the table?”

  As I stacked the grilled cheese sandwiches on a plate, then ladled out soup mugs of the tomato soup, Killian carried them to the table. He glanced at my great-grandma’s book of shadows.

  “Have you started reading it yet?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. I found out that Colleen was jealous of Rowan Firesong. It’s weird to think that my grandmother was alive when my great-grandfather was. I mean, I know I’ll be long-lived too, but…”

  “I was alive then,” Killian said, his voice soft.

  I arched my eyebrows. “I know. The age difference doesn’t bother me, honest.” Killian was 120 years old. He had been born in 1900. “How old is your sister? Your brother and your parents?”

  “Tally’s younger than I am. She was born in 1930. Darryn was born in 1950. So I’m the oldest. My parents are about 160. They were both born in 1861, and they married in 1888.” He bit into his sandwich, the cheese oozing out.

  I thought for a moment, then asked, “Shifters have a long period of fertility, don’t they?”

  He nodded. “Our women—at least with wolf shifters—can get pregnant well toward 100.”

  “What did you do before you became a veterinarian?”

  He laughed. “I’ve always been one. Although the term ‘veterinarian’ has only been around since about the 1600s, animal doctors have abounded since the days of ancient Egypt and before that. I knew when I was young that I wanted to treat animals, so I attended school for it back in 1920. I’ve kept up with all the changes throughout all the years, and of course, being a shifter, I found that it helps that I could talk to wolves and dogs. Cats were harder, but I made friends with cat shifters wherever I went and so have always had a leg up on the human vets.” He smiled at me, the light in his eyes soft and glowing.

  “You really do love what you do, don’t you?” I said.

  He nodded. “Always have, and always will. Animals—the non-shifters—don’t understand why they don’t feel good, and this way, well, whether it’s through a translator or through me, I can explain to some degree what’s wrong, and I can convince them to let me treat them. I feel that this gives me the ability to help a lot more than a human vet can, just through the practical nature. You’d be surprised by how many shifters go into veterinary science.”

  I jumped up, walked around the table, and planted a soft kiss on his lips. “Thank you. Thank you for caring so much.”

  He pulled me onto his lap. “Thank you for acknowledging what I do as important.”

  We sat like that for a few moments until my stomach rumbled and I returned to my side of the table to finish my dinner. I told him about Ari and Peggin, and about the spirit shamans.

  “I’ve heard of shifter Packs who are bound to the spirit shamans. They’re legendary in our community, but there’s little known about them and I’ve never met one.” Killian finished off his sandwich and soup. “When are they due over?”

  “At seven, which is why I fixed a dinner that was quick and easy.” I sighed, leaning against the counter after I set the dishes in the sink. “Honestly, I have bigger concerns.” I told him about the meeting with Tabitha. “I’m worried about the child. I do feel something’s wrong there, but I’m afraid that if Tabitha gets too worried, she’ll…”

  “Hurt the baby because she thinks it isn’t her Zoey?” Killian asked.

  I nodded. “Yeah. She’s panicking enough to where she talked to the doctor about it.”

  “I’m surprised they haven’t sent a caseworker over there yet,” Killian said. “They have to be so careful now.”

  “Maybe they have and she didn’t tell us,” I said. “I feel like she’s leaving something out, but I can’t just outright accuse her of lying.”

  “Can you just not take the case?”

  I had thought about it, but then decided no, not when a child’s life came into play. “I’ll talk to Ari about it, and maybe I’ll go talk to Millie. She understands the magical forces at work in this town. She won’t outright dismiss Tabitha as a nutjob, but maybe making her aware of the potential problems would be a good idea.” I let out a long sigh, wanting to change the subject. “So, when does Tally get into town?”

  “Noon, I think. She’ll come by the clinic and hang out with me there till after work. When will you get home?”

  I shrugged. “I’ll try to be home by six at the latest. We aren’t on a huge case at work—mostly just tying up loose ends from the last one. Also, Hank’s obsessed with sasquatch right now and has been exploring a few leads. Tad wants to keep us clear on the chance that there’s something for us to move on. Honestly, I don’t look forward to meeting up with Mr. Congeniality.”

  “Bigfoot’s dangerous and unpredictable, and the last thing in the world you need is to get into a confrontation with one of them.”

  I cocked my head. “Have you ever encountered one?”

  “Encountered bigfoot? I was lucky to get out of the woods alive the one time I ran afoul one. I’m not joking—those creatures are fast, they’re volatile, and they’re clever. I accidentally hiked smack into one’s territory a few years ago. I was alone—well, not exactly alone. A group of buddies and I went fishing for the weekend. We agreed to meet at Lake Wanetcha, a lake in northern California, and I was the first one there. I set up my tent and decided to gather some firewood.”

  “You had to watch out for mountain lions and rattlesnakes, didn’t you?” While I couldn’t pinpoint where Lake Wanetcha was, I had a pretty good idea of the rough geography.

  “Oh, yes. Rattlers and scorpions and black widows, they all abound there. It was high summer, but the nights can get as cold as the days get hot. I wanted to make certain that we were prepared for the shift in temperature. If you forget to gather firewood until after dark, you’re most likely going to get in trouble. So I left the campground and went into the surrounding forest to gather dry wood. I damned near got bit by a scorpion, too. I picked up a large piece of wood only to discover a nest of them beneath it.”

  “I’d have freaked,” I said, grimacing. I liked the outdoors and I enjoyed glamping—rather than camping—but scorpions and black widows were a solid nope.

  He shuddered. “I love animals but I don’t love beasties that are designed to kill me, and trust me, black widows and scorpions? They don’t have much else on their minds. Anyway, so I was carrying the wood back to camp when I saw a scorpion crawl out from between two pieces of wood. I dropped the wood and shook the scorpion off my arm before it could bite me.”

  I nodded, not wanting to envision the encounter, but it was pretty easy to summon up a lot of images that I’d rather not imagine.

  “Well, I was taking my time, picking the wood back up one piece at a time as I shook off any hitchhikers when I heard a noise nearby. I heard something rustling in the bushes. I thought maybe it was one of my buddies, so I called out, but no one answered.”

  “Why do I get the feeling this is one trip that didn’t make your best-vacations list?”

  Killian grinned. “Right. As I called out for my friends, the bushes parted and I thought I saw a very large bear. The next moment, I realized the bear was on its hind legs and it wasn’t a bear, it was… It was shaped like a man but covered in fur. I guess if I had to describe him, I’d say he looked a lot like Chewbacca from Star Wars.”

  The thought of seeing a large, lovable Wookiee barging out of the forest both made me smile and chilled me to the bone, mostly because Wookiees weren’t real, and sasquatch was.

  “What happened?”

  “He came after me,” Killian said. “He came lurching out and the moment he saw me, he started to run toward me. I took off. He was at least eight feet tall and naked, which is how I know he was a male. I didn’t stick around to fi
nd out if he was friendly—when somebody is running full tilt your way, with bared, very sharp teeth, you run. He was tall enough that if he was any faster, he could have just tossed me over his shoulder. I’ve no doubt he would have carried me off to eat me. Or something equally as bad. But when he got close, he stopped, skidding to a halt. I turned around to see a mountain lion crouching behind me, growling.”

  My stomach lurched. “Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place. What did you do?”

  “Sasquatch turned tail and ran. The lion turned out to be another shifter who was hiking in the woods. He told me that sasquatches are terrified of the big cat shifter prides, and with good reason. They’re like…mortal enemies or something. But he walked me back to the campsite and stayed with me until my buddies arrived. He warned us to stay in the campgrounds, not to go hiking around. And never go anywhere alone. We followed his advice and didn’t see a single sign of bigfoot the rest of the weekend.”

  I sat back, thinking that if Tad suggested we go out camping in the woods looking for bigfoot, my first act would be to say no way, and then I’d tell him Killian’s story, and if he still insisted, I’d drag Killian into work and tell him that Tad wanted me to go hunting for sasquatch.

  “Well, that certainly helps me make up my mind about how involved I want to get in Hank’s obsession. Why don’t you tell him about your experience? He can use the input, and it might also forestall any unnecessary meetings in the wild.”

  “If you think it will help,” Killian said.

  “I do.” The doorbell rang and I went to answer it while Killian finished rinsing the dishes and stacking them in the dishwasher. Ari and Peggin had arrived.

  Peggin had changed into a pair of gauchos—straight out of the 1970s—and a V-neck sweater. She was also wearing a short rainproof jacket and a pair of very cute ankle boots that were meant for walking.

  “You look ready to meet the woods,” I said, suddenly thinking that maybe Killian’s story was a good warning to us all. While I didn’t think the Mystic Wood was home to sasquatch, the fact was, it was home to a number of unpredictable and erratic creatures and we were taking just as big of a chance heading into it at night as Killian had taken in the woods in northern California.