She was gone.

“Shit,” I said, and ignored the lightning, climbed to my feet, and took off, darting through humans and overturned vehicles and fires now burning from direct magic strikes, and the officers and rescue crews who’d finally made it through traffic to help with the turmoil behind me.

I chased her down the block past more town houses, realized her legs and feet barely moved; she was doing a horror movie glide that was infinitely creepier. Connor ran beside me, and his low growl seemed to agree.

I circled around, making my way through an alley to shorten the distance so I could flank her from behind and use my surprise as an advantage.

She turned when I was only feet away. She breathed deeply, her eyes brilliant and shining as she replenished her energy from the turmoil in the streets.

She watched me move toward her—hobble toward her—as she waited on her still-perfect heels. She held out a hand, poised to use her magic again. “You take one more step, and I see how much more trouble I can cause.”

So much trouble already. Buildings crumbling. Streets and vehicles destroyed. Humans fighting. Cars reduced to rubble. The poor lost panther.

If I followed her, she’d do it, causing what damage she could. And the machine would fire up again, doing its own damage to Chicago. I didn’t know the machine’s range, but there was no doubt in my mind she’d cut a path through the city if she could. She’d bring Chicago down around us.

Fuck, I thought. Because there was only one option. I had to let her go.

She smiled, realizing her victory, and brushed grit from her coat. “Thank you for helping me come home again. This fits much better than Edentown.”

And then, with a hot burst of sour magic, she was gone.

TEN

Fuck,” I said. “Fuck.”

Connor trotted over, nudged my hand with his nose. I gave him a neck scritch. “I’m okay. Change back when you’re ready,” I said.

He put a few paces between us, let the magic build around him. Light flashed as the magic became visible, a tornado that swirled around him as his body transformed from wolf back to human again. And then the light and magic faded, and he stood before me—and was very, very naked.

Shifters removed their clothes before shifting, or they’d be shredded during the transition. Moto leathers were much too expensive to waste, so they were usually naked before and after. Like a reverse Clark Kent.

The humans were beginning to stare.

“I’ve never seen that before,” said Black, who’d caught up with us. “It’s impressive.”

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if he meant the magic or the man. He wouldn’t be wrong either way.

Connor strode toward us—strong and substantial—prince in bearing but with fury in his eyes. And then he was on Black and had the man by the shoulders.

“What did you do to her? Why is she limping?”