“Sonja, do we have a Maureen Sherman on the rolls as a League employee? And if she is, did the League send her down here as a consultant without telling me about it? Because it’s causing some confusion. And hurt feelings.”

Dani chewed at her thumbnail while the office echoed with the sound of clacking keys. Zed rubbed circles on her back, making what he hoped were soothing chuffing sounds.

“Uh, sweetie, I don’t know what exotic fern Ms. Sherman is smoking, but the League has no idea who she is,” said Sonja. “We have no records of any version of a Maureen Sherman working for us. As a consultant or otherwise.

Dani buried her face in her hands. “That’s a problem.”

“How old would you say she is?” Sonja asked, her tone no-nonsense. “Physical description?”

“Um, I’d say late forties, early fifties, red hair, fine features. Big blue eyes,” said Dani.

A few seconds later, Sonja added “And I’m not seeing any social media presence for a Maureen Sherman matching that description. I’m getting a few hits on Social Security Numbers in the right age range, but the individuals they pertain to seem to be actively employed in full-time jobs in California, Idaho, and Wisconsin.”

Dani’s grip on her chair tightened. The window rattled as if some earthquake was focused solely on Zed’s office. She took a deep labored breath and the phone signal crackled and several glass panes in the photo frames split. Zed moved to her side, stroking his warm hand between her shoulder blades. “Um, I don’t know what’s going on right now, but you need to stop. Breathe, come on, honey. Breathe.”

Zed shot an alarmed look toward Bael. He’d never seen Dani show “outward” signs of her gift that way. Was she changing, like all magique seemed to change in Mystic Bayou?

“Sorry,” Dani wheezed. Bael ever so subtly shifted his body between Dani and Jillian. And because it seemed to make Dani feel worse, Zed glowered at Bael. While Zed understood the need to protect his mate, he couldn’t help but be highly annoyed by additional distress on Dani.

Jillian snapped her fingers. “Okay, so priorities, we stop Maureen from doing further damage. And Dani goes out to the rift to do damage control and repair.”

“Agreed,” said Bael. “Where do you think she could be now?”

Dani straightened and took a deep breath. “She said she had a rental place outside of town. How many rental properties are there outside of town?”

“The Warburton place comes to mind,” Zed said. “They weren’t able to sell it, because the front yard is basically a big mud hole. Mace Warbuton mentioned renting it out on Airbnb.”

“Really?” Jillian asked.

Zed shrugged.