“I just sort of fell into it,” she said, her southern accent somehow more lyrically musical than the Cajun voices he’d become accustomed to since moving to Louisiana. “I mean, I was already interested in midwifery. It’s sort of the family business, going back to my several times-great-granny. She was one of those mountain women who cured what ailed you with a combination of real medicine, magic, and just enough power of suggestion to keep everybody in line. And then, after my studies, I worked in a clinic where I just happened to have a patient who was a badger shifter married to a chupacabra.”

Will shuddered. “Wow.”

“It took me a shameful amount of time to figure out I was dealing with two shapeshifters, and how different that makes a pregnancy. Every shifter’s gestation period is different. Their symptoms and cravings and complications, they’re all unique. Anyway, once I put the context clues together, I was able to meet with them privately, let them know I was aware of their special genetic circumstances and I would do everything I could to bring their baby safely into the world while protecting their secret. They were such a sweet couple. The daddy painted my trailer as a thank you,” Charlotte said.

“They were so happy with me that they contacted their local League office to tell them, assuming that the League appointed me to handle shifter pregnancies. The League liked what they heard and hired me as a freelancer. The more I worked, the more I learned. The more I learned, the more my skills were in demand. And now I’m here.”

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Leonard breathed.

Across the room, Will covered his snicker with a cough. “Sorry, man.”

“Selkie humor,” Sonja assured Charlotte, while giving Will an arch look.

Will sobered quickly. “Which was her none too subtle way of telling you I’m a selkie, a seal shapeshifter. Other than increased strength and speed, it’s really not an issue unless I’m near water. And even then, I’ll just outswim you.”

“He’s exaggerating,” Sonja insisted. “He can also hold his breath for a very long time.”

Will snorted.

“So, everybody just talks about their supernatural status in the open here?” Charlotte asked. “I’ve never worked in an environment like that, not even working with League clinics.”

“It is considered rude by the locals, to directly ask about magie status, but not to bring it up yourself. I, for instance, am human,” Sonja said.

“But with added awesomeness,” Will insisted while Sonja preened graciously. “It would just be unfair to everybody else to give you superpowers.”

Charlotte looked to Leonard, who just couldn’t seem to produce the words, I’m a human whose family has lived under a fairy curse for hundreds of years. It was the first time he’d had any trouble saying so while living there.