The boots were made of the most gorgeous chocolate leather. A zip with red accents went up the length, and they had some flex in the toe, which meant they’d be okay to run in. Not the best, but doable. “Done.”

My phone buzzed.

Micah: We’re coming to get you in ten. Check out.

I sighed. “Looks like fun is over for today. Brothers are heading this way.” I motioned to the guy helping us and handed over my card and my pile of trophies. “These. And whatever she wants.” One of the other salesmen rushed over to help gather up all the boxes. It was quite the bounty.

“There! That’s the werewolf.”

I spun. The girl who’d spit out her gum earlier was standing by the rack of sale shoes, and this time she wasn’t alone. She easily had ten friends with her. And more people were heading toward us through the makeup counters. The gum girl had her phone out, recording. With my luck, she was probably streaming. This was a disaster.

Cosette’s face went ghostly pale. “I’m in so much trouble.”

I looked around, trying to find a way out. “Can Van get you out of here?”

“Not with this many people. We can’t get caught on tape again.”

She was right. The crowd was getting bigger by the second, and they all had their phones out now. “Shit. We’re going to end up on the news again.”

Cosette closed her eyes and let out a long breath. When she opened them, she looked resigned. “Can you get out if I take the fall?”

I could outrun humans—even a mob like this one—but I wasn’t leaving Cosette behind to deal with the mess. I glanced around, hoping an idea would come. Then it hit me. There was a way I could help. “Follow me.”

I took off running, feeling only a minimal sting as I left my shoes and credit card behind. I’d take care of them later. Cosette wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me. I had to make this right.

We darted through racks of clothes. The crowd was yelling behind us. I had the urge to dump a rack of clothes to slow them down, but I didn’t want to cause any damage on purpose. It was another thing if it happened accidentally. A crash sounded behind me, and I didn’t look back.

I hit the escalator and sprinted up, trusting Cosette to follow.

“Up? Shouldn’t we be going down to the exit?”

“You don’t need an exit,” I shouted as I leaped three steps at a time.

We blew through the lingerie department, and I spotted the glorious sign: Women’s Restroom.

“In.” I held the door open and then locked it behind Cosette. A lady washing her hands froze.

“This, I can handle,” Cosette said as she moved toward her. “Forget you ever saw us.”

The lady nodded once and continued washing. I pulled Cosette into the wheelchair access stall. “Call Van.”