I close the door of the Jeep and lock it with the fob. It looks more baby tank than I pictured, but I’m in love all the same. Neil showing up at the door was the best possible surprise, and it looks like my carjacking days are over. I dropped Neil back at his office, and now I’m taking full advantage of my freedom, and getting to know this town on my terms.

I steer clear of the bars and instead, step into the quiet bookstore. I grab a tote that’s hanging at the end of a shelf and start adding books to it. A girl walks quickly around the corner and lets out a surprised yelp when she sees me, the books she was carrying going flying.

“Sorry, I didn’t know anyone was in here," she tells me as she starts to pick up the books from the floor.

I bend down to help. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I’ve been quietly stocking up.”

I point to my bulging tote and smile. She smiles back and stands up. She’s taller than me and slimmer--lean where I’m more muscular. She has shoulder length magenta hair that’s cut bluntly and curled and tousled to perfection.

The color seriously compliments the pink undertones of her fair complexion and her heart-shaped face. She smiles back, her eyes the color of milk chocolate, the smoky eye makeup she’s rocking accentuating them in all the best ways. Her nose is delicate, and the septum ring she has makes everything about her look even edgier.

“Are you finding everything okay?” she asks me politely.

“Actually, I was wondering if you had any books about caster basics, like a Casters for Dummies, maybe," I ask sheepishly hoping my question doesn’t offend her.

I let out a relieved breath when she giggles and tells me to follow her. She starts pulling books from shelves and leads me to a small table next to some comfy looking chairs.

There’s no Casters for Dummies, but there are books explaining Caster history, magic basics, and what to expect before your awakening.

“You have a little brother or sister going through the quickening?” She asks me.

“No, these are for me. I just recently moved here, and I’m trying to catch up on what I need to know," I admit, chagrined.

“Holy shit, you’re Lachlan Aylin’s niece, aren’t you?” She takes a step back and studies me more intently. “I thought it was just a rumor," she tells me and points to the runes on my arms and hands. She inspects them more thoroughly, and I shift on my feet awkwardly.

“Yes, to the niece question, and nope, not a rumor," I answer and run a hand over the runes on my arm.

“They’re beautiful," she tells me, and I relax a little.

“I’m Vinna," I introduce myself, extending my hand.

She looks at my extended palm and then back up to my face, shock evident in her eyes.

“I should probably tell you I’m a shifter," she offers hesitantly.

“Cool.”

I can’t help but wonder if this has to do with my fight a couple nights ago. Do shifters hate me now or something? She looks at me quizzically and then shakes my still outstretched hand.

“I’m Mave," she finally offers.

We sink into the two comfy chairs and start asking each other questions. I tell her about how I ended up here, and she tells me about her pack and what life is like growing up in this town. I learn that casters aren’t always on good terms with shifters which explains her hesitation when I first introduced myself.

“So, what’s it like living with the Fierro twins?” Mave leans back in the chair and fans herself with her hand. She raises her eyebrows suggestively, and I laugh and then fan myself too.

“Good to know I’m not the only one drooling over that whole coven," I admit.

“Ah, you have coven lust already? I was just talking about the twins, but I like where this is headed.”

I laugh and then groan as I cover my face with my hands. Coven lust, yeah that about sums it up.

“Vin, you’re the hottest ticket that’s walked through the wards of this town. All that…” she motions to my face and body. “Wrapped up in a cloak of mystery. Well, let’s just say things are about to get really interesting around here," Mave declares, and smiles a glint of mischievousness in her eyes.

“Is that a good or a bad thing?” I ask, unsure.

“Probably both," she chuckles.

We talk for a bit longer, as Mave tells me about all the caster boys that she thinks are worth paying attention to and catches me up on some local gossip. I have no idea about any of the people she’s talking about, but it’s fun to listen to her animated assessments.

I get lost in the easy back and forth of our story exchange, and I feel lighter than I have in days. Eventually, I check out and we exchange phone numbers, promising to do something soon. I walk out feeling excited about the new books and the new friend I made. As I make my way to the Jeep, I spot the sisters walking my way.

“Well, well, well what do we have here?” I tease getting their attention.

“Vinna love, what are you up to on this lovely afternoon?”

I point to the bags of books I just purchased. “I’m stocking up and poking around town.”

“We’re just headed to lunch. Join us," Lila tells me snaking her dainty arm through mine.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to interrupt girl time.”

“Well you are a girl, so you’d be adding to it not interrupting it," Adelaide reassures me.

“Have you had Indian food before? That’s where we’re headed.”

I shake my head and smile. “If you three like it I’m sure it’s amazing.”

We’re led to a table and handed menus. I don’t get much of a chance to look at it though because people keep stopping by the table to say hi to the sisters.

“Everyone here seems to know you guys. Do you come here a lot?” I ask, after the manager and several different waiters stop by to greet them and chat for a bit.

“We come here a lot," Birdy smiles fondly. “We’ve been eating here a couple of times a month for ages, but I also think the presence of a certain mysterious niece at our table is making us far more popular than we normally are.” She winks at me.

“How does everyone know about me?” I ask, taking a bite of something that was just delivered to the table.

“Wow, that’s good. What is this?”

“They’re called pakoras. Try it with this sauce," Lila tells me.

I proceed to stuff my face shamelessly, but the sisters are aware of my table manners or the lack thereof when it comes to good food, and they just smile at me encouragingly.

“Gossip travels fast around here. You’re currently the talk of the town," Lila confesses.

I groan irritably.

“Don’t worry. It will start to die down when everyone gets used to seeing you around,” Birdie tells me.

“But speaking of gossip… what’s going on with you and the boys?” Adelaide asks, trying and failing at sounding casual and barely interested.

I choke on the food in my mouth and start coughing loudly. I gulp water to clear everything away and take in the sisters’ plucky grins.

“Nothing really, why?” I hedge.

“Just curious, I thought you guys were getting along, but lately you’re more subdued and seem to be avoiding them. Did something happen?”

I look at each of their eager faces which are patiently waiting for me to answer. I fidget in my seat for a minute debating if it’s weird to talk to them about what’s going on. I’m out of my depth though, so maybe it’s worth a shot. I take a deep breath and start to explain.

“We do get along, and I have fun with them. I click with them in a way I’ve never had before.” I take a sip of the mango drink Adelaide told me I had to try. Shit, that’s amazing. I point to the drink and give her a thumbs-up before continuing. “But it’s also intense in a way that freaks me out. I’m attracted and drawn to them, and I don’t know how to be around them without looking at them that way or wanting things I probably shouldn’t.”

All three of them nod their heads in understanding. I sigh and drown my sorrows in mango deliciousness, and it’s quiet for a minute.

“Do they not want things to go further?” Lila asks me. “Because that is not the impression I get when I observe you all together, or overhear their conversations," she says with a sweet smile and then gives me a wink. I can’t help but chuckle.

“Um, I think most of them are good with letting things… progress, but Sabin made some points that have me questioning whether that’s a good idea.” I look at my hands. “Since then I’ve been taking a step back, trying to sort through what I think and feel about everything.”

“What did he say?” Birdie asks, sounding a little more growly then she did before.

“I’ve only been a caster for a little while, and he thought things were moving too quickly.”

“You’ve been a caster your whole life, you’ve just known that’s what it was called for a short time. The fact that you’ve grown up the way that you have, dealing with everything you’ve had to deal with, puts you ahead of kids who grow up in this community, not behind them. I hope you know that Vinna," Lila tells me fiercely.

“You’re not lacking in anything that matters, and that makes you an incredible caster worthy of incredible things in your life," Birdie adds.

I give them a small smile. I never really thought about it that way. I’ve been focusing on all of the ways I’m behind or inadequate. I didn’t really think about how I might be better off because of who I already am and what I’ve been through.

“He is right about some things though. I’d known some of them for like a day before things started getting…intense. That can’t be normal right? Is this a magic thing, is it normal to feel this way about men you don’t even know?”

The sisters chuckle and look at each other with knowing smiles.

“I want to say it’s not a magic thing, but honestly we don’t know much about the magic you have yet, so it’d be unwise to rule it out completely," Lila tells me. “But it sounds more like attraction to me, and when it comes to that, the best advice I can offer is to trust your instincts.”

The other sisters voice their agreement.

Adelaide grabs my hand. “It will all work out, love, exactly how it’s supposed to in the end. Trust yourself, trust others with your heart and vulnerability. You’re an exceptional female, don’t be afraid of happiness, fight for what you deserve.”