“Good to know. And it’s going to transform me into panther like Alex, right?”

“Yep. The magic contained in that metal won’t change you into anything else.”

Roxy studied the claw. It had a spring clip on the back that made it easy to take on and off the chain. The body of the claw was open. Like a ring. “So what do I do? Wear it around my neck?”

“The chain is just so you can keep it on you all the time. The real magic doesn’t happen until you put the claw on.”

“Speaking of which, that thing looks pretty real.” The end of the claw was sharper than she’d expected. “Other than it being silver, of course.”

“It was molded from one of Alex’s.”

Roxy looked at Pandora in amazement. “How’d you manage that?”

“Birdie.”

“The receptionist at the station?” Roxy shook her head. “I still don’t get it.”

“Every supernatural who comes to work for the department and has fangs or claws that can be considered lethal weapons must have them imprinted.” Pandora shrugged. “Birdie snuck me Alex’s molds. There’s not much she wouldn’t do for you.”

“Wow.” Roxy smiled. She’d drop off a signed book for Birdie next time she was in town. “I like it even more now. So, what, I just slip it on my finger?”

“And say the word verto.” Pandora looked optimistic. “I hope that’s easy enough to remember, but we figured that it’d be better to use good old Latin rather than an ordinary word you might say one day accidentally. You won’t say verto unless you mean to change your shape.”

“No, I like it. I’ll remember.” She laughed. “This isn’t something I’m about to forget, trust me.” She stood. “Can I try it out?”

Pandora nodded. “You need to. If it doesn’t work, we’re back to the drawing board.”

Roxy walked to the open space of the living room. Nerves tripped through her. Happy, excited, uncertain nerves. “Just put it on and say the word?”

Pandora got to her feet. “That’s it.”

“Wait,” Roxy said. “How do I get back to being human?”

“Think the word verto. It works both ways.”

“Okay.” She really hoped she remembered that if she actually turned into a cat. “Here goes.” She put the claw over her pointer finger, making sure it was snug. It fit perfectly. She held her hand out. Took a breath. And spoke the word. “Verto.”

The air wavered and her muscles tensed at the same time that a flash of light filled her vision. When it was gone an instant later, Roxy glanced down. Two furry black paws sat on the floor in front of her. Her paws. She lifted one and flexed it. Long, sharp claws extended from her new toes. She was a panther. She looked at her friend.

Pandora’s mouth was open and her eyes were wide with astonishment. “Holy cats,” she whispered. “It worked.”

Roxy stood. Her line of sight was a few feet lower and a host of different aromas filled her senses. The air seemed crisper. There was an urge to run, too, a desire to use the speed and power this new form had to offer.

But there was joy within her as well. Pandora and Willa had done it. Roxy tipped back her head, opened her throat and let out a growl of happiness.

She couldn’t wait to surprise Alex.

Nearly sixteen hours after leaving his house, Alex was home again. He hadn’t anticipated spending that long at the station, but since he’d had to do the paperwork for Jacob’s arrest, he’d decided to stay and had swapped shifts with Jenna.

The day, such as it was, had been long, but worth it. Jacob Cranberry had been taken care of and was on his way to the country jail. Alex was happy about that, but felt bad for his sister. Marissa had called and explained her side of things. How she’d quit working for Roxy because she’d worried her brother’s interest was too intense, and how he’d disappeared a few weeks ago after she’d begged him to leave Roxy alone.

Jacob had been determined to make Roxy his.

Fortunately, Alex had intervened. And now, best of all, Roxy was safe. A deep, primal part of him took great satisfaction in that.

He’d talked to Diego today too, and so far, his kid brother and Shanna were doing all right. That was good news. Alex wanted his brother to be happy. He also liked having his house to himself and the ability to have Roxy over whenever he liked.

He tossed his keys on the kitchen counter and smiled, then immediately wished he could see her. He thought about calling her to see how her night had been and if she wanted to come over, but she must have heard his car. She knew he was home.

She was probably wrapped up in her writing. That was good. He wanted her to get her book done. She put a lot of pressure on herself and while he understood, he didn’t want her to work so much that she never had time to relax and unwind.

Or maybe she wanted a little time to herself. After all, he’d been with her, keeping an eye on her, almost constantly since the day they’d met.

Could be that she needed a break. He grabbed a beer out of the fridge. He could understand wanting some alone time. He was tired, but he also knew he should use the afternoon to do some more studying. The sergeant’s exam was only two weeks away now and with everything going on with Roxy, studying had fallen to the wayside.

But the truth was, he’d hoped she’d be here. Or would maybe come over when he got home. Text, at least. But those were his expectations and he could be alone in thinking that the last week together had taken this relationship to a new place. A place where things felt more solid. More like they were a real couple. Because the reality was, he loved her. And he wanted to tell her that. But maybe she wasn’t ready. He turned to head to his bedroom and change.