CHAPTER FOUR
Being in shifter headquarters felt like nostalgia, but Robin tried to behave and remain silent as Simon began giving Dylan Masters the full mission report in his office. Dylan was a wolf shifter and the ultimate leader of all shifter clans, making him one of the most powerful men in the supernatural community. He used that power properly, never abusing it and always thinking of what was right for everyone—which, in Robin’s opinion, made him the leader their messy world needed.
She remembered how nervous she’d been when she’d first gone on a mission with him, where they tried to uncover a slavery business that involved the kidnapping of shifter children to sell them. It had been her first mission with Simon, too, and she remembered how the two of them protected and trusted her in turn, making her job of using her magic via altering appearances, attacks and healing easier. In that mission, she’d also met the coolest panther shifter she knew—a woman named Isabella, who eventually became Dylan’s mate and wife.
Dylan looked surprised to see her when Simon brought her in but didn’t make any complaints when she joined in on their meeting. In fact, after Simon’s report, Dylan then turned to her to ask for her take on things, then settled back to listen.
After she was done explaining her reason for following Simon and how she and Simon captured the witches, the leader nodded.
“Thank you for all your hard work. I appreciate the swift capture of these dealers. Unfortunately, we have a problem.”
Dylan then began to explain that while the enemies they captured were valuable, none of them were the charm creator—meaning whoever created it could still very well find a new ringleader and start the dealings all over again.
Robin raised a hand.
“Yes, Robin?”
“That’s not the only problem,” she said. Something was bothering her since she’d first spotted that woman, and she might as well say it. “I sensed something running in their blood other than witch. I could be wrong, but it felt…odd. And strong.”
Dylan gave her a considering look. “How strong?”
“I’m not sure. I’m also not sure what it is.”
The leader nodded. “I’ll have someone look into that.”
Simon stepped forward immediately. “Do you need me to work on that?”
To their surprise, Dylan shook his head. “No. I actually have a new mission for you that’s more urgent.” He glanced at Robin. “Would you be amenable to me talking to Red? I was hoping you could be part of this.”
Robin didn’t need to think it twice, already revved up for it. “Yes, please.”
This may be better than any travel plan.
*****
While Dylan tried to ask for permission from Red, Robin indulged herself by strolling the part of headquarters that she recognized, steering clear of the crowded areas where most of the shifters were located. While they weren’t her enemies, the energy they gave off could be kind of overwhelming, and Robin simply wasn’t in the mood for it.
Instead, she went for the east wing, where most of the non-shifters were housed. Robin knew there were others like her that the witch community lent and vice versa, though she hadn’t encountered any during her walk.
Footsteps sounded from behind, and Robin turned around in time to be engulfed by a warm, familiar embrace.
“I’m so glad to see you,” Isabella said, her voice soft and cheerful at the same time. Robin hugged her back briefly, not really used to touching other people but having gotten used to it with this woman. She stepped back, observing Dylan’s wife.
Five years hadn’t changed the fact that Isabella was still beautiful, with those killer blue eyes and that gorgeous smile she had. She looked…rounder and happier, and Robin realized why.
“You’re pregnant,” she blurted out before she could stop herself.
Isabella burst into laughter, and Robin felt her cheeks heat.
“Yes, I am. And you haven’t changed at all,” Isabella declared, taking her arm. “Have you eaten?”
Robin shook her head. As if on cue, her stomach grumbled. It was already well past four in the morning, and come to think of it, she hadn’t slept at all, either. She supposed she was too antsy over Red’s decision.
Isabella led her to the kitchens and chatted her up, and Robin felt at ease right away. There was some muttering about the men’s lack of courtesy for making her walk around instead of giving her a bed to sleep in, but Robin protested that she was totally okay—fine, maybe she was a little hungry.
When they arrived in the kitchen, they weren’t alone. They found Simon bent over the fridge and rummaging around. Robin had a moment to glance at his butt pointed in their direction, which looked firm and hard and…well, good in his tight jeans. She swallowed. Again, where was the lanky boy?
Simon straightened, and Robin’s gaze snapped up. He turned in their direction, his face lighting up.
“Hey, Iz,” he said. “What are you doing up so early?”
“Can’t sleep. Husband’s busy.”
Simon frowned. “You really should rest up. For the baby.”
Isabella rolled her eyes and smiled. “I’m good. Stop worrying.”
Simon turned to Robin, holding up a tray filled with milk, fruits, and a sandwich. “I was preparing these for you. Wanna eat here?”
Robin’s stomach grumbled again, much to her embarrassment. The three of them sat down on the kitchen island as Simon began to make two more sandwiches while Robin ate hers. She watched them interact—Simon talking a mile a minute and Isabella responding and listening, and it felt like an older sister indulging her younger brother. While she wasn’t part of their camaraderie, it didn’t feel awkward at all, and she found herself settling in and eating to her heart’s content until Isabella left them to finally get some rest.
“There is a room ready for you, but we have to wait for Dylan first,” Simon said, polishing his food with huge gulps of milk. Robin nodded, though she felt sleepiness seeping in bit by bit. Noticing it, Simon reached out across the counter and playfully slapped her back.
“Hey,” she grumbled, glaring at him.
Simon winked. “There’s the Robin I remember.” His gray eyes twinkled, then softened. “It’s good to have you back, you know. I miss us. I miss this.”
She wasn’t going to be caught dead admitting it, so she rolled her eyes. But she did miss it, too. She missed working with him, scarfing down food with him, arguing with him, hanging out with him. She missed him. “Can’t ride solo?”
He smirked. “Oh, I’m totally good with solo. I just miss your litany of complaints and whining.”
“Hey! You’re the one who keeps whining.”
Simon shrugged. “We were teenagers. Now we’re better.” He tilted his head. “So are you now the best witch in the world?”
“I wouldn’t say world,” she said. “But I’m better now.”
“And are you happy?”
She blinked. “Does it matter?”
Simon nodded solemnly. “It’s all that matters, Robin.”
She thought that over in her head as they went out the kitchen. Was she happy?
She didn’t really know. She was restless, yes, but she wasn’t unhappy, either.
Leave it to Simon to make her ponder too much for her own good.
*****
By the time five hit the clock, Dylan called them back in his office to announce that Red had given the go-signal and Robin could be part of this mission. A new shifter entered the meeting room: a brusque-looking, orange-haired young man named Jake Kismet, who was going to be their new tag-along. He looked like the quiet type, but Robin felt an energy inside him that indicated she could be wrong.
Dylan then told them of their mission: a very familiar one at that. Apparently, Lucy Marlow had been kidnapped once more—this time, by what they suspected was a royal family with illegal dealings with magic. The task of the three was to do some espionage work to see if their latest source was true, then to proceed from there with the rescue.
A determined look entered Simon’s face, and she knew he was already planning how to set up the espionage. He was good at that—no, actually, they were good at it together, and a tinge of excitement entered her at the thought of having to use brains and brawns all over again, along with her magic.
“Where’s this royal family?”
“Japan,” Dylan replied to Simon’s question.
Simon grinned. Unable to help it, Robin’s mouth quirked.
It looked like she was going to get that side vacation, after all.