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was lightly tanned, a healthy tan that only the sun could give. The breeze sent her shoulder-length auburn hair billowing, and she raised a small hand to tuck it behind her ear. Her rich amber eyes met mine and there was a moment of acknowledgment. Her chest rose and fell as she drew a long breath. I watched as her nostrils flared slightly, and her full lips parted. She tasted my scent on the air.
    Those lips curved into a seductive smile and she inclined her head, as if to say, "I know what you are," but neither of us needed words. I stood there for a moment and then slowly inclined my own.
    The door opening startled me and I turned to find June about to run me over.
    "Well, finally you return," she grumbled, "just as I was about to lock up."
    "I need to grab something before you do," I said. I sprinted up the stairs and down the hallway to my office. I unlocked the door and went to my desk, opened the bottom drawer, and took out the Pro .40. I tucked it at the small of my back, pulling my blouse down over it. I made sure that the coat covered the bulk.
    June was waiting at the door with an impatient look on her face. "Hurry up," she said. "I've got to get home and get dinner started."
    I decided to be polite, instead of reminding her who signed her checks. "Sorry, June. I'll see you Wednesday."

    She waved me off. "Yeah, yeah. I'll see you then."
    I shook my head. People thought I was rude? Obviously, they hadn't met my secretary.
    That trace of earth and pine still rode the wind, letting me know that the she wolf was still close by. I resisted the urge to draw my gun and focused on getting to the car.
    I was almost to the car when a woman's voice stopped me in my tracks.
    "Are you Kassandra Lyall?"
    I spun on my heel to face her, drawing the Pro .40, clicking off the safety, and hoisting it in a two-handed grip. I looked down the sights, barrel aimed at her forehead. Her eyes widened.
    "Why?" I asked as a strange sense of calm filled me.
    "Because if you are," she took a brave step forward, "then I need to talk to you. Please," she said, eyes meeting mine over the gun, "I swear, I give you my most solemn oath that I mean you no harm."
    I tried to sense a threat coming off her, and didn't. I had to admit that I was curious as to how she knew my name. There was no Kassandra in Lyall Preternatural Investigations. She had to have figured it out by other means. Call me foolish, but I wanted to know those means. Here's to hoping that phrase about curiosity only applied to cats, not werewolves.
    I clicked on the safety and slid the gun into the back of my pants.
    "What do you need to talk to me about?"
    Her gaze darted around the empty parking lot. "I'd prefer somewhere more private."
    *
    The Corner Café was a little coffeehouse and bakery a few blocks away from my office. The lighting was dim, as if the atmosphere was supposed to be romantic. It was clean and well kept, despite being the ideal place for high school kids to bring their dates. Then again, I wasn't feeling under the table for gum. The food was reasonably priced, too. There weren't very many customers. Even if there had been, the high backed booths gave the illusion of privacy, which was one of the reasons I liked it.
    I found a seat in the far corner so I could watch the doors. It was quiet, with most of the noise coming from the employees doing their various tasks. Keeping my eyes on the front doors, I tore off a piece of croissant and popped it into my mouth.

    She must've walked. If I had known her I might've offered her a ride. As it was, I didn't, and I'm not that generous toward strangers, especially when they could probably match me in supernatural strength.
    I caught sight of a canary yellow sweater and leaned back, waiting. She slipped into the seat across from me.
    "I apologize if I've made you go out of your way, but it was important that I speak to you where no one would see us."
    I swallowed. "It's not that far out of the way." I motioned toward my