“What plan? There is no plan. We can’t take on two aufhockers. They can’t be killed.”
“Everything can be killed,” Mack said with a voice that chilled Jude. “We just have to find a way.”
Jude bit his lip. “It might be better to call the Coven.”
“The Coven sent you to deal with this.”
Jude winced. He couldn’t hide the truth any longer, not if he wanted to live. Living was more important than magic. “This is a test, and I’m sure they want me to fail.” He could feel Mack’s gaze drilling into him. “I have to prove I can protect the paranormal community and not just put it in danger.”
“What do you mean?” Mack said through clenched teeth.
“I mean I’m a fuck up. I’ve put people in danger because I can’t control my magic. I hurt you. Look at your hands.”
“I don’t think the shock you gave me did this. What do you mean they want you to fail, and if you do, then what?”
“Then they strip my magic. They make me human. If I don’t have magic, you’ll be free.” He deliberately kept his on gaze the road. “You won’t have to petition the Coven.” The first house came into view, then they were on the main street.
“Get your things from the motel, then we’ll go to my place. I don’t think splitting up is a good idea. Two of them and two of us.”
“You still want to help?”
“I don’t want those things intruding on my town, and I don’t think you deserve to have your magic stripped. So we’ll find a way to kill those things. Although you might have to do the typing.” Mack flexed his claws. They glinted in the streetlights.
Jude was never what he’d have called an animal person. Cat’s shed and dogs…were…well, doggy. He had no idea what bears were, but they were not pets. Those claws would tear through him like a fork through raw mince, though the cinnamon-brown fur that covered those clawed dinner plates was a rather fetching shade. However, he didn’t think Mack would appreciate the compliment right now.
Jude pulled into the motel and parked out the front of his room. “Um, I’ll only be a few minutes.”
“Minutes? People can’t see me like this.”
“I have to empty the wardrobe.” He hadn’t thought he’d be leaving the motel in a hurry.
“Of course you do.” Mack didn’t sound impressed.
Jude glanced at Mack’s paws. If someone he knew came by, things would get awkward. And Jude was sure that people would recognize the truck. “I’ll just get a change and sort the rest out tomorrow.”
Mack grew his lips back into something close to a smile. “Good thinking.”
Jude figured he had sixty seconds before Mack slid into the driver’s seat and tried to drive home with paws. He got out and didn’t waste a single second, throwing a change of clothes and his toiletries into his bag. When he came out, the truck was still there, and the engine was still running. Mack’s face had lost the edge, and he stared at his lap, and most likely what should be his hands, with naked panic.
Jude’s confidence faltered.
Then Mack glanced up, and the mask returned. Jade tried to paste on a smile and a go-get-’em attitude. He didn’t convince himself. They were fucked.
He got into the truck and pulled out of the lot. “Are you okay?”
“Dandy. I was trying to get my hands back.”
That clearly hadn’t worked. “Nothing else has shifted?”
Mack didn’t answer him. “Turn left up here. Keep going until you pass the blue barn then hang a right. It’s the white house with the red letterbox. You can’t miss it.”
That was because the letterbox had been created from the rear end of what had once been a red VW beetle.
Jude pulled into the driveway and parked. So this was where Mack lived, and somehow he’d agreed to stay the night. He glanced at Mack’s paws. He’d never wanted to be touched less.
They got out without a word. Jude locked the truck and unlocked the house for Mack.
Mack’s annoyance shimmered off him. “I’m going to have a shower and try to fix this.”
“Do you need a hand?” Jude asked even though he had no idea what kind of help Mack would need.
“Do I look like I’m five?” He stomped upstairs.
Jude locked the door and drew the curtains. He put his bag in the sitting room. There were pictures on the walls of what Jude guessed were Mack’s parents and a much younger Mack. This was Mack’s parents’ house. Not his. That explained the floral print sofa.
“Can you come up here?” Mack called, the snarl still in his words. “Please.”
Jude jogged up the stairs. Mack’s shirt was ripped, and it was clear he’d had a go at the belt.
“Do not say anything,” Mack growled. The bear in him was close to the surface, his eyes catching light and flashing copper.
Jude carefully undid the rest of the buttons before helping him out of what was left of his shirt. The undershirt came off next. Despite Mack’s paws and the thick hair that extended up to Mack’s elbows, Jude’s heart did a little tumble of excitement. He wanted to let his fingers linger over the contours of Mack’s abs. His knuckles may have grazed Mack’s belly as he undid the belt and button on Mack’s jeans—much like he’d done that morning. His tongue darted over his lip, and he made the mistake of looking up and catching Mack’s gaze.
“I’m showering alone.”
“I didn’t say anything.” His voice betrayed him. Mack knew what he’d been thinking.
“You didn’t need to.” Mack lifted a paw.
Jude stepped back, and the moment fractured like a mirror under a boot.
“I can do the rest.” He dragged the zipper on his fly down with a claw to prove the point.
Jude wasn’t brave enough to ask how he was going to unlace his boots.
Mack shut the bathroom door. It was a few breaths before he turned on the light. He
