He released his embrace slightly, his worried eyes softening a little. “Sorry.” He looked me over. “You okay?”
I nodded.
Daisy, head resting on her paws, wagged her bushy tail, dusting the face of the wincing man behind her. She growled, though she stayed low. Ooh. Let me at them. I’ll bite their knees right off.
I raised my brows. Quite the threat, though I appreciated having her at my back.
Madeline rolled onto her side, head propped up on her hand as though lounging at the beach. “Did you see who fired the spell?”
I nodded and pushed to my hands and knees. “Ludolf’s lackeys.” Most of the crowd made their way back to standing, now that the cretins who’d fired at Sam had taken off. Peter helped me up, and I spoke in a low voice to him and Madeline.
“I should’ve guessed. While Ludolf wants to find a cure for his own ‘shifterism’—his word”—I rolled my eyes—“he certainly doesn’t want discrimination against shifters to end. He benefits from being the only one shifters can turn to. He’s the police, the banks, and the government.”
I gestured toward the smoking debris that had until recently been the stage. “Of course Ludolf wants to stop Sam Snakeman and all the change he’s fighting for on the island. If Sam succeeded and shifters got more equal rights, Ludolf would be unnecessary and lose his power.”
Madeline raised her brows. “Pretty diabolical.” She nodded. “Sounds like Mr. Caterwaul.” She wiggled her brows. “Did I mention I’m close to publishing my exposé on him and the shifter underground?” She grinned. “It’s going to blow people’s minds.”
I didn’t doubt that. I looked past Madeline to the royal grounds behind the gate. Palace guards jogged beside a group that included the prince, his red-haired princess, and Maple, the former head baker who’d hired Sam.
I rose on my toes and squinted. It was tough to tell in the dark and with the distance, but I didn’t spot Sam Snakeman among them. I sank back down, and my stomach tightened. I hoped he’d ducked in time and was okay.
Madeline L’Orange stood beside me and followed my gaze. She threw an arm around my shoulders. “Sorry, Jo. There’s no way we’re getting into the palace. Security’s going to be at an all-time high.”
I huffed and nibbled at the inside of my cheek. This was the second time I’d missed out on an opportunity to go to the royals about Ludolf. And now Ludolf had tried to hurt Sam. I spun to face Madeline.
“I just foiled an assassination attempt by Ludolf.” I raised my brows. “I think that earns me brownie points. Plus, don’t you think the prince and princess will want to know who attacked their friend?”
Peter drew his wand and stood close to my side as the crowd broke into chaos. Protestors tried to flee and crashed into anti-protestors. Shouts sounded all around us, and Peter leaned close. “This is getting out of control. I’ll try to help you get into the palace grounds, but then Daisy and I need to help restore order.”
I frowned, my stomach tight with worry for him. “Okay, but I’ll never forgive you if anything happens to you.”
His lips twitched toward a grin. “Understandable.” He slid his hand around my cheek and pulled me into a deep, passionate kiss. When he leaned away, the world spun a little.
Daisy huffed. When I glanced down at her, she shot me a flat look and growled. You two and the PDA.
I returned the look and leaned down, growling back. This from a gal who I saw, with my own two eyes, poop on a crowded sidewalk last week.
Daisy’s hackles rose, and she barked. Because you and Peter slept in so late! I couldn’t wait any longer and—
But Peter just took my hand, ruffled Daisy’s head, and flashed his eyes. “Ready? Follow me.”
We dashed toward the gates. Madeline said something in her photographer’s ear, then sprinted after us, leaving the guy behind.
“So—what’s the—plan?” she huffed as she sprinted beside us.
I shrugged at her. No idea, but at least Peter seemed to have something in mind. He slid to a sudden stop as rallygoers flooded past us. “You two wait nearby. I’ll create a distraction, tell them I need help breaking up a fight, then you can slip past.”
It was a good plan and hardly a lie. Fights were breaking out all around us in the panic. We hung back as Peter and Daisy dashed toward the gates and the two royal guards stationed in front of them, their golden lances crossed. Peter flashed his badge, then pointed to the left. One of the guards nodded and followed him and Daisy. Peter paused and turned back, motioning for the other guard to follow, but he held his ground, just widening his stance.
Madeline smirked. “His plan half worked.” She winked at me. “C’mon. I think I can get us the rest of the way.”
Peter shot me a wide-eyed look, but I waved him on. He and Daisy could take care of restoring peace and order—leave the breaking and entering to the pet psychic and the intrepid reporter. After another moment of hesitation, Peter nodded, then led the way toward a skirmish, with Daisy and the palace guard on his heels.
Madeline sauntered up beside the remaining guard. “Hey, handsome.”
The square-jawed guy glared at her, then his face suddenly relaxed. “Maddie.” His lips split into a mischievous grin. “Wow. I haven’t seen you since—”
She batted her lashes. “The night of the luau.” She dropped her gaze, then trailed them up his body, over the gold-plated armor to his helmet. “I couldn’t get you out of my head.” She glanced over her shoulder at me and muttered out of the corner of
