Gunmetal Magic

my desk.

Oh sweet Jesus.

He replaced me.

He replaced me with a better version of me.

And he brought her to the office. To rub it in.

The planet snapped back into place with an agonizing crunch. I stood up, saw myself extend a hand, and heard myself say, “Good morning.”

“Rebecca.” The woman shook my hand.

I concentrated so I wouldn’t crush her finger bones into cartilage pancakes.

“I got your message,” Raphael said.

And I’ve got yours, loud and clear. Inside me, the other me, the one that grew claws and fangs, howled in helpless fury. She didn’t understand nuances. She understood only that the person who loved her and cared for her had betrayed her and now she hurt. He was mine. Mine! The other me screamed inside me, tearing at the walls to be let out.

I struggled to keep her in check, imposing logic over emotion. Moving on was one thing. Moving on I could understand. It would break my heart, but I would understand it. This was a giant “fuck you” spelled out in glowing letters.

I forced my mouth open. My voice sounded flat. “Please sit down.”

They sat. Behind them Ascanio stared at us, his jaw hanging down.

“Ascanio, would you mind getting our guests some coffee.”

“Black, please,” Raphael said, his voice pounding a sharp spike into me. “Cream and sugar separate.”

“I don’t drink coffee,” Rebecca informed us. “It stains your teeth.”

“Did you have any trouble with the cops?” I asked, my control so tight that if I let myself go a hair, I would snap.

He looked directly at me. “Just minor formalities. Did you have any trouble at the dig site?”

“None at all. Stefan helped me.”

“He’s a good man, Stefan.”

“Yes, he is. Who is your lovely associate?” I unleashed my best smile in Rebecca’s direction. Raphael leaned forward, sliding his left arm along the back of Rebecca’s chair, his body half turned to shield her. He recognized the smile—it was the kind that meant someone was about to get shot.

“I’m his fiancée,” Rebecca said.

Fiancée? Fiancée.

Raphael’s eyes widened a fraction. He hadn’t wanted me to know, but it was too late. She had let the cat out of the bag.

“How lovely,” I said, sweetness dripping from my voice. “I hadn’t heard the announcement.”

“We’re engaged to be engaged,” Rebecca said. “We’re waiting until the end of the physical year to officially announce.”

“You mean fiscal year?” Dear God, she was a moron.

“Yes, that’s what I meant.”

Raphael slid his hand over Rebecca’s fingers tipped with hot pink acrylic nails.

I closed my eyes for a long second. “Congratulations to the happy couple.”

“Thank you,” Rebecca said.

Raphael toyed with a lock of her hair.

That did it.

“I see you’ve upgraded to the deluxe model,” I said. “Must’ve set you back quite a bit.”

“Worth every penny,” he said.

“You always had expensive tastes.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” He shrugged his muscular shoulders. “I’ve been known to slum on occasion.”

I will kill you. I will hurt you, you wretched bastard. “Be careful with that. Sometimes slumming can be dangerous for you.”

“I can take care of myself,” he said and winked at me.

“What are you talking about?” Rebecca asked.

“My car, doll.” Raphael picked up her hand.

No. No, he wouldn’t.

He kissed her fingers.

Every nerve in my body burst on fire.

“You seem like such a well-matched couple.” I smiled at them. “Physically and intellectually. Rebecca is so stunning.”

“Don’t forget loyal,” Raphael said. “And loving.”

So is a dog. “I’m sure your mother is simply delighted with you both.”

A muscle in Raphael’s face jerked. My goodness gracious, I’d hit a sore spot. Aunt B, his mother and the head of Clan Bouda, was a legend. Boudas were wild, and she ruled them with sweet smiles and razor-sharp claws. One look at Rebecca and Aunt B would have an instant apoplexy.

Raphael’s eyebrows furrowed. “My mother’s approval isn’t necessary.”

Aha. “Does she know that?”

Ascanio approached, carrying a coffee mug on a platter, with a small jar of sugar and a cup of cream.

“She is a terrible woman,” Rebecca said.

Ascanio froze.

I stared at Raphael. Are you going to let it slide? Honestly? Aunt B was his mother, but she was also his alpha, and Ascanio was a member of the clan.

Raphael leaned toward Rebecca, his voice intimate but firm like steel wrapped in velvet. “Sweetheart, never insult my mother in public.”

“She insults me. And you don’t do anything about it.”

Ascanio focused on Raphael, waiting for a cue. Aunt B ruled the clan, but Raphael was the male alpha.

Raphael leveled a warning stare at Rebecca, but it had no effect.

“She’s rude and spiteful—”

Ascanio picked up the jar of sugar and emptied it over Rebecca’s head. The white powder spilled over her hair and dress.

She gasped and jumped off the chair.

“Oh no!” I opened my eyes wide. “I’m so sorry. Teenage boys are such a clumsy lot.”

“Raf!”

Raf? What was he, her poodle?

“Why don’t you go outside and wait for me in the car,” Raphael said.

“But—”

“Go outside, Rebecca.”

She marched out of the office, pouting. Raphael’s eyes sparked with a deep ruby glow. He looked at Ascanio, as if deciding what he should do about him. The boy ducked his head and said nothing, his gaze firmly affixed to the floor.

Ascanio was a talented young shapeshifter, but I had fought beside Raphael. He could go through a room full of Ascanios in seconds and leave none of them alive.

“Ascanio,” I sunk so much quiet menace into the word, the boy froze, as if petrified. “Did your alpha look like he needed help?”

Ascanio’s voice was clipped. “No, ma’am.”

“Go outside and wait until I come to get you.”

Ascanio opened his mouth.

“Outside. Stay in the back lot. Don’t speak to Rebecca.”

He clamped his jaw shut and took off. A moment later the back door closed.

Raphael had shattered my heart into tiny little shards and they were hurting me. Never in all of our time together had he so much as mentioned engagement. And now he had found a pretty, empty-headed idiot and he