Flipping the Bird (Shift Creek #1) - Carrie Pulkinen Page 0,18
happened so fast. I was trying to save you from her. I didn’t mean to slide into her shirt. It was so crazy, I don’t even remember it all.” He shoved an entire grape into his mouth, his cheeks puffing out as he stared out the window.
“And you’re certain the crow she turned me into wasn’t the same crow you tried to have for dinner last night?”
It took a few minutes for the mongoose to chew the grape, but he finally swallowed and wiped his paws down his face. “The crow she turned you into had a patch of white feathers beneath its wing. I didn’t see anything but black feathers on the one last night.”
“If she has the amulet, and I can convince her to return it, my problems will be solved.”
“She doesn’t have it, boss. Even if she did, she wouldn’t know how to use it. It’s not like it came with an instruction manual.” He tilted his head. “Or did it?”
“No, it did not, but if she’d had time to research it… I suppose it’s possible she figured it out and was trying to steal my magic, and since I have none available to steal, she somehow gave me hers.”
“Seriously?” Marty scoffed. “That’s a stretch.”
Donovan fisted his hands. “You’re right. Alice doesn’t seem like the menacing type. I can’t imagine such a gentle creature trying to take another person’s magic. She’s far too kind.”
Marty narrowed his eyes. “How can you be so sure of her character when you’ve known her all of fifteen minutes?”
He flattened his palms on the table. “I can’t explain it, but it feels like I’ve known her my entire life.”
Marty took a bite of jerky and spoke around the beef in his mouth. “That’s ridiculous.”
Two days ago, Donovan would have agreed. But the moment he saw the alluring crow shifter, something inside him changed, and he couldn’t wait to explore it. “Perhaps she activated the amulet accidentally.”
“She doesn’t have it, boss. For real.”
He sighed. “No, I suppose not. The artifact requires vocalization of intent for the magic to initiate. Why on earth would she say I could have her crow?”
“She wouldn’t.” Marty crawled across the table and rested a paw on Donovan’s hand. “The amulet is gone, boss. It’s time for plan B.”
Donovan nodded. His hope that Alice might have the amulet dissolved, but he wouldn’t give up without a fight. “I must find another artifact.”
Alice set her purse on the grass. She’d tucked the amulet inside so she could talk to Megan about “flipping her the bird” without accidentally flipping before she was ready. Honestly, she had no idea how the amulet worked, but she didn’t want to take chances with her best friend. Flying could be tricky, especially for someone without it in their blood.
“You’ll feel resistance from the air when you flap your wings. Use that to gain lift.”
“When I flap your wings.” Megan shook her arms, rolling her shoulders as if getting ready to exercise.
“That’s what I said.”
“No, you said when I flap my wings. It’ll be my mind inside your crow, so they’re still your wings.”
Alice shook her head. “I’m starting to think the one-fingered bird is all you deserve. You really are impossible.”
“I’m sorry. Please flip me the real bird.” She batted her lashes. “You know you love me.”
Alice sighed and mumbled, “Impossible.”
Megan flapped her arms. “Like this?”
“It’ll feel different with wings. Make sure you flap both evenly, or you’ll end up like Donovan and take a nosedive.” Alice grinned. Where would he be taking her for dinner tomorrow? He was from out of town, so he wouldn’t know his way around. Hopefully he wouldn’t suggest her parents’ place.
She chewed the inside of her cheek, her stomach sinking. He probably would, seeing as how it was the only restaurant with table service in town. Her mother’s prying gaze would bore into her back all night if they went there…
“Earth to Alice.” Megan waved a hand in front of her face, drawing her from her thoughts. “Are we doing this or not?”
“Sorry. I got lost in my mind for a minute there.” She tugged the necklace from her purse.
“Thoughts of a rich, handsome stranger, I suppose?”
“He’s technically not a stranger anymore. He had my crow. That’s very intimate, if you think about it.” He’d had a part of her essence. He’d been a part of her.
“Friendly intimate, right?” Megan’s lip curled. “Not like sexual intimate? Because I love you, but not like that.”
She rolled her eyes and slipped