you fly with wet feathers?”
“Yes, but—”
“Fly away. I’ll handle the game warden.”
“Are you sure?” She crossed her arms over her chest as if she could hide her nakedness. What was she thinking jumping into the creek in broad daylight wearing nothing but her birthday suit?
That she was going to get lucky. That was what.
“He’s only human,” Donovan whispered, “and I’m not doing anything wrong.”
“I don’t want you to take all the heat, but I seriously can’t go to jail.”
“I’m not naked, so there’ll be no heat. Go.” He glanced over his shoulder at the officer and gestured with his hands for her to leave.
“Thank you.” She shifted, splashing with her wings in the creek until Donovan gave her a boost and she caught wind. She flapped hard, raining droplets across the surface of the water as she made her way to a nearby tree to land on a branch.
Donovan turned to the game warden as he approached and lifted a hand to wave. “Good afternoon, Officer.”
From her spot in the tree, Alice could just make out the man’s name tag, which read Carter.
Officer Carter stopped by their picnic, tracing his gaze over the folded blanket—thank goodness she’d hidden the evidence—before eyeing Donovan’s wet shirt and shoes on the bank. “Where’s the woman who was here?”
Donovan furrowed his brow. “There’s no woman here. I’m alone.”
Carter cast his gaze upstream and down before removing his sunglasses. “I heard a woman’s voice.”
“Perhaps it was the wind through the trees? I assure you I’ve been alone since I arrived.”
“Hmph,” Carter grunted. “You’re having a picnic alone, all the way out here at the springs?”
Donovan lifted his hands. “What can I say? I heard it was a magical place, and I wanted to check it out for myself to see if it lives up to its reputation.”
“Don’t tell me you believe in that BS warlock story the townsfolk made up. It’s a crock of horse manure.” He tucked his glasses into his shirt pocket and rested his hands on his hips.
Donovan waded toward the shore. “Actually, I do. You see, I’m a warlock myself.”
Holy heck! What did he think he was doing? Surely he had a plan and wasn’t outing himself to this mundy. The supes of Shift Creek worked hard to keep their magic a secret.
“Oh yeah?” Carter laughed, unimpressed. “If you’re a warlock, show me a magic trick.”
Donovan glanced up at Alice in the tree, and she cawed, flapping her wings. She really wanted to yell, “Don’t be crazy!” but in her crow form, she did the best she could.
“Sadly, I can’t.” He held her gaze, and she sighed with relief.
He returned his attention to the game warden. “I was born with my magic locked. I came to Shift Creek hoping the magical properties would heal my broken powers, and I could be the warlock I was always meant to be. Alas, my plan didn’t work. I’m afraid your creek doesn’t recognize my locked magic, and it’s done nothing to fix my problem.”
This time Carter’s laugh was genuine. “Good one.” He returned his sunglasses to his face. “Don’t leave any trash behind. Littering is illegal.”
“No worries, Officer. I won’t mess with Texas.” He looked up at Alice, and she expected a wink or a smile, but he kept in character until the game warden walked away. Then, he climbed out of the creek, slipped on his shoes, and gathered up Alice’s clothes along with the picnic.
She flew ahead, landing on the roof of his Audi as the officer climbed into his SUV and drove away.
Donovan didn’t say a word as he opened the passenger door and laid her clothes on the console before strolling around to the driver’s side and getting in. Alice dove into the car and shifted to human, slamming the door and sliding down in the seat to wiggle into her clothes.
“That was classic.” She laughed as she pulled her shirt over her head and brushed her hair out of her face. “The way you made up that story on the fly about being a warlock without powers was impressive. You seemed so sincere, I almost believed you.”
He started the car and pulled onto the road. “What if it wasn’t a story? What if it were true?”
She laughed again. “That would be something.”
“Indeed it would.”
She rested her hand on his thigh. “Thanks for saving my hide back there. I appreciate it.”
He shrugged. “It was nothing.”
“No, I mean it.” She cupped his cheek in her hand, gliding her thumb along his