“I agree,” Austin said, his gaze flickering over to Janet’s. “We do need to talk to each other.”
“In the meantime, let’s have tea!” Eloise closed up the shop, flipping the sign over and clicking over the lock. “Since everyone is coming over why don’t we head into the apartment. I’ll put the kettle on.”
Austin stepped alongside Janet as they all piled through the doorway. “What are you doing here?” he asked with genuine curiosity.
“Lisa invited me. We were having coffee and Eloise called her. What’s going on?”
Austin shuffled his feet. “It’s shifter stuff. You don’t have to stay.”
Janet stiffened. “I’d like to stay if it’s all the same. The more I know about what’s going on, the better I’ll be able to take care of them.”
“Come along. Come along,” Eloise chirped gesturing everyone through the kitchenette. “Ah, there they are.” She quickly opened the door once more to let in Chase, Cindy, and Max. The six of them followed Eloise into her quaint apartment at the other end of the kitchenette. Eloise popped back and forth, inviting everyone to sit as she prepared a large tray filled with tea cups. Janet watched the procedure with great curiosity as their hostess fluttered around like an exotic butterfly.
“Now,” Eloise said, clapping her hands together, once everyone had gotten settled and tea had been served. “I understand there will be a gathering soon. Is that right Max? Out at your place?”
“That’s correct,” he nodded.
“I’m sure you understand I won’t be able to be there,” Eloise said. “I don’t leave this place. However, I would like to communicate to all of you just how important it is that you speak to each other. It is my greatest joy and frustration that I carry the hub of Burning Falls. As such, I am bound by duty that I cannot say certain things to certain people.”
“What is she talking about?” Janet whispered leaning over to Lisa.
“She has agoraphobia,” Lisa said in a hushed voice. “She never leaves this place.”
“Not ever?”
“For as long as I can remember.”
Eloise continued. “If I could, I would have everyone come here so we could all speak freely with one another, but alas. The income of a poor shop girl in Burning Falls can only afford so much space. But I wanted to speak with you at least, while I can.” She glanced back and forth from Max to Chase. “The two of you especially.”
“What about the rest of us?” Lisa asked. Janet sensed some hidden meaning behind her question.
“Lisa, I’d like for you to share with everyone the purpose of your being here in Burning Falls.”
Lisa chuckled just a bit, nervous. “What do you mean? I’m the head librarian and town historian.”
“That’s not what I mean, Lisa,” Eloise said kindly. “Tell them about the talismans.”
Lisa took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Everyone in the room looked at her waiting for a response. “Okay fine,” she said at last. “The talisman are connected to the Fae.”
“The Fae?” Chase exclaimed. “How long have you known this?”
“It’s the reason I was assigned to Burning Falls. We knew about the vortex. I’m supposed to be the guardian of the amulets, but it’s been a bit of a challenge finding them all.”
“Hold on, hold on,” Janet interjected. “When you say ‘fae’, what are you talking about? You can’t mean--”
“Yep,” Lisa replied. “I mean fairies.”
“Like, fairies-fairies?”
Lisa glanced her way. “Yes. Actual fairies. They’ve been present in a number of cultures since the beginning of history. My people have been connected to the Fae for generations, and my own bloodline is strongly connected. Therefore it is my birthright to find the amulets and ensure their safe keeping. The amulets were created to encourage the tribes, to teach the various peoples how to harness and tap into their own inner strength. The amulets are connected to the blood of the people. I believe the people who have been harassing us are looking for them as well.”
“What do they do though?” Janet asked. “These amulets. What’s their purpose?”
“In the ancient times, shifters and other magic carriers did not have to hide. My people have an oral history passing down the stories of shifters and fairies in our world. When the world moved on, that knowledge was lost. As time passed, our kind became persecuted. We had to go underground. The talismans were created as a reminder of that lost knowledge.”
“Just like my Horus,” Eloise said.
“Yes. Perhaps,” Lisa replied.
Chase who had been listening carefully, interjected. “Austin you should tell them about the lock boxes.”
As the others spoke, Janet slowly realized she had stepped into a whole different world than even she knew. She glanced at Eloise who had an expression of satisfaction on her face. Obviously, there were some deeper politics within the town. If she stayed, she would certainly need to learn to navigate it. She was part of this world now, whether she liked it or not.
Austin’s eyes on her felt like fire, watching her from across the room. She felt as if he were reading her reaction to all of this. Returning his gaze, she realized something rather profound in that moment. Back when she first learned about shifters, she thought her mind had been expanded beyond her understanding. Now she was faced with the reality of fairies.
Seeing Austin, she wanted nothing more than to curl up under his arm and feel the warmth of his body. Janet felt herself floating, drifting, turning like a paper bag caught in an errant breeze. Austin could be the rock which holds her in place, something she desperately craved. In that moment she made a decision. She decided she would speak with him the first chance she had.
Chapter Thirteen
The van parked outside of Austin’s house looked familiar. Janet did not realize where she had seen it before until it was too late. She spotted Mrs. Haymaker standing on the porch as if she had just arrived moments earlier. In fact, she had. Janet hurried out of the passenger seat of Austin’s car before Mrs. Haymaker could have a chance to make any assumptions.
“Good afternoon,” she called trotting up the walkway. “Is it time for an evaluation already?”
“Not officially, Miss Noble. I wanted to speak with you. There’s been some changes at the agency.”
“Actually, I’m glad you’re here,” Janet said. She glanced back toward Austin standing next to the car, watching them. Janet lowered her voice, even though he knew he could not hear them at that distant. “I wanted to speak with you as well. I haven’t told anyone here yet, but I’ve made a decision about my post.”
“What is it dear?”
“Just a moment.” Janet turned back to Austin. “Did you want to go pick up the kids at Alex’s?”
“Yeah. I’ll do that,” he said. “Everything alright here?”
“Of course,” Janet replied. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
His eyes flicked back and forth between the two of them, hesitating before he returned to his car. Janet watched the car as he pulled away. Her heart felt heavy. She returned her attention back to Mrs. Haymaker.
“Won’t you come inside?”
Janet felt grateful that the house had been left in a state of cleanliness before now. Mrs. Haymaker stepped through the door, immediately beginning an impromptu inspection, running her fingertip over the surface of the mantel. “What was it you wanted to speak with me about?” Mrs. Haymaker asked finally.
“I’ve decided to resign this post,” Janet said quickly before she changed her mind.
“Oh, I see.” The woman folded her hands in front of her.
“Yes. Of course, I’ll stay until arrangements can be made for another caregiver to take my place. But I think it is best for everyone if I no longer work here.”
“Have they been unkind to you, my dear?”
“No, no. It’s not that. Not at all.”
“Are the children spoiled, perhaps?”
“Again, no. The chil
dren are delightful.”
“Then what is it, Miss Noble?” Mrs. Haymaker appeared nearly maternal the way she spoke to her.
“I…” Now that it came down to it, Janet wondered if she could go through with it. “I just believe that since I’m not a shifter, I should find a different place. These children need a caregiver who understands their needs on a more intrinsic level. I don’t know if I’m that person.”
“Miss Noble, are you in love with him?”
Janet paced the floor, avoiding the woman’s gaze. “I don’t know,” she murmured after several seconds. “That’s just it. I don’t know!”
“It’s alright, child,” Mrs. Haymaker responded. She spoke softly, which took Janet by surprise. “It’s alright. You are not the first non-shifter to work for us. I’ve seen this before.”
Janet paused, turning her gaze to the woman. “Seen what before?”
“Being a non-shifter, and working in close proximity with shifters, it can be… intoxicating in a way.”
“Intoxicating, how?” Janet felt a knot forming in her stomach.
“Oh my dear. Shifters have a, how do you say, charisma which ordinary humans do not. It is a combination of pheromones and animal magnetism which can quickly draw in the unprepared.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Perhaps it is best for us to reassign you. I think you may need to have some time to free yourself of whatever you think has happened here.”
Her words stung a bit, but Janet knew they held some truth. Perhaps she was under some delusion about what happened between her and Austin. Perhaps he sensed this pull he had on her and took advantage of the situation. She looked at the expression on Mrs. Haymaker’s face. This woman, who had most likely been a shifter for years, who knew the ropes. Perhaps this woman had tried to warn her back when she first came to the agency. She had known it wouldn’t work, a regular human trying to fit into the world of shifters. How could I have been so naive, Janet thought.
“I should go then,” she said.
“Yes, perhaps so,” Mrs. Haymaker said. “I’ll call the agency and arrange for someone to come straight away.”
“Yes, of course.” Janet picked up her purse. “I’ll gather my things.” It only took her about twenty minutes to throw her belongings into her suitcase once she got out to the carriage house. Mrs. Haymaker promised to wait for her out in the van and drive her back to the city. Janet zipped up her suitcase, her gaze landing on the book lying on the nightstand. The corner of the photograph poked out from the back cover where she had tucked it away. In that moment, she felt a strong sympathy for the woman in the photograph, who chose to leave her children rather than risk harming them. Janet picked up her suitcase and walked out the door.
* * * *
When Austin left the house to pick up the children, he did not like the expression on Janet’s face. He had a strong feeling that the presence of the woman from the agency could not be good. He wanted to get the kids and get back as quickly as possible, so he could speak with Janet. The children were happy to see him, when he arrived at Alex’s. They ran to him, clutching at his waist and nearly knocking him over.
“Whoa, whoa. Okay guy, I’m here,” he said.
Alex stood at the door with her arms crossed and a blatant smirk on her face. “How’s it going, Jailbird?” she chided.
Austin shook his head, gesturing to his children. “Not now, Alex.”
“Fair enough,” she said. “But you know you’re never going to live this one down.”
“We’ll see.” He piled Bonnie and Dillon into the backseat. “Thanks for your help.”
“Anytime, Austin. They’re great kids, you know.”
“Yeah. I know.”
As they drove back to his house, he felt a growing sense of dread. Perhaps the day’s events were catching up to him. He glanced at his kids through the rearview mirror. Bonnie sat watching the houses pass by. Dillon moved his lips in a silent little story which he sometimes told himself. Maybe they were ready, he wondered. Maybe he needed to tell them the truth about why their mother left.
They pulled up to the house, and he noticed right away the van had left. Not until he opened the front door did he realize Janet had left. She had left a note on the coffee table.
“Hey guys,” he said to the children. “Why don’t the two of you go get ready for dinner. Maybe we’ll do pizza.”
“Yay!” They both cheered and trotted up the stairs, allowing him a moment of quiet. He opened the letter.
Austin,
Please accept my resignation from my assignment at your home effective immediately. I have come to the decision that as a non-shifter it is unwise for me to continue. I am not coming to this choice lightly, as my desire is above all, for the good of the children. My heart is with them always.
-Janet
He folded the letter, placing it carefully into the table drawer. He knew the children would not look for it. Bonnie made her way back down the stairs.
“Dad, where’s Janet?” she asked almost as if reading his mind.
“She, um…” He searched his mind for something to tell her. “She had to go.”
“Will she be coming back?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart. She just had to take care of some things in the city for the evening.”
“Hm.” Bonnie scrunched up her nose giving him a side glance. “You know, Dad. You can tell me stuff. I’m not a toddler anymore.”
Dillon appeared down the stairs, stepping up next to his sister with a plaintive look on his face. Austin made a decision. “Okay you two, why don’t you two sit down, I’d like to tell you some things. We’ll go out for ice cream after dinner though, okay?”
The children piled onto the couch, both of them looking at him expectantly. Austin felt as if Bonnie were seeing right through him. Dillon scooted close to his sister for comfort. Austin took a seat in the chair across from them.
“Okay kids. I know I’ve never really spoken about your mother. I think I’d like to talk about her now. Is that okay?”
They both nodded, their eyes going wide, especially Dillon. Bonnie took his hand gently, as if to communicate to him her protective nature.
“The reason your mother left was to keep you both safe. She had something… there was something about her that she thought would be a danger to both of you. That’s the only reason she left. She felt it was the best way to keep the two of you safe.”
“What was it?” Bonnie asked.
“What was what, sweetheart?” Austin replied.
“The thing about her. What was it?”
He took a deep breath. “Okay, fair enough. Listen, I want you both to understand what I am about to tell you will change how you see the world.”
“Dad,” Dillon said this time. “We’re not babies.”
Austin could not help but to chuckle. “Okay fine. No putting it off now. Ultimately, I’ve failed you two. I thought hiding the truth about your mother would protect you from the pain of not having her here. The truth is… Okay, so remember that cartoon where the kids try to figure out the mysteries at the carnivals or whatever?”
“The one with the dog?” Dillon asked.
“Yes, I think so. So remember that episode where the man turned into a wolf?”
Bonnie spoke up. “That was a werewolf, Dad. And besides, it turned out to be the carnival man wearing a costume.”
“Yes, in the show it was pretend, but in our world it’s not pretend.”
“What are you saying, Dad. Are you saying our mother got killed by a werewolf?” Bonnie spoke as if she did not believe him. He didn’t blame her.
“No, sweetie.” He leaned back, searching for a way to say it. “She… We both are… I mean, and you…”
Dillon squeezed his sister’s hand, gaining her attention. “Bonnie,” he said. “She’s the werewolf. They both are.”
Bonnie turned her gaze back to her father. “Is that true, Dad?”
He paused, marveling at
their childlike ability to take in information without question. So far, he felt like an idiot that they had not had this conversation sooner. “Well,” he replied. “We don’t say werewolf, but yes. It sounds like you’ve got it. Your mother was a fox shifter, and I’m a bear shifter. When you two get old enough and you are ready, you will find out what animal you carry with you, too.”
They both sat quietly for a few minutes, looking at each other, looking at him. “Okay,” Bonnie replied. “That makes sense, Dad.”
“And if either of you have any questions about any of it, I’m making an effort to be more transparent with both of you. I’ve made a mistake in hiding things from you. I promise not to do that anymore. Okay?”
Bonnie stood up and walked across the room, climbing into his lap and leaning her head on his chest. Dillon followed a moment later, wiggling his way underneath his father’s other arm. Austin held them close, feeling the full measure of their love for him and his for them, washing over all three of them. He swallowed hard before he spoke again.
“We’re a team, the three of us. Okay? From now on, I won’t hide anything else from either of you.”
“You promise, Daddy?” Bonnie asked. She had not called him that since before kindergarten. Austin thought his heart might explode.
“I promise, baby,” he said. “I promise.”
From underneath the pile of their arms, Dillon spoke. “Dad?”
“Yeah, buddy. What is it?”
“Can we go get pizza now?”
Austin could not keep from giggling. This set off Bonnie into giggles, and the three of them erupted into laughter as they untangled. He took both of them by the hand and led them to the door.
“Yes, kiddo. Good idea. Let’s go get some pizza.”
Chapter Fourteen
Janet woke up the next morning on the couch back at Lana’s apartment. She had called her friend as soon as they arrived back at the agency. During the drive back to the city, Mrs. Haymaker exhibited an uncharacteristic amount of sympathy to Janet’s situation. They did not speak much, and the severe professional take down she expected did not take place.
Nanny to the Bear (Burning Falls Shifters Book 4) Page 9