Chapter 9

“Akton,” he said. “Thanks. For jumping in with the—you know. And stitching me up.”

His ally hesitated a moment, then shook. The moment their palms touched Akton wanted to feel more, but he swallowed and resisted.

“Talfryn. Back for me to have a look at those stitches?”

“Uh, no,” said Akton, pulling back and hating himself for it. He’d pulled the stitches out himself a few hours ago, having healed enough for it. But if Talfryn had a look at him he’d know something wasn’t right, and Akton was even more uncomfortable than usual about anyone knowing he was a shifter. So much for trying to get laid.

“You probably don’t want to be dropping by here to visit,” said Talfryn, returning to his chair and beginning to grind the contents of the mortar again. “Mayor Verne has been around and nobody here is happy about whatever this is. No one realized I was there, but you were different enough to be suspicious.”