Butting In by Zenina Masters Page A

and women at family gatherings.”
    She chuckled and dialled the number. It was time to even her odds.
     
    Gera packed a bag and waited in the rear gardens. The moon was high, and her parents were watching through the glass.
    The spiral of light heralded the arrival of Eberhart. Gera clutched the envelope of horn and hoof in one hand, and she carried her bag with the other.
    “Gera Williams?” The elegant, young woman asked with a smile.
    “I am.”
    “I am Eberhart.”
    The woman produced a contract, and by the light of a glowing ball of magic, Gera signed it.
    The envelope was handed over, and the last thing was for Gera to step into a disc of light that Eberhart waved into existence.
    Gera glanced back at the house, waved to her parents and then turned and walked into the light.
     
    The shifters that greeted her were urbane and practiced. There was a question in their entry protocol that surprised her, but she agreed. “Yes, I would consider one of the fey as a mate. If we sparked, there is no reason not to consider it. Nature knows what it is doing, right?”
    Teal smiled. “It certainly does, but it tends to shock some of the folks who expect a shifter for a mate.”
    Gera sighed. “My parents want me to find a mate; they didn’t specify a shifter.”
    Tony laughed and produced a small charm with a pair of horns and a glittering stone in it. He tied it on her wrist.
    “It will shift with you.”
    Gera nodded. “Okay. Good.”
    “Now, the Open Heart is our most popular B and B, but it is currently at capacity, so you are going to be one of the first guests at the Axion. It is next door to the Open Heart and the first fey-run business in the Crossroads. Let us know if anything is not to your liking.”
    “A fey-run bed and breakfast?”
    “Indeed. Drak is quite the consummate host, or so he claims. He is supposed to make you comfortable and leave it at that.”
    Gera felt a little nervous. “So, that isn’t creepy at all.”
    Teal got to her feet. “Come with me. I will introduce you.”
    Gera grabbed her bag and followed her host out the door and down the street.
    The Crossroads felt like a historic village with modern folks using it for everyday purposes. She saw the café, restaurant, spa and hair salon. The bar had a sign jutting outward to display the words Crossed Star with two streaking stars as the icon.
    They turned and headed down another lane, and the large Victorian home at the end of the block had to be the Open Heart.
    The Axion was the smaller building next to it. Teal walked with her to the door and knocked.
    A man with golden skin and silver hair opened the door with a surprised smile. “Teal, how lovely to see you.”
    “Drak, we have your first official guest.”
    The man’s face nearly split in a broad grin. “Welcome, please, come in.”
    Teal made the introductions, and Drak bowed over Gera’s hand. “Delighted to make your acquaintance, Ms. Williams.”
    “Gera. Please.” She frowned in confusion. She had expected the contact static that many shifters claimed to feel with the fey. All she felt was warm skin and smooth lips.
    A chime sounded and Teal grinned. “And there is Tony with the paperwork, five minutes late, as usual.”
    Drak looked at the paperwork, nodded and smiled again. “Please, come this way.”
    He took her bag and led the way up the stairs. Gera was interested in the view, but she scrambled after him.
    “I will talk to you later, Teal.”
    Teal’s laughter carried through the room, and the sound of the door closing confirmed that she had left Gera.
    “The Axion is run on magic. We don’t try and pretend that there is actual electricity here. The lights are on verbal command. There are always refreshments in the dining room, and if you need anything delivered, make sure to tell the clerk at the general store that it is for the Axion. The Open Heart has been the main game in town for years.”
    “You speak so normally.”
    He chuckled and turned down a