Spells on Shelves

Chapter 20 || Who was the bully now?

The kids and I were sprawled out in my living room, books on myths and folktales scattered all around us.

Almost against my will, my eyes went back to the clock hanging behind the kitchen counter.

Quarter to five. Paxton was late.

Two days ago he'd left me in Edward's care and just disappeared. But...he should be fine, right? He was a shapeshifter after all.

But what if he wasn't? What if he was late because that thing was poisonous or something and he'd gotten infected, or cursed?

Kai closed an especially thick tome and dropped it on the floor beside the others. "Well, this one's a bust. None of these Japanese myths mention a magic-wielding dark shapeshifter."

Supernatural creatures showed up in myths and folklore all over the world. Sometimes their forms were a little different, other times the descriptions were wildly off. Still, one of these books had to have something that could give us a clue about what we were dealing with.

Rina picked up an even thicker tome titled Grimm's Fairy Tales and Other Myths, walked over, and dropped it into his hands. "Here you go, Mr. straight-A student. Maybe the creature is German."

"I found one," Taji said. "A magic-wielding shapeshifter."

I dragged my gaze away from the clock.

"Really?" Rina asked.

He began to read aloud, "The white tiger is endowed with the sacred gift to ward off malevolent spirits." He paused, glancing up from a Handbook of Chinese Mythology. "Or as Grandma Chen used to say: I've always known our Xaio Kai is special."

Used to say? So she'd passed. I cast a quick look over my shoulder. Shaking his head, Kai opened his new book without bothering to respond.

"Too bad you never met her, Jade," Taji continued with sparkling eyes, "she was my idol. Everyone was afraid of her. Once she chased our English teacher through town for giving him a B. She thought he was being racist. A massive tiger chasing a mink. Good times."

Kai muttered something inaudible.

Taji groaned. "Dude, can you be more excited? You're literally a magic tiger!"

"What's the point if I'm useless..."

Everyone's eyes shifted to Kai. The magic tiger in question had gone a little pink. He'd been awfully quiet since Paxton had dropped me off with them. Then again, apparently he'd almost collapsed trying to break the ward after the house spat them out.

With a frown, Rina settled into the free spot behind me to lean against his side. "Don't beat yourself up. It's not your fault that place was magically trapped, right, Jade?"

"You don't understand," Kai said before I could reply. "Something felt off. I just thought it was an aftereffect from eating the spirit. If I'd said something sooner..."

So much for him feeling fine. If he didn't already look so dejected, I might have said something.

I bit my lip. I'd never heard of a shapeshifter that could work magic. Then again, tigers were rather unusual here—not to mention white ones. It was like this town was some kind of convergence point for rare and powerful supernaturals.

The doorbell rang. My ward didn't pick up anyone.

About time.

Taji jumped up. "I got it."

A moment later he returned with Paxton close behind.

At first glance, he looked the same as always—maybe even a little more rested. He wore his faded gray sweats and a long-sleeved olive shirt.