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“My brother’s fiancée,” I said, trying to put a good face on it. “Crystal. She’s a panther.”

Amanda looked almost respectful. Weres often have only contempt for other shape-shifters, but something as formidable as a panther would get their attention. “I heard there was a cluster of panthers out here somewhere. Never met one before.”

“I have to get to work, but my brother’s going to lead you over to his place.”

“So, you’re not really close to your brother’s fiancée?”

I was taken aback at the implication that I was less than concerned about Crystal’s welfare. Maybe I should have hurried over to her bedside and left Jason here to guide the doctor? I suddenly saw my enjoyment of my moments of peace as a callous disregard for Crystal. But now was no time to wallow in guilt.

“Truthfully,” I said, “no, I’m not that close to her. But Jason didn’t seem to think there was anything I could do for her, and my presence wouldn’t exactly be soothing since she’s not any fonder of me than I am of her.”

Amanda shrugged. “Okay, where is he?”

Jason came around the corner of the house just then, to my relief. “Oh, great,” he said. “You’re the doctor?”

“No,” Amanda said. “The doctor’s in the car. I’m the driver today.”

“I’ll lead you over there. I been on the phone with Crystal, and she’s not getting any better.”

I felt another wave of remorse. “Call me at work, Jason, and let me know how she’s doing, okay? I can come over after work and spend the night, if you need me.”

“Thanks, Sis.” He gave me a quick hug and then looked awkward. “Uh, I’m glad I didn’t keep it a secret like Crystal wanted me to. She didn’t think you’d help her.”

“I’d like to think I was at least a good enough person to help someone who needed it, no matter if we were close or not.” Surely Crystal hadn’t imagined that I’d be indifferent, or even pleased, that she was ailing?

Dismayed, I watched the two very different vehicles start down the driveway on their way back to Hummingbird Road. I locked up and got in my own car in no very happy mood.

Continuing the theme of an eventful day, when I walked through the back door of Merlotte’s that afternoon, Sam called to me from his office.

I went in to see what he wanted, knowing ahead of time that a few other people were waiting in there. To my dismay, I found that Father Riordan had ambushed me.

There were four people in Sam’s office, besides my boss. Sam was unhappy, but trying to keep a good face on. A little to my surprise, Father Riordan wasn’t happy about the people that had accompanied him, either. I suspected I knew who they were. Crap. Not only did Father Riordan have the Pelts in tow, but a young woman of about seventeen, who must be Debbie’s sister, Sandra.

The three new people looked at me intently. The older Pelts were tall and slim. He wore glasses and was balding, with ears that stuck out of his head like jug handles. She was attractive, if a bit overly made up. She was wearing a Donna Karan pants set and carrying a bag with a famous logo on it. Heels, too. Sandra Pelt was more casual, her jeans and T-shirt fitting her narrow figure very tightly.

I hardly heard Father Riordan formally introduce the Pelts, I was so overwhelmed with irritation that they were intruding themselves into my life to such an extent. I’d told Father Riordan I didn’t want to meet them, yet here they were. The older Pelts ate me up with their avid eyes. Savage, Maria-Star had termed them. Desperate was the word that came to my mind.

Sandra was a different kettle of fish altogether: since she was the second child, she wasn’t—couldn’t be—a shifter like her folks, but she wasn’t altogether a regular human, either. But something caught at my brain, made me pause. Sandra Pelt was a shifter of some kind. I’d heard the Pelts described as much more involved with their second daughter than they’d been with Debbie. Now, getting bits of information from them, I saw why that might be. Sandra Pelt might be underage, but she was formidable. She was a full Were.

But that couldn’t be, unless . . .

Okay. Debbie Pelt, werefox, had been adopted.