Free Shifting Crossroads 8 - Ocelot of Trouble by Zenina Masters Page B

you know that I actually lit my last date on fire?”
    Theo paused. “Fire?”
    “I was just reaching out to take his hand, and I elbowed the server passing us, he bumped into Larry, and Larry knocked the centerpiece candle over on himself, starting a paraffin fire on his lapel.”
    Theo was staring at her, aghast. “That must have been a coincidence.”
    “Accident, coincidence, jinx, disaster. I have had all of these tags and more.”
    “And yet, you have more of a lust for life than any woman I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Your list of hobbies is endless, and you participate not only in your community but your family and wilderness activities.”
    Mina shrugged. “It comes with being from a social species.”
    Theo smiled softly. “And you are one of the first ocelots that I have ever transported. If you like, we can get in position and I can check on the location of the gateway. It is coming closer a little more rapidly than I anticipated.”
    “You can feel it?”
    “Yes. For us, we wait until it arrives. It is only our guild master who can summon the gateways at will. I would not wish her power on anyone. Her efforts to restrain herself take up a good portion of her day.”
    Mina wrinkled her nose and picked up her luggage. “That sounds tricky.”
    “Wielding that much power is tricky. I wish Kris luck. She needs it.”
    With all the paperwork that required her signature taken care of, she stood on the spot that Theo Yeoman had marked out for her.
    “I am correct; it is coming quickly. Stand there; I will prepare to open the gateway. You have your charm?”
    Mina lifted her wrist where the small disc dangled.
    “You will be meeting Teal and Tony when you arrive. They are the swan and raven. They guard access to the Crossroads. Don’t light them on fire.” Theo grinned and waved his hands, a column of light started at Mina’s feet and rose rapidly until it swamped over her head and the light was bathing her completely.
    The gleam slowly faded, and she was now standing on a stone floor with two dark-haired guardians looking at her with wary welcome.
    Mina inclined her head. “Hello, I am Mina Lancaster.”
    The woman smiled, “Mina, you are early.”
    She bit her lip nervously. “The portal arrived ahead of schedule.”
    “Please, come this way. I am Teal, this is my husband Tony.” The woman made the introductions with a wave of her hand.
    “Pleased to meet you both.” Mina clutched her bag to her and white knuckled it out the door.
    “You will be staying at the hostel for female predators?”
    Mina nodded. “Yes. I didn’t want to waste any of the money that was collected to send me here.”
    Teal nodded with a smile. “I understand. Please, ask any questions that cross your mind. We were just getting your visit organized, so you caught us a little flat footed.”
    “Oh, I thought it had all been arranged.” She bit her lip.
    “It has been, but we thought we still had an hour until your arrival. I guessed that the portal was early.”
    Mina swallowed and nodded. “It suddenly showed up. The transporter panicked and sent me through before I could make up my mind to run for it.”
    “Don’t worry about it. It is all set up. We have two predators who are probably leaving today. You will have the hostel all to yourself in short order.”
    Mina followed Teal with a sense of hope. “Oh good.”
    Teal cleared her throat. “We have been warned of your special circumstances.”
    “Polite way of putting it. I am a jinx, a klutz. No man can stay in my vicinity and not suffer an injury.”
    “I know. Chuck is being briefed as we speak, so are the staff at the café and restaurant.”
    “It is so embarrassing.”
    “No, it is inconvenient. We will make sure that your actions do not ruin your chances to find happiness.” Teal put her arm around Mina’s shoulders.
    Mina felt like laughing and bawling at the same time. “How can you be so calm about it?”
    “We are professionals. We