Free Sealed with a Kick by Zenina Masters Page A

magazine and got to her feet. “That was quick... ish.”
    “They were poachers. They were there to get in and get out. No time for fussing; they just jumped in.”
    “You discharged them?”
    “I sent them wherever those bands lead. Oh, and I attached a few tracking beads onto each of the transport bands. Call me paranoid, but I want to make sure that they end up where they said they would be.” She pulled on her loose summer dress and put her hands on her hips.
    Stacey grinned. “The guild is good about stuff like that. We like everything out where we can see it. Including our criminals.”
    “Right. Let’s get home. I have dinner with my brother and sister-in-law tonight.”
    Stacey started to wave her hands to create the portal. “That sounds like fun. Say hi to Devlin for me.”
    They stepped through the glowing archway as Berry said, “I will.”
    With their job done, it was time for some fun and family.
     
    Lasia smiled brightly as she toasted with her sparkling water. “We are pregnant!”
    Berry felt a pang but smiled and ran around to hug her sister-in-law and her brother. “Congratulations, you two.”
    When the hugs had been delivered and returned, she sat back at her place and finished her dinner. Lasia smiled and kissed Devlin. “We are so happy. When is it going to be your turn, Berry?”
    Berry paused with the last pile of peas on her fork. Her hand was rock steady. “Well, you need a mate for that sort of thing, and as we know, that isn’t happening.”
    She ate her peas and washed everything down with a glass of water.
    Lasia paled. “I forgot, Berry. Isn’t there something else you can do? You work with the Mage Guild. Isn’t there something they can do?”
    Berry chuckled. “My love life isn’t high on the agenda.”
    Devlin cleared his throat. “What about the Crossroads?”
    Berry laughed. “Right. Could you see me there in search of another shifter to mate with? They would take one look at my beast and keel over laughing.”
    Her brother was serious. “They have fey now. Fey who have an animal form or at least another shape. I think it is an idea worth considering. You could do worse than a guy who has been sent to the Crossroads with the encouragement of his king.”
    Berry snickered. “What? He has been ordered to seek a mate? Oh yeah, that never ends badly.”
    Devlin sighed.
    Lasia smiled and kept her hand on Devlin’s arm. “Look into it. All you will waste is a little bit of time. Devlin has the family samples to send you to the Crossroads if you need them.”
    “I will think about it. Now, who wants dessert?” Berry waggled her eyebrows and collected the plates, taking them into the kitchen. Lasia’s eye for style had everything working together, but it was a little too organized for Berry. That said, she put all the plates neatly into the dishwasher after rinsing them.
    Devlin came after her and sliced up the layered cake that she had brought with her. “Consider it, Berry. Please. They are picking pretty good fey for this experiment. They are financially secure and genuinely want to take a shifter for a mate. You could do worse.”
    She washed her hands, dried them and got the dessert plates down. “I am currently doing nothing.”
    “I know. I am sorry that the herd has shunned you. You shouldn’t have told the beach master to go fuck himself.”
    Berry sighed as he dished out the cake. “I had to. I am not joining his harem, and that was the only thing he was offering. You know I am not into the group scene.”
    “He never should have said that to you.”
    Berry nudged him. “And you shouldn’t have stood up to the fucktard. So, you got a suspension for you and Lasia, and I got a banishment. At least a pup gets you back into the herd without any argument.”
    “That wasn’t why we did it.”
    She winked. “I am pretty sure it happened because you had sex, but do correct me if I am wrong.” She grabbed the plates and forks and swanned into the dining