The Purrfect Stranger by Bianca D'Arc Page B

other cats.”
    Their food arrived and their conversation ceased out of necessity. Keith had been speaking in low tones only she could hear since the restaurant catered mostly to normal humans who had no clue about the magical world all around them. Only when the waiter had finished delivering their dishes, did Keith speak again.
    “Forgive my asking, but why don’t you know any of this?”
    “I’ve never met a shifter before.” She knew she was blushing and fought against her own embarrassment.
    “Yet you know about us. So then, what are you?”
    “I’m a hereditary witch of Clan Faber. Our clan has taught the uses of magic for thousands of years and contains some of the most powerful mages in the country, if not the world.”
    Keith was silent a moment, appearing to digest her little speech while his steak sent up tendrils of steam from the table in front of him, close to forgotten. He just looked at her, hiding his thoughts well behind a curious expression.
    “You’ve met magic users before?” She spoke into the silence, wanting it over. His scrutiny made her uncomfortable.
    “Once or twice,” he finally answered, though there was a new suspicion in his gaze that she didn’t like.
    “Not pleasant experiences?” she prompted, hopefully.
    A minute ago she’d been appalled by the idea of having dinner with an animal but now, perversely, she wanted his approval. Damn her fickle nature. She didn’t understand why this man—this shifter—could get under her skin so easily in such a short amount of time.
    “You could say that,” he answered evasively.
    His gaze dropped and he went about the motions of cutting up his steak, signaling to her clearly that he didn’t want to discuss it. She followed his lead and picked up her knife and fork, cutting dainty bites of her chicken.
    “I didn’t mean to pry,” she apologized softly as they began to eat their meal.
    His head snapped up and his gaze met hers. “It’s okay.” His tone was gentler and his gaze tempered with something that could almost be regret. He sighed and returned to his meal.
    A few moments later, he broke the uncomfortable silence.
    “Look. I’m sorry. Nobody mentioned you were a magic user. I have nothing against you personally. It’s just that there was some suspicion that a mage involved in the murder of my aunt and cousin a few years back. Since then, the Redstone Clan steers clear of mages.”
    “I’m sorry.” Her whisper was heartfelt. She saw the true pain in his eyes when he talked about the deaths of his family members.
    “Thanks.” His response was subdued as they continued eating.
    “You don’t like mages, yet you have strong magic of your own. Do all shifters have your level of power?”
    “What?”
    She’d certainly gotten his attention with her seemingly innocuous question.
    “When you touched my hand. Didn’t you feel it?” She blushed, talking about the reaction so openly, but he had to realize… or didn’t he?
    “Feel what, exactly?”
    “The way your magic met mine. It tingled all the way up my arm like little sparks of energy against my skin.”
    “Does that happen often?” He appeared truly curious.
    “Never before in my experience,” she admitted.
    “Have you met Bill Redstone? He’s dating Suzy Faber, who I assume is your cousin, right?”
    “Bill? Yeah, I’ve met him a few times.” She was surprised by the change in subjects, but immediately recognized the significance in her cousin’s boyfriend’s last name. “Is he a shifter too?” To say she was surprised by the idea would be an understatement.
    Keith nodded. “Have you ever touched him?”
    “We’ve shaken hands a few times and he helped me down from a ladder once where I sort of fell on him. Good thing he’s as big as a tree or I would’ve flattened him.” She smiled at the memory, though it had been embarrassing at the time. She wasn’t the most graceful of women.
    “Ever feel magic sparks off him?” Her answer seemed