Nathan led the way up the stairs and knocked on the door. It was opened by a young woman with maple skin and natural curls in nursing scrubs. He recognized she was a shifter right away but was surprised that they’d never met.

“I’m Nathan Cross,” he said.

“Yeah, Frank called ahead. Come on in grandma’s waiting on you.” They entered the front of the house, and Nathan looked around the living room to see art and artifacts that Ms. Mabel must have collected over the years. Ms. Mabel was just past the living room in a sitting area. Her small frame propped up in a wheelchair with blankets and pillows. He got the feeling that he’d been in this space before.