Coming Clean

Levity had waited for Canarian Evernhold's signal in order to walk in on Becca's meeting.

The conference table showed the kind of balance that Amaranthine expected.

Three spokespersons on one side—Hisoka Twineshaft, Adoona-soh Elderbough, and Harmonious Starmark—and three reavers in diplomatic green seated opposite.

Becca was at the head of the table, and Levity stepped to her place at the foot.

Her boss was in a forced calm, keeping things professional, but she was definitely rattled … and quite possibly relieved to be interrupted.

"Oh, Levity. I'm sorry. This is a private–!"

"It's all right, Becca. I'm meant to be here. I need to be here."

Hisoka smoothly backed her up. "Levity is next on our agenda."

She gestured gratefully, then met Becca's gaze. "Can you trust me even though I haven't been completely forthcoming about myself? Because I love it here, and I love this city, and I'd love the chance to keep doing what I do."

Adoona-soh stood then, moved to Levity's side, placed a hand on her shoulder. Claiming kinship. Offering protection. Lending strength.

"I'm wolf clan, Becca. Highwind pack."

Hisoka filled the yawning silence. "I've asked Levity to reveal the truth of her heritage in order to become an ambassador for peace. You must admit, her perspective on the upcoming Emergence will be both unique and compelling."

Becca was shocked, maybe even alarmed.

Levity lowered her gaze, tucked her hands behind her back, averted her face.

So she didn't see the transition. Just heard Becca's chair shove back.

On her feet, the woman took about as dominant a posture as an uninitiated human could. "Let me get this straight. You're using our Levity for propaganda? You can't just out someone because it serves your purposes! If you've threatened her in any way …!"

As Becca faced down Twineshaft, Levity sank to the floor in a puddle of relief. Becca was still Becca. But of course she was. Because Levity was still Levity. Just like Murph was still Murph.

Harmonious cut off Becca's harangue with a booming laugh, and one of the reavers began to applaud. Adoona knelt beside Levity and patted her head, saying, "This woman? She's a tribute to your pack."

Within the hour, Levity was outing herself all over again, but this time, Becca was the one at her side. Her boss challenged, "Well? You must have questions."

Levity glanced at Murph, but he was watching everyone else. Probably gauging their reaction to her, since it would forecast their reaction to him if he ever stepped out.

Tippy was the first to speak. "I'm … not sure how to react to the whole shared planet bombshell, but for us? Here in the office? Day-to-day? What changes?"

Levity had given this some thought. "Once the worldwide announcement is made, I'll stop hiding the features that are characteristic to my people. The shape of my ears. The color of my eyes. My tail. Not all Amaranthine clans display animalistic features, but wolves take pride in their tails."

Angelo cuffed Murph's shoulder, his smile relieved. Murph held a finger to his lips.

Striking a pose, Levity cheerfully added, "And it'll finally be safe for me to stop skimping at mealtimes."

Mick snorted. "You've been holding back?"

"Teensy bit."

Tippy raised both fists high. "This is so exciting! We're like … on the front lines. Except this isn't a war. It's peace."

Murph finally chimed in. "Figuratively speaking, we are a first line of defense. Our coverage and our stories will promote and defend an alliance with our Amaranthine neighbors. Front lines. Headlines. And changing someone's byline …?"

"Yes." She took a dominant stance. "Beginning with the next full moon, I'll be reporting as Levity Highwind-Jones."