Chapter 42

Breanna panted in the large hand, waiting to see which of her suitors had caught her. The only good news seemed to be that her capture scared off her aerial pursuer. The hawk let out an angry screech and broke from the chase. Pumping its large wings, it flew away.

Now for her current dilemma. Breanna squeaked, "Thank you" - her father had raised her with manners after all - and to her surprise the large hand immediately set her down. Maybe it's not another idiot out to kidnap me.

Breanna shifted back to human shape out of politeness and bit back a scream of shock. Facing her with an equally surprised look was a well-dressed, auburn haired version of herself. What the hell? A doppelganger? It can't be. According to father, they're extinct.

She and the stranger stood in frozen silence, eyes locked on the other. Talk about uncanny. It was like looking in a mirror, the stranger's face identical with the only difference being the hair color.