Sealed with a Kick by Zenina Masters

the transport and brought her family to her after a week of settling in. Lasia and Devlin looked at her in shock the moment that they saw her.
    Berry walked toward them with a smile, trying to ignore the medieval-style gown she was wearing. Ashko preferred her to dress like a lady at home, but the moment she was off on guild business, she was all jeans and leather.
    Since she was showing her new physique and characteristics to her family, she thought it was better that she appear in the manner that they needed to get used to.
    The dress highlighted the changes.
    “Berry? Wow. You look...” Lasia trailed off.
    Devlin simply came forward and hugged her. “Damn, you are taller than I am.”
    “Mom won’t be impressed.” Berry hugged her brother. “I can’t fit into the family wedding gown. Oh, darn.”
    He laughed and gave her another squeeze. “I am sure that she will recover.”
    Ashko had offered to alter the dress for her, but Berry had threatened his sex life and that had been the end of that. Polyester had its place, but that place wasn’t in a wedding gown.
    Devlin leaned back and smiled. “You look amazing and very happy.”
    Ashko came over and slid his arm around her waist. “We are down to eleven curse words in the last twenty-four hours. She is getting into the spirit of the thing.”
    Berry chuckled. It was less than that. She only cursed when she dealt with the mages. Her new situation confused them, so after the first two calls, her phone had gone silent.
    Ashko was recommending her as an investigator for the fey court, and she was only two interviews away from having something else to do aside from her mate.
    He had spent the first few days crafting clothing for her. The fey court could manage her nearly human seeming, but her fashion sense had to be on point.
    Her new form had also taken getting used to. Her seal was still with her, but it was maturing now, as if it had only ever been waiting for an influx of magic. The new form moved differently and would be fun to show her brother.
    First, they would have a light lunch, and then, they would head to the water.
    Lasia came up to them while slowly turning around to take in the carvings inside the keep. “Can I get a tour? I love historical buildings.”
    Ashko nodded. “Of course. Come with me.”
    Berry went with them, just to listen to Ashko talk. He had lived in the building for over a hundred years, and he knew every brick and beam.
    When Lasia saw his drafting table, she paused. “What is this?”
    Ashko came over, and he nodded to the design. “I am creating an alteration to my tattoo to incorporate Beryl’s beast. It has been tricky to make a corresponding design with a tribal style.”
    “Well, if you are looking for interest, can you get UV ink? It will glow blue-white and is definitely a good marker for Berry’s particular beast.”
    Berry looked over to Devlin. “I did not know that your wife has tattoos.”
    He sighed and got his wife’s purse, pulling out a UV light.
    Lasia grinned and extended her arm. There, in glowing light, were two seals frolicking on her skin.
    Devlin was embarrassed when Lasia used the light on his arm and the same tattoo was on his skin.
    Berry sighed. “Wow. The secrets you keep from your own sister.”
    He gave her a dark look. “I didn’t want it standing out when we shifted. You know how the herd feels about visible tattoos.”
    Berry grinned. It was true. The herd was deceptively subdued when it came to bodily expression. Prudes.
    Anything different in the herd was something to be feared. Berry was now officially very different.
     
    After lunch, it was time to show them the lake and the nearby inlet that attracted all kinds of sea life that now included Berry.
    On the beach, she had a sheltered cabana that let her carefully remove her dress and hang it up before walking to the water and shifting.
    Her beast had matured a little, though still looked cute and fluffy. She flopped into the water and