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Julie came back into the apartment. She was wearing a small monisto: a necklace of coins and tiny metal charms. She paused in the hallway, testing the waters, decided I wasn’t going to explode, slid back into her chair, and checked the bowl for more boil. Only potatoes were left. She took a handful and ate them, licking her fingers.
“I have a favor to ask.” I moved the butter and salt closer to her.
“Anything I can do,” Derek said.
Julie was watching me covertly, probably trying to gauge if any fussing was forthcoming.
“I need an audience with his furry Highness.”I can’t believe I’m saying this.
“I can’t believe you’re saying this, after all the bitc—yelling you did when I called you for the Spring Meet. I distinctly remember ‘never see that arrogant asshole again’ and ‘over my dead body.’”
“Spring Meet was optional.” After working with the Pack to dispatch the Red Point Stalker, I was granted the Friend of the Pack status, which apparently came with such benefits as being invited to ceremonies. Hell, if I transgressed in their territory, the shapeshifters might hesitate a couple of seconds before they shredded me into Kate sushi.
“Myong?” Derek’s voice gained a slightly disapproving edge.
“Derek, yes or no?”
“Yes, of course,” he said smoothly. “I’ll let you know the time and place.”
We made parting noises and I hung up.
“Who was that?” Julie asked.
“My teenage werewolf sidekick. We’re going to see him tomorrow.”
“You know people in the Pack?”
“Yep. There is a spare toothbrush in the vanity…”
“What’s the vanity?”
“Vanity is taking too much pride in your appearance. It’s also the cabinet in the bathroom which has a sink and a drawer. Where the toothbrush is.”
Her face grew long. “Do I have to?”
“You bet.”
CHAPTER 9
I PACKED JULIE INTO MY BED, GAVE HER MY BLANKET, and unrolled an old army sleeping bag on the floor. The magic had reclaimed the city. I had dimmed the feylanterns already, and the only light in the apartment came from the outside, a silvery glow from the light of the new moon mixing with the