Stone Cold Seduction

Chapter Eight

I couldn’t help but wonder what the day would bring. To be honest, I was worried how the meeting with MacLean would go. Not only about the souls, but I was worried about him and Jax in the same place. Then again, it had been Jax’s idea to get him involved, so maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

A few hours later, I found out how foolish that thought had been.

Jax and I arrived at Pioneer Square a few minutes before eleven. The skies cooperated by staying partially sunny with no rain. For an October day, it was beautiful and balmy, and we’d decided to walk instead of taking the bus. It had taken forty-five minutes, but the fresh air and exercise had been worth it. I buttoned my light cotton blazer against the slight breeze. The temperature hovered around sixty degrees, but anxiety had me chilled. Tourists mingled with locals as they wandered through shops, art displays, and vendors.

Pioneer Square was one of my favorite places. I loved the ever-present flower carts and artwork. It was a vibrant display of some of the best Seattle had to offer, a place to sample new artists. Occasionally, I’d come here by myself to people watch. Older couples walking hand in hand, tourists snapping pictures, and locals sipping over-priced, indulgent lattes from one of the park’s many swanky coffee shops. Seattle coffee shops made some of the best java anywhere, in my humble opinion. Best of all? I could get lost in the crowds. It didn’t matter who or what I was. Here, I was just another woman, enjoying the day.

Jax took my hand, interlacing our fingers. His hand was warm and slightly calloused. We walked to the designated meeting spot by a corner café. People milled around or sat at small, metal tables outside. MacLean had suggested the area, hoping to avoid detection in the crowd. I was all for that idea.

MacLean arrived at eleven o’clock sharp. He stood taller than most of the crowd, so it was easy to spot him coming. The natural, fiery highlights in his hair helped, too.

“Hi,” I said, taking in his casual attire. MacLean’s auburn hair was set off by a dark blue, button-down shirt and dark gray slacks. He stood in a casual, relaxed stance. I took that as a good sign.

“Shall we grab a table?” he asked, pointing to the café’s empty tables.

“No. I’d rather walk and talk, if that’s okay.” The idea of staying on the move made me feel better. Just in case. We could move with the crowd.

He seemed to sense my unease, and took a moment to look around. Satisfied with what he saw, he nodded and got right to business. “Where are the souls?”

Teryl ran up, cheeks red, breathing hard. “Hey, sorry. The parking sucks today. What’d I miss?”

“MacLean wants to know where the souls are,” I said.

Teryl snapped his fingers. “Got that covered.” He pulled out the small bag of Paraiba tourmaline gems he’d picked up at my apartment and handed them to MacLean. “I wasn’t going to lug the mirror and books here, but I took pictures so you can look them over.”

MacLean looked like he was going to argue, so Teryl quickly added, “They’re in a safe place.”

MacLean took the bag with care. He tucked it into an inside pocket in his jacket, then looked through the pictures Teryl had brought. I didn’t need to see the pictures to remember the items. The mirror was gorgeous. It was three feet tall and two feet wide, with an ornate, gilded frame that added an extra ten inches around. The books were obviously old. Bound in brown leather with yellowing pages, they were tied in a bundle of seven with a thin strap of leather. I’d been sure they’d disintegrate in my hands when I’d first seen them.

MacLean’s eyes widened. “Shit, Elle. You stole all of these?” He flinched and looked around to make sure no one had heard his outburst. A man in a business suit passed within feet of us, barking into his cell phone.

I looked back at MacLean and shrugged, feeling a little defensive. “These were from three occasions. You make it sound like I do three a week.”

Jax jumped in before I could say more. “What is the price on her head?”

MacLean stared at me a moment longer, speculation in his eyes. He turned back to Jax. “From which sector?”

“This is turning into a damn joke. Who?” Teryl asked, looking peeved.

“Jedren has offered one million. The light elves are at three hundred thousand, and the gargoyles have recently added two hundred and fifty thousand.”

My jaw dropped. “Dollars?”

“Yes, but it’s not just because of the souls. And the oracles are offering seventy-five thousand.” MacLean rubbed the back of his neck. “I might have inadvertently added to the problem.”

Jax scanned the faces of passersby before pointing toward Occidental Park. “Let’s head over there.”

We made our way to one of the large maples. I leaned against the trunk, needing the support. I watched a few tourists feeding pigeons and rubbed my arms. I couldn’t seem to shake my chill, despite the balmy temperature and the sun peeking through the trees.

“I told Brenin about you shifting me yesterday and—”

“You what?” Jax’s voice rose above its low volume as he took a step forward. I stepped in front of Jax, putting my back to him. I leaned back into him and silently willed him to relax.

“Jax, we’re in public. Please, let MacLean explain.” Seattle might be known for its diversity, but I had no idea how I’d explain a gargoyle in Pioneer Square.

“Brenin wanted a report after I left your store yesterday.” For my benefit, MacLean added, “He’s the king of the light elves and Jedren’s counterpart. I told him you shifted me, but the gargoyle had claimed you.”

“And why is that a big deal to the king of the light elves?” I asked.

“Teryl was right to be upset yesterday. You shouldn’t be able to shift us both. In the past, the children—” MacLean stopped abruptly.

“It’s okay,” Teryl said. “She knows about it.”

MacLean nodded and cast a quick glance around us before saying, “Some of the children showed a similar ability. Things went bad almost immediately after the ability manifested. Brenin was interested because of your age.”

“Interested why? I can’t believe I’m the only late bloomer.” I wasn’t that old, despite my upcoming birthday. I hadn’t even hit my prime yet. I bent down to pick up a leaf off of the ground. The tree had shed about half of its orange-gold leaves. I twirled it absently in my left hand, watching the delicate points shiver with each tiny movement.

MacLean flashed a wicked smile. “You’ve bloomed just fine. But I’ve never heard of anyone coming into their magic this late.”

I looked up from the leaf. “If I’ve bloomed just fine, why did you cancel the engagement?”

That got his attention, and the smile fell from his face.

“It was between our fathers. I had nothing to do with it.” MacLean tilted his head and considered me. “I would have married you, regardless. I wasn’t given a choice.”

Before I could respond, an older couple walked over and held up a camera, asking if I’d take their picture next to the fallen firefighter’s memorial sculpture. I let the leaf float to the ground. I tried to be gracious as I took a few pictures, and then hurried back to the guys. I resumed my place against the tree trunk. The solid feel against my back was reassuring. “Let’s get back to the souls. Are you going to turn me in?”

MacLean’s gaze became shuttered, and he didn’t say anything. I panicked and spoke in a rush, “I didn’t know they were souls. I swear, I didn’t.”

“I believe you.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. A young guy with beaded dreads walked past, dancing a little with each step to the music playing in his headphones. The way his hair wobbled and wiggled brought an involuntary smile to my face for a second.

“But the problem isn’t just the souls. You have abilities that have never been seen. What else can you do?”

Teryl shrugged one shoulder. “We’re not sure yet.”

MacLean frowned as his cell phone beeped. He pulled it out and checked the screen before pocketing it again. “That’s a problem.”

“Why?” I asked. “Maybe I won’t get any more abilities. Maybe I can only shadow and shift gargoyles and phoenix. That can’t be so bad.”

MacLean looked at me like I’d sprouted two heads. “You’re Jedren’s daughter. That’s bad enough. When you didn’t show any abilities, Jedren blamed it on your mother’s blood.”

“Yeah, about that,” Teryl said, earning himself a sharp look from MacLean. “We suspect she might not have been just human.”

“Son of a bitch. Who was her mother?”

Jax interrupted before Teryl could answer. “We must find Elle’s fate. We are leaving to visit Carys tomorrow.” He took my hand again.

I suspected he didn’t want MacLean learning anything about my mother before we did. It was clear Jax didn’t trust MacLean, so I wondered how much I was supposed to trust my former fiancé, too. Teryl seemed to trust him, though. Apparently, it had been his idea to call him in the first place.

Jax’s hand was relaxed in mine. I was even more relieved to note his eyes only had a hint of silver streaking through them.

MacLean was staring at our joined hands with an indecipherable expression.

“I’m nothing like Jedren,” I reiterated

“I figured that out years ago.” He gave me a rueful smile. “The problem is what I’m going to tell Brenin.”

“We need you to come with us to Scotland,” Jax said.

Guess that answered my question about trust. Or did it? What was that phrase about keeping enemies close?

“Why?” MacLean asked, although he seemed less surprised than I was.

“If other hunters are after her, we need an extra set of eyes and ears.”

I got hung up on one word. “Hunters? I though you said they were investigators.” I turned to Teryl in confusion. “What does he mean, hunters?”

Teryl pointed to Jax. “I’m going to defer to Jax and go grab you a hot drink. You want leaded or unleaded?”

“Leaded.” I turned to Jax. “Explain.”

“When a price is put on your head, the investigators become hunters,” Jax replied, as Teryl jogged over to a café across the street. I watched him go, wishing I could escape for a few minutes, too.

“For the record, I’m not hunting you,” MacLean added. His phone beeped again, but this time, he ignored it.

“Surprisingly, that doesn’t make me feel better,” I said, sarcasm dripping from my tone. “Do they want me dead or alive? There’s a big difference there, you know.”

“No, they haven’t issued a kill order yet.”

I should be thankful for that, but I wasn’t feeling very lucky. “How many hunters are there?”

“About a half dozen,” MacLean said, his voice subdued. “Jax is right. I should go with you. I know them, and I know their habits. I have the best chance of keeping them off your trail.”

“Why would you help us?” His easy acquiescence bothered me. How many people just up and agreed to fly to Scotland?

“If Jedren set you up to steal the souls, I need to find out why. And I need to recover the others. Whatever he’s planning, he wants you out of the way. He never does anything without a really good reason.”

“He doesn’t need a reason. He enjoys torturing people just for the fun of it. He and Luke used to—” I clamped my mouth shut before I said too much in front of Jax. I was breathing hard, and I could feel my heart racing. There were some memories Jedren hadn’t tried to take from me, the bastard. The one I’d reclaimed when I’d first touched MacLean meant my former fiancé knew about Luke, too, but Jax didn’t.

If a girl like me wanted to avoid violence, she wouldn’t let her gargoyle know about Luke. I focused my attention on a tourist taking pictures of his wife and three young children hanging on the firefighter’s statue. The children giggled and made faces at the camera.

“He and Luke used to what?” Jax asked, in a low, deadly voice.

I looked away from the family when Teryl walked up and handed me a paper cup and a bouquet of fresh cut flowers from one of the floral cart vendors. “Here you go. Drink up, warm up, cheer up.”

The thoughtful gesture helped me shake away the nasty feeling Luke’s memory always brought. I sent Teryl a grateful look. His timing was impeccable. I buried my nose in the fragrant bouquet of lilies, roses, daisies, and pompons. The heady, floral scent brought instant calm. The cheerful pinks and yellows were perfect. The floral vendors were some of my favorite businesses to support in Seattle. I loved fresh flowers.

“Thanks,” I whispered, and gave Teryl a quick, one-armed hug.

I smelled the flowers again, but reluctantly brought myself back to the purpose of the meeting. “Why would my father put a price on my head? Is that a common thing you people do?”

Teryl sighed. “Elle, we’re your people too. But no, it’s not a common thing. In fact, the last time I heard of a parent doing something like this was when the lines were mixing without the Council’s guidance.”

“Mixed children—like me—who get punished…” I thought about Luke, about my father’s punishment of me for just existing. “It’s like having a dozen Lukes after me…”

I looked up at the sky, hoping the vise around my chest would ease. I felt a gentle hand rub my back. Minutes passed in silence along with the clouds overhead, before my breath began to smooth out.

“Okay, guys,” I said, ignoring the raw feeling in my throat. “I don’t think I can do this. I can’t go to Scotland knowing people are hunting me.” Luke had…I squeezed my eyes shut. I couldn’t think about that.

“Elle.” Jax’s deep voice was soft as he gathered me close, careful not to crush my flowers or bump my drink. “You are no longer safe here.”

Stricken, I opened my eyes and watched the people walking through the square. Jax was right. Oh God, he was right. I hadn’t even considered that. My store, my apartment, all bought and paid for by the guy who wanted me dead. Had I ever really been safe here?

Another small child caught my attention as he hung on the fireman sculpture and giggled. The statue was always a favorite with the kids who visited the park. I envied that carefree, happy sound.

“Elle.” Jax touched my chin, drawing my attention back to him. “This is part of your fate. You are coming into your abilities, and whatever they are, you need to be strong enough to deal with them.”

I didn’t feel strong enough. I wished I had been born to normal parents who divorced and went on to live boring, middle-class lives. Until today, my desire to help Jedren’s victims had overridden my fear of him.

I’d been a fool. And I had seriously underestimated Jedren.

“I don’t know who you think I am, but I’m not that strong person. I’m just Elle.”

Teryl nudged me in the arm. “You’re Elle Fredricks. Defender against evil smells and novice thief. You’re hotter than Catwoman, and you smell like vanilla. That’s gotta count for something.”

An involuntary smile curved my lips. “Thanks, Teryl. You should think about starting a motivational greeting card company.”

Jax heaved a long suffering sigh. “Teryl is right on one account. You’re Elleodora Fredricks. Your name came from your grandmother. She was queen before Jedren took the throne. She was an amazing lady.”

I squared my shoulders and offered them a small smile. “Thanks.”

Jax pressed a kiss to my forehead and I inhaled his scent. It worked like a security blanket. I preferred it over the fragrant blossoms in my hand.

“Okay, let’s get this over with,” I said to Jax. Then I turned to MacLean. “Ready.”

MacLean held up the pictures of the mirror and books. “I’ll need to get these from you as soon as possible. The mirror belonged to Brenin’s father, Yale. It had been in their family for over two centuries, and he chose it to house his soul.” He pointed at the books in the next picture. “Seven sisters, all oracles, all fate readers. Those are their original fate journals.”

“The stones belong to the Walters family,” Jax added. He sounded almost sad.

“Did you know them?” I asked.

“They were my family.” His voice was so soft and low, I almost didn’t hear him. I wished I hadn’t.

“I stole your family? Wait, I thought your last name was West?”

“My mother’s maiden name was Walters. Can you tell us how you found them?”

I gestured toward Teryl. “He tracked the shipments with accounting records. He always knew what day they were coming in and what building, warehouse or third party the items would go to. I just had to show up and take them.” It sounded so ridiculous when I said it out loud. I seemed like the least competent cat burglar around.

“Why these shipments, Teryl?” MacLean asked. He’d taken my spot against the trunk of the maple tree. He gave the appearance of being relaxed, but he wasn’t missing a thing. He continually scanned the crowd. Leaning against the tree gave him a little better vantage point.

“I was looking for smaller items within a large shipment. A little something here and there, so it wouldn’t tip anyone off right away. I was also checking invoices to see how much Jedren had paid, so I had a better idea what we could get for it.”

“How many have you sold?” MacLean asked me.

I flinched at MacLean’s sharp tone. “Only a few pieces of jewelry. I usually wait at least three or four months before I sell.” I looked at the pictures in his hand and mentally calculated. “I’ve had the mirror about seven months, the book about five and the stones were from Saturday night.”

I noticed both MacLean and Jax relax. “Was the jewelry…?” I trailed off, not knowing quite how to word it.

“No,” MacLean replied with an impatient flick of his wrist. “What about the dagger and clock?”

“I haven’t seen a dagger or a clock.” And I didn’t want to. I sipped my latte and waited for the next question.

MacLean pushed away from the tree and took a few steps, tapping the pictures against his thigh as he thought. “No jewelry has been reported missing. The dagger belongs to the phoenix and the clock belongs to the light elves. If you don’t have them, they’re still unaccounted for.”

“Nothing from the shadow elves has been taken,” Jax said.

“Not yet. But I expect something will come up missing within the next few weeks. The thefts have been occurring every three to five weeks, the stones being the most recent.” MacLean rubbed his chin. “I still can’t figure out what Jedren’s motive might be.”

Teryl started pacing, scuffing his feet through the fallen leaves. They crackled beneath his tread. “If Elle had all the souls, I would think his motive would be clear. Set Elle up and let her take the fall. But if there are still souls unaccounted for, that’s a different issue entirely.”

A young woman jogged by, craning her neck to get a second look at Teryl. I didn’t blame her. His outfit was simple and slick. Black, flat-front slacks and a lightweight sweater. He didn’t even notice the attention, because he was too busy pacing.

I finished my drink as I watched them all.

“Can he use the souls?” Jax directed the question at MacLean.

MacLean thought about it. “I’m not sure,” he finally said. “Possibly, but I couldn’t say how. He could use them to start a war.”

One big question kept popping up in my head. “How did he know Teryl and I would go after the shipments…er…souls?”

“I don’t know. There are few oracles left with the ability to sense that, but it’s possible he’s using them.” MacLean’s eyes flickered at the idea, but his expression didn’t give much away.

I supposed it didn’t matter now. I moved on to my next question. “What other combination of lines would give me the mixed-blood magic the Council fears? Maybe what I have is a fluke.”

Teryl shook his head. “No. It’s not a fluke. And I think Jedren knows that. I bet that’s why he’s so eager to get you before the Council. If you are a combination of lines that had been previously proven dangerous and you’ve made it to your late twenties without going crazy, you’ll become one of two things. First option, you’ll become a human lab experiment. They will test you in every way imaginable to figure you out. Second option, you’ll be deemed too much of a threat and killed. End of story.”

I could see worry lines around his eyes. I was scared to death. The picture he painted wasn’t a pretty one. “Can you guys think of any other possibilities?”

Jax didn’t say anything, which I took to mean no. MacLean was watching Teryl pace. After a moment, he said, “It would be helpful to know your mother’s line. I know her name, of course, but there was no information beyond the fact that she was human in the betrothal agreement.”

“Emmaline Fredricks.”

“Fredricks. Hmm…”

Teryl stopped pacing and watched people walking by. He shoved his hands in his pockets. MacLean was deep in thought as well. I was ready to explode. Emotions tangled inside, and I fought to stay calm and steady with my breathing. Another businessman walked past, talking into one cell phone and texting on another. Life went on around me, but I felt like my situation had screeched to a shuddering halt.

“No…” Jax whispered. He stiffened, but thankfully remained human.

“What, Jax?”

His voice had an edge to it. “We are looking at this all wrong. What if Elle’s mother wasn’t any of those things?”

I smiled as relief swept through me. “Right, that’s what I’ve been saying all along. She was human. Period.”

“No,” Jax replied, as his eyes streaked with silver. “No, I don’t believe she was. I think she was a demigod.”

“Demigod? What is that?”

“The child of a human and god or goddess,” Teryl said. He patted his pants’ pockets before retrieving a piece of paper and pen, then began to scribble furiously.

“No, I don’t think so. She couldn’t have hidden something like that.” I’d found her dead in her home. A single gunshot wound straight through the head. If she was a demigod, she wouldn’t be dead. She would be here, lecturing me for stealing from my father. But she wouldn’t be dead.

“If she was a demigod, how could he have killed her?” I stared down at the flowers in my hand, needing the cheer their bright colors could offer. I tossed my empty cup in the trash bin next to the tree, wanting to free up one of my hands.

“They are immortal, but not invincible. They can be killed. We all can. I’m sorry.”

I drew in a deep breath. I was sorry, too, for all of it. But that didn’t change the fact that it was happening, and I had to deal with it.

“Guys, you’ll have to forgive me. I hope I’ll get at least some of my memories back, but until then, just assume I have no clue what you’re talking about. I don’t know what my mom was…” My voice hitched, and I cleared my throat. “I don’t know what she was, but I know you’re right. There are a lot of things we need to consider, and I need to talk to Carys.”

I leveled my gaze at MacLean. “Thank you for offering to come with us. I appreciate any help you can give.”

He nodded.

I shifted my gaze to Teryl. “If you could get me one of those history books you were talking about, that describes the lines? I can read it on the flight and maybe clear up a few questions I have.”

“Sure, I’ll put it in my carry-on.”

I nodded my thanks. “My last question is, am I safe from the hunters until we leave for Scotland?”

The men exchanged a look, then Jax said, “You should be, but that’s why you’re going to stay with me. We don’t want to take chances.”

“Will Cassie be okay with the store? Because I’d rather close it down for a week than put her in danger.”

“No, she’ll be fine,” Teryl said. “The hunters won’t go after her. Once they see you’re not here, they’ll move on. Despite their title, they don’t cause murder and mayhem everywhere they go. Especially when there’s no kill order.”

Well, that was something, at least. “I’m going to stretch my legs and let you guys talk. Jax can fill me in on anything else.”

MacLean pocketed the pictures. “I think we’re done. I’ll call Teryl if I have any questions.”

“I’ll walk with you for a few blocks.”

Jax began to protest, and I turned to him with a scowl.

“Jax, enough. It’s fine, okay?” I had a few questions for MacLean, and I didn’t need a jealous gargoyle breathing down my neck.

Jax was watching MacLean with a clear warning in his silver eyes. MacLean was ignoring him and smiling at me. The smug expression wasn’t helping. I barely repressed the urge to roll my eyes. Instead, I started walking in the direction he’d arrived, hoping he’d take the hint and follow.

When we had walked a block, MacLean turned to me. “While I’d like to believe you wanted a little alone time, I know you’ve got other things on your mind.”

Ground rules. We needed to start with ground rules. “Jax and I are in a relationship.”

MacLean smiled, showing his white teeth. “I could tell. But you and I have history.”

“I don’t remember it.”

He gave a soft whistle. “Harsh, but I suppose I have to give you that one.”

I side-stepped a woman with a jogging stroller. “Look, I remember a tiny bit, but not enough to help. And if you’re coming with us, you have to stop antagonizing Jax.”

I saw a speculative gleam in his eyes. “You’re going to take away all my fun, Princess.”

I flinched. I hated that name and the horrible memories it brought up. “Don’t call me that.”

He blinked at the vehemence in my tone. “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just a nickname I used to call you.”

I willed the tension in my shoulders to ease. “I just…please don’t call me that. Elle is fine. And that leads me to my next question. Why are you doing this? Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the help, but I need to know why.”

I saw his expression change, and he transformed into the hunter. The grin and teasing demeanor were gone. I saw banked fire in his eyes, but they were surprisingly cold and cunning. His face was serious, and there was an aura of danger around him. I figured that was better than a ring of fire, but the change was dramatic. He was all business. “You’re trusting me to help keep you safe?”

“Yes.” I didn’t have much of a choice.

“Then you need to know I’m not only working this case as a hunter. I’ve been hired to investigate your father. I can’t tell you more than that, but I wanted to warn you. You’ve been implicated as well.

“I know you’re not involved. Not in that way. But I need you to know this is much bigger than you realize. It goes beyond your new abilities. Beyond Jedren, even. So I will help you find your fate, and I will protect you from Jedren, but I also have to do my job.”

“Which is what, exactly?”

He flashed that disarming grin. “I can’t tell you that. But I can tell you this.” He rubbed a lock of my hair between his fingers as he held my gaze. “We have unfinished business.”

His eyes flickered, and I felt heat building around him.

I stepped back so he had to let go. “No, MacLean, we don’t.”

If I hadn’t known any better, I’d swear I saw hurt in his eyes, before his smile grew a little wider. “Yes, we do. I hope you get your memories back soon.”

He turned around and walked down the street, leaving that unsettling comment hanging between us. I watched him go. Jax moved with a silent, easy grace, but MacLean…MacLean’s movements were efficient and controlled.

Deadly, my mind whispered. I’d also have to be dead not to notice how attractive he was. Too bad he had the wrong time, wrong place, and wrong girl. As I stared after him, an ache bloomed behind my left temple, a sure sign that there were more missing memories. Maybe he was right, and we did have unfinished business.

Speaking of complications, I thought, as I trudged back up the block toward the park, I have a gargoyle to deal with.

Teryl met me first. “Everything okay?”

I smiled wearily. “Just peachy.”

Teryl wrote a few more words on the paper, and then pocketed it. “I have to head home, finish packing and stuff.”

Jax was standing where I’d left him, and his posture relaxed when he saw me. I smiled with a lot less weariness.

“So, you and Jax, huh?” Teryl obviously hadn’t missed that little exchange.

“Yeah,” I replied, keeping my voice soft. “Me and Jax.”

Teryl looked worried, but he smiled, anyway. “Should I give him the over-protective, best friend speech?”

I snorted. “Do I even want to know what that speech is?”

“Probably not. Because I don’t think I could kick his ass if I tried.”

“Let’s skip that speech. I don’t want you to get hurt,” I teased.

“Isn’t that supposed to be my line?” He elbowed me playfully.

I gave him a quick hug. “I love you for being my best friend and big brother, all in one. Now get out of here. I know you’ve got things to do. And thanks for the flowers.”

He ruffled my hair just to be irritating. “See you tomorrow.”

I walked back to Jax, where he stood under a maple tree. “Let’s head back to my apartment. It’ll take me ten minutes to pack.”