Page 82 of Curse of the Wolf
“True, but I may need to stick to alcoholic drinks when I’m— Er, I could have used a little fortification to have the necessary bravery to…” His cheeks flushed red.
“Does that mean your drink-making didn’t lead to a night of amore?”
His cheeks reddened further. “The night was fine, just not as triumphant as I thought it would be.”
“I don’t know if that implies you lost your nerve or need a druidic potion to enhance your… twig.”
“I don’t need anypotions,” he whispered hoarsely and glanced around, as if hordes of tenants might be at the window listening in.
His whole face was red now, and I lifted an apologetic hand. I hadn’t meant to tease or torment him.
“I got nervous. That’s all.” He backed to the door and gripped the knob. “You didn’t answer. Do you want more invitations to networking events? There’s one coming up at the yacht club.”
“Thanks, but I’m going to check out one of the meetups at the pizzeria/bowling alley.”
“Probably a good idea. Fewer closets there for you to get yourself into trouble in.”
“Hilarious.”
“I shouldn’t be the only one embarrassed here.”
As Bolin opened the door to leave, a text came in on my phone. Duncan had woken up.
My lady, you’ve left your sword lying on the floor among the dust bunnies.
I left it there for you to guard. I figured a fearsome werewolf could deal with malevolent bunnies.
While unconscious?
Haven’t you told me multiple times how magnificent you are? I’m sure you can handle it.
Such arrogance you accuse me of. I’m certain I’ve only told you of my fit and virile vitality.
Tempted to ask Bolin if those words all meant the same thing, I glanced up to see if he remained in the area, but he’d hustled to his SUV and was shooing birds away from it. Amazing that he’d drawn up those vines from the ether but the local bluejays and robins still didn’t respect his vehicle.
“Kid needs to take my advice and get something druid-appropriate.” I started to text a suitably snarky reply to Duncan, but the howl of a wolf came from the greenbelt, close enough that I had no trouble hearing it in the office. “What now?” I grumbled, thinking of Izzy.
I stepped outside to see if I recognized the howler. It could have been Izzy, but it could also have been another werewolf hired by my enemies. Radomir wouldn’t be a problem going forward, but who knew what resources Abrams had at his disposal? After we’d destroyed his laboratory and caused the death of his business partner, hehadto feel vengeful.
Outside, the howl was clearer, and I started when I realized that I did recognize the voice. Not Izzy but Lykos.
Are you expecting a younger version of yourself?I texted Duncan.
I am not.
Do you think Abrams would have sent him after us? Afterme?
In my lupine form, I’d faced off against the boy before, and he’d decided he couldn’t take me. In a few years, once he matured fully, that would change, but, for now, he shouldn’t be a threat. Hell, I’d given him chocolateandsalami in the weeks since I’d met him. He ought to like me, Abrams be damned.
“I’m going to find out,” Duncan said, startling me as he walked around the corner.
“Are you going to chase him down, tackle him, and question him?”
I’d yet to hear the kid speak and had no idea if he had the capacity or not. Who knew what kind of traumatic childhood he’d endured being raised by Abrams?
“That’s not the plan I’ve got in mind.” Duncan held up a finger, jogged to his van in the parking lot, hopped inside, and reappeared a minute later with his metal detector, his magicdetector, and a case of fishing magnets all gathered in his arms. He walked back to me, though he looked like he would ultimately head across the lawn and into the woods. “I’m going to practice what you suggested.”
It took me a moment to guess what he meant. “Showing him how to recover rusty bicycles from the bottoms of lakes?”
