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“How do you know who is right if you can’t remember afterward?” I sidestep a naked leg kicking out from an alcove’s diaphanous drapes.
“I forgot how many questions you ask.” He grins. “When you leave here, you’ll remember Cait’s rules, fragments of feelings, and flashes of memory. It’s not much, but we infer a lot after talking. It all adds up.”
“So it’s not as guilt-free as it seems.” I raise my brows. “Not as anonymous.”
“Cait says she lets the rules slip a little through the enchantment because they keep the Radiants accountable.”
“Cait?”
His eyes flash with warning. “She’s the witch who runs this place. If you see her, walk the other way. And whatever you do, don’t?—”
“Alfie, Alfie, Alfie.” A feminine purr behind us. “I thought I told you to stop bringing in strays?”
He tenses. We turn and find a curvy woman with emerald feline eyes, smirking. Black pointy cat’s ears twitch through her chin-length auburn hair. Her flowing cream top is cut low to reveal bountiful cleavage. Her bronze skin is marked with pale splotches of discoloration—a star at her breastbone and more on her hands that almost look like fingerless gloves. A delicate chain dangling from her left earlobe to nostril carries sparkling gemstones, and there are more gems on her choker. Something about them feels different from the usual Chaser charms. They glow with unearthly light.
“Last one, I promise,” Alfie begs.
“Careful now, mortal.” Her eyes twinkle. “Making promises like that is far too tempting to resist.”
He shows his palms, eyes crinkling flirtatiously. “Okay, okay.”
“Now, introduce me to your friend.”
“Cait, this is Willow. She’s from... the same place I am. Mortal, but... yeah. Wasn’t always.”
“Truly?” Cait’s dark brows rise sky high. She touches my pointed ears. “You still reek of wolf... and, oh...ooh. I see.” After scrutinizing my face, she winks. “I can reverse what she did if you like.”
My heart stops. Does she mean Titania’s curse? “You can?”
“Well, not all of it.” Her manicured hand waves around my face. “Just that part. Give me your cape, and I’ll check it at the bar. You can collect it when you leave.”
She’s nice. I don’t know why Alfie warned me away. I smile gratefully and undo the laces. It’s so warm here that I’m sweating. As I pull it off, a loud burst of raucous laughter draws her attention, followed by the distinct sound of a fist meeting flesh.
“Nicnevin,save us,” she mumbles, rolling her eyes.
“Who is Nicnevin?” I ask. “Legion said something like that too.”
Her gaze snaps to me. She stares for so long that I start squirming. Alfie fidgets, and I fear my offense will have me turned into a toad. But then she relaxes and gives a shrug, answering, “Us oldies are a sentimental lot, praying to deities no one cares about anymore. Old habits die hard, I guess. The damned gentry are feral tonight. What’s up with that?”
“Holly King’s Feast?” I suggest.
“Hmm. Good point. Stifling traditions always lead to—hey! Fisticuffs in the ring only!” Her profile reveals a black, furry tail lashing with agitation. “Kai! Get your butt in there.”
“Don’t let us keep you,” Alfie says to her.
“Fine. She can stay.” She gives him the side-eye. “But no antics like last time, got it?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Of course, you don’t.” Her grin reveals sharp teeth. “Just checking. And you—” She takes my cape and sniffs it. “Dogs and cats aren’t meant to get along, but I like you. Find me later, and we’ll talk. And if you don’t, be sure to remind your tall drink of dark water I said my offer still stands. Welcome to Burn After Reading.”
“Sure.” However, I have no idea who she’s referencing.
“Hey!” she barks at the brawling group, pushing up her sleeves. “What did I just say?”
She charges toward the tumultuous group, completely unafraid of the brawny, muscular man exacting bloodyretribution on someone unseen. Oh. Maybe that’s Kai, the one she called for.
Alfie exhales. “That was close. She must like you.”
