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“You’re giving me a headache,” I accused, then took my tea with me to the living room and my only chair. My phone was sitting there, showing that I had several new messages, texts and voicemail.
“Are you sure it’s not what they think it is?” Cross asked.
“It’s my book. I know that book more than I know anyone or anything. It has gotten less and less stable in the last few years, but we’re talking magical acid forest, not merging with a different dimension and destroying half the population. I thought they were looking for the Book of Fates, unless that’s a different demonic cultist group in my life. Cross, I retired. Why is all of this coming up now?”
He came over to me, kissed my forehead as the doorbell rang. “Chinese food, delivered by a werewolf. I’d guess whose payroll it’s on, but it isn’t fair to play games with a sick girl. I’d feel better if you were with him. If you’re serious about letting me have the book, bring it in Monday night, middle of the night, east hall.”
I scowled. “The library? Not a chance.”
“Because you got fired? Get over it. That’s the most convenient path from the lab to freedom.”
The doorbell rang again. I blew my nose and went to answer it, hearing the soft slide of my window as Cross slipped out into the night.
It was way too much food, but I was saved from stuffing it into my fridge when Mirabel showed up, scowl on her face, harp slung over her shoulder.
I looked up from my sushi, because no matter what, I was eating all the sushi. “Oh. What’s going on? Are you hungry?”
“I’m here to make sure that you’re coming to the music hall tomorrow. Are you sick? You are. Where’s your boyfriend? Isn’t he taking care of you?”
I sniffed and ate a sushi roll. She grabbed a box of spicy chicken and vegetable stir-fry and started eating. She stopped after that box long enough to text someone on her phone, then she grabbed some chicken wings.
“Do you want to talk about it? Did you guys have a bad break up? I’ve never had any emotional connections with anyone like that, not when I have music, but I’ve seen a lot of people have relationships, and I know all the love songs.”
“I actually have a question for you. Bert, a guard at my work, was attacked a few weeks ago, and I used a maintenance spell on him to try and keep him alive while I waited for medics. He’s still in a coma, and I wondered if it was from my music. I heard from a doctor that was impossible, but a nurse said that’s what everyone thinks it’s from.”
She chewed thoughtfully, then shrugged. “I have no idea. It’s interesting, though. Maintenance music is usually only used on inanimate buildings keyed for that kind of thing. Was your coworker very musical?”
I shrugged. “I think that he liked music.”
“I’ll go with you once you’ve gotten over your cold and see. Anna can come too. Do you know, I stopped at the sushi piano bar first to find you, and she was there, but she didn’t seem to remember you.”
I shrugged. “She has memory issues. The only thing she always remembers is Gabby. She has good days and bad days.”
“Your best friend doesn’t remember you. That’s so depressing.”
I punched her shoulder, gently. “I’m happy with my relationships. Thanks very much.”
She studied me for a long time. “Sure. It’s like you’re expecting to run at any minute, no furniture, no friends, no relationships, just work and sushi.”
“Well, maybe that was true, but now I’ve also got music, and you. You’re my good friend, Mirabel, or I wouldn’t feed you so much.”
Her lips twitched. “That would be new for me. I don’t cultivate friendships very well either, but you are a conscientious musician. Tuning Song was a bold move.”
“I only got a few lamps, and I’m taking a break until I can find a way that won’t involve vampires.”
“I’ll go with you. No sane person would mess with a music master in her prime.” She raised her chin and looked so young and ridiculous that I patted her on the head.
“You keep thinking that. Confidence looks good on you.”
She narrowed her eyes, sniffed at me, and then went to the door to let Anna in.
“Hi,” she said shyly, looking around the room curiously. “The message said my friend was here, but I don’t remember…” She saw me and then stared baldly until she grinned. “Sushi!”
I went over and gave her a hug, even though it might get her sick. She was a healer with good vibes. She’d be fine. She squeezed me back, then pulled away to study my eyes.
“You’re sick.”
“Yeah. I got a cold.”
