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"They're very impressive puppies, too," Audrey said.
"They want to eat your little guys, but I won't let them, okay?"
"Thank you. That would be nice. "
"Unless you're mean to my daddy. Then they're toast. "
"Of course," Audrey said. "Special circumstances. "
"He likes you a lot. "
"I'm glad. I like him a lot. "
"I think you're probably okay. "
"Well, right back at you," Audrey said. She smiled at the little brunette with the heartbreaking blue eyes and the attitude, and it was all she could do not to scoop her up and hug the bejeezus out of her.
Charlie jumped up on the couch next to Jane, Cassandra, and Lily, and then realized as he looked across the room at Minty Fresh that he still didn't stand taller than the Death Merchant, which was a little unnerving. (Minty seemed focused on Lily, which was also a little unnerving. )
"You guys, I'm going to go do something, and I might not come back. Jane, that letter I sent you has all the papers making you Sophie's legal guardian. "
"I'm out of here," Lily said.
"No," Charlie said, catching her by the arm. "I want you here, too. I'm leaving you the business, but with the understanding that a percentage of the profits go to Jane to help with Sophie and will also go into a college fund for her. I know you have your career as a chef, but I trust you and you're good at the business. "
Lily looked like she wanted to say something sarcastic, but shrugged and said, "Sure. I can run your business and cook, too. You do your Death Merchant thing and raise a daughter. "
"Thanks. Jane, you'll get the building, of course, but when Sophie grows up, if she wants to stay in the City, you always have to have an apartment for her. "
Jane jumped off the couch. "Charlie, this is crap, I'm not letting you do anything - "
"Please. Jane, I've got to go. This is all in writing, I just want you to hear what I wanted in person. "
"Okay," she said. Charlie hugged his sister, Cassandra, and Lily, then went to the bedroom and gestured for Minty Fresh to follow him.
"Minty, I'm going into the Underworld after the Morrigan - after Rachel's soul, all the souls. It's time. "
The big man nodded, gravely. "I'm right there with you. "
"No, you're not. I need you to stay here and watch over Audrey and Sophie and the others. There are cops outside, but I think their disbelief might make them hesitate if the Morrigan come. You won't do that. "
Minty shook his head. "What chance do you have down there alone? Let me come with you. We'll fight this thing together. "
"I don't think so," Charlie said. "I'm blessed or something. The prophecy says, 'The Luminatus will rise and do battle with the Forces of Darkness in the City of Two Bridges. ' It doesn't say, the Luminatus and his trusty sidekick, Minty Fresh. "
"I am not a sidekick. "
"That's what I'm saying," said Charlie, who wasn't saying that at all. "I'm saying that I have some sort of protection, but you probably don't. And if I don't come back, you'll need to carry on as a Death Merchant in the City - maybe get the scales tipped back for our side. "
Minty Fresh nodded, lowering his gaze to the floor. "You'll take my Desert Eagles, then, for luck?" He looked up and was grinning.
"I'll take one of them," Charlie said.
Minty Fresh slipped out of his shoulder-holster rig and adjusted the straps until they fit Charlie, then helped him into the harness.
"There are two extra clips in here, under your right arm," Minty said. "I hope you don't have to fire it that many times down there or you will be one deaf motherfucker. "
"Thanks," Charlie said.
