I considered this. It was true; entering into a formal alliance with a trial contestant would elevate my status from invisible to threat.
So we stay smart,I signed.No announcements until the bonding. We have a few days. Vampires can only bind under a half-moon.
I traced a crescent in the air, then brought both hands together from opposite sides, meeting at the center.Love meets you halfway,I continued. Such a romantic sentiment that the vampires rarely seemed to follow.Until then, I will give us a head start by gathering all the information I can.
She circled me slowly, like she was appraising livestock at market, lips quirked in barely contained amusement.So, what is your power?She raised an eyebrow with mock gravity.
I puffed out my chest.I can talk to animals.
She froze mid step and stared at me for a heartbeat before her lips started twitching. Then a snort escaped, followed by another, until she was laughing so hard she had to grab the back of a chair for support.Sorry!She wheezed between giggles, wiping tears from her eyes.I am not laughing at you, I swear. It is just—She dissolved into freshpeals of laughter.The universe has such a twisted sense of humor!
I waited, trying to look dignified while she collected herself.
She took a shaky breath, still grinning but clearly trying to be more considerate.No, really. I think it is actually wonderful. You cannot communicate with people in the traditional way, but you can talk to every other living creature? There is something almost…poetic about that.
It is not a joke, I signed, though her obvious attempt to be kinder made it harder to stay annoyed.
I know.She held up both hands in mock surrender, lips pressed tightly together as the twitch at the corners betrayed her, but her eyes warmed with genuine affection.I just keep picturing you having deep talks with house cats while the rest of us are clueless about what you are thinking.
Cats actually give excellent life advice.Sleep 16 hours a day, eat when you want, ignore everyone else. Groundbreaking stuff.
Sorry, but you have to have the most…She paused again.I-R-O-N-I-C-A-L-L-Y useless power ever.She began pacing but kept glancing back at me with a mix of amusement and something that looked almost like fondness.
Come on.I grinned despite myself. Her amusement was infectious.Cats can be useful.They know everyone's business in a six-block radius. Better intelligence network than most spies.
A spy network of animals. That is either brilliant or insane.She tapped her finger against her lips.I love it.
I reached into my pocket. “This is Nibbles—Nibs if he likes you,” I said aloud.
Sidney’s eyes widened as the tiny mouse blinked up at her.He is adorable.
Nibssniffed the air, whiskers twitching, then scrambled up my sleeve to perch on my shoulder.
I smiled.We make a great team.Just us taking on an entire vampire coven.
Us,she repeated, and something warm flickered in her expression.Both of us taking on the House of the Sanguine.
Us,I confirmed.Like old times, except now I am very strong and have an allergy to garlic bread.
Oh!she signed.You used to love garlic bread.
I still do.I chuckled, patting my stomach.I still eat it. The difference is now my gut’s revenge is silent to me but deadly to everyone else.
She laughed.Remember when you swapped the steward’s ink with that D-I-S-A-P-P-E-A-R-I-N-G stuff? He rewrote the same report three times before giving up.
That was O-N-E time,I protested, grinning.And the steward deserved it for accusing me of “losing” his favorite quill when he had it tucked behind his own ear.
One time?She raised an eyebrow.The soap in the laundry room. The jack-in-the-box in the stables. I can go on.
All right, all right.I held up my hands in surrender, then signed something that made her eyes widen.
Did you just call me “Droopy Drawers”?
It never gets old.I shrugged, then signed,Princess Chocolate.
She burst into silent laughter, covering her mouth.I cannot believe you remember those stupid nicknames.Her hands moved to spell outDuke Dungheapin return.
Hey now, that is L-O-R-D Duke Dungheap to you,I signed with mock dignity, which only made her laugh harder.
