I pull him back. "No, you're staying here."
"I mean, I'm going to pack?" the demon tries.
"Nice try. Seriously, stay. She has something for you."
Marlow looks horrified. “I've worn some of her best clothes—yes, Wynn, I know now that the sassy witch shirt and wine bottle pajamas are some of herbestfashion choices. I don't want anything she could give me."
"You're going to like this."
My roommate and landlady Brenda opens the door, humming to herself. Her earrings look like tiny chandeliers, and her sweater depicts cartoon cats wearing sunglasses and witch hats. Even her questionable style choices aren’t enough to distract from what she holds in her hands, a small pug.
"A puppy?" Marlow wonders.
All smiles and excitement, the woman bounds over and deposits the puppy into Marlow's bewildered arms. A tiny thing with a squished face and dark fur, it squirms happily in his arms.
"What the—what the hell?"
"Do you like my new look?" The pug preens for all he's worth. "Marlow, it's me. It's Iggy."
“Yeah, I figured that out.”
That little dog face pouts. "Aw, what gave it away?"
"Pugs don't talk," Marlow states matter-of-factly.
The little pug turns his face to me questioningly, and I nod my head in agreement.
“Okay, then," Iggy mutters to himself. "No talking in front of humans. Good to know."
A confused but pleased Marlow turns to me for an explanation.
“This glamor means he won't have to hide anymore in human cities. Everyone will just see a pug."
"This is perfect," Marlow says, his voice soft with wonder. “Going up,” he warns before sending Iggy into the air. The pug disguise fades away as the gargoyle flies above us.
Marlow uses his now free hands to grab my face and plant a firm kiss on my lips. "Thank you."
Then he does something that shocks me: he turns and wraps Brenda in a tight hug. My eccentric landlady lets out a delighted squeal and squeezes him right back.
Iggy’s new look is a hit. We may not be leaving for Brighton right away, but we’ll all be ready when we get there.
30.Tag Team
Wynn
Who knew I’d wind up here again? Back in the Proving Grounds facing down snarling enemies twice my size.
But things are a bit different this time.
"Just these two guys?" Marlow speaks as we walk toward our competitors. "Why don't they grab a few more fighters and make it a real challenge?"
"Don't get cocky."
He blows me a kiss. "You know me, babe. I'm always cocky."
Marlow and I are in the middle of the Proving Grounds together. Face to face with the competitors we're up against tonight, two brothers from the Iron Pack. The Stanley brothers. They’ve won their last three fights and are going for their fourth victory.
