“You’re wrong,” I said. “It’s our problem.”
She shook her head, so Danzig added. “If our mom was ill, would you say we were on our own?”
“Of course not,” she said, and her pat to his leg turned into a slap. “I hate that you used logic against me. It’s not fair.”
Danzig grabbed his leg, pretending to be in pain. “Why would you hurt me like that!”
She snorted out a laugh and relaxed again. “You’re an adorable drama serpent.”
I barked out a laugh, and Danzig shot me a frown. “That is not my new nickname.”
“Sure, sure,” I agreed. I couldn’t wait to tell everyone in the Lobo Gris pack!
Chapter 20
Bec
I woke up to the smell of cooking. Despite being tired, I tossed and turned all night, barely falling asleep around three in the morning. I couldn’t stop thinking about Jim, Gale, and even my parents. I was worrying about everyone, so I might as well throw them into the mix.
The smell of bacon and coffee was irresistible.
I staggered out of bed and stumbled down the stairs. After I ate breakfast, I’d change out of my pajama shorts and shirt. It was probably wiser to wait to dress after I had coffee, otherwise bad choices might be made. I’d hate to confront someone while wearing polka dots.
Polka dots didn’t seem like the type of thing a film noir private investigator would wear.
That thought made me chuckle as I hit the first floor. I turned the corner, expecting to find Danzig in the kitchen, only to be confronted with a stranger in my condo.
A tall, lean woman had her back to me as she cooked something on the stove. She had one long, dark brown braid reaching all the way to her waist. She was humming something as she cooked, swaying slightly and making her braid move hypnotically. She stopped humming but didn’t stop swaying.
“Good morning, Bec. I sent Danzig to get some eggs, and Marduk is walking Hugo,” she said without turning around. “Help yourself to coffee.”
I remained where I was, trying to figure out how to react. This woman knew our names and felt comfortable enough to order the guys around.
There was really only one person she could possibly be. This had to be Danzig and Marduk’s mother. I went with the more likely option.
“Good morning, Amara,” I said.
She turned to face me with a fork in one hand and a brilliant smile on her face. I’d thought my mom was tall, but this woman had her beat by inches. It only made sense considering her sons were giants.
“Very good, child,” she said. “I knew the void would pick a clever mate for my boys.”
“Uh, thanks,” I said.
Tilting her head, she ran her eyes up and down my smaller frame. “You’re so tiny,” she murmured.
My goodwill disappeared. “Hey!”
She chuckled. “It’s an observation, not an insult. Pixies tend to be tiny, and they’re some of the toughest creatures I know. Hobgoblins are half your size but more powerful than me. Size doesn't indicate anything but the numbers on your clothing tags.”
I grinned. “Well said. I think I like you.”
She gave me a grin and turned back to the stove. She forked the bacon onto a paper towel covered plate. When she opened the oven to put the plate inside to keep the bacon warm, I saw other plates full of food waiting, including one piled high with biscuits.
“You made biscuits. Are you going to make gravy too?” I asked, my mouth watering. Mila used to make biscuits and gravy all the time back home, but I hadn’t had it in years.
“I’m about to,” she said. “I had to fry the bacon first.”
“Amara, I think I love you.” I wasn’t joking.
