“I fear, puppy, that you are already too late.”
Horst shook his head. “No, I can—”
“She’s right, Piper,” a deep voice said from the door to the café. “You’re out of time.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The new arrival was of average height, average build, and average hair color, something I hadn’t appreciated until I saw it for myself.
I made a mental note to apologize to Emma for doubting her description of this guy.
The only notable thing about him was the gray cape flapping over his shoulders, despite the absence of wind.
He was so bland, in fact, that it seemed almost deliberate, as though, like Horst, he put on an invisible mask every day that shielded his true self from curious eyes.
And then, as if to prove me right, he stepped forward and everything about him shifted. The nondescript figure that had been right in front of me shimmered and dissolved, leaving behind a tall, thin man with a face as sharp as a knife blade. His pupils were black slits, more reptilian than human.
He’snothuman, I realized.
“Where is my brooch, Piper?”
Horst had whirled around at the newcomer’s sudden entrance, his body tense, but now he relaxed, rocking back on his heels. “Dirchan! Long time no see. How’ve you been?”
“Missing my brooch. Where is it?”
“Oh, come on, Dirch. I don’t see you for ages, and you storm in here demanding a silly piece of jewelry? Tell you what—why don’t we sit down and have some cupcakes, and we can get all caught up. This place makes amazing cupcakes. Have you tried them?” He turned to look at me. “Glory, why don’t you go grab us some cupcakes and coffee. Dirch, you still using oat milk in your coffee?”
His tone was light, but his eyes were deadly serious as they met mine. The message was clear: He wanted me to run.
But, like, not until I was out of sight of this creepy guy.
“Enough!” Dirchan snapped. “Your mortal friend will not be going anywhere until you give me back what you stole from me.”
“Stole?” Horst slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “You wound me, Dirch. I merely borrowed a trinket from a friend. I would never steal from you.”
Dirchan’s lips twisted in a sneer of disbelief. “It was not a trinket, as you say, and you will return it at once.”
Quill rubbed her hands together. “Would you like my help now, puppy?”
“Stay out of this,” he said. To Dirchan, he said, “I have it back at my place. If you want to come with me, we can get it now.”
Dirchan’s eyes flashed, and his body began to grow distorted, stretching and lengthening.
Oh, hereallywasn’t human.
