“Ah,” Arthur said awkwardly, “we don’t know.”
“You don’tknow? And you’re gonna use them?”
“One should always have a Hail Mary up their sleeve.” Arthur shrugged. “Why not three?”
“Pavel doesn’t make harmful potions,” said Jade. “Just extraordinary ones. He made one once that let me walk on air.”
Rory’s eyebrows flew up. “How’s this Pavel fella not the most dangerous paranormal you know?”
“He doesn’t have much control over what he makes.” Arthur sighed. “Or even when he speaks anymore.”
Uncomfortable sympathy twisted Rory’s chest. “Bet he likes Hyde Park, though.”
“I hope so.” Arthur added ruefully, “Don’t think I’m not wishing I could send you and Mrs. Brodigan there with him.”
Nerves flared in Rory’s stomach at the reminder of the night to come. But he looked up at Arthur and found he was steady.Ace’ll be there. I’ll be okay.
“Yeah, maybe,” he said, with a tiny shrug, and then bravely added, “But the view’s even better here.”
Surprise crossed Arthur’s face. Jade grinned. “Flattered speechless is such a good look on you,” she said to Arthur. “Now you’ve got the case and I’ve got to run. I need to get a waiter’s uniform for Rory and meet the new supplier.” She and Arthur both shuddered.
“What’s bad about a new supplier?” Rory asked.
“The Magnolia has built a reputation for quality in a time when half the city’s gin mills serve drinks straight from the bathtub. New business partners are hard to come by, and harder to trust.” Jade shook her head. “This supplier claims to source from Quebec, but who can be certain?”
“I can.”
Two heads swiveled in Rory’s direction. He held up his hands. “Psychometric, remember?”
Jade’s eyes widened. “Oh no, I couldn’t ask—”
“You saved mylife,” said Rory. “You don’t gotta ask.”
She beamed. “Rory, you’re wonderful.”
Arthur frowned. “You’re not actually going to spirit a paranormal off to scry spirits—”
“I absolutely am.” Jade winked at Rory. “Meet me downstairs.”
She disappeared. Rory reached for his own coat, and saw Arthur had gone tense. “Hey,” Rory said. “I’m gonna scry the containers, not drink the contents. Not like I wanna get zozzled again.”
Arthur made a face. “I suppose it wasn’t fun and games for you either.”
“Never is,” Rory said with feeling. “Lucky I had you.”
“It was my fault you were drinking—”
“I would’ve tried it eventually,” Rory said. “Imagine if I’d tried it without you.”
Arthur straightened, like every overprotective inch of him was rioting at the thought, and opened his mouth—
And then he deflated, all his light disappearing. “I’m sure you could find someone else to pull you out.” He looked out the window instead of at Rory. “No need for you to be stuck with me.”
“Stuckwith you?” Rory scoffed. “Oh yeah, that’d be the worst. Next thing you know, someone’s gonna try and stick me with Buckingham Palace, and who wants that shack?”
Arthur cut his eyes back to Rory. “You’re very cute,” he said grudgingly, “but you’re also twenty. I’m not going to be your ball and chain.”
“Sounds like another way to sayanchor,” Rory said, before he could stop himself.
