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As I pulled into the drive at home, the will-o’-the-wisps were running rampant. Globes of light danced around the area. They were pretty, and wouldn’t bother us much, except for Iris and Sharah. They had a penchant for pregnant Fae and were especially dangerous to humans.
If they made their home here, they’d spread out and multiply. They bred like rabbits—although we had no clue how they managed it. They were pure energy, as far as anybody knew. Not even the great Fae Lords could explain how they fit into the world. They were an enigma.
I jumped out of the car and raced inside. Glancing around, I looked for Nerissa and, to my relief, saw her in the corner, amid a pile of loot she’d managed to secure from Nordstrom and Macy’s and a number of stores.
“Oh, thank gods you’re safe! Iris had me worried. I imagined all sorts of dreadful things.” I stepped over the bags and boxes, almost tripping on a large box from Leila’s Boutique, and leaned down to kiss her. “Why didn’t you call?”
Nerissa smiled. “I didn’t know all this was happening. I was out on several cases today and didn’t even make it back to headquarters before I finished up for the day. I had no clue Chase was in danger.”
I glanced around. “Where is Chase? Did you manage to get Sharah and him inside away from the will-o’-the-wisps without a problem?”
Delilah nodded. “Yes, though we had to fight them off. They swarmed and it was nasty. However, Iris and Bruce were able to get into the house during that distraction, so it wasn’t all bad.” She paused as Hanna entered the room, a tray in hand. Marion followed, carrying another tray. They were filled with tea and cups and cookies and what looked like homemade pastries. Marion’s big cinnamon rolls from her café! I longed to be able to taste one.
As they settled the trays on the coffee table, Marion looked up. “I know now is not the best time, but I wanted to discuss something with all of you.”
“What is it, Marion? Please, don’t tell me the Koyanni are making a nuisance of themselves again?” We’d had enough of the rogue coyote shifters.
As Hanna began serving the tea, Marion wiped her hands on her jeans and sat down next to Morio, who was sitting on the sofa.
Marion was a coyote shifter, herself. She and her husband, Douglas, had been living with us for a month since their house and café had been burned to the ground by Telazhar’s cohorts. After he’d gated in Gulakah, the Lord of Ghosts, Telazhar had headed over to Otherworld. Meanwhile, the insurance company had actually come through and Marion’s café was being rebuilt, and she and Douglas were house hunting.
“No, no sign of any of the stragglers. What I wanted to tell you is that Douglas and I will be moving out until our house is ready.”
Delilah jumped up. “Oh, no! Please, we don’t want you to go. Has anybody said or done anything to make you feel unwelcome?”
“Not at all.” Marion sipped her tea, and bit into a cookie. “But let’s face it—you’ve got an army living here. There’s not much room and we’re intruding. We’ve had an offer that will keep me busy while we’re waiting for the café to be rebuilt and we find a house to buy. Douglas has his job, of course, but I need to feel useful and there’s only so much I can do here.” She smiled. “So, it’s a good thing all the way around.”
“Where are you moving?” I couldn’t imagine they had enough money for a hotel. There was no telling how long it would take for them to find a new home.
“We’re moving in with Wilbur, to take care of him.”
Morio choked on his cookie, while Vanzir spit out a mouthful of tea. The rest of us stared at her like she was crazy. But Iris didn’t hold back.
“You’re moving in with Wilbur? You have to be joking! Marion, are you out of your skull?” She stood up, hands on hips, her eyes ablaze and ready to scold. “Wilbur is…he’s…”
Marion held up her hand. “Wilbur did his best to help with the Koyanni problem and in the process, he was terribly wounded. He’s almost ready to go home, but he’s going to need tending to until he gets used to his artificial leg. Douglas and I…we want to help. We can take Martin back to his home, then.”
Wilbur was a necromancer on our side—or as close to our side as he was ever going to get. Crude and lewd, he had raised his brother, Martin the accountant, from the dead and turned him into a ghoul, the only way Wilbur could think of to keep his family with him. Marion was right, though. Wilbur had nearly been killed trying to protect our secrets. His leg had been crushed to the point of amputation. Now, he was about ready to go home.
We’d been keeping an eye on Martin for him, as much as we didn’t like the thought. We kept him out back, in a shed. I wondered just how much Wilbur understood that Martin—the Martin he knew—was long gone and that the ghoul left in his place had very little to do with his brother.
“Are you sure you want to do this? Wilbur’s not exactly pleasant company.” I held Marion’s gaze, and she smiled softly.
“You forget. I brought up three children. I serve people for a living. I need to be nurturing someone. Wilbur may be a pill, but I think we can manage him just fine.” She leaned back. “I’m antsy. I’m used to running a café.”
“What does Douglas say about it?” I somehow couldn’t imagine her husband enjoying the thought of putting up with Wilbur and Martin on a full-time basis, even if it was just for a month or so.
“Douglas and I talked it over. He understands.” She gave me a feral little smile, reminding me again of why coyote shifters were given a careful berth. Even those not part of the Koyanni tribe could be highly dangerous. Maybe they would get on with Wilbur.
I glanced at the clock. “I need to meet Ivana at the end of the driveway in a few minutes. I suppose Iris told you all what I’m doing.”
“Yeah, she did.” Delilah walked over to the window and pushed back the curtains. The will-o’-the-wisps were thick on the front porch. “We have to do something. Camille and Smoky aren’t back yet, and we have no idea if Aeval will even agree to help. Do what you have to.”
“So you’ll back me up?” Delilah was the last person I’d expected to take my side, besides Iris.
She nodded, still staring out the window. “Chase is weak. The bhouts have invaded Seattle. Lindsey called again tonight—several of her coven mates have taken ill; they’re very weak. One guess as to what’s going on there. And we’ve got a fucking demon general out there who likes to play with ghosts. I’d strike a bargain with the devil herself if she could help us.”
I nodded. “Everybody, stay inside. If anybody is going to make a deal with Ivana, let it be me. I’ve dealt with her before. And better one of us be beholden to her than all.” As I headed toward the door, I turned back. “Nerissa, you’re staying here tonight. I don’t care how much you like your condo. It’s just too dangerous.” And without waiting for her answer, I headed out the door.
