Page 29 of Night Shift

“Yes, I was there for all of them.”

“Compared to the age of the universe, forty-three minutes is insignificant.”

“Tell that to my ass.”

I decide not to.

Petra stares at me for another moment before her expression changes, irritation narrowing into suspicion.

“Why did you do it?”

“I was delayed.”

“You are never delayed.”

“I was last night.”

“Erebus.”

The use of my name feels oddly threatening.

I look toward the rack of pastries.

Petra follows my gaze.

Then she gasps.

“This is about Calliope.”

I see no reason to lie. “Yes.”

Her entire face changes.

“Oh.”

I wait.

Her eyes widen.

“Oh.”

“I do not understand the distinction between those responses.”

“You held back the sunrise because of Calliope?”

“Yes.”

“Because you got kissed?”

I turn toward her sharply. “How do you know about that?”

Petra waves one thick hand. “Please. I’ve been alive a long time, and you’ve got the expression.”

“What expression?”

“The one men get when a woman has scrambled their brains.”

“My brain is intact.”