Page 40 of The Cannibal

“You look terrible,” came a chirp from beside me.

“Too early,” I mumbled at the redhead, pouring myself a cup of the beautiful black caffeinated liquid.

“It’s two in the afternoon,” Phoebe said.

“A socialite like you should understand that two in the afternoon is early, for those whose only responsibility is shopping and showing neck at evening soirees.” I took a long sip that turned into several gulps, desperate for the caffeine to cure my headache.

“Are you finished?” Phoebe’s little dainty arms crossed tightly over her chest, her eyes so sharp I think it made the migraine worse.

“Sorry,” I mumbled.

She dismissed me with a wave of her gloved fingers.

“Have you spoken to the golden boy yet?” I mumbled. “I need a few days before we let him see Alina. Nothing will get done otherwise.”

“No, but you should overwhelm his schedule. I already set up some things and changed the lock on Alina’s door.”

“She knows not to see him yet. I spoke with her last night.”

“Oh?” Her chin raised slightly. “She didn’t tell me you two talked.”

“I doubt she’s even awake.” I refilled my cup.

“Did something happen?”

I plastered on my calmest smile. “Nothing to worry about yet.”

“Yet?” Her brows furrowed enough to form stress lines.

“One thing at a time. We have to worry about your father’s arrival first.”

“Well, you may need to work faster.” I swore her eyes twitched.

The coffee nearly caught in my throat long enough to burn it. I stared at her as the words fermented.

“Please tell me some sort of deal is in process?” her voice strained. She ducked her head as she stood beside me, as if to block her words from spying eyes.

“It’s in process” is all I offered, “we have a good case.”

“I fear my father isn’t being docile to be kind,” she stressed. “He always has a blade up his sleeve. Do not give him time to use it.”

“I thought he had a daisy up his sleeve.” I gasped in mock surprise. “I’ve known your father since before you or Silas were born. I know him better than you ever will.”

“Then you have no reason to fail.” She shot me the most sour smile I could imagine.

“Always keeping us on task.” I smiled sarcastically before stepping away.

“Where are you going?”

“To give your brother something to do other than wallowing.” I dumped the rest of my coffee in a plant before abandoning the cup on a decorative table.

A shoulder collided with mine.

“A long night too much for an ancient thing like you?” Sidney joked.

His eyes glanced down, then back up. The lean build slanting as he tilted his head at me. I wanted to pull him by that stupid ponytail and shake him.

“Seasoned stallions have more stamina than green ponies,” I japed. “What do they have you doing now? Party planning committee?”