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That was because I’d eaten a few of them, but at that point in the test, I’d figured telling the truth wasn’t helping my case.

“You should get your affairs in order and prepare for transportation. I’m sorry.” He stood but lingered long enough to add, “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you did what you did, and I thank you on behalf of all San Franciscan citizens. But in the eyes of the law, Lost Ones of your caliber cannot be allowed to roam free.”

The assessor left, and after a few moments Zee poofed into the chair next to mine. “How’d it go? You’re a fuckin’ hero, right? They should give us a medal, or the key to the city, or summin’. Do we get a reward?”

I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was going to be locked up for my service to humanity. “It’s fine.” I smiled. “They said everything is fine and they thanked us.”

“That’s fuckin’ it? After everything we went through? Ugh. Whatever. We’ll celebrate anyway. Cain’s a flaccid old man who’s gonna spend the rest of his dull, miserable days shouting at clouds. I know for a fact all the Lost Ones are queuing up to thank you. Noreen Greene wants an exclusive interview, and she’s said her editor will pay a shit-ton of cash for the scoop.” He leaned forward, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. “She knows an agent who wants to buy my story for a movie. Imagine, me on the big screen, exactly as it fuckin’ should be. I was destined for Hollywood. We are set for life, Kitten.” He shoved from the chair and flicked his wings out. “Imma tell everyone. We’re celebrating. Party of the century tonight, right here.”

“Sounds great, Zee.”

He trotted off to tell Tom.

A party would be great. He deserved it. And I’d enjoy what might be my last night at the hotel.

Tom and Zee tossed ideas back and forth, Zee getting more excited with every new, outlandish idea. Then he poofed off to find Victor. Tom’s gaze found me sitting alone among the crowd. He jerked his chin, plucked a bottle of whiskey from the rack behind him, and poured me a drink, summoning me to the bar.

“So, when you gonna tell them?” he said, sliding the whiskey into my hand.

Nothing got past Tom.

“When the SSD come to get me, I guess.” I sipped the whiskey and let it burn all the way down. “Not tonight.”

“That’s the end of the hotel, then?”

“No, Zee’s here, and Victor will see it safe. The hotel will be fine.”

“Adam.” Tom tossed his cloth over his shoulder and braced an arm on the bartop. “You still don’t get it? Without you, this shithole fails.”

I tried to smile, but his words rang true. Whatever happened to me, the hotel was important. It had to survive. Not least because we had a portal home in one of our closets. “Have a little faith, Tom.”

“Ah, Adam.” Victor perched himself on the barstool beside me. “Bloody Bitch, please Tom.”

“Coming right up.” Tom busied himself fixing Victor’s drink.

“Are you alright?” Victor asked, sensing something was off.

I tried to show him my most normal, bravest smile. “Yup, it’s all good.”

“I just had an interesting call from Pierce, the royal lawyer. Of course, I had to go outside the wards to speak at length with him. It seems the council would like me to join them.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Really? Just like that, you’re pals now?”

“It seems they’ve been trying to end the royal line of succession for a long time. As Daisy hasn’t been seen and has, ahem, likely passed without an heir, the council are about to step in. But they need to be seen to be united, and have someone among them who others can get behind. While I was never more than a minor player in the background, I am well known here.”

“Wow. What about them suing us?”

“All Daisy’s idea. If I join them, the legalities will be dropped.”

“Wow, that’s . . . I did not see that coming. Are you going to accept?”

Tom handed Victor the bright red Bloody Bitch. “If you ask me,” Tom said. “Which I’m sure you were about to do. The vampires could fuckin’ benefit from someone like you as the handsome face of their PR.”

“Tom, is that a compliment?” Victor asked.

“Ha. No. But ever since you arrived this place has gone to hell.”

“He arrived on opening day, Tom.”