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“No, not Dr. Who—Dr. Doolittle.”
“Who’s Doolittle?”
I started to answer, but decided to just take pity on the little guy. He looked confused enough as it was. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll tell you later. It refers to a movie. But, if you can communicate with animals, then would you tell the dogs that Claudette and Lief are friends, and they’re going to help protect Bree?”
“I can do that.” Fancypants flew down to the floor and waddled—when they were on the ground dragonettes often waddled like penguins—over to Oscar. He let out a couple guttural sounds that sounded like a cross between a bark and a grunt. A moment later, Atlas whined and walked over to Claudette, where he licked her hand. Oscar followed.
“Done. Concepts like that are easier to translate, though. Don’t ask me to ask them what they think about a movie.” Fancypants took to the air—he bent his knees and gave a little jump, his wings kicking in the moment he left the floor—and flew back to join me.
“Thank you,” Bree said. “I feel like I’m causing everybody a lot of trouble.”
Bree was usually so pulled together and independent that it hurt me to see her so vulnerable. I headed back into the kitchen, where Grams finished stacking the dishwasher and putting the food away.
“About the cord-cutting ceremony?—”
“Obviously, tonight would be best. It’s the new moon,” she said. “But we can make do.”
“Will it really matter what phase of the moon we’re in?” I asked.
“Well, this isn’t something I’d do after the waxing half-crescent,” she said. “But we have a few days we can work within until then. You go. I’ll stay here with Fancypants.” She wiped her hands on a towel and untied her apron.
“Do you want to come with us? I’m sure Bree wouldn’t mind.”
“No, child. I’m going to perform a new moon ritual, since the house will be empty. I’ll be raiding your herb garden, if you don’t mind.” She kissed my cheek. “Be careful. But I’ll rest easier knowing your young man and his entourage are watching over you.”
I laughed. “He’s not such a ‘young man.’ Faron’s a shifter. He’s likely nearing your age.”
“Shifters age slowly. He’s still young in all the ways that count. Anyway, go and tend to your friend.” She waved me off, making certain I had the basket filled with the extra strawberry shortcakes. After saying goodnight to Fancypants, we trouped out, and—in a caravan of cars—headed toward Bree’s house.
* * *
I wokeup several times that night, peeking out the window. I couldn’t see the shifters out there, but I could sense Faron. We’d grown close enough that he was on my magical radar. The dogs were in Bree’s room, where they should be, and they were quiet all night.
Morning came early, and I was up by seven-thirty. But Bree was already in the kitchen making breakfast. Stacks of pancakes filled the table, along with a huge platter of scrambled eggs and a tray of sausage links.
“Can you call them in?” she asked.
I peeked out the door and whistled. Within minutes, Faron, Claudette, and Lief crowded into the kitchen. They reported no issues, as we all sat down to breakfast.
“The relief crew will be here in ten minutes,” Faron said. “I also have recruited a volunteer to stay with you at your workplace. She’ll meet you there—her name is Veronique. The men coming this morning are Paris and Lief’s brother—Hans.”
Claudette spoke up. “Lief and I’ll be back tonight around eight to relieve Hans and Paris. We didn’t see anything, though I doubt we will, if your stalker realizes you’re being protected.”
“At some time, I guess we’ll have to draw him out—” Bree started to say.
“Yes, but first, we want to make certain you’re secure,” Faron said. “All right, let’s finish breakfast and then get home for a little shut eye. I won’t be back tonight, I have too many things to attend to, but Claudette and Lief are perfectly capable of handling this case.”
“I need to stay home tonight, too. But call me if you need me,” I added.
“I’ll be all right,” she said, straightening her shoulders. “Last night I was really freaked, but I’m better this morning. Thank Fancypants for me again, for talking to the dogs.”
“I will.” I gave her a hug and headed out towards my car. Faron followed me. Claudette and Lief stayed so they could introduce Hans and Paris to Bree.
Faron wrapped his arms around my waist. “You know, in the middle of everything that was happening last night, do you remember that your grandmother gave us her tacit approval?”
“Yeah, I do.”
I didn’t know why I was feeling hesitant—I had wanted her approval. When she met Bran, she’d obviously been hopeful that he and I would grow more serious. I liked Bran—he was extremely attractive. He was sweet and helpful. But right now, I had to admit, Faron had the edge. There was something about him that stirred up the butterflies in my stomach.
