"You're awake."
Go away, Garrett.
"Who's winning? The ants or the roaches? Better watch out for those spiders down in the corner. They're sneaking up on your silverfish."
Quit pestering me, Garrett.
"I have a visitor, a prospective client. We need a client. I want you to hear her outpouring of woe."
You brought a woman into my house again? Garrett, my good nature has limits wider than the ocean, but it does have limits.
"Whose house? Do we have to go back to talking about who's the landlord and who's the squatter?"
The bugs scattered. Some of them jumped on others. That's life in the war zone.
/ almost had the pattern.
"He does it with mirrors. If there was a pattern, the Venageti War Council would have spotted it months ago. Finding Glory Mooncalled isn't a hobby for them. It's life or death." The mercenary was picking them off one by one. He had an old score to settle.
I take it this one is not that redheaded witch of yours?
"Tinnie? No. This one works for the Stormwarden Raver Styx. She has fairy blood. You'll love her at first sight."
Unlike you, who loves them all at first sight, I am no longer the victim of my flesh, Garrett. There are some advantages to being dead. One gains the ability to reason... .
I'd heard this before — several dozen times. "I'll bring her in." I stepped out, returned to the front room. "Miss Crest? If you'll come with me?"
She glowered. Even angry she was a gem, but there was a quiet desperation in her stance that gave me all the handle I needed. "Amiranda, haunter of my dreams. Please?"
She followed me. I think she knew she had no choice.
____ II ____