“Thank you,” I said.
“For what?”
“Agreeing to help Nigel. I know you’d rather get on with things. Get the owner’s sign-off for renovations or whatever. Mostly so the others can return. You need your apartment back.”
“That’s not it. Helping Nigel may be more complicated than it seems. These things usually are.”
“So you don’t want your apartment back?” That’s why he was rushing to get the hotel repaired, right? So he didn’t have to stay with me anymore?
“Well, of course I do. But… that wasn’t why I… Never mind. What time are we being relieved?” Hunter’s eyes looked away, as though he wanted no further conversation.
“Dawn.”
He closed his eyes for a second. “We’ve got a few hours. Why don’t you try to get some sleep? I’ll wake you if anything happens.”
I wanted to argue that he should rest too, but I was tired, and he’d had a nap earlier. So I stretched out my legs, letting my head fall back against the unforgiving upholstery.
My thoughts rambled over the previous conversation with Abraham. “So who is in your apartment? Abraham said they were unique?” I asked.
“Eric and Derek would not fit in with the wolves at all. They’ve come into Pinkie’s a few times, claimed to be brothers, but look nothing alike. Derek is the pretty one—he’s got to be descended from the upper fae. Eric? Yeah. I have no idea, but I’m sure going to disinfect the entire apartment when I get back.”
Chuckling, I settled in. Or tried to. After a few minutes of squirming around, I let out a sigh and closed my eyes and pretended to sleep.
“Man, you’re never going to sleep like that. Come here.”
I opened my eyes to see Hunter, legs stretched out, a paperback in one hand as his other gestured to his lap. “Lie down.” At my hesitation, he put his book down. “Or I can move to the chair. That’s better.”
“No.” I scooted over and put my head on Hunter’s thigh, swinging my legs up over the opposite arm of the couch. “There’s no pillow. You make a fine one.” My lips curved up a bit, but my eyes were closed so I didn’t see if the smile was returned. Suddenly comfortable, I settled, giving up a bigger sigh of contentment than I should have.
Chapter Eight
Hunter on pancakes covered with syrup and dreams
The rest of the predawn hours passed without incident except for me having to restrain myself from touching Regge’s hair. It was one thing to let your friend use your lap as a pillow but quite another to stroke his hair while he slept.
The wolves were prowling outside the door when Regge was startled awake. He was up with sword in hand before I could stop him.
“Relax, Regge, it’s just our relief. Let’s go home.”
His hair was tousled to the point of extreme sexiness, his eyes squinting to see outside the glass door. “Okay.” He lowered the sword, his grip firm.
Two men, strong, wiry builds and full beards peered through the front glass at us.
Nigel popped in at the desk. “Guests!” he exclaimed with delight.
“No, Nigel. They’re here to watch over you and Master Anu,” Regge said. He opened the front door for the men. “Abraham sent you?”
The first man nodded with a feral smile. “I’m Pery, this is Luke. You guys have any trouble?”
I rose from the couch, shaking my head. “Nope. All quiet.”
Regge walked over to the front desk and handed Nigel the sword. “Put this behind the desk, would you?”
With a sigh, Nigel took the sword, and it popped out of existence.
Regge frowned. “Now how am I going to find it if I need it?”
“Simply look for it of course. Oh. I have a list of things needed for my transference. Though I am sad to lose this vessel.” Nigel looked down at his thin, pale frame, running a hand across his rumply white shirt, his constantly crooked bow tie. He’d added a pair of black-and-red suspenders, making him look like a sickly tenor in a barbershop quartet.
