“The Court Jester,” Than read from the title credit. “Is it a tragedy?”
“It’s a musical. Kind of. And an adventure. And a comedy. So quotable. You’re gonna love it.”
“I see.” He settled back, one hand smoothing over Spud’s soft ears. “Go on.”
“Oh, wait. Before I forget, Tala says hi.” It was a casual comment, no big deal. If I hadn’t been sitting on the couch right next to him, I might have missed his reaction.
He was still, but the color in his face seemed to warm. Not a blush, because I was pretty sure Than didn’t have the capability to feel embarrassed.
“Who?”
His voice cracked.Cracked.
I fought down a grin, because this was suddenly so much more interesting than the show.
“Tala. She’s a goddess. Of the morning and evening star. I met her out at the casino Thursday.”
“She mentioned me?”
“She wondered if you were vacationing.”
“Ah.” He didn’t say more, but I could see it in him. The strain to remain uninterested. “And you told her?”
“Yes, you’re vacationing here. Then she told me to say hi. So I have. I’ve told you your girlfriend says hi.”
“She is not my girlfriend.” He almost,almostpulled it off. The affronted look. The raised eyebrow.
But that not-blush was still there. And his breathing was a little quick.
“Is she your enemy?” That hadn’t occurred to me.
“No.” The word was slow, stretched out.
“Well, whatever she is, she seemedveryinterested in contacting you.”
He swallowed, and I heard the click of his dry throat. “That is very cordial of her.”
“Isn’t it? Isn’t it so nice of her to want to know where you are? To want me to pass on that message. I enunciated it clearly, didn’t I? Are you sweating?”
“Why? Is there another hell spell in which you wish to participate?”
Sassy. I just shrugged. “I am sorry about that. Do you want my blood too?”
“Your blood?”
“Seems to be the preferred form of payment for my crimes.”
“Who has taken your blood?”
Ah, yeah. There he was: the scary guy. The Death who wasn’t as much on vacation as he might think he was.
I showed him my hands. “Werewolves, because I used the Heartwood in the spell, and Bertie, because I used her Feather in the spell.”
“Ah.” The looming thunder in his eyes faded. “Wood, feather, and sweat. A very traditional spell. I can imagine the demon assumed using those items from citizens within Ordinary would give it power over you.”
“Wait. What? It doesn’t?”
He nodded toward my hands. “The demon grossly underestimated how much the citizens of Ordinary care for you.”
