“All these shacks look the same to me. Square, square, square, roof, roof, roof. Someone should put numbers on them so people who are used to living in interesting places like castles, palaces, and fiery volcanic pits, can tell them apart.”
“They have numbers.” I pointed.
“Well, I ignore those,” she said, turning her head to one side.
“Were you spying on me?”
“No.”
“Were you meeting up with Tish?”
She snorted. “I discovered Tish at the same moment you did. Well, a few moments earlier than you. And I wasn’t spying on Ryder.”
I rubbed at my forehead. “I didn’t ask you if you were spying on him.”
“Good. Because I wasn’t.”
I knew she was lying. “Ryder’s out here?”
“How would I know? I’m not spying on him.”
“Xtelle,” I warned.
“Fine. He’s right over there. For someone who says she’s in love, you are shockingly unaware of his presence.”
I took a couple steps back to the fence and sure enough, Ryder was out there on the sidewalk at the corner of the block, pointing at a manhole cover.
Next to him stood an aggravated Vivian Dunn. He might not be boring her to death, but he was certainly annoying her.
The look of wholesome sincerity on his face, the way his hands moved like the history of our manhole covers was the most interesting thing in the world, the way Vivian’s eyes were glazing over—I couldn’t love that man more.
He was, however, between me and my Jeep. Taking Tish out there was a risk. Tish was new to town, and working for someone, and possibly a thief who had access to some very powerful spells. That made Tish a flight risk. Unless I slapped handcuffs on them, which would only draw more attention, I couldn’t be sure they wouldn’t run for it again.
“Can you take on your normal shape?”
Xtelle gasped, and Tish’s eyes flew wide.
“You want me naked?”
“No, not naked, just…the shape you are when you’re not something you’ve eaten.”
That all sounded bad, and I was pretty sure I had offended them, but I wasn’t sure why.
“Naked?” Tish repeated.
Xtelle cleared her throat. “I’m sure Delaney doesn’t want that.” She was addressing Tish, but staring straight at me. “No one would ask a ghoul to gadabout in their first skin, because it is incredibly rude and invasive. You’re not rude and invasivetodayare you, Delaney?”
“I am not,” I said. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, Tish. You’re the first ghoul I’ve met. I’ll do better as I learn more about you. Thank you for being patient with me.”
Xtelle’s mouth dropped open, then she closed it. The look on her face was something close to grudging respect.
“You are welcome?” Tish replied.
“Plan B. Than, can you take Tish into the station? You can use my Jeep if you want.”
“I have a vehicle,” he said mildly.
“Okay, is it here?”
