“Where are you, love?” I didn’t expect her to hear me. With her speed, she could be a mile away by now.
I flicked on the headlights, and thought I heard a stirring in the branches of the tree, like a large bird or animal moving swiftly.
The passenger door flew open. I twisted, fist cocked.
“Hey, Brogan,” said Raven from the open door.
“No.”
“Yes. You and I need to talk.” He swung into the cab, shut the door, then cooed at Lorde. “Who’s this pretty girl? Aren’t you a beautiful fuzzy wuzz? Yes, you are.”
“What the hell are you doing here, in the witch’s territory?”
“Right now? Petting your dog.”
“Out.”
Raven dug around between him and Lorde, freeing the bone stuck there. “Lorde doesn’t want me to leave, do you, girl?”
Lorde tapped her tail and nosed at his shoulder. He gave her the bone and scrubbed her head, strong fingers tracking furrows through her thick fur.
“Raven,” I said, “out.”
“Or, you could start driving,” he said. “I know where Lula is.”
Trickster.He’d say anything to get what he wanted.
“I don’t believe you.”
“Where’s the trust?” He managed to sound offended. “I thought we were friends. Lorde and I are friends. Look, Lorde loves me.”
“She loves anyone who feeds her treats.”
“She doesn’t love everyone,” he said to Lorde. “Not even everyone who gives her treats.” He threw me a look. “If she thought I was a danger or a threat, you’d know it.”
“Says the trickster god. Out.”
“But I haven’t showed you where Lula is yet.”
“Too late.”
“Look, she’s right there.” He pointed past me. I couldn’t help it. I glanced out the side window.
Lula was striding our way from the edge of the parking lot, her gaze locked on me. From the set of her shoulders, she was aware the god was in the truck too.
She paused on the other side of my door. “Brogan. Raven.”
“I didn’t invite him,” I said.
“Perfect timing,” Raven said. “I need to show both of you something.”
“How about we say no? Again,” I said.
“Then you won’t have the information you need for making decisions about the witches, and the vampire, and the man who has the book.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. “This better not be bullshit, Raven.”
“Hurtful,” Raven said. “I’ll drive.”
