“Oh, he was being so good and still,” Therese said, hopping to the floor, her little frog legs propelling her to impressive heights. “But did you see? Did you see?”
“See what?” I asked.
“Xander’s makeover! I did it myself.” Her throat bobbed proudly as she settled near the door.
“It was lovely,” I assured her. “Really brings out his eyes.”
Erik frowned. “He barely has eyes.”
“Then clearly you were so busy admiring Therese’s makeover that you didn’t notice them.”
Lexi walked into the room, looking back up the hall, preoccupied. “Did you notice anything different about Xander this morning?” she asked.
“I think he did something with his hair,” I said, and Therese giggled. I looked beyond her, into the hallway. “How is Freya doing?”
Lexi sighed. “The damage to her arm was extensive. As much as I would like to, I can’t give life where there is none.”
I winced. “She lost the arm?”
“She did.”
“A shame,” Erik sniffed. “Good thing she has a spare.”
I looked at him. “You are … why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be scuttling into the shadows like a cockroach?”
“You wound me,” Erik said sarcastically, placing a hand over his heart. “I merely wanted to give you this.” He handed me a slip of paper with an address and a name.
“What is it?” I asked, frowning down at the note.
“The address of a ship in the docks that will take you to America. I’m a very affluent man, Callum. A good person to have on your side, and I always pay my debts.”
I doubted that very much, but I was happy to have a ship to take us to our destination. “Thank you,” I said, waiting for the catch.
But Erik only nodded. “I’ll be off then. Perhaps we’ll run into each other again one day. Perhaps very soon.”
“Let’s hope not,” I said, grinning. I put out a hand and shook his, nevertheless. He had done me a favor, after all. “Safe travels.”
“To you as well,” he said. He nodded to Lexi. “Thank you for the bed. It was only mildly lumpy.” He walked out of the room, whistling under his breath.
Lexi tilted her head as we watched him go. “It was odd having a man who deals death under my roof.”
“I’m sorry to have imposed on you.”
She put a hand on my arm. “No, no. It’s never any trouble hosting you and your friends. I’m only sorry I couldn’t do more for Freya. But her wound is healed, and she’s nearly recovered.”
“Thank you,” I said, placing a hand over hers.
“Of course.” Her eyes flicked to mine. “And you?”
“Good as new. I hope Auggie isn’t too tired from all the energy you’ve been siphoning from him.”
Lexi waved a dismissive hand. “He had a good night’s rest. He’ll be fine.”
“And his ankle?”
She hesitated. “I strengthened it, but a magical wound like that will take time to completely heal. He might still have some trouble, but I’m certain it’s free of any toxins. He just needs to remain careful on it.”
“Thank you, Lexi. I know you’re doing your best.”
