Core curses. Cindy scolds him for his language. And the others look concerned.
“I thought I might have been able to talk to the man in question today, to get some answers, but Margot stopped me. Her policies kept me from catching up to him. All I know for sure is that he’s the same person who got a zurgle to scratch Jessica.”
That knowledge is met with a silence that makes my skin crawl.
With a sharp nod, Kimba says, “We’ll look into that too. If we think of any other avenue to explore, we’ll keep you updated. You do the same.” She waits for one of us to nod, and then she moves on.
I listen with half of my attention as she mentions a storm that will be blowing in over the next few days, the potential for that to cause problems, both with keeping the monsters out—who knows what visibility is going to be like—and with the potential electrical issues again.
“It’s blizzard season.” She waggles her finger at us. “You’ve lived through these before, gentlesians. I expect you to take the proper precautions, and for those of you with new additions to your homes, don’t shy away from letting your bondmates know just how scary these blizzards can be. If you go out in one, you’re more likely to freeze to death than if a monster winds up in your garage.”
The last is said with a sideways glance at Jess and Trench.
As the meeting breaks up I watch the others move awkwardly. The normalcy has been broken by Chrys.
The habits, the groups they divide into… the routine is off.
Andrea and Strike come over to say hello. The introductions are swift. Strike is distracted, his attention fixed on Kilo rocking their weeun and murmuring an off-key lullaby.
“Who did you see at the pharmacy?” Andrea asks as soon as she’s moved past the necessary pleasantries.
“I don’t remember her name. I have a card for her friend’s jewelry business though.”
“Kari,” I offer. Even if I wasn’t there, the woman’s name was supplied to me… why not share.
“Oh! She’s amazing. Did you let her know?”
“I went through the doctor’s office. I think they would have told her?”
“I’m having coffee with her next week, I’ll ask about it.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Uh… Drea?” Kilo asks, holding the weeun up. “I think it’s your turn.”
She rolls her eyes. “Everybody loves being an uncle until the diaper’s full. Talk to you later!” She breezes away, but it’s Strike who takes their weeun from Kilo and leads the way to the bathroom.
Chrys moves and Arc stands, helping her up. But as soon as she’s on her feet, Jess is back. “I need your blood.”
“Okay vampire lady,” she says, holding out her wrist. “Do you need to drain me dry here and now? Or can it wait for a little bit.”
“I need it now.” Jess glances at the three of us before saying, “There’s a medfac up here, it’ll take two seconds.”
She wants it now because she doesn’t trust her alone with us… no matter what Chrys says.
Trench watches them go for a moment before he looks at us. “If she was drugged with kirocilicantephen, but she’s not bonded to any of you… the dose must have been quite low.”
“It was,” I confirm.
“Do you think you’re the only one who could have a woman in his house for any length of time and not bond to her?” Arc scoffs.
“If I was going to parrot your earlier accusations I’d ask why she doesn’t want any of you… but I don’t think that’s the problem, is it?”
Arc’s lips twitch, but not because of what Trench said. It’s something Jessica thought as she and Chrys come back.
He presses his lips tightly together, and I’m glad that Chrys goes to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Can we go home now, before anyone else asks for a piece of me?”
