“Fine, from what I could see.Hasn't changed a bit.”
“And he still has Zaga with him?”
“Friendly as ever, and minus her chain.So, seeing as I got myarms and legs chewed off to obtain this delicacy...”
“I should take it.Yes.”For all the stuff smelled repulsive,Sasha wanted it.His need was of the right sort, the potion shapingitself already to counter his pain, if Mama Luna's tales of it weretrue.And she had never lied to him.It was as if she were reachinga comforting hand to him out of the past.
He shook himself.No-one could want a touch more comfortingthan Laurie's.He was caressing Sasha's face, his own still paleand marked by some recent grief.“Before I do, though, and whileI'm still making sense—youhavebeen crying, love.What's wrong?”
“Oh, you know.Just stress, stupid stuff like that.I know I'ma natural-born genius and all, but...it's not easy sometimes.Trotting it all out on stage the way I do.”
“Of course it's not.”Sasha took his hand, turned it and kissedthe palm.“I'm sorry it's been tough for you.”
“Most of the time it's not.In fact mostly it's so easy I feellike I'm cheating somehow, so maybe I deserve a bit of anguish fromtime to time.Anyway, hush up and drink your goat's-piss Horlickswhile it's hot.”
Sashaobeyed.Laurie held the bowl to his lips—being given it this waywas important too—and the slimy mass slipped down his throat likesomething still alive.He grabbed Laurie's wrist until his gagreflex was under control, then subsided onto the pillows.Perhapshe'd been wrong.Darozha only worked when it was needed, and hewasn't feeling any different yet.“Why didn't you tellme?”
Lauriepaled still further.“Tell you what?About...About my parkingfine?The scratch on the car?”
“No.That you were going to find Gunari.I'd have come withyou.I'd have liked to see him again.Will you get into bed withme, Loz?Take all your clothes off first so I can feel yourskin.”
“Loz, eh?”
“Mm.It's what I call you in my head sometimes.Your gypsyname.I don't think this stuff's working.I want you to fuck me offto sleep.”
“Right.”Laurie straightened the pillows, took the bowl out ofSasha's slackening grip.“Yes, clearly it's having no effect on youat all.”
Hewatched him safely through the transition.He'd been going to opena window but found he didn't need to: the darozha, having done itswork, was only a trace of leaves in the bowl, scentless andinnocuous.“Better?”
“The pain's gone.I'm not scared any more.”
“It took drugs and gypsy magic to make you admit you were inthe first place.Anything else I should ask while you're at mymercy?”
“Please don't.”Sasha smiled at him sleepily, held out alanguid hand.“Just come here and do as you’re told.”
That wasout of the question, of course.Laurie stripped to the skin as he’dbeen asked, turned back the duvet and got in, but when Sashawrithed against him, firm backside warm and inviting, only wrappedhim in his arms.For once in his life he felt no desire for more.He wished he were made out of Kevlar or bulletproof steel.Hewished they were both five thousand miles away.“Sash.What wouldyou say if I told you we were leaving here for a while?”
“I'd say...”Sasha rubbed his brow on Laurie's arm andchuckled.“I'd say you wanted to dodge that parking fine I saw onmy way in.Why?Are we going to see Aunt Elise in theLanguedoc?”
“Maybe.Maybe not exactly that.”
“Can't, love.Not at the moment.Got an important caseon.”
“Okay.Forget it for now.”
“Forget what?”
Laurieleaned over him to see if he was serious.The darozha could make itsweetly impossible to knit one strained second to the next.Thewhole weave would gently fall apart.He ran a hand down Sasha'sside, inside the hollow of his hip.It was just a caress but hisfingertips brushed hard, excited flesh.“Hm.I don't recall thestuff having that effect on me.”
“It did the morning after.”
Lauriesmiled into the dark hair, tears prickling.Every second of thatfirst exchange, the first time Sasha had taken him that way, wasburned into his mind.The scents of the little caravan, Zagabarking and rattling her chain...
“I know you won't fuck me, not when I'm like this.Thank youfor not.But touch me.Please.”
Laurietook hold of his shaft.Sasha groaned and thrust up, seeking thegrip.Quickly Laurie began the strokes that would release him, theshort simple beat.He kissed Sasha's ear and the side of his neck,all the time listening, keeping an eye on the door.He was on thewrong side of the bed.He'd have to vault Sasha's body to defendhim now, to reach the hidden gun.His mind raced over the scene.Heknew how it could be done.He choreographed it, measuring thestage, the moves he'd have to make...
“Laurie!Where are you?”
