“I’m okay,” Carly said. “I mean, I know the egg wasn’t ours. And Desmon was careful that I didn’t spend too much time with it. But I don’t think Elana’s doing as well.”
“She spent a lot of time with the egg.” It was more of a statement than a question.
“So, the egg generates its own heat when needed, but it still needs warmth and contact with another living being to develop and hatch. How does that work?” I asked.
“I’m not fully sure. It’s just how the magic is. I think it’s more about the company and energy, rather than heat. But it’s not like scientists have ever studied it.”
Yeah, no scientists were going to get their hands on Omelet. “I wonder if that was some of the people searching for it.”
“Oh, didn’t you get the details?”
“What details? Do you mean about Karim and the people he worked for?”
“Yeah. And about that… I’m not sure if I should give you my condolences or congratulations.”
I chuckled wryly. “I’m not sure either. I mean, I’d spent years with him. But things were already starting to fall apart even before all of this. In hindsight, if I had so little trust that I was trying to install cameras in his office to catch him cheating, then it’s over anyway.”
“True that. But the people your ex was working with were suspected monster collectors.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
After the fight with Graham, I hadn’t actually asked for the details, and now I wish I had.
“It’s exactly what it sounds like. We busted someone like that recently who had a whole private zoo filled with shifters and the like. Ask Lillian about it. They were trying to trap her there.”
I gasped. “That’s horrible. Shifters are people too!”
“Not to these assholes. Money and power protect them.” She looked around the room. “I guess money and power protect Desmon too. But he’s not bad, for a dragon.”
“And Emmett?” I asked, thinking of the scale I’d hidden in my duffel.
She shrugged. “I didn’t like him at first. But I think he’s nicer than he lets on. They aren’t raised with human sensibilities.Desmon’s a little different because he tries to fit into modern society.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in, but be careful, Q Tip’s loose,” Carly warned even as Q Tip hopped out of my arms to go investigate.
Elana walked in. “Ready to head out for lunch?”
I hesitated. “I’m nervous,” I admitted.
The whole point was to get out there, hang out, and see if the ghouls showed up.
“I understand that feeling,” Elana said. “But having to look over your shoulder forever sucks worse.”
“Elana’s ex-husband was a raging asshole wizard,” Carly explained. “But we’ll be safe.”
The Starving Aardvark was where Graham had wanted to take me the day Seth had shown up at the penthouse, and the ladies had waxed poetic about the brunch there. I didn’t want to leave Darlington without trying it.
Blaze and Flame ended up as our guards and chauffeurs during the trip. Flame was super flirty, just like the last time I saw him, but he was respectful, and the two ifrits sat at the table near the front of the restaurant as the host walked us up a step to a more private table.
The chicken and waffles really were exceptional. The waffles were golden and crisp, their edges perfectly caramelized, giving way to a fluffy, cloud-like interior. The butter melted into every nook and cranny, mixing with the sweet syrup that dripped down the sides. And the chicken was juicy and tender on the inside, with a crispy, seasoned crust that shattered with each bite.
I took tons of photos and sent them to Maa with a note saying I had to come back with her so she could try it. Grabbing brunch one Sunday a month was one thing we used to do together after Dad left. We only had enough money to eat out occasionally, and it meant a lot to us.
I couldn’t help but think about how much she would enjoy Darlington. It was the perfect blend of big city and small town. It was super multicultural since so many magical beings and monsters moved here from all over the world.
And that had me thinking about Graham again and the horrible way we’d parted. He hadn’t called me once, not even to apologize, so I figured things were over between us. Not that we were ever an official item. I didn’t even understand why it felt like such a tragic loss when we’d only known each other for such a short time.
