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Chapter Twenty-Five: Victoria
It turns out Graham Kane, a dragon shifter who used to work in the CrossRealms and the guy who tipped Lazarus off about my true purpose in Pine Ridge, is the guy patrolling for the Night Watch tonight. On any given night, two to four members of this Night Watch roam around. His partner for the night is Bryce Frobisher, local hockey star and an actual yeti. He’s supposed to be on light duty due to a recent cardiac scare, something about getting hit in the chest with a puck, and so he’s very happy when Lazarus tells him we’ll take his shift. Also, he’s Bryce Frobisher? Frobisher? That’s Fia Frobisher’s husband. I was living in their RV.
Small world is an understatement.
Everyone in this town knows everyone else in this town, which is very much like the CrossRealms—only instead of knowing people so you can exploit them, people know you so they can help you.
It’s strange.
And I like it. I think.
“Good to see you’re in one piece. Well.”
Lazarus actually laughs and looks at his sewn-up frame. “Yeah. As much as I was a couple of weeks ago. How are you, Graham?”
“Good. Good.”
Yeah. These guys don’t do small talk.
“Where do we go to kick asses?” I ask.
“Is this the assassin they sent after you, by any chance?” Graham looks at me in alarm.
“How’d you tell?” Lazarus seems genuinely shocked.
“I heard she died. You killed her.”
I pale and clutch Lazarus’ hand.
Lazarus steps in front of me. “Graham, listen—”
“How’d I hear? I heard because that contact of mine called up and asked, since I was in the area, did I want to finish a job? Maybe one monster could off another. I told him, in great detail, what he could do with his suggestion.” Graham smirks.
“You could have told me! What about Victoria, how did you—”
“Oh, he thought the fact that you’re killing humans over here in Sunnybrook Farms might have motivated me to end you. Now, if it hadn’t been a human trying to kill you first, maybe. But also, I saw you two together at the Christmas party at the library, and she’s the girl who came outside with a cup of coffee for you while I was getting gas yesterday. I’m guessing the assassination attempt was a misunderstanding?” He arches one eyebrow, or rather, one brow ridge, as his face is currently a blend of purple scales, long dark locks, and two twisting purple horns.
“Yes,” I answer quickly. “Very big. But the guy who wants Lazarus for ‘parts’ wouldn’t leave us alone if he thought I was still alive,” I explain.
Graham looks me up and down. “I don’t think he plans to leave you alone at all. Well, you, maybe,” he nods at me, “but not you, Lazarus. You were apparently awfully expensive, and the damages to staff and equipment are pissing off the wrong people. You asked me, ‘Where do you go to kick asses?’” Graham shakes his head. “I’m afraid all you have to do is wait, and they’ll come to you.”
Lazarus sighs. “Can you ask your friend if they’ve gotten someone else lined up since you won’t do it?”
“Uh, no. Not after the last exchange we had.”
Lazarus nods. “I understand.”
Graham groans. “But I guess it’s kind of important, seeing as you’re my neighbor and all, that you don’t bring the baddies towards Pine Ridge. Let me see who I know that’s not totally evil—or who is, but isn’t mad at me. In the meantime, you should just work the main part of town. You won’t find much right now. This place is full of good vibes and divine protections at the moment.”
Lazarus and Graham exchange numbers, then we head on our way, looking like any other couple bundled up against the cold, walking in the crispy, crunchy snow-and-salt mixture on the sidewalks.
“It’s New Year’s Eve tomorrow. I’m closing the shop early. And Manny and Rhea always close the shop on New Year’s Day, too. I mean, that’s what they said. We were going to have a big dinner, and there’s a New Year’s Eve party at White Pines. Champagne and cheese and crackers. Stuff like that. We could go?”
“A fancy party at the big White Pines Estate?” I’ve seen it and heard about it. I can’t believe I’ve been in this town for a whole month. So much has happened.
“It might be fun.”
“It might be. I don’t have a fancy dress.”
