Between Decisions (The City Between, #8)

by W.R. Gingell

even when he’s not sitting there, his flamin’ perfume is, and that takes up enough space.”

“You like giving warnings for the sheer delight of watching people take ’em the wrong way and do exactly what you wanted ’em to do in the first place.”

“I don’t know the rules for regular coffee drinking with fae. Mistakes are pretty permanent around here.” He abandoned his book again for a moment to say, “You know the rules for irregular coffee drinking?” “I know some of the business rules,” I explained. “Had to go to a contract-signing once.” “Contract-signings are very boring,”

“Humans are never valueless,” he said. “But that’s something you’ve yet to learn, I suspect. Good day.”

JinYeong hissed with laughter and snaked out a hand to steal a round of pineapple. I let him; if you haven’t seen a vampire gleefully chowing down on a round of pineapple with both canines like an oversized fruit bat, don’t judge me.

Athelas smiled into his teacup. That was pretty usual: he likes tea and smiling mysteriously, so why not do both at once?

“Hitting a person on the head with a cricket bat is something you have to take personal responsibility for.”

“If it’s not Upper Management trying to frame me for murder or cave trolls taking a pot-shot at me, it’s a group of humans trying to hit me on the head with cricket bats.”

“This is how I end up being trapped in my own home by a tree that changes size and helping out with investigations into sirens along the waterfront,” he complained. “I always want to say no, but there’s never anyone else saying yes.” “Yeah, there are,” I said, forgetting that what I was about to say was hardly convincing. “They’re just mostly dead.”

“Don’t take anyone apart in the kitchen!” I told Zero. “I’m making chilli, and if you think I want to try and differentiate between what’s blood and what’s chilli, you’re flamin’ wrong.”

“You lot know you can say thank you, right?” I said, staring around at them all. “And that it’s okay to admit that you need each other every now and then?” “It’s not all right,” said Zero, while Athelas said mildly, “I believe I must disagree, Pet.” JinYeong threw me a melting look and said, “I need you.” “That was not what I meant!” I said, flustered.

“Look at you, being all soft and approachable!” I said in wonder. Zero looked away. “I am neither soft nor approachable, and I object to—” “Better not get too soft,” I said mischievously. “Athelas is just about to walk through the door, and he wouldn’t approve!”

“You may run after me instead,” said JinYeong graciously. He sent a small, slow smile in my direction and leaned forward very slightly. “I will run slowly.”

Zero thought about it for a solid two minutes, and everyone let him do it. That’s what happens when you’ve got an air of authority and about twenty sharp objects belted to your chest, I suppose. Must be nice.

“You are supposed to be resting and recuperating. Kindly stop bouncing on the couch.” “I have too much energy,” I complained. “And excuse me for feeling a bit antsy while the world is trying to end and take everyone with it!”

“You should not be cheerful just now,” he said. “Now, it is enough to be sad.”