“No big—”

“Yes, it is. I know it is. However, I’m equally certain that, given the right circumstances and timing, you’ll eventually find yourself in a position where the number of witches clamoring to join your Coven will far exceed your requirements.”

“In other words, give it time and I’ll need to beat ’em off with a stick?”

A soft chuckle floated down the line. “I get even less coherent after a day in court, don’t I?”

“If you didn’t talk like that once in a while, I’d miss it. Kind of like I’m missing you. Got an ETA for me yet?”

“Three days at most. It’s hardly a murder trial.” He cleared his throat. “Speaking of which, another case was brought to my attention today. A half-demon killed in Nevada, apparently mistaken for another who was under Cabal warrant for execution.”

“Whoops.”

“Exactly. The Boyd Cabal isn’t admitting their mistake, let alone conducting a proper investigation and procedural review. I thought perhaps you might be able to assist me. That is, if you aren’t busy—”

“When can we leave?”

“Sunday. Savannah could spend the night at Michelle’s, and we’d return Monday evening.”

“Sounds—” I stopped. “Savannah has an orthodontic appointment Monday afternoon. I’d reschedule, but…”

“It took six weeks to get it, I know. Yes, I have it marked right here. Three o’clock with Doctor Schwab. I should have checked before I asked.” He paused. “Perhaps you could still come along and leave early Monday morning?”

“Sure. That sounds good.”

The words came out empty, the elation that surged only a moment ago drained by this sudden glimpse of my future, calendar pages crammed with orthodontic appointments, Saturday morning art classes, and PTAmeetings stretching into eternity.

On the heels of that thought came another. How dare I complain? I’d taken on this responsibility. I’d wanted it. I’d fought for it. Only a few months ago, I’d seen the same snapshot of my future and I’d been happy. Now, as much as I loved Savannah, I couldn’t deny the occasional twinges of resentment.

“We’ll work something out,” Lucas said. “In the meantime, I should mention that I took advantage of a brief recess today to visit some of Chicago’s lesser-known shopping venues, and found something that might cheer you up. A necklace.”

I grinned. “An amulet?”

“No, I believe it’s what they call a Celtic knot. Silver. A simple design, but quite elegant.”

“Sure. Good…great.”

“Liar.”

“No really, I—” I paused. “It’s not a necklace, is it?”

“I’ve been told, on good authority, that jewelry is the proper token of affection. I must admit I had my doubts. One could argue that you’d prefer a rare spell,but the jewelry store clerk assured me that all women prefer necklaces to musty scrolls.”

I rolled onto my stomach and grinned. “You bought me a spell? What kind? Witch? Sorcerer?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“What?” I shot upright. “No way! Don’t you dare—”

“It’ll give you something to look forward to when I get home.”

“Well, that’s good, Cortez, ’cause God knows, I wasn’t looking forward to anything else.”

A soft laugh. “Liar.”

I thumped back onto the bed. “How about a deal? You tell me what the spell does and I’ll give you something to look forward to.”

“Tempting.”

“I’ll make it more than tempting.”

“That I don’t doubt.”

“Good. Now here’s the deal. I give you a list of options. If you like one, then you can have it when you get home if you tell me about the spell tonight.”

“Before you begin, I really should warn you, I’m quite resolved to secrecy. Breaking that resolve requires more than a laundry list of options, however creative. Detail will be the key.”

I grinned. “You alone?”

“That goes without saying. If you’re asking whether I’m in my hotel room, the answer is yes.”

My grin broadened. “Good, then you’ll get all the detail you can handle.”

I never did find out what the spell was, probably because, five minutes into the conversation, we both forgot what had started it and, by the time we signed off, I crawled under the covers, forgetting even the most basic nighttime toiletry routines, and promptly fell asleep, my curiosity the only thing left unsatisfied.

Death before Dishonor

COME MORNING, I BOUNDED OUT OF BED, READY TO TAKE on the world. This would have been a positive sign had I not done the same thing every morning for the past two weeks. I awoke, refreshed, determined this would be the day I’d haul my ass out of the pit. I’d cook breakfast for Savannah. I’d leave a cheerful message of support on Lucas’s cell phone. I’d jog two miles. I’d dive into my Web site projects with renewed vigor and imagination. I’d take time out in the afternoon to hunt down season-end tomatoes at the market. I’d cook up a vat of spaghetti sauce that would fill our tiny freezer. The list went on. I usually derailed somewhere between leaving the message for Lucas and starting my workday…roughly around nine A.M.

That morning, I sailed into my jog still pumped. I knew I wouldn’t hit two miles, considering I’d never exceeded one mile in my entire running career, which was now in its fifth week. Over the last eighteen months it had come to my attention, on multiple occasions, that my level of physical fitness was inadequate. Before now, a good game of pool was as active as I got. Ask me to flee for my life, and we could be talking imminent heart failure.