Page 59 of Shadow Seeking

“We eat. Then we start loading up the cars. Dante’s bringing a van to make moving the furniture easier. We’ll take all theboxes over to the house first, then we can finish with the furniture.”

Penn had labeled everything with “bedroom” or “office” or “family room” on it, which would make it much easier. She also had labeled the fragile stuff accordingly.

After we ate, we started in on the work. By noon, we had most of her items over at the house. After lunch, we’d tackle the furniture.

Penn had called for pizza, and as the boxes arrived, she brought out paper plates and napkins. “Again, thank you so much.”

“Hey, if we can’t help a friend in need, then we’re pretty pathetic friends,” Orik said. “Pizza…yum.” He helped himself and then sat on the sofa. “So, how’s business?”

Penn frowned. “Not good. I’ve decided not to renew my lease on the shop when it comes due next month, and instead revamp and open as an online store. That will be easier and give me more time for other things.”

“Like helping us,” I said. “Penn’s been such a help that I think we should bring her in when we need magical consults.”

“I like that,” Dante said. “Oh, Orik, what do you think about taking Lazenti on? Kyann and I were discussing it this morning. Penn, could you create a magical oath that would bind him to the rules?”

She thought for a moment, chewing on a slice of sausage-pepperoni pizza. “I think I could. It depends on whether he’d be willing to accept it. Otherwise, if I forced it on him, it would be considered a geas and then he’d have a reason to come after me. And the last thing I want is to have a vampire on my tail.”

“Do you think he has an ulterior motive?” Orik asked.

“Of course he does. He’s avampire. But I think the knowledge that some demon’s been tracking him scared him enough to behave,” Dante said.

“Dante’s right. I’ll go call Sophia. If any one of us says no, then the issue’s off the table.” I went into Penn’s bedroom and, sitting on the bed, called Sophia. After I told her what we were thinking, she surprised me.

“I think it’s a good idea. Not only was he a PI—or at least he says he was—but he would give us an inside track to the vamps, and that could be useful. I’d say go for it,” she said. “Now, I have to get a move on. I’m meeting my gentleman friend for a matinee at the Paramount.”

“What are you seeing?” I asked.

“A performance of Chicago. The Broadway cast is here for two weeks. I have to finish dressing.”

“Have fun,” I said, hanging up. I returned to the other room. “Did you talk to Carson, Dante?”

“He’s in. He likes Lazenti.”

“Sophia’s down with it. So, Orik, what do you say?” I asked.

Orik shrugged. “If everybody thinks he’ll fit in, I’m not going to stand in the way. But I would like him to take that magical oath if he’s going to be around us that much. I do have four young ones, you know. Soon to be six.”

“We’ll tell him that’s the condition if he wants to work with us,” I said. “I think we’d all feel better with that. Okay, let’s finish lunch and get the last of Penn’s things out of here.”

Two hours later, the apartment was empty, and we all pitched in to help her clean it. Penn was neat, so it only took another hour to bring it to a state where she would get her security deposit back.

As we looked around, she sighed. “Well, this is it. My life is taking a big shift, but I’m ready for it.”

I was about to say something appropriately pithy, but my phone rang. I frowned. Carson was calling. “Hey dude, what’s up?”

Sounding tense, Carson said, “Get down to the office right away. We have a problem. Don’t ask questions, just get here.”

I glanced at the others. “We have to jam. Carson’s at the office and he says there’s a problem. Let’s go.” Turning to Penn, I added, “I’ll meet you back at the house. Can you feed the cats tonight, if I’m delayed?”

She was carrying her parrot’s cage. For once, the featherhead was quiet. “Of course. I’ll see you later.”

As we headed out the door, I hoped that the problem wasn’t Lazenti, because I hated being wrong about my instincts.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

As I burstthrough the office door, Carson was manning Sophia’s desk. Dante and Orik were a few steps behind me.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

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