Page 20 of Hostile Holiday

“Yeah, I like watching it swoop from side to side, but I guess when he is bipedal, it amounts to staring at his ass.”

Yesoff laughed. “I have no idea how to comment on that.”

She shrugged. “It came as a surprise to me, too, but that white fluff is in my mind when I close my eyes.”

“Wow.”

A door opened and closed somewhere in the house. Steady footfalls approached, and she closed her eyes, remembering him as a person and not a giant talking puppy.

The footfalls stopped next to her. “Orla? Is something wrong?”

She squinted her eyes open and nodded when she had guessed the right face. “Nope. I guessed the right face.”

He blinked slowly. “Right... oh.”

She shrugged. “Sorry. You are always the wolf first.”

He nodded. “Is there still cake?”

Yesoff nodded. “Of course, sir.” He cut a slab of cake off and set it on the counter, filling a cup with coffee and handing it over.

Hunter sat down and lifted his fork. He glanced at the pie and cookie plates. “I’ll have what she’s having.”

Yesoff snorted and kept tidying things.

Hunter ate his cake and mumbled, “Do you want to know who I was calling?”

“I am curious.”

“The families whose icons came up when we tested your blood. They are both surprised but will be here this evening.”

Orla asked, “Why?”

“Because neither family knew that you existed.”

“Oh.”

“It isn’t that they weren’t wanting to; it was part of the curse that concealed you. I have learned the reason for it, but that is best discussed with all parties present.”

“Oh. Right. So, when is that?”

“Five hours from now.”

Orla looked around. “Do you have a library here?”

Hunter nodded. “I do.”

“May I spend time in there?”

“Of course. I will see about getting you some more appropriate clothing for the meeting.”

“I can do that, sir,” Yesoff volunteered.

Orla said, “I would like to try myself. That is why I want the library.”

Hunter finished his cake and slugged down his coffee. “Of course. Come with me.”

She got up, and he led the way to his library.

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