Page 63 of Dead Heat

“Where am I supposed to put a walking mound of earth? Does it need to eat and sleep?”

“His name is Max, and I don’t know. We can hammer out the details later.”

“You’re the one with all the empty rooms. Why not bring him to the Castle?”

I lowered my voice. “Because I don’t know if I can trust him. What if this is a setup?”

“All the more reason not to put the cat among the pigeons.”

“You’re an entire werewolf pack, hardly pigeons. And I’m one person.”

“Onegoddess.”

“You can post guards at his quarters until we’re satisfied he’s telling the truth.”

“Then what? He moves into the trailer park? What’s the long-term plan?”

I felt my frustration rising. “I don’t know. It isn’t like I had advanced warning to figure it out. He just showed up.”

“I don’t like this,” West said, more to himself.

“I don’t either, but we play the hand we’re dealt.”

“You could send him away. No one’s forcing you to help him.”

“You wouldn’t have that attitude if this was someone from your pack.”

“Because my pack is my responsibility. A cherufe from the pit of a Chilean volcano isn’t.”

I sighed. “Okay, I’ll figure something out. Thanks anyway.”

“Problem?” Max asked, still standing in the spot where I’d left him.

“No, no. I need to finalize a few details. I’ll be right with you.” I disappeared behind the tree and made another call; this one to Kane.

“Hey, I was just thinking about you.”

“Hold that thought. I have a situation.” I told him the story and hoped for a more helpful response than the one I got from West.

“Since when is Fairhaven an asylum?”

“No idea.”

“Bring him here. I’ll deal with him.”

“And by ‘deal with him,’ you mean…”

He chuckled. “I won’t kill him, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“If you’re sure.”

“The Devil’s Playground is accustomed to catering to all variety of supernatural. I have every confidence we can find a place where Max will be comfortable.”

“Thank you. I knew I should’ve called you first.” Silence followed my remark. “Kane, are you still there?”

“I’m here. I’m still processing the fact that I wasn’t your first call.”

Uh-oh. “Sorry. I assumed West…”

---