Page 6 of Half Dead

“That’s my preference, yes.” He glanced at the half-eaten donut. “I would’ve pegged you for a glazed chocolate girl.”

“I wouldn’t kick one out of bed.” I shaded my eyes to see him properly. “I didn’t realize you’d be attending this meeting.”

“I heard that you’d agreed to come and wanted to see it with my own eyes.”

“I’m big news, huh?”

He smirked. “You have no idea.”

The sharp sound of Posy’s clapping hands interrupted us. “Move along, Hedylogos. You know perfectly well you’re not on the attendance list for this meeting.”

He tipped his smile in her direction. “I’m sure the staff can manage an extra place setting.” His smile brightened. “Posy, your skin is flawless. Are you sure you’re not a goddess because you certainly glow like one?”

Posy wasn’t swayed by his weak attempt at flattery. She pulled his chair out from under him. “Leave now before I call security.” She bent down and said in a harsh whisper, “You know how important this meeting is.”

With a stiff bow, the god of flattery took his leave.

Posy lowered herself into his vacant chair with an apologetic smile. “He’s annoyed that I succeeded where he failed.”

“Typical male,” I said.

“Typical god,” she murmured.

I looked around us. “Will anyone else be attending this meeting?”

“TBD,” she said. “To Be Determined.”

“I’m familiar with the term.” I drummed my fingers on the table. “What’s the deciding factor? Is it a me issue or a them issue?”

“Does it matter?”

“I’m nosy. Humor me.”

A waiter appeared at the table. “Something to drink, Miss Clay? Miss Martell?”

“I’ll have a cappuccino, extra foam,” Posy said.

“Tea, please.”

He bowed and withdrew.

Posy stretched her arms above her head and sighed. “I find the sound of a waterfall incredibly soothing, don’t you?”

“Yes.” There was no point in lying; I was fairly certain the waterfall was only here for my pleasure. For another visitor, it might be a wall of dragon scales or a collection of beer bottles from around the world.

She snapped her fingers and a thick folder appeared in her hand. “I took the liberty of summoning your file.”

“If you can snap your fingers and get a file, why do we need a waiter?”

Posy sighed. “Must you peer behind every curtain? Truth be told, the file was already here. I had it cloaked until I was ready to reveal it.”

“Clever. I’ve heard about this file. Sounds like it’s passed through the hands of many employees.”

“Only those with appropriate clearance,” she said. “Of course, we’re quite aware of your involvement in the disappearance of Solomon, one of our valued employees, as well as the lost access to our vault in the basement of the houseon 27 Thoreau Street.” Her gaze flicked from the file to me. “Bruce Huang tried to take full responsibility for what happened at the house, of course, but our spies are better than his lies.”

As desperate as I was to ask about the fate of the dragon shifter, I knew it was futile. They would either lie or use my interest against me. Instead, I kept my face neutral. “Speaking of basements, where do you keep your dungeon in a place like this?”

“What makes you think we have a dungeon?”

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