Page 8 of Shadow Scorching

“I don’t think there was one last month. Could Letty have latched onto her sister?” I asked.

“That’s possible. I’ll find out more when I go over. I’m taking Carson with me, if you don’t mind?”

“I could use a little out-of-the-office time,” Carson said. “Plus, I intend to ask Angela about several aspects of the witch world that I don’t understand.”

“Fine by me. We’re in a slow period.” I cleared my throat. “If Angela doesn’t have the answers for you, I’m sure Penn will sit down and talk with you.”

He blushed, though it was more subdued against the dark brown of his skin. But I knew Carson enough to tell when he was blushing. Carson had a crush on my BFF, and though he had sworn me to secrecy, I felt Penn should know.

“Right,” he said, giving me side-eye. But the slight upturn to his lips told me that he wasn’t mad.

“So, what do we want to do for our annual solstice party?” I asked.

Every year, Dante and I sprang for a special night out during December. We either went to the theater, then a late supper, or a fancy dinner and some sort of activity. One year, we went bowling. Another year, we toured the Magical Field of Lights—a five-acre woodland walk through a winter wonderland forest, with all the trees draped with lights. “We need to hold it at night, so Lazenti can join us.”

“The Neptune is holding a three-night big-screen viewing of the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings,” Carson said. “They’re having a dinner buffet before each movie, catered by Blue Bell Catering.”

“Blue Bell Catering, huh?” Blue Bell was one of the best catering companies in Seattle. Run by a Fae couple who happened to like humans, shifters, and other Supes, their food was gourmet quality with an otherworldly taste.

“I could go for that,” Sophia said.

I glanced at Dante and Orik. “What about the two of you?”

Dante shrugged. “I’m good with that.”

Orik held up his phone. “I’ll have to ask Hilda. Or rather, Ana. I take over for Hilda’s mother in the evening, but she’s been fairly lenient this visit, so I think I might be able to make at least one of the movies.”

Ana, his mother-in law, was visiting while Hilda was on bedrest for her pregnancy. She was having her third set of twin girls, and her mother had flown in from Minnesota to take care of her daughter. Ana was a strong-willed woman, to the point of making sure the priest of Odin was on his toes. Orik helped look after his daughters, took care of the grocery shopping, and other errands.

“Why don’t you give her a call?” I asked.

As he dialed, the bell rang from Sophia’s desk.

“I’ll be back,” she said, heading out of the breakroom.

I turned to Dante. “So, what’s for dinner tonight?”

“I don’t know. But Tilly said come hungry, which means it’s going to be good.”

“Sheisexpecting me, right? I don’t want to intrude?—”

“Yes, I told you that I asked if I could bring you. She was thrilled. She likes you,” he said.

Orik hung up. “Ana said she can do without me all three nights, so I can go with you. Hilda made me promise to order fried chicken and mac ‘n cheese for her on the first night, fish and chips the second night, and to bring her something sweet and tasty on the third.”

“You’re getting off easy,” I said, laughing.

“Hilda’s my love,” he said, grinning. “There’s an amber bracelet she’s been eyeing. I’ll tuck it in with the fried chicken.”

Sophia buzzed me on my phone.

“Yes?”

“We have a client out here who wants an emergency meeting.”

“What about our one o’clock?”

“Seem’s to be a no-show,” Sophia said.

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