Page 5 of A Killing Frost

“When I absolutely have to,” he said jovially.

I folded my arms and glowered at him. He laughed.

“Try relaxing for once,” he suggested. “Me and the kitty aren’t going to hurt you, and you know it.”

“I do, but I didn’t become a detective because I liked people having secrets,” I countered. “Please, a hint?”

“You’ve been there before.”

He was heading for the 101. We were clearly leaving the city; I just had no idea why. I huffed. “You people.”

Danny laughed again.

We kept driving for almost twenty minutes, leaving San Francisco proper behind us. When we passed the sign for the Brisbane city limits, I turned and gave him a stern look. “Are you taking me to the airport?”

“What? No! That would be ridiculous. I didn’t tell you to get your ID.” He turned on his turn signal. “Hold tight, we’re almost there.”

I leaned back in my seat, folding my arms again. Wherever we were going, I was going to be getting there already mildly annoyed.

Danny pulled off the freeway and onto surface streets, driving through three intersections before he turned again. “Do you ever lighten up?”

“Not habitually.”

He turned onto a winding driveway, which vanished ahead of us into a patently artificial copse of trees. I sat up straighter, finally recognizing our destination. “You could have told me Tybalt was taking me to dinner.”

“Nope. Promised him I wouldn’t.”

I turned to glare at Danny. “I’m the hero here. You should be more afraid of me.”

“Tell it to the boyfriend,” he said. We passed into the trees, and a low brick building appeared in front of us. It was quaint looking, like something from an old Disney movie. Ivy clung to the walls, and roses covered the trellises out front. Danny pulled up in front of the valet station, gesturing grandly to the restaurant.

“Welcome to Cat in the Rafters, Tobes,” he said. “Now get out so I can find a paying fare.”

“I could pay you.”

“Nope. I keep telling you, your money’s no good here.”

I laughed as I opened the door and got out of the cab. “Then go. Make money.”

“Have a nice date, don’t get stabbed!” Danny drove off as soon as I closed the door, and I turned to face the restaurant, and the terrifying prospect of a normal dinner date.

TWO

CAT IN THE RAFTERSisn’t the best, most exclusive, or most expensive steakhouse in the Bay Area. It is, however, the only steakhouse owned by a Cait Sidhe changeling, a man named Jason Thomas. He’s chosen not to live with the Court, preferring to master the fine art of exposing meat to high temperatures and putting it in front of hungry people. He was waiting in the foyer, dark gray hair at odds with his generally youthful appearance. He smiled when he saw me, which was a nice change from all the nobles who look faintly sick when they see me, like they expect me to start throwing knives at people immediately and without provocation.

“Miss Daye,” he said, a note of relief in his voice. “We greatly appreciate you joining us to dine this evening.”

“I wasn’t given much of a choice,” I said. “I think this is technically an abduction. I want to speak to your manager.”

The corner of his mouth twitched upward as he tried and failed to suppress a smile. “You’re about to have dinner with him. I’ll be sure to pass along the fact that you dislike his company.”

“I can handle it,” I said. “How’d he rope you into this, anyway?”

“He made a reservation,” said Jason mildly. “I may not choose to spend my days in a dusty room full of cats and ancient mattresses, but IamCait Sidhe, and heismy King. When he calls, I’m compelled to answer.”

“Huh. The feudal system has a lot to answer for.” I shrugged. “Better take me to my fiancé before he decides you’re trying to seduce me and comes out here angry.”

“Is he that much of the jealous sort where you’re concerned?” Jason beckoned for me to follow him through the door into the main dining room.

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