Page 97 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
“Not much.”
“Then you may think of me as an eensy, weensy friend. Like in the song.” Rafter wriggled his fingers and asked, “Know it?”
“No …?”
“Hang on.” Stepping up to the window, Rafter held up four fingers on each hand. “Eight doubles with everything. In fact, double the meat, too.”
The lady at the window laughed. “Diva on a tear?”
Rafter rapped twice on the counter. “We have a woke wolf on our hands, Lola. Don’t skimp.”
She laughed again. “I’ll hold the jalapenos. Give me ten minutes.”
While they waited, Rafter taught Akira a children’s song about a spider that would probably be a hit back home. But it was hard to stay distracted for long. Things were happening, and they were happening fast.
Rafter finally asked, “What’s on your mind, friend?”
“Wolves have big appetites. This won’t be enough.”
“Nooo doubt. This is for starters. By the time he downs the lot and licks his chops, we’ll have fresh meat on the grill.”
“Can I help you with the shopping?”
“Between me and Buzz, we’ve got it handled. Besides, you aren’t supposed to leave … am I right?”
Akira had sort of forgotten. “I did promise.”
“Then this is as far as you go.” Going up on tiptoe, he peered down the road and hummed. “Looks like you’ll head back in style. Check out your escort.”
Sinder was quickstepping along the sidewalk.
Akira raised a hand in an all’s-well. To his surprise, the two women close on Sinder’s heels answered with upraised fists. Colt was bringing up the rear.
Oh.
Nope.
As the tight-knit group drew closer, Akira realized that two Kith sauntered along behind. They were causing a stir among the people they passed, who turned to follow, cameras out.
Rafter snorted. “Subtle much?”
Sinder stalked up, radiating annoyance. “Could be worse. Could be tickertape. Fix it.”
Akira cuffed the dragon’s shoulder. “That was rude. Mind your words.”
“He’s not susceptible,” Sinder grumbled. “And we are supposed to be avoiding attention. Though whose, I couldn’t say.”
Rafter took charge. “Lynxes, up. I’ll meet you on the roof of the flower shop within the hour. Ladies, into the library, please. Portia will be with you shortly. Sinder, you’re with Akira.” He slid a cardboard box out the pick-up window and presented it to Colt. “Your Moon has risen. Stoke some coals while I run to the butcher.”
And just like that, it was Akira, Sinder, and Colt.
“Moon woke up?” Colt asked, his gaze roving. “Odd, that.”
“What is going on?” muttered Sinder, pulling Akira toward the gate. “If anybody said, I don’t remember. And I hate orders that don’t make sense. Did you know Argent is coming? Himself?”
“Yeah. He mentioned that,” whispered Akira.
Sinder’s gaze sharpened. “You talked to him? When?”
