Page 31 of The Goblin in the Sink Drain
“Well, yes, you must possess two forms to switch between them. Magic has rules, you know. But you do have one form, and I can work with that.”
“So, a person with one form can have one new form, and a person with two forms can have up to two new forms.” I reflected on the past few days. “That’s how Liam was able to become Bowieandhis wolf.”
“That’s why, in your case, you’ll be stuck on four legs until we get back home where I can unravel you.”
Home.
The word shot a pang through me for the house I once thought I would spend my life in. I wasn’t sure what to do with it now. The tunnel meant it wasn’t livable, not for me. Even if we pumped the hole full of concrete, it was too late. The damage had been done. I would never feel safe closing my eyes there again.
“Her arm isn’t fully recovered,” Rían said softly. “Will she be able to handle running on it?”
“Burdock says as long as we carry her in, and limit her activity, she should be fine.” She flicked her eyes to me. “The only way this works is if you tell us when you’re hurting or need to fall back. Don’t try to be a hero. This is a stealth mission. Any information we obtain can be used by the next team if it comes to it, so it’s not a wasted trip either way.”
“Us?”I almost laughed at Rían’s pained expression. “You’re coming too?”
“I’m not going to hold you back, especially when your friends’ lives are on the line.” He dragged a hand over his mouth. “But, fair warning, it’s getting harder to fight the urge to protect you at all costs.”
“It’s only natural that it would be.” Fayne patted his hand. “That’s how it works.”
“The way you treat me is different from what I’m used to from the pack.” I wished I had kept my mouth shut, but it wastoo late to cram the words back in. Now I had to finish the thought. “It’s…nice.”
“Good.” His wide shoulders dipped a fraction. “Good.”
For some reason, I couldn’t help but tease, “Does this mean you’re going to pretend to be a dogwalker?”
“You could always become Muffin again,” Fayne teased then turned to me. “He once pretended to be a corgi for a week to trick his cousin. They were seven and eight or maybe eight and nine at the time, so Liam wasn’t concerned with the gender of his new best friend and decidedhewas asheand chose the name Strawberry Muffin.”
Call me crazy, but I was willing to bet even at that age Liam had known exactly what he was doing.
“Wow.” I pretended to study Rían. “If anyone can pull off the name Strawberry Muffin, it’s you.”
From what I was hearing, I owed Burdock an apology. Rían must have been a handful as a kid too. Especially with a cousin only a year younger than him. The mantle of magnus no doubt had a hand in maturing him, the death of his parents too, but he hadn’t let either burden turn him bitter or cruel.
“I retired Strawberry Muffin after Liam tried to marry me off to the neighbor’s basset hound, Barney. He was all tongue. The slobber went everywhere.” His features twisted with disgust. “I would much rather play dogwalker than relive one of the greatest shames of my childhood.”
Oh, yeah. Liam hadabsolutelyknown what he was doing. No one would convince me otherwise.
“Then a dogwalker you shall be.” She pursed her lips as she surveyed me. “I keep spares for Myrtle—” she chuckled at the name I had given her dog form, “—but we’ll need to stop by GSG and pick up a harness and leash for you.”
There was one glaring problem neither had addressed yet. “What about Liam?”
“He’s put himself in charge of Sloane, and he’s refusing to leave her side since she’s proven herself to be a fall risk and somewhat of an escape artist.” Fayne had thought of everything. “With Burdock’s help, Liam should be occupied until we return.”
“Are we sure it’s safe to leave Brentwood?” I was eager to throw myself into the action, anything to help put the last twenty-four hours behind me, but I refused to be careless with their safety. “I don’t want anyone else hurt on my behalf.”
With Sloane sworn to the Walshes, she had an extra layer of protection from the Sartoris. A direct attack on her would result in justifiable retaliatory action from Rían. But I was still a Sartori, through bond if not by blood.
They had a claim on me until I broke ties with them or they succeeded in killing me. Yet another reason why I ought to jump ship and join up with the Walshes. Had Rían and our betrothal not been a factor, I might have been more willing to cut ties with my…well…those I had thought of as family. I just didn’t want to give him false hope when I was such a mess I couldn’t tell up from down at the moment.
“Nothing is certain,” Fayne chided gently, “but are you willing to wait and see what Sartori does?”
“No.” I didn’t have to think twice about it. “I’m just shocked you’re letting me—” I bit my tongue until it hurt. “I mean that you’re including me.”
Pop, pop, pop.
The noise reminded me of those firework poppers that went bang when you threw them at the floor. Except I was pretty sure that had been the sound of Rían’s knuckles where his fingers curled into a fist down by his side. Strange how I didn’t worry, even for a second, he would cock his arm and use that fist.
“I won’t lie. I’m not thrilled Fayne decided you’re well enough for covert ops.” Rían forced his hands to relax. “But Itrust her judgment, and if she believes you can handle this in your condition, I support you.”
