Chapter 74

"Wild night," Boxy called as soon as I stepped out of Bernadette. True to his word, he'd beat me here. He stood underneath both Sunray's yellow awning and a silver dragon umbrella. The umbrella kind of reminded me of his cane, not the one he used now, but the fancy one with silver and gold scales.

"You have no idea how wild it's been." I closed the car door after Studmuffin. He zipped over the parking lot pond without making so much as a ripple.

I, on the other hand, made enough ripples for the both of us. Before I made it to the awning, I was soaked.

"Think it's moist enough?" Boxy grinned as he held his umbrella over the three of us.

"It'll have to do," I told him, wringing out my shirt. "Thanks for being here."

"Wouldn't miss it for the...world..." Boxy blinked down at my familiar, who was winding himself between Boxy's legs. Boxy jerked his head up with a gasp. "You're the third victim, Vic?"

"Studmuffin," I scolded. "I was going to tell him."