down seamlessly. Casimir leaned across the center console, ignoring Nate, who was curr

t was a command wrapped in velvet. "I'm buying

through the city noise. Her glucose levels were crashing. She did the math quick

play coy. She pulled the hand

k contrast to the garbage juice scent of the alley. Nate turned to look at

rearview mirror. "What are you

voice was flat. "Red mea

cker of amusement crossing his f

ng and waiters in tuxedos who judged your shoes. When they walked in, the maitre d'

ped shut. "Right this way, Mr. Vand

menu. "Five T-bone steaks," she told th

He looked at Casim

eaning back in his chair. "And bring

an. She chewed thoroughly, swallowing quickly. It wasn't gluttony; it was refueling. She could feel the proteins br

ve function stabilizing. Neural repair requires higher grade catalysts. She needed specific alkaloids found

tly zero dollars to her name. The fifty dollars she usually ke

wollen and purple. "How did you know?" he asked

outh-breathing due to sinus congestion, which reduces oxygenation to the brain. Combined with the post-prandial somnolence from y

r blankly. "I und

ulled a black credit card from his jacket and to

assume you have a home, even

n Manor,"

aced by a sharp, calculating look. "Kensing

h no

hey say the Kensington spare is a quiet,

ten inaccurate

, letting the digestion process work. But her mind was active. She was replaying the sensati

ly wooden carving. It looked like a trinket, something a tourist woul

n, prolonged exposure would cause headaches, maybe insomnia. For Dejah, with her hyper-sensitive ne

ng up to the ga

e ornament,

carving, then at her.

because it's radioactive. It's slowly po

it from its leather cord. His eyes searched he

creature, Kensin

d it into

calm washed over her. The headache she ha

s," sh

he door and