Page 53 of Curse of the Wolf

“One might be discombobulated by it.”

“I’mdiscombobulated by it.Duncan,” I said in exasperation, though it wasn’t his fault. None of this was. I slumped, and my next, “Duncan,” came out softer, regret and guilt heavy on my tongue.

“We’ll figure something out.” He reached up and patted me.

Why washethe one doing the consoling? I needed to be a better person.Iwas the one who ought to be proving myself.

“You know I like a challenge,” he added.

“I do know that.”

Mom leaned against Lorenzo and nodded for him to guide her inside. Reminded that she was also dying, I stared at the wooden porch boards. Would the moon take everyone I cared about from me this winter? I was glad Austin was safe halfwayacross the country, hopefully well out of the reach of my enemies—and the bad-mojo vibe that I seemed to be emitting these days.

A text came in on my phone. Bolin.

I tried calling but got dumped straight to voicemail.

Yes, the reception out here was horrible. From the time stamp, it looked like Bolin had texted a while ago.

The buyers,it continued,sent a building inspector over to check the apartments as part of the purchase. There’s nothing unusual about that, but he looks more like he’s snoopingthan inspecting. He asked if I had a key to your apartment specifically. I told him no, but you might want to get back here.

I rubbed my face. If the “buyers” hadn’t been Radomir and Abrams, I would have ignored the suggestion. Duncan’s health was more important than my duties as a property manager. But maybe we would get lucky and those two would be in the area, waiting to pounce if their so-called building inspector found any of the artifacts they were salivating over.

“Guess it’s a good thing they’re all with us,” I muttered.

“Hm?” Duncan prompted.

“We need to go back to Sylvan Serenity.” I showed him the text. “If Radomir and Abrams are there, we’re going to wring their necks until they tell us how to lift this curse.”

It had better be possible.

“I don’t know if I have the strength to wring any necks today.” Duncan used the railing to help rise to his feet.

“You can faint on them as a distraction. Then I’ll spring upon them from behind and handle the wringing.”

“That would be quite thoughtful of you.”

“I’m a thoughtful gal.”

“Hence my adoration.” Duncan smiled at me.

I tried to feel flattered, but I mostly worried for him and wanted to cry.

17

By the timewe returned to Sylvan Serenity, I thought the building inspector would be gone, but Bolin was leaning against his SUV with his arms folded across his chest. A van with a removable sign stuck on the door that readH&C Inspectionswas parked next to him inmyspot.

“Presumptuous bastard,” I said.

Was that sign even legitimate? The guy had probably made it at a print shop on the way here.

Duncan looked over at me.

“The supposed inspector is in my spot.” I pointed.

There were only two reserved places for staff, and Bolin had the other one.

“Will you have him towed?”