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I take a final drink of my coffee, then push it away. I glance back at the girls, who’ve now moved off to the side as they wait for their order. “I do have a version of that,” I say softly.

Temper filled the gaping hole Des left in me, and I was there to fill her own holes.

God, that thought sounded so much dirtier than I intended. Not that Temper would mind the description.

“Ah, Temper, the woman I am forever indebted to. You know, I happen to know a bit about … her situation.”

My eyes widen. I know enough about her fucked up background, but I don’t know everything.

Des takes another sip of his drink. “Maybe I’ll tell you sometime … for a price, of course.”

Of course.

The Bargainer downs his espresso and stands. “We should get moving. We’ve got an appointment to make.”

I brush offthe cobwebs after we step off the ley line and into a condemned church.

Ley line portals occur in the eeriest places.

“Where are we?” I ask as Des leads me outside. Above us, the sky is overcast, and across the street, one building butts up against the next.

“London,” Des says, taking my hand.

For a moment, I don’t think that’s unusual. I’m used to showing up in random cities with Des. It’s what we always used to do together.

But now that Galleghar and the Thief are loose, and the Otherworld is in the midst of a war, London feels random.

“Why are we here?”

“You’ll see.”

With that cryptic remark, we head down the street. The two of us walk for several blocks, the Bargainer all but dragging my ass towards this mystery destination.

“Where are we going?” I ask again.

“I have an acquaintance who might be able to help us.”

Help us withwhat?

“Unless you’re taking me to the spa, I’m really not thrilled about this.”

I mean, I will risk another drop-in with Galleghar if it means getting some spa treatment, but that’s about it.

The Bargainer glances at me as we cross the street, his expression sly. “I thought breakfast bought me a little amnesty.”

I grumble at that because he has a point. You ply me with pastries and coffee, and I’ll overlook a lot of crap.

We finally stop in front of a sleek building.

“This is where you wanted to take me?” I ask, sizing it up. It looks like a place where fun goes to die. It’s all smooth edges and modern fittings, and frankly, it looks wrong, sitting right here in this old city. “I’m pretty sure I’m going to hate this.”

“Cherub, you don’t even know what thisis.”

I snort. “Unless this place contains a themed bar, a year’s worth of macaroons, or fucking Santa Claus, it’s going to disappoint.”

All of which are also things I will risk a drop-in with Galleghar for.

“So dramatic. Maybe if you play nice, I’ll take you to a themed bar after this—I might even let you take body shots off of me.”