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“Don’t push it.”

He whips out his phone. “I already have three stores bookmarked. I’m buying you something nice and you’re going to like it.”

I slump onto the counter. Seriously, I shouldn’t need Fitzie to buy me things or clean up after me. I fuss over him, but he’s just as bad.

“Is that your phone?” Fitzie asks.

The buzz of an incoming message goes off somewhere on the counter and I fumble for my phone among the piles of papers and junk. It’s a text from Orion, which isn’t weird, but the preview makes my heart drop.

Syril and His Highness are arguing.

I text back right away.About what?

Orion replies a second later.Something about H.H’s sister. I couldn’t hear it, but there’s shadow leaking out of the office. You ever seen a shadow dryad get pissed?

My immediate instinct is to rush over. Just like Fitzie said, mother hen.Should I come?

The three dots bounce.Might be a good idea. But this is monster business. Dunno if you want to get involved.

The hell I don’t.I shoot Fitzie a guilty look. “I have to go in early.”

“Get out of here! I can take care of myself.” Fitzie shoos me.

“Don’t overdo it,” I order. “I can wash my own dishes, in spite of what it looks like.”

“Doubtful. I don’t want to risk my life every time I want a bowl of cereal, asshole.” He picks up a dry Cheerio off the counter and throws it at me. It bounces off my chest.

“Ugh. Message received.” I empty my mug and put it in the sink. “I’ll be back tonight. If your hip is bothering you, take the bed tonight. I’m serious. I can sleep on the couch.”

“Yes, mom.”

I drag him into another hug. “I’m glad you’re here, Fitzie. I really am.”

“Okay, okay. Get off me.” He pushes at me ineffectively until I finally let go.

I grab my amulet from the bedroom and get dressed. There’ll be time to figure out how to introduce Fitzie to the idea that I’m seeing someone — as maybe possibly slightly more than friends — later. Ideally, I’ll ease him into it. Lysander isn’t like Jasper at all, so I just need to drop a few hints. Highlight his best qualities. Then let them meet somewhere neutral, like a movie night at The Sanctum.

Right now, though, Lysander needs me.

The lights are on in the front of the club when I get there, and Orion and Lilian are pushing tables around to prep for a show. Orion waves me over.

“He’s in the back room. He’s all worked up — never seen him so upset.”

“I’m going.” I brush past him, but Orion hurries after me.

“I’ll come.”

I kind of want to see Lysander alone, but I don’t push it. I still don’t know much about his past. Orion does.

Lysander is pacing the staff room when I open the door. His back is to me, his wings pointed stiffly out behind him, and his fists are clenched at his side. I go straight to him. He’s so distracted he runs right into my chest.

“Oh!” He flails.

“Easy. It’s just me.” I steady him.

He practically collapses into my arms. “Ezra! How —?”

“Orion texted me. He said you and Syril were arguing.” I squeeze his shoulders. “Is everything okay?”