Page 26 of Courted by the Sabertooth (Mori’s Mementos #3)
Mori
Moonscale London
Baby Andy was three days old before I ventured into the backyard to give Dern the okay to yoink me out of my body.
Usually, he didn’t take requests but he hadn’t messed with me since Baby Andy was born.
My little nephew was a big boy and a huge bear cub when he shifted into his furry form.
He was a perfect little piece of my twin, and I already knew I’d slay every monster in Frost’s Pit if that’s what it took to keep him safe.
The Not-Baby-Andy part of my nephew had implied that Dern was in the Pit. I wasn’t sure if he was correct or not. Would the Postcard Men really work with someone Frost dragged off to the Pit? If he was, did that mean he was bad? Was everyone in the Pit bad?
“Don’t count on him for answers,” my wolf rolled his eyes inside his inner sanctum.
Then everything went black. Thankfully I was already stretched out on the grass because I couldn’t burden Preston with watching over me while he was taking care of his newborn.
I came to, as usual, on Dern’s Other Worldly kitchen floor.
He helped me up and we sat down. Neither of us said anything for a long time.
“I saw that you met your nephew before he was your nephew,” Dern said.
“Have a dire warning about him like you did Baby Hex?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“No,” he shook his head. “It’s not the usual way things are done but I’m not surprised.”
“Did you know him?”
“No,” Dern shook his head.
“Did you know Sharon Claudis? Is that why you’re all caught up on her?”
“No,” he shook his head again. “I’m caught up on her because you were in the building that was attacked. Both of them actually.”
“What am I to you?”
“I told you before, I’m your mentor.”
“And this is the Pit?” I asked and hated myself for asking as soon as the words were out of my mouth.
“That’s up to you to decide. One man’s treasure is another’s cactus up the ass,” he shrugged.
“I don’t think that’s how the saying goes,” I said but couldn’t hold in the laugh.
“Congrats on Baby Andy. I’m glad he made it into his new life safely.”
“You’re really not going to tell me anything, huh?” I leaned back in the chair, wishing that I trusted him enough to ask for a cup of tea.
“I’ve always told you plenty. You’re just not good at putting the pieces together yet.
I brought you here because I’m not sure you’re going to get anywhere on your on right now.
It’s time for you to step in on the Lady Annila issue.
I thought Crilus would come running to you about it, but he’s pretty tuned into his baby’s needs right now and that’s probably for the best. Also, if you could, when you see the guy at the bar in a Grim Howler’s t-shirt with a little hole in the front of the collar dump your drink on him.
Just wait until he sits down before you do it. ”
“Huh? No thank you. Do you know how many guys wear those still?”
“Well, this one will have a little hole right here,” he said touching the hollow of his throat.
“Why should I?”
“Because I asked you nicely, Mori. Come on. Don’t you want to see people be happy?” Dern put his arms behind his head and leaned back in his chair.
“When do you do anything to make everyone else happy?” I shot the question back at him.
“Well, I always have my reasons but just do me this favor. If nothing good comes out of it, you never have to do me another favor again. Just make sure you get him good and wet. He’ll be there next Friday night around eight.”
“Uh… Is this guy gonna beat my ass?”
“Maybe but just ask the bartender for help,” Dern shrugged. “Now off you go. I want to go to bed and have some time alone with Ormund. All this work is giving me a headache.”