Light Dragons 03 - Sparks Fly

wanted to make sure that I understood exactly what it was that May said, and that you were willing-should the price be suitable, naturally-to do things that may not be looked kindly upon by the L’au-dela Committee. Is that correct?”
    “Well, I’m not going to kill anyone, or steal something, if that’s what you’re asking. But if you are speaking of a greyer area ... I’d be open to discussing the situation.”
    He sounded intrigued now. I was counting on May’s having said his loyalty could be swayed away from the group that ran the Otherworld, and slumped back against the seat in relief. Another glance out the window warned me we were almost home. “Look, this is too complicated to work out over the phone. Can we meet to discuss the details?” I gave him directions to the pub. “Say, an hour?”
    “I could do that,” he said slowly. “If you promise me one thing, that is.”
    I sighed. “I assure you that I have absolutely no designs on any part of your genitalia-”
    “No, not that, although I will hold you to that promise.”
    “What do you want, then?” I asked, curious.
    “Carte blanche to beat the living daylights out of that lieutenant your wyvern keeps around to destroy innocent people.”
    I smiled as Ludovic pulled into a spot behind the pub. “I wish I could. There’s nothing I’d like more than to see Thala brought down a peg or two, but she’s gone to earth in Nepal. However, I think I can say with all confidence that if you were to find her, you could have at her with impunity-as well as a whole lot of my personal appreciation.”
    “I’ll be there at eight,” Savian promised before hanging up.
    Pavel was busily making dinner in the pub’s kitchen when I entered.
    “Evening, Pavel. Did Brom and Nico get home?”
    “Yes, about an hour ago. Nico went off to deal with a minor family emergency but said he should be back shortly. Baltic is around somewhere, arguing with the builder about whether or not it’s reasonable to rebuild Dauva to its original specifications.”
    “Oh yes, I can just imagine what the locals will think of a medieval castle popping up out of nowhere. I’d better go reason with him.” I started for the stairs that led up to our rooms but stopped to sniff the air, trying to guess what it was he was cooking. “Is that ... roast beef?”
    “Roast Angus beef with Yorkshire pudding,” he answered, looking up with a smile. Pavel and I shared a love of cooking that amused Baltic, although I noticed he never complained about the fruits of our labors.
    “Oooh, so very English. I’ve never tried to make Yorkshire pudding. Do you need help?”
    “No, my friend Holland is due any minute. He’ll give me a hand with the starters if I need it.”
    “We’re having appetizers? What’s the occas-did you say friend? You mean a friend, like the Casemonts who own this pub? Or a friend friend?”
    Pavel laughed, dusted off his hands, and to my absolute astonishment, winked. “Holland is a friend I’ve known for some time ... but he was involved with someone before.”
    I tried to look not in the least bit interested in Pavel’s somewhat complicated love life. “How nice for you. What are you making now?”
    “Langoustine tortellini. It’ll be served with some vegetables, green lentils, and a shellfish cream.”
    “That sounds heavenly. Did you want me to whip together something for dessert? What ... er ... what sorts of things is your friend into? I mean, what does he like? Food-wise, that is.” I coughed, my face turning red as Pavel laughed again.
    “I made roasted-banana ice cream earlier, and we’ll have that with cinnamon doughnuts with honeycomb cream, unless there’s something else you’d prefer.”
    “No, no, that sounds fine.” I eyed him, wondering if I should dress up for dinner, then realized how strange it was that I was even thinking of dressing for his date. “Sounds like you have everything under control. Which reminds me, I have a few things for you. I’ll give them to you after dinner, since you’re busy now, and they ... er ... I’ll just give them to you later. But I do think your friend will like them. At least, I hope he likes them ... .”
    Pavel’s lips twitched, but he said in a perfectly sober voice, “I’m sure Holland will enjoy whatever you have for us, as will I.”
    “Good. Well, then. I’ll just go see how many turrets and drawbridges Baltic needs to be talked out of. And maybe I’ll run by him the idea of