Lupi 08 - Death Magic

was as “anything goes” as the one they opposed, they were in deep shit.
    “We haven’t exhausted the possibilities,” Rule said as he entered the kitchen. “I called my father while Chad and I waited for the cab. He’ll be urging the other Rhos to step up the pace in their search.”
    She nodded. They were doing all they could. They had to hope it would be enough . . . and in the meantime, she’d be drinking a lot of coffee. And the Wythe Rhej, presumably, would continue to keep the mantle turned down to “low.” “I haven’t had a pain bolt since yesterday afternoon.”
    “True.” His smile looked effortless. It would be easy to think he was as unworried as he looked. Wrong, but easy.
    It was a gift, that smile. He wanted her not to worry, to be confident, so he suppressed everything he was feeling to project that confidence. Lily knew what he was doing, and still it helped. “I love you.”
    He blinked. “Ah . . . yes?”
    She laughed. It was rare for him to be flustered. “Just that. I love you. You’re doing everything possible, and so are others, and we’re going to kick this thing’s ass.” Might as well believe that. What was the good in thinking otherwise? She went to him, put a hand on his shoulder, and went up on tiptoe so she could touch his lips with hers. “No, don’t grab me. I need to get my weapon and get going.”
    “It’s barely seven.”
    “I need to get to Headquarters early.” She started for the stairs. Her shoulder harness was in their bedroom.
    He followed. “You haven’t eaten.”
    “I’ll eat in the car. Since I have to be chauffeured, that’ll be easy. I want one of those enormous muffins from that bakery on Jefferson.”
    The argument that followed was brief and mild and comfortingly familiar. Rule might know in his head that she couldn’t eat the way a lupus did, but the irrational underneath part of his mind couldn’t believe a muffin was a meal for anyone.
    “The muffin will be plenty,” she repeated as she buckled her shoulder harness. “What’s your schedule like today? Are you up for a change of plans?”
    “I could be. Why?”
    “I thought you might go with me.”
    His eyebrows shot up. “You want me to meet the minion?”
    “I’m going to talk to Croft. It’s Saturday, but he’ll be there. I checked. I ought to tell Drummond myself,” she admitted, “but I can’t bring myself to do it. Besides, Croft will accept the ‘clan secrets’ deal and not press me for more than I can tell him.”
    “Lily, you haven’t explained anything.”
    She sighed. Sometimes doing the right thing was a bitch. “I’m not dependable right now. I’ve gone sixteen hours without an episode, but I could get zapped again at any time. Right in the middle of an interview, maybe. Or shit, who knows—in the middle of an arrest, or a chase, or . . . I can’t even say what the next pain bolt will do. Make me drop things or drool or fall down or all of the above. Or something new. I have to tell Croft so he can have someone else from the Unit take over.”
    “You’re removing yourself from the investigation.”
    “Officially, yeah.”
    He was silent for several heartbeats. “And unofficially?”
    “That’s why I’d like you along. Rule . . .” She moved closer so she could take his hand. “Chad knew the mantle wouldn’t go to him unless the Lady wanted him to have it, right?”
    “Yes, we explained that the Lady may have to move the mantle herself. This isn’t the normal way of transferring it.”
    Lily nodded. “So Chad knew that if the mantle did come to him, that would be the Lady’s doing. And he wanted to be willing to accept the Lady’s decision. He wanted to . . . but he didn’t become wholly willing until he knew I needed it to happen. That I was being endangered by hosting the mantle.”
    “Yes.” His eyes were puzzled. “Of course he wanted to help you.”
    “Because I’m a woman.” She smiled wryly. “That’s how you’re all wired—protect the woman. Your Lady knows you pretty well. I guess she made you that way. That choice you said you made? She can’t be upset about it. She knew you’d choose to protect me. It may take a while for you to come to terms with what it means, but don’t think your Lady is surprised or disappointed.”
    “Lily.”
    She tipped her head.
    He lifted the hand she’d clasped his with to his lips and kissed it. “I love you.”
     
     
    RULE had been to FBI Headquarters many times. In the