“Angel was around when I was growing up. My dad couldn’t help the fact that somebody else was there to read me stories when I was little and tell me not to dress too provocatively when I went through the teeny tude phase. Angel made an effort to stand in.”
“And what? Won your affection?”
She wiggled her head Deliverance-style. “Yes. And my respect. Why is this your business?”
“You are my business.”
“That is not only a ridiculous answer, it’s a non-answer.”
“I have to go.”
“You do not have to go.”
“I want to go?”
“If I’m your business, it seems like you’d want to stay.”
“I can keep up without being your shadow.”
“Thank the gods for that.”
CHAPTER NINE – Living in the Past
“So. Rosie wants to know if you’d join her for a friendly little chat,” Shivaun said while they waited for Doo Darby to join them for breakfast.
“What for? Is this like a meet-the-parents thing?”
“No. She’s my boss. No’ my parent.” She glanced at the mug, teabag, and stainless pot of hot water that had just been set in front of her and thought wistfully about the gorgeous tea service she’d conjured a little earlier. “Did you want to meet my parents? Occasionally outsiders are allowed into the New Forest, but I’m fairly certain that does no’ apply to demons. At least no’ that I’m aware.”
“Do your parents know about your… transformation?”
She shook her head. “And then there’s that.”
“I don’t know what sort of impression I’d make. So it’s just as well. And I’m not old-fashioned about chattel courtesies. I think modern females are mistresses of their own destinies.”
“’Tis very modern of you. Considerin’ your advanced age, you’ve done a fair job of keepin’ up with the times. I’ll add it to the list of things I like about you.”
Lyric looked interested in that. He was about to ask to hear the list when Doo slid into the third chair waiting for him. And the moment was gone.
“How’d you sleep?” Shivaun asked.
It was the sort of question Lyric would never think to ask. Shy’s human background had its advantages.
“I’ve had better nights.” Doo scrubbed a hand down his face. “There’s lots to remember.”
“How many songs do you know?” Shivaun asked.
“I don’t know. Why?”
“I mean songs that you know the notes and the words.”
“Lyrics.” Lyric corrected.
“Lyrics,” she repeated. “A hundred?”
Doo smirked. “More.”
“Well that means you’re smart enough to remember lots,” she said. “What will ye be havin’ for you’re last meal?” The smile on her face told him it was a joke intended to lighten his mood.
“Funny. Ha ha.” He looked at Lyric. “What don’t they have where I’m goin’?”
“Well, let’s see. Avocado toast. Chicken and waffles. Although they could make it. Yogurt and granola would be iffy. They’ll have plenty of meat, eggs, pancakes. All the things that would make your colon wince. So I’m told.”
Doo brightened a little. “Since I don’t want yogurt, granola, or avocado anything, I think the past and I will get along fine. At least where breakfast is concerned. So. What’s next?”
“I guess that means your final answer is that you’re in,” Lyric said.
“Guess so,” Doo repeated.
“Am I sensin’ some hesitation?” Shivaun asked.
“I just…” He glanced at Lyric before again lowering his head to study the menu. “It’s just my grandmother used to say that if somethin’ seems too good to be true, that means it is. Seems right to me. So I just keep waitin’ for the, uh, catch. You know?”
The server arrived, poured coffee, and took orders. After watching her slide her tabpad into the large front pocket of her apron and hurry away, Lyric said, “It’s not that there’s not a price to pay. There always is. It’s just that you don’t consider it enough of a price to be a deterrent.”
Doo looked like he was trying to decipher code. “You mean that I can’t get back? To now?”
Lyric nodded. “That and that you will have no more than thirty years. I’ve observed humans for a long, long time. I know that, at your age, you can’t imagine caring about life after fifty-three. But you will feel differently when you reach that age.”
“But I don’t have a lease on life even if I stay in this time.” He looked around at the café, at the street outside the window then at Shivaun. “I could die this afternoon.” She nodded her agreement.
“You could. But let’s not kid ourselves. You don’t believe you will,” Lyric replied.
“No.” Doo met Lyric’s gaze. “I don’t believe I will. I’ve given this an