No, we're fucking not. I forced a smile. "As I've said before, fate is a bitch who enjoys her games. She's just as likely to do the opposite of what you fear."
"God, I hope you're right." She poked the steak with a stiffened finger, then picked it up on a fork, slapped it onto a piece of toast, and handed it to me. "What are you up to today?"
"I've got to check out a few museums, and then I'm off hunting a dark spirit."
Ilianna's eyebrows rose. "Museums? You?"
I waved a hand. "Don't worry. I'm not on a culture kick or anything. We're looking for the next key."
"Do you want help?"
"No." Especially given what had happened last time I'd found one of the keys. I was already in danger of losing Tao. I wasn't about to risk losing Ilianna as well. I slapped the second piece of toast over the steak, then grabbed the sandwich one-handed and got off the counter. "If I don't see you before tonight, enjoy your date."
She snorted. "The only way that'll happen is if I get totally plastered first. And I've promised Mirri I wouldn't."
"Tell her she's a spoilsport."
"Oh, I have, trust me."
Grinning, I walked across to the dining table to transfer the search results from the computer to my phone, then walked into my bedroom to grab a coat and my purse.
Once I'd finished my sandwich, I stood in the middle of my room and said, "So, are you going to make an appearance, or is this snit going to continue?"
"As Ilianna has already noted," he said, voice even, "I am never very far away."
I swung around. He stood several feet away from me, his arms crossed and his expression back to its usual noncommittal self. "Then why couldn't I sense you?"
"Because I didn't allow it."