I logged into the security system and checked various monitors, but there were no obvious dead bodies dumped in view of the cameras, and no alarms were going off around the fencing. So far, so good. And I absolutely didnotcheck to make sure Greg’s car was still in the garage. That’s the kind of thing crazy people do, and I wasfine.
I decided to go to my living room and grab Lord Samuel’s books on gargoyles. There were more than I expected, and certainly more than I could get through any time soon. I carried them back to the office so that I could at least start my education. I skimmed through the contents’ pages trying to find something relevant, even though I didn’t know what I was looking for.
I spent the next hour skim-reading and found out a lot about the gargoyles – for example, they are in constant pain, they are completely vegetarian and their wings grow bigger with age. What I didn’t find was anything about their beef with the witches. It probably didn’t matter now since the dead gargoyle was no longer much of a mystery, but it still seemed like a good use of my time.
It occurred to me that it would be a better use of my time to read up on ogres, so I slipped back next door and collected the few slim volumes about them. I retain information better when I take notes, so I pulled out a blank notepad of Lord Samuel’s, a beautiful leather-bound book he’d clearly never used, and started to make notes.
A lot of the information came with the standard disclaimer that it was observational and anecdotal, and might not be wholly accurate. I grimaced, but decided to read the volumes anyway. There could be something of value in them.
An hour later there was a knock on my office door and Greg popped his head round. ‘We should go,’ he said abruptly. ‘The meeting is at 0930 hours. We don’t want to be late.’
‘Sure thing. Let’s go.’ I gave him a small smile, which he didn’t return. Damn, it was chilly this morning: no sweethearts, peaches or sunshine for me.
I followed him to his car and we climbed in without speaking. Greg started up the engine and we travelled for a solid five minutes in uncomfortable quiet. Finally I blurted out, ‘I didn’t mean that whatever is between us isn’t important. I just meant that it hadn’t progressed to being a “thing”. And I’d like it to, to be a thing. But it’s weird because I’m your boss and I don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position. The last thing the pack needs is a sexual harassment claim,’ I joked weakly.
Greg’s body, which had been taut with tension, suddenly relaxed and he smiled. ‘For future reference, you’re terrible at this.’
‘Relationships?’
‘Talking about your feelings.’
‘Hey! I’m the one out on a limb here, and you’re leaving me dangling like a kitten with a bad idea.’
Greg was still focused on the road, but he lifted his left hand from the gearstick and laced his fingers through mine. ‘Just to be clear about where I’m at emotionally, I’d like to date you, Lucy.’ His voice was amused. This is the twenty-first century, and men can be comfortable voicing their feelings; hell, he was more comfortable doing it than I was.
‘I like you,’ he went on. ‘I don’t think it’s a problem that you’re my alpha. After all, I’m second to your first. Unless you’re planning on spending your whole life alone, or with someone from the Common realm, then at least the power disparity with me won’t be too great. And I think we trust each other, and we work well together. After all this is over, I think we should see where we could go.’
‘Okay, that’s fine. Great, I mean. But for now, I’d rather our relationship wasn’t advertised to the whole pack, particularly as we’re just starting out. That’s why I said what I did to Archie. It’s not because I don’t care about you, but I want it to be an “us” thing. Just while it’s new.’
‘I agree. Let’s keep it between ourselves for now.’
‘Okay. So we’re doing this?’
He flashed me a grin. ‘We’re doing this, sweetheart, and it’s going to be good.’ He gave my hand one last squeeze before he let it go. He cleared his throat. ‘All right.’ Suddenly he was all business. ‘There’s a few things you need to know about ogres. Firstly, we’re meeting them in their den so their laws apply. If we fall foul of the laws whilst we’re in their den, they are within their rights to deal with us as they see fit.’
‘So they’ll kill us?’
‘Pretty much. So, things to avoid: don’t eat anything, but you should accept a drink if you’re offered one. You need to be extremely careful not to insult an ogre – they can be a bit particular. There must be formal introductions, and your bow to them should last at least five seconds but no longer than ten. Don’t look an ogre in the eye for longer than five seconds. Maintaining eye contact is considered aggressive and can be taken as an insult.’
‘They’ve got a thing with the number five, huh?’
‘Don’t be irreverent, Lucy. This is important.’
‘I did my homework,’ I assured him. ‘I’ve been reading up on ogres all morning. Apparently, when you accept that drink you should pick up the cup with your right hand. And you shouldn’t allow your shadow to touch their shadow. If you feel the urge to pick your nose, use your left hand. I have no idea whether that last one is real or not, but I suggest we avoid picking our noses.’
‘Noted,’ Greg smirked. ‘Did your homework include the correct modes of address?’
‘We should call the High King “Your Excellence” – why it’s not just “Your Majesty” is beyond me.’
‘Probably an excuse to find insult.’
‘Great. What’s the name of their current High King?
‘Robert Krieg.’
‘Robert? That doesn’t inspire fear. High King Bob.’ I sniggered. ‘There are too many Bobs floating around. There’s Bobby, Reynard Bob and High King Bob.’
Greg rolled his eyes. ‘High King Bob can tear you in two – and is totally allowed to – if you piss him off while we’re in his den. Play nicely, and don’t call him Bob.’