Grimoires and Where to Find Them Raconteur, Honor (read along books TXT) 📖

Jamie pulled away with a wave, as did Jameson. I let them go, then hailed a taxi at the first opportunity. I gave the address to the driver before hopping inside, closing the door behind me.

Once we were on our way, it occurred to me that for once, I had a quiet spell available to me. It was rare to have one-on-one time with Phil without possibility of interruption. I’d thought often about Jamie’s question and admitted to myself that she was likely right. I was a touch nervous about it. Phil liked me, but to that degree? I found myself unsure at moments.

But if I didn’t ask, then I’d never have an answer. And I didn’t want to make the situation more awkward by leaving it in limbo.

I sucked in a breath, gathered my courage, and hoped I could phrase this right. “Phil?”

Phil turned his head to look up at me, golden eyes blinking once.

“I have a somewhat delicate question to ask you. We’ve spent much time together, and I’ve been blessed with your assistance more than once. I feel it only right to ask. Would you like to be my familiar?”

He startled, his entire body shivering once with it. Then his eyes went wide, ears perking, tail lashing behind him like a whip. “Yes!”

With that single word, he dissolved all of my doubts. I took my first true breath in several minutes and gave him a good stroke from head to tail. “I’m very glad. I wasn’t sure how you felt about it. It does mean you’ll be living more with me than with Jamie.”

“It’s fine,” he assured me, purring now with joy. “I see them all the time.”

“That’s true, we’re practically together all the time, anyway.”

He reached up on hind legs, nuzzling against my chin, tail still swishing happily. “My Henri, now.”

“I suppose I am, at that.” I nuzzled back, happy. I’d never imagined a familiar for myself. They were difficult to obtain unless you were a very highly ranked magician, and I’d never had the magical demand necessary to invoke the right to insist upon one. Although, I suppose, with the workload I now shouldered, it made more sense for me to have one.

People would likely think that was why I asked Phil. The ones dearest to me would understand practicality had nothing to do with it.

We arrived at Jere’s without fanfare. I paid the driver and got out, still carrying Phil. I didn’t have to carry him far. I got the workshop door open and one foot inside, intending to announce our presence and willingness to help, when Phil leapt lightly from my arms and ran inside.

“Jere! We’re here, and I’m Henri’s familiar!” the Felix announced as he barreled through the stacks of supplies.

Well. That was one way to alert him.

Jere’s startled voice came from the back corner. “What? Wait, Phil, is that you? When did that happen?!”

Familiars really are nice. He saved me from tedious explanations.

Henri was a nervous wreck before the party started. And then after the party started. He kept checking and double-checking things, and I finally had to latch onto him to prevent him from giving the game away. My man did not have nerves of steel, needless to say.

I had to give it to Marvella Radman. She knew how to throw a party. I’d tried to limit her because we only had so much budget for this. Police stations are universally underfunded. She looked me dead in the eye and said not to worry about it. Gregson was happy to hear I didn’t need the money.

It’s funny, ’cause people kept telling me the Radmans weren’t rich. But if this was their definition of poor, chain me to the wall. She had not one, but two caterers in for the occasion, a full waitstaff, a live orchestra playing some really pretty music in the conservatory, and a full dessert course all laid out, looking delicious. I’ve been to weddings less decorated than this.

Playing the part of guests, no one was in uniform. Foster wore an all-black suit tonight that brought out the red highlights in his grey fur. More than a few women took notice of him. Niamh was drop dead gorgeous, wearing a flowing light green gown, her hair done up and a waterfall of blonde curls cascading down her back. Her choice of dress was smart, too—it had a full skirt that gave her room to run. I had no idea where she’d stashed her bow, though. Most of us had weapons all around the house, as there wasn’t a good way to carry them in formal wear.

We weren’t seated for dinner yet. People were still arriving, and I was keeping a careful eye on everyone to make sure they didn’t get distracted and actually got to the right places. We’d not been able to rehearse this, only done a dry run at the station, which wasn’t quite the same.

When Gerring arrived, he took everything in with wide eyes, lips pursed in a soundless whistle. “It looks amazing in here.”

I led him casually away from the door and the staff to make sure no one could overhear us. “She really pulled out all the stops. It’s so authentic, I’m afraid people will forget they’re working.”

Gerring snorted. “I can see why.”

“Gerring, I keep trying to find a good moment to talk to you about this, but after this case wraps up, I think I’m going to turn you loose, okay?”

He blinked at me as if I’d sprouted horns. “Wait, I thought you wanted me to get more experience.”

“You’ve got plenty, in my opinion. You’ve more than pulled your weight on this case, and it’s going to get good media coverage once the reporters figure out what’s going on. You’ll be in the spotlight. I say, capitalize on it. Fly, be free.”

His smile was delighted. “Thank you. I’m really looking forward to it, although I’ll miss working with you and Dr. Davenforth. I know McSparrin’s really