I considered the situation for a few moments. I’d been making progress, and this might be a good time to push myself a little. After all, Lou’s family seemed so nice, and we were outside, so I wouldn’t feel hemmed in with any of the animal mages. Plus, my keys were in my pocket. If I needed to leave, I could. I straightened my shoulders. “I think…I think I want to stay.”

Any remaining doubt disappeared as Lou’s face lit up. “Great!” She took my hand. “I’ll introduce you around. If you need a break, just let me know, okay?” Lou immediately began leading me around, introducing me to so many people they quickly started blurring together. Someone gave me a beer, and every few minutes, I was offered different appetizers to try. The whole time, Lou never left my side.

Basically, it was heaven.

After about a half hour, Lou had to use the bathroom, so she handed me off to her brother. Bay still had Savannah on his hip. I spent a second waving at her before we were joined by a big, heavily tattooed guy holding a tray. He must be another family friend—I’d smelled traces of him around Trick’s house.

Bay handed me a fresh beer. “This is Will. He’s a piercer at my tattoo shop.”

Will was taller than me, blond, and built on sturdy lines. He had an air of affable humor about him that made me like him right away. Colorful tattoos started on his neck, dipped under his shirt—which had a big glittery kitten on it—and continued again down both arms.

Will presented his platter with a flourish. “Have you had lumpia before?”

I shook my head.

He handed me three. “Problem solved.”

They looked like small spring rolls, but with a thinner, crispier wrap. Will turned the platter so I could dip it in the sauce and take a bite. The taste of pork, cabbage, green onions, and garlic hit my tongue and it was all I could do to keep my eyes from rolling back in my head in absolute bliss. “Holy shit, that’s good.”

I ate the other two quickly and ended up licking my fingers like an animal. Turns out I had no shame when it came to lumpia.

Will handed me another before taking the tray over to one of the tables already covered with dishes. The array was varied—I saw what appeared to be pickled herring, sausage that smelled like venison and blueberry, a noodle dish I was told was called pancit, a beet salad, pork skewers—it was a mouthwatering array. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I saw it.

Lou walked back over to us. She’d taken out her braid and was now trying to wrap her hair into something bun-shaped, her beer bottle shoved awkwardly in her pocket. Every step jostled the bottle, and I wasn’t sure, but it seemed to be edging slowly out of her pocket.

Without thinking, I grabbed the bottle, then stood there awkwardly holding it for her.