“A little bit of this and a little bit of that,” Sasha said.

“Hardest part was getting them to turn away,” Orlu said. “They started thinking we were armed robbers. But if we didn’t get them to turn around and they saw what we were doing, we’d be in a Library Council car on our way to the Obi Library’s basement like you.”

“We had to use Ujo on them,” Orlu muttered. “So they were too scared to look at what we were doing.”

Sunny’s eyebrows went up. That was the juju that Anatov had taught them that caused Lambs to feel a deep irrational crippling fear. So that was why they went speeding away.

Sasha suddenly picked up his pace, leaving Sunny and Orlu to walk together. “So you won’t be taken to the council? I know you used juju on that car.”

He shook his head. “Remember, part of being a good Leopard Person is doing your duty for your fellow human beings. When we saw those guys, if we could help, we would help.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Sasha shouted. He was standing at the passenger window staring into the Jeep. “Oh, so this is how it is? This is what you are?”

“Oh no,” Orlu said. They both ran to the Jeep.

Chichi climbed out from the driver’s side. Then Chukwu came out, also from the driver’s side.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” Sasha shouted at Chichi.

“Lower your voice,” Chukwu said, his voice booming.

“You don’t speak to me,” Sasha said, pointing a finger at Chukwu.

Chukwu laughed hard. “Or you’ll what?”

Sasha’s eyes grew very big, and he looked as if he was going to say something. Then he glanced at Sunny and seemed to change his mind. “I don’t give a shit how big you are,” Sasha said. He moved toward Chukwu.

“Come on, then,” Chukwu growled.

“Okay,” Orlu said, immediately putting himself between Sasha and Chukwu. “Okay, o. Okay, o.”

“Keep your hands off her,” Sasha said, pointing at Chukwu over Orlu’s shoulder.

“Sure, but I can’t help it if she can’t keep her hands off me,” Chukwu said, laughing.

Sasha turned to the side and spat. “We will see.”

Sunny went and stood beside Chichi. “What were you thinking?” Sunny snapped.

“I wasn’t exactly thinking,” Chichi whispered, but Sunny caught the hint of the smile on her lips.

“Let’s all just get back in the Jeep,” Orlu said. “We have a long way ahead of us.”

Sasha was looking at Chichi, who was looking right back at Sasha. Chukwu angrily got in the driver’s seat, slamming his door. Sunny and Orlu got in. Then Chichi. Sasha was the last to get into the passenger seat. He glared at Chukwu, but Chukwu just started the Jeep, ignoring Sasha. Minutes later, Sasha put Nas back on, moving on to the next album, It Was Written. But the vibration of the beats wasn’t nearly as delicious as before.