“Victor Arganbright wants my help?” Allegra asked. She sounded astonished. “I thought he believed that your father and I are a couple of lightweight con artists.”

“Well, specifically, Lucas Pine requested the help. They’ve run out of options. Would you be willing to call Foundation headquarters and discuss the problem with Pine or Arganbright?”

“Yes, of course. I can’t promise that I’ll be able to help your client’s father, though. I haven’t even examined the patient.”

“I’m sure Pine will be delighted to fly you to Las Vegas for a consultation,” Sierra said.

“Give me the number. I’ll make the call and we’ll see how things go. But no guarantees. Oh, and dear, we’re all looking forward to seeing you at the Moontide celebration.”

“Looking forward to seeing you, too, Mom. Got to run.”

On the other side of the counter North poured himself a second cup of coffee. It was a small sound, an insignificant little noise, really. Just the splash of coffee into a cup. Sierra figured she could easily explain it, but North chose that moment to take another healthy bite out of the avocado toast. The crunching was audible.

There was a short, thunderous pause on the other end of the connection.

“Are you having breakfast with someone, Sierra?” Allegra asked.

Sierra stifled a sigh. “Early-morning meeting with my client. Kind of in a hurry here. Lucas Pine is waiting to hear from you.”

“Is your new client a man?”

“How did you guess?”

“Something about the crunching in the background. Sounds like a man enjoying his food.”

“His name is North Chastain. We’re looking for the artifact that damaged his father’s aura. We wanted to get an early start today.”

“He spent the night at your place?”

“He was exhausted.”

“You never let your dates spend the night.”

“He’s not a date, Mom. He’s a client. And he’s very worried about his father.”

“I’ll call Las Vegas right away,” Allegra said.

“Bye, Mom. Love you. Love to Dad and Grandma and Grandpa.”

“Be careful, dear.”

“Don’t worry, I can take care of myself.”

Sierra ended the call and took a couple of deep breaths. “Mom is going to call Lucas Pine right now.”

“Thank you,” North said. He drank some coffee and munched the second avocado toast. “I appreciate it.”

Sierra concentrated on finishing her breakfast.

“Your mom thought I was your date?” North said after a while.

“She heard you pouring coffee. She was just surprised I wasn’t alone, that’s all.”

“Why?”

Sierra put down her fork. “I don’t do sleepovers for two reasons. The first is that the odds are excellent the relationship won’t last long, so why bother? It’s easier not to have to ask someone to pack his bag and leave.”

“You’re right. That does sound rude. What’s the second reason?”

She shrugged. “The usual problem for people like us.”

“People with some talent?” He winced. “I get it.”

“If I tell a normal date that I’ve got a weird ability to detect paranormal artifacts he’ll conclude I’m either delusional or a fraud, so I have to keep quiet about it.”