Doolittle set a small plastic box down in front of me and flipped open the top. Six small ampoules in a neat row.

“Antivenom,” he said and showed me a gun-looking object. “One ampoule goes in here. Once you hear a click, press it against the skin and pull the trigger. Not for use on humans. It is in the form of a gun, so you should have no difficulties using it.”

An antivenom gun—load, press, squeeze the trigger. Okay, I could do that.

“Unfortunately, that is all I can do until I know more,” Doolittle said. He leaned closer and looked into my eyes. “I strongly advise against any physical activity for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Nothing strenuous. No sexual relations, no running, and no fighting. Do you understand me?”

“Perfectly.”

“I’m not naive enough to think that you’ll heed my advice.”

“I solemnly swear to heed at least one-third of it. No sexual relations won’t be a problem.”

Barabas laughed under his breath.

Doolittle shook his head. “Should you feel faint, you will take another dose of antivenom and you will lie down.”

“Yes, sir.”

Doolittle shook his head again and went to pack up his tools. Barabas stepped into his place and leaned against my desk, his arms folded over his chest. “As your attorney, I’m forced to advise you to stay away from that crime scene. We both know you won’t, but if you get caught, there will be repercussions.”

“Thank you for the warning.” Now I had advice from both a doctor and a lawyer. I tried to fight a yawn, but it won. “I’ll definitely take it under consideration.”

I had to go back to the scene. Everyone in the room knew it.

“Also, you won’t like hearing this, but as a lawyer, I’m used to that. Your position with the Pack is muddy. This makes things a hell of a lot more complicated than they have to be. Sort yourself out.”

Settle things with the woman who sent two boudas to beat the crap out of me. Right.

Barabas looked at Julie. “Please get your bag. We’re going back to the Keep.”

Julie crossed her arms. “But…”

“Julia,” Barabas said calmly. “Please get your bag.”

Julie stomped to the kitchen and returned with her backpack.

My eyes were apparently producing glue instead of moisture, because I had trouble keeping them open. “Take Ascanio with you, too,” I said. The boy was looking really rattled.

“No,” Raphael said.

I turned to him. “You don’t get to give orders here.”