“One of very few, I’m sure.” I shifted closer to him, belly to belly, feeling a fresh wave of heat. “I will find a job. That much I’ve realized. I need to do something in this life. Maybe we can spend some time thinking about it. I can try on different uniforms, see if any catch your fancy…”

He laughed and slid his hand around to my rear, pulling me against him. “I’m sure most will catch my fancy, at least for a night or two. Perhaps we can start with the nurse…” He closed his eyes, lips moving in a soft oath.

“Kris?”

“Sorry, just the practical part of my brain, reminding me that I’m distracting you from something more important than nurse fantasies.” His gaze slid down my body. “I could shut it off, if you like…”

I laughed as I sat up. “You’re right, I do have work to do, and we’ll have all of eternity to play dress-up when I’m done. Now give me a hand brainstorming my next move. As partners go, Trsiel’s a good guy, but when it comes to plotting, our brains operate on completely different wavelengths.”

“Won’t let you kill anyone, will he?”

“Won’t even consider it. No killing, no stealing, no lying. I think I’ve caught him swearing once or twice, but I can’t be sure.”

“I’m taller, too.”

I sputtered a laugh. “You’re what?”

“Taller.” He snuck a grin at me. “He’s better-looking, thinner, still has all his hair…but I’m taller. By at least an inch.”

“Not only do you support me in my moral bankruptcy, but you’re taller? What more could any woman want?”

“So she didn’t get the amulet,” Kris said after I’d recapped my last Nix encounter.

“Right, but she said she had another way. A less satisfactory way.”

“Spiritual possession,” he said. “And for that she’d need not just any necromancer. What did you say back at the castle? Few necros who are powerful enough to perform it—”

“Would be stupid enough to perform it.”

“A powerful necro…who’s somewhat lacking in mental agility.” His brows arched. “Sound like anyone you’ve worked with recently?”

“Jaime’s not stupid. She doesn’t come off as the brightest bulb, but, hey, I know all about the benefits of acting dumber than you are. In her case, there are some emotional issues there, too. Acting like a ditzy celebrity might be her way of dealing with things.”

“True, but, as you say, she doesn’t come off as the brightest bulb. What’s important is what she appears to be. The Nix did make some cryptic comment about her secondary choice having some effect on you, that it’d be ‘temporarily’ very satisfying, probably meaning something that would hurt you. If she knows that you know Jaime—”

“Shit!” I scrambled up. “I need to warn Jaime.”