She laughed. “That is undoubtedly true, but hey, adversity does strengthen the spirit.”

“Don’t believe that one either,” I said.

She laughed again. “I do like you, Bethany Aodhán, but I have taken enough of your time. I must leave.”

Once Darby returned with her clothes, I pushed the chair back and left, closing the door behind me to give her some privacy. None of us said anything. The walls in the old tavern might not be paper thin but they didn’t exactly stop sound from carrying, either. It was better not to discuss our next step until Alinda had left, just on the off chance she was caught.

Lugh made another pot of tea while Darby and I plopped down onto a sofa and grabbed another slice of pizza.

Alinda came out a few minutes later, her steps a little unsteady and her face drawn.

I frowned. “Are you okay?”

She waved a hand. “The price of channeling is always higher when it is initiated from the other end.”

Darby rose. “I can boost your energy reserves—”

“No,” Alinda said quickly. “It is the price we pay and one that should not be avoided. Is there a rear entrance to your tavern? I don’t think I should risk going out the front.”

“You couldn’t anyway, as the area remains blocked off,” Lugh said. “They’re still investigating the cause of the blast.”

Alinda glanced at me. “I thought you said it was blue dust?”

“It was, but it’s not a scent most humans are sensitive to, and any trace of it would have been erased by the ferocity of the fire.”

And whatever remnants had remained would have been washed away by all the water they’d poured in.

She grunted. “If you can show me the exit, I’ll get out of your hair.”

Lugh nodded and placed the tea pot on the table. “Have you a car nearby? Or need a cab?”

“No, but I called a friend, and he’ll be waiting for me in St. Werburgh Street.”

“Then I’ll accompany you, just to ensure you reach him safely.”

Alinda looked him up and down, then half smiled. “As impressive as you are, you are not immune to magic, and if they attack, that’s what they’ll use. I’d rather not be responsible for them snatching you alongside myself, if that’s what awaits out there.”

“I didn’t save your ass from one kidnapping only to have them make a second successful attempt,” I said.

“You have more than enough on your plate, young woman,” she said, more forcefully this time. “Just show me to the door. I promise, I’ll be all right now that I’m aware of the situation.”

Lugh’s gaze met mine. I half shrugged in response, and he moved past me, leading Alinda across to the stairs and then down. I sat, poured the tea, and said, “So, does the fact you now have an official date mean there was no good use of the alone time I gave you two?”