“Yeah.” I snorted as we lurched into motion again. “He might bore you to death.”

Edden turned to me. “Will you shut your mouth?”

I shrugged, then wished I hadn’t as my shoulder started to throb.

“Did you get that, Rose?” he said into the phone.

“Armed, dangerous, don’t approach unless he tries to leave. Gotcha.”

Edden grunted. “Thanks, Rose.” He flicked the radio off with a thick finger.

Jenks yanked on my ear, and I let out a yelp.

“There he is!” the pixy shrilled. “Look. Right ahead of us.”

Nick and I leaned forward to see. The broken taillight was like a beacon. We watched as Francis signaled, squealing his tires as he lurched into the bus depot. A horn blew, and I smirked. Francis had nearly been hit by a bus.

“Okay,” Edden said softly as we circled to park on the far side of the lot. “We have five minutes until the dog team gets here, fifteen for Briston and Gerry. He will have to register the packages with the front desk. It will be a nice proof of ownership.” Edden undid his seat belt and spun his bucket chair as the van halted. He looked as eager as a vamp with that toothy grin of his. “No one even look at him until everyone gets here. Got it?”

“Yeah, I got it,” I said, jittery. I didn’t like being under someone else’s direction, but what he said made sense. Nervous, I slid across the seat to press my face to Nick’s window and watch Francis struggle with three flat boxes.

“That him?” Edden said, his voice cold.

I nodded. Jenks walked down my arm and stood on the sill of the window. His wings were a blur as he used them for balance. “Yeah,” the pixy snarled. “That’s the pancake.”

Glancing up, I realized I was almost in Nick’s lap. Embarrassed, I put myself where I belonged. The aspirin was starting to wear off, and though my remaining amulet would be good for days, the pain was starting to break through with an unsettling frequency. But it was the fatigue I was really worried about. My heart was hammering as if I had just finished a race. I didn’t think it was just from the excitement.

Francis kicked his car door shut and tottered into motion. He was the picture of self-importance as he strutted into the depot in his loud shirt with the turned-up collar. I smirked as he smiled at a woman coming out and got a quick brush-off. But on remembering his fear while sitting in Trent’s office, my contempt took on a shade of pity for the insecure man.

“Okay, boys and girls,” Edden said, pulling my attention back. “Clayton, stay here. Send Briston in when she arrives. I don’t want anyone out of plainclothes in sight of the windows.” He watched Francis go through the double doors. “Have Rose move everyone in from the airport. Looks like the witch, er, Ms. Morgan was right.”