Kovit flopped onto the couch where Fabricio had been and put his head in his hands. “What now?”

“We rest.” Nita’s voice was gentle. “Nothing important is happening until tomorrow.”

“But we should . . . I don’t know. Do something?” He sighed. “Do you have any more ideas for what to do next?”

“Maybe,” Nita admitted. “I’ve been thinking on the way back. But nothing will work until the article about you goes online. We need to wait for people to start talking about why an INHUP agent was meeting with you on such friendly terms.”

“When will that happen?”

“Everything I sent is easy to verify, so . . . soon?”

“How soon?”

“Let me check.” Nita pulled out her phone, and sure enough, there was a response from the reporter.

I’ve confirmed the identity of the INHUP agent and zannie through multiple sources. That cafe event sure was popular! Do you have any information on why the two of them were together, and why they seemed so close?

All I can tell you is that INHUP knew about the two of them and looked the other way, Nita replied. I’m sending these pictures out to other sources tonight, so if you want the scoop, you have the rest of today to publish.

She looked up at Kovit. “Not sure. Hopefully this afternoon.”

He nodded and stared down at his hands.

Fabricio exited the bathroom. “What’s this afternoon?”

“Nothing.” Nita’s response was automatic, hiding information a second nature to her.

His tone was skeptical as he went into the kitchen. “Nothing, huh. Doesn’t sound like nothing.”

Kovit swallowed and looked away, and Fabricio looked between him and Nita. “Something happened.”

Nita admitted, “Kovit went up on the Dangerous Unnaturals List.”

“Ah.” The kettle boiled and automatically turned off with a pop. “I see. I’m sorry, Kovit.”

Kovit jerked slightly. “No, you’re not. You’re happy I’m going up on the list. One more monster who the public will righteously kill.”

“Hardly.” Fabricio looked through the cupboards absently. “The list is a scam. The worst monsters have always been able to find a way to buy their way off the list. Just like everything else.”

“But it’ll get rid of me,” Kovit responded.

“So?” Fabricio raised his eyebrows at Kovit as he pulled out packets of tea, and a large bag of maté.

“So that will make you happy.”

“You don’t know me very well if you think that,” Fabricio said placidly.

Kovit blinked, a confused frown forming on his face. “What does that mean?”