He had the money from Mrs. Brodigan, enough to cover a couple months’ rent. He could quit right now, go home, and look for a better job.

But what if that money ran out before he found something else?

Rory hesitated. If his rent money ran out, then buried in his trunk was another lifeline from Arthur—the maintenance key to his apartment. And the note, you are welcome here.

Except—what if Arthur came back and found he had to support Rory, that Rory had become his burden? He already let Rory keep his magic in his aura—was Rory really planning to ask Arthur to keep him in his house too?

Baker was sneering at him, certain that Rory had no other options but to take his abuse.

Rory swallowed down his arguments. He’d figure out where to sleep when he got off work. With a deep breath, he turned away and went into the kitchen, where dishes were stacked in teetering piles next to the sink. He let out his breath in a long sigh and got to work.

He’d been washing dishes for more than an hour, lower back aching, sweaty from the heat and steam, when the air in front of him flickered.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Rory nearly dropped the sudsy, slippery plate.

Zhang’s glowing astral projection was in the sink, his torso rising out of the soapy water to eye level. “What are you doing?” he said again.

Rory blinked hard. “You’re back!” Wincing at how loud his voice was, he glanced over his shoulder, but the kitchen was empty and everything silent. Well, silent except for the glowing man in his sink, and Zhang was the most welcome thing Rory’d seen in weeks. “Aw geez, it’s so good to see you,” Rory told him. “And if you’re back, is Arthur—”

“Oh, Arthur’s back. And a mess.”

Rory’s heart plummeted. “What? Why?”

“Because he couldn’t find you at your boarding house, so he went to the antiques shop and found it up for lease. Then he went to Mrs. Brodigan’s apartment and found she moved out of her flat today. So he called Jade and me, frantic, and now I’ve found you dead on your feet but still being worked, and guess how well that’s going over?”

Oh, Rory’s mouth formed.

“He’s on his way from Hell’s Kitchen,” Zhang said tensely.

Rory leaned on the sink, exhausted, happy relief coursing through him. “You’re really all back?” he said hopefully.

Zhang huffed, his expression softening. “Just let Arthur bring you here, okay?”

“Where’s here?”

But Zhang had faded from view.