"But, that's not enough."
"Yeah? You want to spend some time talking to Allison here, see what you can find out?" Rivera nodded toward the broken clown girl.
Cavuto had tried to keep someone between himself and the skinny girl since they'd come upstairs, but now he looked at her full on and shuddered. "No, I guess that's it." He turned and lumbered down the steps.
"You need to check your girlfriend's ID," Rivera said to Steve. "You may not be old enough for her." Then he turned and left as well.
Chill, Foo," Abby said. "They're gone. They won't be back. Let's go shopping."
"Abby, are you sure about this? It seems cruel." He patted the life-sized sculpture of the couple embraced in a kiss.
"I heard the Countess say once that it was like being in a dream. They just sort of float, all peaceful and dreamy. The main thing is they're together."
"You're sure?"
"Theirs is the greatest love of all time. It would be wrong for them to be apart, Foo."
"Well, I think we should just change them back. Now that we know the process works."
"Someday."
"Now."
"The Countess doesn't want that."
"It's wrong."
"How can it be wrong? It's my idea, and I am their dedicated minion and whatnot. I control the dark." She ran and jumped into his arms.
"I guess you do," he said. "Okay, let's go shopping for stuff for our most fly apartment."
William arrived back at the loft just after dark, feeling very much rested and well fed from his hospital stay, but craving a sip or two of the good stuff, and terribly worried about Chet. He let himself into the stairway with his key, but when he rang the bell, no one answered, so he sat down to wait for the redhead and that guy to bring his bottle.
He hadn't been there ten minutes before he heard the meowing at the door, and his heart leapt as he opened the outer door to find Chet, his red sweater still intact, purring outside.
"Come on, boy. I missed you, buddy."
William scooped up his kitty and carried him into the stairwell. As soon as the door closed, Chet, the huge shaved vampire cat, was upon him.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
Thanks, again, to the usual suspects: my agent, Nick Ellison, and Sarah Dickman, Arija Weddle, and Marissa Matteo at Nicholas Ellison, Inc.; Jennifer Brehl, Kate Nintzel, Lisa Gallagher, Michael Morrison, Mike Spradlin, Jack Womack, Debbie Stier, Lynn Grady, and all my friends at William Morrow; and, of course, to Charlee Rodgers, for putting up with the frozen turkey bowling.
About the Author.
CHRISTOPHER M MOORE is the author of is the author of A Dirty Job, The Stupidest Angel, Fluke, Lamb, The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove, Island of the Sequined Love Nun, Bloodsucking Fiends, Coyote Blue, A Dirty Job, The Stupidest Angel, Fluke, Lamb, The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove, Island of the Sequined Love Nun, Bloodsucking Fiends, Coyote Blue, and and Practical Demonkeeping Practical Demonkeeping. He invites readers to e-mail him at [email protected].
WWW.CHRISMOORE.COM.
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ALSO BY C CHRISTOPHER M MOORE.
A Dirty Job
The Stupidest Angel
Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove
Island of the Sequined Love Nun
Bloodsucking Fiends
Coyote Blue
Practical Demonkeeping