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"But what did she say?"

"I understand your curiosity Even so, so the bloodstone I bit h h, but this feud had affected ht of Maria’s deterreat that Mab and Gwen had declared a truce--or at least, that’s what Mab’s words suggested--but what did that mean for Maria? What did it mean for the rest of the family? I wanted to ask Mab the ht now, but Mab seehts

I watched the miles click by on the odoone four-point-three when Mab cleared her throat and sat up straight

"What are you doing next Saturday evening?"

"Saturday? As in a week from today? There’s a full moon between now and then"

I didn’t have to explain what Iworked--and ton--I’d be hellhound chow by then Not topossibility there’d be another zo the Morfran

"Yes, I knoen has a horror of anything beyond what she considers normal It was difficult to explain e face over the next few days Still, I did tell her we’d try our best to make it"

"Make it to what?"

"Dinner A ‘cookout,’ I believe she called it She’s invited you, myself, and Mr Kane At five o’clock, so the children can join us Anne and Evan, too We mustn’t disappoint her if we can help it"

And with those words, Mab told er be the iron-hard wedge splitting the family apart She would let Mab interact with Maria--under her oatchful eye, no doubt, but as Mab said it was a first step Gas creating a family event, with a wider, more inclusive definition of "falow that she’d ed to survive the week ahead

BACK AT MY APARTMENT BUILDING, CLYDE WAS ON DUTY in the lobby As soon as he saw Mab, he ca Mab stiffened--she’s not a hugger--but she lightly placed her hands on his back Then again, I wouldn’t have pegged Clyde as a hugger, either After three or four seconds, he released her and stepped back

"Welcome, welcome!" he exclais in Wales?" As a young man, Clyde had climbed several mountains in Europe; Mount Snowdon reed small talk for a few ed a few hours of sleep after the rally, but going out to Needham had been hard work in so Still, before going up to ht "You have a real ords," I told him "I think everyone around me would have been moved to tears ifwell, you know"

"Ifso"

"I wish I’d been there to hear it," said Mab "I’"

"I" As he paused, Clyde turned bright red Who knew zombies could blush? "I do have a copy, should you care to read it"

"I’d love to" Mab squeezed Clyde’s arly promised to print out his speech and have it ready for her at the desk "I’ forward to it," Mab assured him as we headed for the elevators

Upstairs, Mab said she wanted to spend so over The Book of Utter Darkness

"Is that a good idea?" I asked "You should take a nap We’re going to be up all night exorcizing the Morfran" The Book of Utter Darkness wasn’t exactly the kind of book you take to bed to help you nod off

"Yes, I shall But later Now, I feel the bookto me"

"Well, be careful Wake me up if you need me"

Mab crossed her arms and frowned "I’m not a toddler terrified of bad dreaht Or perhaps I should say good afternoon At any rate, sweet dreams"

I started down the hallway, then turned around "Are you sure you don’t want my bedroom? I could have fresh sheets on the bed in two o to bed"

I did As I snuggled into lad Mab illing to sleep on the couch That was entle tide of sleep washed over me