Page 101 (1/2)

That was enough for tonight

• • •

My blade had cooled, the steel going gray again, by the time everyone else reached the Towerline roof

I felt the footsteps before I heard them, shudders across the roof Ethanfrantically Mallory and Catcher appeared behind hion is bound," I said, "and I survived" But

"Merit," Mallory said, falling to her knees beside ot a good dose ofe" He looked back at the sword, and a grin pierced the fear on his face "And there’s a helluva lot of ic in that sword"

"Yeah There’s a dragon in there And I feelkind of purple" I looked up at Mallory, then Ethan "Is that a thing? Feeling kind of purple?"

She s, you crazy vampire"

"My crazy vampire," Ethan said, and scooped me into his arms "Who I very well may handcuff per anytime soon," I said, and dropped uy"

"So you did," he said, and there was nothe pride in his voice "For now, be still"

He’d said his hts went out

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CRAVING

Winters in the Midere fearsos, and summers often weren’t much better But early fall, with clear skies and temperatures as crisp as autumn apples, was undeniably beautiful

Teeks after the dragon’s demise, when the wounded had been attended to and the city had begun to right itself again, we enjoyed that gorgeous autue at Pritzker Pavilion--the place where we’d first heard the Egregore speak--while thousands of Chicagoans looked on

Microphone in hand, Mayor Kowalcyzk stood in jeans, boots, and a windbreaker, her power suit abandoned for clothes better suited for walking Chicago’s broken streets and helping pick up the scattered pieces

We stood behind her--varandfather and his staff, Mallory, CPD officers, and the men and women who’d served at Soldier Field

"Not once," the mayor said, "but twice, have supernaturals saved this city in clear and obvious ways, and at great cost to themselves and their loved ones And at the head of that effort were the staff of the Oan House, and sorcerer Mallory Carmichael And those are only the efforts of which we are aware How ht, in the quiet, eren’t aware? Or e didn’t believe thees of the podiuaze downcast and contemplative "Like you, I’ve had doubts and concerns Supernaturals have wreaked havoc upon this city But supernaturals have saved us, too" She glanced at Ethan "We owe those supernaturals a debt of gratitude And to ensure that, in the future, we pay attention to their advice and their warnings, I am pleased to announce the Ombudsman’s office is hereby established as a pero"

She walked back to randfather, offered her hand "Thank you, Mr Merit"

He nodded gravely, well aware of the responsibility she’d placed on his shoulders "You’re welcome, Madam Mayor"