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"What kind of out of whack?"

"The serious kind Holes in the fabric of reality"

"And that would be bad?"

I eyed hi big was going down"

"But what if - "

My temper flared "I don't have the time or inclination to teach a class today Shut the hell up"

He lifted a hand in a pacifying gesture "Okay, man Whatever" He fell into step besideup toads as alked across the park "So, uh, it's good to see you, Harry Me and the gang ondering if you wanted to co"

I scooped up a toad ofwhat?"

He grinned atreally fun"

Role-playing games Icart wandered past us, the wheels of the cart squeaking and wobbling

"Seriously, it's great," he insisted "We're stor the fortress of Lord Malocchio, except we have to do it in disguise in the dead of night, so that the Council of Truth won't knoho the vigilantes who brought hions and everything Interested?"

"Sounds too much like work"

Billy let out a snort "Harry, look, I know this whole varouchy But you've been lurking in your basement way too much lately"

"What vampire war?"

Billy rolled his eyes "Word gets around, Harry I know that the Red Court of the vampires declared war on the wizards after you burned down Bianca's place last fall I know that they've tried to kill you a couple of times since then I even know that the wizards' White Council is coure out what to do"

I glowered at him "What White Council?"

He sighed "It's not a good ti into a hermit, Harry I mean, look at you When was the last time you shaved? Had a shower? A haircut? Got out to do your laundry?"

I lifted a hand and scratched at the wiry growth of beard on my face "I've been out I've been out plenty of times"

Billy snagged another toad "Like when?"

"I went to that football game with you and the Alphas"

He snorted "Yeah In January, Dresden It's June" Billy glanced up at my face and frowned "People are worried about you IBut this whole unwashed wild man look just isn't you"

I stooped and grabbed a toad "You don't knohat you're talking about"

"I know better than you think," he said "It's about Susan, right? So to undo Maybe so the vampires did That's why she left town"