The Lying, the Witch, and the Werewolf (Down & Dirty Supernatural Cleaning Services Book 4) by Kate Quinn (uplifting books for women .txt) 📗

I wander inside to find the kitchen crew preparing lunch, which looks like it’s going to be a lot of iceberg lettuce and pink-tinged dressing. I don’t ask, simply brushing past everyone and following the galumphing noise of Hairy’s entourage. I tuck the ear into my shirt pocket and start sweeping again, glancing around corners.

I finally spot Hairy and his keepers in the entry hallway; the guys have worked up a decent sweat, and no wonder. Kama is perched on the stairs, clapping and laughing gleefully every time Adorra tosses a ball, and the four of them go trotting after it. One of them snags the ball and pops it into Hairy’s mouth, then they do the return gallop back to Adorra, who pats Hairy’s nose, tells him he’s a good boy, and tosses the ball again.

But her whole attention isn’t on the Dalmanther; it’s on the tablet in her hand. She’s busily pecking away, only glancing up to toss the ball when Hairy returns triumphantly. His retinue might be panting, but the stuffed dog could do this all day.

“Alright, that’s enough exercise. Now it’s nap time!” Kama announces from the stairs, and at least one of the well-built dudes sighs in relief.

Adorra glances up from her tablet, then motions for the men to take Hairy upstairs. They follow Kama’s lead, but return immediately, obviously not allowed in the upper rooms of the mansions for long.

“Adorrrraaaa!” Kama’s voice follows the men down the stairs, and Adorra isn’t quite able to hide her annoyance. Luckily, her voice doesn’t match her face when she replies.

“Yes, Kama dear?”

“Didn’t you hear me say it’s nap time?” Kama asks.

Adorra sighs heavily, actually falling forward to smash her face onto the tablet. But, she takes a rallying breath and moves up the steps. I wait for her to disappear upstairs, then trail her, tiptoeing, my broom tucked in my elbow.

I just catch a glimpse of Adorra disappearing into a room, and duck into another, peeking around the corner. I jump back quickly when she re-emerges, shutting the door behind her and producing an antique key, firmly locking what I can only assume is her room—and it seems she left the tablet behind.

Adorra pauses in the hall outside of another room, where the door is cracked open. She takes a moment to gather herself, pulling in a deep breath before putting on a bright smile. I’m debating whether or not it’s worth overhearing whatever is about to go down in Kama’s bedroom when Adorra breezes into the room, her voice light and airy.

“What story did you decide on for today’s nap time, Kama dear?” Adorra asks.

There’s a muffled response, and then Adorra’s voice carries into the hall as she begins reading aloud from 101 Dalmatians...but substituting in Dalmanthers. I’m grateful I don’t have to overhear anything sexual while I do my prowling, but also—damn, Kama really is a nutjob for her pet.

Luckily, Adorra has mostly closed Kama’s door behind her, so I’m able to tiptoe past to her room. I reach into my hair for the magical barrette Hepa had given me, trying to remember the oh-so-helpful spell for unlocking. Hepa had told me with an eye roll that she made sure it rhymed “because humans.” I fumble it into the lock now, repeating the spell.

“My way is blocked, you must unlock. I have no key, but this door likes me.”

It is one dumbass spell, but amazingly, I hear a click. The knob turns under my hand and I quickly duck inside, closing the door behind me.

Adorra’s room is a weird mash-up of everything a supe adult assumes a human adult might like—just all jumbled together. It’s a weird collection of gingham prints and sunflower-themed pictures alongside oddly specific word art. I’ve cleaned houses that are super into the word art decorating trend. They have a big wooden carving of the word GATHER in the family room, while the dining room features similar art encouraging people to EAT.

Adorra, though, has taken the “explanatory words on the wall” scheme to a whole new level. Above the bed it says Sleep, with a helpful arrow pointing down. The same is true of the closet (Clothes), and the nightstand (it actually says Put Stuff Here). Which is actually pretty helpful because her tablet seems to be included in stuff.

I grab it, hoping it hasn’t gone into sleep mode already. If she’s got this thing password protected, I’m screwed. Luckily, the screen is still lit when I lift it up—and even open to an email she’d been drafting. An email to Giselle.

Despite our many differences, I know we are both looking forward to the same outcome for the Humans First rally. Trust me that the chocolate will be ready in time. We may argue often, but in the end we both want the same thing. You and I may have different allegiances, but it’s good to know that we can come together for once, using our shared blood to a good end.

I roll my eyes at the fact that Adorra uses the phrase “come together” even in email correspondence. But I don’t miss the darker implications, either. What does Adorra have planned for a Humans First rally? Supes hate the Firsters, so there’s no way their desired “outcome” for a rally has to do with raising their rank in the polls. And what the hell does she mean by “shared blood?”

I scroll down, but there’s nothing more to see.

Kama’s storytime interrupted Adorra finishing her email to Giselle...Giselle, the wife of a Humans First politician. Quickly, I tap through the tablet untiI I find a browser and do a quick search on my ex—Brent. Sure enough, he’s the head speaker at a Humans First rally back home in New Jersey.

And it’s scheduled for Sunday, ie, TOMORROW!

“Yes, I know. Naptime is much better with a snack, isn’t it?” Adorra’s voice comes from the hallway. Quickly, I put the tablet back on her nightstand, wiping the screen first with