Summer Knight (The Dresden Files #4) - Jim Butcher Page 0,1
and the gang were wondering if you wanted to come by this weekend, do some socializing."
I scooped up a toad of my own and eyed him dubiously. "Doing what?"
He grinned at me. "Playing Arcanos, man. The campaign is getting really fun."
Role-playing games. I made a monosyllabic sound. The old lady with the shopping cart wandered past us, the wheels of the cart squeaking and wobbling.
"Seriously, its great," he insisted. "Were storming the fortress of Lord Malocchio, except we have to do it in disguise in the dead of night, so that the Council of Truth wont know who the vigilantes who brought him down were. Theres spells and demons and dragons and everything. Interested?"
"Sounds too much like work."
Billy let out a snort. "Harry, look, I know this whole vampire war thing has you jumpy. And grouchy. But youve 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 Biancas place last fall. I know that theyve tried to kill you a couple of times since then. I even know that the wizards White Council is coming to town sometime soon to figure out what to do."
I glowered at him. "What White Council?"
He sighed. "Its not a good time for you to be turning 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. "Ive been out. Ive 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. Its June." Billy glanced up at my face and frowned. "People are worried about you. I mean, I know youve been working on some project or something. But this whole unwashed wild man look just isnt you."
I stooped and grabbed a toad. "You dont know what youre talking about."
"I know better than you think," he said. "Its about Susan, right? Something happened to her last fall. Something youre trying to undo. Maybe something the vampires did. Thats why she left town."
I closed my eyes and tried not to crush the toad in my hand. "Drop the subject."
Billy planted his feet and thrust his chin out at me. "No, Harry. Dammit, you vanish from the face of the earth, youre hardly showing up at your office, wont answer your phone, dont often answer your door. Were your friends, and were worried about you."
"Im fine," I said.
"Youre a lousy liar. Word is that the Reds are bringing more muscle into town. That theyre offering their groupies full vampirehood if one of them brings you down."
"Hells bells," I muttered. My head started to ache.
"It isnt a good time for you to be outside by yourself. Even during daylight."
"I dont need a baby-sitter, Billy."
"Harry, I know you better than most. I know you can do stuff that other people cantbut that doesnt make you Superman. Everyone needs help sometimes."
"Not me. Not now." I stuffed the toad into my sack and picked up another. "I dont have time for it."
"Oh, that reminds me." Billy drew a folded piece of paper out of the pocket of his sweats and read it. "Youve got an appointment with a client at three."
I blinked at him. "What?"
"I dropped by your office and checked your messages. A Ms. Sommerset was trying to reach you, so I called her and set up the appointment for you."
I felt my temper rising again. "You did what?"
His expression turned annoyed. "I checked your mail, too. The landlord for the office dropped off your eviction notice. If you dont have him paid off in a week, hes booting you out."
"What the hell gives you the right to go poking around in my office, Billy? Or calling my clients?"
He took a step in front of me, glaring. I had to focus on his nose to avoid the risk of looking at his eyes. "Get off the high horse, Harry. Im your freaking friend. Youve been spending all your time hiding in your apartment. You should be happy Im helping you save your business."
"Youre damned right its my business," I spat. The shopping cart lady circled past in my peripheral vision, cart wheels squeaking as she walked behind me. "Mine. As in none of yours."