Personal Demon (Otherworld 8)

"There's still time. Consider it a challenge. Get yourself whipped into shape by spring."

"Are you going to show your support at 5:30 a.m. practices?"

"Absolutely. From the comfort of my bed, I will be cheering you on wholeheartedly."

I laughed and took a bite of toast.

"I'll come out when I can," he said. "In return for breakfast afterward."

"Sounds fair."

"And you can tell your mother I would love to come to the regatta. I'm sure it will be a"--a sly grin my way--"glittering affair."

"Uh-uh. As my guest, you are forbidden to steal from my mother or any of her friends. I'll show you who you can steal from, provided a portion of the proceeds go to a charity of my choosing."

"A finder's fee?"

"You got it."

"Fair enough."

We ate for a few minutes. My paper rested on my tray; his on his lap, both still folded as we perused the lead articles, as if reluctant to open it and make that commitment.

"I made a few more calls this morning," Karl said.

"Did you phone Lucas? Did he say--?"

His glower cut me short, reminding me that we were leaving that aside until after breakfast.

"A couple of months ago, I talked to Jeremy about relocating."

It took a moment for me to understand what he meant. The bubble that was keeping last night's reality at bay also blocked any reminder that we were anything other than two ordinary people.

"Changing my territory," he prompted.

"Right, yes." As a Pack werewolf, Karl was allowed to hold territory. The others shared New York State. By choice, he got Massachusetts--a reflection on both his independence and his reluctance to fully join into Pack life.

"The calls I made today were inquiries into a couple of condos in Philadelphia."

He stopped there, and I had to replay his words before his meaning sunk in.

"You want to move to Philly? Relocate your territory to Pennsylvania?"

"Is that all right?"

"I suppose--I mean, yes. That's all right. Just...unexpected."

He reached to take a slice of bacon off my plate, using the excuse to study my expression. Moving territory wasn't something to be done lightly. Which meant he was serious. About me. About us. And I knew that, I guess. It was just...unexpected.

"It's really more of a home base than a home," he said. "I just thought Philadelphia would be more convenient, under the circumstances."

I nodded.

"I'm particularly interested in a new building about a block from your office."

I managed a smile. "Ah, the Renaissance Towers. Very classy. Did you know they tore down one of the city's oldest apartments to build it? Destroyed a heritage building?"

"I believe they preserved part of the facade."