Epilogue
After Kai went to the firehouse, I continued editing the invitation, RSVP cards, and all the other goodies we needed to have reprinted for the Mating Ceremony when there was a soft, tentative knock at the door.
“We're closed.”
“It's me.”
“Nope.”
He got louder. “I brought tacos.”
In a blur of brown fur and slobber, Chewy materialized. “LET HIM IN!” Little man demanded.
“No.”
“If you don’t, I will. You know I can do it.”
“I know I’m gonna kick Zelda in the shins for giving you that Spell.”
“Just open the door, please.”
Doing as Chewy bid, I glared at Barney Macrelfresh. He was dirty. He looked exhausted. He still smelled of ash and soot. And…
He was holding a huge bag of tacos from Tina Marie Turner’s taco truck, Taco ’Bout Delicious. It was Chewy’s favorite place…
And mine.
How did Barney know?
UGH!
A flash of terror in his dark eyes, and I scoffed, “What now?”
Holding up another journal, one that looked brand-spanking new, he swallowed hard. So hard that I watched his Adam’s apple jump up and down on the front of his throat.
Looking directly at me, his eyes getting bigger with every passing second, he whispered, “The One Below...” Swallowing again, he looked over one shoulder, then the other, then finished, “She knows your name.”
Chewy stared at Barney. Then at the tacos. Then back at Barney.
"Well, crap."
Looking up at me, he sighed.
"Can we at least eat the tacos first?"
Coming October 2026
Combat Boots, Coffee, and the Middle Aged Dragon Queen.