When I wake up in the morning, there is a note from Donovan on my door, stating that my surprise will arrive at noon. Head out into the living room to get ready to go jogging, and Gabe is already there. He’s apparently been there since about four, as Donovan woke him up with a phone call to ask him something about me. My curiosity piqued, I try pestering him a little about what Donovan wanted, but he won’t tell, and I don’t press. Besides, I’ll find out soon enough.
The rest of the morning is jogging, yoga, breakfast, beginning Krav Maga with Gabe, a shower, and a phone call to Donnie to see how he’s doing. Promptly at noon there’s a knock at the door. Figuring it’s my surprise I answer the door to find celebrated pagan author Christopher Penczak. He’s going to promote my new book (squee!), and is apparently a bit of a fan (double squee!). We talk about my book for a while, and he has written permission to use the basement for a ritual, so we go downstairs to do that, and it’s an amazing feeling, some amazing energy. Before he leaves I promise to send him an ARC of my books when I get them.
I head out for a while, grabbing lunch to take up to Donnie (who’s grateful for it), and hang out with him as long as I can. Stop by the store on the way home to pick up snacks (and ice cream for my brother) since the Kitties are coming over, and play hostess to them while they are there. I note that Jeremy pulls Scott aside, but I don’t overhear what’s being discussed, until Scott approaches me and asks what to do because he (Jeremy) is suspicious. Everyone gets a clue as to what he suspects when Donovan wakes up, as Jeremy brandishes a cross and mirror at him.
The other Kitties look at him strangely but don’t do anything other than say wtf. Donovan asks to speak to me, and as we turn to go Jeremy throws a bulb of garlic at the back of his (Donovan’s) head. Donovan and I simply talk about what’s going on, and I respond that Jeremy has been suspicious of goings on here for a while. When we head back out, a discussion of some heatedness had apparently been occurring, because Scott was grumpy and Jeremy seemed frustrated. Donovan picked up the garlic, took a bite, and tossed it back.
Ultimately Scott ends up calling Jeremy an idiot and hits him. Jeremy gets pissed off and storms off. Since no one else seems to be bothering, I go after Jeremy, and promise to tell him the truth, convincing him to stay and hear it out. We go out back to talk, avoiding Bob who is curled up on the swing. I am largely honest with him, telling him nearly everything, and am up front about what is likely to happen to him now that he knows. I try to push the ghoul issue, and he asks for a couple of days to think about it. Before I say yes, I get Donovan’s permission (who says I did well and agrees Jeremy could be an asset).
Jeremy then leaves, and I go out for drinks with Danielle so she and I can have some girl time, then get a brilliant idea (if I do say so myself) to pay Scott back a little for what he’s done to Jeremy and to Donnie. I get Danielle to agree to it then drop her off at home before I go see Sandy at work. When she has time to talk to me, I tell her about the bullshit that Scott’s been up to, including his involvement in getting Donnie hospitalized, telling her that the texts and video are on his phone. She agrees to my plan, which is simply to deny him any carnal pleasures for a while. She thanks me for the info, and heads back to work.
Since the place has a two drink minimum and I feel too tipsy to drive, I call Ben, who picks me up and takes me to my cabin, and takes care of me, helps me sober up and we just spend a little time together until I’m well enough to drive back home again. Phone is ringing when I walk in the door, Kitties still in full swing, and since I’m closer, I answer it, then pass it off to Donovan, as it’s a business related call for him.
Once he’s off the phone, I’m asked to change in business attire and head down to the massage parlor to do some negotiations for him. It would seem that someone is interested in investing, and he wants more information. Change, head down that way, and Madam Uni lets us use her office. The other woman’s name is Hayley. I negotiate some terms with her, and while I’m negotiating, I get a call from my brother. I answer in French, just incase, to tell Gabe I’m in a business meeting. He doesn’t care though, and informs me that Donovan has started another tournament – with me at the prize.
Hang up with my brother to complete negotiations, but am not thrilled my subsequent texts saying Burtowski is gunning for it, and how do I feel about Brad? I manage to finish negotiations for the most part, despite interruptions, then excuse myself to place a phone call to Roger to get background on her. I send all the info I have – what I’ve negotiated and the information Roger has given me – into an email to Donovan, and text him that an email has been sent. Hayley and I celebrate with a little sake, and I invite her over to meet Donovan.
Kitties are gone when I get back – apparently, Donovan rented a space and convinced them to go, as they were getting loud and company was coming over anyway. They talk a while, covering things I didn’t, and Donovan actually asks me if we can trust her. I tell him I don’t think there is any reason not to, I don’t suspect any ill intent, and the matter is settled. Conversing now more for pleasure, she ends up giving Donovan the idea to hold another tournament, this time with Scott as the prize, and invite Madeline – and just like in the jousting days of old, allow a substitute player to stand in for her.
Through further conversation, I am coaxed into ghouling Donnie, and Hayley gets in on it as well, after picking up on the fact that he is my fiance. After a bit of coaxing, I agree to it. Donovan heads up to the hospital to take care of matters, while I stay behind with Danielle to entertain Hayley. She wants to give makers, so calls me over, but I nearly sit on Bob. I gently pick him up and take him to Scott’s room, laying him on the bed and close the door – calling him a clever snake for being able to get out of his cage. While I’m getting a makeover, Danielle cooks dinner.
Makeover complete, I take a look in a mirror, and send a text to Donnie and Ben. I don’t get a response from Donnie, but I do however get a response from Ben, who says he’ll be over in ten. True to his word, Ben is over in ten to see the results for himself, and says I look amazing. Not long after, Donovan comes home and says the deed is done, and he makes comment on the good work Hayley has done on both Danielle and I. Hayley leaves for the evening, and both Donovan and Danielle head to bed to give Ben and I some alone time.
Instead of our usual activities, as much as he’d like to, he opts to let me get sleep, as I’ve had a long day. He mentions that he loves me, and I respond in kind…it’s the first I’ve heard it from him, and it makes me happy to hear it. He pauses on his way out, looking puzzled for a minute, and says something seems different about me, but he can’t pinpoint it. He leaves then, and I head to bed, Lovecraft following.
Oh, I nearly forgot to mention that my brother called me after the tournament was over. He said once the tournament moved, the booze appeared. Jeremy ended up winning, and Donnie was pissed because he wasn’t allowed to enter. He said he did his best to at least make sure Burtowski didn’t win, and I told him I appreciated that.