“Maybe they wouldn’t have.” The memory made her heart ache. “A curfew isn’t going to stop someone intent on killing.”

“It won’t,” John said quietly.

Creek canted his head to one side. “It will. Once an example has been made.”

She leaned against the wall and glanced at him. The smoked mirror interior reflected John’s large form and beside him, Creek’s slightly smaller one. But there was something odd about Creek’s reflection. It was distorted. Like another shadowy figure lay over the top of his. A figure with wings.

She squeezed her eyes shut, then looked again. The distortion was gone.

Creek stared at her, a disconcerting darkness in his eyes. “Are you all right, Madam Mayor? You don’t look like you feel well.”

“I feel fine, thank you. Just stress.” She forced a smile. “A day without stress is like a day without… well, I wouldn’t know. It’s been so long since I had a day without stress.”

The doors opened and John stuck his arm out to keep them from closing. “You should take some time off, ma’am.”

“I wish I could, John. Maybe when things have calmed down.” She headed for her office.

Creek walked beside her, his hand on her elbow. “The curfew was a step in that direction.”

Lola nodded. “Absolutely.” Still, she couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding that hung over her like a flock of circling vultures. What was the saying? Darkest before the dawn? If that was true, she hoped dawn came fast.

“Don’t worry, we’ll find Fi.” Chrysabelle squeezed Doc’s arm, slightly amazed at how such a big man could fit into such a small car. “I know she’s got a temper, but she can’t stay away from you for long.”

“I don’t know about that. After what I said…” Doc shook his head, eyes scanning the road as he shifted gears. “I’m just hoping she’ll come out to talk to you.” He exhaled. “I could really use her company after the day I’ve had.”

“You want to talk about it? I know all about bad days.”

He snorted a laugh. “I guess you do.” He turned out of Mephisto Island and headed toward downtown. The late afternoon sun glinted off the bay surrounding the private island. “I had a council meeting today to discuss…” He glanced over at her. “Maybe I shouldn’t talk about this after all.”

“To discuss what happened with Mal and me the other night?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m really sorry about that.”

“Nothing for you to apologize for. Brutus shoulda kept his cool. Nothing would have happened if that cat had just held it together.”

Doc’s jaw ticked and she wondered if changing the subject was a better idea, but he kept talking.

“Didn’t help that Mal went nuts either.”

Chrysabelle nodded. “I agree, but if you’d been in his situation, if that had been Fi—”

He held up his hand. “Trust me, I get it.”

“So what was decided? Or can’t you tell me?”

He was quiet for a moment. “What was decided is that pride law stands and pride law says a life for a life. Technically that was satisfied, until word got out you weren’t dead.” His gaze flicked in her direction. “Not everyone believes it, by the way. Some of the pride thinks the wolves are trying to start things. Some think you’ve come back as a ghost.”

“What happens when they know I’m alive for sure?”

His mouth hardened into a thin line and he stared straight ahead. “Shopping district is the best place to start. You know how she loves clothes.”

“Not telling me isn’t going to make it go away.”

He stayed silent a few seconds. “Mal’s life will be required.”

She turned away, preferring the blur of the passing landscape to the harsh reality of his words. Her fingers knotted together the same way pain twisted around her heart. “I can’t let that happen.”

“You think it’s what I want?” He slammed the heel of his hand against the steering wheel. “Hell, no. Mal’s saved my life more times than I can count. I owe him.”

She twisted to face him. “Tell the pride that. Explain what happened. They’ll understand, won’t they?”

“Pride law is pride law. There are no exceptions.”

“Not even on the word of the pride leader?”

He pursed his mouth again. “I can try. I will try. You have my word.”

“Thank you.” It wasn’t much, but it was something. She’d hate to make enemies of the entire Paradise City pride, but there was no way she’d let them sign Mal’s name to a death warrant for something she’d caused.

Doc parked the car and turned off the engine. He faced her, his eyes earnest. “Look, if it takes me stepping down from my position, or whatever, I’m going to do everything in my power to keep Mal safe.”

“I appreciate that.” She knew what going against the pride could mean for him. Like being thrown out again. She gave him the best smile she could manage, considering. “Let’s go find Fi. We have only a couple hours before the sun goes down.”

He opened his door and got out as she did the same. “I plan on looking for her until I find her, sun or no sun.”

“What about the mayor’s curfew?”

“Screw that noise. I’m the pride leader. I’m not going to let something like that keep me from the woman I love.”