“What do you mean, she’s in the bathroom again?” Aunt Xylia—who did not find it funny at all when her nieces giggled and called her Xylophone—asked as she called for the third time that day.

“She’s got the runs. Bad. Must have been a bad baguette.” Babette cringed even as the words came out of her mouth.

“Put her on the phone, right this instant.”

“But—” Babette tried to think of another excuse to stall. Auntie saw right through it.

“Now!” When Aunt Xylia used that tone, you didn’t argue, unless you had your affairs in order. Babette wondered if the paper napkin she’d written on when she turned eighteen counted.

I, Babette Silvergrace, of questionably sound mind, do hereby leave my hoard of marbles and organic seeds—totally untouched by GMOs—to my favorite cousin, Deka. But only if she avenges my death.

To which Deka, overwhelmed, had solemnly sworn with her hand over her heart to destroy whatever killed Babette. If it were a car crash, she’d have the car crushed and melted. Cancer? She’d damned well find a cure.

Because that was what best friends did! BFFs covered for each other unless Aunt Xylia was breathing through the phone, menacing Babette with bodily harm—which, given her access to potions, could get pretty hairy—then a girl spilled the beans.

“I don’t know where she is right now.”

“Is she with a man?” Auntie sounded cautiously hopeful.

“Kind of.” At least, that was the plan. If Deka got caught by the right sort, then she was with Samael.

“Well, if she’s off fornicating, then I guess that’s all right. She did make them sign the contract first, didn’t she?” Aunt Xylia’s asked.

“Um, no, probably not. But don’t worry, he’s not human.”

“Really?” Auntie’s tone perked up. “Good for her. About time she forgot about that misfit D’Ore boy.”

“Uh-huh.” Babette hummed an agreement, hoping to hide the lie.

Auntie zeroed in on it. “Tell me she’s not with Samael.”

“Well, um, see, that is, I don’t know for sure if she is or not.”

“Where is she?”

A direct question. How to dodge it? “I don’t know.”

“Don’t you dare cover for her. Tell me where my daughter is.”

“I can’t because I haven’t heard from her since last night.” The last text at one a.m. local time said simply, Grabbed some free condoms to do water balloons. See you in a few.

Deka always knew how to have fun, and a balcony attached to their room had so many possibilities.

Except Deka never came back to their room. And while Babette wouldn’t admit it aloud, she was kind of glad Auntie had called, freaking out.

Auntie’s voice emerged low and clipped. “You mean to tell me your cousin went missing last night. Her phone is untraceable, and you’re only thinking to tell me now?”

“I would have waited longer, but you kind of pushed the issue.” Deka would be pissed Babette hadn’t covered for long enough.

“I knew it was a bad idea to send you overseas. I’ll be on the next plane.”

“We don’t know that she’s in trouble.”

The silence proved palpable. Mostly because of the inanity of her statement.

Babette sighed. “Let me know when your flight comes in. I’ll meet you.”

She hung up and groaned. A slender hand trailed over her bare arm, and a husky voice whispered, “How long before you have to meet your aunt?”

“Long enough to make you feel like a woman,” she said with a grin before diving on her new lover.

Imagine the luck of running into Suzanne in the hall their first week here on her way to get ice. Now, if only the woman didn’t have to keep running off to take care of business. Apparently, she was caring for some animals that required close supervision.

Speaking of which. “While I’d love to stay, I have to go.” The lithe body rose from the bed, Suzanne’s shape pure perfection. Her skin, mahogany excellence. Her hair curly to the extreme.

And while the occasional red spark in her brown-eyed depths seemed cause for concern, one kiss from those ruby lips and Babette forgot everything. Even the fact that she was worried about Deka missing.

I’m sure Deka’s fine.