Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Mimi had outfitted the kitchen with an espresso machine, and Mr. Tom was in rapture. No one really knew why, but they were happy to drink his creations. He’d been so busy learning its tricks that he’d mostly stopped harassing Mimi about all the changes around Ivy House.
A strange keening started, catching Austin’s ear.
He turned toward the sound, which was coming from somewhere at the back of the house, maybe. Or outside?
“Is that…” Austin cocked his head. “Is that a cat howling? Did we get a cat?”
Mr. Tom lifted his eyebrows while listening. “Oh, that’s just Edgar. He must’ve found Mimi’s handiwork. Honestly, it’s about time. No one ever used that maze. It was time for it to go. Did you decide on the coffee?”
“Black.” Austin continued to the island.
“Maybe without the hedge maze to repair…” Mr. Tom muttered almost incoherently.
As he worked on his creations, he drank his creations. The result was a lot of hurried babbling, wings fluttering, and zooming around.
“He can finally turn all of his attentions to those gnomes,” he continued, seemingly talking to himself as he grabbed a mug out of the cabinet. “He seems to have completely forgotten about those gnomes. Out of sight, out of mind isn’t a wise tactic where those creatures are concerned. The gnomes just use the time to gather more troops and organize a battle strategy. You wouldn’t think animated garden accessories would go to such lengths, but trust me, they do. At least they stay away from the house. I think that’s Ivy House’s doing more than Patty. I can feel the buzz within the house. Can you feel it? It’s excited for the gargoyles to come. And as much as I hate to admit it, I think it’s happy for a little spruce-up. I know I pushed back on that grandma of yours, but she does have an eye. She’s dressing Ivy House up like a new penny.”
Austin crossed to the fridge, but then stopped at the counter. A plethora of plates had been set up, each with a different chopped ingredient on it.
“What’s this?”
“Oh.” Mr. Tom filled the mug and set it on the counter. “I took the liberty of chopping some ingredients for your breakfast. You’ve been cooking breakfast more often over here—dare I say you feel more comfortable now that you’ve had a hand in redecorating?—and I thought you might like a fuse chef.”
“Sous chef.”
“Yes.” Mr. Tom stared at him.
“It’s called a sous chef.”
“Right. That’s what I said.”
They stared at each other for a moment.
“Right,” Austin said, letting it go.
“However, if you’re in a rush and don’t need my capabilities as a fuuuuse chef, I’ve made you a breakfast burrito. It’s sitting in the oven on warm.”
Letting it go again, he glanced over the various ingredients. A dozen things he could quickly whip up rolled through his head.
“You don’t need to do this, Mr. Tom,” he said out of habit. “I’m perfectly capable of making breakfast without any help.”
“Of course, sir. I wouldn’t presume to say otherwise. Is there anything missing that you’d like me to chop up?”
Austin sighed as his phone rang. He checked the screen. Brochan.
“Just the burrito would be fine, Mr. Tom. It’s probably best if I get moving.”
“Yes, sir. Coming right up. Are you sure about that caramel macchiato? Or what about an affogato? That has a scoop of ice cream. A little morning treat never hurt anyone.”
Austin ignored him as he crossed to the other side of the room. He accepted the call. “Yes?”
“Goman cairn just crossed the territory line. They have a convoy of five large vans.”
“Destination?”
“Looks like they are heading for the warehouse.”
“Don’t mind if I do,” Mr. Tom said right before the espresso machine whirred to life.
Austin headed into the smaller-scale formal dining room off the kitchen. It’d been completely refurnished and outfitted, comfortable but decadent, one of many jaw-dropping makeovers. Mimi had really outdone herself. Then again, she’d had one helluva space to work with.
“Our people are in place?” he asked.
“In position now, yes,” Brochan replied. “Additionally, we have another guardian scout checking out the territory. This one is for Khaavalor.”
“Khaavalor…” Austin took another sip of coffee as he tried to place the name.
“Mr. Porsche,” Brochan helped.
“Right, yes. I need to drink this coffee faster.”
“Understandable. It’s his lead enforcer, but not nearly the caliber of Gimerel’s.”
“Accommodations?’
“He mentioned that he has a line on a house. This will be the third cairn that’s opted for buying property rather than staying in a hotel for free. It’s odd behavior unless they plan on staying awhile.”
“That or they’re showboating. Time will tell.”
“Yes, sir. This guardian was every bit as arrogant as the others.”
“Easily cowed?”
“Yes. Only Gimerel’s seemed impervious to my posturing. He took it as a joke.”
“Gimerel’s, yes,” Austin said slowly before sipping his coffee.
He thought back to that meeting in the bar. Tristan, Gimerel’s lead enforcer, was more dangerous than any of the others, not just because he was physically powerful, but because he had a thorough knowledge of his limitations. Austin had noticed the way he silently surveyed the bar and every single threat in it.