Lie Down with Dogs Read Online Free Page A

We’re hot. We’re both off work. We both—”
    “Back that up.” I tapped her second finger. “Why are you off work?”
    “You really thought I would let my best friend sulk home alone for two weeks?” She rolled her eyes. “Well, technically, you’re on your own for week two. I’m still rocking the wannabe internship thing, so all I could manage was five days off plus the weekends. That gives us nine whole days together.”
    “How did—?” I levered up onto my elbows. “You acted like you didn’t know.”
    “I wanted you to confide in me.” She palmed my forehead and pushed me back down. “I swung by your office on my lunch break since you have a tendency to be kidnapped and weren’t answering your phone. Mable told me what happened, so I made all the arrangements before I left work today.”
    “Sheesh.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Get kidnapped once, and you’re branded for life.”
    “You came home married, crowned, with a DayGlo prehistoric cat and two Unseelie guardians.”
    I mashed my lips together. She had a point. Several in fact. “You are—”
    She glared at me. “Don’t ruin the moment, Tee.”
    “I was going to say you’re the best.”
    “Oh.” She preened. “Then you may continue.”
    “Nah.” I elbowed her in the thigh. “The moment’s passed.”
    A soft growl rumbled under her breath.
    “Two questions.” I tilted my head back. “Where will we stay? And how will we get there?”
    Fae like me weren’t allowed to fly without special conclave sanction, not that I could afford the ticket even if they cleared me, which they wouldn’t. Neither magistrate wanted me out of their sight.
    “I have an idea about the first.” She patted my forehead. “As to the second, I’ll drive us.”
    “No offense, but your ideas usually end in nakedness and/or in tears.” I chewed over safer, more budget-friendly options. “We could always hit up roach motels like we used to during spring break.”
    “Um, no.” Mai wrinkled her pert nose. “I’m older now, and wiser. Plus, I saw one of those specials involving a black light and hotel sheets.” Her shudder shook my shoulders. “Stop doubting my brilliance and listen. My mostly middle sister, Aimi—” she had fourteen siblings, “—just moved to Kissimmee. Her new husband, Jon, is the reynard of the largest kitsune skulk in Central Florida.”
    “I’m all for staying with family to cut costs, but that’s an hour or so drive from the beach, isn’t it?”
    “Yes, but —” she lifted a finger, “—his family owns a condo on Daytona Beach.”
    “They won’t mind if we crash there?” Given my current predicament, I had my doubts.
    “Truth?” She pursed her lips. “Kitsunes are aligned with the Seelie. There’s a good chance even for Aimi’s sake, because of his position, that Jon would be hesitant to shelter the Unseelie princess.”
    “I can’t blame him.” Dreams of condo crashing burst. “This princess thing is a royal pain.”
    “Ha ha, funny girl.” Mai absently wove locks of my hair into tiny braids I would never unravel without her help. “For his sake, I’ve decided it’s best not to tell him you are the friend I’m bringing.”
    Foreboding clouded my thoughts. “Is that wise?”
    She shrugged. “Plausible deniability.”
    I worried my bottom lip with my teeth. “I don’t want to get him into any trouble.”
    “I’m not totally irresponsible. I’ll tell Daddy. He’ll vouch for you if it comes down to it.” She gathered my hands in hers. “This might be our last chance for a girls only getaway before you have to go.”
    Go. As in back to Faerie. Where I would be crowned and have to play house with Rook.
    “I know.” My heart wrenched. “But I’d be dragging the guards, and then there’s Diode.”
    She glanced around as if she had forgotten he should be here. “Where is he anyway?”
    “I haven’t seen him since I got home.” He prowled the fae parts of town unless I was