Bloody Bones by Laurell K. Hamilton Page A

Larry muttered.
    I frowned at him.
    â€œI’m not asking you out on a date. I’m asking you into my bed.”
    I frowned at Magnus. No, glared was a better word. “Not in this lifetime.”
    â€œSex between supernatural beings is always amazing, Anita.”
    â€œI’m not a supernatural being.”
    â€œNow who’s splitting hairs?”
    I didn’t know what to say to that, so I said nothing. I rarely get in trouble with silence.
    Magnus smiled. “I’ve made you uncomfortable. I am sorry, but I’d never have forgiven myself if I hadn’t asked. It’s been a long time since I was with anyone who wasn’t straight human. Let me buy you both drinks, to make up for my rudeness.”
    I shook my head. “Menus would be fine. We haven’t eaten yet.”
    â€œThe meals will be on the house.”
    â€œNo,” I said.
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause I don’t particularly like you, and I don’t take favors from people I don’t like.”
    He sat back in his chair, a strange, almost startled expression on his face. “You are direct.”
    â€œYou have no idea,” Larry said.
    I resisted the urge to kick Larry under the table and said, “Can we have some menus?”
    He raised a hand and called, “Two menus, Dorrie.”
    Dorrie brought them over. “I’m part owner of this place, not your waitress, Magnus. Hurry it up.”
    â€œDon’t forget that appointment I’ve got tonight, Dorrie.” His voice was mild. She wasn’t fooled.
    â€œYou aren’t leaving me alone with these people. I will not . . .” She glanced at us. “I don’t approve of lovers’ night. You know that.”
    â€œI’ll take care of everybody before I leave. You won’t have to sully your morals.”
    She glared at all of us in turn. “You’re leaving with them?”
    â€œNo,” he said.
    She turned on her heel and stalked back to the bar. The men who weren’t paired off watched her swaying back, carefully, not staring until she couldn’t see them.
    â€œYour sister doesn’t approve of abusing glamor?” I asked.
    â€œDorrie doesn’t approve of a lot of things.”
    â€œShe has morals.”
    â€œImplying I don’t,” he said.
    I shrugged. “You said it, not me.”
    â€œShe always this judgmental?” he asked Larry.
    Larry nodded. “Usually.”
    â€œLet’s just order our food,” I said.
    Larry smiled, but he looked down at the menu.
    It was a laminated piece of paper printed on both sides. I ordered a cheeseburger, well done, house fries, and a large Coke. I hadn’t had caffeine in several hours; I was running low.
    Larry was frowning at the menu. “I don’t think I could eat a hamburger right now.”
    â€œThey’ve got salads,” I said.
    Magnus laid his fingertips against the back of Larry’s hand. “Something swims up behind your eyes. Something . . . awful just behind your eyes.”
    Larry stared at him. “I don’t know what you mean.”
    I grabbed Magnus’s wrist and pulled him away from Larry. He turned his eyes to me, but there was more than just their color to make them hard to stare at. The pupil of his eyes had spiraled down like the eye of a bird. Human eyes just didn’t do that.
    I was suddenly very aware that I was still holding his wrist. I drew my hand away. “Stop reading us, Magnus.”
    â€œYou wore gloves, or I’d be able to tell what you’d touched,” he said.
    â€œIt’s an ongoing police investigation. Anything you discern by psychic means must be held confidential, or you’re liable just as if you stole information out of our files.”
    â€œDo you always do that?” he asked.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œQuote the law when you’re nervous.”
    â€œSometimes,” I said.
    â€œI saw blood,