We sat around the table, an odd grouping. Lizbet, who I suspected was far older than the pink hair and punk attitude revealed. Loki, wearing black leather and settled back in his chair. Kanesha, trying to belong.

Except she seemed as if she did belong, and perhaps she’d had some conversation with Lizbet I wasn’t privy to. Some words traded between the two of them that might have made her feel better about being a mortal among gods and other beings.

“So. Long term plans?” Loki, lazily, the crumbs of a chocolate pop tart on his plate.

“Still working on it. I think talking to Mike will help. At least from the legal viewpoint.”

“He’ll try to put you in witness protection,” Lizbet noted. “Separately.”

I shook my head. “Mike’s clued in. He’s fought demons. He knows that wouldn’t do anything to protect us and would only get in our way.”

Lizbet considered that. “And he can’t really force you. I suppose it’s worth the risk.”

“If I thought witness protection would protect Kanesha.”
She gave me a look. “No.”

I lifted a hand. “I’d find you again, once everything was over.” If it was. If it didn’t take more than her lifespan to resolve. This one is yours. That echoed again.

“She would,” Loki cut in with. “One way or another. But it probably wouldn’t work. You’d end up dead far faster.” He stretched. “The cops might be able to get you, at least, into some kind of home.”

I nodded. “Hopefully they won’t think we’re arsonists for running.”

“You went to a friend’s place. Most people would in that situation.” He shrugged again. Less smarmy than usual, and I got the vibe that he was trying not to show some actual worry on my behalf.

Well, I was worried on my behalf, so he was certainly allowed to be. I reached for one last mini muffin, munching on it. “Alright. So…”

“I can’t come with you to the cops,” Lizbet noted.

“What did you steal?” Loki asked, suddenly interested. “Breakfast?”

“Oh no, nothing like that. They have me on beating a guy up and won’t believe me as to why.” She shrugged.

I didn’t ask her why. She probably had a good reason. “Stealing breakfast would seem excusable, though, under the circumstances. Alright. Let’s go try and find a cop. He should be on duty by the time we get there.”

If he wasn’t…well, I’d cross that bridge when I came to it.