Shadow was looking forward to the practice session; he really needed some exercise, and he could only imagine what the invitation to ‘bring any weapons you may wish to’ would result in, considering the type of people who resided in the manor.

He’d seen the woman, Ruby, around the bar occasionally, and he recognized her also as the woman who had attacked Pippin at the barbeque. War, Pippin had called her. Well, whatever.

“Hi,” he said, coming up her. “You must be Ruby. I’m Shadow. Am I early?” And then, before she could reply, his eyes fell on the other woman, dark-haired and beautiful.

“Oh,” he said, surprised. “Hi Bast.”

Wow.