Liam Takes Manhattan (Elder Races #9.5)(15)

“What are you going to name her?” Eva asked with a grin.

“I haven’t decided yet.” The puppy lay like a dead weight in his arms, her body lax in complete trust. “I was thinking of naming her Marika, or maybe Rika for short.”

Pia raised her eyebrows. “After that little Dark Fae girl you went to school with in first grade?”

“Yup.” He rubbed the puppy’s round belly. “I have a feeling she’s going to be just as fierce as Marika was.”

“I like it,” Pia declared. “It’s a good name. Come on, we’ve got a lot to do. Let’s get you through the adoption process, so we can pick up everything we need.”

Liam reminded her, “You’ll have to adopt her. Officially, I mean. Liam’s too young, remember?”

Pia threw up her hands. “Oy vey.”


Later that evening, everything was done. All the supplies had been bought and delivered, and Liam had even set up the fancy grass litter box out on the balcony.

Eva had been right. There was plenty of room for Liam to tuck the large litter box out of sight, at least from the living room, and also against one of the concrete support pylons so that it was somewhat sheltered from the winter wind.

He was sprawled on the floor, playing tug of war with Rika while Pia cooked dinner, when his dad strode into the penthouse.

When Dragos laid eyes on Liam and the puppy, he stopped dead. His entrance got Rika’s attention. The puppy turned to consider him, head cocked.

Then with a playful bark, she bounced across the room to attack one of Dragos’s shoes.

Dragos cocked his head and gave Liam such an expressive look, he burst out laughing. “Mom!” he shouted. “Did you by any chance forget to tell Dad that we were bringing a puppy home?”

Something clattered in the kitchen. Pia said, “Damn it. Yes.”

“Stop it,” Dragos told the dog.

Growling, Rika tugged at his shoelace then sat to chew on one end. Bending, Dragos picked her up by the scruff of the neck and lifted her until she was at eye level. He told the puppy, “I said stop.”

In answer, she yipped and wriggled, and tried to bite at his fingers.

Dragos carried her over to Liam and deposited her in his lap. “I’m sure there is a perfectly reasonable story attached to this.”

“Absolutely,” Liam said.

“And what about Glenhaven?” Dragos asked, one eyebrow up.

“I’m going to take her with me—if I get in. I guess we’ll know one way or another, soon enough.” He stroked Rika then set her on the floor. She promptly ran over to Dragos to bite at his shoelace again. Laughing, Liam lunged after her to scoop her up. “Sorry. I’ll take her out.”

“I’ll just go make sure all the closet doors are closed.” Dragos strode down the hall.

Liam carried Rika out onto the balcony and set her on the fake turf in the litter box. With a gigantic effort, she jumped off the box and raced around the balcony. He went after her and set her on the litter box. Happily she jumped off again. She loved the litter box game.

Somehow, it would all work out, he told himself for the thousandth time.

If he got into Glenhaven.

Realistically, it might take weeks before he knew anything. Waiting to hear one way or another was going to kill him.

His phone rang in his jeans pocket. Digging it out while he set Rika on the litter box again, he checked the number. The call wasn’t from any number he recognized. He thumbed the answer button and said, “Hello?”

“Good evening, is this Liam Giovanni?” a pleasant male voice asked.

In a Scottish accent.

Surprise pounded in his ears. Clearing his throat, he replied, “Yes, it is. Who’s calling?”

“My name is Ian Killian. I’m a representative of Glenhaven College. Is this a good time to talk?”

“Sure,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting to hear from you. At least, I mean, not so quickly, and it’s Christmas Eve.”

“Ach, Christmas Eve,” Killian said in a tone that clearly dismissed such human things. “I had traveled to New York for the Masque, and I was about to leave for home again when I received an email from the dean with your application attached. I know this is short notice, but my flight leaves for Edinburgh tomorrow evening—would you by any chance have time to meet in person in the morning?”

“A-absolutely,” he stuttered, while he fist pumped and leaped into the air, making Rika fall over from surprise. She bounded to her feet and barked at him.

“When and where would you like to meet?” Killian asked briskly.

Cupping his phone to shield the microphone from the puppy’s barking, he tried to think. “Since tomorrow’s Christmas, there’s actually not going to be much open,” he said slowly. Dare he suggest it? “How about the Starbucks in Cuelebre Tower? The Tower is centrally located, and that Starbucks never closes.”

“A sensible suggestion,” Killian told him. “Let’s say nine o’clock? It shouldna take long, just a half an hour or so.”

“Sure,” he said. “That would be great. Thank you.”

“All right, I’ll see you then.”

Quickly, before the older male could hang up, Liam said, “Wait—Do you mind me asking what to expect tomorrow?”