It’s a handy ruse because a lot of people do that for hours at a time.Mercutio streaked up with a yowl. He ducked his head, darted under the chain, and raced down the stairs. My jaw dropped and I glanced around. A middle-aged woman in purple taffeta raised her brows. I gave her a sheepish smile.“He’s an explorer.” I straightened and waited anxiously for her to leave. Bryn had been gone awhile. Too long. And Mercutio had gone down the stairs with purpose. He could sense magic. And trouble. I wanted to get down there to check on my guys, but the woman stood next to the bathroom door like she’d sprouted roots.“The restroom’s empty,” I said.“I don’t need to use it,” she said and glanced at the sign on the chain that had RESTRICTED printed on it.“They probably won’t want an animal wandering around belowdecks,” she said.“I’ll get him,” I said, raising my skirts to step over the chain.“I meant you should find a crew member to retrieve him.”“Um, they might be mad, and they’re busy.
