Phineas frowned and shuffled his feet. "They wanted easy access to some drugs. Their queen bitch is making that poison."
"You mean Katya?" Emma asked.
"Yeah, her royal highness bee-yotch." Phineas waved a hand in the air. "She had her evil minion kill me, then she acts like she's done me some big favor. Made me sleep on the floor in her basement like some kind of dog. And when I tried to go back to my family, she—she threatened to kill them all."
"I'm so sorry," Emma whispered.
"We've stayed here long enough." Angus retrieved his cell phone from his sporran.
"Alek could return with a dozen Malcontents. We'll teleport to the townhouse."
Phineas winced. "I ain't very good at that teleporting."
"I'll take you." Angus punched in a number on his phone. "Ian? Ye wanted advance warning. This is it. I'm coming in with two." He dropped his phone back into his sporran, then wrapped one arm around Emma and pulled her close. Then he motioned for Phineas to approach.
Phineas gave him a wary look.
"'Tis either us or the Malcontents," Angus told him. "Do ye want to spend an eternity attacking the innocent just to survive?"
Phineas took a hesitant step forward. "But I don't even know you, man."
"I'm Angus MacKay." He grasped Phineas around the shoulders. "Ye've made the right decision."
Phineas snorted. "Maybe I'm just coming for the Blissky."
Everything went black, but only for a few seconds. Emma's feet landed solidly in the foyer of Roman's townhouse.
Ian was standing by the staircase, his weapon drawn. His gaze passed over her, clearly not seeing her as a threat, then focused on Phineas. "Who are you?" He marched toward Phineas, raising his sword.
"Shit!" Phineas ducked behind Angus. "What's with you guys and the swords?"
"'Tis all right, Ian," Angus said. "I brought him here on purpose."
Ian nodded. "I had to make sure he hadn't coerced ye somehow." He slid his claymore back into its sheath.
Phineas peeked around Angus. "You know, you guys wouldn't have to act so macho all the time if you weren't wearing those skirts. It's called compensation, you know."
Ian grimaced. "Are ye certain I canna skewer him?"
"Nay." Angus patted Phineas on the back. "He's going to stay here for a while."
Ian gave him a dubious look. "Who are ye, exactly?"
Phineas lifted his chin. "I'm Dr. Phang."
"Oh." Ian's eyes widened. "Ye're here for Shanna then?"
"Shanna who?"
"Shanna Draganesti," Ian said. "She's having a baby."
"I didn't do it!" Phineas stepped back, raising his hands. "I don't even know a Shanna." Emma laughed.
"Ye're no' the father," Angus growled.
"That's what I always say." Phineas planted his hands on his hips. "But does anyone ever believe me? No."
"We believe you." Angus turned to Ian. "He's no' a real doctor. His title is somewhat… honorary in nature."
"That's right." Phineas nodded. "That's me, I'm honorary."
"And he's working for me now," Angus announced.
Phineas blinked. "I am?"
"He is?" Ian looked skeptical.
Emma smiled. Tonight had given her an excellent opportunity to watch Angus in action. She liked what she saw. He was a noble and kindhearted man. He folded his arms over his chest, studying Phineas. "Can ye fight, lad?"
"What do you think? I'm from the Bronx."
"Ye must follow our rules," Angus continued. "And the main rule is ye can never harm a mortal again. No biting. Ye'll take yer meals from a bottle. Can ye do that?"
"Hell, yeah." Phineas looked at Ian. "Hey, you got any more of that Blissky around here? I'm still hungry."
"No more Blissky tonight," Angus ordered. "Ian, bring him a warm bottle of Type O."
"Sure." Ian strode to the kitchen.
Phineas wandered around the foyer. "You all stay here?"
"I'm just visiting," Angus explained. "Connor, Ian, and Dougal live here. Ye can live here, too."
"No shit?" Phineas's eyes lit up. He peeked into the library. "Cool."
"I expect ye to work for me."
"In exchange for room and board. I get it." Phineas peered into the living room. "Whoa, what a mother of wide-screen TVs. Do you get the Knicks?"