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wall, disappearing from sight with a flutter of grimy black fabric and a hollow, mocking laugh.
    “They want ol’ Pete delivered up to Nob Hill,” Elle mused, plucking the drawing from Piotr's nerveless fingers and skimming it. “Hey Pocahontas, I'm having problems remembering, but ain't Nob Hill part of Council turf?”
    “Last I recall the Council frequents the Mark Hopkins hotel, yes,” Lily agreed. “I have hardly had dealings with them but it is wise to know the lay of the land when possible, especially regarding those more powerful than one's self. Yet then the question becomes this: why would they seek Piotr? He has always kept to himself along the canal and has not aggravated them. Why seek him out? It makes no sense.”
    “Petey? Hey, flyboy! Up'n at'em!” Elle snapped her fingers in front of Piotr's face. “You got a clue why the daddies and debs up Nob Hill way would want you floating on the Styx side of the Never?” When Piotr, frowning, didn't answer, she threw up her hands. “Useless.”
    Piotr's frown deepened into a scowl and he waved a hand in Elle's direction, aggravated at the interruption. His vision was flickering wildly. One moment the Never was clear as a bell; in the next, the living world lay over it like a film of shining plastic. “I am thinking, Elle. Be patient.”
    “Thinking like a glacier moves,” she grumbled, but dropped to the ground and stretched out, tucking hands behind her head and gazing up at the stars. “Ugh, you'd think with all these calluses that my feet wouldn't hurt so badly after just a little hoofin’ it.”
    “Wendy,” Piotr said finally. “They mentioned that I stank of her still.”
    “Well you're no sweet summer morning, but you don't exactly stink either,” Elle quipped. “Lightbringer, huh? Should've figured we weren't done with that dizzy dame.”
    “Hush,” Lily said and was quiet for some time before approaching Piotr's side. “If you are in danger, Piotr, there is a chance that the Lightbringer is as well.” She bit her lip and eased in front of him, making sure she had his full attention before continuing.
    “It would be a great disservice to Wendy to ignore this warning. They sent a half-score of Walkers for you. How many would they send for one such as the Lightbringer? We are here, at your side, to fight with you, but the Lightbringer is alone. Is she even aware that some Walkers escaped the skirmish with the White Lady?”
    Abruptly, Piotr shook his head. “ Net . Such thoughts are a waste of energy and time. Wendy is strong, capable. She can take care of herself, no matter who the enemy or the number sent. On this you have my word.”
    He could see Lily struggling with the decision of whether to debate him further or not; after long moments her eyelashes drifted down and she nodded once, brusquely. “As you say, Piotr. You are familiar with the Lightbringer and her capabilities and I am not. For now, I shall follow your lead.” Frowning, she reached out and gripped his wrist until he winced. “For now.”
    Lily stepped aside as Piotr, scowling and rubbing his wrist, moved to kneel beside Elle, still stretched out on the ground and flexing her tired feet. She raised one hand as if shielding her vision from the moonlight and winked at him.
    “Hello Pete. Have a seat?”
    He ignored her flirting and got straight to the point. “Elle, you are familiar with the Nob Hill, da? ”
    “I swung around the juice joints in that neck of the woods a time or two, sure.” She closed her eyes and grinned at the memories. “Alive and dead, mind you.”
    “I believe I sense what Piotr may be contemplating,” Lily said, settling cross-legged next to Elle. “It only stands to reason that you are well known on Nob Hill, due to your familiarity with the Pier.”
    “Pier's my turf,” Elle grumbled, opening one eye with a scowl in Lily's direction. “Was my turf. Whatever. Familiarity ain't even close. Those lollygaggers tried sending a mulligan