Al’s snoring had been relentless, a guttural symphony that rattled the walls and kept me awake as if an elephant were trying to sing. By morning, I was dressed and ready, but the clock mocked me—I was exactly one minute from being late, and Phantom’s place was nowhere near within reach.
Stepping outside, I froze. A black sedan idled in the driveway, its polished surface catching the pale light. A lanky man leaned against it, stringy black hair framing a face marked by ruddy cheeks and eyes that gleamed yellow—animalistic, unmistakably werecoyote. His smile was sharp, almost predatory.
“His royal highness, Phantom, sent me,” he said, voice roughened by gravel. “I’m Alfie, your driver for the day.” He swung the door open with a flourish.
“I can get you there in fifteen minutes if yo
