Page 201 of Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms

“I’m just an intern.”

“A crime against talent.”

Rafe’s gaze sharpened. “Don’t try to recruit her.”

“I was merely complimenting her.”

“You were circling.”

Dimitris touched a hand to his chest. “Rafael, I have been reborn today. I am considering growth.”

“You killed a man twenty minutes ago.”

“I said considering.”

The Olden Folk Crimes investigator paused for one long second, then kept writing.

Dimitris looked at Max, who sat at my side covered in dust and absolutely convinced all of this could have been avoided if everyone had listened to him earlier.

“And you,” Dimitris said warmly. “Brave beast. Excellent teeth.”

Max sneezed.

“He’s humble,” I said.

“No, he isn’t,” Rafe said. “He knows his worth.”

My heart, the traitor, did something awful and hopeful.

Dimitris noticed because he was apparently immortal and nosy. His smile turned sly. “Ah.”

“No,” I said.

Dimitris lifted both hands. “Very well. I will leave the dragon and his terrifying woman to their medical care.”

The authorities kept us there another hour. Statements. Questions. A careful accounting of what had been stolen, what had been damaged, and which items had been recovered from crates near the service entrance. The incense burner was placed in a padded transport case and handed to Rafe under the supervision of three separate officials and one extremely offended phoenix.

Dimitris surprised me by not making a joke when Rafe took it. He only inclined his head. “I had no right to it.”

Rafe held the case against his side, his expression unreadable. “No,” he said. “You didn’t.”

Dimitris accepted that without flinching, which was the first thing he had done all day that made me like him for more than four seconds.

“I may travel for a while. See what remains of my kind. Perhaps find other phoenixes who have not spent the last century nesting in beautiful rooms.”

“That sounds healthy,” I said.

“Are you going to return stolen objects while you’re self-actualizing?” Rafe asked.

Dimitris’s mouth curved. “Let us not make the journey unpleasant before it begins.”

Max barked.

“Fine! Some,” he said. “Perhaps many. I reserve the right to be irritating about it.”

“That is the most realistic promise you’ve made.”

He laughed and waved us away.