Jack pushed his now empty bowl away and leaned back in his chair as he waited through the steady rings.

"Benoit residence," answered a female voice.

"Hi, uh, this is Jack. Elster. Jack Elster. Is Ms. Benoit available?" Was that polite enough? He was used to calling friends and companies, not whatever Benoit was. He was considering that he should have just shown up on her doorstep again.

"One moment, please."

He sat in silence, wishing there had been hold music. He could make out footsteps leaving and returning and braced himself for the upcoming conversation. He didn't consider himself a snitch, but something had to be done about Augie.

"Jack! Hello. What a pleasant surprise," Benoit said with an infectious cheer. "I had hoped to hear from you sooner, but I understand the hesitation. Are you doing well?"

"Yeah, hi. Um, I'm fine? How are you?" Being formal and polite wasn't one of Jack's strengths, and he only felt more off-kilter having to play along.

"I am doing very well, my dear. I have family in town. My dear Augustin. You should meet him! I believe the pair of you would get on fantastically."

A sarcastic comment tickled the back of Jack's throat, and he swallowed the feeling down. Jumping straight to insulting Augie wouldn't do Jack any favors or win points. He hopped off the bar stool and made his way to the couch. "Sure… Uh, I kinda wanted to talk to you about something? Personal-ish? If that's okay. If you've got time. Totally get it if you don't."

"No, no, no! You are always welcome in my home." She paused for a moment then eagerly continued. "Yes, you should come over this evening! I'll have Hilda bake a nice little cake for you. She is eager for someone to try out her latest concoction of a red velvet."

Now that the idea had been planted in his head, Jack had a craving for cake and tea. A cute little tea party. With a vampire. And probably a haunted doll. Just to make the scenario complete. "I really don't wanna intrude or anything," he said, dropping onto the couch.

"Nonsense! The fire is warm and welcoming, and I would so love your company. I'll expect you at four. I can arrange a ride for you if needed."

The last thing he needed was another awkward cab ride. "No, I can get there. I mean, really. I don't—"

"I have a new tea that I'd love to share with you. I bought it from a darling little business I found online."

"A fun little tea party, huh?" He didn't mention his expectation of being joined by dolls.

"Yes. I'll see you at four."

Jack sighed to himself and relented. "Okay."

"Goodbye!"

"Bye."

He hung up and stared at his phone in partial dismay. Did Kieran learn this style of pushiness from Benoit, or did she learn it from him? Sure, it helped get him moving when he was feeling indifferent or undecided, but he could do without feeling like he'd been bullied one way or the other.

It had been the same thing with the coin. Benoit got her way, and Jack got to feel grateful and out of sorts. Even what was supposed to be his first date with Kieran had been tinged with the light pushes, guiding him to show up.

He groaned in embarrassment as he slumped over onto his side. He'd given Kieran one hell of a taste of his implanted forgetfulness, and Kieran had happily gone along and been overly accommodating. Jack quickly sat up at the reminder of that night.

"Fucking asshole!" He frowned as memories clicked together and huffed in annoyance. Overall, it had been a nice night, much like his current stint in Kieran's home.

He looked to the door leading downstairs and to Kieran. He shouldn't be here. He should leave. He was a danger to them both.

He gritted his teeth against the intrusive thoughts. He was fine, and Kieran was fine. Candace's predictions be damned, the one guy who was a threat to them was dead and gone and a pile of bone and ash.

He pushed off the couch and did his best to get ready for the day without dwelling on the past and false memories and feelings.