Shadow was on the floor. Again. Why did he always end up on the wrong end of these arguments? He was usually bigger than his attacker and he usually ended up on the floor, beneath the other man.
And this time there was a knife involved.
The cold, sharp metal was pressed to his throat, threatening to slice the skin.
He pushed hard against the warm body above him.
"Shadow!" A familiar voice called from the darkness. "We're done!"
Someone flicked the lights on. Shadow sat still for a long moment, letting his eyes adjust to the burning light. Once he could see again, he recognized the familiar figure of Mr. Nancy sitting across the room from him in his usual canary yellow suit.
"This is Crazy Connolly, Shadow." Nancy gestured to the man with the knife. "Mad Sweeny's brother."
"Leprechauns have siblings?" Shadow sat up and rubbed his head.
Crazy Connolly nodded, sheathing the knife.
"He's here to help you." Nancy sat on the edge of Shadow's bed.
"I don't need any help."
Nancy just looked at him for a moment. "He's back, Shadow."
"Wednesday?"
"Yep."
"When do we start?"
"We've already begun."