Val sighed. She climbed the stairs and peered through the door to spot Tetra sprawled on the couch, surrounded by dirty dishes.

“You seriously need to clean this place up,” she admonished.

“I thought you wanted me to chill,” Tetra grumbled. “I can’t win with you.”

Val sighed. “Sorry. Look, I’ve been busy, okay? I’m sorry about ditching you for the past couple of days.”

Tetra shrugged. “I guess I can’t expect you to wine and dine me.” She muttered the last words. “You’re doing me a favor with this whole thing anyway.”

Val raised her eyebrows. “What was that?”

“Nothing!” Tetra sat up. “I’m frustrated, okay? I want to go outside. Can’t I take a shift at the Iron Fist tonight even though it’s my day off?”

Val smiled. “You’re enjoying your work, huh?”

“It’s—” Tetra folded her arms, belligerent. “It’s nice to get out and see people.”

“People? You mean those humans you considered inferior a few days ago?” Val teased.

Tetra glowered. “They’re growing on me.”

“They have a way of doing that.” Val smiled. “Okay, here’s the deal. You’ve been great this week.”

“I’m always great,” Tetra muttered.

Val rolled her eyes. “I’m trying to be nice. Don’t ruin it.”

Tetra shut her mouth and glowered.

“You’re holding up your end of the bargain by trying to be a productive member of society, so I’ll hold mine up and give you a little more freedom.” Val folded her arms. “How would you like to leave the apartment on your own?”

Tetra sat up sharply. “Are you serious?”

“I’m not kidding.” Val smothered a grin.

Tetra bounced to her feet. “You’d let me leave? Alone? To do whatever I want?”

“Absolutely not. There will be restrictions, like staying in a certain area, and you’re still not allowed to hurt anyone.” Val frowned.

“Yes, but could I go to the bodega? The one with ice cream and shit in the window?” Tetra’s wide eyes sparkled.

Val laughed, caught off-guard. “You want ice cream?”

“I get faerie wine from Enzo, you feed me, and I’m not allowed to engage in violence. What else is there for me to want?” Tetra demanded. “Apart from freedom.”

“Well, you still have twelve years and eleven months of vassalship to serve, but if you play your cards right, you could get much more freedom,” Val told her. “You’re free to go, but stay within two blocks of this apartment. Don’t hurt anyone. Don’t reveal your magic.”

“Yeah, I know,” Tetra muttered.

“The bodega’s a smart place to go. I know the owner, Mateo. Helped him out when this gang of kids kept vandalizing his store. He’s a cool guy.” Val bit her lip. “He’ll overlook your...quirks.”

Tetra’s lips flattened into an unamused line, but she didn’t protest. “Can I go now?”

“Okay.” Val paused to consider her next words. “Don’t screw this up, okay? I don’t want to regret this.”

Tetra met her gaze, and something vulnerable flickered in her dark eyes. “I won’t.”

“Good.” Val hit the button for the garage door on the remote. “I’ll get you a remote if you earn it.”

Tetra pulled on her shoes and scampered out of the garage before Val could say another word.

“Shit, Gennie,” Val muttered. “I hope I’m not making a giant mistake.”

Genevieve honked.

“We all know you hate her.” Val patted the hood.

She let herself into the living room, and a merry bark greeted her. The dog trotted in from the kitchen, tail waving, moving with only a slight limp since the cast bore most of his weight. His hind legs danced on the carpet as he rammed his nose into her hand and licked it.

“Hey, dude.” Val stroked his head. “You hungry?”

The dog sat.

“C’mon, boy.” Val strode into the kitchen. The dog slowly followed and flopped into his bed as if the burst of energy had tired him out. His bowl was still half full.

“You’re eating better, buddy, but you’ve got to eat more,” Val told him. “You’re still just skin, bones, and asshole. How will you put on weight if you don’t eat?”

The dog laid his head on his front paws, one brown, one wrapped in white, and studied her with doleful eyes.

“I bought this for you.” Val grabbed a can of wet food from her backpack. “Maybe you’ll like it.”

She tipped the can into a clean bowl and prodded it across the floor. The dog raised his head and sniffed, then licked the food. He licked again but didn’t dive in like Val had hoped he would.

“Don’t make me stick my hands in that gross shit,” Val complained.

The dog stopped licking and turned his deep brown eyes on her.

“Fine.” Val sat beside him and dipped her fingers into the cold, squishy mess. She held them out to the dog, who happily licked them clean. “This is disgusting. I’ll tell people all about this when I look for a new home for you.”

The dog wagged his tail.

“No, dude. This is not permanent. I took you home to save your life, not to have a dog. I don’t need a dog.” Val scooped up more food, and the dog messily licked it from her hand. “You’re gross, you know that?”

The dog wagged his tail harder.

“Yeah, you gross thing, you.” Val couldn’t resist dipping her head to plant a kiss on his soft fur. The dog raised his nose and tried to lick her face, and she barely dodged his sticky tongue. “Ew! Eat your dinner, assface.” She nudged the bowl nearer.

The dog ignored it and snuffled the front of her shirt. His sniffing turned intense when he reached her amulet, and he squirmed, trying to crawl into her lap.