8. EIGHT

eightAfter that dire prediction, neither of us were in the mood for further conversation. It wasn’t long until my drowsiness got the better of me and the rise and fall of Liam’s chest under my cheek lulled me back to sleep.

Hours later I woke to find my bed empty; Liam long gone. The hazy memory of a whispered goodbye and a kiss on the forehead had me smiling.

If this was how Liam planned to balance us living in separate residences, sign me up.

I rolled onto my back, stretching as I did. The gentle pull of my muscles a reminder of my daytime activities. When I finished, I nestled into my crazy comfortable bed, making a note to figure out the brand before I moved out.

Better yet, maybe Thomas would let me take the bed with me. The mattress was even more delightful than the one in the Gargoyle. Firm in all the right places with just enough give to cushion my bones.

With my covers wrapped around me all the way up to my head, I settled in to brood over what I’d learned from Liam during the day. If what Connor told me about Dominick leaving him to Niamh’s mercy hadn’t already made me hate the man, finding out he was here to orchestrate our deaths would have finished the job.

It was too bad we couldn’t just kill him.

When I’d suggested as much to Liam, he’d made it clear that sending Dominick to his eternal sleep would bring down retribution on all our heads from his sire. Unless there was clear evidence of a crime committed on his part, he was untouchable.

Just what we all needed. A vampire who didn’t answer to anyone but his very powerful sire. Another vampire who wanted us all dead.

It was enough to make me want to stay in this bed for the next month or so.

Too bad I’d never been the type to run from my problems.

Liam never said it, but I could read between the lines. I was probably first on the list of targets. As the weakest member of our line, I made the perfect prey. Take me out and it would deal a major blow to Thomas’s power base.

A clever tactician would claim that his inability to protect his yearling made him an incompetent leader. They could use it to try to oust him from power.

Of course, it wouldn’t work, but they probably didn’t realize that.

Vampires weren’t a straight forward lot. They liked to work in shades of gray. Sometimes those shades hid big ass razor blades that shredded the weaker among us.

Being the weakling in question, I would prefer not to lose my head to their political bullshit.

Not just because I was rather attached to my life either. Vampires felt things more deeply than humans. My death would have a long-lasting effect on those closest to me.

While I didn’t think it would weaken Thomas and Liam enough to give someone an opportunity to kill them, it could do other things. Horrible things.

Like destroy Liam’s ironclad control.

My loss could tip him into a very dark place. He’d cut a swathe of death and destruction through this world in his pursuit of vengeance.

I had no doubt he’d get it too.

Maybe that’s what Vitus wanted. An out-of-control Liam who he could claim suffered from the same illness as Liam’s sire.

As a council member, it wouldn’t be hard to issue a death warrant. At that point Thomas would be drawn into the situation. Because there was no way he’d stand by and let his brother be hunted down like a dog.

It was why I’d have to do something I’d never been great at. Keep my head down and try not to rock the boat.

With a frown, I rolled onto my side to touch the place where Liam had rested during the day. The sheets were cold. The only sign of his presence the faint rumple in the covers and a crease in his pillow.

Things had gotten complicated. I hated complicated almost as much as I did tardiness.

My phone buzzed while I was still lost in my thoughts. I snagged it from the bed stand and glanced at the screen to find a reminder from my calendar.

“Hoover Reservoir. Naiad job.”

Damn it. I’d forgotten I had an appointment today.

There was no canceling it either. I needed the business. Word of mouth was the most important thing at the beginning stages of developing a business. That meant meeting expectations. Even with all the baddies currently in town.

I pushed up to sitting as I flipped the covers off my body. With a sense of regret over leaving the comfort of my bed, I swung my feet to the floor and stood to stretch.

I was in the middle of reaching over my head and to the side when a clattering sound came from one of the return vents. I paused, looking up and listening.

A second later there was a puffing sound as if something soft had exploded.

Inara’s screech came as something collided with the sides of the vent. “Damn it! What are these traps doing here?”

Thomas—1. Pixies—0.

I guess he wasn’t entirely unaware of her and Lowen’s incursions after all. That thought made me amused.

I padded into the ensuite bathroom, all thoughts vanishing as soon I got my first look at what awaited me.

The room was almost as big as my old apartment, with a complicated light fixture reminiscent of a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The space was decorated with a mixture of textures that worked well together. White marble paired with wood cabinets, gold sconces and tiles that were very art deco. The walls were painted a color somewhere between black, charcoal and blue.

Perhaps my favorite part of the room was the walk-in shower that was big enough to accommodate an orgy. It took up an entire side of the room and had gold fixtures.

A tub was stationed opposite it. I was already dreaming of the bubble baths in my future.

Since I was on a deadline, I headed for the shower and turned it on.

While it warmed up, I examined myself in the mirror. I looked pretty good for someone who’d had little sleep the day before. There was a flush to my skin courtesy of Liam’s blood and my hair had reached a level of untamed wildness that was impressive.

Steam began to accumulate in the shower. I stepped inside, letting the water pound my body. My muscles began to relax as I hummed to myself.

This was the life. A hot shower in a bathroom fit for a king after a day sleeping on the equivalent of a cloud. I couldn’t think of anything better.

This, right here, was why I was so resistant to his gifts. It was easy to refuse something you didn’t want. It was much harder when he played a modern-day Lucifer, tempting you with your deepest desires.

Sometimes those you didn’t even know you had.

I lingered for longer than I should have under the hot spray, letting it wash away my worries.

Who cared if this place was a dream wrapped in a wish?

I was Aileen Travers, the woman more stubborn than anyone else. There was no way a bathroom, even one as ostentatious as this, was going to sway me from my principals.

I’d still walk away. Promise.

Fifteen minutes later, I finally managed to tear myself away from the shower. Stepping out, I wrapped my body in the fluffy towel hanging within reach before heading toward the attached walk-in closet.

The room’s design was as extravagant as the bathroom’s. Its size could have made it a small bedroom. Instead, it had been turned into a clothes palace.

A leather ottoman sat in the middle of the room with a fancy chandelier hanging above it. On both sides of the room, there were places to hang clothes with dresser drawers waiting under them. A full-length, free-standing mirror separated them with floor-to-ceiling shoe racks on either side.

To my surprise, the clothes I’d brought from the Gargoyle were already hanging side-by-side with clothes that I knew weren’t mine. The pair of boots I’d stuffed in the duffel bag sat next to several pairs of foot wear that I’d never seen before.

Without checking, I knew everything would be in my size. The perk of having a sire as wealthy as Thomas.

I selected a simple pair of jeans that would stand up to dirt and mud and a short sleeved black top that had a relaxed fit around my torso.

Finished, I slid my feet into a pair of boots that were as comfortable as the ones I’d brought. I headed out of the room, shooting one last glance at the return vents.

It had been quiet since earlier. Ominously so.

I assumed that meant Inara had freed herself from the trap and was now planning her revenge.

Hopefully, her schemes were targeted at Thomas and not me. If for no other reason than it would be amusing to watch the pixie queen and my sire in a cold war.

Then again, there was a good chance I might get caught in the crossfire.

I headed downstairs, following the sounds coming out of the kitchen. Rounding the corner, I found Deborah slumped over the island with a distant look on her face as she played with her bowl of ice cream.

The lilac color and large chunks of chocolate waiting inside made me stop in my tracks.

I drooled a little, drifting a step closer against my will.

Black raspberry ice cream from my favorite local shop. My kryptonite and my forbidden fruit.

After a moment spent staring, I snapped to attention. Bad Aileen. You know you can’t have that anymore.

I skirted the island, proud of myself when I only side-eyed the bowl of ice cream once before reaching the fridge. Opening it, I stuck my head inside to find it full.

Fruits and vegetables were shoved into the crisper drawers. Yogurt was lined up in neat little rows next to a carton of eggs. There were at least three different kinds of sparkling water on the top shelf and a small carton of milk sat in the fridge door.

I shut the top half, reaching down to pull open the freezer. It was as full as the upper portion with chicken as the dominant meat. I noted a bag of shrimp and several fillets of fish as well.

There was only one “unhealthy” item in the freezer, and it seemed to be whispering my name.

“You should eat me,” the pint of black raspberry ice cream crooned as I picked it up. “One bite couldn’t hurt, could it?”

“Where’d you get the food?” I asked, carefully placing the ice cream back in its place and shutting the door before I could make a bad decision and undo all the work I’d done. Six months without solids and already I was hurting. I craved my favorite foods the same way a thirsty man did water.

“I had it delivered through an app,” Deborah said with an uncertainty that made me feel guilty.

Some master I was. I couldn’t even remember the most basic of human needs. Food. Something they required every few hours to remain healthy.

It hadn’t been that long since my own time in their ranks. You’d think it would have occurred to me to make sure the fridge was stocked.

Especially since I didn’t want my location falling into the hands of enemies intent on using my death as a weapon against Thomas and Liam.

Too late now.

Here’s hoping our delivery person hadn’t been a hunter moonlighting.

“Is that okay?” Deborah turned on the stool to face me. “I didn’t see anything in the fridge, and I didn’t know if you’d be okay with me taking your car.”

“I wouldn’t have been,” I agreed. “Gwyneth is off limits to everyone but me.” Seeing her anxiety, I waved a hand at her. “It’s fine, Deborah. I never intended to starve you.”

I was just a little out of practice when it came to guests.

“You’re free to do whatever you need to feel at home,” I said, my warm smile of welcome not appearing to have the effect I intended.

“If that’s the case, do you mind if I invite Drake over? I want to check on him.”

My forehead furrowed. “That’s the human who volunteered to feed your former sire on your behalf, right? He’s new, isn’t he?”

I’d seen him around the Gargoyle a few times, but that was about it. I’d never fed off him. Though I was pretty sure some of the enforcers had.

“He’s been around for a few months. He came in via recruitment.”

That fit with what I knew of him.

“Let’s hold off on inviting him over,” I suggested.

At least until Dominick and his vampires were no longer an issue. It was probably nothing, but I didn’t like how Dominick jumped in on Chadwick’s behalf. Like it or not, humans, with their ability to be compelled, were a security risk I didn’t want to take.

Until this situation was resolved, I’d feel safer if Deborah was the only human with knowledge of my location.

Deborah didn’t seem any more reassured than she had been earlier.

Hoping to change the subject, I nodded at the bowl in front of her. “I see you got Graeters.”

Too bad it was beginning to look more like soup.

Deborah nudged the ice cream at me, the strain on her face finally easing. “I’m not hungry anymore. Do you want the rest?”

It was instinct to drop my gaze to her bowl.

I licked my lips, anticipating the taste on my tongue. Suddenly, I felt hungrier than I had in a long time.

“This was the flavor you had last time, right?” Deborah asked, glancing doubtfully down at the ice cream.

“Yes.”

My voice sounded flat and emotionless, giving away none of my turmoil as I dug my fingernails into my arm to keep from moving.

Who would have thought the iron willpower, that had resisted the call of blood lust countless times, would crumple in the face of a cold sugary treat?

Not me. That was for certain.

It made the losing battle I was fighting against myself all the more pitiful as I eased forward a tiny inch.

One bite. That’s all I needed.

Just one tiny, insignificant, little bite that probably wouldn’t affect me anyway.

I joined Deborah at the island and reached for the bowl, touching cool porcelain an instant before it disappeared from the island.

An angry protest left my throat as I looked up to find Connor standing across from me with the bowl in his hand and a disapproving expression on his face.

“First rule to staying in this house,” Connor said, looking at Deborah. “Under no circumstances is Aileen allowed food. She’s on a restrictive diet for health reasons. Apparently, she cannot be trusted to make good decisions on her own behalf.”

“One bite wouldn’t kill me,” I argued halfheartedly.

Connor’s glance was censorious. “It might.”

“Unlikely.”

Words like forbidden hadn’t come up when my health was being discussed. The vampire doctor had only said it wasn’t recommended.

It was a loophole I planned to exploit as much as possible.

“Nice try,” Connor said. “But we both know you’re not supposed to have any food until you’ve passed your first century.”

I curled a lip in a sneer. “Spoilsport.”

Connor ignored my dissatisfaction as he shifted his attention to Deborah. “Do you agree to abide by this rule?”

I sent her puppy dog eyes while shaking my head. Say no, Debs.

Deborah didn’t spare me a look before she nodded her agreement. “Of course.”

Damn it. Betrayed by the very person I’d rescued. I thought she was supposed to be on my side.

Connor handed the bowl back to her. “I’m glad we could reach an accord.”

I mocked him behind his back, mouthing the words before pulling a face.

He reached over to pat me on the head. “Sister, your immaturity is beginning to show.”

I knocked his hand off me. “Oh, yeah? Well, you’re a giant stick in the mud.”

It wasn’t fair he could use his reputation as being slightly deranged to intimidate my companion into agreeing with every word out of his mouth.

Grumbling to myself, I almost missed the pink and green blob that wobbled across the room like a drunken butterfly. It crashed into Deborah’s hand, knocking her bowl to the ground before face planting on the island.

The bowl shattered, pieces catapulting all over the floor.

Deborah yelped, coming to her feet in an abrupt move that sent her chair slide across the room. She stared down at the island in confused horror as Inara shoved herself to her feet. The pixie was covered in tufts of a pink cotton candy looking fuzz, her face tight with suppressed fury.

“Did you know?” Inara asked me with a threatening growl.

I bit my lip, trying very hard not to laugh.

“What is that?” Deborah shouted, interrupting. “Is that a pixie? For real?”

“Know what?” I asked, ignoring the human.

The barest hint of a snicker slipped out before I composed myself.

Don’t smile. She’ll kill you if you smile.

“You did know,” Inara snarled.

I set an elbow on the counter as Deborah went very still, finally coming to the realization that the pixie and I knew each other.

“You mean about the traps Thomas had installed throughout the air ducts?” I propped my chin on my hand and raised my eyebrows at Inara, unbothered by her sharp inhale of rage. I shook my head with fake regret. “Nope. No clue.”

I straightened from the island, not wanting to chance the pixie taking it into her head to stab me in the eye.

She’d tried it before.

I shot her a pointed look. “I guess he wasn’t as unaware of your passage as you thought.”

Maybe this would be a lesson for her. As sneaky as she and Lowen were, they weren’t infallible. At least this time the traps were non-lethal. Next time, she might not be so lucky.

Inara trembled from the force of her anger, looking like she might levitate off the counter at any moment.

Or explode. It could really go either way.

Inara tried to move her wings, her frustration deepening when they only partially flexed. The cotton candy fluff restricted their opening and closing, limiting her mobility. I was betting that was the reason she’d crashed into Deborah’s bowl.

“When did you get a human?” Lowen asked, dropping onto Deborah’s shoulder out of nowhere.

Deborah’s screech made everyone in the room flinch.

Lowen darted out of the way as Deborah flailed in a circle while slapping at her shoulder.

“Deborah, stop,” I yelled. “He’s not on you anymore. Stop hitting yourself.”

Deborah wasn’t listening. By this point, she’d added full body shimmies to her repertoire as she hopped up and down.

“Deborah,” I said again. “Enough!”

My shout got through to the human. She finally stopped.

“Your screaming was beginning to irritate me,” I explained at her questioning look.

It was like she’d never met a supernatural before.

“She’s not as bad as you the first time you saw us,” Inara drawled. “Or do you not remember your own dance.”

“Bullshit. I never screamed like that.”

My panic at finding a pixie in my apartment had involved a cinnamon binge instead. The spice was a known allergen to pixies. I’d scattered it over every available surface in hopes they’d be forced relocate.

Much to my dismay, it hadn’t worked. Instead, my house had smelled like a cinnamon roll for months.

Not a bad thing—but also not what I’d intended.

The pixies’ red rimmed eyes and stuffed up noses had been little consolation.

“Lie to yourself all you want, fanger,” Inara sneered.

Before the two of us could descend into argument, Connor addressed Lowen’s previous question. “As to her presence here, Aileen has chosen this human as a temporary blood companion.”

“Congratulations,” Lowen said, his look of surprise matching his consort’s.

“Look who finally grew into their milk teeth,” Inara teased, losing some of her antagonism.

“Vampires don’t drink milk,” Connor corrected.

Inara dismissed his comment with a shrug. “It’s a figure of speech. I’m just saying it’s good to see her being a proper vampire for once.”

“I was always a proper vampire,” I argued, feeling a little insulted. Just because I’d resisted drinking blood, it didn’t make me any less a vampire.

Connor and Inara acted like they couldn’t hear me.

“The human is another rescue,” Connor explained.

“Ah.” Lowen’s face reflected sudden understanding, as if Connor’s words made everything make sense.

“What is with you and strays?” Inara asked, looking at me in irritation.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Exhibit one.” Inara pointed at Connor. Next, she nodded at the human. “Exhibit two.”

“Are you counting yourself among those exhibits?”

Her glare made my lips twitch upward.

“A vampire was trying to pressure the human into something she didn’t want,” Connor continued. “Aileen stepped in to protect her.”

“And got a companion instead,” Inara guessed with a knowing smirk. “Bet you weren’t expecting that?”

I wished Connor was close enough to swat as I whirled on him. “Whose side are you on?”

His smile was thin. “Yours, of course.”

“It certainly doesn’t feel like it right now.”

“As a member of our house, her highness needs all of the information.”

Inara nodded. “He’s right. I’m in charge of security. I need to know why she’s here and who might target her as a result.”

“Since when did you become my security?” I asked baffled.

Inara’s attention had already shifted to Deborah. “Listen, human. The hierarchy in this house is very simple. Aileen takes care of the bigs; I’m in charge of the smalls.”

“What smalls?” I asked.

They were the only pixies I knew. They’d better be the only ones in this house too.

“I want it clear for future reference,” Inara said, throwing an irritated look in my direction.

“No need,” I returned. “You two are the only pixies who are ever coming through that door.”

The pair were already more than I could handle. I wasn’t planning to run a bed and breakfast here. Connor, Deborah and the other two were enough roommates. I didn’t want any more.

Inara rolled her eyes before returning to her threats. “We rank higher in the pyramid than you. Betray us, and I will torture you before I kill you.”

So much for leaving off the death threats last night. Inara had done it for me.

Deborah didn’t take her gaze off the pixie. “I understand.”

“So glad one of us does,” I grumbled.

Inara’s nod was firm. “Then feed the vampire so she can get to work. There are bills to pay.”

The sidelong look she sent me held a taunt.

“I should charge you rent,” I growled.

Along with an annoyance tax.

“I earn my keep every time I have to save your ass,” Inara gloated.

Connor stepped between us before I could do anything. “Feeding is unnecessary. Aileen ate during the day.”

A strangled sound made its way from between my lips as a hot flush of mortification heated my face. “How did you know that?”

He hadn’t heard us, did he? Please, no.

There was nothing quite so horrible as the thought of Liam’s biological nephew hearing us being intimate.

Especially given some of the things we’d done.

“Thomas added sound proofing to the rooms. However, intercourse is inevitable when blood, affection and vampires are involved.”

I slumped face forward onto the island, burying my face in my arms.

Kill me now.

Inara’s snicker didn’t help matters.

“Did I say something wrong?” Connor asked.

I pushed up from the counter. “I’m going to work now. I’ll see you at the end of never.”

“You’ll have to forgive her,” Lowen told Deborah. “She’s a bit of a prude.”

Keys. Where were my keys?

Inara’s speculative look stopped me before I could go in search of them. She nodded at the place where she’d shot me last night. “I’ve been wondering—how’s your shoulder doing?”

“It’s just fine, thank you,” I said in a snippy tone. “I barely noticed it after my shower.”

“Is that so?”

I went very still, sensing danger.

“You broke the magic pretty fast,” Inara continued with a nasty smirk that had alarm spreading through me. “We should up the intensity level.”

The snap of her fingers made me flinch. I backed away, focused on her when I should have remembered the second pixie’s presence.

My other sight descended as I caught a shimmer in the air from the top of my fridge. Lowen came into focus, his bow and arrow already aimed at me.

“Shit!” I dodged to the side as he released the arrow.

A sharp sting pricked the upper slope of my breast. A painful itch spread rapidly over the area.

I froze, fixing a disbelieving gaze on Inara’s consort. “Did you seriously just shoot me in the boob?”

Lowen lowered his bow with a guilty expression. “Oops.”

I stared at him. Oops? That’s all he had to say?

Damn right oops. A whole big barrel of oops with a “what the fuck” on top.

“I was aiming for your arm,” he explained with a shrug.

My low growl had alarm spreading over Lowen’s face.

He moved quickly, slinging his bow over his shoulder and flinging himself off the fridge as I launched myself at him.

I landed in the spot where he’d just been, my head nearly hitting the ceiling as I whirled to find him.

“Aileen, let’s think about this,” he pleaded as Connor grabbed Deborah and pulled her out of the danger zone.

Later, I’d be mad I’d lost control and needed him to step in. For now, I was too focused on revenge.

“You little asshole,” I snarled as a rumble issued from my chest.

I knew how I appeared, crouched on all fours atop the fridge. My back arched and a snarl on my face.

“It was an accident. Let’s calm down.”

My yowl climbed in volume, making my transformation into a giant, feral cat complete.

“I have to work tonight!”

Calm down, my ass. My boob felt like it was on fire.

Who was going to take me seriously if I spent the whole night playing with my chest?

No one, that’s who.

“Oh no, you don’t,” I growled, seeing Lowen eye the vent in the living room. “You’ll never make it.”

I saw the moment he chose retreat. I threw myself off the fridge at him, barely missing as he flitted out of reach.

I followed. Around the armchair. Over the back of the couch, barking my shins on the coffee table when he dove under it. Then into the entry way before he shot up to the ceiling and reversed course.

I put on a burst of speed, seeing him arrow toward the vent.

He’d have to slow to open it. That would be my chance.

He dipped. I hurtled forward. He dodged, forcing me to put on the brakes or crash face first into the wall.

By the time I recovered, he’d already reached the nearby intake vent and had one side unscrewed. He was inside before I could do anything.

A scream of frustration left me.

“I’m so sorry, Aileen. I promise I didn’t shoot you in the boob on purpose.” His voice echoed from the wall. “I know it doesn’t seem like it now, but this really is for your own good.”

Faint rustles came from the wall, attracting my attention. I traced their path, entranced. How difficult was it to repair drywall? Not very, right?

“Aileen,” Inara warned.

I wasn’t listening, intent on the furtive movements that betrayed Lowen’s position.

“Lowen, she’s tracking you. Mask your presence,” Inara ordered.

A veil seemed to drop over the world, the sounds from the wall becoming muted and indistinct.

I’d lost him.

With the promise of a hunt no longer distracting me from the vicious prickle radiating from my wound, I gave into the urge to scratch. The pleasure/pain that came with the act made me lose a little time before I got myself back under control.

Fucking pixies.

What was I thinking letting them room with me? I wasn’t. That’s for sure.

I whipped around, intending to take some of my ire out on Inara only to find her gone. The kitchen island deserted.

Of course, it was.

Connor and Deborah stood in the corner. There was an expression of polite interest on Connor’s face while the human looked worried.

“Are you okay?” Deborah asked tentatively.

“No, I’m not okay,” I snapped, becoming aware that I’d started to scratch again. “I feel like a swarm of fire ants has descended on my boob.”

Deborah grimaced. “That doesn’t sound pleasant.”

I glared, feeling bad when she flinched.

Now look what I’d done.

She was too scared to look at me. The brittle way she held herself made me look down at the ground in shame. As if she was afraid one wrong movement would make me attack.

Damn it.

Deborah didn’t deserve to have me take my bad mood out on her. Especially since, from the way she was acting, I suspected too many vampires had already done so.

I rubbed my forehead, hoping I hadn’t traumatized my companion too much.

Fuck. I wanted to kill something.

“No, it isn’t,” I said, mustering a measure of calm control. “Unfortunately, I’ll have to suffer until it wears off. Inara was right about one thing. I have bills to pay and there’s work to be done.”

Some of Deborah’s anxiety faded as I gave her a stiff smile. Her gaze followed me as I marched toward the front door.

“I’ll be back in a few hours,” I said over my shoulder. “I don’t mind you leaving, but please don’t invite anyone over.”

That meant I needed to call Thomas to have a car delivered for her use.

Another item on my growing list of things to do.

The door slammed on any response she might have made. I stalked toward my car, unlocking it with a touch.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice Connor’s presence until he’d already opened the passenger door and slid inside. I stopped what I was doing, staring across the hood for a second.

Bending, I peered into the car to find Connor waiting expectantly.

“What’s first on our agenda?” he asked.

I leaned my wrist against the door frame. “You know you weren’t invited, right?”

His answer came in the form of a patient stare. One that said he could sit there all night in that weird trance-like state he sometimes used. Arguing would be nothing but a waste of breath and precious time.

“Fine,” I said, giving in. “But don’t complain later when the naiads flirt with you.”

I climbed inside, slamming the door behind me. It would be just as easy to brood with him in the car as out of it.