---
"The Contract Market," Lily repeated.
Bat Bat's eyes widened.
"Yes," Bat Bat said immediately. "Master left Bat Bat. Bat Bat wanted to go. The master say no. The master is cruel."
Lily turned slowly to look at Bat Bat.
"You wanted to go to the Contract Market," Lily said.
Bat Bat nodded vigorously.
"Yes," she said. "Bat Bat can buy jam."
Lily blinked.
Then she laughed once, sharp and disbelieving.
"You think the Contract Market sells jam," Lily said.
Bat Bat nodded again.
"Everything sells," Bat Bat answered with absolute faith.
Elena cleared her throat softly.
"He said he needed something," Elena said, returning the conversation to reality. "He should return before lunch, if business does not trap him."
Lily's lips pressed together.
For a moment, she looked like she wanted to storm out of the house and drag Sekhmet back by his collar like an angry protective wife.
Then she exhaled and forced herself into a calmer posture.
"Fine," Lily said. "Then we wait."
