Page 38 of Shadow Dreaming

“How will Hecate find us?” I asked.

“That is not your concern. She will find you. And now, I will withdraw.”

One beat…two…and boom, Sophia was back and Pythia’s energy was gone.

I knelt by her side as she slumped. Her hands were so cold they were like ice. I turned to Duran. “Get her some tea.”

He nodded, vanishing into the kitchen.

“How are you?” I asked.

With a shudder, Sophia took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Cold. Hungry.”

“Bring some cheese and bread or something,” I called out to Duran. I pulled a navy throw off the back of the sofa and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Do you remember what happened?”

She nodded. “Yes, I do. Pythia spoke through me. I vaguely remember what she said.”

“She said that Hecate will visit us tomorrow to talk about Penn.” I brushed Sophia’s hair back from her face, which was as cold as her hands. “You’re so cold, are you sick?”

Sophia coughed, then pulled the throw tighter around her shoulders. “No, this happens when the gods speak through us. We expend so much energy being a vessel for them. I’ll be all right in a little bit.”

Duran returned with a tray. On the tray was some toast, cheese, a few dates, and some strawberries. “Here. You need to eat. I’ll be back with your tea.” He headed for the kitchen again.

I wanted to know what it felt like, what it was like to have a goddess inhabit your body, but it was such a personal question that I decided to keep it to myself.

Once Sophia had her tea and food, I glanced at my phone. It was seven-thirty. I had time to visit Seton. “Listen, I have an appointment at eight. Duran, I’ll drop you back at the building?—”

“Stay awhile,” Sophia said to him. “I’d enjoy the company and we can discuss different types of magic.”

Duran nodded. “I can find a taxi home, so if you like, I’ll stay.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” I said. “Eight. Duran, since you’re part of this, you’re welcome to join us. I know you’re invested in Penn’s disappearance.”

He nodded. “I’ll be there.”

As I left, I kept thinking about Pythia and how she showed up, and what that meant for the way I viewed the world going forward. And that, was something that I had yet to figure out.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Morning came and once again, I felt the loss of Penn from the house.

“I miss you,” I said, feeling lonely. As I entered the living room, Mr. Crumbles let out a mournful “Mommy?” which was his name for Penn.

I walked over to his cage, which took up the end of the living room, about four feet high and three feet wide and long. Since Mr. Crumbles couldn’t fly, it didn’t make sense for his cage to be floor to ceiling. He’d fall off his perch if he tried to fly, but this way, he had several perches to hop around on, and he was an excellent climber.

Penn had provided him with enough space to jump from perch to perch, and she spent time with him every day on physical therapy the vet had suggested. She’d put a little harness on him, then take him outside and run around the yard as Mr. Crumbles flapped his wings. He didn’t have enough muscle tone or feathers to fly, but he was making his way back to better health. Whether his wings would regrow enough for him to ever fly, we didn’t know, but she was doing her best.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Crumbles, but Mommy’s not here.”

“Mommy!” The squawk sounded frantic, and he shifted from foot to foot on his perch, agitated.

“Treat?” I asked. Penn had taught him what treats meant.

“Treat!”

I brought him some of the treats Penn gave him, thinking of Jangles and Murdoch, and how upset they’d be if I disappeared. “I’m sorry, Mr. Crumbles. We’re trying to find her,” I said.

After feeding the bird and the cats, I settled at the kitchen bar, pouring myself a bowl of Oat-Ohs, and splashing milk on them. The house was too quiet and I thought about Penn, trying to block out all the things that could be happening to her.

---