Page 52 of The Music Demon

“But I think we should mention it to Rosie.”

“I do no’ agree, but in the interest of pickin’ my battles, I will go along.”

“Good. Just so happens she’s here.”

“Now? But I’m goin’ back to San Francisco.”

“Where?”

“Do no’ pretend you ne’er heard of San Francisco.”

“O’course I heard of it. Why on earth are ye goin’ there?” Shy gave her a look that said it all. “Maybe you’re seein’ a bit too much of him. You think?”

“Already called truce for today.”

“Aye. Alright.”

They stopped in front of Rosie’s office. Sher raised her hand to knock, but heard Rosie say, “Come in.”

The twins exchanged a glance before Sher pushed forward.

“Ah. The O’Malleys. I’m learning there’s always a surprise in store. What is it this time?”

“A nice surprise I hope,” Shy said cheerfully.

Rosie looked up from what she was doing. She said nothing and her expression gave away even less.

“Well.” Sher took the lead. “It seems my sister’s receivin’ some interestin’ extracurricular lessons. In the spirit of good faith, I thought we should share.”

“In other words,” Shy said, “she’s a tattletale. Always has been.”

“There’s nothin’ wrong with bein’ forthright and on the up and up,” Sher said, showing no offense at the tattletale accusation.

“So you’ve always said. No wonder you did no’ get along with Lyric. You have no spirit of adventure.”

Sheridan gaped. “Get along with Lyric? What part of he kidnapped me are youstillhavin’ trouble understandin’?”

“Ladies!” Rosie’s patience seemed to grow thinner every time the twins came for a ‘conference’. “I have limited time. What is it you want to say? How does it involve me, my project, or my hunters? That’s all I want to know.”

“That demon is teachin’ my sister to do things.” Sher put it succinctly.

“Something more than growing wildflowers?”

“Aye. She waved her hand and, in the blink of an eye, there was tea fit for the king himself.” She pointed in the direction from where they’d come. “Right over there.”

“Seems there are marvelous good things that come with bein’ demon,” Shy said. “But o’course I’m no’ tellin’ you anythin’ you do no’ already know.”

“You can produce high tea from thin air,” Rosie said drily.

“High as it comes. Big juicy strawberries, fine clotted cream, and a very large vase of flowers from gods-know-where,” added Sher.

Rosie inhaled deeply. “What else?”

“Else?” Shy asked. Sher turned to her sister and joined Rosie in waiting for the answer to that question. “Well…” In a visibly seamless transition Shivaun’s gray jeans, thigh-high boots, and oversized claret sweater disappeared and were replaced with the outfit she’d planned to wear to 1967. A white eyelet tank top and a long multi-color, tier-layered gypsy skirt with sparkly beads spaced a few inches apart.

Rosie’s brow furrowed. “Is that the skirt fromLost Boys?”

Shivaun laughed. “Aye. You have a good memory. ‘Twas where I got the idea.”

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