Page 21 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One

A request from Lochlan was an offer that couldn’t be refused, considering how much he’d done for me and how seldom he asked for anything in return.

“I will.” I stared at the bundle in my hands like it might be a Pandora’s box and began dreading looking at what was inside.

Keir must’ve read my thoughts because he leaned close and said, “It’s just words on pages, Rita. Nothing more.” That should’ve comforted me, but I responded with an involuntary shudder. “Please tell me that was because I’m standing so close.”

I set the folder on my desk and looked back at him. “Naturally. It means you’ve still got it!”

His responding smile told me he accepted my quip but knew it was a lie.

I can honestly say it was my least favorite Legendary Lunch ever. Even though it was the usual lively supernatural crowd, it was almost impossible to follow the conversation, much less participate. As my mind kept going back to the file in my study, a pit formed in my stomach, like a harbinger of unwelcome things to come.

My answer to that was to keep eating.I swear Olivia casts a spell over her cooking that causes me to not know when to stop. When I’m preoccupied, it’s even worse. By the time I realized I’d eaten enough for a football team at spring training, I felt like a stuffed slug.

There’s only one response to feeling like a stuffed slug. Take a nap until my body’s digestive process rescues me from bad choices.

CHAPTER THREEThe Wrong Side of Memory Lane

The following morning, the doorbell rang at the appointed hour for Rita Rules Interview Part Deau. The pups scrambled for the front door in what looked like an effort to see who could take the most finish off the wood floors with their claws. Fortunately, I knew people who could restore the floors in a flash, with a thought, and absolutely zero inconvenience to me. Life was good.

A statuesque, attractive, but serious-looking brunette stood on my porch.

“Good morning, Magistrate. I’m Blaes Heronimus, your interviewer. If you accept me, that is.” My eyes wandered to the figure standing just behind and to the side of the latest Rita Rules rep. Gizella.

Ms. Heronimus must’ve either sensed or seen a change in me that indicated disapproval. “I took the liberty of inviting Gizella to come along,” she said, “so that she might have the opportunity to apologize for her behavior and the offenses that resulted.”

Then she gave her sidekick a pointed look. Gizella shook herself, visibly, and said, “I came to beg your pardon, Magistrate. Yours and your daughter’s. I meant no harm, but should’ve learned more about what to expect from human…” She stopped mid-sentence when Ms. Heronimus suddenly straightened to full height. “I mean…”

“Yes, Gizella,” I interrupted. “You are certainly forgiven. Think no more of it. And thank you for coming to apologize. That was very gracious.”

She beamed like a yogi’s aura caught in midday.

Turning back to me, Ms. Heronimus said, “Would you consider allowing her to attend the interview as asilentobserver?”

I sighed. “Why don’t we see how today goes?” I asked. “If we schedule another time after this, I will consider it.”

My message was clear. If things went well with Ms. Heronimus, the door would be open to more communication. If not…

“Of course, Magistrate. A wise suggestion.” To Gizella, she said, “I will be in touch.”

With that, we left Gizella on the porch steps with an assumption she would disappear as soon as we were out of sight.

My guest stood in place and looked around my living room while I closed the door. The house would’ve closed it for me, but old habits die hard. And doing it myself made a point with Gizella. That is, if she was aware enough to perceive a subtle message like having a door closed in her face.

I made a gesture toward the back of the house. “Let’s have tea in the kitchen. It’s cozy there.”

“Delightful,” she said, following dutifully.

“Please sit.” I motioned to the chairs indicating that she should be free to choose.

I could tell she was trying to take everything in, not wanting to miss any detail. No doubt she would report everything she could remember about my house.

“Tea?” Olivia asked.

She was finding it easier to drop both title or name than to call me by my name. Okay with me. Whatever works.

“Yes, please,” I replied to Liv. “How would you like it?” I asked my guest.

“Please don’t go to any trouble,” she said, looking from me to Olivia. She’d done some crash tutelage on human manners. It wasn’t a statement one would commonly hear among magic kind.

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