Page 84 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One

“Yes. We think it could be coramancers.”

“CORAMANCERS?!?” He paused for a moment to get control, but his fair coloring had gone beet red. “Those bloody blackmailing blaggards!” It wasn’t just his coloring that conveyed the fact he was seething. He was close to shouting as well.

Esme and Keir shared a look. “I know what you’re thinking,” she told the enforcer.

“You do not,” he said confidently.

“You’re thinking that, if Rita was conscious, she’d tell us to try saying bloody blackmailing blaggards three times fast.”

“Okay. So, youdoknow what I’m thinking,” Keir replied.

“If it is them,” Esme began, “could we raise enough money to pay them off?”

Lochlan threw himself into the overstuffed chair like an angst-filled teenager. “I could only wish it was money they’re after. You’ve heard they charge dear and thought that meant gold. But no. What they want, what theyalwayswant, is something very precious to the buyer.”

“Like?” Keir asked.

“In Rita’s case, that might be Fenn and Frey, for example.”

“Oh gods.” Esme’s hand fluttered to her neck in a gesture of, “Oh no. Not that!”

“The Samhain Court convenes in two days!” said a forlorn Lochlan. “I’ve already notified selected parties of the docket. We have to get her on her feet by then.” He looked from Keir to Esme. “You know there’s never been a postponement or cancellation in the history of the court. That’s part of the reason for bestowing perfect health on magistrates.”

Keir sighed again. “Yes. We’re aware. Instead of bemoaning this development, make suggestions as to how to proceed to, as you put it, get her on her feet.”

Lochlan shook his head. “I’m not entirely sure how to contact a coramancer. He reached out to pet Fenn, who was sitting close to the overstuffed chair, and looked up quickly. “Come to think of it, that’s a puzzle piece that’s out of place. If it was coramancers, they would’ve contacted us with a demand.”

“That’s a good point,” Keir said. “Who or what else might it be?”

“I don’t know, but if you think it’s curse-related, a coramancer could still provide the information we require to get to the bottom of this,” Lochlan had taken on his I’m-in-charge attitude.

“I believe I know someone who could be of help,” Esme offered.

“Please proceed post-haste,” Lochlan ordered.

Esme rose to leave.

“What else can I do?” Keir asked.

As if on cue, a series of loud raps came from the front door. All three knew the caller was someone who had yet to be accustomed to doorbells.

She hesitated just long enough to say. “You can get the door,” in her no-nonsense comportment.

“I’m checking with Ivy to see if there might be a flora remedy,” Lochlan said.

The front door opened quickly for Esme, taking her approach speed into consideration. It revealed John David standing on the other side. She swept past him without acknowledgement heading for Molly’s. Post-haste.

“Not a good time,” Lochlan told the vampire on his way past.

Keir had been close behind. “Good morning,” he said to John David.

John David could see that Keir was wearing worry like an uncomfortable aura. “I’d like to speak with Rita.”

“She’s not accepting callers just now,” Keir said. “But I will definitely let her know you stopped by.”

“No!” John David was shaking his head. “Imustsee her!”

Keir took a longer look at the vampire. “What’s so urgent, Master Weir?”

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