Page 39 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part Two

“Yes. And I knew I was right about the ham.”

That’s when I realized the dogs weren’t going berserk. “Somebody fed my pups.”

“I thought you wanted me to call themourpups.”

“I do! Just need a minute to get out of the habit.”

“Yes. I fed them. They haven’t been walked, of course. Since Lochlan is occupied at home. Maybe later I’ll take all four up the hill.”

“That’d be so great. Can you handle four fraighounds?” He snorted. “Yeah. That’s what I thought. So tell me everything.”

“Highlights,” he said, as Liv set a cup of Darjeeling in front of him. “The answer is no. She doesn’t remember anything that has happened after Athena turned her into snake woman. She’s confused by everything she sees. Electricity. Clothes. Running water. And, most especially, TV.”

“Oh gods.”

“I know. Lochlan is doing the best he can as kindly uncle. He’s explained things, but it’s a lot for her to take in. All in all, he thinks she’s doing really well. He even got her to agree to a little test for, ah, mortality. So we’d know what we’re dealing with.”

I blinked a few times. “What kind of test would that be?”

“A little cut on the underside of her forearm. He said he guessed from the volume and intensity of her howl that she is mortal. The wound has been bandaged and isn’t showing signs of extra human healing. So…”

“So, she’s mortal.”

Keir wagged his head from side to side. “She’s kind of in the gray zone.”

“Meaning?”

“She’s more than human, but she can be hurt and she can… No. Shewilldie.”

“Kind of like me.”

He gave me a long look. “I suppose a comparison could be made.”

“So. What will happen to her?”

“Guess we’ll have to see. Lochlan has contacted the Bureau. They’ll contact the Greeks.” He looked in Liv’s direction.“What are we waiting for? The smell of those croissants is killing me.” He then winked at me. “Especially the ham.”

“I have extra ham for you,” Olivia said.

“Bring it over. There’s room right here.” He used his fork to point to the place next to him where a guest might sit but had been, as he’d said, reserved for the ham.

“Very well,” she said.

“You seem to be in a cheery mood,” I told Keir.

“Why wouldn’t I be? You’re back. Awake, showered, dressed, bright eyed, and no one is going to compromise that.”

“You mean because you know for a fact that Medusa couldn’t reprise her role even if she wanted to.”

He was cutting off a slab of ham before Liv had set the platter down.

“Yes,” he said.

“So, Lochlan is more or less babysitting until someone from the Bureau comes to pick her up?”

“That’s my take,” he said while chewing.

I picked up a croissant filled with shredded uncured ham and lots of gooey melted American cheese. I knew Olivia looked down on my choice of cheese, but you know. You like what you like.

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