Page 45 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part Two

As Keir left, Lochlan looked at me. “Pests?”

With a small headshake of dismissal, I said, “Not important. Let’s get to work.”

I led the way to my study and almost reached the door when my conscience got the better of me. I stopped and turned to face my long-suffering clerk.

“Sorry, Lochlan, I need a minute. Could you soldier on for a few?”

“If you mean a few minutes, yes. If you mean a few hours, no.”

“Oh. Minutes. Definitely minutes. I won’t be long at all.”

“Very well.” He took out a pocket watch and looked at it like he was Lewis Carroll’s rabbit.

That had the desired effect. I rushed toward the mudroom feeling like I was on the clock. On the way I was reminding myself that it was silly to feel that way because I do not work for Lochlan. Still, the people pleaser part of me didn’t want to disrespect his time. I passed through the mudroom right out the back door because I wanted to speak to my daughter privately without being overheard by anyone in the house. Meaning Lochlan or Olivia.

The dogs followed me joyfully thinking I was taking them for a romp. Drats. I hadn’t intended to tease them.

“Sorry, loves,” I told them. “Keir is going to take you out in just a bit.”

They sat down, looking disappointed. Maybe that last part was my imagination.

I squeezed the pendant part of my necklace and, sure enough, within seconds Evie was standing in front of me wearing tennis attire and averyhealthy glow. In fact, some of the glow was running down her face.

She looked around us like she was expecting to intervene in a catastrophe, but none was apparent.

“Mom! I was in the middle of something. Did you use the necklace just for fun again?”

“Of course not!” I defended. “I have a really good reason.”

“This better be good.” She cocked her hip, put her hand on her waist, which was already being compromised by a growing baby bump, and waited for my explanation.

“First, it’s out of bounds to talk to your mother that way. Second, I need your help.”

“With what? You look fine. The house looks fine.” She looked down. “The dogs look fine.”

I waggled my head. “Yes. Yes. All that’s fine. What’s not fine is Vuk and John David.”

Evie was incredulous. She didn’t need to say so. Her face, including open mouth and bug eyes, said it all.

I hurried to finish my explanation, which was not lame at all, about how Loki had abducted the werewolf and the vampire and left them somewhere he described as far away enough that they wouldn’t be bothering me soon. That could be anywhere. Even off world.

Evie listened semi-patiently until I reached the end. When I stopped talking, she crossed her arms and scowled, albeit prettily. “That’s it?”

“Um. Yeah? I was going to work. With, um, Lochlan, but I started thinking that, even though I don’t want to deal with those two today, I don’t want to be the cause of harm either.”

“So, you thought you’d call me to fetch them back?” I could see her mood was ratcheting from annoyed to livid.

“Well…”

“Mom! I am not a first responder for anybody but you! Especially not your collection of weird strays.”

“Evie, that’s just unkind. You never liked John David,” I accused.

“That’s right. I’ve never liked him and I’ve never tried to hide it.”

“Why?”

“He almost got you killed by being careless with an off-the-wagon vamp. Remember?”

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