Page 59 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part Two

“Evie. I get the idea you like her. Am I wrong?”

I chuffed and closed my bathroom door in his face. “I have to get ready,” I said through the door.

“Me, too,” he answered.

I laughed. There was absolutely nothing he had to do to get ready for his part of Samhain Court but show-up. I looked at the gym racks I’d installed for hanging purses, scarves, and big necklaces. My wolf medallion was on the end, ready to go. And I wouldn’t think of presiding over court without it.

Maybe I’d even adopted a bit of superstition, thinking it might be a charm. Good old Bradesford. I wouldn’t put it past him. Rest his soul.

There was nothing like the excitement of pulling up to Tregeagle during court days with the accompanying carnival atmosphere and fae in colorful, if ridiculous, costumes. I could tell Romeo was pouting when Keir insisted on having control of the car for the drive over. Romeo didn’t object verbally. It was just a feeling I got.

Keir drove me around to the judge’s entrance where Lochlan and Hengest waited to see me safely inside. Not that I was ever in any danger when I was with Keir.

I knew my nerves would settle down once I was seated and Hengest called court to order, but I was feeling more butterflies than usual. Perhaps because there was some trepidation about facing Medusa.

I donned my robe in my private dressing room which was adjacent the magistrate’s chambers, checked my hair, and straightened the wolf medallion so that his eyes were in a straight line. I wouldn’t want a crooked wolf head suggesting either confusion or unasked questions.

After lining up in the prescribed and, at this point, well-rehearsed order which was Hengest, Keir, Lochlan then me, I pulled at my robe, feeling like I wasn’t as put together as usual. It also occurred to me that, in every horror, jungle, or westernmovie ever made, the last person in line always bites the dust. The fact that I had that thought meant that I was feeling more paranoid than usual.

When the courtroom door was opened, I realized that the dull buzz I’d been hearing was actually a din of conversation muffled by a near-soundproof door. Upon hearing Hengest’s staff rap loudly on the dais followed by his call to order the room fell silent. I didn’t know if they were afraid of Hengest, Keir, or me.

When Keir moved forward, I stayed close on his tail. Well, not his tail. He was in upright form at the moment. Let’s just say I stayed close.

Keir turned and offered his hand when I reached the two steps ascending to the dais on which the judge’s bench sat. He’d never made the old-fashioned gentlemanly gesture before. So, as I took his hand, I looked up with a question on my face. He winked, gave a smile so tiny only I could see it, but somehow it gave me reassurance and calm. Gods bless my enforcer.

When I reached my perch. The lofty perspective was a deliberate design intended to dominate, perhaps intimidate. It probably hadn’t been intended to boost the magistrate’s confidence, but in my case (courtroom humor never gets old), it served that purpose well.

I glanced out at the packed house before taking my seat. Standing room only. I suspected Medusa would be a big draw. That wasn’t a surprise. What I hadn’t expected, though I’m not sure why, was to see Max at the counselor’s table to my right.

Of course, it made sense that he’d represent Medusa so he could better manage the course of the proceedings. He was in a precarious position, from what I gathered. The Bureau didn’t want to anger the Olympians, but they were dedicated to fairness.Bless their hearts.

Likewise, I hadn’t expected to see the Pais Alexilia, but there she was.

As I sat down, I allowed myself to take a long look at Medusa. I guessed that Alex was responsible for the updated outfit at the Bureau’s expense. Despite the hip look, she gave the appearance of being meek, almost childlike. As had been reported, she was lovely and very young. If I’d either lost the memories of my comatose nightmare or more time had passed, I might’ve felt maternal toward her. As it was I thought I was accomplishing my goal by keeping my emotions in neutral gear.

Altogether there were four people at the defense table. From closest to furthest away they were Max, Medusa, Alex, and someone I didn’t know.

The table to my left was conspicuously empty.

“Bailiff,” I said, “the plaintiff appears to be absent.”

Hengest said something to Lochlan, who then leaned toward me and whispered. “Themis is on the grounds. She probably wants to make an entrance.”

Though I disapproved of what I was hearing and thought it disrespectful to the court, I was as fascinated as everyone else by what transpired next.

Tregeagle’s massive double doors that stood a majestic twelve-feet-high hadn’t yet been closed. The light beyond the doors was obscured, but we didn’t need to guess what was happening for long.

Themis, having adopted a sixteen-foot stature, ducked down so that she could enter. And I thought my little perch on the dais was intimidating!

Tregeagle had no trouble accommodating a giant goddess. The main aisle was wide, and the ceilings were four stories high. I didn’t feel the ground shake with her steps, but no one needed to strain to hear her sandal-clad steps.

She wore a woven draped toga, striped with bold colors, and cinched by a golden belt. She was what literature would calm handsome. Regular features. Light brown hair. Gray eyes. Bathed in an air of unmistakable seriousness.

When she reached the bench, I was practically reclining in order to look up into her face. I did my best to pretend I was in charge.

“Themis, I presume?”

“I am Thesis,” she said in an accent that made her sound exactly like Adriana Huffington. “I represent the gods of Olympia.”

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