Page 101 of Medium
“A Medium’s family can see family. Ghosts, not ghosts, blood or no blood, it doesn’t matter. Family is family, and family can see family.”
I raised my hand like a kid in class. “But this morning Rory was talking to Carlyle and Lorraine in the kitchen, and we couldn’t see them.”
Rory snapped his fingers. “But I did that. I didn’t want Pia to hear what Carlyle said, so I forced him to be invisible to you. It must’ve affected Lorraine as well.”
Dimi threw up her hands. “See? You do have some smarts after all. You’re still a Medium, and being family doesn’t give us the ability to override your powers.”
“Is Arch family to you, Rory?” I grimaced. “As much as I wouldn’t wish that on you, if he can see your grandfather and Dimi when you’re not around, they could talk directly to him during the raid tomorrow night.”
Rory and Dimi exchanged wicked grins, and she popped out of sight. I tried to feel sorry for Arch, but I wished I could watch his reaction instead.
“Come on, let’s eat before the pizza gets cold.” Shane got up, so I went to wash my hands and set the table.
Pia trailed Rory and Shane into the kitchen. “Shane, your granny isn’t very nice to you and Rory.”
I raised an eyebrow at him as I dried my hands. She wasn’t wrong.
He put his hands on his hips and stared at the ceiling for a moment. Then he looked at Pia. “You’re right. She learned it from her mother. It’s a kind of twisted way of showing affection. She won’t do it to you, Pia, at least not until you’re a little older. And if you—any of you—tell her it bothers you, she’ll try to do better. But underneath all that bluster, she’d fight to the death for any of us. Once you’re family, you’re hers to protect.”
Pia frowned doubtfully at him, but I could see it.
Ms. Jackson yawned as they sat on the floor next to the table.
“Not enough napping time in the hammock today?” I asked as I set a plate in front of them.
They manifested their Ouija board.R-E-G-E-N-E-R-A-T-I-N-G-M-A-G-I-C-F-R-O-M-H-E-A-L-I-N-G-M-A-N-N-Y
“Oh. Wow, I didn’t think about that. Are you almost, er, back to full capacity?”
TheYessparkled on their board. Pia put a couple of slices of cheese pizza on their plate.
“Pia.” Shane sat down in the chair next to her. “My granny’s old room is going to be your room now.” He smiled wryly. “You probably already figured that out—it’s the only other option.”
She smiled around a mouthful of pizza and nodded.
“Right. Well, tomorrow or Saturday I thought we could go pick out some paint and maybe new sheets and a bedspread. We’ll move the old desk out and get you something you can use for schoolwork.”
Pia bounced in her chair as she swallowed. “Yes, please! Thank you, Shane!” She threw her arms around his neck. I thought my heart would burst at the happiness coming through our bond.
Next to me, Ms. Jackson purred, and I exchanged a wide-eyed look with Rory.
When Pia finally let go of Shane, I said, “Um, before we do that, tomorrow morning we should go shopping for some new clothes for you, Pia. I’m sure you’d rather have something designed for someone your age.”
Her face lit up, but before she could respond, Dimi appeared on Ms. Jackson’s other side and said, “I told Pia that very thing earlier.” Shetskedand shook her head. “Poor girl wearing an old woman’s clothes. How do you expect her to make friends?”
Once we’d all recovered from being startled—except possibly Rory, he was probably used to ghosts popping in and out—Shane glared at his grandmother. “We haven’t had a lot of time up til now. That’s why we’re going tomorrow.”
Rory put his hand on Shane’s arm. “Dimi, were you able to speak to Arch?”
Her face twisted into an evil smirk. “Caught him right in the middle of talking to his boss. He screamed like a little girl—not you, Pia. You’re a badass.”
Pia turned pink but seemed pleased with the compliment.
“They agreed to let us help. Dominic said there’s no need to keep watching Randolph and Hugo since we know the plan now, so Garfield and Mercy are going to take a break tonight while Carlyle and I make sure the buildings are clear for the Hunters to set up their surveillance points. Then tomorrownight the four of us will help with the raid.” She nodded in satisfaction.
“That’s great, Dimi. Thanks.” Rory looked around at the rest of us as if asking if we had any more questions, but none of us spoke up.
Dimi seemed to read the room. “Enjoy your dinner. One of us will let you know how things go tomorrow night.”
