* * *
While Mina brushed her teeth and got ready for bed, I turned down the sheets on her bed and started to close the curtains. I noticed a car idling at the curb across the street. The menacing blue Seville was back. I immediately turned off the light and peeked out, but couldn’t discern the faces of the two figures in the front seat. No matter; I had no doubt the thugsy twins were watching the place, waiting for Lance to show. I debated going out there and confronting them, but nixed the idea. I had a responsibility to keep Mina safe. But knowing they were out there gave me the creeps.
“Why did you turn out the light?” Mina stood silhouetted in the doorway.
“It’s nighttime, silly. Time for bed. Come on, I’ll tuck you in.”
“I want the light on.”
“Oh, you’re too old for a nightlight, sweetie. Come on, into bed.”
“No.” She pouted. “Turn it on.”
“There is nothing to be afraid of, you’re a big girl now.”
“Turn it on. I don’t like your monsters.”
I froze. Goosebumps raced up my arms and down my back. A hysterical giggle threatened to bubble over.
“What monsters,” I asked. My left eyelid began to twitch.
“Them.” She pointed to the corner where Blix and Larry and the rest of the gang sat. “They don’t belong here.”
Well okay then. Dumfounded, I switched the light back on. “Better?”
She nodded, and crawled into bed and pulled up the covers. “They don’t bother me when the lights are on.” She stretched her arms wide for her goodnight kiss. Speechless, I swooped in to grant it, and snuggled her into my arms, uncertain what to say.
Relief flooded through me. A heaviness I didn’t know existed eased off my chest and I took a deep breath. Her confirmation meant everything to me.
“How many do you see?” I was dying to talk about them, but didn’t want to alarm her by making a big thing out of it.
“Two. What are their names?”
If Mina could see them, they were real.
My heart fluttered like a captive bird; I couldn’t believe we were even talking about this. “Are you sure? What do they look like?” And why only two?
“The big one looks like that goblin from that movie you like. The other one reminds me of an alligator with a squashed up face.”
I hugged her closer. “He isn’t a goblin, that’s Blix. I think he looks a little like my old cat, Mister Mittens. Remember him? The other one is Larry the Lizard.” Okay, Blix had been around the longest, but Larry had showed up third. Why couldn’t she see the others?
She nodded, as if this was the most natural topic in the world. “Larry is cuter.”
I was way out of my depth here, but didn’t know what else to do, but go along with her.
“Yes, he is.” And I meant it. In a pudgy, squatty-body sort of way. Floppy spines ran down his back, and he kept his prehensile tail curled around one of his stubby front legs, giving him a rather unsure expression. I could relate to that.
“Can you smell them?”
She closed her eyes and sniffed the air. She blinked slowly, and shook her head, her eyes getting heavier. “Will you stay with me until I go to sleep?”
I wanted to jump up and down and scream for joy, but since my only witness was a drowsy nine-year-old, I fought to keep myself still.
“Of course, baby.”
I’m not losing my mind. I knew it, and now I had proof. Blix and Larry, at least, were real. I had to get in touch with Rhys Warrick right away. His name sang in my veins like an anthem. I could barely contain myself.
“I’m not a baby.” Her eyes stayed shut, and she snuggled into me. Her breathing deepened.
Once Mina fell asleep, I tiptoed into the kitchen and called the number Karen gave me for Mystic Properties, but all I got was a recording. I left my name and cell phone number, and asked him to call me as soon as possible. He had an unexpected voice; more whisky-and-grit Bob Seger than tenured college professor. I wondered what he looked like.
I called Lance next, but he didn’t answer. Where could he be? My thoughts strayed to pool halls, and bars, and card parlors. He had a daughter to care for and a business to run. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to get involved in gambling again, would he? I left an urgent message to call me back. If Hector and his friend were any indication, Lance was about to be in for a world of hurt.
I peeked out the curtains and my heart gave a jump. The Seville sat parked across the street. I turned off all the lights except one in the kitchen. What did those men want from Lance? Had to be money. I thought briefly about calling the police, but they weren’t breaking the law or anything. I debated going out there and confronting them, but figured that was a stupid idea. Mina was my responsibility, I needed to keep her safe.
I checked the cupboards for some sort of weapon, and put a cast-iron frying pan next to the front door. My eyes strayed to my little cluster of monsters, all too small and insubstantial to be much use if things got nasty.
Blix stamped his front feet at me.
I let out a shriek and grabbed the frying pan before I realized how stupid that was. What the hell? He had never made the slightest move before. I searched the stoic faces of the other four, but observed no change or reaction in any of them. You imagined it. They’re not real.
Blix licked his lips with a pointy blue tongue.
A wave of nausea rolled over me. I choked it back down.
“What are you,” I whispered.
There was no possibility of sleep now; I had a serious case of the creeping heebie-jeebies. I kneeled on the carpet, and studied Blix closely. Mina was right, Blix was bigger than the others, and his eyes now focused on mine. I moved my head toward the light, and his head swiveled to follow mine, his eyes dilated. Whenever I nodded, he nodded. I waved my arm, but he didn’t respond, nor did he when I moved my leg. His eyes remained glued to my face, as if anticipating something from me. I forced myself to remain calm.
“You’re freaking me out, Blix. Are you a demon or a spirit?”
What was the difference anyway? Blix looked like he was standing at attention, awaiting my order. The only thing I wanted him to do was to go away. If he was a demon, giving him a command would cause him to materialize permanently. I wasn’t so sure about spirit guides.
I paced the kitchen, keeping a wary eye on the critter crowd, my anxiety growing by the minute. My mind swirled with useless thoughts of Lance and demons and Porter and my suspension. I wondered why Lance hadn’t called me back, and why it was so hard to get hold of that stupid mage, and why I seemed to waste so much time waiting for calls from men who never called me back. I hated the helpless feeling of waiting for something to happen. When did I become such a wimp? Enough of this already, I had to do something.
Family comes first, I decided.
I checked on my sleeping niece. I curled around her, burying my face into her warm hair. I couldn’t lose her, but I didn’t want to lose my brother, either. If Lance didn’t have a decent explanation about what he was up to, I’d threaten to tell Violet about House of Cards. If he wanted to keep Mina in his life, he’d better straighten up.
And come hell or high water, I’d get hold of that elusive mage tomorrow, even if I had to pull an all-day stake-out. No more nice girl. Time for Mattie Blackman to kick a little butt.