“I’m going to have to go out again,” said Katrina the next morning.
“Oh?” said Simon, yawning and scratching his chin.
Katrina looked at the sleeping children. “We’ve got to get those kids some decent clothes. And shoes, for that matter.”
Simon nodded.
“Give me some money.”
Simon blinked. “Why?”
Katrina gave him a look. “Because I spent all my cash yesterday. And if someone is looking for these kids, I don’t want to use my credit card.”
Simon pulled his wallet off the coffee table. “Well, we are getting married. I suppose I should get used to you asking me for money.”
“Wise ass college boy,” said Katrina, tucking the bills into her pocket.
“How long will you be?” said Simon.
“Not more than a couple of hours, I hope.” Katrina walked to the door and began doing some stretches. “I just want to get in and out of the store. I also have to stop by my apartment. I left my mom a message on the machine, but she sometimes forgets to check it.” She leaned against the doorframe and lifted her left leg past her head.
“That looks painful.”
Katrina smirked and rolled her shoulders. “You weren’t complaining when I did it yesterday afternoon.”
Despite himself, Simon blushed. “Hurry back.”
“I will.” Katrina scooped up her purse. “When do you think this Conmager will show up?”
“I don’t know.”
Katrina pulled out her car keys. “Do you have a way of contacting him?”
“No,” said Simon. “But he’ll show up.” He shrugged. “I’m…just sure of it.”
“Great. So we’re running on intuition. I’ll be back soon.” Katrina opened the living room door.
“Be careful,” said Simon.
Katrina turned, a sarcastic look on her face. She looked at the children and fell silent in mid-sentence. “Yeah. You too.” She turned and left.
Simon blew out a long sigh and watched as Katrina’s car drove away. Katrina could take care of herself. She could likely take batter care of herself than he could. But what if the winged things were about? What if one of the creatures, with its burning eyes and iron-clawed hands, found Katrina?
The thought of losing Katrina sent a wave of utter dread through him. He could no longer imagine life without her. He wanted to live with her, and talk with her, and sleep with her, for the rest of his life. He paced away from the window and froze.
Ally sat up on the couch, watching him with her deep eyes.
Simon grunted and sat in Maura’s chair. “How long have you been up?”
“Not long,” said Ally. She titled her head. “Do you have more food? More…pizza?”
“Are you hungry?” said Simon.
“Not really. But Lithon will be, when he wakes up. Where’s Katrina?”
“She went to get some clothes and shoes for you two,” said Simon.
“I’ve never worn shoes before,” said Ally.
“Well…it’ll be a first, then,” said Simon.
They lapsed into silence. Ally stared at him and through him. Simon could not understand how the gaze of a little girl made him feel so discomforted.
“What will you do with us?” said Ally.
“Do?” Simon shrugged. “We haven’t figured it out yet. There…are bad things after you, aren’t there?”
Ally nodded.
Simon frowned. “Do you know why?”
Ally shook her head. “Lithon is important, I guess.”
“Did…ah, did Sir Liam say what he was going to do once you got to Earth?” said Simon.
Ally shook her head. “No.” She stared off into space. “I don’t think he knew himself.”
“I have a…friend, you could say, I guess,” said Simon. “He knew you were coming.” Or did he? Conmager had said that two men and a child would appear. He had said nothing about Ally. “He’ll come soon. I hope he’ll know what to do.”
Ally got to her feet. “I have to use your white latrine.”
“Okay,” said Simon. “Do you want me to get you some fruit? A banana, or maybe an apple?”
Ally froze. “An…apple?” She smiled, and her face lost its solemn look. “I had an apple once…I think. I might have. I can’t really remember. I think I liked it. But I would like an apple.”
Simon smiled. “Okay. I’ll get one.” Ally went out the living room door and up the stairs. Simon went to the kitchen got three apples, one for himself, one for Ally, and another one for her, in case she was still hungry.
He returned to the dining room and saw Ally standing before the living room door, her head titled to the side. Her eyes were fixed on nothing. “What is it?”
Ally looked at him. “Someone’s here.”
He handed her the apples, hurried to the front door, and peeked outside.
A red van pulled into the driveway. An odd resignation settled on Simon. He found himself thinking of the ancient Greeks and their three Fates. Was this his fate?
Simon pushed aside the thought and opened the front door.
Conmager strode up the front walk. He wore a well-tailored dark suit and a long overcoat. In his left hand he carried a long staff of dark wood, each end capped with polished black metal. Its metal-shod butt clicked against the pavement with every step.
Simon crossed his arms. “I’ve been expecting you.”
Conmager nodded. He looked healthier, but his face remained gaunt and haunted. “I know. They came through the door in your woods, did they not?”
“They did,” said Simon.
Conmager’s lip twitched in a half-smile. “I am not surprised. I thought they would. It is fate, I think, or the will of a higher power.” Simon shivered. “I was fated to meet you, and they were fated to come through the door in your woods.”
“That’s hardly reassuring,” said Simon.
“Not to you, perhaps. But it sustains me, with so much against us.” Conmager’s eyes flashed. “I must see them at once.”
Simon nodded. “Fine. But you seem worried.”
Conmager’s staff clicked against the wooden steps. “Things have not gone as I have hoped, Simon Wester. We are all in very great danger.”