Page 284 of Mayhem and Minnie

The floor creaks again.

We both turn to look at the staircase. But just as we head back to the foyer, a voice speaks from behind us.

“Welcome.”

Turning, we come face to face with a middle-aged lady—based on looks alone, since her age would put her in the old category. There are very few lines on her face, and the only indication that she’s past her youth is the gray hair she keeps tightly in a bun at the back of her head.

She’s wearing a long cream dress belted at the waist. She’s a little taller than Minnie, but she’s still a small lady.

“Hello. We are?—”

“I know who you are,” she interrupts me.

“You…do?” Minnie blinks.

Katrina smiles.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

“What? How?” I ask.

“Come with me. Let us have some tea and we’ll talk.”

“We don’t really have the time to linger, I’m afraid,” I add politely.

She waves her hand.

“The house has wards. No one will find you here.”

Both Minnie and I share a look.

“Let’s go,” Minnie whispers.

Katrina winks at her. “Good choice.”

She leads us to the back of the house, into a spacious kitchen with a long, wooden table in the middle.

“Take a seat, please,” she mentions.

We do, and that’s when I notice that the water is already on the stove, boiling. Katrina busies herself around the kitchen, placing three tea cups on the table, milk, and sugar. She pours tea in each of our cups before taking a seat.

“You must be Marlowe.” She nods to me. “And you Minerva.”

“Do you have the sight?” Minnie suddenly asks.

When she sees my confused expression, she explains, “The ability to see the future.”

“No.” Katrina smiles. “Unfortunately, I don’t have that gift. My great-grandmother did, though. She was one of the most accurate seers to ever walk this earth.”

“Is that how you know who we are?” Minnie probes.

“No. I never met my great-grandmother, though I’m told she was a fine lady.”

“Then how?” Minnie frowns.

“Please, drink your tea. I’ll be right back.” She rises from her seat and leaves the room.

I take a sip.

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