Page 50 of Home to the Hollow

“Haggerty, I’m going to wring your fucking neck,” he groans, shaking his head and running a hand through his hair. Before I can reply, he whistles loudly and his two giant beast dogs come flying out of the building like the hounds they are. “Leave Jolene alone and shut your mouth about her bedmates. She can have whatever she wants, and it’s none of your goddamn business.”

“Mmmmm. Methinks the uncatchable Judge Boone has met his match,” I say, grinning. “And she must be averyspecial supe indeed to convince one ofyourkind to accept this situation. Color me intrigued.”

Sighing, he shakes his head. “I mean it, Doyle. She doesn’tknow. Not any of it—even what she is. Hell, the snakes don’t know. So leave it alone until we figure out why a lost one came back without being awakened first.”

“Mate, I’m known for my... discretion. I won’t let it slip, but I’m hurt that no one’s asked me to unlock the secrets. It’s one of my fundamental skills, as you well know,” I wink at saucily, and he rolls his eyes at me. Taunting Edgar Olivier Boone III has been a substantial source of amusement for me since I arrived, and I doubt that will ever change. The git has a sense of humor, but he acts like he has a great stick shoved up his arse all the time.

“We could have had Prez work his mojo as well, but the Council says the directive is to allow things to progress naturally. They have their hands full with several lost ones emerging across the globe, and they’re more focused on the ones they don’t have eyes on. Tilly is among our kind, and they’ve even sent her a Guardian. Speaking of which…” He looks at his Apple watch and runs a hand through his hair in aggravation. “I have to meet her and Cantwell at a site. We’ve been ordered to get her and an incoming team of Guardians settled in very short order.”

My eyes flash as I process that information. An individual Guardiananda team? What do the snakes think she’s capable of? Boone is texting something, and I let my power slip to see if I can get a better read on him. It’s easier for me to get into another member’s mind if I do it when they aren’t paying attention. He ignores me in favor of his phone, and a smile curls my lips. This is my opening.

~This woman pisses me off. The Council put me in charge of her accommodations, and I don't know why. I’m not a real estate agent; I’m a bookie and a judge. Cantwell runs a horse farm. Why the fuck are we the contacts and why the hell is there another team coming? Who are these special Guardians? Why is Saoirse hiding their identity? I won’t let them hurt my drugar—even if it means losing my spot. The docs will agree. I need to talk to them after my meeting at the site. Yes, that’s the plan. After I get rid of this annoying flea, I’ll contact them. ~

Huh. A flea, am I? His Honor just earned himself about a thousand hours of juvenile delinquent pranks gone wrong, I think. Maybe I’ll even tap his beloved football idiots. That should teach him some respect.

I shake my head, considering the other information I pilfered while he worried about someone sending him messages via electronics. He’s worried that our local or global leaders have plans for the lovely Miss Whitley that are less than earnest. And that word he used... I’ve been around long enough to pick up a few languages and I know what he means. I wonder if the others know? Hell, I wonder ifsheknows. I doubt, given the speech the surly jock gave me moments ago.

Another interesting development. I love secrets.

“Boone, if you’re done ranting at me, I have things to do. You know where to find me if you’d like your ass handed to you again.” I give him a little wave as I saunter up the street towards the city building. His glare burns into my back and I laugh to myself, satisfied with the chaos I may have sown by taunting him. Alpha supes like Edgar are delightful to toy with—the dumber ones are easy to manipulate and the smart ones present just enough of a challenge to make this backwater town less grating.

When I reach the stairs, the giant eagle gives me a dirty look, using its sharp predator gaze to let me know it doesn’t like me. That’s too bad, but I suspect it's fond of Dr. Birdman and the little vet. Companion animals are attuned to their supes, so much so that many learn to summon them without words or sound. I’ve never had one choose me and it’s always puzzled me. I figured it’s because of my father’s influence. Deceit isn’t an emotion companions prefer to spread, I suppose.

“Doyle!”

I look up the stairs, arching a brow as our illustrious Mayor and her menacing lion approach. This is unexpected—Nelia works late into the evening. Tilting my head, I give her my most charming smile. “Afternoon, ‘Nelia. What can I do for you on this balmy day?”

Her eye roll makes me grin wider, and Zareb shakes his mane. “Doyle Aloysius Haggerty. Do not use your... skills... on me, young man. There is an urgent meeting in the city that I must attend. I need you to lock up the office after Jolene leaves the archives. I sent Aldous and the others home before I left, but she’s busy researching. Parents’ Night is tonight, so she shouldn’t be much longer. Just amuse yourself until she leaves, please.”

Ah! What a fabulous opportunity to right our poor introduction last week. I’ll head up and poke my head to say he?—

“Donotdisturb her, Doyle. Miss Whitley has much to learn about our town now that she’s home, and I wouldn’t want anyone to prevent her from grasping our history.”

If those instructions were from anyone in Whistler’s Hollow other than Mayor Cornelia Sykes, I would ignore them. However, even without Zareb, I know I don’t want to cross her. So I nod. “Yes, ma’am. I understand the situation.”

“Good. I’ll be gone for a few days, and when I return, I hope to find Jolene settled in at school and her studio. We have made our guest welcome and I expect that Judge Boone and Mr. Cantwell will have achieved their tasks. I will appreciate anything you can do to speed that process along. I will make sure the Council informs your family.”

The statuesque woman and the surly lion head for the parking lot, striding as though they own this place. They don’t, but they hold the highest seats of power available here, and even I know I have to respect their wishes. Unfortunately, that means I have to assist that dickwaffle Boone and whatever cronies he’s gathered for his project.

Fuck me raw, I hate small towns.

Mean Girls

“We have to hurry!” I mutter to Jekyll and Hyde. They’re prancing around the backyard as they chase Euryale. I know they’ll get upset if I have to leave them, but I got home from my deep dive into town history later and it was dirtier than I expected. Neither Seer nor the boys were home yet, so I sent the animals outside with dinner while I hopped in the shower.

I picked out a decent outfit on my own—which is a miracle precipitated by Seer filling my closet—and apply a little makeup to appease the society mavens in town. I tossed my hair into a messy bun with loose curls because I’m hopeless with fancy hair shit and donned my favorite combos. If I have to wear a frilly dress, I’m at least going to come home able to feel my feet.

“Mrrp?” Hyde says, wandering up with wide eyes.

Of course, she’s the first one to respond. She’s the best behaved out of the three, and if I’d ever wondered if I have the patience for children, two guys and three pets tell me that’s not the path for me. “Jekyll! Eury! I’m headed to the car and if you don’t move your asses, I’m leaving you!”

Turning on my heel, I walk through the kitchen, picking up my messenger bag and a water bottle. My evening meds are in the front pocket, so I should be able to sneak them in after the first wave of parents. I can’t forget; I learned a long time ago that my health quirks get worse when I do.

After an embarrassing incident in Prague, Seer programmed reminders in my phone that ping both it and the fancy Apple watch she bought me for Christmas last year. It helps if I’m at events like this where I get distracted by interacting with large groups of people and lose all track of space and time. As much as I enjoy being at home and comfy, I always feel refreshed and rejuvenated when I get home from a big party or outing.

I’m a study in contradictions, and no one has ever explained all the odd facets of my behavior.

As I open the door of the Impala, Jekyll and my winged guard zip up, and I grin. “Didn’t want to be left to wait for the boys, eh?”

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