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“Oh no,” Max whispered with a quiet laugh, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m going back to bed.” He lumbered for the entrance hall, mouth stretching open with a wide yawn.

Darien knew exactly what conclusion Max had drawn. He leaned forward on the couch, being careful not to touch his wounds, and called to Mortifer, “Stay away from those, buddy. I can’t have you obsessing over them like you do your ice chips, alright? They’re expensive.”

Mortifer ignored him and continued to inspect the coins, likely counting how many were in there. Silver jangled softly as Mortifer’s tiny fingers sifted through the pieces.

As Max passed the table, he glanced at the Hob and then back at Darien, mouth twitching with humor. “Night, everyone,” he called.

“Morty,” Darien warned, the nickname mingling with the others’ responses to Max. The Hob turned to look at him. “I said that’s enough.”

Without warning, the Hob melted into the table and disappeared in a puff of smoke, the black cloud sparkling faintly with all colors of the rainbow, like gemstones under light.

Darien sighed, shaking his head.

Bandit’s eyes flashed open. If you’d like me to take a chunk out of him, I’d be happy to oblige. He licked his chops, nose twitching as he sniffed at the air. Darien wondered where the Hob went whenever he vanished like that. He had caught Mortifer in the fireplaces a few times, as if he often found something more fascinating than ash and wood inside them.

I’d rather you didn’t, Darien replied. But I appreciate the offer.

Bandit flopped onto his side and stretched out his paws, toes spreading wide. Suit yourself, Mr. Sarcasm.

Loren was watching Darien with curiosity. “What’s he saying?”

“He wants to take a chunk out of Mortifer.”

“Bad Bandit,” Loren reprimanded in a quiet voice, her softly waving hair swaying as she turned to look at the Familiar.

Bandit opened one eye. Can you please tell her I’m not like regular dogs? I don’t like simple words like bad dog or roll over.

I will tell her no such thing, you bad dog.

Bandit squinted his eyes. You’re insufferable.

I get it from you.

“What’s he saying?” Loren asked.

Darien gave her a soft smile. “He says he loves you.”

Bandit glared. Liar.

Loren beamed at the dog. “I love you too, Bandit.”

Bandit rolled his eyes.

Watch that attitude, Darien warned, or I’ll take that rubber chicken away.

Bandit bristled. Take the chicken, I riot.

We’ll see about that.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” Loren said. She reached into the pocket of her pajama shorts and took out an Avertera talisman. “Can someone give this to Dominic when he wakes up?”

“I will,” Ivy said. “I’m usually up before everyone else anyway.” Ivy went for a jog every morning with Soot before the sun came up.

Darien asked Loren, “Is that for Blue?”

She nodded.

A smile fluttered across his lips. She was so incredibly selfless. “I’ll get you more.” He eyed the one she was wearing; there was a dusting of gold on her skin. Another couple weeks, if they were even that lucky, and the magic would probably be spent.