Page 8 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One

I did as he said, forming a kind of receiving line of one, and it turned out to be the best part of the night. I’d never had so many people wish me a happy birthday and, since it was the first time any of them had participated in the “ritual”, they seemed to genuinely enjoy saying it.

On the walk back to our house, I told Keir about my conversation with Lochlan.

“Knew something was off,” he said. I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off. “No. I think only Lochlan and I noticed. Even Evie was having too much fun feeding Diarmuid the bloody cake.”

“Bloodycake? You didn’t like it?”

“I liked it alright.”

“Then why did you call it bloody cake?”

“Because that’s what color it is. What doyoucall it?”

“Red velvet.”

“Oh. That works as well, I imagine.”

“I think better because there’s no confusion.”

“Hmm.”

The front door of my cottage opened to greet us when we stepped on the front porch. I supposed I would never get used to that. I’d never had a problem with grocery store doors opening by magic, but that was because deep down I knew it wasn’t magic.

Once inside, I headed toward the voices I heard coming from the back.

“Did you break into my house?” I demanded. “My house is not supposed to let you in.”

Diarmuid smiled. “Houses do no’ say no to the king. Especially no’ the ones sprung to bein’ by me mum.”

I sighed. “I don’t know that I’m down with that loophole. I’d like some tea, too.”

“Tea? You sure?” Evie asked. “I can make coffee. I could even make you a grande decaf Americano with an inch of steamed almond milk and put it in a Starbucks cup with a lid, a stopper, and a happy birthday sleeve.”

“I don’t know how I could say no to that.”

She chuckled. “It’s still your b-day.”

I turned around to drape my Esme magic shawl over a chair and, when I turned back, Evie was holding out a Starbucks cup for me to take. True to her word, it was complete with stopper and sleeve. I took a sip and almost swooned with pleasure.

“There are marvelous benefits to having a kid who’s a fae queen,” I said.

Evie turned to Keir. “Want one?”

“I don’t know how I could say no after witnessing Rita’s reaction. I must share the experience at least once.”

Evie smiled. “You’d better manage expectations. Starbucks orders are highly personalized.”

The doorbell began playing strains off, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”.

“I’ll get it,” Keir said.

I sat down with my liquid treasure on the table in front of me and told the fireplace to give us some small cheerful flames for ambiance.

Keir returned in seconds with Lochlan and no Ivy.

“I hope it was understood that Ivy was welcome to come along,” I said.

“Yes. Thank you. She’s knackered. That much flitting about takes a toll, especially if she’s leaving trails of dust.”