Page 54 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part Two

“Tell us everything,” I said to Sigrid.

“Your fraigs are geniuses,” she told Lochlan. “For a first time, well, I just can’t offer enough praise.”

“Where had Loki taken Vuk and John David?”

“He’d left them near the border of the Belarus Queen’s territory near the Carpathian Mountains.”

Lochlan actually bent over at the waist laughing.

I looked at Sigrid. “Belarus Queen? I didn’t know there was a Belarus Queen.”

“That’s because she’s not part of your jurisdiction.”

“Oh.” Of course, I wasn’t magistrate of the world. I knew that.Duh.“So why do you think Loki left them there?”

Lochlan piped up, wiping his eyes. “I can answer that. Because there are no people in the world who hate vampires and werewolves like the people who live on and around the Carpathian Mountains. I’ll bet they were given a fine chase before Sigrid and my fraighounds came to rescue them.”

Sigrid laughed along with Lochlan for a few seconds. “They were very grateful.”

“What would’ve happened if you hadn’t done your version of life flight rescue?” Sigrid made an I-don’t-know face while shrugging as if to say she really didn’t care what would’ve happened. “And you left them in the Outer Hebrides?”

She nodded. “On the tiniest island I could find.” Lochlan began laughing again. Sigrid remained stoically serious until shesaid, “It will be a while before a boat comes.” At that she couldn’t hold it in any longer and leaned against Lochlan laughing.

I didn’t bother to admonish them because, after all, who could blame them? The vampire and the werewolf both needed a time out to think about their behavior. Maybe they’d become friends and focus on annoying each other.

“Sigrid, my dear,” Lochlan said. “Might you have time for tea at my house just across the way. I’d very much like to hear your opinion on my dogs’ capabilities. I’m afraid I’ve been sorely underestimating them, and their happiness is top priority.”

Sigrid beamed. I was sure there’s nothing she’d rather do than discuss fraighounds with a fellow enthusiast.

As they started away, I caught Lochlan’s sleeve. “Just a sec.”

“Yes?” He stopped.

“Sigrid, might I have Lochlan for just a moment? Court business.”

“Certainly, Magistrate.” She started away around the side of my house toward the lane accompanied by all four fraighounds. She was talking to them as she walked, and they were responding by good-naturedly competing for who the two spots nearest her.