Page 125 of Made

“Sit. Sit,” I instructed. “I’ll hear from the plaintiff first.” I turned toward the other table. “Maxfield Pteron.” He stood. “Are your clients running late or not coming?”

He looked confused which, in turn, confused me. “Ah,” he began. “The Mistletoe Spirits Union has sent three members to represent their interests, Your Honor.”

As if to punctuate his point, he turned to his right. There was nothing there.

It would be very unlike Max to indulge in a prank regarding invisible clients. And gaslighting was absolutely out of the question. That led me to the conclusion that I was odd woman out.

I held up a finger, signaling to Max that I needed a quick staff convo.

Leaning toward Lochlan, I held my hand in front of my mouth and whispered. “Do you see anyone with Max?”

My clerk, neighbor, and favorite walking buddy cleared his throat before saying. “Why, yes, Magistrate. I do.”

“I don’t see a thing.”

“Oh.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Well…”

“Is it important that I see them? Because honestly, I hate having to admit what hundreds of attendees will see as a weakness.”

“I’ll take care of it. If you could take a ten-minute break?”

“Please sit, Counselor Pteron,” I said. “Hengest!”

“Yes, Magistrate.” He hurried over.

“We’re taking a ten-minute break.”

“Yes, Magistrate,” he said before making the announcement.

Lochlan stayed back on the way to chambers to say something to Hengest. I didn’t have to wait long to find out what was said. He arrived a scant minute after Keir and me.

“So, why are we breaking?” Upon hearing that come out of my mouth, I decided to restate. “I mean, why are we taking another break?”

“Evie is in the house. Hengest has sent someone to fetch her.”

“Why?”

“I believe she can make the Mistletoe Spirits visible to you and, because of the relationship you enjoy with the queen, she’ll not tell others.”

“And that’s why you get the big bucks, Clerk?”

“I beg your pardon?” It was Lochlan’s turn to look confused. Sometimes my American casualness left him not knowing how to respond to me. Sometimes my sense of humor missed the target. Regardless of which, my quip hadn’t landed as intended.

“Never mind,” I said. “Thank you.”

One of Hengest’s guards opened the door, and Evie came breezing into the sitting room looking trim and radiant. “What’s up?” she asked.

“How is Rhiannon?”

“Unbelievably spoiled and surrounded by animals each of whom think they have a priority claim on her.”

I chuckled. “For some reason that delights me. But I shouldn’t keep everyone waiting while I get an update.”

“True,” she said.