Page 86 of Made

“So, Rhiannon has a dragon and a unicorn working as her private security?”

“Yep. Nothing’s too much for my granddaughter.”

He laughed softly. “Couldn’t agree more.”

“And that’s another thing. Maeve keeps calling the baby’s welcome party the event of the century. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know Esme wouldn’t want to miss it.”

“We’ll do our best to see that she’s there with bells on.”

“Do your best to see thatyou’rethere. This experience is proving to be mother of invention. Once I get you back home, I’m planning to outfit you with a big bell. So, I always know where you are.”

“More cowbell?” he joked.

“Exactly.”

“You always know where I am now.”

“Well…” I knew what Keir needed from me most right then was to keep talking about everyday things like we were sitting on the porch or having tea in the kitchen. “I’ve narrowed down the cases I’m hearing for Yule Court. Of course, if the enforcer isn’t here, there’ll be no court.”

“I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it.”

I opened my mouth to continue, but my throat closed. No sound would come out, but the same couldn’t be said about big liquid drops falling from my tear ducts. I couldn’t get it under control.

Keir sensed my problem and took over for me. “Did you get The Hallows’ window repaired?”

I managed to force out an, “Uh-huh.”

“What did you decide to put there for the holidays? In the absence of the, ah, unicorn. Assuming he’s refusing to come back.”

I smiled in spite of myself and took two deep breaths. “The glass is fixed. Maggie said it costs a leprechaun’s fortune, but didn’t say how much that was. She put some other stuff in the window, then threw ribbons and greenery at it. Holidaydécor isn’t really her thing. It’ll have to do. I have other things on my mind.”

“Like what?”

“You are a funny sephalian. You know that?”

“Yes. It’s what all the girls say.”

“They better not.”

His chuckle told me that was the reaction he’d hoped for.

“Have you had a chance to speak to Esme?” Nothing. “Keir?” Nothing. “Keir? Are you there?” With no chance to say goodbye, he’d been snatched back and would be out of touch until such time as we’d either resume our lives. Or we wouldn’t.

Without even thinking about what I was doing, I found that I’d wandered to Keir’s den and stood in the doorway holding the phone that connected me to no one. I desperately hoped that the next thing I’d hear about would be Esme’s lineup of judges. I didn’t know if she’d pick me, but I’d stay dressed and ready to serve. After all, I do have verifiable experience.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Cerberus

Even magical creatures can get dizzy when they find themselves transported to a different locale without warning. Kagan, Keir, and Killian reflexively stretched out their hands for balance when they found themselves back in Araxinthe’s “library” without warning. Each stood still long enough for the dizziness to pass.

That period of adjustment was somewhat less for Keir and Kagan since they hadn’t spent their hour with Macallan.

“I assume your errand was successful and you’re ready to go?” Araxinthe directed her question to Kagan.

“Aye,” was all he said.

“Very well. Shall I repeat the terms of the challenge?”

“Allow me,” Kagan said. “Please correct me if I leave out somethin’ important or get somethin’ wrong. I need to travel to the Land of the Unworthy Dead on the Styx barge. Once I step off the barge, I’ll be good as dead. I cannot shift into my winged lion form while there. You’ll be keeping tabs so that, when I come back to the river, you’ll revive us and return us here.” He glanced at his brothers before adding, “Good as new.”