Page 19

“Many homes were damaged and don’t have power or water.” He stood. “Meredith got back a few hours ago, and she’ll be heading out again this afternoon. Can you please keep an eye on Linda?”

Noah opened his mouth. His toast popped and Linda walked into the kitchen dressed in jeans, a shirt, and her favorite pink runners, as if she’d be working at the pub after being forced to take yesterday off.

“I don’t need to be supervised, David,” she said.

“It’s dangerous out there.” David put his cup in the dishwasher. “And you’re supposed to stay home unless your business is essential.”

“I’m seventy-two. Everything is dangerous. I might fart and throw my back out.”

Noah smothered a laugh and busied himself buttering his toast.

“Linda…” David sighed and sounded as though he was aware he’d already lost the argument.

“David. There are dragons, and I want to bloody see them. Besides, the pub is a community hub, and I need to report the damage to the city. Someone will want to check out the fairy castle.”

David groaned. “Please. There are monsters and?—”

“Exactly! Besides. Noah and I need to collect the car and bring it home.”

The toast in Noah’s mouth turned to glue. Why was he being roped into this adventure? He didn’t want to see dragons. They’d probably eat him while Nan made friends with them.

“There’s a fairy castle attached to it,” David said, as though that were a reason to stay home. “Leave it to the authorities.”

Linda grinned. “It’s my pub. There’s a lot of food in the fridges that will go off if left. I can donate it.”

She seemed far more enthusiastic about thiscollapsethan Noah or David.

David pressed his lips together and shook his head. “This is…unprecedented.”

“I watch the news, David. There are riots and fighting and fires and looting…it has brought out the worst of humanity. Why should I fear mythological beings? Because they have claws?”

“Because we don’t know anything about them.” David exhaled. “Just don’t do anything risky…riskier. Don’t get Noah killed.”

“I won’t. I’d never hear the end of it…how is your mother, Noah?”

David and Linda looked at him. He took a sip of coffee. “The pool didn’t make it.” That was his mother’s biggest concern, apparently. “And she’d like me to come home.”

“I think you’re stuck here for a bit, son.” David gave him a sad smile. “All flights are grounded.”

Noah hid his grin behind the cup. He didn’t want to act too happy about being stuck.

Linda pulled out a cup. “There’s been several incidents at sea. Talk of mermaids. No one is going anywhere…including the mythologicals. That’s what they are calling them.”

Noah nodded. “That’s nicer than monsters.”

“More correct, too,” Linda said.

David glanced at his watch. “I need to go…please be careful. Cracks are still widening and closing, and buildings are unstable. It may not be safe to go into the pub.” David gave Noah a pointed look as if he had the power to stop Nan from doing anything. “Call me if you have any problems. And if you can’t bring the car back?—”

“We’ll be fine, David.” Linda waved him away.

The front door closed, and Linda turned to him. “He worries too much.”

David had a point; it was dangerous out there. They had no idea who was in the castle or if they’d be eaten on the way to the pub. This was less of an adventure and more like the start of a B-grade movie where he’d be telling the unlucky hero not to go as it was going to end badly. But if he refused, Nan would go without him and that would be worse, as she’d be on her own and David and Meredith would worry about her.

“I also need to check on some of my friends. How are yours? Do they have water?”

“I don’t know.” He hadn’t asked, and they hadn’t said. They’d been too busy talking about the mythological sightings and discussing what they knew about those creatures. Which was not a lot.