Page 36 of Medium

She gasped at Ms. Jackson, who was still in their tiger form but was also now sporting a crown of flowers on their head.

Rory said quietly, “Hey, how do you feel?”

Pia didn’t respond but walked over and threw her arms around him. He hugged her close. Manny watched them, his hands over his mouth.

Pia finally let go, and Ms. Jackson was there next to her, waiting for their own hug. Pia didn’t hesitate, just leaned into their huge body.

When she stood up again, Rory said, “Hey, Pia, I want you to meet my friend Manny. I’ve known him since I was a teenager, and he used to take care of Shane’s grandmother before she passed away. He’s never met a dryad before.”

Manny waved. “Hey, Pia. I like your outfit. Shane’s granny would get a kick out of you wearing it.”

She gave him a small smile and a little wave.

Shane asked, “Are you hungry or thirsty? I’m sorry I’m not up on dryad nutrition.”

Pia shrugged, but Rory said, “She needs water, and she likes eggs and bacon if there are any left.”

My scalp prickled. Rory would only know that if someone had told him. And Pia’s mother was dead.

Shane smiled. “Sure. Come on into the house and we’ll get you set up. You want to take a shower?”

Pia’s eyes went wide. “No!” She glanced toward the apple tree like she was going to jump back inside.

Oh, fuck. I did not want to know what the poor kid had gone through. Shane and I simultaneously held our hands up and stepped back from her.

Rory did the same, but Ms. Jackson rubbed their head against Pia’s shoulder and made a weird grumbling sound. Pia gripped their fur with one hand.

Manny said cheerfully, “Showers are overrated. But, gurrl, you need a hairbrush bad. And Rory needs to change his clothes. It looks like he slept in them.”

Pia stared at Manny, wide-eyed, but allowed him to catch her free hand in his. He said, “Shane, you got a spare hairbrush?”

“Sure. Granny’s stuff is in the dresser in the guest bedroom. Top drawer.”

“Sweet. Pia, Shane’s granny had a hairbrush made out of silver. It’s really cool. Ms. Jackson, do you like to be brushed?”

Ms. Jackson made an inquiring noise, and Manny gave an exaggerated gasp. “You’ve never been brushed? Pia, come on, we’ve got to show Ms. Jackson how it’s done.” He marched off toward the house, Pia walking next to him with Ms. Jackson on her other side.

Rory and Shane and I exchanged glances. I pulled out my phone. “I texted Greg and Cal about Pia. They want to talk to us.” I told Rory. “Greg is the District Monitor for Central Texas, and Cal is his partner and also a Seer.”

Shane started walking to the house, so Rory and I followed him.

Rory said, “A Seer? Like a psychic?”

I nodded. “He only found out about all this a month or so ago, so I thought he’d be a good person for you to know.” For some reason I felt compelled to add, “He and Greg are bonded.”

Shane said in a biting tone, “You already told him they were partners.” He didn’t turn around, just kept walking.

I shrugged at Rory, though I wasn’t sure exactly what I was trying to convey.

When we got inside, Rory helped me and Shane clear the dishes from the table. There was some bacon left over, but Shane decided to hold off on making the eggs until Pia was ready to eat. We refreshed our coffee and sat at the table to wait.

I wanted to ask Rory about the ghosts, but as soon as we sat down, I realized we could clearly hear Manny talking to Pia in the guest bedroom.

He was saying, “I guess twigs in your hair are a hazard of being a dryad, but tigers don’t have the same excuse.” Pia gave a little giggle.

I looked, but the bedroom door was pulled almost shut.

Shane frowned. “The acoustics in here don’t usually work like that,” he whispered.