Page 84 of Medium

“Hah! I can touch this one!”

I rubbed my shoulder and regretted choosing the middle seat. Ms. Jackson was probably keeping the cops away, so I could unbuckle my seat belt and move to the seat next to the window.

“Grandfather, stop that. Tell us about the auction.”

He crossed his arms. “No. Not until one of you tells me why you were stopped on the highway.”

I rubbed my forehead. “It was for me. I got stressed out and the connections made it hard to breathe.”

Carlyle patted my leg. Again, it felt like a live person, though much colder. “I know just what you need. Be right back.” He disappeared.

“Uh, is he always like that?”

Rory huffed out an exasperated sound. “Yes.”

And then Carlyle was back. But he wasn’t alone. He’d reappeared on my left, where he’d sat before. But now on my right was a woman I’d know anywhere. My mouth hung open, and I couldn’t speak.

Granny patted my cheek. “Shane, my boy, it’s so good to be able to touch you again.” Then she slapped me not-so-gently on the same cheek. “What’s this about you holding too many connections? When are you planning to bond to those hunka-hunkas of yours? You’ve got two of them now—plenty of magic to handle those connections.”

“Granny?” I wrapped her in a hug—a very chilly hug—and blinked back tears. “I can’t believe you’re really here.”

She made a scoffing noise. “Where else did you think I’d be? You think I’d leave you to live on your own? It’s a miracle you haven’t starved to death or burned down the house by now.”

“Hey,” Rory called from the front seat. “Sorry to interrupt, but we really need to know about the auction.”

I sat back in my seat but kept an arm around Granny.

She patted my leg. “Blondie’s right. We can catch up later.Now we need to make a plan to take down that Randolph guy.”

Grandfather harumphed. “And my fuckhead son.”

Ellis turned around in his seat. “Maybe the planning part should wait until we can talk to my brother. He’s trained in that sort of thing. But what do you know?”

Granny rolled her eyes. “What, they don’t have speakerphones where you’re from?”

“Granny! Pia’s in that car. I’m not sure she should hear about this.”

She blew a ghostly raspberry. “That kid’s got more balls than you do. She’ll be the better for helping take that asshole down.”

Rory held up a hand. “Dimi might have a point. Why don’t we ask Pia if it’ll make her uncomfortable to listen to us talk about Randolph? I’m sure Ms. Jackson will keep an eye on her.”

We all agreed. Since Rory’s phone was paired with the car, Ellis picked it up, entered Arch’s number, and dialed.

“Go for Arch.”

Ellis glanced at Rory, who gestured for him to talk. “Hey, it’s Ellis and... everyone. Um, we have news, but Pia? Are you okay hearing us talk about Randolph Chamberlain?”

“Yeah, I can handle it.” Her voice was clear and firm.

“Great. Uh, Rory’s grandfather is here, and he says Randolph Chamberlain and Hugo Blackbourne will be attending an auction on Friday night. A Wonder auction.”

Ms. Jackson—or someone at least—made a growling noise.

“Fuck—er, fudge. That’s... soon.” Arch paused then said, “What exactly do we know?”

“Hey, it’s Rory. I’m pretty sure you can talk to my grandfather directly now. So this is Carlyle Blackbourne.”

Carlyle puffed up importantly. “Yes, this is he. You may call me Carlyle.”