“It was just something my grandma said.” I contemplate my experience from a few minutes ago. “And some girl I probably shouldn’t listen to.” I add. Half-lie, not wanting to cause Luna more pain than she has already suffered. Besides, what if my suspicions are off base and I am totally wrong?
The toothy girl’s words play in my mind. “…under the light of the moon… the witching hour of the death king.” I’ll check it out for myself tonight, and if I’m not wrong and Luna’s dad isn’t dead, I’ll come clean.
“Luna?” Mrs. Flores’ voice chimes. Luna glances back and tosses a wave.
“I have to go. Funeral day and all.” She frowns. Leans deeper into the post. “I wish you could come, but after what happened, I don’t think it would be a good idea.”
“I get that.” I, too, lean deeper into the post, matching her stance.
“Can I see you later?” she asks, and the hint of Listerine washes over me. “I can try to get away this evening, and we can meet somewhere. Like the diner from our first meeting.”
“Not the diner,” I say and glance past her to her awaiting family. They are standing at the corner, waiting to cross the street. I bite my lip. Think about the problems at home. “I need to attend to my mom. I don’t know what my schedule will end up being.” My gaze blurs.
Her hand drops over mine, and my attention focuses on her.
“I’ll try to stop by later.” Her eyes widen, causing me to smile. “I won’t come in,” I assure. “I’ll leave you some sort of message or code, and you can come outside.”
Her eyes tighten, then bounce wide. “I’ve got it. Lipstick on the window in the dining area. A small x or circle. Something like that.”
“Okay, good. That will be our code. If you see a lipstick something or other on your window later…” I shake my head. “It means I’m hanging around outside waiting for you.”
“Got it.” She squeezes my hand.
“Luna!” Mrs. Flores’ voice strikes through the air like a lead pipe.
“Coming,” Luna calls. “See you later,” she whispers to me, then turns and jogs to her family.
I remain behind the utility post, watching until the family is out of sight.
When I’m certain they can’t look back and see me, I unlock my bike and head for home. There are things I need to do, and things I need to know. Clearly, Grandma won’t be much, if any, help. Not if this morning is any indication. But Miri… Miri knows the toothy girl, so maybe, just maybe, she can shed some light on the current situation regarding the death king and souls being used as batteries.
My legs pump at a quick pace, getting me back to Grandma’s in a relatively quick time. I’m anxious to change into something more comfortable and less formal.
“Hello,” I call and move through the first floor. Head up the stairs. On the second floor, I find Miri’s cat, Bastian, waiting at the door to my old bedroom.
He turns his pleading eyes on me and yowls, begging to be allowed into the room.
“Sorry, big guy,” I say and rub his head. “Grandma had you removed from the room for a reason.” He replies with a sad sounding meow.
On the other side of the door, my mom is being held captive. Only, I can’t hear her screams of irritation and frustration because of Grandma’s soundproofing spell. I reach for the doorknob, but before I am able to grab it, the door swings open.
“Oh, hey,” Miri says. “We weren’t expecting you home until later.” She opens the door wider, and both she and Grandma step out into the hallway.
No screams or nasty remarks slip through the open door.
“Things didn’t go exactly as planned.” I peer around them and try to see into the room. “Is Mom actually quiet or does the soundproof spell work even with the door open?”
“Your mother is sleeping,” Grandma says and steps out of the way, allowing me a clear view. Bastian rushing through the opening.
Mom is sleeping. Her skin is also blotchy, and she is sweating profusely. I push forward, into the room. “What’s wrong with her?”
“The house is attempting to break her fever, so to speak.” Grandma steps up behind me.
Bastian inches toward the bed in slow, stalking strides, a constant growl rumbling in his throat.
“No, no, Bastie.” Miri picks him up and deposits him in the hallway. Closes the door.
“Are we just going to leave her like this?” I throw out my arm, motioning to my mom’s overheating body.
“For now,” Grandma says.
“We just cleaned her up, and she’s already sweaty,” Miri adds.
I spin toward her. “Really? Just?”
“Yep. We washed her down and everything.”
“Do you think Caleb still has his hooks in her?” I ask.
“My guess is it’s too soon for her to be free of any such influence.” Grandma sighs. “The magick was powerful. The influence, strong. This will not be solved in a day.”
“If only they could be,” Miri muses.
Grandma ushers us out into the hallway where Miri thwarts another attempt by the cat to slip into the room. She scoops Bastian into her arms, rubs his back, and talks sweetly to him. Making her excuses, she climbs the stairs to her room on the third floor, taking the cat with her.
“I’m sorry things didn’t go as planned at today’s service,” Grandma says to me. “Do you want to tell me about it?”
“Not particularly.” I sigh and with the motion, allow my shoulders to hunch. Grandma nods and turns for the stairs to the first level. “It’s just…” I continue. She stops and turns to face me once more. “All that stuff you said about the bokor got stuck in my head. I couldn’t let it go, and I disrupted the service, fearful that Luna’s dad
