“I do believe our pythia’s sisterly attitude is a comfort to the child,” Faye agreed. Wishing to change to topic she asked, “Speaking of Cassie and Company, what news of our gallant team in the field?”
Maddie shrugged. “Well, they made it back to Spain without incident. They’re planning on going up to the mountain tomorrow to plant the fake relic.”
“Will they have enough time?” Faye asked worriedly.
“They’re cutting it kind of close,” the operations director agreed, “but I think they’ll be OK. Last I heard, Daniel and Leroy had just arrived in Bilbao, but they hadn’t linked up with their Nephilim contact yet. They still have to figure out the riddle that will take them to Anboto.”
“We can only hope they’re slow to solve it.”
At that moment Faye’s notice was drawn by a figure advancing across the grass.
“Hey, Gamma,” Zachary called out in greeting.
“What’s he doing here?” Maddie asked suspiciously.
“I’ve asked him to spend some time with Hannah. He probably came by for a short visit.”
More loudly Faye said, “I didn’t hear your car coming up the driveway.”
The boy stopped in front of the pergola where the two women sat. “That’s because Tivo and me kicked in some cash for a new muffler.”
“You remember my associate—”
He cut her off. “Maisie, right?”
“Maddie,” the operations director growled.
“Oh, yeah.” Zach grinned impudently. “That’s right. Maddie. I bet you came over to borrow some sugar.”
“Drop the act, kid. You know I work with Faye, so a little respect is in order.”
The grin faded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Maddie scrutinized his appearance. “At least your hair looks better.”
Zach grabbed the top of his head in alarm. “Jeez, why is everybody up in my grille about my follicles?”
Transferring her attention from his head to his hands, Maddie’s eyes narrowed. “Whatcha got in the bag, kid?”
“Nothing,” Zach replied guiltily. He was carrying a wrinkled paper sack which he shifted behind his back.
Maddie raised skeptical eyebrows but held her peace.
“Is Hannah around?” he asked Faye hopefully.
“Upstairs, I think,” the old woman replied. “Go on inside. I’m sure she’d like to see you.”
The two women watched silently as he entered the house.
“Maisie!” The operations director snorted. “That kid really knows how to grate my cheese.”
“Can it be possible that you find my descendent irritating?” Faye asked in mock surprise.
“Irritating?” Maddie echoed. “He could be the poster child for birth control.”
“It’s too bad you think that,” the old woman retorted slyly. “He’ll soon be part of our organization. I promised him he could train as a tyro.”
“Oh good, I can hardly wait,” the operations director replied through gritted teeth. “Teaching him the ropes is gonna be a barrel of laughs.”
***
“Hannah?” Zach called out uncertainly as he entered the kitchen. There was no answer. He advanced into the living room and called up the stairs in a louder voice. “Hannah, are you around?”
“Just a minute,” came a muffled reply from above.
He heard her door close, and then she trotted down to greet him. “Hello, Zachary,” she said primly. “How are you today?”
“I’m good,” he said. “C’mon and sit down for a while.”
She gave him a quizzical look but followed him to the sofa and sat down beside him.
“Are you feeling better now?” he asked cautiously, remembering her tearful exit the last time he’d paid a visit.
She blushed slightly. “It was very silly of me. I’m sorry I caused such a fuss.”
“No, it’s OK, really,” he hastened to reassure her. “In fact, I brought you something that I thought might make you feel better.” He paused to consider how to express himself. “I remembered what you said about losing everybody who meant something to you. How everything got taken away without any warning. Pets are great for cheering somebody up, but your life is a little too...” He hesitated, searching for the right word. “...eventful right now. Pets need to be in a place that doesn’t have a lot of change going on, and at this point, you’re definitely in flux mode.”
“Flux mode? What’s that?”
“It means that all the plates are spinning in the air at the same time.”
She tilted her head and regarded him dubiously.
“Right,” he chuckled self-consciously. “That didn’t help explain things, did it? I guess I mean that everything must be really confusing for you so putting a live pet into the mix wouldn’t be a good thing—at least not for the pet. So instead I got you this.” He held the paper sack out toward her.
“What is it?” she asked cautiously.
“Open it and find out.”
She peeked inside the bag first and then drew out a stuffed animal. It was a plush black and white cat. “Oh, my,” she said softly.
“See, she’s black and white like your Sparkle only nobody can hurt her or take her away from you. And she plays music.” He reached over and flipped a switch on the cat’s stomach, and a melody became audible along with a purring sound.
“It was meant for a little kid which is why it plays a lullaby, but I thought you might like it anyway...” He trailed off. Looking at her earnestly, he asked, “Do you? Like it, I mean.”
At first, Hannah said nothing. She merely gazed at the stuffed animal in her lap. Then a tear slid down her cheek.
“Oh no!” Zach exclaimed in despair. “God no, not again!”
She reached out and grasped his forearm. “No, Zach, it’s alright. I’m not crying because I’m sad.” She dashed away the tear and smiled at him. “Nobody has ever done anything this nice for me before. Thank you.” She hugged the cat to her heart. “Thank you.”
The boy relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief. “Whew, I’m glad because if I had to explain to Gamma that I sent you around the bend again, she’d probably ban me from the house.”
A puzzled look crossed Hannah’s face. “Does this mean... um... Is this a sign that you’re courting me?”
“What!” Zach leaped off the couch as
