“Was just checkin’ on some things.” Shiloh walked over to greet them—well, Seymour anyway. He shook his hand, asking, “Is your lil’ friend with you?”
“Yup. Right here.”
Day waved. “Ask him if he’s feeling better!”
“Hey, she wants to know if you’re feelin’ better,” Seymour said.
“Great! Sweet of her to ask.” Shiloh glanced over the general area where Day was standing on the counter, though of course he couldn’t see her. “I’m up and rearin’ to go, ready for the next big damn adventure! Speakin’ of which, how do you feel about a trip to a haunted forest in China?”
Seymour stared flatly. “No, that sounds awful.”
“That’s what I told him,” Neil drawled.
“C’mon!” Shiloh nudged him. “You sayin’ you don’t wanna go back to Faerie either?”
Seymour scoffed. “You’re sayin’ you do?”
“Of course!” Shiloh laughed. “Could be fun.”
“Didn’t you almost die?”
“Maybe hit up that tea party, huh? I only kinda remember it.”
“Okay, so, you’re still crazy. Good to know.” Seymour flashed a smile. “But hey, can you really get Day’s magical catnip?”
“Of course. Might take a few weeks, but I can get some live plants, as a matter of fact, and you can just grow your own.”
Day’s pupils dilated, and she purred loudly.
“Awesome. We’ll take ’em.” Seymour shook Shiloh’s hand.
DRUGS ARE bAD
“It’s not drugs, Izzy.” Shiloh chuckled. “I guess, well, maybe a tiny bit.”
“Hey! Wait a second.” Seymour eyed Day. “Are they drugs?”
“No!” Day pouted. “It is a special plant that relaxes me and allows me to tap into my true potential.”
“That totally sounds like a drug.”
“Is not!”
Neil seemed to be waiting to speak, saying cautiously, “Sorry to interrupt, but hey, Sariel is really doing okay? Lou hasn’t saidmuch about it. He doesn’t really talk about work stuff, you know, all their mafia super secret shit.”
“Oh. I reckon so.” Seymour arched his brow. “He told me they’re checkin’ out the Crossroads more often now that they know thosemostriguys were hangin’ out there. Hadn’t found nothin’ yet.”
“And the twins are helping?” Neil considered for a moment. “Helpingish?”
Seymour laughed. “Hey, I can’t speak too poorly of ’em. They did help free Sariel. Though I know I owe ’em for a million thank-yous or whatever else dumb shit I said.”
“Do you really have to take King Zolrya out to fast food restaurants whenever he wants?” Shiloh grinned. “I’ve been dyin’ to ask.”
“Yup.” Seymour patted his back pocket. “And I still got those Jerry-flowers in my wallet. Kinda curious how and when we can get him back to have a little chat.”
Neil’s brow creased with sympathy. “About your dad?”
“Yup. Kinda want some answers. Was he killed for the music sheets? Somethin’ else? I…” Seymour shrugged. “Yeah. Just got a lot of questions for that damn squink, squack?—”
