I opened my mouth, but he nodded.
“Fight Dominick,” he said, “save Rhianna. If we have any luck at all, we keep Variance alive and find that damn book so we can lock it away before it blows holes through everything weknow about reality.” He patted the steering wheel one last time and glanced at me. “Good talk.”
With that, he slipped out of the truck and walked around it with his hands up and to his sides, as if showing the law he wasn’t carrying any weapons.
“Ricky,” he called out, “did you get taller? You’re looking tall, my friend.”
“You stole my hat, Raven. Don’t think I forgot.”
“Hat? What hat? Can you describe it?”
“Sure. It’s felt, red, and has a brim you adjust with this finger.” Ricky produced her middle finger, which made Raven hoot.
“I’ve missed you, Ricks. But I didn’t take your hat.”
He’d reached them, and they started across the yard to the house, which was now—magically—in view, every window glowing with light.
Lula had her arm across Ricky’s back, leaning into her as they walked. Ricky’s arm was around her shoulders.
Maybe Raven was right. Maybe Lula needed a friend now more than I knew.
“You comin’ Brogan?” Ricky asked, as they reached the porch. “I’ve got pie.”
I got a move on and strolled across the yard.
“I like pie,” Raven said.
“Pie’s only for nice people,” Ricky said.
“Hey, I’m people.”
“Oh, you very much are not.” She stepped up to the porch and the whole house lit up with neon whorls and glyphs, the fire rippling down her arms. She held the door open, and Lula walked into the house past her.
Lorde zoomed by me, a wooly black shadow in the night. I reached down, only brushing the end of her tail before she rocketed away.
Ricky turned to Raven who had stopped at the foot of the stairs. “You know my rules,” she said, “or do I need to remind you, god, of who and what I am?”
“I know your rules. No rocking the boat—any boat. All peace, love, and compromise. I know who you are, Crossroads.”
“Neutral ground,” she said. “No matter who shows up, no matter what shows up, this remains neutral ground. If you break that, the house will conjure up a cliff and I’ll toss you out the window.”
The house seemed to glow a little brighter. Lorde made another pass by me, this time slowing so I could run my fingers down her back.
“You should meet the Reed sisters,” Raven mused. “I think you’d all get along great.”
“That’s not an agreement.” She put her hands on her hips. “You will follow my rules, Raven.”
“Yes. Agreed. Fine.” Raven waved her words away. “I will follow your rules. While I’m in your house or on your property.”
Ricky’s tattoos flared soft pastel, and the house went back to a gentler glow. “All right.” She gestured at the door. “Welcome to the Crossroads, Raven.”
He grinned and mounted the stairs. “It’s been a minute, hasn’t it?”
“Since you’ve been hiding out? Yes. Why are you out in the world again?”
He pointed vaguely ahead and behind him. “This Route 66 thing needed attention.”
Her gaze ticked up to me, because, apparently, I was this Route 66 thing.
