Iwoke with a start and sat up, pushing my back to the wall before remembering I wasn’t home. I was at House Gray in the cavernous, pitch-black bedroom.
Something had pulled me out of sleep. A sound. I didn’t sense another person in the room, didn’t hear breathing or movement. Then a soft electronic chime at the bottom of the bed rang out three quick beeps.
“Bo,” I said as I fumbled at the table next to the bed, hoping to hit a light. Finally touched something that set off a yellow glow around the ceiling.
I bent over my legs and dragged my duffel from the foot of the bed across the acre of quilt toward me.
I dug out the old walkie-talkie and pressed the receiver, hoping the signal would hold.
“Tilly?” Bo’s voice crackled over the line.
“I’m here. Is there something wrong? Is Grandma all right?”
“She’s fine and everything’s fine,” Bo said. “I wanted to make sure you’re doing all right. You seemed in a rush when you left. It’s a lot of trouble with a House, isn’t it?”
“Yes. But it’s not more than I can handle.”
“Which House is it, baby sweet?”
That was a strange question. “I thought you said the less you knew, the better it would be.”
“I changed my mind. If something happens to you and you need help, someone should know where you were last at.”
“If something goes wrong, you could be held on charges of aiding and abetting, and a long list of other crimes. You know that, Bo. This isn’t a smart move. This isn’t like you at all.”
“Fine,” she snapped. “Blame a woman for caring.”
I rubbed my eyes. “I don’t blame you. I just think it’s better if you don’t know . . . any of what I’m tangled up in right now.”
“But you’ll call? Soon?”
I had never heard her sound so needy.
“What’s really wrong, Bo?”
“Nothing, nothing,” she said in a rush. “I’m just worried, is all. You call me if you need anything. Anything at all.”
“I will,” I said. “Thanks. Give Grandma a hug for me.”
“Will do.”
The line went silent and I stared at the walkie-talkie before putting it back in the duffel. I didn’t know what Bo’s problem was. She’d been a nice enough neighbor, but had always been more than happy to keep her distance from anyone else and the problems they might be involved in.
Why did she want to know which House I was dealing with?
A soft knock on the door got me out of bed. I smoothed back my hair as I left the bedroom. I crossed the spacious living area, then opened the main door. Neds stood there, wearing his overalls, jacket, boots, and bad attitude.
“So, did you make a deal with these devils?” Right Ned asked quietly.
“I haven’t done anything yet. But I don’t see how I can get out of it. Oscar said he’d help find my brother and keep Grandma and the land safe.”
“And what are you giving him in trade?”
“He wants me to sign a ten-year contract with House Gray. Before you argue about it, I have people to look after. There’s no one but me standing between this world and the one I belong in.”
Left Ned sniffed. “We weren’t arguing.”
“You’re doing fine,” Right Ned said softly. “Making hard choices on your feet.” He nodded. “Just wish you’d asked us for input. We like . . .” He stopped, tucked his hands into his pockets, and looked over at a blank spot on the wall. Then: “You know we want what’s best for you and your grandma and the farm. It’s been a home to us too. And it’s not like we’ve never had to deal with a House. We understand the experience.”
