Cupid and Raven exchanged a look, then did something with their power that made my molars hurt.
They were still sitting at the table, but they looked different in a way I couldn’t put my finger on.
“Shhh…” Raven said.“We’re in disguise.Don’t want to startle the normals.”
Voices rose at Eunice’s door.A woman, no, more than one, and an older man’s voice, all of them talking over each other like they were trying to explain the same thing, but were just making it impossible to understand.
“He’s in the kitchen,” Eunice said.“Lula’s coming in from the field.”
“Thank you very much, Ma’am,” the man said.“We won’t be long or too much trouble.”
I knew that voice, but it didn’t make any sense.
“Elmer?”I asked, just as the monster hunter, his granddaughter and her partner walked into the kitchen, guns on their hips.
CHAPTERSIX
“Been looking for you, Brogan.”Elmer was an old man, his hair gone white and wispy, his ears liver spotted.But his eyes were sharp, and like most old monster hunters, there was strength in his body which spoke of a life spent working hard.
“There’s important matters we need to discuss with you, private matters.”He glanced at the gods at the table.“Now would be best.Gentlemen.No offense.”He pointed toward the front door, and I had the impression he would have crossed the kitchen and grabbed me by the collar if he thought it would make me move faster.
“Wait now,” Eunice said.“Coffee’s still hot.I have pie and fresh whipped cream.Let’s all sit down together.”
“Plenty of room.”Cupid scooted his chair to one side.
Elmer reconsidered Cupid and Raven, sharp gaze missing nothing.The gods might have tried to hide their power, but a life hunting dangerous monsters and paranormals had honed Elmer’s instincts.
He had a good sense for hinky, and I could tell the alarm bells were going off.
“Brogan.You come on outside with me, now.”Elmer backed toward the kitchen doorway where his granddaughter Pamela and her partner Josie lingered, their smiles now hard and wary.
They knew something was up too.
“We’re not human,” Raven said like he was discussing neighborhood gossip.“But we’re friends of Brogan and Lula just like you, and we want them safe, just like you.”
“Pamela, Josie, Elmer.”Lula opened the kitchen door and stepped into the room, quiet, even in her boots.“Raven’s right.They’re friends.”
“And they’re not human,” I added, shifting my stance to lean a shoulder against the wall.
“And her?”Elmer jabbed a thumb toward Eunice, who laughed.
“I like you,” she said.“You’re suspicious.I’m just Eunice nowadays.Back in the times, I was known as Euterpe.Muse of music.”She made a little flourish with her hand, her bracelets jangling.
If Elmer had been wearing a hat, he would have snatched it off his head to hold it in front of him apologetically.Instead, he gave her a short bow.“I am pleased to meet you, ma’am.Sorry for barging into your house like this, but there are matters—timely matters—that can’t be ignored.”
“Headwaters?”Lula asked.
Pamela and Josie finally walked into the room.They each gave me a nod and a small wave which I returned.Even though they were less wary, I could tell they were not comfortable.
Whether it was from the news they had to share with us, or because they were in the company of power, I didn’t know.
Pamela was lighter skinned, like her grandfather, her usually happy face round with a sharp chin, her brown hair cut in a sensible bob.She assessed the situation, then pulled out a chair and sat.“I bet your story is interesting,” she said to Raven and Cupid.“Stand down, Grandpa.There’s so much power in this room, we were outclassed before we even got through the door.”
“You said pie, Eunice?”Josie had a darker complexion, her thick black hair held back with a kerchief, her delicate features and hazel eyes lending her beauty queen status.
“Cake, too,” Eunice said, “but you all look like a cherry pie wouldn’t be amiss.”
“I prefer sour cherry, if it’s not too much problem?”Elmer asked.
