“Shut up, it worked well enough to muffle my footsteps, it will work well enough to blast your pet monster.”
Harzl took a step forward; Spencer stepped back, tripping over his own feet and falling to the ground. He did his best not to cry out at the pain from his broken collarbone, but failed.
“Stop being a dick, Spencer, you’ve lost,” Jana said. “The girls are gone and you can’t take the boy. I won’t let you.”
“Damn it, Jana, you know what will happen if I go back. Those accursed vampires will kill me, and they won’t be quick about it.”
Jana hobbled over to him. “Look at me, Spencer.”
“Oh god... what happened to you?”
“A tunnel ghoul got me and these two saved me. Spencer, wehave to walk away from this. Let me help you. We’ll find another way to get you out of this mess.” She put out her hand.
Harzl stepped back; they could work out their drama without him. The train waited patiently while he and the kid got Snori inside. Spencer and Jana helped each other get on behind them.
Snori watched the Chicago Line come into the station. It had been one month since Snori had broken his leg.
“Arrival, one passenger, the station inspector,” Chicago Line announced.
“Thank you, Chicago Line,” Harzl answered as he put away his tiny TV. He had been catching up on his shows but didn’t enjoy them very much anymore. He had to leave Snori at home with Alazavier watching over him until his buddy mended. The vet bills were enormous, and he was going to be in debt for a long time. No more Cheshire Chocolate Chews or Carnivore Jerky Treats for either one of them.
Gwyn Ivershae disembarked. He hadn’t seen or spoken to her since everything had happened. All of their communication had been by fax and had concerned fixing the station and cleaning up the mess. She had let him know that both Nancy and Cortney were well and free from the vampires. She hadn’t asked about Snori, and he didn’t say anything about the barghest. He was worried he was about to be fired for keeping Snori at the station.
Jana had stopped by two days ago to return Harzl’s freshly laundered hoodie. She apologized for her role in subduing him, and explained that Spencer Beaumont had been a lawyer working for a powerful wizard family but had run afoul of them and been sold to the vampires. As if they had a right. They had said theywould free him if he brought back Nancy and the gargoyle. Jana helped him out because she owed him for something he had done for her last year. They seemed to have a thing for each other, but Harzl didn’t care about that, it wasn’t any of his business. Drama was only fun when it was on the television.
“Harzl Hellirverja, it’s good to see you again,” the banshee greeted him.
Harzl came out from behind the counter. “Pleased to see you as well, Gwyn Ivershae.”
She looked the same as she had that day, long gray dress and coat, long white hair.
“Are you here to inspect the new construction?” Harzl asked when she didn’t say anything more.
“I am, but I’m also here to find out how Snori and the gargoyle child are doing. And don’t worry, you have my word that they have been, and will be, left out of any report I make. I know you have your obligations.”
Harzl relaxed for the first time in a month. “Thank you, Gwyn Ivershae.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t say so earlier; I can see this has weighed heavily on you.”
“Do not worry about me. Snori is resting from his injuries, and the boy is tending to him.”
“He’s staying with you?”
“Yes, his people are aligned with mine.”
“Of course. And what will become of him once Snori is healed?”
“I’ll be taking them both to my father’s clan.”
“Oh? I thought the barghest was your pet?”
“He is, but I can’t let him stay at home all day by himself, and I know I can’t bring him here anymore.”
“Are you coming back?”
“I am, but only until I can pay off Snori’s vet bills, and then I will have to resign.”
“What if I said I would like to offer you the station manager position?”
