Tosh twisted her hair into a thick rope and wrapped it with her braid, kissing the base of her neck.“There.Not a ponytail, but it looks all grown up.”
She looked at him and said, “You are playing Bottom inMidsummer Night’s Dream?”
“Yeah.”
“Jackass.”
He laughed, and they headed down for breakfast.
Etienne was setting the table, but Dex couldn’t smell food.She sniffed the air.“If this is a diet method, I am not in favour of it.”
He laughed and went to open the door.There hadn’t been a chime, but he let Dr.Aquilar in with Mrs.Doctor behind him.The second she locked eyes with Dex, she walked forward and hugged her.“Oh, I finally get my little girl.We can do all kinds of things that they won’t do.”
Dex blinked.“Um...my parents were violent and abusive, so I am not sure that I can jump into anything.This hug is nearing the edge of my comfort zone.”
Etienne’s mother blinked and slowly leaned back.
Dex exhaled.“Thank you.I will get better.I promise.”
Etienne smiled.“Mom, she’s adapting just fine.Give her a week.She’s getting used to Tosh and me, and that is our primary concern.”
His mother sighed and touched Dex’s cheek.“Just like I have seen in my dreams.”
“So, you are a seer?”
“Dreamer.Do you know other seers?”
“Um...yeah.”
Tosh said, “Dex, your phone is going insane.”
Dex nodded and took it.She opened it, and her eyes went wide.“My apartment burned.My mom committed arson because she thought I was there.”
Dex swayed.“Oh.Boy.The police want to talk to me.”
Etienne asked, “Was anyone hurt?”
“No.Everyone and their personal effects were out on the lawn, out of the way of the fire department.The fire in my apartment was put out, and it was the only one directly impacted.Mom tried to kill me.”She blinked and lowered her phone.She blinked a few times and then saw a familiar name.Arwell.“Oh, that explains it.My friend Arwell got everyone out and pretended to be me to get my mom to act.”
Tosh frowned.“Arwell?”
“Yeah, she has ears like Ax’s.”
“Oh.Right.She’s a djinn.”
Dex nodded.“I need to sit to read through all of these, and I need to call the investigator.”
Dr.Aquilar said, “Have a seat, have some coffee, and get some food into you.”
She nodded, and Etienne guided her to the dining room, where he sat her down.His father and mother brought in the bags of food that she hadn’t really clocked the first time, and while Tosh introduced himself to Leah Aquilar, she went through the emails she had received.It took her four minutes, and there was a paper cup of coffee in front of her as well as a breakfast sandwich and a blueberry pastry.Napkins were on standby.
She glanced up with a smile.“Thanks, Tosh.”
He chuckled and kissed the top of her head.“I have been paying attention for a while.”
She ate the breakfast sandwich and started to type replies.She sat there for fifteen minutes and then sipped her coffee and answered the phone.“Hello?”
“Hello, Miss Dex?I am investigating the arson attempt last night.”
