Page 12 of Out of Sight

Nora chuckled. “When you get it, Ted, send it to me. I can just imagine Sabin triggering it at work so the guys can be stunned.”

Sabin rocked their daughter. “That is something I would do. Yeah. That was amazing.”

Ted laughed. “I will be in touch soon.”

Nora said, “Promise?”

“Promise.”

A familiar ringtone sounded. Ted looked at the name, and her eyes welled with tears. She answered. “Hello?”

Raw sobs ran through the phone, and there were other voices in the background who were insistent, and Ted said hoarsely, “Tell Sven and Toby to calm down. They are acting hysterical.”

There was a pause and a laugh, and she heard. “Guys, calm down. She can hear you and is not impressed.”

“Thanks, Arty. So, how are the triplets?”

“Getting big. When can you come see them?”

Ted laughed. “I am getting used to some changes, but I will be with you by the end of the week unless Auntie hauls my ass in front of the family sooner.”

Arty chuckled. “I am pretty sure she’s going to.”

“Right. All you need to know is that I was under a curse. No one could remember me when I left their sight for the last six years, but I still saw your littles once a month. The shamrock teddy bears are from me. If you squeeze the right paw, my voice says Ted, Ted, teddy bear just for you.”

The small electronic sound of Ted singing was in the room.

Arty sobbed and sniffled. “You were here.”

“I was there. You will remember, but the closer I was to someone, the more complete the memory loss.”

“So...”

“We were uni buddies, Arty. Roommates. We were pretty fucking close, and then I was gone.”

Arty said, “You were at the wedding. I wanted you as my maid of honour.”

“I know. Toby did a great job as maid of honour. Devlin was a great kisser.” Ted chuckled. “Are you in town or at the lake?”

“In town. We are coming up on the first birthday. Please come!”

Ted chuckled. “Of course. Text me the details. I will put them in my calendar.”

“I need to see you.”

“And you will. Now I am being stared at by a whole bunch of weirdness, and I think some orcs walked through the door. What the hell? Gotta go.”

Ted stared at the newcomers, and Avor got to his feet and spoke to them rapidly in a language that Ted needed to look for in the archives. When she found it, she blinked and started laughing.

Mik whispered, “You understand them?”

“Yup. They are offerings. More are coming.”

“Offerings?”

“For the red djinns and the crazy mage. I think they mean you.”

Nemia said, “Not me.”