Page 30 of Out of Sight

“Interfered?”

“I have been very good at zapping.” She clenched her fist. “Now I think hitting might be my thing. I will have to get Achilles and Keres something nice for the holidays. Dante is on his own.”

“You know them?”

“I don’t sleep. I know everyone around here. I was there when one cousin sprouted wings, I was there when Nora was being tormented, and I tried to mitigate it as much as I could, but without a body, I could only make folks uncomfortable.”

Regis hugged her. “You did what you could.”

“And apparently, I have a damp kitten vibe. I don’t suppose you know where I can steal a cheap phone?”

Regis leaned back. “We have a bunch inside. No stealing required. We give the ten-year-old ones to the guys who come through and step back and keep new ones in case someone forgets their pants in a transformation.”

“Sensible.”

“Yes, I am just going to... Oh, thank you, Ira. Are you still on time for school?” Regis took the cellphone box and opened it, waking the phone up.

“Yes, Mom. Hello, I’m Ira.”

Lucia smiled and met the small hand with her own. “I am Lucia Danyova.”

“You are pretty.”

“Thank you. Achilles did it. I used to be invisible.”

Ira smiled. “Like Auntie Pandora. She floated around the world as fog for years.”

Lucia smiled. “I know. She was in this lake and saved you when you hurt your foot.”

Regis looked at her. “You were here?”

“I was made of magical electricity. Anywhere I went, I went at the speed of thought.”

Ira looked at her. “Wow. Do you know how?”

“Sure. Particle transfer. Do you want me to draw you a schematic?”

Ira’s eyes glowed. “Yes, please.”

Regis snorted. “School, Ira. Now.”

Ira sighed. “Can I ask you more questions later, Miss Lucia?”

“Of course. I will write a synopsis of how I travel and send it to your mother.”

Ira smiled. “Thank you. You get me.”

Lucia nodded. “I really do.”

She watched as Avor walked over and held his hand out to his daughter. Ira smiled, and he carried her pink and sparkly backpack in his other hand.

Avor said, “There are a few mages who would like to speak with your cousin and yourself. They are waiting until the other mages leave. They don’t wish to distract anyone.”

Lucia looked around, and the women who had come together for her smiled, waved, and disappeared. “Workday.”

Regis smiled. “Yes. I knew this was coming, so I did my prep at two in the morning, and now my assistants are filling today’s orders.”

“Thank you for taking time for me. I have spoken more today than I have in my life.”