The Trouble with Hades

Chapter 26

Walking up the driveway, I was surprised to see how much the builders had done today. Henry gave me a wave as we approached.

"Afternoon, Evie, Anzide."

"Hey, Henry. You've been busy today."

"Yep. Lots of hands on deck today. We're hoping to get everything watertight before the snow starts."

I looked at the rusty-colored trees. I'd not paid attention to them, too busy trying to make sure that there was no one hiding in the shadows watching us. The thought of winter's approach made me realize that not only was the hunting ground that Niko and Brad used about to become a barren, frostbitten nightmare, but Christmas was also looming.

"Yeah, I guess it won't be long."

"I'm just grateful that we've had such incredible weather. Usually, I spend weeks waiting for the rain to stop."

"I guess luck is on our side."

Henry chuckled with a nod. One of the other workers called out to him, so Henry excused himself. Anzide and I began walking to the marquee.

"Could you imagine trying to get the house rebuilt with a void hanging over the town?"

"It wouldn't be easy."

Holding the flap aside, Anzide waited for me to enter the marquee. Brad was sitting on a lounge chair reading the local newspaper.

"How was school?"

"Interesting."

Giving him a flick of my head, I continued to our little meeting room. We had the dining table set up for everyone so there would be no lawn chairs or squished together on the bench seats in the caravan.

Niko emerged from the caravan, looking a little flustered. It was a peculiar sight, considering he always seemed refined and calm.

"You're home early," Niko said with a smile.

I looked at my watch. It was four-thirty pm, an hour and a half after school ended. I'd talked to James and Audrey, and we'd walked home. I suppose we were early, all things considered.

"Yeah, I guess we are."

Dumping my bag, I sat at the head of the table and waited for everyone to sit down. Beatrice emerged from the caravan, curiously hooking the door back. I glanced at Anzide, who had a subdued smile on his face. Brad wandered in, talking about something in the newspaper and distracting Beatrice and Niko.

"What?" I whispered, leaning closer. "Why are you smirking like that?"

"Because you look like you're going to bust a vein."

Leaning into my ear, Anzide whispered what I wasn't seeing.

Brad was at the far end of the marquee for a reason. Niko was in a fluster and not his usual self because of that reason. Beatrice appeared to be quietly pleased, showing a soft smile that rose into her flushed cheeks.

"Oh," I said dryly.

"Yeah, oh. So how about you stop squinting at everyone now that you've figured it out?"

I rolled my eyes at his statement. Where was the fun in that?

"Is there something that you need to tell us?" Brad asked as he folded the newspaper. "I was comfortable."

"If you don't want to be here, then please go back. No one is stopping you."

"I might," Niko interjected. "Please start, Evelyn."

"Okay, so Audrey tried to bail me up again, but I turned it around. Anzide checked her mind while everything was going on."

"You've created an ally?"