“Spit it out,” I said. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. I loved this property. I loved everything about it. But I wasn’t sure I wanted to be some kind of makeshift guardian of a door that I didn’t fullyunderstand.
“Yourmagic.”
That got my attention. I tried to sit up a little bit straighter. The pain meds were slowly kicking in. Not as gratifying as morphine, but the intense pain had dulled somewhat. “Okay. What aboutit?”
“Portia isn’t just the founder of that agency. She’s incredibly powerful. She’s able to sense disturbances…” His voice trailedoff.
“In the force?” Pepperquipped.
“Sort of,” Hank said with a rueful laugh. “In theveil.”
My heartbeat picked up. I had a horrible feeling I knew where he was going withthis.
“Midnight Cove lies directly underneath the veil between the living and the dead. The town was designed so Portia could keep an eye onit.”
Lucien’s gaze narrowed. “WhatisPortiaexactly?”
Hank shook his head. “I don’t know, but power beats off of her likemoonlight.”
“So Portia is some kind of guardian?” Pepperasked.
“Sort of,” Hank said. “She wasn’t forthcoming with too much information. Portia said the veil has been weakening over our town for the past severalyears.”
“I weakened it further, didn’t I?” I knew something was off with thatspell.
The look in Hank’s eyes told me theanswer.
“But what does that mean?” Pepper asked. “Can it befixed?”
I had no need to raise Dolores anymore, though I wasn’t sure now if I should work anymore atall.
“I can’t tell you specifics,” Hank admitted. “Portia wants to meet with yousoon.”
I chuckled. “She may have to come here,” I said. “I won’t be driving forawhile.”
An apologetic look crossed his face. “She plans to be here thisevening.”
“Hank!” I glared at him in outrage. “What thehell?”
He raised his hands in defeat. “I couldn’t stop her! She’s a bit of a steamroller.” He looked at my friends. “This concerns all of us. All of the town. It isn’t Helen’s fault, but when she attempted to bring someone back through the veil who had been gone so long it caused a rift. Portia wants to discuss it with all ofus.”
Lucien looked horrified. “Why me? I haven’t been involved in any ofthis.”
“You became involved when you started spying on Helen,” Hankbarked.
Lucien had the grace to look ashamed, but his expression quickly turned mutinous. “First I almost get attacked by a rabid puppy. Then I get fired and Helen ruins my upholstery.” He gave a dramatic sigh. “You’re like Typhoid Mary,” hegrumbled.
“Margo isn’t rabid,” I said as she let her head flop onto her paws. “Getting fired is probably going to keep you out of jail. Now you can do the community a service by testifying against them if it gets thatbad.”
“And who will protect me?” Lucienpouted.
Hank looked Lucien with barely concealed patience. “You’re avampire.”
Pepper laughed and tried to disguise it bycoughing.
“Yes,” Lucien drawled, “but corporations are way more dangerous than my pointy teeth.” He gnashed said teeth for a second before rewarding us with a widegrin.
I rolled my eyes. “Can it, folks. So Portia is coming here. Soon. Is there anything we can do toprepare?”
