Chapter 37
Gil
Magnus guarded the portal as promised.
Though I’m not sure how diligent he was, considering the lipstick on his face and neck.
“Seems you’re not the only ones who had fun tonight,” Grams’ says, moving past him with a low whistle. Magnus, who appeared to be preparing himself for a formal introduction, blushes. ’Spose she’ll be added to his list of unofficial advisors before morning.
“Yes well—um—after you!” he says, taking Grams by the hand and leading her through the small ring of light in an alleyway.
Its glow is dim and should be closed by the time we make it home. I expect Grams to be in awe—but she steps through the magical portal with the ease of entering a taxicab.
The portal spits us out on my caverns. Our arms are filled with suitcases, signaling to anyone who’s on guard tonight that we’ve got plans to stay.
Luckily, it’s just Grampy.
“Had a feeling you’d be up to something tonight,” he says with a low chuckle. No sign of the elders behind him, but the stern expression reminds me of the times Magnus and I got into trouble as kids.
“Y’all have fun?” he says, not bothering to move toward us at first. He takes a long sip of sweet tea and rises, dusting himself off. His brow bone is raised as he glances between Magnus and me before his eyes soften as Marina steps out from behind us.
“Ah—well, welcome back, dearie,” he says, and despite the fondness in his voice, Marina stiffens.
“Are we in trouble?” Marina asks, eyes wide as she grips my hand harder. I notice the way she stays behind me, keeping me as a wall, protective and safe—though she’ll soon learn Grampy is the furthest thing from a threat.
“You’re all grown. I’ll give the boys points for creativity. The elders may dispute, but Halloween has been a loophole many have used for centuries and—”
Grams walks past the three of us and stands directly in front of Grampy.
“Hello, Bert.” Her voice is filled with such familiarity and... fondness. Grampy’s eyes lock onto her.
Then the two … stare at each other.
Blinking as if they’re the only two folks in this cove.
“Darleen.” His tone is pining—soft and romantic. He’s always been a kind man, but I’ve never heard him speak like this.
With no hesitation, Marina’s Grams walks up to my Grampy and places a hand on his cheek, studying the lines of his face. “It is you, isn’t it?”
I glance toward Marina, who shakes her head. Seems this reunion is a surprise to both of us, and I’m eager to know how this connection came to be.
“Grams—what is happening?” Marina whispers, and while it’s not exactly subtle, I’m glad someone asked.
“You’re not the only one who had an imaginary friend…” she says, her wrinkled cheeks are pink as she laughs. “Why do you think I liked that camp so much?”
And why did Grampy become so fascinated with mortals? Huh. I had always wondered, and now looking between the two, the answer is becoming increasingly clear.
“Some days I thought I dreamt you,” he says, gazing as if he’s seen a ghost.
“Well, here I am.” Grams’ voice is as confident and airy as a woman in her twenties, and I get the feeling we’re intruding. Sensing the mood, Marina guides me in a step backward.
“Here you are,” Grampy says, lifting her hand in a kiss.
“I see where you got your moves from.” Marina’s voice is a low whisper as she pulls me close, and I laugh, giving a small shrug. The frog doesn’t hop far from the pond in this case.
“I, for one, would not mind a little backstory,” Magnus says. Despite his crossed arms, he’s just as invested as we are. “It seems unfair that after a night of splendor, I am somehow a fifth wheel.”
But it is unfortunately his luck.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Marina’s comment comes next.
“She was embarrassed that I saved her from drowning,” Grampy says, with a dramatic shrug.
“I was not drowning.”
“So, you swallowed all that water for fun?” Grampy counters, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice.
Grams lets out a sigh and turns to the two of us to plead her case.
“I was working as a counselor at Camp Mangrove. There was some b-movie about lake monsters playing at the drive-in. Someone dared me to jump in at night, and my foot got tangled in seaweed—Bert here may have saved me. It was one night—one kiss—but I never forgot—and never saw him again.”
“But now—now it could be more, couldn’t it?” Grampy asks, and by the four sisters, if this is how strong I came off with Marina, it really is a good thing I didn’t scare her off.
“We’ll have to wait and see,” Grams responds, a little coy. Despite the glimmer of nostalgia in her eyes, it’s hard to read the emotions on her face.
“So,” she says, looking around the lagoon. Clasping her hands in front of her body, she steals a glance at Marina, who nods, her bright eyes looking at me before her Grams speaks again.
“Where does one go to find a real estate agent around here?”