Free hand of hate 01 - destiny blues by sharon joss

longest, but Larry had showed up third. Why couldn’t she see the others?      
    She nodded, as if this was the most natural topic in the world. “Larry is cuter.”  
    I was way out of my depth here, but didn’t know what else to do, but go along with her.    
    “Yes, he is.” And I meant it. In a pudgy, squatty-body sort of way. Floppy spines ran down his back, and he kept his prehensile tail curled around one of his stubby front legs, giving him a rather unsure expression. I could relate to that.      
    “Can you smell them?”  
    She closed her eyes and sniffed the air.  She blinked slowly, and shook her head, her eyes getting heavier. “Will you stay with me until I go to sleep?”  
    I wanted to jump up and down and scream for joy, but since my only witness was a drowsy nine-year-old, I fought to keep myself still.  
    “Of course, baby.”  
    I’m not losing my mind. I knew it, and now I had proof. Blix and Larry, at least, were real. I had to get in touch with Rhys Warrick right away. His name sang in my veins like an anthem. I could barely contain myself.    
    “I’m not a baby.” Her eyes stayed shut, and she snuggled into me. Her breathing deepened.  
    Once Mina fell asleep, I tiptoed into the kitchen and called the number Karen gave me for Mystic Properties, but all I got was a recording. I left my name and cell phone number, and asked him to call me as soon as possible. He had an unexpected voice; more whisky-and-grit Bob Seger than tenured college professor. I wondered what he looked like.    
    I called Lance next, but he didn’t answer. Where could he be? My thoughts strayed to pool halls, and bars, and card parlors. He had a daughter to care for and a business to run. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to get involved in gambling again, would he? I left an urgent message to call me back. If Hector and his friend were any indication, Lance was about to be in for a world of hurt.  
    I peeked out the curtains and my heart gave a jump. The Seville sat parked across the street. I turned off all the lights except one in the kitchen. What did those men want from Lance? Had to be money.  I thought briefly about calling the police, but they weren’t breaking the law or anything. I debated going out there and confronting them, but figured that was a stupid idea. Mina was my responsibility, I needed to keep her safe.    
    I checked the cupboards for some sort of weapon, and put a cast-iron frying pan next to the front door.  My eyes strayed to my little cluster of monsters, all too small and insubstantial to be much use if things got nasty.    
    Blix stamped his front feet at me.  
    I let out a shriek and grabbed the frying pan before I realized how stupid that was. What the hell? He had never made the slightest move before. I searched the stoic faces of the other four, but observed no change or reaction in any of them. You imagined it. They’re not real.    
    Blix licked his lips with a pointy blue tongue.  
    A wave of nausea rolled over me. I choked it back down.    
    “What are you,” I whispered.     
    There was no possibility of sleep now; I had a serious case of the creeping heebie-jeebies. I kneeled on the carpet, and studied Blix closely. Mina was right, Blix was bigger than the others, and his eyes now focused on mine. I moved my head toward the light, and his head swiveled to follow mine, his eyes dilated. Whenever I nodded, he nodded. I waved my arm, but he didn’t respond, nor did he when I moved my leg. His eyes remained glued to my face, as if anticipating something from me. I forced myself to remain calm.  
    “You’re freaking me out, Blix. Are you a demon or a spirit?”    
    What was the difference anyway? Blix looked like he was standing at attention, awaiting my order. The only thing I wanted him to do was to go away. If he was a demon, giving him a command would cause him to materialize permanently. I wasn’t so sure about spirit guides.    
    I