Ghost Light

Chapter 25

As it turned out, Humphrey was a gargoyle. I was pretty sure he was the same gargoyle from the other day, but it was hard to tell. He sported a familiar combination of features, a mutation of dog, goat, and bat, but I had trouble examining him closely. The gargoyle was flying a few yards above me and I started to fall over each time I tilted back my head.

I shook off a wave of dizziness, put my hands in my pockets, and started the long walk home. My wrist throbbed and a burning pain stabbed my side with every step. I was pretty sure that if I had to raise my arm in a knife throwing stance, I’d pass out.

Thankfully, Kaye had provided the gargoyle escort. I may be too weak to defend myself, but I had no doubt that the half ton of living stone could keep me safe. Still, it was a long-ass walk to my apartment.

I limped along slowly, avoiding looks from passerby. When I was nearly home, my phone rang. I jumped at the sound and hissed at the pain the movement caused. The gargoyle glanced down and snorted. He seemed to find my predicament amusing. Har, har.

I winced and pulled my phone from my pocket. The number to our office flashed on the screen.

“Hey,” I said, answering the call. “Miss me already?”

“Kaye said you were on your way home,” Jinx said. “But we got a problem. I need you to stop by the office.”

“Seriously?” I asked.

“Dude, I need you down here,” she said, and hung up.

I stared at the blank screen and sighed. Shoulders slumped, I trudged to the office. All I wanted was my bed, but there was no rest for the wicked. Some days it sucked to be me.

I turned the corner to see a crowd assembled in front of Private Eye. The gargoyle gave a rumbling growl of warning and I looked up to see his ears lay back flat against his head. I reached into my sleeves, making sure my blades were one flick away from my hands. My right wrist was stiff, but if I ignored the pain, I could grab the throwing knife. I just hoped I didn’t need my weapons. I’d be able to fight, but it wouldn’t be pretty.

Faces turned toward me and I stopped dead in my tracks. For a moment, I felt a sense of déjà vu. The crowd was made up of the same fae parents from a previous morning, but the assembled fae were no longer gnashing their teeth and wringing clawed hands. This time they were smiling and waving at me, though many had tears in their eyes.

This mob wasn’t here to lynch me. Considering my current state of health, that was a good thing. When Jinx saw me turn the corner, she jumped into the street and yelled, “surprise!” I slid my hands away from my weapons and gave the gargoyle a quick nod.

“It’s okay Humphrey,” I said. “That’s my friend and business partner Jinx…and a few of our clients.”

The gargoyle’s stone hackles disappeared and he came to rest on a nearby building. He started licking his front paw, ignoring the people milling about below. Apparently, Humphrey was satisfied that the crowd didn’t pose a threat.

I turned a stiff smile to Jinx and limped forward.

“Um, hi,” I said. “What’s going on?”

Jinx gestured at the crowd behind her.

“These peeps heard you were recovering and wanted to say thank you,” she said. “When Kaye announced you were coming home today, we put together a little welcome home party.”

A surprise party, for me? I’d spent years avoiding parties, even going so far as to beg my parents not to celebrate my birthday. Crowds and presents usually filled me with dread. But looking at the smiling faces of the parents whose children I’d helped rescue, produced an entirely different emotion.

The faeries lifted a banner above their heads to flap in the breeze. I examined the banner through joyful tears. Someone had painted “thank you” in the center of the banner in big, red letters. Around the words were numerous drawings and paintings of happy families. The families were all different, some had wings or horns or fur, but they were all drawn with smiling faces.

The children from the cemetery had each drawn a picture of themselves at home with their family, safe and happy. The children’s artwork was one of the nicest gifts I’d ever received. Tears filled my eyes and I bit my lip as it began to tremble.

Most days, being a hero meant blood, sweat, and potential insanity, but then there were days like today. Days like this? They make it all worthwhile.