Page 28 of From the Edge

Lucia nodded. “My statue was exactly like me.”

Rowan took the small box. “I am keeping you with me until tomorrow, Aspen. I will put the mark on the statue so that they have a spot to break it to let you flow in.”

Regis stared at her. “You know how this works.”

“I saw it once. That was enough.”

Mik looked at her. “I think you might need a therapist. My dance card is almost full, but Malinoth is excellent, and he also works with kids, so his room has puppets.”

Rowan chuckled. “Just my speed. I will consider it.”

It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back, so shake him off.

“Yeah, yeah.”

Footsteps came toward them, and a woman with a brown braid, dark hazel eyes, and a scar from eyebrow to jaw on her left side walked up. “Hey, Rowan. Today’s a bad day? Should I go?”

Stay with me. Stay with me.

“Oh, hey, Aspen. Okay. Should I get into the booth?”

If you’d only, if you’d only say yes.

“Ladies.” The woman walked, stepped into the carriage house, and closed the door behind her.

Everyone looked at Rowan as Aspen got quiet. “Mira is Aspen’s playdate. They sing together and complete contracts and sing a number of jingles for ads and radio. It keeps Aspen interested, and she has a nice income and is still alive and active on paper.”

Mik smiled softly. “Occupational therapy. How often does she come?”

“Twice a week for sure. If Mira has extra time, she comes on weekends.”

Win frowned. “She looks familiar.”

“Like a friend?”

“Like someone related to someone I have met. It’s strange.” Win looked at her. “I am looking at her energy pattern. She is way stronger, but it is like she is a song on ten, and the other is the song on three. I am going to have to go through photos. Lots of photos.”

The ladies chuckled.

Rowan smiled. “I am going to start moving food to the table. There’s a lot. I cook to relieve stress. Today, I cooked a lot.”

She kept the box with her and walked back into the house, getting a crossbody bag and tucking Aspen’s curse into it so she didn’t let it go.

It was time for the Yorkshire puddings. She wasn’t confident, but she hoped she could get a few that were edible and not scorched or shoe-leather. It was her one weakness in the kitchen, but she kept trying.

She hummed and heard steps approaching from the cellar. She looked over as the healer came out, skin glowing dark green. He had a happy expression. “That is a wonderful gym.”

“Thank you.”

He paused. “I... you have a lot of room here. May I rent a room from you?”

Rowan looked at him. “Um, yes?”

He beamed and bowed. “Thank you, Miss Rowan. Fifteen hundred a month sufficient?”

“Sure.” Rowan smiled. “I will write up a contract and get one of the guys at work to look it over.”

“Nice. When can I move in?”