“Oh, my God. Here I am,” she squeals back. “I missed you so much, Pie!”
“Me too! Oh, my God, me too. You have no idea how hard life is without you, Pia! It’s not the same. But hey, wait. Why doesn’t the spell work at home?”
“Greasy said he doesn’t have power there. Only here. He says he’s from here. That’s why it works.”
My good mood falls. “Wait. So you can only talk here?”
“Yes. I’m sorry, Pie. It’s not the best solution, but it’s all we’ve got right now.”
I let out a long sigh. Solid. Can I get one? Anyone got one for me?
“It’s OK, Pie. Don’t be sad. You’ll be here every day, all day long. It’s only at night that I won’t be my chatty normal self.”
“Yeah,” I say noncommittally. Because I’m not convinced. “The normal version of you being here with me definitely makes things better. But….” I pout and drop my head and my shoulders as my arms go limp, ready to do the monkey walk. That’s what Pia calls it when I pout. She says I look like a gorilla. “Why, why, why do the gods hate me?”
“They don’t hate you. No one can hate you. You’re adorable. And that skirt, Pie. It works.”
I look down at myself—which isn’t hard because I’m still pouting like a gorilla—but then I smile and look up. “It does work, right? I swear, Eyebrow Monster really knows what he’s doing when it comes to wood-nymph fashion.”
“I like him,” Pia says. “He said he was going to make me a tiny hat and cape set today. So I can look fancy at your work. He says I’m your personal assistant and I should dress for success.”
“Huh. That’s sweet of him. Hey, wait, can you understand them?”
“Sure. Can’t you?”
But before I can answer, Luciano is calling my name from across the crowded lobby. “Miss Vita!” It’s an excited call and he’s coming towards us at a pretty good clip. “Oh, this is wonderful. I was starting to wonder if I’d have to organize a special trip to collect you.”
“Collect me? That doesn’t sound ominous.”
“Well, who is this little charmer?” He taps Pia on her bright red head. “Aren’t you adorable?”
“Thank you,” Pia says.
“You’re very welcome.”
“I’m Pie’s personal assistant. Do I need to talk to human resources about my signing bonus?”
“Signing bonus? Pia—wait.” I point at Luciano. “You can see her? And hear her?”
“Of course,” Luciano says. “Is that weird?”
“Yeah, actually. In my other world, only monsters can see her and hear her.”
Luciano smiles at me. It’s one of those ‘mmmm-hmmmm’ smiles. Like he’s waiting for me to put two and two together.
“Ohhhhhh. I see. You’re a monster.”
“Don’t we all have a little monster in us, Pie?”
“Sure. Whatever.” He’s not as charming this time around. In fact, I’m pretty sure that ‘special trip’ he just mentioned was really gonna be a kidnapping. “So. What should I do now?”
“Now.” Luciano clasps his hands together. “I will take you to Tarq and he will definitely put you to work.”
“Great,” I mutter.
But as I follow Luciano though the magic hallways, Pia is snuggling up against my neck, commenting on everything from the fashion, to the little kiosks selling what looks to be coffee, and the city we occasionally glimpse as we pass by windows.
And I have to admit, it’s all pretty fascinating.