“If only River’s attitude was as similarly… positive.”

“Doesn’t sound that happy to me. But maybe that’s just the weary opinion of an old man.”

“There’s not much more I can say about it. My previous alliance with the fallen Ancestors wasn’t out of respect; I care very little about New Orleans and its witches, and I don’t see that changing any time soon.”

“That’s good, really. People can get so weird about that stuff, with your milestones and preschools. Like, who cares if a five year old can or can’t read. Just let them be.” Gabe’s mini rant halted as she noticed his growing smile. She didn’t want to stomp on his happiness. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never read any of those books. But I have no reason to lie to you or to try and make you think I’m any better than I actually am. That’s what I’d assume the difference is.”

“Some days… just feeling human is the closest I think I’ll ever get.”

“Whatever you’re going through, Alex.. it couldn’t hurt. It’s just today’s tips.”

“It probably depends but, how do you know?”

She’s quiet for a moment, casually scanning the boy’s face as her silence persisted. “Trying is good, but after a point, it’s just dishonest. You don’t seem like the dishonest type. Unless that’s been your play from the beginning.” She offered him a wink.

“I get that too,” he commented curtly, referring to the fact that plans rarely ever seem to go according to any reason. Canaan slowly nodded, his gaze softening ever so slightly as his eyes met the others. “You can come over anytime. You know that, right?”

“Talk to me.”

“That’s not gonna happen,” he reassured, almost warmly. “The dead are always welcome here. Call it.. an understanding between outcasts.”

“And what is that, exactly?”

“Hell. Hell.”

“People like me.. we can feel it. There’s trouble brewing.”

“Now that I understand.”

“Your first mistake was thinking you could protect them.”

“I’m glad. It’ll come in handy the next time I blank when someone makes even the slightest reference. Today, information moves so fast… I don’t know how anyone does it.”