“Pickup for Mackenzie?”

“That’s me.”

The guy stared at me, a weird look on his face as he handed over several bags of takeout. A few younger employees stood a couple feet behind him and kept giggling. I looked down. Pants? Check. Shoes? Check. All parts of me human? Checkity-check. Maybe I was super sweaty? I paid for the food and left, deciding it was just one of life’s mysteries that I’d never know.

I came home and found Trick sprawled on the couch, the little girl from the Santa photo plastered to his chest, fast asleep. Van and Lou shared the couch with a big guy who looked human, but definitely wasn’t. He smelled like bull, wood, and the green smell I associated with hedgewitch potions. They were all focused on the TV, which showed the opening credits for a dating show.

“Jim,” the big dude said, not looking at me. “Nice to meet you. If you value your life, you will speak quietly when the show is actually on.” The screen shifted to an aerial view of a huge wilderness lodge that was rustic in a very picturesque and glamorous sort of way. Golden lettering unfurled across the screen, revealing the title Mated by Fate.

I held up my bags, making sure to keep my voice low. “I brought food.”

Van lifted her nose, sniffing theatrically. “Is that curry? Ooooh, that’s curry.” She looked up at me and then burst into laughter. Trick followed her gaze and groaned.

Jim squinted at me, shook his head, and nudged Van with the flat of his palm, making her sway in place. “You’re evil.”

Lou finally turned her head and winced. “Van.”

Van flushed pink. “I’m sorry! I mean, it’s still funny, but I’m sorry.”

I must have looked bewildered, because Lou pointed to a tall, decorative mirror hanging on the wall. I scooted over to it.

And finally, the mystery of the giggling staff at the Thai restaurant was solved. Yes, I was sweaty. That wasn’t what had made them laugh. No, it was likely the glitter script waving across my forehead. “‘Twatopottamus?’ Really?”

Van wheezed in laughter before covering her mouth. Somewhere in there, she managed another “I’m so sorry, but it’s so funny…” before she wheezed some more. “I feel really bad.”

“I can tell.” I turned my head, the script glittering across my forehead as I shifted. Really, it was an impressive hex. Despite the long word, the script was legible, and the gold glitter really set it off. “Very nice work.” I took my bags to the kitchen, unloading them onto the kitchen counter.

I heard footsteps and glanced back to see Lou walking in slowly, dragging Van behind her. Lou stopped several feet away, giving me space. She poked Van in the arm.

“I’m very sorry.” She managed to look contrite. “We didn’t know. I just…” She looked guiltily at Lou. “I’m a little protective over my people.”

Van and I stared at each other for a minute before she dropped her gaze.