Jillian spotted Dani staring at them and said, “They were a gift, which I should probably take home with me, before Mel’s feelings get hurt. I forgot them in the move. Bael already thinks I’m a mug hoarder, but he’s one to talk. But yeah, in my experience, they’re kind of the bitches of the sea. River nymphs, mermaids, rusalki, all much nicer.”

Dani threw her head back and laughed. “You know how weird it is, to cite that experience and be able to prove it’s not bullshit, right?”

Jillian pursed her lips. “I’m aware.”

“I’m assuming that the sea sprite never saw the error of her ways and came swimming back to the good captain?”

“Nope, she continued back-stroking through the swamp, breaking hearts left and right. Worthen met a local lady, a healer, who thought he was everything that was amazing. She married him, kept him fat and happy and gave him six children. Lottie was the last of their descendants, and the local healer, a very popular woman among her neighbors. Despite the house being so old, they couldn’t bear to just let it fall down, so the residents of Mystic Bayou do little repairs whenever they can. And they rent it out to drole like ourselves, whenever the need strikes.”

“Drole?” Dani repeated the strange word, letting it roll over her tongue.

“A term you better get used to. It’s sort of a blanket word that applies to anything funny, strange or ‘other.’ Anyone who didn’t grow up here, basically. It’s not an insult. I’ve been accepted, thanks to Bael, and I’m still drole.”

“Eh, I’ve been traveling around long enough that I’m sort of used to being the outsider,” Dani said. “Doesn’t bother me. So, I’m assuming your assignment here in Mystic Bayou is going to be long-term?”

“Most likely permanent, considering the resources the League is investing here,” Jillian said.

“Isn’t that sort of unusual for the League?”

The kettle whistled and Jillian rose to grab it from the burner. “Incredibly. But, I’m fortunate in that I impressed the right people at the right time. It wasn’t that difficult, really, considering I’d been brought in at the last minute to replace a unicorn fondler.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

Jillian waved a free hand dismissively. “It’s a long story, better told over tequila. Out of Zed’s earshot. How long have you worked for the League?”

“Off and on, freelance, for three years. Mostly traveling around, recording energy anomalies and making ‘adjustments’ where it’s appropriate.”