“Actually, Dani has plans on Saturday,” Zed cut in.

Dani nodded, flashing a grateful look at Zed. “Yes, important parish-League cooperative business.”

“Very important.”

“Well, we’ll just have to catch you some other time, then,” said Ivy.

“Maybe,” Dani replied.

Ivy nodded at them both and filtered back to the other League employees.

Dani cringed, the corners of her mouth pulling back. “She’s . . . intense.”

“Do me a favor, if she offers you anything to eat or drink . . . don’t take it . . . And maybe don’t let her have any of your hair . . . or blood or important personal possessions.”

“That’s pretty good advice. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I hear the gumbo calling my name,” Dani said. “And I suppose I have to talk to some of the other League people eventually.”

Zed nodded. “I’ll catch up with you at the tables, cher.”

He crossed the grass to Jillian and the stranger. She beamed at him and waved him over. “Mayor Zed Berend, I would like you to meet Mel Yamagita of Loveland, Ohio.”

Despite his confusion, Zed pasted on his best mayoral smile and shook Mel’s hand. To his surprise, the old man had a serious grip on him.

“Nice to meet you, sir.”

Mel gestured around the yard. “Hell of a place your mother has here.”

Zed glanced toward Bael, who had shrunk into his human form and slipped into his spare pants. He jogged toward them, with a big smile on his face. He kissed Jillian soundly on the cheek and nodded to Mel. “We have more seafood than you could ever want to eat, Mel. Do you want a beer?”

Mel nodded his balding head. “That would be great, Bael, thanks.”

Bael ran off to fetch Mel’s food. Zed pursed his lips. Bael was behaving in an almost tame fashion. What was going on with his friend right now?

“Mel is going to be moving to Mystic Bayou soon,” Jillian said. “He’s been looking at buying Gladys Fider’s old place. It’s peaceful and it’s right on the water—”

Mel curled his arm around Jillian’s waist and squeezed her against his side, grinning broadly. “And it’s near my best girl, so it’s an ideal place for retirement.”

Zed had so many questions about this strange little man who was giving Zed that familiar “hair standing on end” reaction that he had around most magique. Though their bond was clearly non-romantic—because Bael was allowing this man to live—Zed had no idea how Mel fit into Jillian’s life. He’d assumed that the citizens of Mystic Bayou were the first magique she’d ever met.