Ganymede didn’t answer Jerry. Instead, he looked at Blue Bunny. “Free the animal.”

Within seconds, the fox was gone and an older, human version of Amaya—about five feet tall, beautiful, and ticked off—stood in its place. She still clutched her paper and pen, but she’d lost the Girl Scout uniform in favor of a gray business suit with a white blouse. She shoved the paper and pen into her purse.

She glared at him. “All you had to say was no to the cookies.”

Ganymede was always onboard with cookies, but they weren’t a priority right now. “Who sent you to find me?” It was pretty obvious. Smart move. Send a kitsune that looked like an ordinary child door to door to sniff him out. It wasn’t in character, though. The Big Boss usually did his own dirty work. He’d make a note, too, to talk to Holgarth and Lucinda about their pathetic wards. Cookie Girl had walked right through them.

Amaya blinked. “I have no idea who you are, sir. You overestimate your importance. I’m searching for the rip in the time-space continuum. It’s close. I sense it.”

Ganymede narrowed his gaze. “You didn’t answer my question. Who sent you?”

“What is she?” Jerry was persistent.

“She is standing right here.” Amaya sniffed her distain. “I’m a kitsune, a Japanese fox spirit. And if you’re wise, you’ll show respect for your elder, child. I’m centuries old. Did you count my tails? Five. That means I have enough magic to make your life miserable.”

Jerry sneered. “I doubt it.”

Ganymede winced. Rudeness to a kitsune always came back to bite you. Jerry would have to learn the hard way.

“You can take the forms of specific humans.” Ganymede remembered that much about the kitsune.

Amaya smiled, a sly smile. “I might look like the small girl who is selling cookies on the next street.” Her smile faded. “But enough about me. What came through the rip?”

“None of your business.” Blue Bunny looked mutinous.

The kitsune’s smile faded. “Of course it’s my business. I’m a government agent.” She pulled a badge from her purse and held it up for all to see. “My agency handles undocumented aliens from other planets, solar systems and alternate universes.”

“The government knows about nonhumans?” Sparkle sounded as shocked as Ganymede felt.

“Of course they do.”

Sparkle leaned close to take a look at the badge. Then she glanced down. “By the way, I could point you towards some fabulous shoes.” Her expression said that Amaya’s footwear was unfortunate. “Oh, and the bland suit doesn’t complement your awesome fox form. Just saying.”

Ganymede forced his expression to remain hard even though a smile threatened to break loose. That’s my Sparkle. Even in the face of the apocalypse, she’d make sure everyone marched to meet it in good shoes. He squashed the impulse. Remember what she said to you. You’re finished with her. But somehow when she was right in front of him, it was tough to hold onto his mad.

Amaya ignored Sparkle’s hints about her wardrobe. “They’ll never admit it to the general public because of the whole mass hysteria problem, but behind the scenes they have everything under control.” She peered at them. “Are all of you in our database?” Then she waved her question away. “We’ll worry about the paperwork after I take care of any of the uninvited who entered through the tear.”

Had everything under control? Not back in Galveston. They’d shit paperclips if they got a look inside the Castle of Dark Dreams. He’d guarantee she didn’t have him in her database. Ganymede frowned. The fact that the government not only knew about nonhumans—although he’d always suspected they did—but was now hiring them worried him, though. “Okay, so let’s pretend we’ve seen this tear. What do you plan to do about it?” He held his hand up to stop whatever Blue Bunny was about to shout.

Amaya shrugged. “First, I’ll watch as you send the undesirables back home. Now let’s get this done.”

Sparkle stopped studying Amaya’s hair to ask the important question. “And our options are?”

Amaya’s expression didn’t change. “Government forces cordoning off the street, evacuating the civilian population, and then blowing your beautiful house into pink toothpicks. Oh, and if you were thinking of eliminating me, be aware that I have a GPS implant. The agency knows exactly where I am.” She looked smug.

Ganymede wanted to wipe that expression off her face. She’d brought a whole new set of problems to his door. Now, besides worrying about the Big Boss, his creator, Sparkle, and a bunch of newbie troublemakers, he had to deal with the government. His idea had seemed so simple in the planning stage.

But first things first. He agreed the animal had to go home. “What happens after the illegal is sent back?”

For the first time, Amaya hesitated.

“Let me guess. The one who allowed it to enter Earth will be dragged off by your agency never to be seen again.” He leaned closer to the kitsune, and she took a step back. He smiled. She might believe she was powerful. She might believe she was almost invincible with the authority of the government behind her. But she wasn’t completely stupid. She could feel his power. Ganymede could sink Cape May into the Atlantic if he chose to. Amaya didn’t want to mess with him. “You will take no one away from this place. It would make me angry.”

Her black eyes grew large in her small face. She swallowed hard. “Umm…” She glanced away.

“Blue Bunny, go get the animal.” Ganymede’s glare stopped whatever protest she’d been about to launch. He watched her stomp toward the stairs, anger radiating from her rigid shoulders. Kids. Maybe this school had been a mistake.

Sparkle walked beside him as they all trailed through the house into the backyard. She touched his hand in sympathy. He wanted to feel nothing, but his senses overruled his mind. Ganymede remembered what her hand felt like clasping his—warm, firm, and an anchor to Earth when his need to create chaos made him crazy. He took a deep breath, allowing her scent to calm him now.

They waited there until Blue Bunny joined them, the small yellow animal clutched to her. Tears slid down her cheeks. “Why can’t he stay?”

“She doesn’t belong here, child.” A touch of sympathy colored the kitsune’s words.

“Here’s the thing, Agent Amaya. Blue Bunny is young, and her power’s still a little wobbly. The hole was an accident. There’s no guarantee she can repeat the process.” Ganymede shrugged and tried to look regretful. “She might destroy half the state if she tries again. And no one else here can do it for her.” Ganymede smiled as he lied. He might not open the hole to the animal’s home world, but he could certainly send it somewhere.

Amaya made an impatient sound. “Fine. I’ll do it. Give me the animal.”

Blue Bunny glanced at Ganymede. He nodded. Sniffing as she bit back a protest, Blue Bunny handed over her new pet to Amaya. The creature made its own bid for sympathy with a few pitiful whines. Its huge blue eyes seemed to plead with him. Ganymede hardened his heart. He didn’t need the government breathing down his neck at the same time the Big Boss was hunting his head.

Sparkle leaned in to whisper, “That was a load of garbage. Blue Bunny could probably open—”

“Shh.” He laid his finger across her lips. “I want Agent Amaya to be responsible. That way if anything goes wrong, we have a negotiation tool.”

“It’s not wise to put your finger near my mouth.”

Before he could jerk the finger away, Sparkle slid her tongue across it. He dropped his hand to his side and tried to look as though her mouth on any part of him meant nothing. But the warmth of her touch lingered as it burrowed a familiar path to his heart. He needed a distraction.

Amaya provided it. She held the animal close even as it squirmed in her arms. “I am one with this creature now. I can sense its— Ouch! The little shit bit me.” She shoved it at Ganymede. “I know where its home is. Hold it while I open the portal.”

Ganymede promptly handed the animal back to Blue Bunny. Then he turned to watch Amaya. She thrust her hand at the spot where the tear had opened before…and it opened again. Everything went downhill from there.

A boy who looked about the same age as Ganymede’s newbies stood in the opening. His bright yellow hair blew in the wind, and his long black robe whipped around him. He stared at them, his expression desperate. He held one of the yellow creatures clutched to his chest.

Ganymede’s eyes widened as he looked beyond the boy. A mob of guys dressed in yellow robes and waving swords in the air poured out of a yellow building with a bunch of statues in front of it. All the statues looked like the freaky yellow animal Blue Bunny held. Ganymede didn’t have time to notice anything else because the robed men were racing toward the boy.

The kid glanced over his shoulder and then without hesitating, he leaped through the tear.

Terrific. “Close the damn portal!” All Ganymede needed to complete this circus was a bunch of crazy guys in yellow robes rampaging through the neighborhood waving their swords. Like the Big Boss wouldn’t notice that. And what the hell was Sparkle doing? She had her phone out and was… But he didn’t have any more time to worry about Sparkle because he had a portal to shut.

Sparkle kept filming even as she grabbed the hand of the kid stumbling past. He turned eyes filled with terror and confusion her way. “You’re okay. Everything will be fine.” He might not understand her words, but she hoped her tone would calm him. She glanced past him in time to see Amaya standing frozen in front of the opening as the mob bore down on her.

Everyone in the yard not named Ganymede, Sparkle, or Amaya rushed for the house, including their fearless wizard. Wait. Jerry was still there, wearing an intense expression that was one part fear and three parts anticipation.

Mede leaped into action. He shoved Amaya aside then made a slashing motion with his hand. The opening collapsed and disappeared just as the first yellow-robed figure reached it.

Sparkle breathed out. Safe. Not that she had thought those men were a threat, not with Mede here. From their first meeting, she’d always believed he could stop the world spinning if he chose. He was her hero. She would never admit it to him, though. Saying it would hand him a weapon he’d exploit shamelessly.

No, the real danger was being forced to fight a battle in their backyard. Not even the do-not-notice spell could hide something that big. The neighbors would’ve called 911. Some idiot would have filmed it and then put it on YouTube. A really ticked off Big Boss would’ve landed on their doorstep breathing fire within minutes. Sparkle put her phone away. The boy pulled his hand free, but stayed standing beside her, hugging the yellow creature in his arms.

Amaya turned to meet Sparkle’s gaze. The kitsune’s eyes still held panic. Sparkle smiled her fake sympathetic smile. “Don’t feel ashamed because you froze and put the whole planet in danger. I mean, it’s a normal reaction. Sure, you allowed two nonhumans to enter your territory.” Sparkle shrugged. “But hey, it could’ve been a lot worse if Mede hadn’t closed the portal.” Her smile widened. “And I captured it all on my phone.”

Amaya’s eyes widened then narrowed. “What do you intend to do with your little video?”

Sparkle abandoned her smile. “That depends on you, now doesn’t it? Walk away from here, and I’ll never use it. Try to make trouble for us, and I’ll send it right off to the head of your agency.” Whoever that was.

Amaya muttered what Sparkle figured were curses aimed at her and her phone. That was okay. Curses rolled right off her. As long as they didn’t involve split nails or thinning hair.

“I will compromise.” Amaya tilted her head up to meet Sparkle’s gaze. “I will allow this…incident to slide, but I’ll have to stop by every so often to check that the new…citizens are posing no threat to our national security.” She cleared her throat. “Umm, I’d send them all back right now, but I don’t think it’s safe to use that portal at the moment.”

“You think?” Sparkle did a mental eye roll. Right now the biggest threat to national security had his arm around the new boy’s shoulders and was guiding him toward the house. Mede glanced back at her and winked. Winked. Sparkle scowled at him. Now he’d be smug for days.

“There will be paperwork. I’ll drop the forms off tomorrow.”

Amaya started to walk around the side of the house to get back to the street—guess she didn’t want to contaminate her plain gray flats by going through the house again—but then she paused to study Jerry.

“I’ll remember you, child.” The ghost of a smile touched her lips. “And you will regret my remembering.”

Just then Holgarth came out the back door. “Before you go, Amaya, I have a question.” He walked to the edge of the deck to peer down at her.

Sparkle figured that was his favorite position—looking down on everyone.

“How did a person with so little magic see the house? How were you able to ring the bell without being harmed?”

Sparkle never ceased to marvel at Holgarth’s ability to alienate every person he met.

Amaya waved his questions away. “For one with even a ‘little’ magic, it was a simple thing. Your wards were weak, wizard. They didn’t fool me, and they definitely didn’t stop me from ringing your bell.” Then she left.

Sparkle felt like pulling out her phone again, because for one of the first times ever Holgarth wore an expression of shocked disbelief. She controlled the urge. With a swish of his robe, he stalked back into the house without acknowledging her presence.

Jerry watched Amaya go before turning to Sparkle. “What did she mean about me regretting her remembering?”

Sparkle shook her head. “It means you probably should lose the smirk and learn to respect other nonhumans because they can make your life hell.” She left him standing there looking unconvinced as she followed Holgarth inside.

Sparkle found everyone gathered in the parlor. Two chairs were free. She chose one of them. A rock pile would have felt more comfy. She’d have to do something about this butt-bruising furniture… Stop. You won’t be here that long if Mede has anything to say about it.

Blue Bunny sat on the floor beside Orion. She held tightly to her yellow animal. Jill sprawled on the couch. She wore her resentful-teen glare. Holgarth stood in a shadowed corner, probably sneering at the lot of them. Jerry slipped into the room. He dropped onto the floor beside Blue Bunny and Orion.

The new boy stood in front of the fireplace beside Mede. He clutched the yellow creature as it wiggled in an attempt to reach Blue Bunny’s pet. What had Amaya called Blue Bunny’s animal? She. As the boy’s creature continued to struggle, Sparkle got the view she was looking for. He. A he and a she. Sparkle saw a possible problem developing.

Mede met Sparkle’s gaze then looked away. “I want you all to welcome the new member of our little family.” The smile he gave the boy said he’d really like to wrap him in a blanket and drop him on someone else’s front porch. “Until he learns our language, we’ll have to show patience. I expect everyone to help teach him.”

Translation: I don’t have patience, so I expect someone else to do the dirty work. She studied the kid. He could pass for human except for that bright yellow hair. Then she noticed his eyes. Yellow, as bright as his hair and ringed in black. She stood to get a better look at him. He didn’t flinch as she approached. And when she pushed his hair aside, he met her gaze. Brave. She liked that. But she sighed when she saw his ears. Pointed. “We’ll keep your hair long. Don’t worry, I’ll bring in a stylist who does great work but is still discreet. Dye will solve the color. The eyes are problematic, though.” She knew he didn’t understand, but it felt wrong to speak to the others as though he wasn’t there.

Mede didn’t comment as he watched the boy walk over to sit on the other side of Blue Bunny. He shrugged before joining the others on the floor. No elegant chair for him. Sparkle decided this house and Mede were the original Odd Couple. Flipping her hair away from her face and lifting her chin to a don’t-give-a-damn level, she returned to her chair. She crossed her legs, then offered Mede a defiant stare. She, on the other hand, was born to elegance.

Holgarth stepped out of the shadows to insert himself into the silence. “We need to address some issues. We know nothing about this child and the two animals from his world.” He eyed the boy as though he could almost see the plague germs leaping from him. “They must all remain inside until we find a way to communicate with him.”

Sparkle would’ve made a snarky comment just to annoy the wizard, but she was too busy wiggling her butt to distract Mede. He growled low in his throat. She hummed her satisfaction.

“Blue Bunny will be responsible for the animals.” Holgarth paused to stare at her. “What an absolutely hideous name for such an ordinary looking girl.”

Sparkle stopped humming. “She’s not ordinary looking. Blue has great bone structure and beautiful eyes. Sure, the name is…unique, but lots of people are choosing edgy names for their children nowadays.” Of course, Sparkle would never call the girl by her whole name because Holgarth was right, it was a disaster. But Blue belonged to them now, and Sparkle wouldn’t allow the wizard to humiliate her.

Blue Bunny glowed. “Thank you.” She hugged the yellow animal so tightly it squeaked at her. “I’ll take great care of both of them.” She cast a quick peek at the new boy. “He can help me.” Then she blushed.

Sparkle smiled. The beginnings of young love. Something to be nurtured.

Holgarth dismissed Blue Bunny with a sniff. “We have to set up lesson schedules, purchase supplies, and give our new student a name.”

Mede opened his mouth.

“No.” Sparkle would stop this right now. “You will not name him Jack to match Jill. There will be no more ice-cream brand names. We’ll meet to choose appropriate names for everyone other than Orion when things calm down a little.” When things calm down. Sparkle hoped they’d survive long enough to see that happen.

Holgarth continued before Mede had a chance to argue with her.

“We’ll also need a battle plan to stop the Big Boss when he finally finds us.” Holgarth glanced around, searching for someone. “I’ll have to create some magical protections for us. Alone. I’m much more effective when I don’t have to partner with a lesser power.”

The painting of some long-dead ancestor tipped off the wall behind the wizard and bounced off his head, flattening his pointed hat. Again. He looked a little dazed as he dropped onto the remaining chair.

Sparkle couldn’t help it. She smiled. Go, Lucinda. The ghost wouldn’t take any snark from Holgarth. She wouldn’t allow him to blame her for the failure of their wards.

Mede held up his hand to stop anyone else from speaking. “I want everyone to be clear on this. When the showdown with the Big Boss happens, I’ll make sure it isn’t here. Yes, make plans to protect yourselves, but you won’t need them if I can help it. Besides, we don’t even know where the Big Boss is.”

As though on cue, the front door blew open on a gust of wind that slammed it against the wall. The wind swirled into the room whipping curtains into the air and scattering magazines along with anything else light enough to fly. The wind became a funnel that Sparkle recognized. When the wind died, Mistral was left standing there.

He grinned. “Did I miss anything? No? Well, I have good and bad news. The good news is the Big Boss is staying at a bed and breakfast two blocks away. The bad news is the Big Boss is staying at a bed and breakfast two blocks away. I left him standing on the porch. A little girl had just dumped a pile of Girl Scout cookie boxes in front of him.”