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funny."
    "It does?"
    "Not funny ha-ha," Abby said. "Funny sick."
    "Yeah," Teagan said, and bolted for the bathroom.
    "Oh, my god." Abby was waiting in the hall when she came out. "You threw up, didn't you? Just like you used to do before spelling bees. Oh. My. God!"
    "Will you stop saying that?" Teagan wiped her mouth. "It's blasphemy or something."
    "You're in love," Abby said.
    "Sure," Teagan said. "Like I was in love at the spelling bees. I'm just ... nervous."
    "N
ervous,
" Abby said knowingly. "You ever meet a boy who made you
nervous
like that before? You know what? I don't think I like this guy."
    "You just said he looked like Brad Pitt. You said it was unfair that he was going to live with us."
    "That was five minutes ago. Now my hair is standing on end. There's something about him, Tea, I swear."
    "It's the way he smells," Teagan said. She'd noticed it as soon as he stepped in the door.
    "Smells?"
    "Didn't you think he smelled ... really good?" Teagan could tell by the way Abby frowned that she didn't.
    "Like what?" Abby looked puzzled. "Cologne? I didn't smell anything."
    "No, it was more..." Teagan shook her head. "I don't know how to describe it." Finn smelled
wild.
Abby would never let her live it down if she said that.
    "Oh, my god," Abby said. "That's how Bartholomew Dark seduces his victims ... they're drawn to his smell. Lock your door tonight, okay? I'll get some holy water from the font at Drogo's tomorrow."
    Teagan sighed. "How long has it been since you read a book that didn't have vampires in it?"
    "They write books with no vampires? Wait ... the penguins made us read that Shakesrear guy, right?"
    "Shakespeare," Teagan said.
    "Whatever. I'm pretty sure Mercutio was a vampire. He had the attitude, you know? He just never got a chance to show his fangs."
    "Did I hear you referring to the Sisters of Mercy as penguins, Abigail?" Mrs. Wylltson came down the stairs, towing Aiden behind her. "You'll be respecting godly women in this house."
    "Sorry, Mrs. Wylltson," Abby said contritely. "I'll confess it next time I go to Mass. Can I spend the night again?"
    "Not tonight," Mrs. Wylltson said. "You'd best head home."
    "But ... I helped cook dinner! Can't I help eat it?"
    "We need to give Finn a chance to settle in." She ushered Abby toward the door.
    "I think the spaghetti sauce needs more garlic," Abby said as Mrs. Wylltson herded her onto the porch. "Lots more!"
    "I'll consider it," Mrs. Wylltson said.
    Abby made a pinky-thumb phone and held it to her ear.
Call me,
she mouthed to Teagan as Mrs. Wylltson shut the door.
    "Garlic?" Mrs. Wylltson asked.
    "Vampires," Teagan said.
    "Abby thinks...?" She shook her head. "You can call her later and tell her Finn has no fangs. The boy has a broken arm. That would make anyone pale. Let's get supper heated before they come downstairs."
    "I'll be the lookout," Aiden said as he stationed himself at the foot of the stairs, "and tell you when they're coming."
    Mrs. Wylltson set plates on the table, while Teagan poured milk for herself, Aiden, and Finn, and wine for her parents.
    "They're taking their time up there," Teagan said.
    "Your da is explaining the house rules," Mrs. Wylltson said. "Ms. Skinner was hovering at the hospital. She didn't even let Finn ride with us on the way over. That woman knows nothing about the boy. He's a Mac Cumhaill through and through."
    "What does that mean?"
    "It means he's a Traveler. He wasn't meant to live by Ms. Skinner's rules."
    "They're coming." Aiden scooted around the corner on his hands and knees.
    "Good," Mrs. Wylltson said. "Now go wash your hands."
    "I don't want to wash my hands. I want to stay here and see Cousin Finn."
    Mrs. Wylltson tipped her chin down and gave him the Look.
    "Yes, ma'am." Aiden ran for the bathroom.
    Finn still had the satchel strap over his shoulder when he came into the kitchen. Teagan turned so she could just see him from the corner of her eye as she arranged the napkins. There was a moment of awkward