Chapter 25

Riadh’s box had been returned to the place where Dale had been keeping it as of late, sitting on top of Dale’s dresser. After the trip to see Summer, Riadh had been starting to fade around the edges, having been out of the box for more than forty-eight hours. He “retired” to recharge when he and Dale came home.

Dale went upstairs and lifted the lid from the box, hoping that three hours of rest, so to speak, would allow Riadh to be solid again. The familiar smoky funnel came out of the box and materialized a few feet in front of Dale.

“Problem?” Riadh asked. “I know my time sense is altered when I’m non-corporeal but I think it’s only been a few hours.”

“Hopefully only a minor thing and I’m not about to turn into a newt.”

Riadh raised an eyebrow.

“I found a ring of keys in the old desk in the front room. When I touched them, they made my hand tingle. I don’t know what it means. I’m hoping nothing important.”

“Show me.”