luck holds true, we’ll be eating out of bowls with the hell hounds,” I grumbled. But it was hard not to let her enthusiasm get to me. There was a portal on the same floor, in the same wing, where we were going to be.
The next day was a flurry of activity. By nine a.m. we were showered, dressed, made up, and out the door.
“So are they waterproof, like a duck’s?” I asked while we stood outside waiting for a taxi. A light snow had fallen and the Christmas decorations felt almost depressing. It was the end of the holiday, one which I usually enjoyed, but too many unsettling things had happened. This was one vacation I would be glad to finish—if everything worked out successfully.
“What?”
“Are the feathers waterproof? Does water just slide off them, like with ducks and swans?”
Meg glared. “Do your talons keep your meat from running away? What do you think?”
So much for making light of the situation. Meg was her old self. “Well, if I knew, I wouldn’t be asking, would I?”
“Sorry.” She gave her head a shake. Her newly shaped tresses waved cutely. “I guess I’m a little anxious about this evening. I keep imagining every conceivable disaster.”
“What happened to ‘we can get him there’?” I reminded her. “But I understand; creepy old man, portals, eternal servitude. Oh, and a completely new look. It’s a lot for one night.”
A cab pulled up. “Where to?” asked the driver.
“Downtown, 9th and 14th please,” I answered. I leaned closer to Meg. Her earth-friendly hair spray had a pretty vanilla scent and seemed to have a masking effect on the dander. I whispered, “I’m never setting foot in Henri Bendel again after what happened last time. We’re probably on security tapes and posters.”
She nodded grimly.
A few minutes later, the cabbie deposited us in front of a line of boutiques.
“I know we’ll find you something good, even if it’s black,” I assured her as we walked into the first shop.
Of course I found a ton of things for myself. For the show I chose a long black skirt with a silver overblouse. I also had to get a sleek pair of gray pants that caught my eye, and a light blue button-down shirt and a long black jacket to go with it for the office. For something fun I chose flared jeans with a beautiful greenish-gray sweater. Fortunately, I’d managed to find good-looking black stiletto boots that actually fit at a store that carried larger, wider sizes. For transvestites. It was a relief to be out of the mangy sneakers I’d been sporting. I stocked up, buying a dozen pairs of shoes. I was almost in my happy place.
After that, I dragged Meg to some cute boutiques where we found a flowing black skirt with a sleek tailored jacket to cover her feathered areas. And of course I got something for myself too—a slinky, revealing turquoise halter dress. Her feet, damn her, were still normal, and I was surprised when she chose a pair of butter-soft Chie Mihara Victorian boots—in lavender. There was hope for her yet.
“Who’s Mary Poppins now?” I teased as she twirled around.
Meg started to tear up. Uh oh. Guess I went too far. “I’m sorry! I just wanted to—”
Meg shook her head. “No, I’ve never had anyone do so much to make me feel special. All this”—she motioned to her new clothes—“and this whole situation …” She sniffed, took a deep breath, and looked me in the eyes. She smiled. “Thanks.”
I’d never seen Meg emotional. Or at a loss for words. She was the rock; I was the slobbery one. It added to the guilt I felt—since my goal had only been to get Jeremy to notice me if men or gods were all over her.
“Well,” I said awkwardly, “not just anybody can be seen with me.”
Meg laughed, breaking the tension.
I led her over to a glass case. “Okay, while we look at accessories, I’ll cry over my ugly feet and you’ll think how we can get Arkady to that portal.” I had to get my mind off Jeremy and onto the task.
But neither of us came up with anything. Meg pointed out that we’d need to know where Arkady was in relation to the portal in order to figure out how to get him there.
“What if in the end he won’t go?” Meg sighed.
I didn’t want to think about that. Hades’ interest in me wasn’t innocent. I doubt I’d be the Tartarus dogsitter for long;