"They're really not, Jay, we promise," Jesse agreed, smiling at JJ over his head. "It's gonna be OK."
After hearing about what had happened to Jayden, Ceridwen had come right over. She knelt down next to Jayden once she'd arrived, peering into his eyes. She held out one hand and closed her eyes, concentrating on feeling for anything different.
"Truth spell," she murmured. "Easier than trying to put something in his food. Doesn't last as long, though the upside for the caster is that it's easier."
She had noticed, almost from the moment she walked into the door, a presence she wasn't familiar with. It was almost like the tickle in the back of your throat that came before a sneeze. Faint, but there.
As she walked around the house, she sensed it more. It was...familiar, but still strange. It didn't make any sense. Nothing of any magical or immortal stripe could get in the house if it wished the family ill. And they had been holding up well so far.
"Jesse," she said curiously. "When was the last time you went into the attic?"
Jesse cocked his head, thinking. "I'm not sure," he finally said. "Probably a few months. Why?"
"Just a hunch," she replied. "Excuse me, I'm going to go investigate." Jesse, who was used to this, just shrugged and let her carry on.
She ascended the stairs to the third story, then pulled on the rope to lower the attic ladder. It came down easily enough, and she climbed up. The first thing she saw was the glow of a lamp, and in the corner, the shape of a small person curled up under a blanket.
"Who are you, and what are you doing in my son's house?" Ceridwen demanded, coming fully into the room.
Gerald jumped, tangling himself in his earbuds and yanking them out of the tablet. "I'm Gerald, I live here," he said, as though it were very obvious.
She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, before snapping her fingers. "You're a hobgoblin, aren't you?" she asked.
"Of course," he replied. "You're in my attic. Why are you in my attic?"
"Your attic, hmm?" she asked. "Seems to me, this is my son's attic, and I don't think he'd love that you're living here."
Gerald looked mildly alarmed. "Why not?" he asked, sounding offended. "I'm a perfectly good hobgoblin. Probably one of the best!"
"Good hobgoblins don't put truth spells on people," Ceridwen informed him. "I can't say Jesse would be thrilled to have you staying here, after you did that."
"Please don't make me leave, miss," Gerald said, not caring if he sounded like he was begging. "I like it here. They leave food out all the time, and even if it's not really for me, it's enough. And they don't notice. And I help! I tire the dog out so she doesn't wake the baby during his nap. I shut off the lights at night and fix the thermostat. The shoes get straightened and the dishes get done. I didn't mean anything by it, miss. Only the little one seemed so sad, like he never talked to anyone about things that really mattered. I just wanted to help him."
Ceridwen looked down at him, and she felt her annoyance melt away. He hadn't meant Jayden any harm, and as far as she could tell, the spell wasn't hurting him. She had known families long ago who would have fallen all over themselves to have a hobgoblin this devoted to his house.
"Gerald, was it?" she asked softly.
"Yes, miss," Gerald replied, shuffling his feet and looking at the ground.
"It's not my house, so I can't say one way or the other," she began. "But I have met all manner of magical things in my day, and you seem to be on the benign end of the scale. Which is good for you, because I think we can pitch it so that you can stay. Though an apology might be in order."
Gerald looked up at her from under the brim of his hat. "You think so, miss?" he asked, cautiously hopeful.
"Well, we'll have to speak to my son and his partners," she explained. "And as I said, apologizing to Jayden might go a long way."
Gerald blew out a breath, and muttered quietly in Welsh that it seemed strange to apologize for trying to help someone.
"Yes, but it could have ended up badly for him," Ceridwen replied, also in Welsh. "Don't sass me, Gerald. Come on. Downstairs we go. And don't forget-I can shapeshift too. So don't get any ideas."
"Yes miss," Gerald replied, and headed down the stairs after her.