Page 58 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

“Exactly! I need someone who can. Like you.”

A bright blue, four-eyed head poked from the nest. Pip rubbed his fuzzy pedipalps together, like he did when he was anxious.

“Don’t need me. Have powerful ice baby now.”

“That’s not true.” Milo stepped closer, tilting his head almost directly upward. “Pip, even if the Glaceryn stays, that doesn’t mean I’m replacing you. You’re still my familiar, and I need you now more than ever.”

“You do?”

“Yes,” Milo said, exasperated. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for days. I need you. The apothecary needs you. You’re a part of our lives, Pip; nothing will change that. I promise.”

The little spider seemed to consider him for a moment.

“Baby ice dragon too noisy.”

“Yes, she is.”

“Stomps like troll. Needs to be more stealthy.”

“And who do you think is going to teach her? She doesn’t have a mom to teach her those things. And I certainly can’t do it. What do you say, Pip?”

The spider’s pedipalps rubbed back and forth a few more times before he emerged completely from his silken cocoon.

“Fine. Pip will take Glaceryn as apprentice.”

Milo’s shoulders fell in relief.

“Thank you, Pip. I knew I could count on you.”

“Pip still head familiar.”

“Absolutely. You’re in charge.”

And right on cue, Milo heard the telltale sound of little claws scratching at the bedroom door, followed by a few disgruntled chirps.

“Uuugh,” he groaned, running his hands through his hair. “And I just got her down for a nap.”

“Open door. Pip will discipline,” the spider said.

Milo wasn’t exactly sure he wanted to know what that meant, but cautiously, he cracked open the door.

The Glaceryn burst through the opening, squeaking and crashing into Milo’s furniture, sending frames toppling and Grievance’s jewelry collection scattering across the floor.

“Oh hells,” Milo said, scrambling after the living hurricane they’d invited into their home. “Come here!”

She chirped, dodging him easily, leaping onto the dresser, where she proceeded to knock down all of Milo’s freshly folded laundry.

“Bad Glaceryn!” Milo called, but she only seemed to laugh at him as she dodged his grip again, chirping all the while.

After only three days of treatment, she was obviously feeling much better. Milo treated her for the flu much like he treated Regina’s cat for a URI.

The Glaceryn had responded well, her patchy fur already growing back and her ribs much less visible.

And boy, did she have energy to spare. Milo and Grievance had hardly slept for three days.

“Down! I said down!” Milo commanded, pointing a finger uselessly to the floor. The little monster sat perched on a ceiling beam, waving her tail back and forth as though to say,

“You can’t catch me!”