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I study the gargoyle. He’s really quite spectacularly ugly. That pugged nose and ghoulish mouth, I suppose, is what does it.

But the stonework is impressive. Whoever carved him must have spent weeks on all those tiny details. The individual scales along his wings. The sharp claws curled over the edge of the railing. The deep grooves around his mouth.

And his eyes.

They’re almost lifelike.

Which is a little creepy, if I’m being truthful.

“Maybe you’re magic. I have heard rumors about crazy things happening in this town.”

I laugh at myself. Because obviously. A magical gargoyle. I lean forward.

“Wait a minute.”

An idea occurs to me. It’s not a particularly good idea. But three glasses of wine have never been known to produce good ideas.

“What if you’re like a genie?”

I squint at him.

“Not a regular genie. Obviously. You’re much too ugly for that.”

I get to my feet. The balcony tilts slightly. Or maybe I do.

Either way, I grab the back of my chair until everything settles.

“Okay. We’re good.” I walk over to Rocky.

He’s about waist-high where he crouches on the wide stone railing, his wings folded tightly against his back.

“Now, if I remember correctly, you’re supposed to rub a magic lamp and a genie pops out.”

I consider him.

“You’re not a lamp. Excellent observation, April,” I mock. “But you’re sort of the same color as plenty of genies I’ve read about. You’re old. Probably. And you’re definitely weird.”

I smile.

“So let’s give it a shot.”

I reach out and pat the top of his head.

“There, there, Rocky.”

Nothing happens. Obviously.

I rub his head in a circle. “Come on, buddy. Mama needs a new sewer line.”

Still nothing. I try one of his horns. There’s something oddly compelling and kind of soothing in the feel of the stone against my palm.

“Stingy bastard.”

I step back and study him. Maybe I’m doing it wrong. Maybe there’s some sort of special technique.

I mean, I’ve never actually summoned a genie before. There’s probably a learning curve.

Or, he’s just a statue. But at the moment, I’m convinced he’s something more.