Chapter 20

Tyler lifted his head. "Juliette's finally back."

"Good, she timed it right since we've just finished with the last story." Queen Morganna close the book and placed it on the ground.

Juliette strolled up to the group sitting in a circle. "Did you read everything in the book?"

"Yes. Did these things really happen? Can't believe that they did. Some of these things in this book I've never even heard of." Tyler stood and ambled over to Juliette.

"I understand why you wouldn't believe the stories. You see it's 2009 here. I know that you came from 1875. It must be all very foreign to you."

"2009! You're goshin' me. How did over a hundred years go by?"

"You traveled through a portal. The same one Cydia around 200 years ago." Juliette picked up the book. "We need to go into town now. The diner's empty and won't have any customers until tonight."

Queen Morganna, Samdy, Avia, Ladyanna, Morgan, and Gonzo stood and followed Juliette and Tyler down the dirt road into town.

In a few minutes, Tyler read a green metal sign that said 'Welcome to Deacon, Mississippi'. After the group passed the sign, he observed two buildings, one black and the other one blue. The onyx building had a sign on it that read 'Noone's Booze, and the one on the navy one read 'Deacon Diner'.

Tyler glanced at Juliette motioning for them to follow her into the diner. He and the others sat in the back of the diner at a long cherry table with a cerulean tablecloth on it. Never seen a place like this before. What's that machine playin' music? Is this some kind of saloon?

A raven-haired lady and a white haired man sat down beside Juliette at the end of the table.

"This is Samantha Webster and Willie Noone." Juliette gestured to them. "Now to the stories you read. You should be familar with some of it Queen Morganna."

"Yes, I am. Mantie and Anaie are in the first one. Mantie was my late husband's brother, and Anaie my niece. I had already received news that Anaie and her faeriegodmother had been capture and brought here. I also know now that Mabon and Dylan Walsh are here already. Are any of the others from the Unseelie Court here?"

"I'm not sure, but I've heard of rumors that a troll, banshee, and some kind of mule-like creature came with them. If you paid close attention to the diary entries of Ludia Webster, a vampirefaerie's here too," said Juliette.

"We're going to have to split all of you up for awhile, and only have y'all meeting here at the diner." Samantha peered at Tyler. "You and the young woman can stay with me and help me out here at the diner. I can always say that you're my slaves as a cover if Lucifer and Cydia ask any questions. They don't say much to me because I'm related by marriage to Lucifer. I was married to his ex-wife's brother. Lucifer took the family name of Webster when he married Marion."

"Miss, you and the boy can stay with me. We can enroll him in school tomorrow, and you can work at my store," Willie said.

"Where will Ladyanna, Morgan, and I stay, Juliette?" asked Gonzo.

"The three of you will stay with me because everyone knows that I love animals." Juliette turned to the rest of the group. "We'll meet here tomorrow at four to discuss what we're going to do next."

After saying their goodbyes, Tyler watched everyone leave except for Avia and Samantha.

"Tyler, I'll have you working in the kitchen and busing tables, and Avia, I'll have you waiting tables. I'll be careful with who I let y'all wait on. We can't let certain people coming in close contact with you two. I have a uniform you can wear, Avia, and I've got some of my husbands clothes that you can wear Tyler."

"Never done kitchen work before," said Tyler.

"That's okay. I'll teach you and Avia everything you need to know."