Though they had never met, they recognized one another immediately. Spirit kin. As close-or closer-than blood kin.

"I knew there was more to me coming here than rehab for the knee replacement," he said. "I've been watching and waiting for you for a week, ever since I saw Mjolnir. He was a young, spry tom the last time I saw him, but he really hasn't changed that much. Isis was thrilled to see him again."

"Then you must have known my darlin' Cassie when she was a fairly young woman?" inguired Cathy. She was a little disconcerted to have not to have had any premonition of this meeting. The surprise, the lack of forewarning. That must be why her pulse seemed to be racing a bit right now. It had nothing to do with the way his hand had lingered when they introduced themselves.

"I met Cassie when I was just a young boy, on her first trip down the rivers to New Orleans."