Page 61 of Heart of Dawn
Why didn’t he just lob salt in my eyes? It would piss me off less.
“I wish I had an answer for you,” Andrew contributed.
“Isn’t there always an emergency back door?” Trev said, scratching his chin.
The big guy was from Faery himself—Plumsea Village. But that didn’t give him access to the realm’s secrets.
“If there were, only the king would know,” Basil said. “But I doubt it even exists. A back door would be dangerous.”
His gloom started deflating my mood.
James swiveled his cap so the brim faced forward. “We’ll put our heads together and come up with something.”
“Food will help,” Malorie said. “Let me warm up some spaghetti hoops. Everyone hungry?”
We all responded with a yes, my stomach grumbling.
How could I eat at a time like this?
Get strong.
Get to him.
Paige chuckled. “That’s what I like to hear, sir.” She winked at me.
I smiled for a couple of seconds then had a thought. “Could we try mind-walking again? See if we can find extra details?”
Everyone’s shock came at me in waves. Why did I even suggest it? Going down that road again would fuck things up further.
“Sorry,” I said quickly. “Scratch that.”
Malorie clutched her throat. “If I thought it would help…” She rubbed her left temple. “And Trev’s power has run its course. There is no more oracle energy to use.”
“Sucks,” the troll said.
Malorie seemed upset.
I did some damage control. “I really didn’t mean to stir things up. I’m just desperate. I want my mate.”
There went the blender again. Chaotic, violent, painful, ready to spray its contents everywhere.
The weredolphin came closer, taking both my hands in hers. “My heart goes out to you. And like James said, we will figure this out.”
“Thanks.”
She released my hands, hugging her husband. Jealousy poked me with a stick. I wanted to hold my man, to feel something happier than this torment, this knotted energy.
I unfolded my arms, gripping the edge of the bed. “I don’t know what to do.”
“According to my calculations,” Paige said, “we’re about a four hour walk away from Dunstable.” My medic also possessed useful navigation skills. “If we can find some transport like bicycles, that cuts the time down.”
“Excellent.”
James gave me an apologetic look, sorrowful lasers practically shooting out of his pupils to pierce my soul.
I folded my arms again, not liking this already. “What is it?”
He stroked the rim of his cap, pushing his teeth against his mouth.
