Page 63 of The Stone Secret
“We just stick to our guns. He’ll back off eventually.”
But it was obvious from the expression on everyone’s faces that they didn’t believe a word I was saying.
Yeah…I didn’t believe me either.
* * *
Back at the observatory,Prasan let me in.
“Just in time for supper,” he said. “Selas was about to go looking for you.”
“I ate at the dorm.”
“But you’ll join us for dessert?”
“Sure. I need to drop my bag in my room, but I’ll be down in a few.”
I took the elevator to my floor and dumped my stuff. Curi’s tee was wrapped in a plastic bag to preserve his scent. I’d wear it to sleep for the next few nights, and hopefully it would be enough to shut Levi up. I needed to let Serath know, though. My reeking of Curi was going to piss him off, but it was necessary. He’d hopefully understand.
The elites were already at the table eating spaghetti. No sign of Willowman today, and no Serath either.
“Serath probably won’t be back till after dawn,” Selas said as I joined them.
“I didn’t ask.”
“You didn’t need to,” Orix said. “Your disappointed eyes said it all.”
“I’m not disappointed.”
“It’s all right,” Prasan said. “It’s natural for you to seek his company and vice versa.”
Natural to be mooning over him, they meant. “So…where is he?”
“He and Willowman are visiting one of our outposts to strengthen the wards there. They do it every so often.”
“One of the outposts close to graynite territory?” The one where Serath was almost killed,
“He’ll be fine,” Selas said. “They’re not going to venture into graynite territory, just strengthen the wards, that’s all.”
“Outpost Ten is our usual base when we’re not here,” Orix said. “There are two alpha teams located there.”
“But you’re here because you lost Romi?”
“Yes,” Selas replied. “The Stone Council can’t risk losing more of the team.”
“But they didn’t mind you and Serath heading into graynite territory to investigate, did they?”
“We’re replaceable,” Orix said frankly. “There’s a Halle and an Albion who can step into our shoes immediately. They’re at Outpost Six. Seasoned guardians who can take the elite exam tomorrow if need be.”
“Not so much for Prasan and me,” Selas said. “Curi would be my closest replacement, and Sharniza Prasan’s, both newbies who’d have to have extensive training.”
“Like me?”
“Yeah,” Orix said. “It’s not ideal, even in your case.”
So the Stone Council put as much value on its elite as how easily they could be replaced. What dicks.
Taz leapt up onto Orix’s lap and stretched up to rub the top of his head against the elite’s neck.
