“You make it sound simple,” I said.
“Well, yeah.”
Okay, then. Working on that plan in the absence of any other: what constituted the middle of this volcano? “There’s the lake. There’s Norris Basin—that’s where Lightman was, so there might be some connection. But it’s outside the edge of the caldera. We need to think logically about this—maybe find the lowest spot in the park, in case he needs to be close to the hot spot for the spell to work? I wish I had my books here.”
Sun slumped back in the booth, hands pillowed behind his head, and closed his eyes. Obviously, this was a good time for a nap.
I asked the server for a pen and started making notes on a napkin.
* * *
WHEN THE pay phone by the front door rang, I jumped from the booth so fast I banged my knees on the table. Didn’t even slow me down.
“Hello?”
“Kitty?” It was Ben, and I sighed happily.
“We’re just about in West Yellowstone. Are you still okay? Where are you?”
“The Wilderness Diner. It’s on the main drag. Looks like a malnourished log cabin, you can’t miss it. Hurry, if you can.” I glanced out the front doors—the sky had the golden cast of late afternoon. Not much time before nightfall.
“I’ll see you soon.”
Back at the booth, Sun really did look like he’d been able to get some sleep. I was jealous. He was sitting up now, and calling for the check and pulling out cash. Which was good, because I didn’t have any money. I needed shoes. I needed Ben.
Practically bouncing with nerves, I went outside as a familiar Jeep pulled into the parking lot and stopped in a spot in front of me. I almost hugged it. A second later, Ben just about fell out of the passenger seat and came at me. We ran into each other. I jumped at him, and he lifted me off the ground. I pressed my face against his neck and breathed deep. This was home, this was safe.
“What the hell happened?” he murmured in my ear. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I think we’re in trouble,” I murmured back. It was too much to explain here.
He let me slip back to the ground, but I didn’t want to let go. When I let go, I’d have to start moving again. I brushed my hand along his face, which was in the process of graduating from stubble to actual beard. He probably hadn’t shaved in the same amount of time that I hadn’t slept. Pleasantly scratchy. He leaned into the touch and sighed.
“Hi, guys,” Sun said, waving. “Nice to see you again.”
Cormac was leaning on the hood of the Jeep. He smirked and shook his head. “This just keeps getting weirder.”
“Hey,” Ben said. “Let me guess: Anastasia.”
“Right in one,” Sun said.
Ben shook his head and chuckled.
“I have so much to tell you—”
“Not here,” Cormac said. “Let’s not talk about this in the open with Roman and his crew running around. Tina and the others are getting rooms.” He climbed into the Jeep without waiting for a response.
“You know how you’re always saying you want a vacation?” Ben said. “Well, I’m ready.”
I hitched a thumb toward the park. “Top U.S. tourist destination, right over there.”
“Not the same. Wait a minute—where are your shoes?” His nose wrinkled, as if he was just now noticing my clothes didn’t smell like me.
“Yeah,” I said. “Did I mention I have a lot to tell you?”
The four of us got ourselves to our various vehicles and took off to meet the others.
* * *