“—and you came to this sudden realization after listening to what are supposed to be the ranting and ravings of an ancient wizard. Not to mention things were discussed in said ranting and ravings that have made all of you strangely cagey—well, more than normal—and less than willing to answer a simple question.”
Gary inched even closer. Their noses pressed together. Ryan was going slightly cross-eyed trying to keep his gaze locked with Gary’s. “That sounds about right,” Gary said, never blinking.
Ryan flinched and pulled away as Gary let out a particularly loud breath of air.
“I win!” Gary crowed. “Unicorn one, supposed Knight Commander zero!”
Tiggy held out his fist. Gary bumped it with his hoof.
“Are you guys done?” I asked.
“Sam?” Ryan asked.
I averted my eyes, finding something interesting to stare at on the horizon. “What?”
“What’s a cornerstone? Why is it important?”
Tiggy and Gary looked at me and waited.
So I looked at Ryan and said the only thing I could. “We’re running out of time to get Justin back. We need to keep moving.”
I turned and started walking down the road, trying to calm my racing heart.
I didn’t look back.
Eventually, the others started following me.
CHAPTER 17
Gary Is an Asshole and Other Stories
“SAM.”
I ignored him.
“Sam.”
I marched resolutely forward.
“Sam. Sam. Sam.”
It was such a nice day outside.
“Sam.”
Not too warm. The breeze felt good.
“Sam. SamSamSamSamSam.”
“What?” I snarled at Gary.
“Hey, buddy,” he said. “Hi. You got something you want to talk about?”
“No.” I made sure not to glance back where Ryan and Tiggy were walking a bit behind us. We were halfway to Tarker Mills and this was the first time Gary had managed to get me reasonably alone ever since Randall opened his fucking mouth. I’d plotted at least fifty-seven ways that I could kill him, each more violent and gory than the last. I was almost scared how bloodthirsty I seemed to be. But then I reminded myself what Randall had spilled and I really didn’t give a fuck.
“So, you don’t have anything to say at all.”
“Not a word.”