Page 195 of Sigils & Spells

“You should take this.” I said, clearing my throat. “Minho doesn’t have pockets. Or pants.”

Behind me, Minho stood with a groan. “I accept your criticism and let you know that I am too tired to care. I feel like shit and I can’t think too hard right now without crying, so I’m going to join my girlfriend for a nap.”

Minho repositioned Ruby on the bed, and lay down next to her. When Alice and I kept standing he frowned at us.

“Y’all, it's nap time. Lay down.”

I snorted out loud, and kicked off my tennis shoes. “Ok.”

Alice and I joined our friends on the huge bed. There was plenty of space for all of us, plus probably the entirety of One Direction.

The bed was so comfortable I felt like I was melting into it. I was too hyped up on adrenaline, I hadn’t thought I’d be able to sleep, but the bed drew me in.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to me and I laughed.

“What is it?” Alice mumbled sleepily, clearly also drawn in by the bed.

“I know what game to choose.”

* * *

Ruby still lookedexhausted when the nap was over, but the rest had returned enough of her magic to do a short spell.

The plan was for the three of them to turn into birds again and find their way back to another gateway. They’d wait at Ruby’s for as long as they needed until I returned or the earring started to warm.

Ruby stretched, still looking bleary eyed, and I watched her to avoid looking at my roommate or Alice. They were both staring at me intently. I knew what they were thinking. They were doing the same thing I would be doing if I thought I might never see them again. They were memorizing my face.

“Here.” Ruby pulled the book from her pocket, the one about fairies that changed sizes when opened. “I bookmarked the page about finding the gates.”

That was a problem that hadn’t even occurred to me. “Thank god you’re smart Ruby. I don’t think any of us could function without you.”

“At least not in fairy land.” She smiled, and to my surprise, hugged me. “It probably won’t be long before Maeve knows we’re gone. I imagine she’ll come here soon after that. Be ready… I hope you win. But I also think you’re crazy.”

I squeezed the pink haired witch back. “Me too.”

Minho put a hand on my shoulder and I realized they were taking turns saying goodbye. A handful of emotions chased each other in my chest, from the icy fear that Maeve stuck in me, to something I couldn’t name. Despair? Sad didn’t feel like the right word. I might never see them again. It wasn’t like I might die–though I’m sure that was feasible–but if I lost, and Maeve made me her slave horse, I’d never be human again. I’d be a horse for the rest of my life. Everything I knew would be gone. And my life was entirely in my own hands.

I turned to him, and let him pull me into a tight, beefy armed hug. My throat clogged up with tears when I tried to say something. I coughed a little, and tried again. “I hope you find pants soon.”

Minho pulled back, wiping at his own teary eyes with the heel of his hands. “Oh, bite me, Julian.”

“Gladly.”

Minho laughed, but it turned into a sob and he pulled me into another, tighter hug.

“You better come home, Man.” He pushed me back and held me at arm’s length. “I can’t pay rent without you.”

He clapped me on the shoulder with a teary grin.

“You’re full of shit, Minho.”

It was Alice’s turn. “Thank you for letting me come with you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Was this your idea of a good time? This is the weirdest date ever.”

“Best date I’ve ever been on.” She smiled and hugged me, standing on her toes to get her arms around my neck. “Thank you.”

Alice smelled like strawberry perfume. My head rested on hers, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, breathing in her smell. If I was going to be a horse slave, I was going to do it with the memory of that smell.

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