Page 43 of Jacinth

“It’s okay to need a breather, you know. No one is going to judge.”

The silence was broken by another equally loud slurp. Shrugging, I wiped my sweating palms on my jeans. I didn’t want to broach the subject of needing my amulet back, but I was starting to feel the overload. I could wait until she had finished her coffee.

“What, exactly, happened before I got here?”

In stops and starts, with many pauses to sip at her drink, the story of the battle Jacinth had witnessed came out.

“She fought so hard, but there was just nothing she could do. She was so set on getting me to safety. What if I distracted her too much? What if I’m the reason she’s gone?”

I caught her shoulders before she could become hysterical.

“It is no one’s fault but that Father Dare guy’s. We will stop him. We will get your friend back.”

“Woah, let’s not get crazy now.”

I gave her my best unimpressed face, and she cracked a small smile and hitched her shoulder.

“Bitches gotta be tough, right?”

I smiled gently, dropping my hands to give her space. “Bitches don’t have to do it alone.”

She gasped in outrage, and next I knew, a tiny fist had punched me in the shoulder. She growled and shook out her hand.

“I can’t believe you called me a bitch!”

“But you said—”

“I’m allowed to say it! You aren’t. It’s racist when you say it!”

“How is it racist at all?!”

“Hello, it’s racist against bitches.”

Once again, I had become hopelessly lost trying to follow her nonsensical logic.

“It’s racist against female dogs?”

Jacinth grunted and flopped down on her headstone to finish her caffeinated beverage.

Luckily, Niko burst through the trees, looking slightly alarmed.

Jace was on her feet almost faster than I was. “What’s happening? Where’s Skyler?”

Niko panted for a moment and swept Jace up for a quick kiss before facing me.

“I left him propped against a tombstone a little back there. Listen, he tried to tell me what has been going on for him and...”

“I passed out and woke up next to a naked donkey. Thanks for that, by the way. I think I got half covered in his glitter just being too near him.” Sky came wandering up behind Niko with a similar look in his eye to the one Jace had been wearing when I found her.

“What else is going on? I can read it on you.”

Sky sighed. “I should be able to talk now. Sorry I scared you before, Niko. I think she wanted to lay it out for me before I could... How did you put it? Share with the class.”

Jacinth and I exchanged confused glances, while Niko looked like he was going to be the second victim to shock in this clearing in as many minutes.

“I am...”

“Wait!” Niko yelled and dived forward to take a grip of Skyler’s arm. With a nod, Niko allowed him to continue.

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