Page 13 of Geoffrey the Very Strange
Geoffrey's eyes popped open at the voice knifing into his aching brain.
"I'm sorry, I wouldn't normally barge in, but your guardian's not at his post. So I worried. Is everything all right in here?"
The words alarmed him in an unfocused way. He forced his head out from under the pillow and mumbled, "Cecil. Why aren't you guardianing… ing?"
"I am, boss." The grouchy response came from somewhere to his right. "He's on the approved list."
Approved list? Geoffrey managed enough vertical awareness to sit up and was assaulted bypink. "Ugh. Turn it down."
Then the realization that someone wasin his cavehit hard. He leaped up, still groggy and swaying from sleep, and called a lightning ball to his hand.
"Wait! Holy Night! Geoffrey, it's me! It's Aspic!"
The pink vanished, and Geoffrey had to blink his eyes clear to find Aspic hiding under the altar.
"Easy, boss." Cecil floated in front of him, palms out. "We're not under attack. He came in before. I thought that meant he was fine to come in now. I knew he was there and let him pass."
"It doesnotmean… Especially when I'm…" Geoffrey shook his head and eased the lightning ball back into the atmosphere. "How could you be asleep in here and on guard?"
"Shadow. Imp." Cecil rolled his eyes. "Sheesh."
Geoffrey turned his anxious irritation on Aspic. "Why are you here? Invagranting my space? Wasn't the payload correct?"
"The… uh…" Aspic peeked over the altar and climbed slowly to his feet. "Oh, no. The payment was fine. I just came by to see if you were, ah… your grandmother was worried yesterday. I'm very sorry. I wouldn't have barged in if I'd known you were adorable—asleep! I meant asleep."
I'm not awake enough for this. "What time is it? And go away."
"It's midmorning." Aspic shifted from foot to foot, those big eyes all but pleading.
A gear clicked in Geoffrey's brain. "Where's your bird?"
Aspic's mouth worked for a moment before he managed, "I left her with Mrs. Pickle since it's my day off. Because I had a bad feeling. I remember my mother saying I should listen to bad feelings. The last one I had got me clear of a building collapse in Terfberg."
Pity. The kestrel was beautiful. And how could this person who had just met him be so worried about Geoffrey that he had vague premonitions? "I'm fine. Nothing to see here. Good day to you."
"You're sure?" Aspic backed a step toward the entrance. "I mean, of course you're sure. Sorry. Again. I'll, ah, knock next time, all right?"
"Yes."
Aspic turned and fled, leaving an afterimage of pink and the scent of cinnamon in his wake.What an incredibly strange half-demon.Though he still has nice hands. And nice… legs.I was not looking at his peach-perfect butt. Not even a little.
Cecil waved a hand in front of his face. "Hey, boss? You still in there?"
"Yes." Geoffrey shook himself out of his entirely inappropriate reverie and clapped his hands together. "Let's get back to work."
5
Offerings Gone Awry
"So, have you fucked him yet?" Cormac leered at Aspic and leaned across Timms to snag the last three pancakes with his fork.
Aspic had been concentrating on cutting a slice of cantaloupe without having it turn into a melon missile. "Have I whatted who now?"
"That weird little necro on the hill. Youcan'tbe hauling your ass up there for his conversation." Cormac brayed a laugh that sent Timms' goat ears flat to his head. "Come on, Ass-pick. I saw you headed there without a delivery."
"His grandmother was worried that he's alone there too much. I went to check on him." Aspic concentrated on his melon so he wouldn't have to look at Cormac's taunting face. "Are you spying on me?"
"Ha! I fly, unlike some people. Easy to see stuff. Like you huffing and puffing your weak, puny little—"
