Page 26 of The Sorcerer's Thief
“We must put the fire out. Specifically, you should put the fire out.”
“Dunk it in the creek?”
“And if you’ve conjured fire somewhere you don’t have access to a creek?”
“Blow it out.”
“Go on and try if you like.”
“Well, now that you’ve said it like that, I’m thinking blowing it out won’t work.”
I chuckle. “You’re right. It won’t.”
“So, what do I do?”
“Ask it. Out loud, that may be the only way for now, but eventually, you’ll be able to use your mind.”
He blinks. “More focusing, great,” he grumbles, but he gets right to it, gathering control of his breath and narrowing his gazeonto the flame. “Thank you for the visit. Go on home. We’ll see you next time.”
To my astonishment, this works. Fire is generally quite stubborn, particularly with a new mage when it somehow knows it can get away with more trickery.
“Well done, Cricket. That was excellent.”
He blushes. “Thank you. For the lesson. I never thought I’d be able to do that.”
We’re still holding hands, his skin warm against mine. I’m reluctant to let go, but much longer and things will grow awkward. We’re not friends, as he’s mentioned, and I’m not wanted here, which I should be used to, but at the moment, I can’t help but want him. Clever Cricket. Grumpy, lonely, questionable morals Cricket.
His tongue darts out to wet his lips, and he’s staring at my damaged hands.
“Jules.” His voice has gone soft. “What happened to you?”
Between one breath and the next, a crazy thing happens.
I consider telling him the truth.
My chest tightens. I come to my senses and pull my hands from his grasp. “Farming incident. Very gruesome. I’ll spare you the details.”
Cricket drops his hand to his lap. “Why do you need the coin?”
He means it. He genuinely wants to know.
But my reasons are none of his business. “To add to my collection. I have a silver coin and a bronze coin, just need that gold one. Imagine how great it’ll look on my shelf next to my octopus tentacle collection.”
“You’re such an ass.” He turns his back to me and curls up in his bedroll. “I’m never giving you the coin.”
Whoops.
Chapter 8
Cricket
The next few days are tedious. Long sunstrides, few decent villages for hot meals, and not a single town with a warm bed for rent. So we make do with camping under the stars, pretending to get along—or actually getting along.
It’s hard to tell the difference.
My magical stalker hasn’t left my side, and though I’d prefer to be alone, I have to admit Julian isn’t terrible company. When he’s not being an ass, that is.
He’s definitely a better forager than me and keeps us stocked with every sort of nut and berry the forest has to offer, which is good because I’m reluctant to hunt around a man who doesn’t eat meat.
