He blushed and murmured some excuse about not knowing his way around town. Rolling his eyes, Luka dragged Quinn from the table.
“I’ll take him. Why don’t you stay here with Karl? We’ll find some takeaway, even at this hour. Probably the pub.”
Luka didn’t give me a chance to respond. He just went. Quinn followed behind, muttering about dogs and Chinese food. I shot a glance at Karl, who blushed now that we were alone.
“Will you stay here if I ask you to?” I asked.
He wouldn’t look at me, and that was the worst part. Then he winced, his hands grabbing his head in pain. I rushed to his side.
“What’s wrong?”
He grunted, his eyes still on the table.
“My Elder is calling me, and I have to answer. I’m sorry. You need to catch up with Luka and Quinn. I can’t resist—”
He grabbed me, and we were outside in a flash, but I managed to shake him off.
“Ok, ok,” I said. “I’ll find them. Go on.”
Anxiety pooled in my belly as Karl disappeared in front of my eyes, his speed too great for my human vision to track. I bit my lip as I realized this would be the perfect opportunity to take that walk, especially since Quinn and Luka thought I was with Karl, and Karl thought I was with the others.
It wasn’t very honest, but I wanted some time to myself. I needed some space to think.
I grabbed my broom from the corner by the door and took off.