There seemed to be a lot of history in that statement, but I wasn’t the man who was going to ask what that history might be.
“There is a gathering coming up. I’d like you to go to it.” He pulled a flyer out from the inside pocket of his jacket.
He offered it to me, and I unfolded it.
“Route 66 Junk Hunt.” I handed the flyer to Lu. “It’s in Bristow at the train depot. Why are we going there?”
“I just know you need to make that connection. Need to be there. I think it has to do with the spell book.”
“That’s oddly specific for a god,” I said.
“Gods can be very direct when we want to be.”
“Going in blind is my least favorite way to operate. Can you tell us anything else? Are we supposed to meet someone there? Buy something there? Learn something there?”
“Any of those things could happen. You’ll go. You’ll listen and look. It will become clear then.”
“So much for direct,” I said.
He smiled, and it was wicked, but also warm, like a bonfire inviting you to lean in just a little closer and promising it wouldn’t burn.
“I didn’t say gods werealwaysdirect.” He rapped knuckles on the table. “Keep the coins. Call if you need. Until our paths meet again.” He stood. “Safe travels, Gauges and family.”
Abbi sucked in a happy little breath.
“Safe travels,” Lu said.
Cupid strolled out of the shop, moving through the clumps of people like water around stones. He opened the door and was gone.
“I don’t think he’s bad,” Abbi said. “He gave us money.”
“Giving people money doesn’t make someone good,” Lu said.
“I know. Still.” She went back to eating her grilled cheese sandwich.
Somewhere between the out-of-time conversation with Eunice and Cupid showing up, our food had been delivered. My mouth watered.
“Eat,” Lu encouraged. “Tell me what Eunice told you.”
I did both those things, although the food took priority for the first few bites. The burger was good, and fries better. Even the soda Cupid had ordered for me worked perfectly, sweet against the salt.
Lu listened quietly, but I knew she was worried and angry that she hadn’t known I’d slipped through time and faced the muse on my own.
“I hate she took you from me,” Lula said.
“She did no such thing. I will always be with you. Always.”
I popped a fry in my mouth and chewed, watching her. She scowled at her fries.
“We’re both physical now.” I reached for her hand under the table, and she laced her fingers through mine. “It means we will be in different places sometimes. I trust you to look after yourself, though it kills me if I’m not there with you. I need you to trust me the same.”
She inhaled, held it, her chin tipped up, then she nodded once.
“I love you, Lula Gauge. Death himself couldn’t keep me from you.”
“I love you too, Brogan Gauge. If Death touches you, I’ll kill him.” She viciously bit a fry in half, but the anger was already draining away.
“I need to call Headwaters,” she said after she’d eaten several more fries.
