On the kitchen counter was a piece of folded paper. I picked it up and read the note. I hadn’t seen Robbie’s handwriting before, and I’d imagined he was the type to write in neat block capitals or an illegible scrawl. Instead, his writing was a work of art, all beautiful squiggles and scrawls that stopped just short of being calligraphy. The note said:
Dinner later?
We need to talk about the ogre’s mace by your door.
Robbie
I winced. Ah yes. In all the kerfuffle I’d clean forgotten to mention my visit with Miss Fuck You. Well, it could wait.
‘How are you doing?’ I asked Loki.
He extended a wing and ducked his head under it, hiding.
‘None of that,’ I said gently. ‘Why on earth didn’t you tell me you were trying to bond with me?’
His little shoulders sagged. ‘Pigdog didn’t want bond.’
‘I didn’t realise it was an option,’ I explained honestly. ‘I’d heard that caladrii bonds were rare and precious. I – I’m not sure I’m worthy of it.’
‘Are,’ Loki said, and he stuck his little pink tongue out at me.
‘If you say so,’ I conceded, because I’d had enough of arguing.
‘Bond good for Loki too,’ he admitted, hopping from side to side sheepishly.
‘How?’ I asked.
‘This,’ he explained. I felt the tiniest tug on my magic, and as I watched my bird, he quite literally disappeared from view.
‘Loki! Where have you gone?’
He reappeared instantly, hopping smugly, little chest puffed out.
‘Neat trick,’ I said as my heart rate slowed back to normal. ‘Did you teleport somewhere, or just disappear from view?’
‘Invisible,’ Loki said, and he did the trick again. A moment later he reappeared.
This could be useful, very useful. I wondered what else he could do. Was this why Jingo wanted to bond with him? The bird would make an excellent spy. ‘How long can you stay invisible for?’ I asked curiously.
He trilled uncertainly. He didn’t know.
‘All right, we’ll test that out, but not now. Loki, you were at death’s door. You need to take it easy. Stay here today and rest up.’
He made a derisive noise. ‘No.’
I smiled despite myself. ‘Well, I’m glad the bond hasn’t changed that. I don’t know what I’d have done if you’d suddenly become subservient.’
Loki extended his neck. ‘I boss.’
‘If you say so, bud. Come on then birdy boss, let’s move.’
It still took effort to leave the window open for Loki when we left the apartment. The little guy needed to be able to come and go, though, so I pushed down my own discomfort and left it open to minimise his.
I walked to the station, preferring to get my steps in and warm up my body and mind. Loki flitted above me, singing happily as we moved. It was a huge weight off my mind to see the little fella looking so much better. I had no doubt he’d push himself too far, too quickly, so I’d keep a close eye on the white bird. He might not be out of the woods yet.
The streets of Chester were bustling, but people’s heads were down; they were walking to work, not out strolling for pleasure. This was rush hour for commuters, before the retirees and holidaymakers leisurely swanned around the streets.
As I approached the police station, the discordant sound of shouting and chanting greeted me. What the hell?
