Too curious to stop myself, I booked it after him as he weaved through Pendragon, moving like a man on a mission until we reached Kingston’s office.
He knocked on the door and waited all of two seconds before opening it.
“Morty!” I whisper-shouted. “You can’t just barge into his office unannounced.”
Kingston responded for him. “Oh, not to worry, love. Morty does it so often it’s practically predictable now.” He smiled at me from his desk, waving me inside. “Come on in, you two. Morty, what is it now?”
Morty had already taken a seat in front of Kingston’s desk and propped his feet up. “I heard you’re the guy to see about special permission for off-campus lessons?”
I closed Kingston’s office door and froze halfway to taking a seat in the chair beside Morty and side-eyed him. “I’m not leaving Camelot Court with you.”
“Who said anything about you?” He gave me a saccharine smile before turning back to Kingston. “I have a date.”
“Again?” I asked.
“Shh. Quiet, you.” Morty waved me away before turning back to Kingston. “I need to borrow your bike. Figured I’d ask permission, so you didn’t see me drive off past the gate.”
Kingston stared at Morty for a full minute, saying nothing.
As the silence stretched on and his blue-gray eyes didn’t waver, evenIgot uncomfortable at the intense scrutiny.
Morty acted like he wasn’t, but his body twitched as he tried not to fidget.
I darted my gaze between them. “This is a really weird game of chicken.”
Morty cracked under the pressure.
With a pleased sigh, Kingston dropped his gaze and nodded. “You can borrow the bike, butbe discretethis time?”
Morty held out his hand. “Key, please.”
Kingston didn’t look up. “Why would I give you my key when we both know you have a copy?”
“Drats.” Morty snapped and swung his arm across his body. “I thought you’d missed that one. Alright then, carry on! Wish me luck!”
He twirled on the ball of his foot and headed for the door.
I met Kingston’s amused gaze. “Is he always like that, or isthatbecause of what happened, too?”
Huffing a quiet laugh, he gestured for me to come closer, which I gladly did. “Yes. He has been more odd this year at the start of The Quest, but he’s always been eccentric. Long before what happened.”
I sat on the edge of Kingston’s chair.
“I’d sayhis poor parentsbut I’ve met Merle so…”
“A bit like Karma, really.” He leaned back in his seat, staring up at me and pushing a lock of my hair behind my ear. “How’s everything going on your end?”
“I’d say fine, but I’m sure you heard about my run-in with Elaine yesterday.” When he nodded but didn’t press for details, I leaned into his touch, grateful for the closeness and the private moment with him. “Iamfine, though. And I have a theory.”
“I’m not surprised at all.” He swiped his thumb across my cheek. “I’d love to hold you up on exploring that theory, but…”
“If I’m being strategic, the sooner I solve these clues, the sooner we have all the time in the world, right?”
“That’s the idea.”
I closed my eyes, thoroughly distracted by his touch. “I should be asking how it’s going for you.”
“Easier, now. Although slightly tense. It’s out of my hands from here. Unless any surprises occur, I simply wait and see.”
