“Fine.”
Sawyer leaned over and put his head on Henry’s shoulder. “I know it’s frustrating. But he’s gotta come out in his own time.”
“Yeah, well, he’s a pain in the ass. I thought I didn’t like Prince Kavalan. This one is worse.”
“Well, at least Kavalan didn’t end up being my guardian. Can you imagine?”
Henry shivered. “No. No, I cannot. I’d have nightmares if I tried.”
Sawyer grinned. “Hey, where’s Victor?”
“Gone to see Nick. Apparently, there was a weird charge on the credit card and Victor was concerned.”
“Weird charge?”
“Something about life jackets and water balloons? Victor seemed to think the card may have been compromised somehow.”
“Nah, that sounds like Nick.”
“I thought so, too, but then I kinda wanted the library to myself for a while so I figured I’d let him go. Is that horrible?”
“No. I’m glad we have a chance to talk.”
“Me, too. I wish we could figure out the guide thing. I can’t find anything at all. But I did find this in one of the old books. It’s supposed to represent the mother and three daughters. Something about it is speaking to me, and I don’t know why.”
Henry reached for a book that had a piece of paper stuck between the pages as a makeshift bookmark. He opened it and held it out. A circle with three dark lines stretching out beneath it.
“Oh that’s cool,” Sawyer said. “Do you think it’s significant? Looks like the mother and three daughters to me.”
“I know. But… I don’t know. It feels important so I’m making a note of it.”
“I trust you. I’ll see what I can find. We’re getting closer, aren’t we?”
“Yes.”
Henry’s matter of fact response helped.
“I mean, we know I’m the son of the Mother Goddess. I have three sisters and a… brother.”
“Yes.”
“At some point, I lost all my powers and became human. I’m supposed to fix the broken magic in our world. To do that, I need guardians. Two from each of the four elements.”
“That sums it up.”
“I have one more guardian to locate, and according to my brother, he has him captive.”
“If you can believe a word he says, that is.”
Sawyer nodded. “Yeah, but I believe him. He was very proud of that fact.”
“Ugh. What an ass.”
“Yes. My brother and I are both trapped here because neither of us have our guides. At least according to my sister, who seemed to really enjoy showing off her super cool phoenix.”
“But is it two missing guides or only one.”
“That’s what I’d like to know. I thought finding out more about ravens would help clue me in. I mean ravens fly, fly equals air, and that should mean they’re connected to air and so am I. Right?”
