But then the ceremony starts, and it’s about the cutest thing ever. Or, you know, it probably would be if I had any earthly idea what the priest in the funny, tall white hat was saying. I get the gist, though, and before you know it, Izzy’s kissing Leonid, and then everyone’s cheering. And then they’re walking down the aisle.
We’ve barely streamed out after them, all of us eager for the wedding banquet to start, when I notice something strange in the back of the crowd. I grab Xolotl’s arm, and I tug.
“What?” He’s always alert. I love that about him. His eyes scan the crowd, and he spots the intruder immediately. His sharp intake of air doesn’t soothe my concerns, however.
“He looks—” I swallow. “He looks almost familiar to me.”
When he notices Xolotl looking at him, the tall man in all black with long hair flowing down his back raises his hand in a salute.
I want to cry. “Is that—is he who I think he is?”
“I think he’s my replacement,” Xolotl says. “He sure feels like a horseman, anyway.”
“I’m coming with you,” I say.
He shakes his head. “No way.”
I grab his hand and interlace our fingers. “You can’t leave me behind, not anymore. We’re together, forever.”
He sighs. “If I decide it’s unsafe, you will immediately run back to this room.”
“Fine.”
“I mean it,” he says. “I’m not taking you until you agree to listen.”
“Fine,” I say, and this time I’m not lying. Mostly.
He nods.
We both duck out as unobtrusively as possible. I notice Gabe watching us, and I wave him off. His scowl makes me nervous, but I hope he’ll be smart.
Two minutes later, the man in black pops around a corner. “Hey there.” He smiles. “My name’s Necron.”
“No way.” I snort. “You can’t be serious. From Final Fantasy?”
He frowns.
“Sh.” Xolotl glares, then he turns back to Necron. “You’re the new horseman.”
He smiles again. “Yes, and they told me to find you. They said you could train me.” He turns toward me. “But who’s this?”
“This is none-of-your-business,” Xolotl says. “Tell me this. Have you found a champion yet?”
“Oh, yes, I did right off.” He waves his hand, and a short man with steel-grey hair walks around the corner into view. “He’s?—”
“I know who he is.” Xolotl frowns. “His soul’s black.”
“They said that was a good way to find a general. Competence, power, intelligence, and a very dark soul. He has all four.”
“That makes me feel a lot better about doing this.” Xolotl grabs the man. “I do apologize, but this is an integral part of his training.” He snaps the evil man’s neck.
My jaw drops.
And Necron wilts like a flower, and then he melts into the ground.
“Have a nice nap, newbie,” Xolotl says. Then he brushes his hands together like he’s clearing them of crumbs. He takes my arm, and he walks me into the ballroom like nothing happened. A moment later, when Leonid walks by, Xolotl grabs his arm.
Leonid looks annoyed at first, but when I hear Xolotl whisper, “My replacement horseman showed up. To put him to sleep, I murdered his evil general. His corpse is in the outside hallway. You might want to dispose of it carefully, as he’s a very recognizable US leader.”
