Rook and I share a glance.
“What do you think, Kansas?” Another berry, a spread of redness on his lips that he swipes back with his tongue.
I inhale through my nose.
The woman turns to me, eyes wide, as if she had forgotten I was there.
“You want to know who you are, don’t you?”
Just yesterday, I didn’t believe in magic. I certainly didn’t believe in a person being able to tell the future. But now? Anything is possible.
Rook lifts a brow and rolls a raspberry between his thumb and forefinger, staining his fingers red. “I suppose I do.”
“And we have time to pass before tonight’s celebration.”
“This is true.”
“So perhaps we visit her just to see?”
The woman nods. “I think you’ll like her.”
“Okay,” Rook finally says and the woman beams. “Where will we find this woman?”
“On Olligan Lane, just south of the wizard’s statue in the park. Her shop is called Henrietta’s Looking Glass. I could take you.”
“That’s not necessary.” Rook’s gaze meets mine across the table. “Kansas will chaperone me.”
This time, the woman’s attention is cutting. It’s clear she came over here to offer this bit of guidance thinking she could win Rook’s attention and his favor.
Can I blame her? Not at all.
I don’t own him. I cannot claim him in any way. And yet, I do feel a certain belonging, not to me, exactly, but together. We are the only two people in this entire place who don’t know where we are.
“Thank you,” Rook says, dismissing the woman with barely a second look.
Her mouth opens and closes as if she means to say more, but then thinks better of it.
“It was my pleasure,” she says and then leaves in a rush.
TWENTY-THREE
Dorothy
Before visiting the fortune teller, I check on Toto and find him in the exact same spot I left him. He seems content to sleep the day away, so I leave him be.
Rook is waiting for me outside the inn. He’s leaning against the building, one leg crossed over the other at the ankle. He’s devouring a fresh peach.
“We just ate,” I say. “Are you still hungry?”
“I’ve been ravenous since you found me. I can’t seem to get enough.” He takes another bite and a bead of juice runs down his chin. He swipes it away with the pad of his thumb and sucks it into his mouth.
I need to stop looking at him. Everything he does is ridiculously sexy. Who would have thought eating fruit could be so damn hot?
We walk in the direction of the wizard statue. It stands out over the city skyline like a beacon. It doesn’t take us long to reach it. People are already gathered around the altar, lighting candles, sending up silent prayers. I recall Ana telling me about the Cardinal Gods and their disappearance and can’t help but wonder if this altar might have once been dedicated to them.
On the opposite corner, a man stands beside a handcartcalling out to the people passing by. “Get your Wizard of Oz wand here. An exact replica of the magical tool carried by the great and powerful man.”
I glance up at the wizard as we pass beneath his statue.
