I give him the abbreviated version because I know he’s got a diner full of customers, but hit all the highlights. By the time I’m done, Sebastian has returned from the cemetery.
“I hear congratulations are in order.” Tanner extends a hand toward Sebastian, and they shake.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without Poppy, and yeah, it’s nice to be on the winning side.”
Rowan arrives and high-fives everyone. “So, how deep are your pockets, dude? Cuz I’m starving.”
Sebastian hands her a laminated menu. “Whatever you want. I’ve got you covered.”
“Pie!” Asher shouts. “I’m thinking a slice of lemon meringue next to a slice of chocolate cream. That way I can balance between sweet and tart.”
Rowan laughs. “I’ll get there. First, I’m having a chicken club and fries.”
Tanner nods. “What about you, Poppy?”
“I’ll start with cherry pie and a hot chocolate, thanks.”
“Just coffee for me,” Sebastian says.
Tanner leaves us to our celebration as Wylder arrives and sweeps me up in a hug. “You rock, Hallowind. Well done.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and let the win sink in. We did it. Odds are… there will be another disaster around the corner, but for this moment, we win.”
Clara arrives with Mica, and we all settle in.
"I'm just saying," Asher declares around a mouthful of meringue ten minutes later, "we deserve a parade."
"A parade," Mica deadpans.
"Yeah. Like, with confetti. Maybe fireworks."
"And how do we explain it to the nocana?" Rowan pushes away her empty plate and leans back in her seat as if she's never been more relaxed. “What do they think the parade is for?”
“We’re smart people. We can think of something. Besides, whether or not they know why, a lot of citizens will suddenly be feeling lighter and livelier than they have in weeks. Maybe it’s a celebration of life parade.”
Wylder tips his mug toward Asher. "You’re right that we should acknowledge the win, but it’ll likely need to be a private party.”
Asher sighs. “Parade pooper.”
I bump Asher’s shoulder. “We’ll take the win, and when this is all over and Tharuzel is vanquished, we’ll go somewhere tropical and join in on a Caribana celebration or something. And we’ll make it our own.”
He turns to me, beaming. “Yeah?”
“Absolutely. You can make the plans. We’ll bring Ro, Wylder, Orion, and anyone else who wants to join the fun.”
“Orion will die. He’ll?—”
Rowan steals a bite of Asher’s pie and dodges the swat aimed at her hand. "Hey, no stealing pie.”
“You snooze, you lose."
"I wasn't snoozing. I wastalking."
"As Elvis says,little less conversation, little more action, please."
Clara laughs, light and bubbly, and glances at her phone for what has to be the fifth time since we sat down.
"Still nothing?" I ask.
