“And look what I’ve decided to do with my time.” Her tone was playful.
“I think you’re more than happy to be here,” I noted, eyeing Erica. The young witch twirled in her siren costume. I caught Alana eyeing her up and down.
A few minutes before the play started, I ventured backstage. I dared to poke my head out slightly from the curtains to look at the audience. Our parents, grandparents, and various aunts and uncles were scattered around the theater, posing as guests and ready to intercept the guards if things got out of hand. Here’s hoping it wouldn’t come to that.
“Let’s go over the plan,” Charlie said, speaking to Marcus, Kallie, Danny, and me. “Us demigods will participate in the first act, so Cameron knows that we’re here. We’ll stick around for a while so it looks like we’re still around. Once we get halfway through the play, we leave out the back and head to the vault. The remainder of the show will give us enough time to get down to the beach after we take the Divinity Keys from the vault. Then Ava makes a hole in her shield. She’ll go back to the play and take the bow at curtain call to serve the ruse, while the rest of us slip through the shield, portal to Kinpago, and find the Astromancer key.”
“Sure, that sounds like a perfect plan that won’t go wrong in any way or fashion,” Danny chipped in, kneeling in front of my chair. I had my tactical wheelchair today, because I’d need it once we got to the beach.
“It’s the best we’ve got.” I combed back his messy red hair, which never seemed to stay in place no matter what I did to fix it.
The cast rushed to their places. Danny didn’t move from his spot in front of me, just sat on the floor as I continued to mess with his impossible hair.
I watched his knee jitter up and down. “You’re anxious.”
Danny gave a cockeyed grin. “Me? Course not. I’m more relaxed than any of ye.”
“That’s a lie. You’re nervous most of the time. You just hide it well.”
Danny’s illusion of a smile faltered. “Nothing gets past ye, does it?”
“No, it doesn’t. You know what else I’ve noticed? Your accent is heavier.”
“Yeah, that’s because I like you.”
I shot a glance at Charlie, who was seething in the corner. “You like everybody.”
“Absolutely not. I hate most people.”
“You and me both.”
“I try to monitor the way I speak around new people. I worry about being misunderstood, so I try to mirror other people’s way of speaking so I can camouflage,” Danny explained. “But I now know the rest of ye well, so I don’t feel the need to try and hide anymore.”
“That’s adorable, Danny. But it’s a little off-color that this is the group you fit into. We aren’t the best people.”
“Sure ye are. I’ve had to hide my whole life. This group right here’s the first time I feel welcomed. I don’t feel like I need to conceal myself anymore.”
“We aren’t friends,” Charlie grumbled under his breath, then stomped off.
I rolled my eyes at the tantrum before continuing the conversation. “You’re not the only one who’s worried. I’m nervous, too. If we fail this time, there’s no more second chances. Either we stop the Warden for good with the Elven Gate, or that’s it and we’ve ruined everything.”
I shifted in my chair for the millionth time that evening as a bolt of pain etched through my spine. Danny asked, “You all right?”
“I’ve been uncomfortable all day. My back is cramping like crazy. I can’t get any relief no matter what I do.”
“You’re just stressed. Old injuries flaring up. We’ll get the key and end this.”
“Let’s hope.” This war could be over with today if we found the Astromancer key, but I was worried about not going with the rest of them. I couldn’t do much to help, yet I still wanted to be there. Something about this whole situation seemed dreadfully off, and it wasn’t the play. I hadn’t felt right since I’d woken up this morning.
“I know you’re worried about Charlie,” Danny started. “It’s in your eyes.”
“Just… take care of him, all right? Since I can’t.” Charlie had never gone to get a key without me, and every time we’d found one, it had turned into a bad situation. It was worse this time, because Charlie had nothing to lose. Now that our marriage was done for, I knew he’d throw himself in the line of fire. He’d become the sacrifice so we could get our hands on that final key, and I wouldn’t be there to stop him. I hated that I wasn’t going to be there to help.
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Danny promised. “He won’t get hurt on my watch.”
“You better promise.”
“I swear he’ll be all right.” Danny reached back to grasp my hand. “I’ll make sure of it.”
