“Oh . . . OK . . .”
He frowns but holds still so I can pick out the crumbs. I brush down the front of his costume as well, and lock eyes with Charlie Chamberlain just over the horizon of Fake McKinley’s broad shoulder. Charlie Chamberlain shifts in his seat quickly and his knife clatters to the floor. Ugh. Will I have to look at him every morning?
I clear my throat and sit back down.
“When is it then?” I say.
“When’s what?” says Fake McKinley glancing over his shoulder.
“Your birthday. You said you’re a Taurus, so it must be . . .”His eyes widen and I glance at Roxy who’s smiling. “Oh my god. Istodayyour birthday?”
“Yes, but . . .”
“How old are you?” I ask.
He takes a deep breath and shrugs.
“Twenty-one.”
“Happy birthday, man,” says Roxy.
“Thank you.” He nods and starts backing away. “I’ll see you around?”
“Definitely,” I say, watching him go.
I turn to Roxy who’s already looking at me.
“You’re going to make him a birthday crown, aren’t you?”
“Obviously,” I say, watching him wander out of the restaurant. “It’s his birthday and he’s here all alone, Roxy.”
“And also, very hot.”
“Yes, but the breakfast in his beard has totally ruined it for me,” I say, waving her comment away.
We both look round as Dorothy comes scurrying between the tables.
“Hey, Dorothy. How’s your hip?”
“No time for small talk about my damn hip, Curly.”
Wow.
“You OK?” asks Roxy.
“Haven’t you seen the notices?” We look back at her blankly and shake our heads. Dorothy tssks and points over her shoulder. “Move your bony arses and get in that hall.”
Roxy and I frown at each other, and Dorothy rolls her eyes.
“They’re about to draw the players from the cauldron,” she says. “The competitors in the Fall Games.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
LILA MURPHY
Good luck in your quest thing.
JULIANA THE DEMON HUNTRESS
