“About what?”
“About Red Wolf and the movie and—”
“Damn it, Bing. The last thing I need is for you to trash-talk me to the press!”
“It wasn’t the press. It was—”
“A demon tourist who talked you into an interview.”
Bing winced. “I didn’t know what he was.” He took a step forward. “And the answer to what he is will come from Sand—”
“Who isn’t here.”
“And we can’t trust anything she says—”
“Until we figure out exactly what she is.”
Bing nodded. “Yes.”
Walter groaned. “I guess I’m going demon-hunting after all.”
Bing flashed him a weak smile. “If we get attacked, I’m sure Monkey will defend us.”
Walter frowned, halfway to standing. “Was that a joke?” Honestly, after a year of living with Bing, one thing Walter had understood was that Bing was really bad at jokes. He had a sense of humor. He’d laugh like a hyena at the weirdest stuff. But when it came to being funny, the guy had lousy timing.
“Um… maybe?”
Walter snorted. “And maybe not.”
“Yeah, maybe not.”
The banter was so familiar. It was like any of the million conversations they’d had while living and working together 24/7. Not the content—demons and Auntie Sand—but the back-and-forth, the failed attempt at a joke, and the shared purpose. Even now they were heading out of the tent together to find out whatever Auntie Sand was up to.
Walter couldn’t believe how wonderful it felt to stand beside his friend, especially now that he wasn’t questioning every thought and choice. Truthfully, he was sure he’d screw up somehow, but with Monkey’s energy inside him, it was all part of the game of life.
Weird. Life couldn’t be more bizarre than right now. He’d never been surer that absolutely nothing was under control. And yet, as he stepped out of his tent with Bing, he felt a smile form on his face. He was happy. Out on a demon hunt after a terrible day, yet on the inside, he felt completely at ease.
He didn’t say it aloud, but he knew deep inside that this new peace of mind was Monkey’s energy. That he was suddenly a calm, capable man who took life in its stride because Monkey’s irreverent joy had settled deep inside him.
That was a good thing.
