The expression on Max’s face is one of hunger and curiosity, but Cosmo is gazing at them with the raw regret of a man who made his own bed and found it cold.
Cold and lonely.
I can’t imagine how painful it must be to be part of this Theo-team and yet be light-years away from her touch.
Looking down at my watch, I realize time is fucking ticking. “OK, we've got things to discuss. Do you know if the Bloomhowers got anything more out of Zola,pulu?”
The little girl is our only link to finding the missing kids. Currently, we’ve nothing apart from the name Regan Grieves.
“Yeah, but it’s not particularly helpful. Zola told Willow’s mom that she’d been kept in a cold place. Also, something about pink water. As I said, not helpful,” Theo sighs.
Cold.
Pink water.
Cold.
Pink water.
Actually, that could be very helpful. Something in my brain clicks, the gryphon nudging me towards info buried deep in my mind. “North-west Havengard, in the high desert nearWindward Forest,” I say. “There’s a system of lakes withDunaliella salina—microalgae that thrives in high salinity.” I see their blank stares. “It turns the water a flamingo pink.”
Max is already tapping his tablet, pulling up images. “Holy bubblegum.”
Donovan looks over his shoulder. “That shit is natural?”
I turn to Theo. “Ask Willow to try and get the kid to narrow down more details. Was it close to where she was kept, or just something she saw along the journey.”
“Sure, I’ll do that right now. You’re brilliant, Alexis.” She flashes me a dazzling smile, then her face changes, and I know she’s mentally communicating with her friend.
Theo blinks a couple of times. “OK, Willow’s calling her folks.”
“Good job, Sparkles.” Max moves forward and runs his thumb across her cheek.
“Max!” she gasps. “What happened to your hand?”
He looks confused for a second, then grins. “Oh, yeah. One of the stormtroopers got on the wrong end of my fist. Nothing to worry about, at least not for me.”
Theo frowns, takes his hand and runs her fingers gently over my cousin’s split and scabbed knuckles. “I don’t like you being hurt, Maximus. Take better care of yourself.”
Max pulls her into a hug and kisses the top of her head. “If you so say, Sparkles.”
Donovan and I also crowd around Theo, drawn like moths to a flame.
Drakeward stands looking out the window, his back to us.
And I don’t have a moment of sympathy.
22
My nymph tells me she tried to save the other twin, the one called Wes, but he was too lost for her to reach.
She’ll keep trying.
I do not like it.
Not at all.
Yes, she has all the beasts at her side; the gryphon, the hound, the horse and the dragon—but they didn’t protect her last time.
