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Landon’s expression was numb as I held the pop out "You have pixies in your church," he said as he took it

"And a gargoyle in the steeple," I said, nodding toward Bis The gargoyle was slugging his soda in one go, and I hoped he would contain hi belch "They’re part of our security," I added "You reaze unfocused on the bottle in his hands "May your updrafts all be war a titter fro

Nice I wished they’d all leave so I could tell Landon his proble to beco I couldmy expression bland at the memory of his charred bones

"He died a hero"

I waited for more, and in the silence, I took a sip of cola and set the bottle down The soft clink seemed to stir Landon, and he took a deep breath "You’re probably wondering why I’m here," he said as he set his bottle down untasted

"No, not at all," I said lightly "I just figured you’re on a walkabout It es closed"

Griic Across the table, Bis had his bottle angled high, a long, sinuous black tongue reaching all the way to the bottoize," Landon said, hesitating when he noticed Bis

Wow, an apology, I thought sarcastically I hadn’t trusted hithenedA ies unless he wanted so up to mine "Just because your aura is black doesn’twithout your perht, but didn’t say it With the crack of snapping glass, Bis took the top off his bottle, jaw gression intended to cow Landon, and it see

"It was inexcusable and" He hesitated "I need your help"

"Uh-huh" I was so not surprised I could set aside my dislike for him in order to see an end to this, but I didn’t knohat he thought I could do

"You talked to the Goddess," he said, his eyes unable to hide his anger even as he tried

Oh That "Who told you? Trent?" I asked, peeved That was rather personal infor an end to this, he’d deeaze flicked to Bis when the kid took another tinkling bite of glass "It isn’t blasphemy for you to commune with the Goddess If it was, you wouldn’t be able to do it I was jealous she chose to speak directly to you" His lips twisted, and the scent of hospital drifted to ly familiar scent of electronics and dust just under it "You don’t even believe"

Not trusting the soul-searching truth spilling from him, I leaned back with my cola "Who told you I don’t believe?"

"Thenit "It came too soon," he said as Ivy scuffed to a halt in the hall, listening "They want me to take his place I can’t tell thery now, he et your faith!" he deion!"

This was not at all coht-mirrored s as I picked my words As ic that I wasn’t fa his mood evolve "She’s a coyptians deified the sun Even so, I’ether, she’s insane"

Insane wasn’t quite the right word Oblivious to her i to a standard that didn’t apply to creatures of flesh and a limited life

"But you have to!" Landon exclai hi black, and Landon drew back, sty mystics look for It’s your a lured into captivity with You can talk to her Please," he said "We have to stop this If you can talk to her, the sane part, not the divided portion that broke Bancroft, h your line"

ItBancroft crazy fro "No, I’ not defeated but annoyed

"Landon, can I call so hiet you out of the Holloherever you want to go"

"I can’t leave," Landon said indignantly, and Ivy came to stand just inside the sanctuary like a soft and certain threat Landon’s brorinkled and the hospital scent thickened as he beca undead, everything If they wake up, your rooirlfriend will be safe Isn’t that what you want?"

Ivy’s tight expression made it obvious that that hat she wanted She wouldn’t askfor her shot at happiness No va didn’t feel right, though He was too eager and not enough afraid Unsure, I looked at Bis, stray bits of glass that had fallen to his skin sparkling in the artificial light "Let me call Trent," I said, and Landon stiffened

"No!" he said, then lowered both his voice and his eyes "No," he reiterated, easing back in the seat "He’d interfere Ruin it"

Trent doesn’t know Landon is here My eyes narrowed in suspicion

"We don’t need hi "I can do the cereoat? I wondered, but Ivy wouldn’t have let hi hair draping down to al roo to take in the phero out "You really think I can--" I started, and Landon pushed forward to the edge of the chair, eyes alight

"Yes!" he exclainizes you"

His jealousy was obvious, and I felt a flash of pity It was hard when someone achieves without apparent sacrifice or effort that which you’ve strived your entire existence for, doubly so when the person never even wanted it "You think she’d listen to me?"