The Lost Knight (Volume III) The Lost World

Chapter 36: Convincing a Pegasus

Detti is waiting by the back door in a blue satin robe and boots. Obviously, she was on her way to the barn.

"You don't need to follow me. Sometimes I sleep with Lenox," I say, brushing past her.

She giggles. "Don't be silly."

Is it silly that I accused her of following me, or that I sleep in a barn? Jonah's a liar, but Detti is weird. I ignore whatever she says next and go to my room. I'm tired, and apparently, I'm leaving soon.

I wish I had one of Albína's sleep potions because my thoughts grow darker as the night wears on. I don't want to think. I want to leave with Jonah tomorrow and forget everything. I want to go back to Queens and resume my old life where everyone leaves me alone. I didn't need anybody, so trust was never an issue.

I haven't been asleep long when I bolt upright, covered in sweat. I leap out of bed and pull back the drapes. The bright light hurts my eyes, but the sun calms my soul. I can't remember what I was dreaming about, but whatever sleep I got will be the only bit I get because I'm not risking going back to that nightmare.

I dress and head down to the kitchen to find Detti dancing in front of the stove.

"Good morning," she sings as soon as she sees me.

I truly believe there's something wrong with people who pop out of bed all chipper and happy. It's unnatural and serves to further my dislike of her. I want to keep up the illusion of being friendly, but the best I can do is mumble a curt, "Morning."

She makes bacon and eggs and hands me a cup of coffee. "So, what would you like to do today?" she says.

Runaway with Jonah, I want to answer. I'm not comfortable with deception or intrigue. I want everyone, including myself, to be honest. "I haven't given it much thought. After I clean up here, I'm going down to the stables to check on Lenox. He needs a good grooming and some care, so that may take some time. I'm interested in the other paintings in the gallery, so maybe later you can tell me who those people are. If you don't mind."

I sound pleasant enough. When she responds with another smile, I'm proud of myself for lying so well.

"Absolutely," she says. We end our meal on that good note, and I clean the kitchen as promised.

Lenox isn't in the barn. He's probably out hunting. However, without Lenox, I can't hang around the stables and talk to Jonah. I play with my packs for a minute before going to the tack room, but Jonah isn't here either. Now I'm worried.

I grab more bedding from the feed room and reline Lenox's nest to buy some time. I try to add more water to his bucket, but it's full, and in the water is a carved message.

Tree line is all it says.

I dump the solid water out and make a drinkable batch. The lead rope and halter I grab will never fit Lenox's giant head, but I want to give the appearance that I'm going out to retrieve him.

Jonah's message was vague. The tree line spans a few miles, so I walk straight from the stable door to the trees. It's a good distance from the house, but I periodically call for Lenox. He won't respond until I whistle for him, but I want to make sure that I'm not doing anything strange if anyone is watching. I reach the trees and stand at the edge of the woods. Now what?

"Left," the nearest tree whispers. "No, right. Wait. Left." Then it giggles.

"If you're trying to give me directions to follow the hooded man, you better be correct," I threaten. "Because if you're wrong, I'll build a nice big fire right here and wait for him."