Fateful Signs (Ballad of the Seer, Book Three)

Chapter 29 - Trust

"I think it might've had some kind of magical properties." Lily told Duncan, after he asked about his father's necklace. They had just parked in front of Hayes Pharmacy. It was the closest spot she could find to the diner, where they were supposed to be meeting their friends.

       After telling Eric everything, Hilary wanted everyone to meet, so they could tell him some of the stuff that she wasn't as informed about, like Jack's monthly issue. Hilary sounded better on the phone this morning. Maybe lying to Eric was the only thing bothering her, after all.

       "Why do you say that?" Duncan turned to face her.

       She shrugged. "It heated up when it touched my locket." She pulled the silver pendant out from under her shirt, zipping it back and forth on the chain.

       "That's magical. Right?"

       "I guess. I mean, it glows whenever I touch it, or when I put it into the magic book's cover, so it must have some. Why is this import all of a sudden?"

       "My dad wanted to know if I had it."

       Lily raised a brow. "Really?"

       Duncan nodded. "He asked about it when he saw me wearing this." He tugged on the hem of his army jacket.

       "What do you think it does?" she asked, more to herself than him.

       "Nothing. It's a jacket."

       Lily rolled her eyes. "No, dummy, the necklace."

       "Oh, duh. Idiot." He smacked his head. "I dunno. He didn't say."

       "Did you tell him that the Queen has it?"

       "No," Duncan stared out through the windshield. "I felt bad about giving it away. I just told him I don't know what happened to it."

       She didn't tell him, but she thought it might be better that way. "What's so special about that damn necklace?"

       "That's the million dollar question, isn't it?"

       "C'mon, everybody's waiting." She took the keys out of the ignition and got out. When she got around to his side of the SUV, she stuffed the keys into his front pocket.

       The diner was full, mostly with kids from school. Their friends had taken up residence in the large round booth in the corner. Everyone was already here. Even Bobby, who was staring across the room at Jennifer and Jessica Miller.

       Duncan started toward them, but Lily didn't follow. She spotted Carson with his friends. He noticed her, too. And Duncan, who realized she wasn't beside him anymore, noticed them noticing each other. "Are you okay? Do you wanna see if the guys will go somewhere else?"

       Lily shook her head. "I need to deal with this." Anyway, it's not like there was anywhere else to go.

       He nodded, kissing her cheek before he shuffled over to their friends.

       Lily turned to leave the restaurant. She implanted the idea to follow in Carson's mind. He stood as she pushed through the door. She walked down the block and took a seat on one of the metal benches in front of the library.

       Carson approached her, with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans. He was wearing a short sleeved polo and she could see that he was cold. Despite the sun shining in the clear blue sky, a chilly wind blew through town. She heard him wish that he hadn't left his jacket inside.