The Coming | The House of Voices #2

Twenty - Theories

Theories

When we were done eating, Ace and Spade gathered all the dishes and empty cartons and took them into the kitchen, refusing to let Parish and me help. We protested at first, but then realized they probably wanted to talk in private and allowed them to force us to stay put in the den and watch TV.

“So, Spellcasters,” I said to Parish twisting in my seat to look at him. He pulled his gaze away from the screen and look at me. “How’re we dealing with all that so far?”

On the screen, the lead detective picked up a clue at the crime scene that blew the case wide open. And then made a joke that Parish and I sniggered at.

“We’re dealing fine,” he said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. When I didn’t accept his answer he ran a palm down his cheek and sighed. “Seriously, October, I’m alright. I mean, yeah, it’s a little difficult to stomach all of this but you forget, I saw them actually use magic on you. I saw the way they healed your bones and the way you slept through Spade setting the breaks because of that sleeping spell Ace put over you. You can’t see all that and then not believe them.

“If anyone’s going to be having a hard time handling this, it’s you,” he said, twisting to face me. “You were unconscious throughout everything, remember?”

“Yeah, but I’ve got proof right here,” I said, waving my arm up and down. It was a little stiff, but other than that, it was perfect. The bones had completely healed and the pain was just a distant memory. “So… I guess we’re both okay?”

“I guess,” he nodded. “You’re sure that doesn’t hurt anymore?”

“Positive. The muscles are a little stiff, like I need to oil them, but other than that…” I trailed off, offering him my arm to see for himself. He took it gently in both hands and with careful fingers, prodded me gently.

“So cool,”

“I know, right?”

We grinned at each other for a moment before Parish realized he was still holding my arm. He lowered it slowly onto the couch and cleared his throat. “I think they’re pretty okay,” he said, jerking his head in the direction of the kitchen. “Crazy and weird, but okay. I think we can trust them.”

I nodded, agreeing. Crazy and weird were accurate descriptions. Throughout dinner, they’d tossed TV, movie and book references at each other like it was a game and stuck their tongues out at each other, like a couple of children. Sometimes, it became very hard to believe that Spade was in his twenties.

“Yeah. It doesn’t seem like they’re going to stab us in the back or anything. I guess it’s safe for us to stick around for a while. At least until we figure out what our next move is.”

“Good thing too,” Parish said, resting his cheek against the couch. “Because I really had no clue what we were going to do. At least now we can figure out what you are – and what I am – and then work from there, right?”

“Right,” I agreed. We fell silent for a moment. I closed my eyes and yawned. “I’m so tired. I feel like I’ve been running on empty for the past few months and I’m finally able to lie down and refuel.”

“If you’re sleepy, just say so,” he teased with a grin. I punched him in the arm. Either Ace and Spade were starting to rub off on us, or we were finally losing up a little after days of being burdened by Voice-related stuff. Maybe both.

“I am, but that’s not what I meant and you know it,” I argued.

“No, I really don’t.” I punched him in the arm again just as Spade walked into the den.