“You don’t look a day over thirty, good man,” I say.
“Wizards age slowly,” Grumlin murmurs.
I nod. Gargoyles do, too, but perhaps not as slowly as wizards. I’ve never known one.
Laini raises an eyebrow and sips her ale. “Tully seems to think you’re are plenty young enough, Master Grumlin.
Are they together? I’ll find out at the party, I suppose.
Grumlin crosses his arms and looks over our nearly empty plates. “The magic I do have, I use in the food and drink. It’s a much better life than having power-drunk royals toss me into their battles.” He laughs loudly, and his eyes twinkle.
“I bet,” I say. “So you’re the tavern keep?”
Grumlin smooths his linen apron. “Keep and owner, aye. I do hope you’re enjoying this year’s ale?”
Laini nods. “It’s delicious.”
“Very, very good,” I add.
“So you have magic too…” Grumlin might not have much power left, but his gaze is penetrating.
No use in denying it since he felt it amoment ago. “I do.”
He eyes my back. “Stone magic since you’re a gargoyle.”
The wizard knows what he is looking for. He touches the side of his nose and winks as if I’ve let him into my secret. Well, there was little reason to worry about hiding it. The party is nearly here, and all would know then.
“Yes. I prefer to keep it to myself, though,” I say quietly. “For safety reasons.”
Grumlin meets my gaze, and his eyes are earnest. “Good fellow. Yes. It can be quite dangerous.”
Laini bites her lip and nods at me. She eyes me like I might take off under this close attention. To reassure her, I take a nice swallow of my ale and lean back in my chair.
“Do you know much of us gargoyles?” I ask the wizard.
“I do. Had some experience in the old wars,” he says. He must be three hundred years old… “With your tower position, you could likely create a stone shield if a rough storm came through, hmm?”
A chill sweeps down my back. “I, uh, no. I couldn’t attempt that. It wouldn’t be safe.”
The wizard lifts his thick eyebrows. “Safer than being hit with a magical smasher.”
Laini leans forward toward me. “That’s what we call them here.”
It was past time to change the subject.
“Not necessarily safer,” I say. “Now, tell us, where do you get this delicious cheese, Master Grumlin?”
Eyeing me with a knowing look, the wizard clicks his tongue like he’s thinking. “Leafshire cheddar comes from the pixie family that lives just beyond the river. Technically, they’re outside town boundaries there, but we count them as our own.”
Laini takes another bite of the cheese and moans as if it were the best thing she’d ever put in her mouth. I can think of other ways to please that mouth of hers.
Grumlin clasps his hands. “Well, I leave you to your treats. See you soon!”
He is gone before I realize I never bid him farewell. I’m too busy staring at Laini.
“Is Grumlin right?” she asks. “Could you create a shield if it became necessary?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t let go of my stone magic enough to try such a thing. Not after…”
