“It tingles,” he says quietly. “Not all the time, but every once in a while, like the mark’s magic is reminding you they are there.”
“I have one,” I say. He winces, and I hold out a hand. I’m not sure what I’m doing, but I need him not to speak so I can keep on without any more ridiculous weeping. “And it’s tingling still. Maybe Rom isn’t as far away as we might think.”
“Do you feel that truth?” He touches his chest and tilts his head like maybe feel isn’t quite the right word, but he doesn’t have a better one.
“I think I do?” I swallow, feeling foolish.
“Well, we have less than an hour before this fast-moving storm hits, and we need him to try to shield us.”
“Have you been talking to Master Grumlin?”
“Aye. He said a gargoyle with his magic can save us.”
I guess I’m leading the way here. But how would we find him? Then I remember the last place I saw Rom. All of a sudden, I know exactly what I need to do.
“Do I have your permission to climb the tower, Lord Mayor?”
“Yes. What are you planning?”
I have no time for explanations. If my guess is right, Rom is simply hiding out near Leafshire Cove. He’s just living on his own, away from everyone and everything.
I speed across the road with Spark zipping through the air beside me. I hurry up the tower stairs, winding and winding in the near dark, until we reach the lookout on the top floor. I dive for the bell’s rope and pull it with all I’ve got.
The bell tolls slowly but plenty loud for anyone even remotely near the town walls to hear. I release the rope and rush to the side.
At my feet sits the cone-shaped voice projector that the orc that used to work Rom’s job used when addressing the town. I lift it to my lips.
“Leafshire Cove!” I shout.
A few folks look up and stop tolisten.
“Hear me!”
Another group assembles to see what I’m up to.
“Romulus is a good person. He worked to protect us from the first day he arrived. He is kind. Most of you know that and have seen his goodness in action. Will you give him a chance to practice controlling his power? Or will you close your minds and your hearts to his sweet spirit? Will you shut out an innocent person just because of how they were born? No! Leafshire Cove is better than that. Aren’t we?”
“We are!” several voices say.
I nod and grin, my throat dry because I have never once in my life shouted like this.
“Exactly! So welcome Rom back before the next storm hits, and he can shield us all!”
“A storm is coming then? This isn’t just your attempt to draw your lover back?” It’s one of Leo’s fellows.
I flip my middle finger at him and raise my chin. “A massive storm is headed here. We will lose lives and suffer significant damage if we don’t have Rom to help us!”
That sends the crowd into a bustling panic. Maybe I made the wrong move. I look to the right and down to see Rustion standing outside my door, his face drawn with worry.
I know what else my heart wants me to shout from this tower with all the town to hear. I don’t want Rom to deny our love because he worries I’ll be pulled into the complications of who he is and what he can do with his magic. I’m going to throw it all out there so it’s fully known that I love him, and whatever they say to him, they say to me.
“Also!” Blessed Stones, I’m so awkward. “I love Romulus Greystone with my whole heart, and I trust him too.” My face heats, and I’m shaking. “He is the kindest person in the world. Whatever you say to him, you’re saying to the one I love most of all!”
In the distance, a shape rockets into the sky and over the town walls. My knees turn to jelly, and I grasp the tower’s smooth-edged watchwindow to keep standing.
Rom is coming home.
Did he hear what I said? Will he insist on remaining just friends? My heart is beating its way into my throat as I watch his magnificent silhouette fly closer and closer.
