Part 15 (1/2)
”No.”
”I see,” he says, trying to hide his face.
”We need to talk to you about our mission,” Marcus says.
”Yeah, I'm sure you do, but I'm not interested. You need to go to another Seller.”
”Why?” I ask.
”Why human? Because Tony-Tone is tired of being pushed aside. I send you emails, I call, and I text. Nothing. It's like we're not even friends.”
”We are your friends, Tony,” I insist.
”Yeah, that's what I thought, too. That's why I set up all your Facebook accounts. You guys can fly around the world, take on Rage, take on the Hun, but you can't respond to a friend request. Unbelievable.”
”Look, Tony-”Marcus starts with a firm, no-nonsense voice. I signal for to him to remain calm. We need Tony to come with us. And yes, Marcus can force him, but it's much easier if Tony comes willingly. I think Marcus agrees because when he speaks next, his tone is much softer and controlled.
”We know that you've done a lot for us, Tony. We appreciate all of it.”
”You should. I can't tell you how many Demons have come to me looking for a way to kill Emmy.”
”You didn't sell them anything, did you?” I ask.
”No, but they can just go somewhere else. You're in real danger this time, no lie.”
”That's why we came to see you.”
”We need you to go somewhere with us,” Ameana says.
”Me? You guys really want me to come along?” Tony says, flattered.
”Yeah.”
”It is far away?”
”Well-”
”It's okay if it is. I have a killer road trip playlist. It's got all the greatest. If it's an overnight though, I'll need to go home and get a few things. Let's see...my silk eye mask, sound machine, lavender face scrub...”
”We're going to Pyron,” Marcus informs him.
”The only thing in Pyron is-”
”Kairo.”
”You want me to go with you to see Kairo?”
”Yes.”
”Just because I can die and come back doesn't mean I want to die again. What if this is it for me? What if I've done too many bad things and my Cycle runs out?”
”We're not trying to get you killed”
”You know that guy doesn't just kill. No. No way, I'm not going. I like my limbs.”
”Tony, we really need you to do this for us,” I say to him.
”Sorry, no. I can't do it,” he insists.
I am about to protest when Marcus signals for me to let it go. The team heads for the door but Marcus makes sure before we go, Tony-Tone overhears him: ”It's better this way. We need a Seller who knows everything there is to know about items from Hun's market. That's not Tony.”
Rio catches on and joins in the conversation.
”You're right. We should ask that other Seller guy.”
”Yeah, what was his name? Something with a D? Don? Dan?” Miku asks.
Tony-Tone interrupts us.
”Dale? That weeping oil salesman doesn't know anything. He's only come back to life twice. He's a newbie. You need a Seller who's died many times. A Seller who's at the top of his profession.”
”We'll manage. And when we come back having fought Kairo, everyone will want to know the story. We'll give Dale all the credit. Dale can have his picture be on the front page of every Splash.”
”Front page?” Tony asks.
”Yeah, he'll be making history. The first Seller to ever to be part of an epic takedown.”
I can practically hear the wheels turning in Tony's head.
”Look, I think I should go with you guys. I mean, I know how much the team depends on me,” he says.
”You're the backbone of this whole this mission, Tony,” I a.s.sure him.
”I know. It's a hard role to play, but what are you gonna do?” Tony says, shaking his head.
”So, you'll go with us?” I ask.
”Yeah, why not?”
”Good, bring any items you think might help us get to the castle at Pyron,” Marcus instructs. ”I'll text you where to meet us.”
”Okay, but when we get back, if we get back-”
”We'll friend you,” we all vow in unison.
When we head out of the shop, Marcus tells Ameana it's time to call Wolf and ask for his help. Ameana is showing an emotion I'm not used to seeing from her: nervousness. She s.h.i.+fts her weight, tugs on her earlobe, and fixes up her already perfect hair. Marcus makes her put it on speaker in case Wolf has questions for the team.
”Hey, it's Ameana,” she says awkwardly.
”Guess my Karma's been good. Hey, Princess.”