Part 17 (1/2)
Both Keepers nodded. Probably because of the Lineage, the family resemblance had always been strong.
”Well, she's a little old for this sort of thing.”
Diana hid a smile as she helped a glowering Claire stand. Since Dean and the seven-year age difference, the whole age thing had become a sensitive point.
”And, no offense,” Kris continued, ”but you're both too well fed.”
”Too well fed. for what?” Claire demanded, smoothing her skirt over her thighs.
”For livin' rough.”
”That's because we haven't been.”
”Totally obvious they didn't fall in off the street,” the redhead snorted.
”No, we didn't.” Diana agreed, breaking in before Claire's tone got them into trouble. ”We came here deliberately.”
That got everyone's attention.
A very pale blond with eyes so light only the pupils showed, stepped forward. ”You can do that? Come here deliberately?”
”Well, duh.” A boy who might have been East Indian jabbed him with the end of his slingshot. ”They're here.”
”Well, duh, maybe they're lying.”
”Yeah? Maybe you're an idiot.”
”Yeah, well, you're a ...”
”Colin. Teemo.”
Names held power. Whether Kris had known that before or had discovered it after crossing, she certainly knew it now. The argument stopped cold, both boys looking sheepish at suddenly being the center of attention.
”We can cross deliberately,” Diana said into the sudden silence. ”Not everybody can.”
”How?”
”Did we get here?”
”Yeah. That. And why did you come? And who the h.e.l.l are you?”
Diana exchanged a speaking glance with Claire. If the, well, elves, for lack of a better word, could still swear with impunity, then they were influencing the Otherside on a subconscious level only. However they'd changed, they remained Bystanders, and the Lineage worked very hard at keeping Bystanders unaware of their existence.
”Your Summons,” Claire murmured. ”Your choice.”
”The Rules . . .”
”Diana, there's a sign in that shoe store window advertising ruby slippers for half off. Unless they're trying to attract the Otherside drag queen business, I'd say that the Rules have already been twisted pretty far out of shape.”
”Okay.” Claire had been a total Rule follower her entire life. Dean had obviously loosened her up a lot more than Diana had suspected. Bad, bad mental image. Think about . . .