Part 84 (1/2)
”That's almost . . . sad.”
”Might be for the best, though; Arthur will have an easier time with the elves if they continue to face a common enemy.”
”That's an interesting definition of 'for the best'”
”Remind me to check at Children's Aid tomorrow and find out where they're holding Stewart.”
”You'll send him back?”
”Of course I will. If he wants to go.”
”Can't see why he would,” Diana snorted. ”I mean, reality's just so much more meaningful than a life you've made for yourself.” Barely slowing, she popped the lock on the exit's inside door and held it open. ”How's your finger,” she asked as Sam raced through their legs and off the concourse.
Claire flicked it at her sister. ”Good as new.”
Grinning, Diana flipped a finger back as Claire dealt with the outside door. ”Sam, she'd be a little faster if you weren't quite so underfoot.”
”I just want to get out of here.”
”I hear you.” Bending, she picked him up again and rested her chin between his ears. ”I'm totally web shopping from now on.”
Jack glanced up at the security mirror as he pa.s.sed between the doors. ”Is that what I looked like on this side?”
”Pretty much, yeah.”
He frowned. ”Did that curvature make me look fat?”
The heat outside the mall hit them like a wet sponge.
”Oh, man, I so didn't miss this.” Diana waved the hand not holding Sam between their black-on-black outfits. ”And we're so not dressed for it.”
”Not a problem. First, it's the middle of the night. Second, if anyone does say anything, we'll tell them we're from Toronto.”
”Works. Now . . .” Deep in Diana's pack, her cell phone began to ring, the sound remarkably loud in the empty parking lot. She touched the possibilities. ”That's Mom.”
Claire winced. When Rules were broken, there were consequences. ”I don't suppose . . .”
The ringing stopped. ”Battery must've gone dead.”
”Thanks.”
”De nada.”
”It'll be something when your mother catches up to you,” Sam muttered.
Diana ignored him. ”So, like I was saying; now what?”
”Home.”
”The guest house?”