“For sure. We need to do something to keep the villagers from pitchforking us.”
“There’s a book inside a tomb up there. It’s a powerful one.”
“How do you know?”
“It’s inside my friend’s tomb. Tarq is his name. It’s not his book. He’s a monster like me. But I know it’s in there and I know who it belongs to, and I know it’s what we need.”
“OK.”
I chance a side-eye glance at her. She’s not even looking at me. She’s looking out the window at the tombs up the hill. “So you’re the only one who can go in there and get it. You’re the only one who can see the doors.”
“Oh, man.” Her voice is whiny and kinda cute. “I hate those tombs. They’re so creepy.”
“Yeah, but this is just Tarq. He’s not a bad guy. He’ll probably love the company. And you will have me in common with him. You could bring me news back. Of him. I talk to him all the time. I’m dying to know if he can hear me.”
Her sigh tells me she’s not convinced, but I don’t dwell on this. It’s Tarq. She will be fine. “I would not send you in there if I thought you were in danger, Pie.”
“I’m not thinking that.”
“Then what are you sighing about?”
“I just think those tombs are creepy.”
“That book is important. You don’t need to stay in there long. Just fill Tarq in, ask him nicely for the book—tell him it’s a favor to me—and then leave.”
“What if he wants something in return? Like… what if he wants me to get him out of the tomb?”
I shrug. “Tell him yeah.”
“Will I be lying?”
“You got a problem with freeing Tarq?”
“I don’t know Tarq.”
“He’s a pretty cool guy.”
“Monster.”
“Right. Same thing.”
She sighs again.
“What?”
“It’s just… I’m already outnumbered, ya know? Adding another monster is—”
“Hey.” I laugh. “If you want to go find another magic girl for us, I won’t complain.”
“Oh, really?”
“What’s that look for?”
“You know what? I’m tired. I’m going to bed. You can sleep on the couch if you want, but you can leave if you’d prefer to go home.” She shrugs. “It’s up to you, I guess.”
“What did I say?”
“Go get another girl?”
“It was a joke, Pie. There are no other girls out there. You know this.”
“So that’s the only reason? Because there aren’t any available? Otherwise, you’d be all for me grabbing another one to satisfy your pleasure needs? And that’s not even true. If Russ Roth is kin then there’s more of them, right? And that means there’s more girls out there for you.”
“What?” I actually laugh. That’s how funny that is.
She gets up, ready to storm up the stairs, but I grab her wrist and pull her into my lap. She struggles against me, but I’m far too strong for her to win that battle. Finally, when she is straddling me, facing me, I place my hands on her cheeks and make her look at me. “It was a joke. I’m not looking for a harem, Pie Vita. I’m just fine with the way things are. So if you don’t want another monster around, then lie to Tarq if that’s what he asks for. Get what we need, and none of us will ever say another word about it again. It’s me. And you. And Tomas.” I shrug. “We can’t get rid of him. He’s kind of the landlord.”
“I don’t really understand that.”
“I know. But soon enough, you will. I’m tired. You have to be tired. There’s nothing more we can do tonight, so we’re going to bed. And I’m not leaving you here alone. I’m sleeping with you.”
“Are you?”
I can’t tell if that’s a serious question or just a complicated challenge. “Yes. I’m staying. And we’re sleeping in the same bed. I’ll stay on my side.” This remark makes her frown. “Tomorrow, Pie. Save all that for tomorrow.”
I watch her give in and it’s satisfying. Not the actual giving in, but the trust. And the upcoming obedience. It’s a hesitant trust and the obedience will come with conditions, I’m sure. But I’ll take it.
She sighs heavily, then shrugs. I’m still holding her face. But she backs out of it now and starts for the stairs.
I follow her up and she excuses herself to the bathroom with a small pile of bed clothes in her hands. I am my usual naked self, so I just pull the covers back and get in on the same side I settled on last night. I have a side, I realize. We have sides.
There is no way for me to hide the grin that emerges. And when Pie comes out of the bathroom, that grin is still there.
She lowers the lamp light until the tiny flame is gone, then walks over to the bed like an apparition in a short white nightgown and when she slips under the covers next to me, I don’t wait for her to settle or grant me permission, I just tug her close and hold her tight.