Home > Lost (House of Night Other World #2)(9)

Lost (House of Night Other World #2)(9)
Author: P. C. Cast

   I resisted the urge to strangle both of their ridiculously happy necks, which Damien must have sensed because he cleared his throat and explained.

   “So, you know Kramisha already decided to redecorate the restaurant as a big band–era dinner club, right?”

   “Yeah, right. We all thought that was a great idea,” I said.

   “It is, which is why we wanted to bring in some dinner-club specialists,” Damien said.

   “The gays!” Jack cheered.

   “ ‘The gays’?” Now I was totally confused.

   “Actually, it would be more accurate to say the LGBTQ community,” said Damien. “I went by the Equality Center—you know it’s not far from the depot, don’t you?”

   “Yeah, of course. OKEQ is less than a mile away on Fourth Street. I was there just the other day talking about partnering with them on the next More Color Art Show. I was going to announce it in our next newsletter,” I said.

   “We know,” Jack said. “Toby told us when we were talking about our other idea.”

   I felt like I was ping-ponging back and forth between the two of them, so I focused on Damien. “Explain, please.”

   “It’s simple. Toby Jenkins, the center’s director—”

   “Yeah, I know Toby,” I nodded.

   “He’s a history buff, and he was thrilled to hear that we’re turning the restaurant into a dinner club. He’d like to help us make it not just a beautiful venue with good food and music. He can help us make it historically accurate. As in being sure the stage, dance floor, tables, linens, and even the waitstaff’s uniforms all are so much like the big band era that people will really feel as if they’re stepping back in time when they spend an evening at our restaurant,” Damien said.

   “That does sound cool,” I said. “Which reminds me, Toby told me he has a list of contractors who are proequality and, of course, those are the only contractors we should be hiring. He was going to share that list with me, and then, well …” My words trailed off as we all thought about the events of the past few days.

   “Hey, no problem, Z,” Damien said kindly. “We’ll take care of it for you.”

   “Yeah, you’ve had a lot going on. Let us help you with this,” said Jack.

   “Thank you. Both of you. Yes, I’d appreciate your help, and I think your idea to bring in Toby, and anyone he recommends, is fantastic. Tell Kramisha you definitely have my approval.”

   “Yippee!” Jack clapped.

   “You won’t be sorry, Z. The restaurant is going to be spectacular,” said Damien. He paused and caught me with his wise gaze. “You look tired.”

   “Yoga is excellent for stress relief,” Jack said. “In my other world, before all that really horrid stuff started to happen, I was a certified yoga instructor. Would you like me to take you through some meditative stretches?”

   “Um, not this second,” I said. “But if you’d like to teach a few yoga classes here at school I think that would be great.”

   “Oh. My. Goddess! Really? Are you kidding? Would you really let me?”

   How could anyone not love this kid? He was like a sparkling unicorn. “Yep, I’ll totally let you. Let me get with the School Council and we’ll figure out where we can add your class.”

   Jack hurled himself into my arms, almost knocking me over. “Thank you! Thank you! May I play music? Yoga is always better with music. And hot yoga! Can we have hot yoga too?”

   I disentangled myself from Jack. “Sure. Hot yoga sounds good,” I lied. Hot yoga? Like regular yoga isn’t hard enough? “Get a syllabus together, with a supply list, so that I can let the Council know exactly what you need, and we’ll figure something out.”

   “That’s great, Z.” Damien was still studying me over Jack’s exuberant head. “But it looks like you need some rest and stress relief now.”

   “You couldn’t be more right,” I said. “Which is why I gotta go. I’m on my way to get some barn therapy.”

   Relief softened Damien’s worried expression. “Oh, that’s excellent! Grooming Persephone always relaxes you. Have fun. And if anyone asks where you are, I’ll tell them you’re at the depot.”

   “That would be wonderful. I just need an hour or so to myself.”

   “It’s yours.” Damien put his arm around Jack. “Come on. Let’s go talk to Kramisha, and then we can give Toby the good news.”

   Talking animatedly with their heads together, Jack and Damien headed for the front of the House of Night. I watched them go, trying to hold on to some of the happiness they exuded.

   It didn’t work. They left and all I felt was tired and sad. Again.

   Come on, Z. Get yourself together and snap out of it! Kevin is back where he has to be, and that’s that. That world needs him. In this world Heath is dead. Your mom is dead. And we actually defeated Neferet. Get a grip!

   Mentally shaking myself I headed out the back door of the school, turned left, and followed the sidewalk to the rear entrance of the equestrian center. I walked fast, barely nodding to the fledglings who greeted me. I just needed some time alone—some time to relax and not think too much.

   The instant I opened the door to the stables I drew a deep breath, inhaling the comforting scents of horse and hay. The class had started, and I could hear Lenobia in the arena, telling her current group of third formers, or freshmen, that horses are not big dogs, which had me grinning with nostalgia as I made my way to Persephone’s stall. As soon as the roan mare saw me she called a low, rumbly greeting.

   “Well, hi right back at you, pretty girl! How are you?” I grabbed the currycomb; a wide, soft brush; and a hoof pick from the cubby outside her stall—as well as a handful of the peppermint treats that were her favorites—and slipped inside with her. Persephone nuzzled me, obviously looking for the candies, which I offered her. I smiled and kissed her wide forehead as she delicately lipped the peppermints from my palm. After I snuggled her some more and kissed her velvet muzzle, the mare returned to her feed and I got to work.

   I love grooming horses—Persephone in particular. And her positive energy worked quickly on me. Soon, my mind was empty of everything except braiding her mane and tail, and being sure her hooves were free of even the smallest pebbles.

   “Persephone, pretty girl, I wish I could get my hair to shine the way your coat does,” I said, resting my chin against her wide, warm neck. She cocked one leg, sighed, and looked very much like she was going to take a nap. I glanced between the stall bars at the stable clock. “Ugh. About twenty minutes and this period will be over and fledglings will be swarming everywhere.” What I wouldn’t give to be a fledgling again, without a care in the world.

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