Snapping my mouth shut from its gaping state, I asked incredulously, “Who is that?”
Fergus put his hand over the receiver, lifting his brows and staring. “Elder Farrar.”
Yep, that look told me I had some explaining to do. Wonderful.
I moved forward and held my free hand out.
Fergus diplomatically said his goodbye, then he handed me the phone.
I grumbled, “Hello?”
He was chuckling over the line. “God, you should have heard his voice when I told him who I was.” A pause. “I probably had the same reaction when he told me who he was.”
I ignored that. “Did you try to call a few minutes ago, too?”
“Yep.” I could practically see him grinning through the phone. “I was actually trying to call you on my new,” throat clearing, “cell phone.”
I blinked. “Well, your reception’s terrible. You should think about switching carriers.”
There was a long pause. “I don’t think you heard me correctly, because you’re not reacting appropriately…and I didn’t understand half of what you just said. A cell phone, Sadie. As in, a small device that’s portable.”
“Oh.” I nodded my head, then I stated with false cheer, “That’s unbelievable! You got a cell phone. Congratulations.”
Instant reaction from Fergus. “He did?” He pointed a whisk at me. “Ask him where he got it. They’re sold out everywhere I’ve looked.”
I asked into the receiver, “Did you get that?”
“Now that was the proper response.” A cocky snort. “I got the last one.”
“Sorry,” I told Fergus. “He picked up the last one.”
He blinked. “Ask him how much he wants for it.”
An instant reply came over the line. “It’s not for sale.”
I blinked, motioning between the phone and Fergus. “Would you two prefer to talk again, instead of using me as a go-between?” I paused, then I told Fergus, “It’s not for sale.”
He cursed quietly, scowling at the phone, but he kept his mouth shut.
“Hello, Sadie? Are you there?”
“Yep, I’m here.”
“On to my second reason for calling. I wanted to know how you’re doing, but from the sounds of it, it’s not going too bad.”
“I’m going to skip over the part where a cell phone took precedence over my wellbeing and tell you that, yes, things aren’t going too bad right now. In fact, I’d kind of like to get back to it, but…” I nibbled at my bottom lip, turning my back on Fergus. “You know, keep in touch.”
“I will,” he stated calmly. “Take care.”
“You too,” I murmured quietly. “I’ll talk to you later.”
We hung up.
There was silence all around.
I turned, holding the pad of paper and pen poised to write. I smiled sweetly. Innocently. I motioned at the goods on the counter. “I think we’re probably free of any more phone calls, so we can start.”
Fergus didn’t move except to cross his arms. “Elder Farrar.”
The three other Prodigies standing in my living room watched. Quiet.
The whisk tapped on Fergus’s bicep. “He’s been MIA for, like, twenty years. He’s one of the big guys of the war. He’s an utterly merciless, punishing individual.” His head tilted, staring at me thoroughly. “When you said you had experience with the Royals, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but he sure as hell wasn’t it.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “He’s actually very kind.”
He choked on a laugh, tipping the whisk in my direction. “You must be one of the few he does like.”
“He’s said a few times he likes me.”
A clearly incredulous expression passed over his features as he shook his head. “I wonder if anyone doesn’t like you.”
“There are a few, I’m sure, since I’m not perfect.” I bounced my brows. “But more importantly, do you like me enough to start teaching me to cook?”
Both sides of his lips tilted. “The Prodigy chef at your service, madam.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
I had no clue where the hell we were tonight—Venclaire had found the place. I only knew we were in New York City and I was having a blast. The music wasn’t God-awful as the beat was reminiscent of what I normally danced to in 2035. The drinks were never-ending as long as you paid a small fee, which was a special on Friday nights. The hotel we were in reminded me of a converted warehouse, and the place was darkened for the night’s masquerade party they were throwing in honor of a convention in town. I didn’t know which one, and I really didn’t care.
The Prodigies had rented a suite in the hotel, and we were dressed funky as hell, even wearing the half-masks provided at the door. We moshed with the crowd while drinking.
And drinking.