Page 42 of By the Horns (Royal Artifactual Guild #2)

Thirty-One

Gwenna

Raptor is in the worst mood this morning, truly.

He’s utterly insufferable over breakfast and answers every question with a surly response that makes me wonder why I even bother.

The moment we’re finished eating, he practically stomps his way across Vastwarren to the King’s Onion, of all places.

He parks me in a seat by the door, all but bellows that he won’t be a moment, and then puts his head down with the barmaid and whispers to her.

A very pretty barmaid that I know well—Naiah. She smiles broadly at Raptor, her expression more welcoming than anything she’s sent to me or the others in the bar. I hate that I’m noticing. I hate that they’re talking so intently and she smiles.

I hate that I’m jealous.

The two of them don’t talk long, at least. Perhaps they notice me glaring at them from afar.

Then Raptor returns to my side with a rueful smile, as if he realizes what a shitty thing he’s just done, and tries to put a hand on the small of my back.

I shrug him away and walk briskly ahead of him.

“Let’s hurry. I want to get there before Aspeth leaves and heads to work. ”

“Sparrow.”

I wince. She was Aspeth to me for over fifteen years. It’s difficult to remember the change, but I know she’s so very proud of her new name. “Sparrow,” I agree. “My apologies.”

We head over to Master Hawk’s nest. Hawk and his fledglings live at the far edge of the guild streets, in a more modern house with a second story and a gabled roof.

Hawk’s symbol flutters from a flagpole above the front door, and I’m filled with a curious yearning.

How simple things were last year, when we were Magpie’s students.

I’ve been Master Jay’s student for longer, but I felt more at home with Lark, Mereden, Aspeth, and Kipp.

Now I’ve got Arrod and Hemmen, who annoy me; Raptor, who I want to alternately kiss or strangle; and Kipp, who I’m terrified of disappointing if I fail this year.

We pause at the front door, and inside, I can hear bellowing. “Your right arm! Your other right arm!”

I glance up at Raptor. “Should we knock?”

He huffs with amusement and pushes his way inside.

Immediately, a fluffy black cat scurries away deeper into the house.

We move in, with me following a step behind Raptor.

As we do, two other cats trot down the stairs, and another is curled up on the desk near the fireplace.

I don’t recognize any of these cats. Sparrow’s big orange cat, Squeaker, sheds like crazy, but I wasn’t aware that Sparrow or her husband had acquired more of them.

I watch incredulously as another comes toward us and rubs against my skirts, purring.

“Where did all these cats come from?” I exclaim as I follow Raptor.

“Pick up your weapons,” Hawk bellows from a nearby room. “Get your packs. We’re going on a hike.”

“It’s Sevensday,” a man protests.

It’s silent after that, and I can just picture the glare Hawk is shooting in his direction.

A moment later, five students with fledgling sashes come marching toward the front door, a heavy pack on each back and a wooden sword in each hand.

I know from experience that the packs are filled with rocks and Hawk is probably going to make them walk up and down the streets of Vastwarren to work on their strength and stamina.

Hawk emerges after the final student, shutting the door to the training room behind him. He looks surprised to see both of us, his gaze flicking to Raptor and then to me, and then back to Raptor. “This is unexpected.”

“Is Sparrow here?” I ask. “I wanted to visit.”

“She’s in our quarters. Go knock on the door. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to see you.” He gives me a faint smile. “You’ve picked a good day to visit. Lark and Mereden are coming over, too.”

They are? “That’s lovely. I’ve missed them so much.”

And then I burst into tears.