I’d done what I’d set out to do, completed my task and successfully rid the place of its ghosts—all three of them at that. And as far as I was concerned, now that I’d won the bet, it was time not only for my flying lesson, but also my trip to London.
It was clearly stated in the terms of our earlier agreement.
It was as simple as that.
And no way was I letting Bodhi find some kind of loophole to shirk his way out of our deal.
No way was I letting him get away with something as unfair as that.
But Bodhi just looked at me, his shoulders hunched, gaze sheepish, green straw bobbing up and down between his teeth when he said, “Um, I might not have mentioned it earlier, but there’s more. Just one more thing to take care of, and then we’re out of here. I promise.”
“What do you mean one more thing?” My hands clutched at my hips, as I made sure both my face and voice displayed just how completely furious I was. “You can’t just go expanding my job description like that! It’s not fair! I did exactly what I was supposed to and I got it done pretty quickly if I do say so myself. So, why the delay? Let’s go already! Seriously. Let’s move it! I want to be soaring over the River Thames by sunrise—or else!” I scowled, having no idea what the or else part actually stood for, but still, there it was. Besides, fair’s fair, and I was determined to see that the already clearly established set of rules were not only abided by, but met.
Feeling more than a little confused when Bodhi looked at me and said, “This one’s not for you, Riley. This one’s for me.”
17
Apparently, as it turned out, Bodhi, my guide/teacher/coach/counselor/boss had his own guide/teacher/coach/counselor/boss, who, as it also turns out, was less than enthusiastic with the job Bodhi had done so far.
Even though he’d pretty much started his day being summoned to the stage in what I learned had been a sort of graduation ceremony, he still had plenty more to accomplish.
Plenty more to live up to—so to speak.
Or at least that was the gist I was able to take away from his rambling litany of hazy, vague, purposely ambiguous mumblings. Carefully guarding any and all of the details, and refusing to share them with me.
And trust me, I was lucky to even get that much. Because when I started to hound him for more, wanting to know just who exactly his guide was, if it was possibly one of the Council members, or maybe even somebody else—and just what exactly his own job description might be—what was truly expected of a guide—and what were the consequences for those who failed at their tasks—what would happen to him if he failed to help me learn and grow and better myself—he clammed up.
And when I continued to press on to what I really and truly wanted to know—which was why he was looking and acting so freaked at just the mere thought of the task that awaited him—he turned away completely.
Just shut down, refused to speak, and showed me his back.
Giving me the stoop-shouldered silent treatment.
Refusing to divulge anything more than he already had.
And when I gave up on the questions and decided to offer my assistance instead (anything to make it to London by daybreak I figured), he just shook his head and said, “This one’s all mine. It’s absolutely imperative I do it on my own.”
Great. My face dropped into a frown as I snuck a quick peek at the grandfather clock in the hall, knowing that if this task, whatever it may be, took anywhere near as long as mine did, I wouldn’t get to London ’til nightfall, if then.
“Listen.” I smiled, knowing my motivations weren’t exactly pure, were far too self-serving to ever be mistaken for altruistic, but still continuing on when I said, “I’m a trainee, right? And it’s your job to—well—train me, correct?”
He nodded in his usual, noncommittal way, head bobbing forward ever so slightly but just enough for me to translate it as a yes, if only to make things easier and get it moving along.
Slinking around to his side and watching as he continued to chew on that same dented-up straw when I said, “So, with that in mind, what better way to train me, than to allow me to watch the master—meaning you—at work? What better way for me to learn something new than to watch, firsthand, how it’s done? And maybe—just maybe—get a little hands-on experience as well? But only if permission to do so is granted by you, of course,” I added quickly, seeing the way his mouth sort of slammed down at the sides when I got to that last part. “So? Tell me, what do you say? Surely your guide can’t fault you for that—for letti
ng me watch you do your thing and complete your task?”
Bodhi looked at me, clearly weighing the pros and cons in his mind. Then, squinting down the long hall, he sighed and said, “Fine. But just remember, you asked for it.”
18
He led us down the hall, far away from the blue room where I’d completed my task, and down the stairs, across a large foyer, and up another set of stairs, which led to yet another long hall, a smaller set of stairs, and a very narrow corridor with a tiny door at the very end that would require most people to stoop down low to get through, but not us, and onto still more stairs, until, at last, we were entering one of those turrets. One of those pointy tower-like things known to all the best castles that I’d always wanted to see the inside of.
But just as I started to rush the door, eager to manifest some seriously long, blond hair so I could have my long-awaited, much anticipated, Rapunzelesque moment, Bodhi stretched his arm across, barring me from going any farther when he said, “You sure about this?”
Please. It was all I could do not to roll my eyes in his face. Here I’d just faced down three glowing radiant brothers with red orbs for eyes and deep, dark, cavernous mouths, and he wanted to know if I could handle it? I mean, seriously, it was almost insulting. Just how bad could this possibly be?
“Because there’s no shame in being scared,” he said, studying me carefully, still chewing on that dumb straw, really working it into submission. “No shame at all. It’s perfectly natural and I won’t judge you if you decide to turn back while you still can. You’ve already proven yourself. You went in and succeeded where many before you have failed. You know, you’re pretty amazing, Riley Bloom. You’re the best Soul Catcher I’ve ever seen and it’s only your first day out! But this is my task, not yours. And trust me, there’s a reason for that.”