“They’re about to feed the sea lions,” Rory said, in a tone that said he knew Wesley was full of shit. “That’s gotta be where Sebastian is. I hope Ace is with him.”
They made their way back to the sea lion pool, and sure enough, Sebastian was up ahead, watching the barking sea lions with Arthur next to him. The day was brightly sunny, the air crisp but the sky a brilliant blue above the last of the Bronx Zoo’s autumn leaves. Despite the sun, Sebastian was bundled in a scarf and warm hat, but he looked happy, not cold, as he chatted with Arthur and watched the sea lions dive.
“You still think you gotta go back to England?” Rory said, as he and Wesley paused by a pillar.
“Iwantto take Sebastian to San Juan.” Wesley’s gaze stayed on Sebastian. “But I can’t shake Miss Robbins’s point from my mind. What if Langford wasn’t acting alone?”
Rory nodded slowly. “You know if you’re going chasing after answers about Langford, Ace and I are coming with you, right?”
Wesley raised an eyebrow. “I hear you spend sea voyages on the constant verge of vomiting.”
Rory gave a grumpy huff. “Yeah. But I’m still coming. Gwen’s supposed to be in London again. She can make sure nothing permanent happened to your aura. See what’s going on with Sebastian.”
Sebastian’s magic still hadn’t returned. He couldn’t see Zhang, he couldn’t weaken Wesley’s aura, and the lion remained a black, branded outline. Wesley wasn’t stupid; he could see Sebastian missed it and was still struggling to manage a world without it. Sebastian didn’t seem to think it was ever coming back, but whenever Wesley mentioned it, he would say, with complete sincerity, that he’d rather have Wesley.
Truly unforgivable, to make Wesley’s stone heart feel this soft.
“With any luck, it will all be quick, and we can come back,” said Wesley. “Mateo’s latest telegram says he’s doing well at Oberlin; Sebastian could surprise him for Christmas.”
Arthur said something that made Sebastian laugh, and the sight of that laughter put a grudging smile on Wesley’s lips. Perhaps it would be good to have company. Sebastian’s trauma ran deep, and it might do him good to be surrounded and supported by people who cared about his well-being. Arthur and the others seemed to have had the same idea, and Wesley could admit they were doing a bang-up job being good friends.
To both of them.
Rory cocked his head, listening to the air. “Zhang says we should come to the Dragon House for dinner.”
“I require that there be pork buns,” Wesley said to the air, in the general direction Rory was facing.
“You sure you and Jade want company?” Rory said, apparently uncaring that it appeared he was speaking to no one. “You two’ve been hiding out together since we left Tarrytown.”
Wesley remembered Mateo’s prophecy about Zhang, all the way back in Yorkshire.She says yes, and everyone is so happy at their wedding.
Even a cranky cynic like Wesley would be happy for them.
Sebastian looked over his shoulder, then. “Wes,” he called. “They’re bringing the fish. Come see!”
Wes. Wesley loved the sound of his name in Sebastian’s voice. Loved that Sebastian was comfortable enough with him to use it in front of Arthur and Rory. Sebastian was heading toward him, and Wesley started forward to meet him.
But just before they reached each other, Wesley stumbled. He staggered forward, and would have fallen if Sebastian hadn’t been there, grabbing him by his arms.
“Wesley.” He was pulling Wesley upright. “Are you all right? Did you trip?”
Had he? Wesley straightened all the way up. He looked behind him, but there was nothing to see but smooth stones leading back to Rory talking to the air.
He frowned. “You think I tripped? Over what, my own feet?”
“It happens to all of us,” Sebastian said earnestly.
He was still holding on to Wesley by the elbows, his hands and wrists turned upward. The top of the lion was visible where Sebastian’s coat sleeve had ridden up. The sun lit the tattoo in yellow light as the world around them popped in color, the blue sky above, the green of hardy shrubs, the last of the fiery red and orange leaves on the trees. But the lion itself was only the black, brand-like outline against Sebastian’s skin.
Except—
No. No, Wesley was seeing the colors of late autumn in New York. He’d tripped over his own feet. There was no other explanation. Life was endlessly cruel and capricious; there was no reason to believe Sebastian’s magic would ever return.
He looked up. Sebastian was smiling at him, guileless and fond. “Come see the sea lions,” he said. “It’s part of your zoo adventure.”
Wesley snorted. “The zoo isnotan adventure.”
“It’s new and fun and we’re here together,” Sebastian said. “Of course it’s an adventure; you just have to change how you’re looking at it.”
