Once he’s gone, the tea shop falls silent.
“You don’t have to do this,” Rowan says.
“I want to.”
“You’re sure?”
“I am.” I pause, my thoughts churning. “But what about Ryder’s magic? Will it work in its current state?”
“I’m afraid Ansel’s right. There’s no way to know without trying it.”
“What if you end up horribly disfigured?”
“Then I’ll turn myself back into an owl.”
“Oh, come now,” I say with a nervous smile. “With Laverna’s allowance, I think we can swing for a real gryphon feather this time.”
Rowan chuckles, but he sounds nervous. I would be worried if he wasn’t—at least I know he’s taking this seriously.
“Are you ready?” he asks, flapping his wings.
“I think so. You?”
“More than ready.” He flies toward the door. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 23
You Can’t Die if You Don’t Try
Iwalk into the rock shop, feeling weird without Ash. But he’s working, and I don’t think he’d appreciate another interruption.
Rosalie looks over from the bulk display of polished rocks, pausing in her task of organizing the small velvet bags. “Hi, Kit.”
“Hey.”
We haven’t officially been introduced, but she knows my name just like I know hers. It’s a little awkward.
“Are you looking for Ansel?” she asks. “He’s in the workshop. You can go on back.”
I nod, wondering if she knows what we’re up to. “Thanks.”
With my nerves jumbled in an anxious knot, I go behind the counter and pass through the enchanted door. The workshop is open this time, but I pause to knock on the frame.
Ansel looks up from the central workbench, looking a bit startled, like he was thinking deeply about something when I interrupted.
“Hi,” I say awkwardly. “Rowan said he’d fly through the park and wait near the back.”
My eyes move to the heavy door at the rear of the workshop.
Ansel nods, crossing the space and opening the door, revealing the small private courtyard behind the shop. The stone wall that encloses the space is constructed like mine, blocking our properties from the public park behind us.
Rowan flies inside, wet from the rain even though he tried to stay out of it. He lands on a large rock on the workbench and scans the space, looking skeptical. “Your workshop is a wreck.”
“At least I have a workshop,” Ansel replies.
Rowan doesn’t have a retort for that, so he fluffs his feathers. Though he looks annoyed, I think he’s a little scared.
“Call Ryder, Kit,” he instructs.
