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That sounded depressing. “I’m sorry.”
“Eh. It’s not so bad. He doesn’t have a real name, doesn’t seem to bother him any.” He stuck a thumb out at the dog who was now sitting there and scratching his chin with his back paw.
So much for him being Merlin. Or maybe he was, and just didn’t remember. He kind of reminded her of Doc Brown fromBack to the Future.Not in looks, but certainly in vibe. Or, hell,Doctor Who.“Can I call you Doc?”
“Sure. Call me whatever you like.” He kept sketching away at whatever he was doodling. It looked like an airplane—but not a modern one. More like a Da Vinci drawing. “Just not Tiny. What a terrible thing to name a dragon.”
“I thought it was cute.” Apparently, the wizard knew everything. That at least saved her time. She walked up to one of his bookcases, unable to help from peering at the strange things in jars. “Do you know why I’m here?”
“You want a way to split yourself from the demon outside. Or rather, he wants you to find a way to split. You’re not so sure about it.” He tapped the back of his pencil on the desk for a moment. He gestured at a puffy leather chair that looked distinctly way too modern for Avalon by the wall. “Sit.”
She did so, feeling like she was being ordered around by her schoolteacher and she was back in second grade. The chair was overstuffed, and definitely modern. Weird. “Where’d this come from?” She poked at it.
“Mordred is not the all-knowing hotshot he thinks he is. There are still ways in and out—little ones—and damn it all, I wanted some comfy furniture.” Doc sketched away at the paper in front of him.
She supposed that made sense. “Can you send me home?”
“Do you want to go home?”
Gwen’s thoughts went to Mordred yet again. “I don’t know. I want to stay; I just don’t think it’s the smart choice.”
“Well, then figure it out first. Then ask again.” He picked up a pair of thin-framed glasses from the desk and put them on before swiveling on his stool to face her. Leaning over, he grabbed her by the chin without warning, and turned her head left, then right, then left again. “Hm. Yep.” He let her go and pushed his glasses to the top of his head before going back to the paper.
“What?”
“You and that demon. Right mess he’s made of you. For shame. You seem like a nice girl.”
She sat up straight. “What does that mean? Why do you make it sound like I’m gonna die?”
“Because you probably will.” He snickered.
“Thanks.” She slumped back into the chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “You really aren’t helping.”
“I’m not here to make you feel better about your life, sorry.” He turned the pencil over and tapped it against the desk again. He seemed to always be moving—fidgeting his leg or twirling the hair on the back of his head. “I’m here to…actually, I don’t honestly know.” He snorted in laughter like it was a private joke and went back to drawing.
“Can you separate Grinn and me?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Damn it, I don’t know!” She groaned.
“Well, there’s problem number one to solve.” He sniffed dismissively. Glancing over at Eod, who was now lying on the floor watching the exchange, he sighed. “I know, I know. You really are so very patient with her.”
“Don’t tell me the dog is on my case too.” That’s all Gwen would need: the dog lecturing her too.
“Oh, hardly. He loves you. That’s extremely clear. That pup’ll follow you to the ends of the world to keep you out of trouble.” Doc smiled down at the dog. “That’s the beauty of animals. But you already know that. That’s your real gift, you know.”
“What is?” She furrowed her brow. “Animals?”
“No. Yes. Sort of. You see the simple truths in people. We all just want to love and be loved in return. Animals are just more obvious about it.” He pondered her for a second. “And on the other end of the spectrum, we have your dear Prince in Iron. Same need.Veeeerydifferent approach.”
“I…he doesn’t…” She felt her cheeks go warm. Damn it, was she blushing? Why was she blushing?
“Mm-hm.” It was clear the sorcerer did not believe her in the slightest. He went back to his drawing.
“Can we get back to the demon thing?”
“Sure.”
