Page 72 of The Nowhere Witch

The image of a giant dragon in the square had us both shaking our heads a couple of seconds later.

“Maybe not yet,” I said.

“Yeah, let’s wait a little longer.”

Musso came in the back room, where I was making a tea.

“You going to meet your friend tonight?” Musso asked, coming to make tea beside me.

Jeans and a snug sweater didn’t scream date. Yes, maybe I had used a little bit of lip gloss, but my lips were dry. It wasn’t for Gregor, even if I was seeing him. I needed names for my list, and looking a little a cuter wasn’t going to hurt my cause.

“I’m going to Zark’s, but not to see Gregor. Need to try to get more names. Why?”

“No reason,” he said with a shrug, in a tone that begged for a follow-up. Musso didn’t talk that much, and when he did, there was always something in his head.

“Musso, I’ve never had to drag information out of you before. Don’t make me do it now.”

Teacup in his hand, he turned to me as if contemplating his words as he eyed me up. “It’s not quite the right moment for this conversation.”

Hawk had gotten to him and now I was going to get the same evasive reasoning?

“It’s the exact right time for this conversation.”

“I don’t think this Gregor boy is right for you.”

I knew it. I didn’t say it aloud, but in my head I was screaming it from the mountaintops.

“Why is that?” I asked. Hawk was written all over this. What was he saying about Gregor?

“Couldn’t tell you, except to say I’ve been around a long time, and sometimes you sense things. I know you’re young and have to figure it out on your own, but you asked.”

Why had I asked? I took my tea, about to go back to my desk, when it occurred to me that I might not agree on Gregor, but Musso was right. He had been around a long time.

I glanced toward the door, making sure no one was about to wander in. “Musso, is there a way to find out information about past citizens of Xest?”

“Why? Who are you curious about? Xest isn’t that large. I’ve probably talked to most of the people here at some point.”

“I was wondering about my mother. I’m pretty sure she came from here, or at least visited.”

“Your last name is Tudor, right? I don’t recall anyone with that name.” He took a seat on the couch, leaning back as if it helped him think.

“That name might’ve been made up, but her first name was Jossi.”

He folded his arms behind his head and rocked back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. “Hmm. That doesn’t ring a bell. What level was she?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I’d guess a Whimsy at most.” As diligently as she’d tried to hide my magic, she’d never worn a necklace or marred her own skin. Had she left Xest because she’d run out of magic? It was possible, although it seemed that most of them didn’t make it out in time.

“A lot of Whimsy witches don’t make it far from the factory. I might not have met her then. Why are you asking now?” he asked.

“No reason.”

Whatever that thing was in the Unsettled Lands, it hated me. It hated me before the wall, even. It felt personal, and I couldn’t understand why.

29

“Tippi!”

I turned, realizing Gregor was behind me. “How long have you been back there?” I waited for him to catch up with me.