Chapter Thirty-Two

Robbie

“Have you talked to him since, well, everything?” Abi asked, and I shook my head. It was crazy how she could pick up how I was feeling with Theo’s quick departure. He had seemed so distant the whole meal too. “You should go talk to him,” she encouraged and took off to her room.

When I got to Command Central, Theo was already lounging on the couch, eyes closed with the televisions running lines and lines of script that I certainly didn’t want to interfere with by interrupting whatever he was doing. I decided to go to bed and escape to fantasy as I picked up the newest book by one of my favorite authors.

The next day we flew to San Diego. The plane ride felt a little tense. Theo hadn’t come to bed at all and only slipped out of the Interface enough to pack. He insisted that I take a couple of bags, saying that I might change my mind about staying with Maggie for a while after the wedding to work on Commands. I didn’t agree but also didn’t argue. He also hadn’t packed a separate bag of toys for us, which was something I had gotten used to. When I asked him about it, he said that we would be so busy with the party and wedding plans, there would be little time for us, which I guess made sense.

Since our flight was late, we went directly to Maggie’s who ushered us in. Jason scooped Abi up in a big hug, and Maggie hugged each of us in turn.

Theo was uncharacteristically quiet as I fielded questions about the flight and Pride. After about ten minutes, he said, “Guys, I’m feeling pretty terrible. I don’t know if it was the plane or what, but, Maggs, I don’t want to rain on the party here. Can Robbie stay with you guys tonight?”

“Oh, of course, of course,” Maggie responded, sympathetically. “Do you want to lay down upstairs?”

“Nah, I’ll just go get checked in at the hotel and catch up with you all tomorrow.”

Theo was up and almost to the door by the time I caught up. “What’s going on?” I demanded.

“Sugar, please. I’m just not feeling super good and want you to spend some time with your family. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He kissed me softly and climbed into the rented SUV, then took off and left me with my bag on the curb.

Maggie was finishing up dinner, and Abi and I ducked out onto the terrace. “I don’t know what’s going on,” I whispered to Abi. “He’s been so distant since the…well, you know.” I was succeeding in not crying only by taking deep breaths and digging my nails into my palm. “He’s been Interfacing a lot.”

“Well, he’s a technomage, hon. Maybe that’s his way of blowing off steam? It was pretty messed up what happened.”

“Any more messed up than last year when I almost died from a Nüwa attack? Or Mother dying? Or earlier this year when I got lost skiing and sprained my ankle? This time had to do with you being hurt. I wasn’t even in danger. Not really,” I protested. I hadn’t been in danger at all. The vampire had been under my Command the whole time. “Do you think it’s because I…because he saw me use the Commands?”

“Have you talked to him?” Abi asked, frowning with concern.

I suddenly felt incredibly selfish. Abi and I had discussed what had happened at length, but Theo hadn’t processed it at all. Maybe Theo’s Interfacing was his way of dealing. It didn’t make sense though. He had seemed to handle things so differently in the past.

“I’m sorry. I’m being silly. I’m sure it’s nothing. He’s just feeling sick. Probably a bug or something. He doesn’t have our immune systems, huh? I’ll catch up with him later. Maybe bring some soup or something?” I forced a smile that I didn’t feel at all, and she gave me a doubtful look.

Then the beginning of a plan took shape. “Oh! I have an idea…”