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I wagged the flute at him. “I’m not doing that again without a parachute.”
“A what?”
“A flimsy piece of cloth that somehow keeps people from dying after a fall from a great height.”
“That sounds like your world has some magic, after all.”
I shrugged. “Magic. Science. It’s all the same when you don’t know how the script works.” My heart gave a leap as I remembered Professor Impara’s words when he had deciphered the runes. “What was it you said about the words on the handle? What did Impara read to us the first time I met him?”
Ben furrowed his brow. “I’m not quite sure, but it might have gone something like “My script is simple, my thoughts are kind-”
“-You’ll find the symbol within the mind,” I finished for him as I studied the stick. “Maybe that has something to do with the transformation. Maybe I’m supposed to be able to change it whenever my mind is focused on one thing.”
A smile slipped onto his lips. “Like a broom with which to fly.”
“And a flute to hide it from people who would’ve taken it,” I added as I looked over the unfamiliar runes. “That’s probably the switch, now I just need to figure out how to flick it.”
Ben folded his arms over his chest and furrowed his brow. “Have you tried playing the flute?”
My face drooped. “Just. . .playing it?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
I shrank a little into myself as I gave him a sheepish grin. “I, um, haven’t gotten that far. . .”
He used a hand to gesture to the instrument. “Try it.”
I shrugged and lifted the largest hole to my mouth like I’d seen people do in concerts. “Here goes.”
I took a deep breath and blew. A tiny little shrill whistle sputtered out of the holes. I also choked as I blew out too much of my precious oxygen.
Ben’s eyes twinkled with glee. “The choke sounded better than the attempt.”
I snorted. “I wish I could argue, but you’re right.” I dropped my hands into my lap and sighed. “It’s no good. I don’t know how to cast spells or even play a flute. All I can hope for is that I’m put into mortal danger again.”
Ben’s good humor faltered a little. “I hope that doesn’t happen.”
I grinned and pushed a little against one of his shoulders. “So do I, but you know us. Double the trouble or your money back.”
I yelped as he wrapped his arms around me and drew me into his lap. He leaned my arm against his chest, and I couldn’t help but feel the warm muscles beneath his pristine attire.
“What’s the big deal?” I questioned him as I whipped my head up.
He chuckled. “You really don’t know, do you?”
I wrinkled my nose. “I know I’m sitting in a man’s lap, but what I’dliketo know is why.”
Ben studied me, the whole of me, from the tips of my shoes to the top of my head. “Are all the women from your world like you?”
I snorted. “God, no. Otherwise, it’d be a boring place.”
He shook his head. “I doubt that. You never make anything boring.”
I leaned away from him and lifted an eyebrow. “Even buttering my toast?”
“You have a seductive way of stroking your knife over the bread.”
“Does that have a double meaning?”
