Page 76 of The Princess of Portals

“You could track down the Masked Metamorph and figure out what he wants.”

The air grew charged. The tips of Conner’s hair sizzled with magic. “Oh, don’t worry. If he’s out there, I will find him.”

“Good,” Kato said. “Then it’s settled. You will find the Masked Metamorph. Meanwhile, Savannah and I will pay a visit to the Castle and ask Killjoy to examine her.”

“I’m fine.” I said the words, knowing full well that it was unlikely they would make any difference at all.

“No, you’re not,” they both told me.

As expected, my protest had proven utterly futile. I’d been outvoted. Maybe having two overprotective Knights looking after me wasn’t as awesome as I’d once thought.

“Don’t think I haven’t noticed what you’re doing, Kato.”

Conner’s light, teasing tone had no effect. Kato’s serious face didn’t crack. “What am I doing?”

“You’ve engineered this whole thing so that you get to team up with the pretty girl.” Conner winked at me. “Meanwhile, I have to search dirty alleyways, digging through heaps of refuge.”

I very much doubted that the Masked Metamorph was hiding in a heap of refuge, but that wasn’t the point.

“Hmm.” One of Kato’s eyebrows lifted, very slightly. “I guess there are some unwanted consequences when you choose to become a Rebel.”

His comment elicited an amused eye-roll from Conner. “Very well, Sir White Knight. You go have your fun at the Castle. I’ll find the Masked Metamorph and still have time left over for my other Quest.”

“What Quest?”

“It’s classified.”

“That’s just your fancy way of telling me that you don’t want to tell me.”

Conner mimicked Kato’s posture. “I guess there are some unwanted consequences when when you choose to stay in the Castle and play the good Knight.”

“Funny.”

“The less I tell you about my shady Rebellion, the less trouble you’ll get into with the General. Though, if the Governor gets her way, soon the General will no longer be a problem. She’s still sour over the whole Bronte Vance fiasco. Word on the street is that his inquisition isn’t over.” A smile curled Conner’s lips. “Inquisition. Mmm, I like the sound of that word attached to the General’s name. It proves that there’s karma in the Many Realms.”

“One can only hope.” Kato gave Conner a pointed look.

Conner winked at him. “All right, beautiful people, fare thee well. See you later. Try not to miss me too much.”

Kato was right on the cusp of rolling his eyes, but he stopped himself just in time. He must have remembered that Knights don’t roll their eyes.

I loaded a bag full of muffins and handed it to Conner. “Here, just in case you get hungry.”

“Aw, Red’s packed me a snack pack, Kato.” He smirked at Kato. “You didn’t get a snack pack.”

Kato opened his mouth. I cut between them before either said something he would regret.

“Be careful out there, Conner. Do not underestimate the Masked Metamorph.”

“Aw, look at you, all worried about me. You’re definitely the heart of our operation. You like to whack things with your sword, Kato, so you can be the brawn.”

“And I guess that makes you the comic relief,” Kato said coolly.

“Obviously. But I’m also the charm.” Conner bowed to us, then turned toward the door.

A thunderous boom shook the cottage. Kato looked at Conner.

“Hey, don’t look at me. I didn’t do that.”