One

***Book One of the Orson Goldbloom tetralogy***

"Are you sure that will work?" I deadpan.

She responds with a grim nod.

"But...is casting down two lives worth it?" I ask again.

This time, she ignores me.

"F😠😠😠," I mutter, annoyedly. Then I raise my voice. "Is casting two lives down worth it or not?"

"Orson, can't you be any more annoying?" She sighs.

"Guess I can't, so give me some answers!"

She rolls her eyes and brandishes a knife at me.

"You act like that Kore girl. You know, the elf." I taunt her. Kore is disabled.

"You act like you like her," she replies.

I don't even like Kore! Kore must have been at least 40! "I don't!"

"Lovebirds, lovebirds, flocking in a herd..." she mocks.

"Is that even a nursery rhyme?" I deadpan.

She shakes her head, sending her dark curls flying, and continues to chant, "lovebirds, lovebirds, your deception's so absurd..."

F😠😠😠 her.