10
The air in Central Park felt different from the air on the street. It was like all the relaxing things New Yorkers had done on its grass over the years had created a permanent cloud of calm. I wanted to sit and rest. But if I squinted up the street, I could still see the purple flames wafting out of my dad’s apartment. I took the lead toward the castle, pulling Elizabeth along since she had taken out her bright purple phone and started texting one-handed.
“No, go south,” she said, without looking up.
I didn’t argue. She had saved my life twice within the last hour. Arguing seemed like a dumb idea. Instead, I focused on trying to look like I wasn’t running away from someone who had tried to kill us by esoteric means. Really, if you had added in some ice cream, you could call it a date
