CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
I’m not sure why Ben’s line of questioning bothered me so, but I found myself irritated. Maybe it was because I didn’t feel special. I mean, sure, the Prima Staff had somehow placed itself in my path, but it was the staff with the gift of magic, not me. All I had to do was blow or ride it.
But maybe that was the problem. Being the wielder of the Staff was more like being a passenger, but having my own magic was being behind the wheel. That was a lot more responsibility, and as we finished our meal I stood with a heart burdened with a little more responsibility.
We spoke our farewells to our host and ventured out into the night. Ben had hardly led me more than halfway up the alley before he stopped and half-turned to me. “From here on we should remain silent u
