By Writing and Chocolate Milk Lila

By Writing and Chocolate Milk

Lila raised an eyebrow. “Do you really have to do that?”

Tabitha glanced up from the sigils in the sand. “Do what?”

“Do… Do whatever that is.” Lila waved a hand at Tabitha’s chest.

Tabitha shrugged, and the staff wobbled precariously between her breasts.

Lila pursed her lips. She shifted, scratched at her neck, felt sweat form under her armor. Tabitha had been right about the weather.

“It’s just that… Well, it looks a little weird. With it there. Between your–your chest.”

Tabitha smiled, concentration still on the sand. “My boobs?”

Lila cleared her throat. “Can’t you just put it down next to you?”

“If you were going to criticize me, you could have summoned him yourself.” Tabitha smiled again, gestured toward her half-completed symbol. “I’m sure all that warring has–”

“No.” Lila stood, but then she just felt awkward there as Tabitha worked.

“Isn’t it cumbersome?”

Tabitha touched the staff absentmindedly with one hand. “It’s convenient.”

“Is that what you call it?”

Tabitha erased something with her thumb. “This staff,” she murmured, “is the source of my power.”

Lila shifted. “Does it need to be between…?”

“No.” Tabitha laughed and leaned back on her haunches. “But it’s holy. This…” She touched the gold. “I could never let it touch the ground.” She fingered the tassel.

Lila felt uncomfortable, and sweat dripped down her arms. Tabitha glanced up, seemed to remember where she was.

Tabitha stood, staff still swaying. She dusted off her hands and picked up her cloak, fastening it around her neck. Only then did she remove the staff.

“Alright, well, the sigil’s done.” Tabitha took a step away. “I don’t know how long it will take, but he knows we want him here.”

Lila nodded, then frowned. “You’re not staying?”

Tabitha laughed, snorting–a real laugh. “I don’t have a death warrant, thanks.” She touched the staff down, and the pattern disappeared in a puff of sand.

Lila stepped forward. “Stay, please–”

“I offered to summon him.” Tabitha shrugged, tossed her hair. “You’re the one who has to deal with him.”

And then she touched her staff down and was gone.

Lila was left on the beach, the sun beating down, alone, alone.