Temper: A Novel by Nicky Drayden

Author:Nicky Drayden [Drayden, Nicky]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Published: 2018-08-07T04:00:00+00:00

“A caracal,” Kasim says to me, as we stroll across campus back to our basement dorm room later that evening after things have finally calmed down. His voice is hoarse from answering a million and one questions, from defending himself against the accusations of witchcraft, from hooting and hollering during the following spontaneous vice parade celebrating the miracle with a loosening of morals, and the subsequent three-hour circle chant to call Grace back into everyone’s hearts. “I asked for a caracal, and you give me a—what did Gueye Okahim call it?”

“Zekwenusi,” I say with a firm smile that I cannot shake from my face. Yes, it was Kasim they were celebrating, but he would be nothing without my ingenious improvisation.

“I asked for a caracal, and you give me a zekwenusi!”

“I’m not hearing a thank-you in your voice.”

“Thank you? Have you even noticed how everyone is looking at me now?”

“Um . . . like you’re the most amazing thing to ever step foot on this campus?”

“They’re looking at me like I’m a freak. Like a magical misfit who could pull a rabid penguin out of his ass at any moment. Gueye Okahim confided in me that was the first act of Grace he’s seen in eighteen years. That anyone has seen.” Kasim stops, and grabs me by the shoulders. Pulls me in close. “He thought Grace had abandoned us,” he whispers. “Or worse, that He was dead.”

“Cry me a river, Kasim. Maybe people are looking at you like a freak, but at least they’re looking at you. You can’t even imagine how much that stunt took out of me, when all you had to do was stand there and say a few words! And now you’re blaming me for something that got us exactly what we were trying to accomplish. Gueye Okahim took you into his confidence, did he not?”

“He did.”

“And until today, exactly how many secular-raised comfy boys has he taken into his confidence?”

“None.”

“We went big, Kasim. And together we did the impossible.”

“We did,” Kasim says, rolling his eyes. “Thanks for that.”

“Sarcasm, but I’ll take it.”

We continue to make our way to the dorm, and Kasim is right. People are staring at us. At him. It’s eerie as hell. Just when I think we’ve hit the privacy of our own dorm, we’re intercepted at the entrance by a small group of students. One of them is Chiso. The two others hold duffel bags. Our duffel bags.

“Cousins!” Chiso says, pulling Kasim and me into a warm embrace. “I am so glad to see you both.” Chiso being cordial? This is the second miracle we’ve seen today.

“Chiso. I’m glad you are well,” Kasim says with a grumble. “Six days on campus now, and I was beginning to think you were going out of your way to avoid us.”

“Nonsense! Why would I ignore my much-favored cousins? I’m so sorry I haven’t had the chance to welcome you, but I’ve been so busy trying to get things set up for you two. I have good news.

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