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If she’s offended by it, she doesn’t show it. “Did you speak with Kendall about your request?”
“Kendall understands why I need her to go,” I say, confused. “Besides, I want her to keep up her training.”
“Your sister’s gifts are developing at a rate beyond my own skills to teach her.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I’ve done all I can for her.”
I blink, stunned at the brush-off, especially at a time like this.
“Natalia, I am asking this as a friend. Not as her boss. I need to make sure she’s safe while I… take care of some things.”
“You should speak with your sister about that.” She turns away, busying herself with organizing various jars behind the counter.
“I-I don’t understand. We’ve known each other for years. You… you knew my parents.”
She looks up, empathy lining her expression. “I am not turning my back on that friendship, Tori. But I trust Kendall. Talk to her. Trust her like I do.”
I stare at the witch, anger churning inside me. Out of the handful of folks I call a friend in this city, Natalia is the last person I would have expected to turn her back on us. The reality leaves me sick. Reeling, I turn and walk out of the shop, all my best plans gone.
Twenty minutes later, I’ve managed to wrangle Kendall away from Alisha, and we’re headed home. The day is chilly, but we opted to walk the three miles anyway since parking would have been a nightmare in this part of town.
“Well?” Kendall prompts when our donuts are eaten.
She carries a small bag for Juniper, but otherwise, we’ve already destroyed the evidence.
“Well what?” I ask moodily.
“You went out into public and didn’t kill anyone,” she says brightly. “I told you it was going to be okay.”
I snort. “I wouldn’t call today’s outing ‘okay.’”
“What happened?”
“Nothing. Natalia—Forget it.”
“Tor, talk to me.”
I open my mouth to answer when the hairs on my neck stand up. I whirl, scanning the streets, but I find no one out of place. The mate bond pulses inside me just like it did the night the death dragon showed up at my workshop.
He’s close.
I can feel it. But I can’t spot him.
“What’s wrong?” Kendall asks, following my gaze.
“Nothing,” I say, turning back. She looks unconvinced. “I’m just being paranoid,” I add.
She doesn’t know about his visit the other night. I tell myself it’s because I don’t want to worry her, but the truth is I’m not ready to explain why I didn’t kill him.
“Come on,” I tell her. “We need to get Juniper’s donuts home, or I might eat them myself.”
Kendall snorts. “I’m not risking her wrath, so that’s all you.”
I glance over at her and do a double-take.
“What is it?” she asks.
