Seconds ticked by and sweat broke out on Raya’s skin.
“He says go up.”
They hadn’t left without her. Raya thanked her lucky stars, then thanked the clerk and took the stairs two at a time to the second floor. She found the correct room and knocked on the door, anticipation curling around the crepes in her belly.
The door opened.
Nathan swung the door wide. “You’re early,” he said flatly.
A blonde-haired witch across the room squealed with delight and clapped her hands when she caught sight of Raya.
“I know, I’m sorry.” Raya entered the room and jumped when the door banged closed behind her. “I misread the paper. I thought it said 7:00 a.m.—”
The blonde-haired witch flipped her smooth, blown-out locks over her shoulder and cast a teasing look at Nathan. “I told Nathan he should have been more clear.”
“Raya, this is my collaborator—”
“I’m Lizzy!” She bounced out of her chair and gave Raya an impossibly cute hug.
Raya, not naturally a hugger, accepted the unexpected affection with a quick pat on the other woman’s back. “Hi, Lizzy.”
Lizzy drew back and looked at Raya with concern. “Have you eaten? You must have gotten up so early. I know—you can go with us!”
Raya refrained from explaining she’d already eaten. A second breakfast would probably do her good, considering the energy required for the hike, and she was not about to pass up the chance to have breakfast with two highly proficient practitioners. This was the kind of opportunity she’d been hoping for ever since she’d taken the first steps on the path of witchcraft.
“Go without me,” said Nathan. “I’m not hungry.”
Lizzy’s eyes shone with disappointment, although Nathan didn’t seem to notice. “Are you sure?”
Nathan turned away and picked up a book. “I’m sure.”
“Just us girls, then!” Lizzy threaded her arm through Raya’s.
Raya glanced back at Nathan to see if he’d picked up the false ring to Lizzy’s overly bright tone.
He appeared to be fully engrossed in the book.
“Come on then,” said Raya, tugging Lizzy out the door. She was sure she could fit at least one more croissant in before lunchtime.
They collected a few pastries from the lobby. Lizzy led the way out to the hotel grounds.
“Have you known Nathan long?” Raya nibbled the edge of the chocolate croissant. Best to take things slow.
“Absolutely ages,” said Lizzy, gesturing with her beautifully manicured hand. The hot pink nail polish shone like it was wet.
“Are you—” Raya paused, unsure if she was being too blunt.
“Together?” Lizzy looked down at her plain croissant as if she’d find the answer in the flaky pastry. “Not for lack of trying on my part.” She elbowed Raya and giggled. “Nathan’s got so much going on. He’s so busy, you know?”
Raya had never seen anyone pine so hard. “How busy can he be?”
Lizzy talked around a mouthful of croissant, but made it look adorable rather than ill-mannered. “Nathan is all about the work.”
“The work?”
Lizzy waved her croissant in a gesture that encompassed the whole world. “The work. The power. Don’t get me wrong”—she looked at Raya and a little line formed between her eyebrows—“I take my practice very seriously. But it’s everything to Nathan. No time for silly little things.” She laughed lightly. “Like love.”
10
