“Alone?”
“I broughtpepper spray.”
He frowns. We both know he’s not worried about things that can be pepper sprayed.
“Any luck?” he asks.
“Not even a little.” I sigh. “Wanna come in?”
“Actually, I came here to tell you I’m headed out. My roommate’s in New York City for the week. I promised him I’d visit.”
I blink at the news. “Your roommate from boarding school?”
“I’ll be back for Night of the Howl, if it’s any consolation.”
Night of the Howl is Saturday.
Today is Tuesday.
I’ve never gotten the impression Jude is particularly close with his former roommate from boarding school. He’s only ever mentioned him a handful of times. But now he’s going to visit him in New York City while we have another massive mystery on our hands? Where is his sense of urgency? How can he just leave like this?
Jude kisses my neck. His mouth moves to my jaw, then my lips, slowly distracting me from my crushing disappointment. And just as I’m really sinking into it, he pulls away with a look in his eye I can’t quite comprehend.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” he says, his arms still around my waist, his voice light. “What happened that night? On Halloween.”
“What do you mean?”
“How did you…” He seems to grapple for the right words. “Start my heart again?” It’s obvious he can’t stomach the phrase “bring me back to life again.” His good sense won’t allow it, even if it is what happened.
“The ruby.”
“I know, but what happened, exactly?”
I stare up at him, perplexed.
“You told me the other day we were booted out after the curse broke. And I realized, I never asked for details. It seems like something I should probably have a better understanding of.”
I don’t know why I’m so suspicious.
I’d want to know every detail if it were me.
But this is Jude, who operates under a need-to-know basis when it comes to the supernatural. His sudden curiosity is as strange as his departure to New York City.
“You collapsed. Your heart stopped. Twig found the ruby in the grass. It was still pulsing, so I set it on your chest and… I don’t know. I begged the stone to bring you back, and your heart started again.” I slide my hand over his chest, relishing the steady beat of it against my palm. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine.” He sets his hand over mineand pulls it slightly to the side. “I just wish I hadn’t promised to visit Greyson.”
“Your roommate.”
“It feels like something I should do.”
I tilt my head. “Are you sure you can’t come in?”
“I’ve got a plane to catch,” he says, nodding toward the gate, like he doesn’t have his own private jet and the ability to leave whenever he’d like. “Would you do me a favor, though?”
I wind my hands around the back of his neck.
“When you return to this Bramble woman’s cabin tomorrow, will you please not go alone?”
