Hurt flashes through his eyes, and instantly, I regret my harsh tone.
Maybe patronizing Kettle Black was part of his job, but still. Hadn’t we become friends? Friends on the verge of something more?
That date… it could’ve led somewhere. Even with my reluctance toward romantic entanglements in general and mages specifically, one day, I might’ve made an exception for Kirin Webber.
But we never got the chance. And now, we never will. Everything just got way too complicated for that.
“No, I don’t know you, Stevie,” he says sadly. “Not well. But I do knowsomethings.” He steps closer, closing the gap between us once again. “I know that you make the most perfect, amazing cup of tea on the planet. I know you love rock climbing and biking, so much that not even a crazy storm can deter you when you’re on a mission. I know you’re sweet and kind and funny, and sometimes you get nervous when we talk, which always makes me feel a little better about the fact thatI’mnervous just standing next to you. And I know that for the last few months, the hours I spent with you in Kettle Black every morning were the absolute best part of my day.”
My heart thaws, melts, falls right out of my chest.
Did I say complicated? I meant impossible. Why does he have to be so sweet? Why does he have to be a mage?
Why did any of this have to happen?
Softening my tone, I say, “My parents never wanted to talk about this place, Kirin. They just wanted to forget about their time here. They didn’t want me to enroll or study my magick at all.”
“How do you know that if they never talked about it?”
“I used to ask them about it, you know? Like any kid who wants to know the story of how her parents met, where they fell in love, how I came to be. When I learned they’d attended a magickal academy, I told them I couldn’t wait to come here. But then they’d get all quiet or change the subject. Eventually, when I got old enough to notice how weird this was, they admitted they’d been forced to leave soon after I was born. But whenever I tried to ask about their classes, or the teachers, or any of the things they’d studied, they flat-out refused to tell me. ‘It’s a curse,’ my mother said. That summed up her entire view on magick.”
“I don’t know what to say, Stevie.”
“Well, I’m here now, right?” I sigh, my shoulders slumping. “No use dwelling on that. It’s just… it’s a lot to process. When I woke up last Saturday and strapped on my gear, I had no idea it would be the last time I’d climb the Grande. Or make tea at Kettle Black. Or hug—Oh my goddess, Jessa!” I blurt out suddenly, the shock of Kirin’s presence finally clearing from my mind. “You were there that day. What happened after the police took me? Is she okay?”
“Jessa’s okay,” he says. “I stayed with her that day, assured her I would find a way to help you. I couldn’t give her all the details, but she knows about me—my work here. She also knows that you’re safe—we didn’t want her to hear about your so-called death and freak out.”
A sigh of relief rushes out. “I was so worried about her.”
“The feeling was mutual, trust me. But you don’t have to worry anymore. She’s got a secured cell now, spelled with encryption and warded from any outside interference or tracking. You’ll have the same setup. We can’t risk anyone in Tres Búhos finding out you’re alive.”
I nod, though the whole thing weighs heavy on my shoulders. “When can I talk to her?”
“As soon as they get your phone set up.”
“When?”
“An hour or two at most.”
I nod, the last of the anger and tension slowly receding.
“Thank you,” I manage. “For phoning it in, and for looking out for Jessa.”
He smiles, the familiar sight of it twisting my heart. Was it only a week ago that he asked me out for coffee?
Did he mean it, or was it just part of his job?
“So, should we maybe… walk?” Tentatively, he holds out his coffee tray. “I brought treats.”
The inviting scent of cinnamon and espresso curls around me like a hug, drawing me closer despite my best efforts to keep a distance.
“Just so you know,” I tell him, plucking one of the cups from the tray, “I haven’t decided whether to forgive you or not.”
“Understandable. Unfortunately for you, I’m the best tour guide on campus, as well as the only one available at the moment. So unless you want to wander the grounds aimlessly and end up somewhere you shouldn’t…”
“I’m pretty good at finding my own way around.”
“I know.” He smiles, his energy gliding over my skin like a tender caress, warm and sincere. Then, holding out his arm for me to take, he says, “But you don’thaveto find your own way. Not anymore.”
