He shrugs his wings, looking a bit melancholy.
“What’s the matter?”
“I’m a bird.”
“I mean besides that.”
“Did Ansel know where we could find a dust pendant?”
I’m not sure if he’s answering my question or changing the subject.
“He said he’d look into it.”
“Did he ask why you wanted one?”
Avoiding his eyes, I say, “Of course he did.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“I didn’t tell him anything.” Thankful for the distraction, I fill the kettle with water. “Ash, however, told him who you are and what you did.”
Rowan makes a hissing noise, not impressed.
“Don’t take it out on me—I wasn’t going to tell the sorcerer. But what difference does it make? You’re going to have to fess up eventually. You can’t show up in town one day and not expect questions.”
“Maybe I’ll leave town.”
I look up sharply, not liking that. “You will not.”
The tufts over his eyes raise, making him look curious. “Why?”
“Because…because this is your home.”
“This whole time, you’ve wanted nothing more than to get me out of your house. Why do you care where I go as long as I’m gone?”
“I don’t.” I stare at him, oddly hurt. “I suppose.”
No, I do. But I can’t put the feeling into words. It just seems wrong that I’m going to do all this, go to all this trouble, and then he’s going toabandonme.
“I can’t live here once I’m back to normal,” he points out. “I’m certainly not going to move back in with my aunt. You don’t expect Ash and me to become roommates, do you?”
“I mean…maybe you could rent a place?”
“With what money?”
“You don’t have anything saved up?”
“I had an account with my uncle. I imagine he closed it before he passed away.”
“So, you’re not just a bird, you’re adestitutebird?”
Rowan ruffles his feathers.
“All the more reason you should stay,” I say. “Where will you go if you leave?”
“I’ll get a job somewhere.”
“Doing what?”
