Page 42 of Glitched Fates & Stolen Mates

Stop it.

I’d spent hours this weekend thinking of alternatives. Priya had basic combat training nailed. Rory was fast and scrappy, knew how to fight dirty. Either of them could do almost as good a job as me.

Better, probably. They wouldn’t spend the entire session distracted by the vanilla scent clinging to Felix’s skin or the shape of his bottom lip.

Though when I’d met with Seb Monday morning, I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t say the words. The excuses not to train him died in my throat before they could form.

I was too selfish. Too desperate for this gift I definitely didn’t deserve.

Especially because the stalking would have to stop now. Felix was alert to the threat, Seb was involved, and I couldn’t risk being caught again. No more watching him walk home from the Tube. No more standing guard in the shadows while he slept.

The protective instincts clawed at my chest, demanding I maintain surveillance. But I’d forfeited that right the moment I’d let my obsession override my professionalism.

I pressed the teabag against the side of the mug with more force than necessary, watching the dark liquid swirl.

The kitchen door swung open behind me. Rory’s voice hit the air before I’d even turned around.

“Right, so I just heard about Friday night.” His footsteps bounced across the tiles. “Why didn’t you tell me about it?”

My hand stilled on the teaspoon. “Morning to you too.”

“Well? Felix getting stalked? That’s serious business.” Rory hopped onto the counter, legs swinging. “Do you think it’s someone from Greywatch?”

The teabag tore under the pressure of my stirring. Dark leaves scattered across the surface like tiny accusations.

Priya slipped through the doorway behind him, her eyes finding me immediately. I focused on fishing out the broken teabag pieces, avoiding her potentially knowing stare.

“Possibly,” I said eventually. The lie tasted like poison, but what else could I say? No, don’t worry, Rory, it’s been me all along?

“Or do you think it was all a… misunderstanding?” Rory tilted his head. “Sounds a bit mad to me, that someone’s been following Felix for months and he didn’t tell us.”

I couldn’t prevent the scowl I shot him. “I’m sure Felix had his reasons. We shouldn’t doubt him.”

Rory’s eyebrows shot up, but before he could reply, Priya stepped in like the lifeline I desperately needed.

“Kit, you never told me if you enjoyed that quiche last week!”

“Oh yeah, I was going to ask about that.” Rory swivelled towards her. “Why didn’t I get any?”

Priya’s smile turned sly. She winked at me. “It was a special one.”

I stared down at my tea, watching the steam rise. “It was delicious, Priya, but I don’t think I want any more quiche for a while, thanks.”

“Yeah, well, to be honest, it sounds like you won’t need it anyway,” Priya said brightly.

I looked up to see Rory’s head snapping between us. “Is something going on that I don’t know about?”

We both answered in chorus. “No.”

Rory narrowed his eyes at me until Priya turned to him. “Rory, can you go find Flynn and remind him it’s his turn to go to Fat Cat’s today? He forgot last time.”

He sighed, jumping off the counter. “Fine, but I’m onto you two.” He pointed at both of us. “You can’t keep secrets from me.”

The moment the door swung shut, Priya rushed towards me. “What happened?” she hissed.

I took a deliberate sip of grainy tea, buying myself time. “Sounds like you know the story already.”

Priya pursed her lips. “When Seb checked up on Felix the next morning, Felix told him that you’d arrived at his house in under twenty minutes.”