Page 321 of Sorrow & Strangers

“You do too. Help him,” Max says, nudging me.

“Don’t miss me too much this summer,” I say, relaxing into our usual rapport.

“I will do my best,” Max snickers, but it doesn’t quite meet his eyes. “Actually, I’m going to see my sister.”

“If you need me, just text, okay?” I say, and I mean it. Regardless of the awkwardness that is between us right now, he is still my friend, and I will be there for him if he needs me.

Max nods, relaxing a little. “How’s your guy? Stalker?” he asks, and I blink. “The guy whose name you don’t know.”

“He’s . . .” Fuck, how do I explain that I’m kind of exclusive with the guy who shattered his arm because he kissed me? “He’s not . . .”

“Summer, it’s fine.”

I blush. “It’s complicated.” I exhale. “And he’s not a stalker.”

Max quirks a heavy brow. “So he doesn’t follow you? Watch you? Monitor you?”

I open my mouth to deny it, but I feel the lie in my bones before it even forms on my lips.

Max snorts, and I glare at him.

“I should get to the headmaster’s office.”

Max snickers again. “See you in the fall,” he says, and leans in to brush a chaste kiss to my cheek.

“Have a good summer, Maxxy,” I say, and then we part ways, feeling a little less awkward than before.

I walk along the empty corridors, enjoying the quiet as I make my way to the headmaster’s office. It’s a walk I’ve done many times before, but this time there isn’t any imminent threat. There isn’t anything I’m about to be admonished for. I’m just being a good sister.

I knock on the intimidatingly heavy door of his office, but there is no response. “Headmaster Emrys?” I call, knocking again. A couple of things happen at once. The looming door swings open a little, and the halo around my wrist hums and starts to glow. “Headmaster Emrys?” I say softly, pushing at the door and sneaking through the small gap, for some reason not wanting to open it fully.

His office is empty, but I can tell he’s been here recently. The lights are still on, and his black blazer is slung over the back of his chair. I briefly consider coming back later, knowing I’ll definitely get into deep shit for being in here without him, but time is short, and I don’t want Rafe to leave without the brimstone. He keeps it stored in his desk, and I know he won’t have an issue with Rafe having it. I round the imposing piece of furniture and crouch before it, reaching for the bottom drawer where I suspect he keeps it.

The top drawer is now at eye level, and I notice it is slightly ajar. My stomach clenches, and I glance at the still mostly closed door. My instincts are screaming at me, but I can’t interpret what they are trying to tell me. All I know is that I need to know what is in that drawer. I stand up and slowly pull it open, feeling as if time stops when I see the black shell bracelet with a single white shell.

As if in slow motion, I reach into the drawer and brush my fingers over the shells, feeling their familiar smoothness. My eyes flick to the matching one I always wear. I barely breathe as I pick it up and hold it up in the light.

It can’t be.

No, it can’t be . . .

There is a sound from the hallway, and I clench my fist around the bracelet, slam the drawer closed, and bolt. I have no fucking idea whether I remembered to close his office door. I can’t think about anything other than the shell bracelet cutting into my palm. When I lurch through the front door of the house, three pairs of eyes blink at me in surprise. Rafe and Mira frown, and Alice, who at first looks thrilled to see me again, now seems concerned.

“The brimstone?” Mira asks.

I blink and look at her. It takes a full fifteen seconds for my brain to conjure up any words. “Headmaster Emrys wasn’t in his office. So, Rafe, you’ll just have to make do until Mira comes. Just don’t make any deals for it. Or anything for that matter.”

Rafe nods once. “It’ll be fine.”

I look away. The bracelet feels like a ton of weight in my hand, burning where the sharp edges cut into my palm.

“Sum?” Alice asks.

“Yeah?” I ask, looking at her. I need her not to be perceptive right now. I need her not to look at me or draw attention to me.

“You okay?”

It’s all I can do to nod. I walk to Rafe and pull him into a hug. “No fighting,” I say, though my words have no heat. I am in a state of shock, and I feel like my body is shutting down. “Behave. Work on your impulse control.”