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“Better.”

She looks up at me, curious and questioning. “I’m sure that’s not true.”

“You callin’ my dad an asshole?” I tease.

“No.” Sumner rolls her eyes. “I’m saying you’re not. Under all…” she motions her hand up and down my body, “…this, is a decent guy.”

I can’t help the laugh. “Yeah. Right.”

“I mean it. Once you break down the layers of ice, plunge through the fire walls, and fight off the troll under the bridge. Boom. A marshmallow.” She gives me a smirk as she adds, “Deep down. Way, way deep down⁠—”

I’m right beside her, using the palm of my hand to cover her mouth. “Careful, don’t let the grouchy neighbor hear you say that.”

Her eyes light with laughter, muffled only barely by my hold on her. I loosen it so I can hear her better, wanting to enjoy the joy we never seem to have. It’s almost too easy, like I’ve had to work harder to make things miserable for us both.

I stand by my dislike for her. My anger is well within reason. But maybe I don’t have to be angry all the time. It sure as hell feels nice to let go of it all for a minute. And I can’t deny how fucking good it feels hearing her laugh like this.

“Okay. I’ve gotta pee.” Sumner sits up straighter, holding her stomach while she comes down from the giggle fit. “Besides, I need to go clean up the mess you caused earlier.” She shoots me a wicked look, which is meant as a scold. I take it as the compliment it is.

“You’re welcome,” I call after her as she stands to make her way to the public restroom.

I’m only free to my own thoughts for about a minute before there’s a body at my side. Small in stature and wide in smiles, Rai is all sorts of cheery. Guess there’s something going around because I’m already smiling back.

“If it isn’t the mighty dark one himself.” She bows, lifting an imaginary dress at her sides.

“Not funny,” I tell her.

“What? I’m just practicing.”

“Not. Funny,” I repeat, the good mood inching away.

Rai pouts her bottom lip, like she expected I’d like the joke. Find humor in this shit. Never have. Never will. Especially now.

“Sorry, I know I shouldn’t play around like that.”

Thank you.

“Anyway.” She bounces up and down on her toes, eyes bright with whatever is on her mind. “We should have another bonfire.”

That’s what has her so up in spirits right now? We have them all the time.

“I was thinking you could invite Sumner and⁠—”

“No.”

“Come on, we won’t go as far as we did last time, I promise. You can even be there to make sure. I’ve just been working on some new potions and thought⁠—”

“Anyone touches, looks at, or even thinks about her will have me to worry about. I don’t give a damn what the intentions are. And that includes you.”

They may not have physically touched her at the bonfire, but they still crossed a line. Sumner was brought here for me alone to torment. Their only job was to keep their distance and not befriend her. I wanted her to feel secluded. Alone.

Sumner took my father. She couldn’t have my friends too.

Rai crosses her arms. “But why? Are you friends or something?”

“Fuck no,” I say with more hostility than I intended. Rai has found my fuse, and it’s quickly burning.

“Sudden moral compass? Not really fitting for your soon to be title.”