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Hazel gathers up her papers and taps them into line. “Miss Ashford now holds a position at the Chronicle and has agreed to succeed Roslyn as the council recordkeeper.” Which is news to me, and also isn’t. Roslyn handed me an old book yesterday and told me not to lose it. “Along with her close ties to the Valzera clan, she has more than demonstrated her willingness to become a part of our community.” She smiles. “Welcome to Ravenslight Creek, Ellery.”

Nick brings our clasped hands to his lips and kisses my knuckles.

“In the matter of Guardian Valzera’s indiscretion and subsequent role in the death of Constantin Renard,” Hazel continues.

Nick’s thumb stops moving on the back of my hand.

“We have reviewed the evidence and decided the circumstances warrant Guardian Valzera’s actions.”

“That’s it?” It’s out before I can stop it.

Nick shoots me a look.

“That’s the end of the matter,” Hazel concludes.

“For the record, Nikolas.” Lloyd doesn’t raise his voice. “A Guardian killed a Guardian, and the council was not consulted.”

Even Dominic stops fidgeting.

“We’re letting it go. We’re not forgetting it.”

“Understood.” Nick nods.

Roslyn lets that sit for a moment, and turns the page.

Willow comes out into arrivals and drops both her bags where she stands, and screams loud enough to turn every head between us and the car rental desk.

“I’ve missed you, girl,” she whispers into my hair, with my tears smudging her makeup. She pushes me back and gives me a proper once-over. “You look good.”

“You look amazing.” She always does, but there’s something different about her, like she’s plugged into a current I can’t see. “Did you get a tan?”

“Must be all this fresh Alaskan air clearing the Manhattan out of my pores.” She tucks her hand under her chin, doing demure very badly.

Nick comes up behind us, with Willow’s bags in his hands.

“Nick, this is Willow.” I slip my arm around his waist. “Willow, this is Nick.”

Nick holds out his hand. “Great to meet you.”

“So, you’re the lumberjack.” She takes it, gives it a firm shake.

I stifle a laugh as his brows squish together in confusion. “Tour guide.”

“Right,” she says, still eyeing him.

When we get back to my place, I kiss Nick goodbye on the small landing at the top of the stairs. Willow’s staring at me wide-eyed.

“What?” I’m a little embarrassed.

“You two. Totally hot. Inferno.” She smirks. “I see why you want to stay.”

“Will!” I throw a pillow at her.

She breaks into a laugh, collapsing on my bed.

I join her and snuggle into her side. “It’s good to have you here. Thanks for coming.”

That evening, we’re in a booth at the back of the cafe as she fills me in on all the gossip from our circles in New York when she loses focus midway through a sentence and a sly grin comes to the surface.