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“Okay, fine,” Aristide said. “I didn’t want to suggest this, but how about a bird?”
Ker made a questioning noise.
“They sing all the time and sound generally happy, so yes, birds arenotmy aesthetic, but I’m getting desperate,” Aristide said.
“Aristide, I’m not getting a pet,” I said. “Go back to the car, we’re leaving soon.”
Aristide scratched Ker’s neck for her. “Sorry, did I hit a sore spot?”
I rolled my eyes. Even though the vampire wouldn’t be able to see it, he knew me well enough to guess my reaction.
“And now you have nothing to say except to—I imagine—roll your eyes like some kind of impatient prepubescent human being. Charming.” Aristide turned on his heels so he pointed in the direction of the SUV Charon had parked on the street. “Just tell me this, Noctus. Are youreallyso desperate to forget about Chloe that you intend to muck around in things that don’t involve us, and work yourself into a dangerous level of fatigue?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but at that moment the wild magic in the area managed to crack through the wall of control I’d mentally erected to hold it back.
Itwailed, filling my senses with a ringing sound that vibrated my bones.
Aristide jostled Ker’s guide dog harness. “Nothing to say, hmm? What do you think, Charon?”
Charon shut his notebook and tucked it away into the cloak he always wore. “I wouldn’t presume to ponder what His Majesty is thinking.”
“You’re just as much fun as ever, Charon. Good talk,” Aristide said. “Fine—you win, Noctus. I won’t push any more. Tonight. Let’s get out of this rain and check out the clocktower.”
As Aristide walked off, Charon bowed to me. “Is everything alright, Your Majesty?”
“Yes,” I said through gritted teeth as I tried not to visibly react to the soul-crushing weeping of wild magic. “Start the car.”
“Very well.” Charon stepped into the street and jogged off, passing Aristide and Ker.
I shut my eyes as I tried to shut out the melodramatics of wild magic once again.
After all these months, it still mourns Chloe.
Which was idiotic. She was still alive. Magic had just decided it wanted us bound together—a trick I had stupidly fallen for when I believed Chloe was a mere cat. But I’d successfully freed her—thwarting magic in the process.
Enough! I internally snarled as I slammed down on my magic once more, cutting off the quivering choir of wild magic mid note.
I exhaled; my skull once again silent.
I could admit that I missed Chloe, but regardless of any feelings of affection, it didn’t change that she’d left. That shehadto leave. Our lives were never going to comfortably fit together. I knew that and understood it.
If only wild magic realized it as well.
I took a step toward the now running car, and the skies opened. Rain poured down, filling the air with the acidic scent of rain on pavement.
It will come to accept it.I ignored the rain as I headed toward the car.It won’t have a choice, because nothing is going to change.
“Oh great,” Aristide yowled farther down the street. “And now it’s raining.Fantastic! I hate this city!”
Chapter Three
Chloe
Agust of wind blew down the street, yanking at my light jacket.
Septembers were warm in Magiford, but I was stuck wearing a jacket that was a size too big for me so it would cover up my sword harness and give me enough stretch to grab my sword from the scabbard on my back if I needed to.
Just another reason why I need to take care of the tracker, I grimly thought as I automatically ducked French Fry when he attempted to land on my shoulder and instead almost smacked into my head.It’s bad enough that I’m hot right now, but when the weather changes, I’ll freeze to death in this jacket.
