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I sense the instant realization strikes him.

You set this?

I feel relief spreading down our bond, and it’s like a balm to his previous fear.

He begins to laugh. The hairs along my arms rise at the sound. Only he would find arson funny.

Clever, vicious woman,he continues.I should know by now that you would have vengeance to match my own.

“Selene?” Sybil snaps her fingers in front of my face. “What is going on? You’re zoning out.”

“Memnon’s found the fire,” I say distractedly.

“What fire?”

“The one I started in his house.”

“You started a fire?” Sybil squawks.

I nod.

Where are you now?Memnon asks.

Home.

I don’t see you,he says.

Myhome,I clarify.

“You’re not serious, are you?” my friend says. “You can’t just light people’s houses on fire.”

“You can if they suck.”

“Selene.” Sybil gives me a patronizing look.

Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t come over right now and haul you back here,Memnon says.

I will light your house on fire again,I respond, doubling down on my actions.Assuming any of it still stands.

When will this man learn not to fuck with witches?

How are you doing?Memnon says, pivoting the conversation.Getting uncomfortable yet since we made that oath?

Why would I be uncomfortable?

There’s a spark of amusement.You’ll find out soon enough. Once ignoring it becomes intolerable, soul mate, you can come find me.

Tits will talk before that happens, I say.In the meantime, have fun figuring out where you’ll sleep tonight.

I withdraw from the connection then and glance at Sybil. “I should get back to my room.” I have the rest of my dinner to eat and notebooks to put away. Plus, Nero likely wants to get out and stretch his muscles in the Everwoods.

“Wait a damn second,” my friend says, “you can’t just leave after you casually mention thatyou lit some dude’s place on fire.”

“Not ‘some dude,’” I say, grabbing my soup. It’s long since gone cold. “My evil soul mate. And I’ll tell you more about it later.”

I heft the unzipped duffel bag of notebooks onto my shoulder and head out her door, Nero prowling after me.

To our backs Sybil calls out, “I’m holding you to that!”