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“I was meant to spend time with my grandfather, but that didn’t pan out.”

“Why not?” I asked, settling onto the edge of the black stone wall as she fiddled with the plates to get a closer look at everything. It seemed like a bit of a nervous reaction, actually. Toward the gesture itself, or to me? It was impossible to tell at this juncture.

“He was engaged elsewhere. I did get to see my Pops, although it wasn’t exactly under the best circumstances.”

“Is something wrong? Did something happen?”

She looked away from the picnic and out at me, curiosity clashing with suspicion. “Just stuff pertaining to my… nature. Reaching magical maturity is complicated for somebody likeme.” She sighed heavily. “More complicated thanIeven realized.”

“Can I help?”

She shook her head. “No one can.” That suspicion that had sparked a moment ago increased and she asked me, “And why would you want to?”

“Charm?” I jested in a bid to alleviate the tension.

“Was it Kai?”

“Kai?”

“Who told you I’d be up here? Who asked you to put all this together? Asked you to pull information from me with a nicer approach than he’s used to employing, a change of pace for him, basically?”

“The picnic was all my idea.”

“And the rest?”

“It was him who told me you’d be here, yes. I was going to consult your schedule, but we haven’t exchanged that information, given that we’re very new friends. But he informed me that you’d be cutting the first day of classes anyway. And, no, he didn’t ask me to pull intel from you. The only information I’m interested in from you is getting to know you.”

“Why would he tell you that at all? The last interaction between you was hostile, to say the least.”

“Because I didn’t like how he was treating you. But I also didn’t understand the complications involved with it all, nor the history between the two of you.”

“The history between us is just that.History.”

“If you say so.”

She stared at me. “Be careful. Befriending somebody like Kai is a complicated matter. He’s incredibly controlling.”

“I’m aware.”

“You might think you are, but with the way he is, there are times when you may not even realize he’s exerting control. At least, not until it’s too late.”

“Is that how you feel, that he’s doing that to you?”

“Kai is only getting from me what I want to give. Nothing more. He’s not in as much control as he thinks where I’m concerned. Although, our last interaction, I had to make that clear to him, so I’m sure things are about to get dicey, seeing as though he won’t have taken well to it.”

“I’m glad you put him in his place.”

“Why did you try to do it for me outside the Ruminat huts?”

“I thought you needed an assist, that you were being manipulated, used, and abused.”

“Things aren’t always as they seem on the surface.”

“I’m getting that, yeah.” I smiled. “You’re a bit of an enigma, aren’t you?”

“Showing my cards isn’t the best thing.”

“Because you’re concerned about it intimidating people?”