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“…My hero.”

He gave a little bow before leaving me alone, casually shoving his hands into his pockets and making his way back up the sloped shore, vanishing into the trees.

I stared at the spot where he’d disappeared for a long moment, until I was certain he wasn’t coming back, before I peeled the blanket from my body and folded it up along with my clean change of clothes. I carried the dirty clothes I’d taken off into the water to scrub them, glad to have a task to occupy my mind with and help menotthink about how close Aleksander likely still was.

Once I’d finished cleaning them, I scanned the area, seeking a place to hang them out to dry. After draping them in the arms of a forked tree, I found myself unable to resist going back into the water for a few more minutes.

I was attempting to wash my hair when the sound of branches shifting and cracking made me freeze.

“Aleksander?”

No answer.

Another loudcraaaack.

I sank into the water, covering myself more completely with my arms as I looked back toward the trees he’d vanished into, waiting for him to pop out wearing that infuriatingly arrogant grin of his.

“This isn’t funny, you ass.”

A louder sound came from behind me—a howl of wind and a frantic rustling of bushes—and I twisted around to find that someone familiarhadpopped out to stare at me.

But it wasn’t Aleksander.

Chapter Sixteen

Nova

The green-eyed shadegirl was standing on the shore, staring back at me.

I looked around, expecting a horde of other shades to be accompanying her. I saw nothing—but there was still no sign of Aleksander, either. So if more ghostsweredrifting my way, I was going to have to face them alone. While naked, apparently.

Perfect.

Well, I’d lived through worse.

I braced myself…but still, nothing else appeared.

Yet.

A minute passed before I chanced movement. Hugging my arms around myself, I waded closer, wondering if I should try talking to the girl. Thalia claimed they were aimless drifters, drawn only to magic…and yet, this one was clearly trying to get my attention for some reason. Clearly following me. And it felt like more than a mindless reaction to my magic; her eyes were too bright, too aware.

Shesawme.

I was almost certain of it.

I took a few more steps forward, stopping a short distance away from her.

“Hello,” I said, softly.

She didn’t reply, lowering her gaze, suddenly shy.

“Are you following me?”

She took a step back.

“I don’t mind,” I said.

She paused like a tense baby deer and tilted her head, peering up at me from underneath the messy strands of hair that had slipped free from her braid.