Page 142 of Twisted Ties

“No. But if they were there hoping to pick up stray magicals, I’m assuming it was a matter of wrong place, wrong time.”

“It wasn’t targeted?” Stone asks.

“I can’t be sure, but I don’t think so.”

I feel Stone’s body relax next to mine and he exhales a puff of air. He squeezes my shoulder.

“I have to go,” he says.

“Already?” I say, unable to hide my disappointment. I was hoping for more time together.

“The match will be starting shortly and I’m meant to be meeting with the contingency from Aropia.”

“Right,” I say flatly.

“I have to be there. If I’m missing, then–”

“Sure.” I look away from him.

He lowers his hand from my shoulder and I sense his posture stiffen.

“Blackwaters,” his tone is no longer tender, “delete that damn photo.”

“Have you deleted it from your phone, Professor?” I say snarkily.

He leans forward so his mouth is by my ear. “No. I’m keeping it.”

Then he pushes me away from the door and leaves.

45

Rhi

Azlan strokes along my jaw.

“Give him time,” he says as we hear Stone’s footsteps clatter across the porch.

“You think time will stop him being a massive jerk? Because he’s had thirty years.”

“I think you have a way of confusing the hell out of him. You confuse the hell out of me.”

“Is that meant to be a compliment? Is it meant to make me feel better?”

“It’s an explanation. Stone is a good man, Rhi, and trust me there aren’t as many as there should be out there. He may be an asshole sometimes, but he will always do the right thing by you when it counts.”

Would he think that if he knew what Stone tried to do on Founders’ Night? Then again maybe he’d think he wasjustified if he knew about the crimson magic. Tristan and Spencer said the authorities would lock me away if they knew. Is that true, or are they trying to scare me? I consider telling him. He said I should trust him. But can I?

“I missed you,” he says, sliding his hand into my hair.

“Really? It didn’t seem like it.” He frowns quizzically. “Your messages weren’t exactly …”

“I’m not good with words. But next time I’m away, if you want to send me one of those photos, I could send you one of my own.”

“I didn’t think you approved.”

“There are ways of sending me a photo, Rhi, without using a phone.”

“There are?”