Page 66 of Twisted Ties

“Yeah, we’re in here,” I say, my voice back to its I-don’t-give-a-shit tone. “No need to break the fucking door down.”

I wave my hand and the door springs open. Azlan comes crashing through the doorway. Eyes half-wild.

“Are you hurt?” he asks her, then turns to me. “Is she hurt?”

“Not badly,” I say. “A few grazes. I’ve already treated them with were-weed.”

Azlan’s shoulders sag. “Thank you.” Hesitantly, he steps towards the girl, reaching for her hand and linking his finger through hers. It’s the most intimate thing I’ve ever seen my best friend do. A man who is usually all coldness, efficiency and professionalism. It’s too much and I have to look away.

Fuck, I knew this would be hard. But not this hard.

“What happened?” Azlan asks.

“I was heading to the library–”

“Alone, after dark?” Azlan growls.

She rolls her eyes and I’m glad I’m not the only one treated to that bratty behavior.

“This school is meant to be the safest place for me. Remember? Anyway, it came out of nowhere, knocked me off my feet and pinned me to the ground.”

“You fought it off?” Azlan asks, sounding proud.

“No, I couldn’t, it had my arms pinned.”

I scoff. “You can’t use your magic with your hands pinned?”

“Most magicals can’t,” Azlan says, jumping to her defense. “How did you get away?”

She hesitates, shaking her head slowly. “Something helped me.”

“Something?” I say.

“I couldn’t see what it was. It knocked the beast off me and then they were fighting. I couldn’t see what it was.”

“Because it was dark?”

“No, because … it wasn’t there.”

Azlan stares at her.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” I mutter.

“I know,” she snaps. “But there was this other time, before, in the forest. Something I couldn’t see attacked me then too.”

We are all silent.

“I’ll look into it,” I say, peering at Azlan.

“How did a werebeast get into the school?” Azlan asks.

“I don’t know. But I will find that out too,” I say.

“Come on, Rhi. I’m taking you back to mine,” Azlan says. The girl frowns. “It isn’t safe here.”

I snort. “She’s safer here than anywhere else.”

“A werebeast just broke into the grounds and attacked her, Phoenix!”