Page 54 of Twisted Fate
“Do I need to be concerned?”
“If there were reason to be concerned, you would know. What are you doing here? Skylar said you’d be gone all day.”
“All right,” he concedes. “I had business to attend to this morning, but my afternoon meetings got canceled, so I came back. Care to join me for lunch?”
I sigh, shaking my head because hellyesI want to, but I shouldn’t. “Tristan.”
“Aurora,” he levels.
“I’m not sure what you think you’re doing when it comes to me, but—”
He closes the distance between us in a second, stopping just before he presses me against the piano. “Neither do I,” he says on an exhale.
When I don’t balk, he takes another step and creates a cage with his arms. “But when we’re close, your heartbeat kicks up, your cheeks flush, and best of all, you get this look in your eyes, and I never know if you’re going to smack me or let me closer.”
“Depends on the day,” I say without thinking.
He chuckles. “How’s today looking?”
My eyes narrow. “Not great.” I’ve gotten good at saying the exact opposite of what the voice in my head is screaming. She wants me to wrap myself around him and never let go, which is why I shove that voice away and force out the safe answer.
“Is that so?” he inquires.
I tilt my head back so I can look him in the eyes. “You want to get closer to me?”
His eyes darken. “Hmm.”
“Okay, then tell me what’s going on. Was that meeting this morning about the light fae?”
“You’ve been avoiding me,” he says, ignoring what I asked.
I shoot him a look. “I have not. Quit evading my questions.”
“Quit evadingme,” he counters.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I look away. “I’ve been busy.”
“You’re spiraling, Rory,” he murmurs. “I don’t want you to worry about the light fae. Nothing is going to happen to you.”
My mouth goes dry. If I could speak, I have no idea what I’d say. I’d rather know I can protect myself, but his reassurance that my safety means something makes it hard to keep convincing myself he’s the bad guy. Maybe he’s not the bad guy anymore...
“During the meeting this morning, I was informed that a female by the name of Danielle was the light fae who poisoned you.”
I have to swallow more than once before I say, “What? No. She’s in my program. We study together. Hell, she bought me—” Oh my god.The coffee. “She poisoned my coffee,” I whisper.
He nods. “She confessed. I’m sorry.” I can’t feel his emotions anymore, but the furrow of his brows and downturn of his lips tells me enough. He’s upset that I’m upset.
“But why?” I ask in a small voice.
“I had Max spend some time with her to see whether he could find out. All he gathered is that she felt bitter toward you because of something her leader said. Jules is always screwing with people, so I’m not surprised.”
“Max?” The idea of him doing something to help me—it’s almost unfathomable. “What would Jules have to say about me?”
“We don’t know. Danielle stopped talking after she told Max about Jules, so she’s been dealt with.” I knew what that meant. I wouldn’t see Danielle in class anymore.
Tears gather in my eyes. “Max killed her.” It isn’t a question.
Tristan nods, his back straight, as if my being upset is making him uncomfortable. “Would you have liked me to spare her?”
