Page 84 of Infernal Hearts

I pause and look at him blankly. “Kind of a weird question to ask about your boss, but okay. I did.” I give him a quick nod, my pulse picking up speed. “Jason and I were up late talking, and—”

“This is such good news!” He immediately brightens up, beaming. “I mean, I know things with Michael didn’t end well, but here we are!”

I raise my eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”

He sighs, lips pressing into a grin. “He’s handsome. You’re handsome. He’s kind. You’re kind. It seems like a good match.”

I laugh, my body relaxing. Awkwardness avoided for the most part. “Well, I’m glad you approve.” Getting caught isn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

“Of course I do. He’s the best and deserves the best.” His voice goes low again. “Are you guys like…dating now?”

I lean forward and whisper in his ear. “Even weirder question, and I’m not sure it’s your business, but I never kiss and tell, Andrew.” I pat him on the shoulder.

He immediately blushes and stifles his laughter. “You just made my day.”

“I’d better get back to the guest house.” I lean away and step backward toward the door. “And you’d better get back to work.”

He grins one last time. “Have a good day, Levi.”

Well, one of the people closest to Jay approves. Valerie doesn’t, but half is better than none. Honestly, I shouldn’t even care since I’m leaving, but for some reason, I really do want the people in Jay’s life to like me. My chest relaxes all the tension I was holding, letting me breathe deep. Today is good.

Now for the most important parts—checking on Rani and reading the journal. As long as she’s fine, I can focus on the biggest clue yet. Even if it may not point me toward my brother, at least I can learn more about myself. Things Magnus never told me.

With each step toward the car, my anxiety grows. What if I find something upsetting? What if it makes things even worse? I try not to dwell, but the thoughts swim around in my brain endlessly. It’s incredibly hard to ignore them as I open the passenger-side door and fish out the book.

I pause, the leather smooth in my hands. So many secrets could be inside. More than I could have ever bargained for, but this is a step I need to take. I need to.

I walk back to the guest house, my pulse pounding in my ears with each step. I inhale and exhale fully, trying to squash the feelings. I’m close to something big. I know it.

I open the door, and Rani’s voice immediately calls out. “Levi? Is that you?”

“You’re awake!” I close the door behind me, walking to the bedroom. She sits up with her hands resting on her stomach.

She stares straight forward, a grin spreading across her face. “Slept in after a fun night?”

“You could say that.” I sit on the bed, putting my hand on her leg. “But more importantly, how are you feeling?”

“Better. Your blood did the trick. I’m even starting to see things again.”

A relieved feeling washes over me. “We got lucky.”

“I got lucky with you and Jason. Minus the fact that I would’ve never set foot in that crypt on my own.”

“You don’t need to make me feel worse than I already do.”

“Don’t take it so hard. I’ll make a full recovery, and things can go back to normal. Well…as normal as they can be.”

A pain that I wish would go away forms in my chest. “If you mean Jason, it can’t last. We live a thousand miles apart. He’s happy here, and I have a life in L.A. You know how easy it is to make deals out there and keep living the life I love. Besides, it can’t work out long term. He’ll age. I won’t. He’ll get sick of me eventually.”

“Never say never. Things have a way of working out, and I think you owe it to yourself to do something healthy for once. Besides, when did you ever really love your life? You seem restless half the time.”

My current life isn’t healthy—it’s all partying and deals and debauchery. And it’s lonely. Maybe she has a point, but we’re geographically undesirable for each other. He would never move to a big city and I…don’t even know what I want to do with my life. I’m so close to being free from everything surrounded by Magnus. Things could instantly change once that happens.

Rani lets out a gigantic yawn. “I need some sleep. Do you have the journal?”

“I do.”

“Then it sounds like you have some reading to do. You know where to find me.” She waves me off, rolling away from me and closing her eyes.

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