Page 126 of Rain of Shadows and Endings

“Probably not,” Tristyn said with a shrug. “You hungry, wild fury?”

Her brows knitted. “Wild fury?”

He winked at her. “I did witness that entire exchange in the lobby. He was pissed. You, however, were full of fury, and wild enough to push him even further.”

Tessa felt her face heat and was suddenly grateful for the darkness surrounding them. “I can be impulsive,” she murmured, crossing her arms tightly, suddenly cold. The agaveheart bottle dangled from her fingertips.

“Nothing wrong with a little chaos,” he said with another shrug.

“Most would disagree with you.”

“I’m not most.”

She cleared her throat. “Well, I’m currently drinking my dinner, so food wouldn’t hurt,” she said, tipping the liquor bottle his way in a salute.

“I bet we could get a pizza delivered.”

“You think so?”

He shrugged again. “I can go check with the front desk.”

“You just might be an angel, Tristyn.”

“Definitely not,” he snickered as he turned to head into the lobby. “You coming in with me or…?”

“Actually, while you’re doing that, could I borrow your phone to make a quick call? I left mine upstairs,” she added hastily.

“Sure, but if you’re staying out here, you should take this, too,” he said, shrugging off his jacket.

“The agaveheart is keeping me plenty warm.”

He huffed a laugh. “I’m sure it is, but it is brisk out here.” He held the jacket out to her, and she took it with a nod of thanks. After she’d maneuvered it on, he unlocked his phone and handed it to her. “Don’t run off with this,” he said with a half-grin.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she returned. “You’ve been far too kind to me today.”

She could just make out his slight frown. “All I’ve done is talk to you and share some lull-leaf.”

“And you’re about to get me pizza.”

“That’s basic decency.”

“One would think,” she muttered.

“I’ll be right back,” he said, slowly backing away from her.

“I’ll be right here.”

With a last look, he turned and quickly jogged up the steps back into the hotel. When the doors had closed behind him, she looked down at the unlocked phone, marveling at another small freedom she’d managed to steal. She quickly dialed one of the two numbers she knew by heart.

As it was ringing, she wandered over to a small bench and sat down, taking another swallow of agaveheart. She was feeling all sorts of happy now. The lull-leaf had more than relaxed her, and if she weren’t positive Theon would likely find her within the next hour, she may have even entertained heading up to Tristyn’s room with him if he hinted at the prospect.

The line picked up on the other end, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Hello? Who is this?” the male voice on the other end demanded.

Her voice caught in her throat, and she swallowed down the tears that were threatening to pool.

“You’re a real dick to be calling at this hour—”

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