“You’ll let me claim sanctuary?”
“Until I hear their side of this story, yes.”
“All right.” He drew his fingers over his mouth, and I noticed the tremble in them. “All right. Yes. Thank you, yes.”
“You might want to hold off on the thanks until I decide if I’m gonna let them drag you out of here by your balls.”
He blinked, then stood, but there was a flicker of life in his eyes. “Graphic. Also, I do remember the secret ways.”
“What secret ways?”
“You have portals. Every Crossroads does, so every Crossroads can travel to each other’s place if they need to. Which none of you do because you are the most anti-social, territorial... I see by the look on your face I should shut up. But you know I could find the portals if I needed to. Get out of here quick.”
“Like you wouldn’t just use your magic toWalk.”
“I...don’t do that.”
“Walk?”
“Magic. Any magic. I mean, except for today, because I didn’t think you’d let me through the wards. Though now I realize I could have just used the portals.” He made a frustrated growl.
“No, I closed the portals,” I lied, wondering why a wizard wouldn’t want to use magic.
I walked out of the kitchen and headed to the door.
“You didn’t,” he said from behind me. Then, closer, “Tell me you didn’t close the portals. Why would you even block the secret way—oh. Never mind, I know.”
He very much did not know, because I hadn’t actually deactivated the portals. But now I was curious. “You don’t know.”
“Right. My lips are sealed.”
I paused with my hand on the latch. “Why doyouthink I would close the portals? To keep you from using them? You aren’t that important in my life, Card. Haven’t been in a long, long,verylong time.”
“I didn’t think... You know I don’t always think everything is about me, right?”
I scoffed.
He set his shoulders, and there was that immovable object stance, along with a little more light in his eyes. “Because of your father. That’s who I thought you were trying to keep out.”
He didn’t say it with any heat. As a matter of fact, his words were kind.
But it still hit me like a punch to the gut. “My dad is not welcome here,” I said, my voice sounding like it came from a distance.
“I know.”
“If he tried to use the portal, the Crossroads would eat him.”
“I know.”
“I set wards just to make sure he doesn’t think this place is his anymore. Not after he left it and tore out its heart.”
“I know. Ricky.” He touched my elbow, his fingers carefully not brushing any of my tattoos. “I know. If you closed the portals to keep him out, that makes sense. You have every right to do so. You have every right to tell anyone they can’t be here. This is your home.”
I pulled away from his touch and cleared my throat, a little embarrassed just the mention of my father had made me react so strongly.
“If I catch you trying to use the portals, I’ll tell the house to eat you too.”
“I’ll bring the gravy.”
