I was concerned too. “I don’t know? Maybe she can sense he’s not really here? Like a spirit?”
“Cats generally like me. Perhaps she thinks I’m more spirit than human since I’m projecting my form,” Ranth replied, stroking his scar in thought.
Ori and I both turned to him. I crossed my arms. “Wait, so, you aren’t really here?”
“I am as here as I can be.” He locked eyes with me.
“So, that’s a no.” But the intensity of his presence was disturbing. I was dealing with something I had no experience with.
Ori closed her laptop. “I hate to say this, but I have an advisor meeting. Being late would be a disaster.” She turned to me. “You gonna be good if I go?”
I nodded, wondering if Iwasokay. But if we were going out, at least not having to protect Ori was one less risk.
Ori packed up her stuff. “I’ll swing by the library and see if I can dig up anything more.”
I glanced at Ranth, the unsettledness crawling over me like an earth shroud. When she left, we’d be alone.
“Give Rose a kiss from me,” Ori said, pecking my cheek.
“Will do. Stay safe.” I hugged her again and walked her to the door.
Lifting the salt ward, I waited until Ori left the line of the house before resetting it. Then I turned to Ranth.
“I need some stuff upstairs,” I said, texting Rose to avoid looking at him. But his presence was a nettle sting I couldn’t soothe.
Rose didn’t love strangers in her place, and I wanted to give her a heads-up.
Sorrel:
Coming to visit. Bringing a friend? And he’s a wizard. There’s a problem with that, and I’m hoping you might have an idea to fix?
Rose:
See you soon.
I walked past Ranth, clutching my bag as if it might add a layer of protection.
Rose was going to be madder than a wet wasp that I hadn’t already called her and explained about the bracelet and told her about Brenda. Like any amazing creative, Rose had a deep emotional range, and her highs were only matched by her lows. An angry Rose was never a good thing. Hopefully, Ranth would charm thecrocusout of her.
CHAPTER TEN
I’m not sure what I was thinking, but of course Ranth followed me upstairs. The soft thud of Ori leaving through the front door still rippled through the house, sending an echo of “you are now alone-ness.”
Ranth’s sandals slapped against the wood steps behind as I climbed the stairs. When we got to my bedroom door, I stopped.
“Hey, so I’m gonna grab a few things. Maybe you can wait out here? Like I might want to change or something.” I gestured to my still-damp clothes.
“Sure, but if you move too far away, I will have to come in.” He stretched one arm and then another above his head, pulling the T-shirt up to the middle of his chest. Then he leaned against the wall.
“Whatever,” I replied, entering my bedroom, but the size of him had imprinted on me. My bedroom wasn’t far enough away for me to have space to think before we went to Rose’s place. I also did need to change.
Nervously glancing at the door, like he’d walk in at any second and catch me doing, well, nothing, I pulled out a long, layered skirt. Deciding it was not great for maneuvering quickly, I switched it for a two-layer, midnight-purple skirt cropped to mid knee in the front, but the back was ankle length. I paired a tank and over shirt in similar purple tones. Purple was my version of black. Everything matched. I chose a new set of herb-infused socks and gloves and my other pair of Docs with lavender spiderwebs. Skulking past the open door, I took the bundle of clothes into the bathroom. The air was steeped in the parsley, sage oil, and the St. Johns. I grabbed a towel and cleaned up the mess, then closed the door, and locked it. That one quick deciding motion made all the difference. I sat on the toilet and breathed like it was the first breath I’d taken in hours. The weight of Brenda, the little demon’s attack, and my ruined garden dropped on me. Fighting tears, I stripped off the damp clothing, rolling over what the hellebore I could do with the problem in the hall. I came up with nothing. If only Mom was here. Her voice echoed an answer as if I’d asked her.
You have everything you need inside you. Find your path through.
That didn’t help at all because I’d figure it out eventually, but I didn’t want to wait.
Finally dressed, I opened the bedroom door.
