“I can always go without you,” Eyden said, raising his voice.
Lora swung open the door, the vial still in her hand. “Don’t even think about it.”
He looked her over briefly, then quickly averted his eyes.
“Will I blend in?” Lora asked.
He didn’t look at her again. “Yeah, should be fine.”
She tightened her hold on the glass vial for a second before holding out her palm. “This dress doesn’t have pockets.” Really, why did most dresses not have pockets? It was such an inconvenience, apparently in both worlds.
Eyden finally focused on her and extended his arm, opening his hand. “I’ll hide it.”
“Where?”
“In the closet.” His eyes shifted to the clock on the wall. “Just give it to me.”
That would require trust. Something she didn’t have. “No, show me exactly where to put it.”
Eyden moved closer, his eyes tracking the vial in Lora’s hand. “We don’t have time to argue. Hand it over and I’ll give it back later.”
“Show me where I can hide it.” She crossed her arms, the vial almost fully hidden in her palm.
Eyden dropped his gaze and seemed to try to compose himself. “I already said you’re impossible, right?”
“Yes.”And so are you,she almost added.
“I meant it,” he said, looking at her for a short moment before moving away.
Eyden opened the closet door and gestured for her to follow him. The space wasn’t big, her arm grazed his as she stood next to him, waiting to discover his secret hiding spot. He pushed back some clothes that hung on a rack, revealing the white wall.
There was a short pause as he seemed to rethink his decision. “If you try to steal anything, our deal is off,” he said to her. “And don’t think I won’t notice, because Iwill.”
Lora crossed her arms, tapping her fingers on her upper arm. “I thought we were in a hurry?”
Eyden opened his mouth then closed it as he turned back to the white wall. Then he whispered, “Nahla.”
A door handle appeared. Another spell. Lora was aware of small spelled items from Maja and her father’s business, but this was bigger. Was it more common here in Liraen than she’d expected or was Eyden personally connected with a witch?
Eyden gave her a brief glance, hesitating before moving to open the door. It revealed a small space taken up by a narrow shelf filled with multiple notebooks, pieces of paper, and locked boxes that Lora was yearning to take a peek inside.
“Go ahead, put the vial and anything else of value in here,” he said.
Lora was the one hesitating this time. “Who spelled your closet? Are there many witches working at the black market?”
Serious steel eyes met hers. “I’ve shared more than enough with you, special one. Put your stuff in there before I change my mind. And don’t breathe the password to anyone. Don’t even say it unless I ask you to. Do you understand?”
She considered making a joke, but the intensity of his words had a vulnerability to it. It made him seem unsure for once.
“I won’t repeat it to anyone,” she replied, meaning it even though she knew promises meant nothing anymore.
* * *
The first thing Lora noticed when she entered the club was the music. She immediately recognised “Don’t Start Now” playing on full volume and looked to Eyden in confusion only to find him looking just as baffled.
As they walked deeper into the club, they were greeted by colourful flashing lights and artificial fog, making it difficult for Lora to discover all the playful decorations. Besides the shiny streamers and balloons hanging from the ceiling, Lora noticed several walls were covered in artfully displayed records and CDs.
Eyden seemed to be taking it all in as well. He stood close to her and leaned in. “I’m not sure what the theme is supposed to be. Experimental music?”
