Felix exchanges glances with Morgana and Dave. None of them look particularly confident. Morgana’s expression is carefully neutral. Dave grimaces slightly.
“Safer,” Felix says carefully, choosing his words with obvious deliberation. “Probably.”
That’s not reassuring. That’s not reassuring at all.
My mind races. Maybe I should just leave. Pack a bag right now and go stay with my parents. They’re only two hours away by train. Or book a cheap hotel on the outskirts of Bristol. Or sleep in a shop doorway. Anything to avoid being here when Hex shows up.
But even as the thought forms, I know it won’t work. Hex said we have been bonded since childhood. And this flat is hundreds of miles away from the bed he used to lurk under when I was seven. Which means he can probably find me anywhere. Distance clearly doesn’t matter. There’s no point in running.
I’m trapped.
Felix must see the dawning horror on my face because he steps forward and places a hand on my shoulder. His fingers are warm through my shirt. His expression softens slightly, the hard edges of his goth persona melting away for just a moment.
“Do you want me to stay?”
Hope flares in my chest, bright and desperate. “Yes!” I exclaim. Too loudly. Too desperately. An actual witch staying to protect me? That would be perfect. “Oh yes, please!”
Felix’s face immediately shifts to a frown. He pulls his hand back like I’ve burned him. “Oh. I was being polite. You were supposed to say no.”
My hope crashes and burns, dying as quickly as it ignited. “What?”
“There is no way I’m staying anywhere near a shadow being.” He gathers up his tarot cards and shoves them back in his bag with quick, efficient movements. “Those things are dangerous, Adam. And unpredictable.”
Of course. Of course he doesn’t actually want to stay. Why would he? I’m not his friend. I’m just the weird guy from work who’s somehow got himself bonded to a supernatural creature.
“Right,” I say numbly. “Of course.”
Morgana is already heading for the door, her purple robes swishing. She gives me some kind of strange gesture with her fingers that I think is meant to be a blessing. Or a wave. Or possibly warding off evil. I have no idea.
Felix pauses at the threshold, one hand on the doorframe. “Good luck though, dude.”
And then they’re gone. Filing out into the hallway. Heading down the stairs. Leaving me alone.
Well, almost alone.
As the last coven member reaches the door, Dave pauses and looks back over his shoulder. His expression is almost apologetic. Almost.
“Hey,” he says casually, as if he’s asking about the weather. “If it doesn’t go well, can I have your job at the coffee shop?”
I stare at him. My brain struggles to process the question. He’s asking about my job. As if I might die tonight. As if that’s a reasonable thing to ask. As if I could posthumously put in a good word for him.
“Sure,” I manage, my voice flat.
Dave grins, looking genuinely pleased. “Cheers, mate.”
The door closes behind him with a soft click. I hear their footsteps fade as they descend the stairs. Then silence.
Complete and utter silence.
I’m alone in my flat. Surrounded by crystals and salt and the lingering smell of burned sage that’s making my nose itch.
I sag against the door. All the energy drains out of me, leaving me hollow. My legs feel weak. My hands are trembling slightly.
Now there’s nothing to do but wait. Wait and see if Hex appears.
If he does, that would be awful. Terrifying. I have no idea what he’ll do or how any of this is going to work. Will he be angryabout the salt and crystals? Will the cleansing hurt him? Make him furious? Is he still angry about the whole duck thing?
If he doesn’t appear... that would also be… not great. It would mean that the cleansing worked. Which should be good. Which should be exactly what I want. But part of me feels oddly disappointed at the thought. Like I’d miss him.
