“Maybe there’s something about extracted magic in the library?”
“I’d have better luck in the college library.” He gives me an apologetic look. “Would you mind if I drove to Albany on Wednesday? I would like to look into this. It might help us figure out how to break the bond.”
“Sure,” I say, disappointed that we have to spend our only day off apart.
Rowan wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close to his side. “We’re going to figure all this out.”
“I know.”
And I believe it. Things are just a little messy right now.
We walk in silence until we’re almost to the tea shop. Rowan releases me and rolls his shoulders several times.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m fine.”
“Are you sore because you picked me up earlier?” I ask. “Am I too heavy for that nonsense?”
“You’re not,” he laughs as if it’s absurd.
“Maybe you’re toooldfor that nonsense.”
He flashes me a wry look. “My muscles are just stiff. I suspect it’s because I lived as an owl for so long. It’s been bothering me on and off since the reversal.”
I narrow my eyes. “You swear you’re not sick?”
He smiles, leaning down to meet me at eye level. “I swear.”
I search for signs of bluffing, but there are none.
“Okay,” I say, relaxing. “Maybe you need physical therapy or something.”
“I’ll look into it.”
He’s not going to look into it.
“Let’s get you home,” he says. “Your mom won’t be happy with me if you’re late for dinner.”
Nodding, I let him drop the subject. But I can’t shake this weird feeling that something is off.
I just can’t figure out what it is.
Chapter 12
Smacked in the Face with My Own Olive Branch
The smell of cinnamon wafts down the street, beckoning me into the bakery. I breathe in deep as I step inside, thankful for the cool blast of air conditioning that greets me. For once, there are no tourists at the cute white tables. River and Rosalie chat with Ryder at the counter. The trio looks over when the door opens, at ease when they see it’s me and not a human customer.
“Hey, Kit,” Ryder says when I reach the counter. “Playing hooky?”
“Rowan and Nadine are watching the shop.” I gesture toward the door. “Why is it so hot out there?”
Ryder laughs at my wilted state. “Because it’s summer?”
Not only is it hot today, but it’s surprisingly humid. I didn’t expect either this far north.
“All right, but is Vermont confused about its latitude? And why is itsticky?”
