“A wand?” I asked. Why was she carrying this around? Fae didn’t use them.
“It’s for Marcus,” Kallie admitted as I handed it back. “I made him something— a sort of peace offering. I wanted to give it to him.”
I tilted my head curiously. “I thought you two weren’t planning on staying friends after everything that happened.”
“I thought so, too,” Kallie admitted. “But things are different than I expected them to be. I thought it would hurt to be around him, but now that the bond’s broken, it’s easier than ever. There’s no romantic pressure anymore. We don’t have this magical tether chaotically pulling us together and then pushing us apart. The energy between us is steadier. I think we can boththink more clearly now— I know I can. Marcus and I will never be a couple, but I think we can still be friends.”
“Are you sure? You seemed pretty done with him when the bond broke,” I said.
“I was, but I’ve had the space I need, so it’s not a big deal anymore,” she said. “We can hang out now without it being awkward. It’s actually really fun. Plus, he’s getting treatment for his BPD, so I don’t feel pressured to save him like I did before. We can just… be cool. It’s nice.”
That was a relief to hear. I worried that the Villain’s Club would be no more, and that was really sad to think about. It was nice to see them getting along for a change. I knew they’d never hook up again, but I honestly thought that was better for them, anyway. Now they could be friends without all that stuff getting in the way.
Kallie must’ve created a gift bag and tissue paper, because I heard it rustle as she placed the wand inside. “I want to give this to him right away. Do you know where he is?”
“Marcus is in the demigod training room,” I told her. “I’m on my way there now. You’re welcome to tag along.”
“Thanks.” Kallie tried not to let her emotions show, but I could tell her steps became a little lighter. She seemed more than a little excited to see Marcus again on good terms.
We entered the demigod training room and found Marcus seated at a table, while Rishi purred softly in front of him. They appeared to be alone.
“I didn’t expect to see you two here,” Marcus said. “I’ve got this room reserved for a mentorship session. She should be here any minute.”
I sat in a chair opposite him. “We’re not here to take the room from you. We’re here to observe. If we’re going to pull off another intel operation, I want to know everything. We can’tafford any mistakes, so we’ve got to be confident we can pull this off.”
“I can handle it, Charlie,” Marcus said. “You don’t have to babysit me to make sure I do it right.”
“I know you’re capable. I just want to learn how this works,” I replied.
Marcus sighed, but he didn’t insist I leave, so I stayed.
Kallie sat beside me and reached across the table to place her gift in front of Marcus. “I came to give you this.”
“Oh, uh… thanks,” Marcus said. “But it’s not my birthday.”
“It’s not a birthday present, dummy.” Kallie giggled. “I just wanted to do something nice for you.”
“Wow, thanks,” Marcus said, like he was baffled she would. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything. Just open it,” Kallie said in excitement.
Marcus was already tearing at the wrapping. He opened the bag and gasped.
“You got me a wand?” he squeaked. Sounded like he had tears in his eyes and everything.
“I didn’t buy it. Imadeit,” Kallie explained. “It’s carved from a branch from the oldest tree in Ilamanthe. The gemstones in the wolf eyes are polished lepidolite and rhodonite.”
I recognized the first one, because it was the same stone I’d gotten Ava for emotional healing. I didn’t know the second stone, though.
Marcus must’ve, because he mused, “A stone of forgiveness.”
“Yeah. Rhodonite heals wounds caused by… past relationships,” she said, a little lamely. “I figured we’re on the same page now, so maybe we can move forward as friends. I know we needed some time apart, but I have to admit I missed having you around. I want my best friend back, you know?”
“But Ava’s your best friend,” Marcus said, confused. “I didn’t know I was in the top spot.”
I nearly facepalmed. Marcus really had to stop taking thebest friendlabel so literally. He did the same thing when I asked him to be a part of my wedding. It wasn’t a competition, for fuck’s sake.
“She is, but you are, too,” Kallie confessed. “I miss goofing around and talking all day. I figured we could have that again, since, you know, there’s no more pressure.”
