Lila’s tote slides off the seat. It hits the metal floor and tips over the edge. Instinctively, she lunges for it.
Before she falls to her death, I catch her around the waist.
Her scream tears through me as the gondola swings violently. I drag her backward and pull both of her legs across my lap. She clutches my shirt as I wedge my foot against the metal frame and use my body to keep her secure.
Lila’s belongings scatter through the air, the pages of her neon pink notebook flapping like a wounded bird.
Below, people shout.
Terror drains the color from her tear-streaked cheeks.
“You’re safe with me. I won’t let you fall.”
Lila sobs and buries her face against my chest, fingernails digging into my shirt. “You swear?”
I press my lips to the top of her head. “On my life.”
And I mean it. There isn’t a force on earth—magickal or otherwise—that could tear her out of my arms.
A crowd has gathered on the ground beneath us. The attendant shouts into a radio while another checks the ride controls. Near the loading platform, pink sparks fade around Candi’s fingers as she crosses her arms over her chest.
I saw the magick. I know what she did. This time, she didn’t humiliate Lila. She could have killed her.
We’ll deal with her later.
Right now, Lila is in danger, and nothing matters more than getting her safely onto the ground.
The gondola creaks, and Lila whimpers as we begin our slow descent.
“I’m sorry,” she sniffles, tears soaking into my shirt.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. No one gets to hurt you and convince you that you caused the pain.”
A shudder runs through her, and I rub my palm over her back.
The gondola descends past the lights strung over the midway as more people gather to stare up at us. The attendant keeps one hand on the control, inching the wheel down as carefully as possible. Finally, we reach the platform where the attendant catches the metal frame and pulls us into place.
“The safety bar”—he shakes his head—“I checked it myself. I don’t know how?—”
“I do.” I slide one arm beneath Lila’s knees and hold her against my chest as I stand.
“You don’t have to carry me,” she whispers, snaking her arms around my neck.
“I want to.”
The crowd moves back as I step out of the gondola, and Candi pushes forward.
“Oh my god, Max! Lila! I saw the whole thing. How terrifying. Poor Lila must have knocked the bar loose when she?—”
A growl rips out of me, and Candi jerks to a stop.
“You,” I rumble, “stay the fuck away from her.”
Her face pales, her lower lip trembling. “Max, I would never?—”
“I saw your magick.”
Candi’s performance cracks, and malice flashes through her eyes before the sweetness returns.
