Raithe lifted a brow. “See something of interest?”
“What if I do?”
My honesty took him by surprise. He took a flustered step back. “Don’t—you can’t say things like that.”
“Like what?” The shivers had dissipated, replaced by tingly heat. “Like I think you have a nice face?”
Red bloomed in his cheeks. “Someone might overhear and make the wrong assumption.”
I couldn’t help it—I liked seeing him undone by a few flirtatious words. “Is it treason to give a compliment?”
“You can be so senseless sometimes, you know that?”
I tugged myself free, my playfulness doused by his contemptuous comment. “Do you enjoy being an ass?”
“No, but I’ve been told I’m exceptionally good at it.”
“At least you’re self-aware.”
“You have no idea.”
I lifted my chin. Just when we’d found stable, common ground, our mouths got the better of us. Around him I couldn’t seem to help it. “I’m warmed up. You can go now.”
Instead of leaving—to both my delight and vexation—he reached into his vest and pulled out a familiar golden trinket, splaying it in his palm.
I gasped, marveling at the mundane object and attached chain. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. “How did?—”
“Your grandmother.”
My fingers, no longer trembling as warmth returned to my limbs, traced the intricate grooves of the circular watch. It filled me with a lightness that temporarily cast the sadness at bay. “It’s been in my family for generations,” I said, feeling the need to explain its significance. “I didn’t think I’d see this again. Or that I’d care.”
“It doesn’t appear to work,” Raithe noted regarding the stuck dial.
“Never did. It’s impossible to fix, the clasp sealed, so it’s more of a memento. Basil pretended to read the time to leave social situations early.” I chuckled fondly. “Markus and Allory gave me this watch as proof that they took him. The last time I held this, I threw it at my grandmother in anger.” I retracted my hand. “It feels more cursed than it does a family totem.”
“Your grandmother wanted you to have it.”
I took the watch tentatively. “You spoke with her before she…?”
“Briefly.” He hesitated, his face brimming with questions. “Her last words were odd.”
“What were they?”
“Cosmo,” he said. “And twin flame.”
“Truly? She didn’t believe in the legends of twin flames. She chastised them. Cosmo, though… My grandfather would oftenramble about the cosmos in his fits. I don’t know what that word could mean otherwise.”
“Could be a name?”
“We didn’t know anyone by that name. At least I didn’t.”
“Is there anything else you think we should know?” Raithe pressed. “About you and your family? About who youreallyare?”
“I’ve told you everything.” I frowned. “Did my grandmother say anything else?”
“What else do you think she said?”
I crossed my arms over my chest, fisting the watch. He already knew about my brother’s gifted Sight. “Is there somethingyou’renot telling me?”
