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Maybe they did match, then. They were both too selfish to fit with anybody else. Then how would you be born? Gaia put them together, because YOU are necessary for the world.

Randa snorted at that theory. You’re insane.

Getting there. Being away from you makes me crazy. Come back. I respected the safe word. I gave you space. We can go to your house, and I’ll STILL give you space, if you need it. But I don’t want you out there unprotected.

Randa swallowed hard, her heart rate slowing, as her panic ebbed. Okay. He was kind of making sense. She could…

Someone walked closer to her, through the darkened pathways of the garden. She could hear their footsteps on the ground. Randa’s head snapped up, wary and ready to flee. Only to see Isaacs standing in front of her.

She exhaled in relief. “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for sleeping butterflies to kidnap.”

Her brows shot up. For anyone else, that would be an extremely weird thing to say. Since it was Isaacs saying it, however, it was kind of just an average conversation.

“Are you planning to eat them?” Randa guessed with a wrinkle of her nose.

“No.” He rolled his eyes, pushing the wet hair off his forehead. “I’m planning to wrap them up as a gift for Gion’s birthday present. He hates butterflies, apparently. It’ll be funny when he opens the box and they swarm his face.” Isaacs chuckled at the potential trauma he’d cause.

“That’s a ghastly idea.”

“I know. It’s perfect!” His head swiveled around, scanning the damp foliage. “I can’t seem to find any of the colorful little fuckers, though. I guess they don’t like the rain.”

Even with his powers, the loss of his eyesight was a challenge for him. Randa debated whether or not to help him with his prank and decided she still owed Gion a favor. “Maybe you should get him something else, instead.”

“Yeah, I’m thinking used tampons would be a good backup plan. I’m sure I can wrap those up nice. Or maybe a severed head.”

“…Butterflies aren’t such a bad idea, after all.” Randa decided, considering the alternatives.

Isaacs grunted. “Hey, what are you doing out here without an umbrella? Where’s your big, bad bodyguard? I’ve heard rumors you two are a Match.”

“We have a safe word. He has to give me space whenever I say it.”

“That’s stupid.”

“It’s not stupid. It’s very respectful of him. And how did you hear that we’re a Match already? Did Mara tell you?” Kahn’s cousin was friends with Isaacs, but she didn’t seem to be the type to gossip.

“No, Mannus told me. Or maybe it was Daven. I can’t tell them apart.”

“Why were you hanging around Mannus and Daven?” Randa was instantly on guard. Isaacs didn’t get along with the Light Phases. Isaacs barely got along with anyone. “What are you planning to do to them?”

“Nothing. Calm down.”

“Has some asshole saying ‘calm down’ ever helped anyone to calm down?” She jabbed a finger at him. “Do not hurt the Light Phases. I mean it. They’re mine.”

“I’m not going to hurt those troglodytes. I’m actually helping them.”

“Why do I doubt that?”

“Because you’re paranoid. But, I have nothing to hide. I am helping your ill-bred Match flush out Saxon, so he stops stalking you.”

“You’re what?!”

“I have spent the last day or so shit-talking Sax to anyone who will listen. He already hates me. Now, he’ll hate me more. Sooner or later, he’ll come out of hiding to try and kill me. We’ll kill him first.” Isaacs shrugged. “It’s a good plan.”

Randa gaped at him. “That risks your life in the process!”

“I’ll be fine. Your overbearing boyfriend will keep me safe.”