Page 33

“Daruka told me why she’s in Arrythmia, but what’s Asmoday’s story? She said they didn’t meet until they’d both moved here,” Cassandra noted.

“Asmoday came to Arrythmia to hide from his responsibilities, but he’ll tell you it was to escape from his admirers.”

“So, he got the bonus package. Except avoiding his responsibilities feels more selfish than altruistic.”

“Well, his father wanted him to take over management of the elfin forest. Him. A half demon.”

She chuckled. “I can see where that might be a problem. So what’s the tiny werewolf’s story?”

“Krishna was teased relentlessly by his pack. It has clearly not escaped your notice that he’s a tad small for a werewolf. His pack was so mean to him, and he couldn’t stand up for himself, considering he’s like a quarter of the size of any other shifter I’ve ever seen. So he’s here and thriving. He runs the pet supply store, so I suggest you not take Wyldfire with you when you go for supplies. I’m not sure why he freaked out over the cat like that, but clearly, she triggered something in him.”

Cassandra didn’t respond. I glanced over to see her staring straight ahead, her knuckles white.

“Cassandra? You okay?”

She darted a glance at me and returned to focusing on the road. “I’m here for the same reason.” She paused. “Sort of.”

“You don’t look small for a witch,” I joked, because whatever her story was, it had elevated her anxiety. It was obvious by the way she was gripping that wheel, by the sudden stiffness in her demeanor.

“I was teased pretty relentlessly, though. It’s my magic. It’s always been wonky. But the final straw was—” She closed her eyes.

“Can you maybe open your eyes while you’re driving down the highway?” I suggested, an edge to my voice.

She did as I requested and continued to stare straight ahead. “The final straw was⁠—”

I leaned toward her. Maybe she finished that sentence but said the words too low for me to hear.

“I killed you.”

I blinked.

“Multiple times.”

Wait. Cassandra was my stalker?

What the hell was she doing in Arrythmia?

Chapter

Eleven

Cassandra

I focused on tamping down my magic, which desperately wanted to flare up and do who knew what to who knew who.

Whatever it was, it would not be good.

It never was.

I said it. I told River.

I confessed.

I supposed it hit different when one announced, “I confess, I killed you,” while the person sat next to her in a truck, cruising down a rather desolate highway, heading toward a coffee wholesale company to buy supplies for the grand reopening of a coffee shop in a small town in the middle of nowhere, Texas.

I glanced at the GPS that I was impressed was working way out here. Six miles from our destination.

River cleared his throat. “Are you…do you have plans to do it again?”