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The thought sends a fresh wave of heat through me. My multi-slate feels heavier in my pocket, those unanswered messages burning there between us.

i liked the way your freckles lit up when i touched you

"Ro?"

"What?"

Damaris follows my gaze down the street. "Okay, so either that's a church or we've accidentally wandered into the clubbing district."

I tear my eyes away from Black Chapel before I can do something stupid.

But as we start walking again, I catch the edge of the park path beside the building, remembering the way I ran through it with my pulse in my throat and Ciaran on my heels. Something cold slips down my spine.

"Hang on." Damaris glances farther down the street and brightens. "I know this place. We're close to the market."

I stare at him instead. "Wait. You know this place?"

"Yeah." He shoves his hands into his pockets as we start walking again. "Adrian brought me here a few days ago."

My stomach drops, and all I can think is that I wasn't the only one keeping things to myself.

Maybe that's unfair. Damaris doesn't owe me an accounting of every hour of his day. But something still twists in my chest at the thought of him wandering around the city with Adrian while I had no idea. "You went into Black Chapel?"

He rolls his eyes. "It's not nearly as dramatic as you're making it sound. It's basically a club. Kind of. With a lot more organized crime than I'd usually recommend."

"That is not a reassuring description. And it still doesn't explain why you were there."

Damaris laughs. "Adrian took me, and it was fine. Besides, I don't even need to go back."

I glance at him. "What does that mean?"

"It means I've already got enough credits for flour, coffee, and whatever else we find at the market." He rocks back on his heels. "So if you're worried I'm about to gamble away my life savings, relax."

I stop walking. "Dama."

"What?"

"Did you gamble?"

He lifts both hands, turning defensive the second he sees my face. "I made money, okay? Which is useful, because the market is just over there."

He points farther down the street toward the last open stalls, vendors already packing up for the day while I exhale through my nose, my thoughts scattering in every direction.

"You are impossible," I huff. But really, I can't believe he went to Black Chapel and never mentioned it. And with Adrian of all people. Light, that guy gives me the creeps.

Damaris grins. "And yet you still love me."

Before I can dodge him, he leans in and plants a loud kiss on my cheek.

I shove at his shoulder. "Go away."

He laughs and starts walking.

We've barely taken three steps before someone calls after us.

Adrian emerges from Black Chapel and heads straight for us. He looks rougher than he does on campus, with dark hair falling into his face and his shirt half open at the throat, like he's been here all day and only just remembered the sun still exists.

My friend lights up and practically jogs the last few steps while I follow slower.