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"Nothing." I grab the door from him and hold it open as my multi-slate buzzes under my jacket.

Damaris glances down automatically. "Your ma?"

"Mm."

I look down at my wrist and frown.

It's not Ma. It's him.

And before I've even finished reading the notification, the screen lights up again, another message appearing beneath the first.

A chill works its way down my spine as my gaze lifts automatically, searching the crowds. Black Chapel, the party, the library at five in the morning, the pool. One encounter should have been an accident. Two should have been coincidence.

Every time I think I've put some distance between us, Ciaran Virel finds a way back into my orbit.

I don't see anyone, but that doesn't stop my thumb from hovering over the screen.

Damaris is already watching me when I finally drag my attention away from it. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." But it comes out sharper than I mean it to.

He gives me a look that says he doesn't believe me, shifting the bags higher on one arm before turning back toward the climb to campus.

where are you

I stare at the message. I should ignore it, I'm aware. Instead, my thumb hovers over the screen before I type back.

Why do you care?

The reply hits almost instantly.

not answering the question? cute. so i'll ask again. where are you

I stare at it longer than I should, waiting for whatever he's going to say next. Nothing comes, and somehow that feels worse.

Annoyed with myself, I kill the screen and ignore it when the multi-slate buzzes again, then again, each vibration landing sharper than the last.

Damaris glances over from the kitchenette as he drops the bags onto the counter. "Are you not going to answer that?"

"No. Just keep unpacking."

"If it's not your ma, then who is it?"

"No one."

He clearly doesn't believe a word of that, but he lets it go.

I drop my bag by the bed, slump back against the wall, and pull a pillow into my lap. There are six unread messages waiting for me, and even though I know I should ignore them, I open the conversation before I can stop myself.

i can see you back on campus

ignoring me already

that's rude

i asked you a question, rowan

My jaw tightens.