Page 33 of Wicked Warlock
“You know, because he’s been really off. He was messed up in Unseelie and now he’s got this whole cold thing going on. I don’t know.”
“Okay.”
“Ugh, can you say anything else but okay?”
He pulled a mini candy bar from his back pocket and peeled back the wrapper, then tossed the thing in his mouth and began to chew. “Yeah.”
I didn’t have time for this. I turned from him and made my way down the hall. “Was I supposed to go right or left?”
This place was a labyrinth of hallways, dorm rooms, and classrooms. I turned again down another hall and a draft of cold air blew my way. Was I getting closer to the courtyard or farther? I didn’t know. “Damn it.”
“Astrid?”
I spun at the sound of my name and squinted into the shadows. “Logan? What are you doing out here?”
He wrapped his arms around himself and shivered. His breath fogged as he blew it out. “I was looking for Maze’s room.”
“Why?”
“Needed to talk to him.” He shrugged and shifted from one foot to the other.
“Well, I just came from there. I think I can find my way back… maybe.” I motioned for him to walk with me.
“I-I never said thank you.” He peeked over at me. “For coming to get me. In Unseelie.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Logan. I only wish we’d gotten there sooner for you.” I turned down the hall, hoping it was the right one.
“How could you have known?” He shrugged. “I… um, heard he was dating someone. I mean Nylore, he was dating someone when he looked like me? Is that true?”
“Where did you hear that?”
Logan gave me a humorless laugh. “Ophelia likes to talk. Weird choice for Cross. But strangely makes sense.”
“Yeah, they make total sense. In a weird, homicidal way.” Logan had been through so much—kidnapping, losing his life, being imprisoned in another world. I wanted to make this easier for him, give him the time he needed to adjust to being back. But I wouldn’t want anyone to lie to me and neither would Logan. “Yeah, that’s true.”
He groaned and closed his eyes, shaking his head for a moment. “I know that I didn’t do anything to this girl… what was her name?”
“Angel.” I sighed. “Angel’s her name.”
“I know it wasn’t me who did anything to her. But I can’t help but feel that maybe, just maybe I should, I don’t know, do something?” Strands of his hair fell over his face covering half of it. The rest of him was cloaked in shadows like he, himself, blended in with the darkness. Just like the other heirs.
We walked in awkward silence for a few more steps. “Angel isn’t you’re responsibility.”
“I know.”
“You don’t even have to talk to her if you don’t want to.” I wanted to place my hand on his arm or comfort him in some way. But I didn’t know this Logan. This dark version of the cleaner preppy guy I used to know. Well, really we didn’t know each other. We weren’t even friends. At least not yet. But I wanted to be his friend.
“I know I don’t have to. But I think… I think I want to.” His brows furrowed in confusion.
“If there’s anything that this world has taught me it’s that weirder shit has happened.” I turned down another hall and I was sure this was the right one, this time.
“Do you know where we’re going?” He glanced over his shoulder.
“In theory?” A light chuckle escaped my lips. “Kind of.”
A door opened up just behind us and there was a low whistle. “Over here.”
Maze held out his hand and waved a nugget at us. Logan scoffed and turned back for the door. “Thanks, Astrid.”
