Page 99 of What Happened on Roslyn Street?
“But, you were more than that. Perhaps you were hyper-focused on helping your friend, but there was good reason. You were loyal, and you were so, so brave.”
“I didn’t feel brave.”
“But you were—and you are. You didn’t need anyone, and that made me want you. That’s why my vision brought you to me. I think. I haven’t fully worked out thewhyyet, but I know it’s because of everything you are, not the palatable bits and pieces of you.”
“I still don’t understand.” Even though the words make me feel lighter.
He says what I long to hear. Margaux has always been here, but she hasn’t seen the side of me that Caldwell talks about. I doubt anyone has.
“If you didn’t assume I was the killer and head for the hills,” he says, “you wouldn’t be you. When you were running from me, when you were having your vampire friend tie me up, and even when you were threatening me—you were beingyou. The same Tobey I always liked. It was the same you that my magic knew I needed by my side.”
“You may have questionable taste.”
“Maybe so,” he says. “But I still look at you as I always have… and I won’t stop until you push me away.”
“I pushed you away once. I blocked you.”
“Yes, I figured that out… eventually.” He winces. “Keep me blocked. I would rather you avoid the three messages I sent after that.”
“Really?” I gasp. “I didn’t know you had it in you to be mean.”
“No,” he says slowly. “Not mean. More of the same pathetic thing that you’ve already read. I just—I wanted to explain myself.”
“Now you have.”
“I have.” He nods and finally steps into the room, shutting the door behind him with a soft click. “Is there anything else you need me to explain? About that night, or… anything at all?”
“How does your magic work?” I press my lips together.
“I don’t know.” He smiles wryly.
“How can younot know?”
“The visions got stronger when my mother passed. She never had a chance to teach me how they worked. I had to rely on divination tools—cards and crystals—like the ones you saw in my bedroom.”
“I see.”
“Even with the tools, it was foggy. Now, they come to me in flashes. Each seer has a different way of using their magic. For my mother, it was dreams. For me, I think it’s touch.”
“What do you see when you touch me?”
He steps forward, his fingers grazing against my cheek and down my neck. “The loveliest person I’ve ever known.”
“Be serious!”
“I am…” He laughs softly, his hand falling to the side. “But I can’t control it that easily. If I had a vision every time I touched something… it would be very distracting and not so useful.”
“Good point.”
“I’m sorry,” he says. “I would be of more help if I couldcontrol my magic.”
“Oh, stop.” I take his hand in mine—something I’ve done so many times, and it still feels easy. I squeeze his fingers like a lifeline. “You’re already the most useful person on the case. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t know where to go or who to find. You did what no one else could do. Give yourself some credit.”
“I’ll try.” His lips tug into a crooked smile.
We stand in the middle of the room, a space that belongs to neither of us, but having him there makes me feel more at ease.
“This is all so… fucked up.” They’re the only words that come to me in the end, followed by humorless laughter.
