Page 27 of Impawssible Magic

I stop at the fountain.

“I know you’re there.”

Movement in the shadows. Aslan steps forward, just enough to catch the lamplight. He’s exactly where he was when I left—different position, same watchfulness. Same intensity.

“You didn’t bail.” His voice is low, almost soft.

“Disappointed?”

“No.” He watches me. Something in his expression does that almost-asking thing. “Did you have a good time?”

The question is awkward. Coming from him, that’s oddly endearing.

“It rained inside the brewery. Accidentally. Because Sakura got emotional and I got swept up in it, and then there was weather.”

That almost-smile I’m starting to recognize reappears.

“Sounds eventful.”

“That’s one word for it.” I wrap my arms around myself. The night is cool, the mist damp against my skin. “The beer there is sentient, by the way. In case that’s relevant to your threat assessment.”

“Good to know.”

“You’re taking notes on me?”

“I notice things.” He moves closer. One step. Two. My magic starts doing that traitorous pulsing thing again. “The Registry symbol. Elio found a reference in the archives.”

My heart stops. “What kind of reference?”

“Old. Fragmented. But it’s a start.” His jaw tightens. “We’re going to figure out who’s doing this. I promise.”

He means it. I can see that in every line of his body, hear it in the rough edge of his voice. He made me a promise and he intends to keep it, whether I trust him or not.

Warmth unfurls in my chest. Dangerous.

“Thank you.” The words come out softer than I intended. “For... being here. Watching. Even though I’ve been nothing but difficult about it.”

“You’ve been cautious.” He’s close enough that I could touch him if I reached out. I don’t. “Caution isn’t the same as difficult.”

“Tell that to my reputation.”

“Your reputation is that you talk to crystals and make protection charms that actually work.” The amber of his eyes catches the lamplight. “The rest is just survival.”

I don’t know what to say to that. To the understanding in his voice, the recognition in his expression. Like he knows exactly what it is to build walls because the alternative is destruction.

“Goodnight, Tiger.” I step back, breaking whatever was building between us.

I’m halfway to my door when his voice stops me.

“Leire.”

I turn.

He’s still standing by the fountain, half-swallowed by mist and shadow. For a moment, just a moment, a flash of longing fills his eyes.

“Goodnight.”

I don’t wave sarcastically this time. I just nod and go inside.