Firewalker (Worldwalker 2)

Promise you won’t show Rowan what I show you.

That’s a lot to ask. I’m not sure I can hide anything from him. I’m not sure I want to.

You’ve never hidden anything from him?

Once. When I went to the pyre to fight you, he asked me if I was doing it for him.

And you didn’t tell him.

I couldn’t let him know I was doing it for him or the guilt would have killed him.

That’s all I ask of you now—and for exactly the same reason. Think about it and tell me when you’re ready.

* * *

Juliet heard the knock at the door and left Rowan to fiddle with the computer for a moment on his own. She answered the door, already knowing who was standing on the other side of it and dreading the conversation that was to follow.

“Hi, Tristan,” she said heavily.

“How long were you going to wait to tell me she was back, Juliet?” he asked.

“Look, Tristan—” Juliet began, but he cut her off.

“I have to find out from Agent Simms that she’s been back a week? A week?” he stressed. Juliet had to look away. Poor Tristan had been through a lot since Lily disappeared—more than anyone, probably. “Where is she?” he asked.

Tristan was about to push his way into the house when Rowan appeared at Juliet’s shoulder.

“Now’s not a good time, Tristan,” Rowan said.

“Who the hell are you?” Tristan asked, bewildered and offended that Rowan had used his name so casually. Like he knew him.

“My name is Rowan Fall. I’m here to help Lily manage her condition,” he replied calmly.

“Really?” Tristan said. His tone was loaded with sarcasm and more than just a bit of loathing for Rowan.

Juliet could sympathize with Tristan. After James told the FBI that Lily was back, they’d had to come up with a cover story for where Lily had been and why no one could see her. The alibi was still a work in progress, but the one thing they stuck to was that Lily had been getting radical treatment for her allergies and wasn’t fit to see anyone yet—not even Tristan or the FBI agent who had taken an alarmingly deep interest in Lily’s case.

“Yes. Really,” Rowan said, standing his ground. “She’ll get in touch with you when she’s ready.”

Out of nowhere, Tristan took a swing at Rowan. Juliet half gasped, half screamed, but before either she or Tristan could process it, Rowan had blocked the punch and moved Tristan back and out of the doorway.

“That’s not going to do anybody any good, Tristan,” Rowan said. He wasn’t even surprised. Again, Juliet wondered who this guy was and what his life had been like in this other world. He obviously knew how to handle himself in a fight.

Tristan stared at Rowan in disbelief, and then shook him off. “I have a right to see her,” he snarled.

“Yeah, I know you do,” Rowan replied, running a hand through his hair. “And when she’s ready to talk to you, she’ll get in touch.”

Tristan backed away, still not sure of what to make of Rowan. His confusion and jealousy were apparent, and Juliet couldn’t blame him. Rowan wasn’t just good-looking, he was downright devastating, and he appeared to be keeping Lily all to himself. While Tristan had never shown real interest in Lily before, something had changed in him. Juliet supposed that there was nothing like losing a girl to show a guy how much he cares.

“Tell her to call me, Jules,” Tristan said before getting in his car and driving off.

Rowan came back inside and shut the door. “That was messy,” he said with a sigh. “Guess I should have expected it, though.”

“You know him, don’t you?” Juliet asked.

“Oh yeah,” Rowan said, rolling his eyes. “He’s one of my closest friends—more like a brother, really. He always takes everything too far.”

“Yeah,” Juliet said, half laughing. “Moderation was never his thing.”