I glanced over my shoulder when he didn’t immediately answer; he was contemplating the chicken, avocado, mayo, and cheese toastie with something close to bliss on his face. “This is amazing.”
I laughed. “If you’ve never had a chicken avo toastie before, you’ve been seriously deprived.”
“It would appear so.” He all but inhaled the rest of it, and then said, “The other thing they’ve done is send a request up to the High Witch Council for information about the two of you.”
My heart began to beat a whole lot faster. Such a request, along with the RWA report, might just gain the very interest we were trying to avoid. “The council won’t be able to tell you much more than the RWA. We’re not vetted, as I’ve said.”
“I did mention that.” He picked up the ham and cheese sandwich and started in on that.
“And their response?”
“Was to remind me that I also suspected you weren’t telling the entire truth when it came to your background.” His gaze rose to mine. “Which you aren’t.”
If ever there was an opening to be honest, this was it. My gut twisted, but I just couldn’t force the truth out of my mouth. I flipped our sandwiches over, and then said, “The secrets Belle and I keep aren’t dangerous. We’re not criminals on the run, and nothing in our past should hold any fears for anyone in this reservation.”
Aside from Belle and me, that was.
His gaze held mine for too many minutes; seeking the truth, judging my words. Judging me. “Do your secrets revolve around the problems you had with your parents?”
“Yes.” I took the remaining toasties out of the press and silently added to Belle, Your breakfast is ready.
On my way down, she said. But I’ll eat it on the way to the gym. I need to punch out some angst.
Throw a few punches for me while you’re there. I grabbed a brown paper bag to put her sandwich in, and then held it out as she rattled down the stairs, a towel thrown over her right shoulder and her gym bag in her left hand.
“Thanks.” She grabbed her breakfast, and then glanced at Aiden. “I hope you reminded that council of yours it’s not wise to piss off witches—even underpowered ones.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Are you saying we’re about to experience an influx of rats?”
She grinned. “Let’s just say they’re on standby.”
With that, she departed. Aiden glanced at me. “I’m never sure if she’s serious or not.”
“Most of the time she’s not.” I picked up my toastie and took a bite. “And it was me who called the rats into Peak’s Point, not Belle.”
“But she’s still capable of it?”
“Yes.”
He drank some coffee, contemplating me over the rim for several seconds. “Why won’t you confide in me, Liz?”
I smiled, though it held little in the way of amusement. “Aside from the fact our relationship hasn’t even gotten off the ground yet, you’ve warned me a couple of times that nothing serious will ever happen between us. Why would you then expect me to tell you my deepest secrets?”
“You’ll have to trust someone eventually,” he commented. “You and Belle can’t keep running forever.”
“We’re aware of that.” I grimaced. “We had thought Castle Rock might be a place we could settle in. Your council would seem to have other ideas.”
“It’s not the whole council,” he said. “And it’s certainly not the whole reservation.”
“It’s a historical fact that the minority often spoil things for the majority.”
He frowned. “Does that mean you and Belle will leave, regardless of what decision the council comes to?”
I sighed. “I honestly can’t say.”
He didn’t look happy, which made two of us. We finished our toasties and coffees in silence. Once I’d cleaned up, I glanced at the time and said, “Is it worth heading over to the Marin reservation a little early?”
“You’re not waiting for Belle to get back?”