They exited the cathedral about twenty minutes later, climbing up its worn stone steps into the late afternoon. As they crossed the road and started across the square, Alex took out his phone and texted Willow: Home in a while. We’re OK. I love you. Her response came promptly, making him smile: Hurry back, I miss you!

He’d bought cellphones for the rest of the team the day after Seb arrived, not wanting to ever again be in a position where someone was missing and he had no idea what was going on. Now he and Willow often sent a few texts back and forth during the day – tiny notes that made him feel more laid-back about Seb’s presence in the house. Not that much more, though, if he was honest.

Alex shook his head at himself in disgust as he walked. He’d never thought he was a jealous person – and he trusted Willow completely. But knowing she and Seb were alone together all day, even though all they were doing was working on her aura, nagged at him like a pebble in his shoe. Not to mention that he’d lost count now of how many times he’d walked in on them having one of their long, intimate conversations. Just a few nights ago, he’d found them up on the balcony; Willow had been wearing Seb’s sweater draped across her shoulders as they talked. Though they’d been sitting at least four feet apart, the sweater had irritated Alex far more than it should have; he’d found it an effort to even be civil to Seb. It wasn’t the kind of thing you could mention though, without sounding like a jealous jerk.

But he couldn’t have held back what he had said to save his life – the words had finally burst out of him, after two weeks of biting them back. “So you know he’s in love with you, right?” he’d asked once Seb had gone back inside, leaving his sweater on Willow’s shoulders.

Alex had been sitting beside Willow on the cool concrete floor with his arm around her. She’d gone still as she stared up at him. “I know he cares about me a lot,” she said finally. “But Alex, we’re just friends. I told him that the first day.”

“Willow. Come on, seriously – haven’t you noticed? The way he looks at you all the time – plus, you must feel it, right? With both of you being psychic?”

Her cheeks had tinged with pink. She’d fingered the sweater’s sleeve with one hand, apparently unaware she was doing so. With an effort, Alex had managed not to yank the thing off her shoulders.