Avoiding his eyes, Lottie found her gaze resting on his chest and, as she watched its gentle rise and fall, it was impossible not to notice the angelic curve of his muscles, a testament to how powerful he was under his usually stoic demeanour. Before she could stop herself, she was thinking of how he’d cradled her against that powerful body on the lip of the Rose Wood only weeks ago, and ever since then she couldn’t escape that look he gave her, that stare she couldn’t get out of her head. She snapped back up to face it in full force.

‘You had a fight with Ellie,’ he said matter-of-factly, and she winced, partly in relief and partly in guilt.

‘It’s fine. Nothing we won’t get past.’ She shrugged, hoping he wouldn’t push it further. ‘Having the occasional fight is an occupational hazard when you’re friends with Ellie.’

This didn’t seem to satisfy Jamie, but he kept his lips tightly shut. The two of them quickly fell into a rhythm beside one another and made their way back to Ivy Wood.

Lottie was just about to begin her subtle questioning about Haru as they cut through into the empty dining hall, when Jamie paused, turning to her.

‘Have you started on your PoP presentation?’

Lottie’s brain stalled, having entirely forgotten that was even a thing she needed to do. ‘Oh, that …’

‘I thought as much.’ Jamie tutted under his breath. ‘What about the twins? Have you spoken to them? Percy says Micky’s having a really hard time at the moment.’

Lottie recoiled inwardly. She hadn’t spoken to them; it was like the whole thing had slipped out of her mind, blocked by Claude and Leviathan and Haru. ‘I haven’t even asked them how they’re doing,’ she admitted.

This was not how Lottie had intended this conversation to go at all.

Embarrassed, Lottie made her way to the door, only for Jamie to slam it shut again, leaning over her where he held it down with his arm, leaving no way out.

‘That’s not like you.’ His voice was soft, despite the fire in his eyes. ‘You’re kind and thoughtful. You always worry about your friends.’ Jamie’s tone made her feel like an apprentice who’d disappointed their master, and it stung enough to make her flinch.

‘I’ve had a lot on my mind.’ Lottie raised her head to meet his gaze, and he had that look in his eye again, the golden stars in his irises burning intensely like they might set fire to the whole world.

It was dark in the dining hall with all the lights off, the space feeling odd at this time of day with no one else around.