Drawing a deep breath, I say, “This inn is my life. It’s all our lives. I grew up here, I worked here, I learned here. Ravenfall’s my favorite place in the world, but it’s…” I trail off, clenching my jaw. What am I doing? He doesn’t care.

I can’t stop myself from trying to make friends. When I was younger, I used to try to befriend the kids who traveled with their families. But they never wanted to hang out with the weird girl at the inn. The guests come, get what they need from us, and then return to their lives.

It’s the only part of living at Ravenfall I’ve never gotten used to—for me, this place is my life, and everyone else leaves eventually.

Even Colin will leave, once Liam returns.

“It’s what?” he asks gently, surprising me.

“I just don’t know that I belong here,” I tell him, and it isn’t until I say it that I realize that’s my real fear. I didn’t fit in at school and my dad didn’t want me on his expeditions with him. If I don’t belong at Ravenfall, then do I belong anywhere?

Colin laughs. I stare at him, embarrassed, but he says quickly, “I’m sorry. It’s just—I can’t imagine you anywhere but Ravenfall,” he says. “There’s so much more to you than your magic. You’ve taught me so much, and you made me feel comfortable in an entirely new world. And you’re risking yourself to help me find out who killed my parents. You’re brave, and smart, and good at figuring stuff out, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”

He offers me a smile. “Psychometry isn’t your only power, Anna. And you’re not useless.”

I swallow hard. It feels good to hear someone say those things, especially someone not from my family, who are too close to understand. They all matter to the inn—they can’t see what it’s like to feel like I don’t.

In the end, I settle for a smile. “Thanks. You’re not half bad yourself. Aunt Elaine and Uncle Roy are pretty impressed with you.”

“They’re good teachers,” he says, rubbing the back of his head. “Though they argue a lot.”

“Siblings,” I say with a wave, and watch his face shutter. I consider throwing myself over the roof’s edge. “Sorry,” I say with a wince.

He smiles easily and stands. “It’s nothing. Come on, dinner’s ready.”

I follow him, feeling much better, but also resolved. He’s right—I do have more to offer than just my powers.

And I know just how to prove it.

Chapter 15: Colin