“All of a sudden, huh?” Jenks said, and I shot him a look to shut him up. Marshal didn’t get the job because of Rynn Cormel, but I’d be willing to bet the vampire had been leaning on the university to pick someone else until I had barked at him to get out of my life. Whereupon the university had chosen whom they wanted.

Marshal was still looking at the chopsticks. “It was weird, like I’d done them a favor or something by saying yes.” His gaze flicked from the chopsticks to me and he winced. “Uh, I’m going to need a fork.”

I laughed and got back up. “Sorry.” I felt his attention on me, and feeling sassy, I picked out two forks. Marshal was dishing out the food, and it was nice being with someone who wasn’t looking for anything. “You know, since Al showed up, we don’t have to hang around here.”

“Rachel…,” Jenks protested, and I turned, bumping the drawer closed with my hip.

“What?” I complained. “He’s not going to come back tonight. I’ve been on unsanctified ground this entire time.”

“And Ivy’s going to have fairies coming out her ass when she finds out,” Jenks said.

I plopped down, not meeting anyone’s gaze. Marshal glanced from me to Jenks, watching us between tapping rice out on our plates. Jenks waved his hand no when Marshal offered, which didn’t surprise me. The small pixy wasn’t happy, and his wings were turning red as he grew upset and his circulation increased. Annoyed, I set the forks clattering on the table. “He’s not going to bother me anymore tonight, Jenks.”

“Why? Because you didn’t have Minias cart him off when your deluded sense of siding with the underdog told you he was tired and he appreciated you trusting him? Tink’s contractual hell, Rachel. That’s nuts. Slug nuts with slime on top. If you die tonight, it’s not my fault!”

Marshal continued to serve food, and the spicy scent did nothing to ease my tension. “Ah, Rachel? You want to go roller-skating tomorrow?” he said, clearly not liking Jenks and me arguing. It was an obvious attempt to change the subject, but my ire evaporated, and I uncrossed my arms and decided to ignore Jenks.

“Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been skating?” I said.

The pixy dropped to his empty tea bag caddy with his arms crossed over his chest, shedding silver sparkles. “According to your mom, not since you were banned for slamming—”

“Quiet!” I said, thumping the underside of the table with my knee, but the antique ash was heavy and Jenks didn’t even jump this time. “Don’t you have somewhere to go? Gargoyles to spy on or something?” I complained, my face warming. They wouldn’t still remember me at Aston’s, would they?