My eyebrows rose in challenge, but Trent surprised me, sliding closer and looping his arm through mine. His fingers were cold, and my smile faded. Something was seriously wrong. I loved irritating Trent, and I honestly got the impression that he put up with it so he could irritate me back, but this? I’d never felt his skin so cold.

“Look,” I said as the music turned slow and the skaters moved closer. “I’m not going into the ever-after. Al is hot for my soul again, and the last thing I need to do is get on his turf, so forget it.”

Trent shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you call him Al.”

“Well, I’m not going to use his summoning name,” I said, affronted. We were passing the rest area, and I caught Marshal’s eye. He was standing at an empty booth with a concerned look and two slushies. He straightened as he saw me, and I gave him a “just a minute” gesture.

His confusion and disappointment were clear despite the whirling disco lights, then he blinked as he realized who I was with. And then we were past him, headed for the other end of the rink.

“This isn’t about the ever-after,” Trent said, bringing me back to our conversation.

My lips pressed together, and I wondered if they would ban me again if I ran Trent into the wall. “Yeah, I know, it’s for Ceri and her baby. God, Trent. If it had been anyone but Quen.”

Trent almost pulled out of my grip, but I held tight, not wanting to look at his face. “Ceri told you?” he said, sounding embarrassed and making me wonder if he had been going to marry her and try to pass the baby off as his own.

I turned, letting him get a good look at my disgust. “Yes. She told me. She’s my friend.” Or used to be. Trent’s face went empty of emotion, and I felt a pang of guilt. “Look, I’m sorry. If it means anything, I think Ceri and you look great together and would have really pretty babies, but you and her? Who would be happy there? Really.”

He looked away, watching the couple before us dressed up as Bonnie and Clyde. “Rachel,” he said as the song went into the last, barf-o-matic romantic verses, “I need you to come to my house. Tonight.”

I just laughed and looked at the clock. “No way in hell.” Then, deciding that if I didn’t give him a reason, he might drug me and cart me off, I added, “Trent, I can’t. If I’m not on holy ground by sunset, Al will know it and show up. I won’t take the chance. Tell you what, though. I’ll come out to see you tomorrow afternoon with a big, fat consultation fee, and you’ll still get a no out of me.”