I start to back up, hoping he hasn’t seen me, when I hear my name. I hesitate, too late to pretend I didn’t hear him. I have to get better at this, but it is the way he says my name: breathlessly.

“What are you doing here?”

I pause and turn, explaining, “I’m waiting for my mom.”

“Then why were you leaving?”

“I thought you might want to be alone,” I say.

He shakes his head. “That’s the opposite of what I want.”

“Then why come out here? Don’t you know all those people back at the auditorium?”

“I don’t necessarily want to hear how sorry everyone is,” he says. “Apologies don’t bring people back to life.” He looks back up at the building. “I thought I might find something here. Anything.”

“Any luck?” I ask.

“No.”

I don’t believe him. That’s the difference between him and Thane. Thane tells me everything he’s thinking, even if it hurts me. Shy keeps his cards close to his heart. I can’t decide which I prefer.

Shy stares at me for a long moment. His gaze isn’t searching, just piercing.

“Where did you learn to defend yourself?” he asks, and it’s clear he’s figured out I had an altercation with Lily.

“I didn’t.”

That is the truth. I hadn’t learned how to defend myself. I hadn’t taken any classes.

“You just naturally know how to kick ass?” he asks, quirking one eyebrow.

I hate denying I know how to kick ass, but this girl—the new and improved Anora—isn’t supposed to have those skills, much less need them.

It’s my turn to ask questions. “Where did you learn to defend yourself?”

“I’ve been training since I was twelve,” he says, and I’m surprised by his honesty.

“That seems a little extreme, don’t you think? We’re not going into battle.”

“You might not be.”

Those words make me shiver. I narrow my eyes and look him up and down. “Are you wearing a scythe?”

He smiles. “I’m always wearing a scythe.”

“I can’t imagine where you keep it.”

He lifts his head a little, and his eyes flame. “I’d let you search me, but I don’t want to be on the receiving end of my own blade.”

Just like that, it’s harder to breathe. I’m glad for the weather. The mist lands on my face, cooling my heated skin.

“You weren’t this eager to admit anything when you came to my house,” I point out.

“That was before my best friend died.”

Shy reaches into his pocket, and I go rigid, but he pulls out his cell phone and looks at the screen before pocketing it.

“I have to go.”