I debate whether I should answer, but she’ll just see that as an invitation to talk, and I don’t really want to be bothered right now, so I close out the messages and start a new one for Roth.

Here. Door 3.

I hit Send and wait.

And wait.

Swarms of people come and go with no sign of Roth.

Finally, I start another text. I said I was here.

Just as I hit Send, there’s a tap on my window. I look up to find Roth standing outside my passenger door, a coffee in hand.

Somehow, knowing what kept him in the airport just makes me hate him more.

He hasn’t changed much, except for a new haircut—short on the sides and long on top. Otherwise, he still resembles the same cheating douchebag I met a few years ago. He’s tall and muscular. He takes pride in his physique. I wish I could say it is all for show, but it’s not—Roth is a warrior, far more of a soldier than his father ever was. That’s about all I respect him for, but he’s somehow managed to weasel his way into the hearts of most elites and every female shadow knight. He lays charm on thick—it’s his gift.

“Well, if it isn’t Shy the Savior.” He holds up his coffee. “Hope you don’t mind—I didn’t think you’d want anything.”

I start my Jeep and put the car into gear, biting back a comment about his selfishness. “We’re going to be late.”

It doesn’t matter if it’s Roth’s fault; I’m the one who will get in trouble.

Before he shuts the door, I start moving, a tiny act of defiance. I’m hoping to shorten the drive to town as much as possible. I glance at Roth from the corner of my eye and find him staring down at his phone, a smile cracking across his face.

“You have a girlfriend yet, Savior?” he asks and takes a sip of coffee.

I clench my jaw, trying not to think about Anora, and don’t respond.

“I take that as a no.”

“Didn’t realize you were so interested in my love life.”

“I just think you might be a little nicer if you had one.”

“So you don’t have a girlfriend either?”

“Commitment isn’t my thing.”

“It’s unfortunate you were born Valryn, then.”

Roth laughs. “That’s the cleverest thing you’ve ever said, Savior.”

“If you’re going to be luminary, shouldn’t you be loyal to the Order?”

“Not if they’re not loyal to me.”

I stare at him, not sure what to make of his statement, but I have questions—what exactly is his idea of loyalty?

“If you stare at me any longer, I’ll have to assume you’ve fallen in love, Savior.”